Many thanks to generous people who donate...

Many thanks to generous people who donate blood

Regarding the Pilot article “Lifeguards help save lives another

way,” July 22, many thanks to all the generous people who donate this

gift of life. It is truly a blessing to those in need.

LINDA HAZEWINKEL

Costa Mesa

Street safety sacrificed for the noise relief of residents

Safety of southbound MacArthur Boulevard motorists approaching

Coast Highway was long ago sacrificed to the noise concerns of a few

Harbor View residents, whose successful lobbying of the city of

Newport Beach traffic engineers ultimately facilitated a hazardous

traffic flow caused by the awkward median design. It forced the

convergence of lanes into one left-turn striping pattern that is

difficult to access.

Perhaps this was an unintended consequence of the actions of

well-meaning residents wanting to move a perceived noise source as

far westward as possible, away from their homes. But I have joined a

group of commuters and residents who will register our protest by

honking our horns at all hours every time we enter the subject

location until the city corrects this problem.

P. HUMMELL JR.

Corona del Mar

Coyote a little too wild for golf club fairway backyard

Last week, I found a coyote sleeping in my backyard, about 20 feet

from my door. I live on a Mesa Verde Golf Club fairway.

After chasing it away for three mornings, I called animal control.

Their answer phone gives one a choice to connect to the 911

dispatcher, which I did. She was very nice but basically informed me

that coyotes were all over the community eating people’s small pets,

and unless its behavior was unusual, not much could be done.

Hanging out at night in your yard or sleeping in your flowerbeds

is not unusual. However, if I wanted to request an officer to come

out, he might be able to shoot it. I declined. About 10 a.m., animal

control returned my call. I asked if they could trap it, and she

informed me that they did not do that as the Fish and Game Department

regulates that activity. I suppose coyotes are protected. Our

community has a growing problem, especially with so many Mesa Verde

cats missing. I bought some training aid spray and scented the area

around the planter, where the coyote had been sleeping and it has not

been back. Maybe it moved to your yard.

THOMAS E. KOLANOSKI

Costa Mesa