LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed your article about Ron Sher ("The People's Developer," Nov. 9). It's great reading about someone who's both pragmatic and idealistic. I've often gone to Third Place Books and Crossroads and more or less took them for granted, but reading the article gave me more appreciation for what they provide. I liked the fact, too, the article was given enough space to do the subject justice.

Just my opinion: I'd like to see more articles like that in the magazine. I don't have a huge interest in how the very rich decorate their houses and so for me, the magazine devotes too much space to those kind of features.

— Jeff Stone
Bellevue

Crossroads family

Thank you for recognizing Ron Sher ("The People's Developer," Nov. 9) for his achievement as a "Community Builder."

My husband and I moved to Bellevue's Eastside in 1979 and experienced the good changes at Crossroads Mall. Besides shopping and eating at the mall, we registered voters and got signatures on initiatives.

Hands-on manager Lynn Terpstra is always circulating through the mall greeting people.

Our 3-year-old granddaughter played in the play areas and loved going to what she called "Crosswords Mall."

The mall was a "Third Place" for our family.

I live in a retirement community in Des Moines now, but when I go to Bellevue, Crossroads Mall is always a destination.

— Dorothy Scheppke
Des Moines

Circular handiwork

I was pleased to read Valerie Easton's article "Public Spaces" (Plant Life, Sept. 21) and to learn that the Traffic Circle Garden Contest is now an annual event. Being a "walker," I appreciate the lovely handiwork of all those hard-working volunteers.

However, a "noxious weed" award should be presented to the Seattle School Board candidate who planted her signs in some traffic circles in my neighborhood.