FROM OUR MAILBAG 4/30 - 5/8/98:
ADAM J. SMITH GETS THE NOD...
FROM Roger J.M., Jr. [NO CITY PROVIDED], Somewhere in New England, USA:
I don't know about the rest of your mag but if it is at all like the artical written by Adam J Smith on tobacco it is without a great Mag.
Roger
ADAM SMITH RESPONDS:
Roger,
You're right, it is a great Mag. And every issue makes me happier to be a part of it. A hint: To find out about "ther rest," stop wasting time writing to our editor and go read it. And, as our editor says... tell ALL your friends. How's that Rod?
TOM HARGROVE's STORY[Now featured in the May issue of *Vanity Fair*, covered by the Sacramento Bee and St. Petersburg Times this week.] RISES ONTO THE RADAR SCREEN...
FROM Eric F. , University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA:
Dear Rod Amis:
In the April 1998 edition of the Agricultural Communicators in Education publication, "Signals," there is a Letter to the Editor from Tom Hargrove telling about his article titled, "A Year In the Valley of the Shadow." Mr. Hargrove says a copy of this article will appear at the G-21 web site.
After looking through the G-21 web site (http://generator21.net), I have been unable to find this article. Can you point me to the correct URL?
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Erik F.
ROD RESPONDS: Sorry for the inconvenience. We only offer links to back issues at one place, the bottom of the splashpage. I recognize that some people don't make it that far.
This is a story we published in February of this year, and linked to in late March again, as it is included in Mr. Hargrove's testimony before the House International Relations committee. Your most complete source can be found by going to our transcript of the House testimony.(http://www.generator21.net/narco.html).
aw, shucks!... Hey, wait. You don't come here everyday?
FROM Elizabeth R., Scranton, PA, USA:
Congratulations on producing a thoroughly entertaining website. I've come here every week for the last month, and have been never sorry I did. You have a marvelous team of writers, and some very wonderful things to say!
My husband and I sometimes think we're the only people who think this way! You are now on our list of Favorites.
AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GENERATOR 21:
FROM Ric W., Austin, TX, USA:
Reality. Here's a news item that will make the post-modern mythologist proud:
Saturday, April 18, 1998 Published at 16:57 GMT
Israel's latest in designer nothingness
"Waiter, there's absolutely nothing in my soup!" An Israeli restaurant in one of the most fashionable areas of Tel Aviv has come up with a new concept to pull in the customers. Cafe Ke'ilu - or "Cafe Like" - gives its clientele the chance to enjoy all the social pleasures of going out for a meal - but without the food.
It is the ultimate poseur's paradise, according to BBC correspondent Ade Akintonwa. Cafe Like boasts the most fashionable menu ever - one with nothing on it.
Taking the idea of cafe culture to the extreme, it is a restaurant that sells style, not food. Or so say its owners.
Customers can choose anything they want from the most exhaustive menu which includes everything from fried octopus to chocolate rolls in cranberry sauce - but all you will get is an empty plate.
The dubious pleasure of enjoying an invisible meal costs $5. Ordering an after-dinner coffee gets an empty cup. Clearly for some the service is enough on its own.
"This place is different from other places," said Ronen, a regular customer. "It sells atmosphere instead of food."
And the staff are just as enthusiatic about the restaurant's appeal.
"The place addresses people who find food interesting," said Mairev, a waitress. "People find the place visually attractive or that like the place's design."
The cafe's design is certainly quite eye-catching. The artistic arrangement of empty wines bottles, the empty cans of liver paté and other culinary teasers are definitely original. But some passers-by thought it was all just one big joke.
"I think it is very weird," said one. "I have never seen something like this. You come here to eat nothing, you can even come to the waitress and tell her you want more and it seems very stupid." It may seem "stupid" but after two weeks, the owners say business is booming. And there are plans for expansion.
Cafe Like is now said to be considering a take-away and delivery service.
BBC News Home ©
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