The Ed Hall cartoon in Shorelines on Saturday, Sept. 22, depicts a huge, menacing shark with Wal-Mart printed on its side. The big, mean shark is devouring an inviting, cutesy little village of quaint shops with awnings.

Spare me! Wal-Mart is replacing a bland, unadorned, aging strip mall that hasn't been fully occupied for many years. Nothing along that stretch of Atlantic Boulevard could ever be mistaken for Rodeo Drive. Wal-Mart can't help but be an aesthetic improvement. Besides, it will help the tax base and give us a good place to shop.

Ruth Forrest