Hollywood Super Shoppers
Well, PEOPLE, you've done it again—running multiple pages on self-centered narcissistic people who can't find a more constructive way of dealing with their empty, shallow lives and huge salaries than through out-of-control, compulsive spending.
M. Morash, Abbotsford, B.C.

There are children who go to bed hungry night after night, yet you show celebrities wasting money on things they don't even wear or need. When will we learn that possessions do not buy happiness? Nothing fills the emptiness inside like helping someone in need, but we all, me included, measure our worth by what we own. Shame on us all.
Kim Short, Pueblo, Colo.

In our country it seems more important to pay actors and athletes outrageous salaries so they can spend without thinking than to pay hardworking, ordinary people barely enough to educate their children. Not a good message to pass on to the next generation.
Nancy Breen, Speedway, Ind.

So Jennifer Tilly pays $530 for stilettos, Arnold likes expensive leather and Goldie has a thing for expensive sweaters. Heck, I hope my 2 percent cost-of-living raise will get me to the fine collectibles section at Wal-Mart. Then we can go shopping together!
Cheryl Cox, West Des Moines, Iowa

I can admire these people for their talent, but I lost respect for them as human beings after I read your article.
Laura Kiesling, Overland Park, Kans.

It must have been a slow day in Hollywoodville when all you can think of writing about is how celebrities spend their millions. From Gone with the Wind, I quote, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
Matilda Schoerverth, Elyria, Ohio

As a confirmed shopaholic, I was always told by my mom, "For every new item you purchase, you must get rid of something old." While your article on celebrity shoppers was a fun, light read, it neglected what's important. With those new purchases taking over closets, where does the old stuff go—to charities, resale boutiques, churches, the homeless? It would have made the article and the celebrities a lot more interesting.
Leslie Semonian, Newtown, Mass.

I can't wait to see the comments that will come flowing in about this superficial article. I'll buy the issue just to read Mailbag. You guys at PEOPLE are so clever!
Anne Roshkind, Lake Villa, Ill.

It's disheartening to discover that some celebrities spend more during one shopping trip than I make in a year as a public school teacher with a master's degree!
Linda Joerling-Francois, Wildwood, Mo.

O.J. Simpson
Am I the only one who noticed the uncanny resemblance between Nicole Brown Simpson and O.J.'s current girlfriend, Christie Prody? Run for your life, girl!
Susan Pruner, Roanoke, Va.

For Christie Prody, a tip: Since O.J. has been unsuccessful in finding the killer, you'd better be on your guard—the killer could strike again at any time!
Margaret Mosure Butler, Dublin, Ohio

I was interested to read about the people associated with the case who are making the world a better place—Fred Goldman, an advocate for victim's rights, and Allan Park, the former limo driver who has never cashed in on his 15 minutes of fame because, he says, he would consider it "blood money." Now that's class.
Lisa Addison, Irvine, Calif.

Who gives a rat's butt where O.J. is? We all know where Nicole and Ron Goldman are. Please, no more stories about this monster.
Rita Wood, Collierville, Tenn.

O.J. struggling to move on? You need to redefine struggling.
Irene Phillips, Manhasset, N.Y.

Dr. Henry Heimlich
As I was choking in a restaurant years ago, another diner successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver on me and saved my life. So I wish to add my thanks and best wishes to all those Dr. Heimlich has received over the years. Also, a thank you to that day's guardian angel at the next table!
Marie H. Parker, Westerville, Ohio

Just last week my son's life was saved by his kindergarten teacher performing the Heimlich maneuver on him as he choked on a marker cap. Words can never express my gratitude to both the teacher, Mrs. Kelly, and Dr. Heimlich.
Cindi Plonsky, New City, N.Y.

Mel Tormé
I thought my generation's era came to a close with the death of Frank Sinatra, but I was wrong, because for me it was with the passing of Mel Tormé. I have memories of Mel at 13, in Chicago, performing with Fritzi Freund's student band that played at college and high school dances. Mel was the drummer and singer and could he ever belt out "I Cried for You."
Louise Robinson, Woodland Hills, Calif.

Dr. Ben Carson
Dr. Ben Carson is a hero for creating scholarships for the academically gifted, but the real hero in your article is his mother, Sonya Copeland. Married at 13, divorced and destitute, living in a tenement and raising two boys to achieve excellence in their professions—what a woman! If he doesn't have one already, Dr. Carson should create the Sonya Copeland Scholarship Award to foster the educational values that his mother brought to her family.
Linda Lanshe, Bethlehem, Pa.

While Dr. Ben Carson is recognized internationally for his pediatric neurosurgery, less well known is his work with trigeminal neuralgia patients. Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most painful conditions known to humans, and sufferers have been known to commit suicide because of it. Dr. Carson and his assistant Carol James saved my life seven years ago, and they are not only heroes but wonderful human beings.
Patricia Reese, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, Baltimore

Rhys Ifans
I told my girlfriend while watching Notting Hill that I swore I could smell Spike—as if the movie were filmed in "aroma-vision." Rhys Ifans was that convincing.
Dana Lunak, Lutz, Fla.

Scoop
Mary Poppins has been my favorite movie for almost 30 years, and viewing it with my children this past year has not been the same, knowing that Julie Andrews's beautiful singing voice has been silenced. I plan to watch it again today and relax, knowing she is still as talented as ever!
Amy Miles, Laurel, Md.

Royals
If there were ever any doubt as to the legacy of Princess Diana, just look at the wonderful pictures of Prince Harry teasing and hugging his father, Prince Charles. In their time together, she taught Charles to be an open and loving father to his boys. It is a shame Prince Philip couldn't have been as affectionate and caring a father. Can you imagine what the outcome could have been?
Beth Treier, Warren, Mich.

Mailbag
I salute Joyce Maynard for her rebuttal to Gay Talese's charges that she is "conveying a poor message to her three children" by choosing to sell the letters that J.D. Salinger had written to her when she was a student to fund their college educations. What's wrong with Talese's mind that allows him to ignore the fact that J.D. Salinger tried to seduce a teen? At least she is using the funds positively.
Jane Blattner, Pittsburgh

I was pleased to see the well-deserved comments about Sophia Loren. Way back in 1961 my parents were captivated by her, and that is how my name was born that year, along with me. Thirty-eight years later, she is, I think (and I'll bet money I'm not alone on this), even more beautiful than she was then. Even if she has had plastic surgery, as many of your correspondents think, so what? If that work of art can be created by mere man, I'll take a number and get in line.
Loren LaTerra Gallian, Marlborough, Conn.