March 05, 2004

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Classifieds

Palo Alto Online

ReaderWire

I must thank Dale Bentson for his beautifully exact portrait of Bistro Elan (Weekly, Feb. 20). I have had the opportunity to enjoy their food and service for many years and am constantly amazed by the efforts of owners Andrea and Anbjorn.

From the abundant flowers that greet you at the front of the house, the intensely knowledgeable servers and impeccable food, to the smiles that waft from the tables -- any evening you spend at Bistro Elan assures decadence of all senses. Isabelle Nicolas Santa Rita Avenue, Palo Alto
Out of gas

Hey! What's going on? There is one gas station left on Middlefield Road between Menlo Park and San Antonio Road, and suddenly it is closed.

Why?

Several years ago we all signed a petition to keep a station there and now? Originally there were four just in Midtown and now there are none.

Time for your newspaper to find out what is going on and let us know. Marvin Lee Harker Avenue, Palo Alto
Stem-cell support

I wish good luck to Robert Klein in his idea to develop a stem-cell research program (Weekly, Feb. 25). Such research could help 100 million Americans affected by life-threatening diseases and conditions that could benefit from advances in stem-cell research.

Such research will be too late for me because of George W. Bush's opposition to stem-cell research. It means that I will never walk again.

I hope that Mr. Klein's son will be made whole again and live a full life despite Bush. Malcolm G. Mitchell Corte Madera Road, Portola Valley
Christ's sacrifice

Thanks to Susan Tavernetti for reviewing "The Passion of The Christ" (Weekly, Feb.25). I agree with her description. The movie was indeed a gruesome spectacle of Christ's suffering.

The whole intent, I believe, was to convey more authentically what Christ's suffering "passion" for the sins of the world was like. My hope is that viewers worldwide will be able to fathom his sacrifice.

As for those unfamiliar with the story/characters, there's a best-selling book available in most languages that has been around for a long time: The Bible, which they will hopefully consult to fill in the gaps. Lynda Copeland-Fields El Camino Way, Palo Alto
The 'Passion' of profit

The recent release -- and overwhelming financial success -- of Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of The Christ" raises some interesting moral questions. The film is beautifully directed and finely acted, although the graphic depiction of Christ's tortured final days is visually upsetting.

The question that now arises, however, is how "selfless" Gibson's film truly is. Thanks to controversy and religious support, the film has grossed an incredible $130 million since opening on Ash Wednesday.

So, with all due respect, Gibson has merely packaged the important story of Christ's suffering and offered it up to a wide audience for commercialistic profit.

Religion and entertainment should be kept separate. Religion is inner spiritual belief to be shared with one's family and inner self, and entertainment is ... entertainment. The less we commercialize spirituality, the more potent that spirituality is. Daniel Rand Park Boulevard, Palo Alto

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