‘Mamma mia!’ that’s quite a show Regarding...

‘Mamma mia!’ that’s quite a show

Regarding Tom Titus’s Review of “Mamma Mia” at the Orange County

Performing Arts Center (“‘Mamma Mia!’ cooks up spicy show,” Friday):

Tutus’ tribute to “Mamma Mia!” at the Center is well deserved.

This is one of those rare instances where the show lives up to the

bravo review.

Those who have attended so far would probably agree that this

spectacular performance equals anything seen on the Broadway stage.

Combined with the remodeled South Coast Repertory and its now three

theaters; the patron gets the feeling of a true “theater district.”

With “Mamma Mia!” the Orange County theater comes of age. Take

that New York, New York.

Is this show worth seeing? Mamma mia!

MICHAEL ARNOLD GLUECK

Newport Beach

One injury should not quench Fourth of July fireworks

I am truly sorry that Costa Mesa City Councilman Mike Scheafer’s

neighbor was badly burned on the Fourth of July. And I am truly

saddened because it has inspired Scheafer to try to ban fireworks

from our city. I spend a lot of time on Southern California freeways,

where the potential for tragedy is worse than air travel, and I was

wondering if Scheafer and his neighbor will stop driving their cars

to avoid potential accidents?

I agree completely with Charlie Massingill’s response in the Daily

Pilot’s “Readers Respond” on Friday pointing out that we aren’t

closing bars that sell alcohol (that may contribute to drunk drivers)

or beaches where people drown. I agree with Taylor Lobdell’s response

last week in the Pilot that the Fourth of July is a favorite day in

Costa Mesa.

My family and I have looked forward to the Fourth every year since

moving here 15 years ago. We buy legal fireworks and work with our

children to set them off responsibly, as do our neighbors. I urge the

City Council not to support the ban of fireworks.

KAREN DONOVAN

Costa Mesa

Geometry measures up better than Smith thinks

Steve Smith, who is, I’m sure, valued by most Daily Pilot readers

as a most intelligent individual, loses this qualification in

denigrating the value of geometry in the high school curriculum.

Smith claims that he has not had occasion “to use geometry ... and

has not done so since Mrs. Patterson’s [geometry] class.”

This claim of the nonuse of geometry by Smith would probably be

true were he leading the life of a hermit. Having read his articles

all these years, however, I’m sure that he takes the time to look at

his globe, which shows the geometric angles formed by the lines of

latitude and longitude.

Also, if perchance writer Smith steps out of his writer’s ken to

view the sun’s rising and setting, he must be aware of the sun’s

geometric rhythms that, in its annual movements, embrace the

equinoxes and the solstices in addition to the glories of sunrise and

sunset. Certainly, Smith must know that our time has its basis and is

measured by the earth’s longitude.

I’m afraid that Smith has struck out in his attempt to devalue

geometry.

LEFTERIS LAVRAKAS

Costa Mesa

What’s the difference between these two sites?

In response to “A lot for developers,” Wednesday.

Tale of Two Cities:

It was the Westside, it was the Eastside . Why, one wonders, has

the Planning Commission approved a violation of the city plan

allowing the congested five-story 1901 Newport condos to be approved

(noncomplying) but restricted the Eastside development at 2441 Elden

Ave.?

Why did the City Council refuse to permit comment on the appeal

and reschedule the hearing knowing that many of the homeowners had

arrived just to comment on that subject?

Is this a case of “Let them eat cake?”

MIKE BERRY

Costa Mesa

When it comes to KOCE, she wants her public TV

Regarding the possible sale of KOCE.

With so much bad TV available on the airwaves, why do we have to

lose the one TV station that lets us learn something? I am trying to

figure out how to get my gym to turn on KOCE so I can work one more

muscle while I’m there.

GAY SANDOVAL

Costa Mesa