Great Escape
As a recently relocated Minnesotan, I was pleased to see my new home, Seattle, in your “Winter Escapes” article (December). I wanted to add one thing: For those brave enough to weather the rain (it’s really not that bad), there are tons of great outdoors activities just outside of Seattle. You can ski at Snoqualmie or Stevens Pass in the morning, kayak in Lake Washington in the afternoon, and still have time for dinner and a show downtown. (A dinner that includes seafood, of course.) The city’s great, yes, but when that city is surrounded by a lake, a sound, and two mountain ranges, your options really are endless. See you out here!
Janelle Erickson
Seattle
Plastic Concerns
I thought Emily Sohn’s “Infant Fears” article was fascinating (November). As the mother of a young child, I was especially interested in the Safe Baby Products Bill introduced in the Minnesota Legislature, calling for a ban of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) used in baby bottles, sippy cups, teething rings, and products made for infants and children under the age of 3.
I realize some people might think this issue has “nanny state” written all over it, but I think it’s fair to—at the very least—issue a general warning to pregnant women and parents with small children of the possible risks of BPA. After reading Emily’s article, I don’t understand why it’s necessary to add BPA to baby bottles.
Representatives of the plastics industry might argue that the polycarbonate plastic used in baby bottles is perfectly safe (then why, exactly, did Canada ban BPA from baby bottles?), but I would rather be safe than sorry.
Christina Sorenson
St. Paul
Good Reading
After reading Mary Jo Pehl’s column this month—another excellent bit of highly entertaining writing by Ms. Pehl—I’m inspired to write in and thank you for including her work in your pages. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her contributions to MST3K and Cinematic Titanic, but I’ve been surprised at how eagerly I anticipate reading her column for Minnesota Monthly each month. It’s the first thing I flip to when my new issue comes. She’s funny and wise and just incredibly friendly. So, thanks for including her contributions and, more generally, for the magazine’s renewed editorial commitment to showcasing thoughtfully produced features, columns, and interviews from such a wide variety of voices. I can tell you’ve been tweaking things for the last year or two, incorporating an array of talented new writers into the mix (Michael Tortorello, the venerable Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, Paul Douglas, Christy DeSmith—I could go on and on). I appreciate that you’re taking some risks with the content mix; no mean task for such an established magazine. I’ll tell you this: Whatever you’re doing, it sure has made for consistently good reading.
Susannah Schouweiler
St. Paul
Guide on the Go
I am always looking to try new restaurants and activities to do during these slow winter months. I find it so convenient and helpful to flip through the current issue of Minnesota Monthly and read reviews to get ideas of how to spend my weekends with family and friends. Thank you Minnesota Monthly for helping me to be a girl on the go!
Kristina Grand
Shoreview
Here’s to Your Health
“Examining the Alternative” by Craig Bowron, MD, in your December 2008 issue brings to light a critical issue: striking a balance between good health and pharmaceuticals. I’m certain each and every one of us would prefer the natural route rather than requiring drugs. It’s helpful—and wonderful—to read this story and hear Margie Belock’s journey to better health despite a faulty terminal diagnosis and ultimately living a quality life with MS. Her story motivates me to look into a healthier lifestyle and try to move away from the various drugs I’m so accustomed to taking.
Robin Herbst
Inver Grove Heights
Dining Defect
While I keep up with your fun-to-read Dear Dara blog, and enjoy your snarky dining reviews every month, I have to say, Minnesota Monthly’s dining listings are subpar. I do not feel like they are current or up-to-date. You will feature a restaurant one month and the next month it’s not to be found in your dining listings.
I still love reading Minnesota Monthly—the reviews are great, the food photos make me salivate month after month—but I often find myself going elsewhere for a quick list of local eateries, and I imagine, I am not alone. Please help keep me informed!
Kristen Hansen
Minneapolis
Dear MNMO
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