FOR THE BIRDS


    Your articles on Crab Cove and Doug Siden [“Crab Cove Turns 25,”  “Fighting for Eco-Justice,” May/June 2005] didn’t mention the Marshland Bird Sanctuary, which is a fantastic natural place. Most people assume the area naturally takes care of itself, but it’s been my observation that some man-made improvements will be necessary sooner or later to preserve the area.
    It’s been somewhat of a privilege for me to grow up on Bayview Drive since 1965 and to watch it develop into a nature area that many Alamedans can enjoy. The little nature trail is also very appropriate for its scale, and the birds can have a relatively close encounter with those who walk there.
    Unfortunately, the area has become a deathtrap for our little feathered friends, particularly the rail and nesting ducks such as the mallard, whose lives are often disrupted by insensitive people with their dogs or by school kids, bikers and hikers. The area is also a trash collection site neglected by the city and county, and the garbage attracts hungry raccoons and opossums that threaten the safety of the birds.
    A true bird sanctuary ought to offset the disadvantaged with some protection such as fencing to keep critters out and provide the birds safe passage from the beach to the lagoon. It is my intent to contact the city, county and state with plausible remedies to the situation. Futhermore, my hope is that this letter attracts the attention of Mr. Siden, who may have considerable influence in arranging results without a bureaucratic bird fight ruffling a lot of fancy feathers—usually what my efforts in this town amount to.
Gary McAfee
Alameda

BRAGGING RIGHTS


    This is our fifth year in Alameda. We need no coupon, no formal 25 reasons why we’re Island fans. It’s the children, the babies, the little ones. There are so many beautiful children here. We are so proud of them, their families, their little noises and growth patterns. We are very blessed. They are our No. 1 reason for moving to Alameda. Cast our ballot for them. We’re in our 80s, so we should know.
Barbara and Jack Mihalovich
Alameda

PBJ THANKS


    On behalf of the West Alameda Business Association, I want to most sincerely thank you for your contribution to the 2004 Peanut Butter Jam on Webster Street. The festival is an essential element of a multifaceted effort to bring about the economic revitalization of Webster Street we all desire. And this year, the PBJ will take place on a refurbished street as a result of the streetscape project currently under construction. Working together, we have no where to go but up. Thank you again for your caring and your support.
Sherri Steig
Alameda