We live on an acre and a half between Sobey and Quito roads. We have lots of habitat for quail and we feed them 40 pounds of birdseed a month. We easily have 70-100 quail hanging out under the various bushes and brush and they are a joy to watch.

And we had a coyote sighting in the yard. More power to any coyote fast enough to catch a quail because it is virtually impossible! Instead, the coyotes will catch the rats and gophers that are a problem. They also avoid people and do not attack.

We have two cats that go out for two hours in the morning and are trained to come in with the ringing of the bell, as we definitely want to protect the quail. The cats can't catch the quail either. When the quail babies hatch we keep the cats in until they fly (the quail not the cats!).

Let's enjoy our wildlife. Now that I'm thinking of the problems, we have deer around the property and, after trying everything to protect our roses and other landscaping, we have finally fenced off certain areas. We just had to learn to get along with all the wild animals and learn to enjoy them for their grace and beauty. After all, they were here first.

D. Anderson

Quito Road

P.S. Get your 20 pounds of birdseed from An Jan. Your quail will come back.

Early detection key in
battling colon cancer

Your cover story in the March 10 issue provided compelling evidence of the importance of early detection of colon cancer. Your readers would undoubtedly benefit from an understanding of the various screening techniques that are available for detecting this cancer, which would be a worthy topic for a follow-up article.

That article could cover the much-advertised virtual examination by noninvasive scanners as well as those involving the insertion of a flexible tube. In the latter category are the sigmoidoscope and colonoscope, which are used for visual examination and the removal of polyps. A sigmoidoscopy examines only the descending portion of the colon while a colonoscopy examines the transverse portion in addition to the ascending portion. Obviously a colonoscopy is much more thorough.

Your readers might also benefit from a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of virtual procedures versus those involving the insertion of a flexible tube. What many people consider to be the obvious advantage of the virtual approach is that it is noninvasive and, thereby, safer and more comfortable. However, any polyps that are detected will require a subsequent invasive procedure for removal. Thus, an advantage to the flexible tube technique is that examination and polyp removal are accomplished in a single procedure.

In my case, polyps are routinely removed but it would be important for your readers to know how typical that is.

Even knowing the procedure might save their lives, many people are reluctant to submit to the flexible tube for fear the procedure will subject them to considerable discomfort. Speaking as one who has undergone sigmoidoscopies as well as a colonoscopy, the only discomfort I have experienced resulted from the need to insert a gas to inflate the colon in order for the operator to be able to observe the colon and to maneuver the flexible tube. For me, it helped to know what was causing the discomfort. In any event, this is a temporary discomfort and cannot be used as an excuse to avoid these procedures.

To me, the most objectionable aspects of the procedures are the necessary process of emptying you digestive tract of any solid food products and adhering to a liquid diet on the preceding day, but that is because I have a nasty habit of enjoying real food.

Wesley I. Ferguson

Chateau Drive

Sam Cloud barn
should be saved

It has just come to our attention that Saratoga is in jeopardy of losing one of its most important historic resources, the Sam Cloud barn. Located behind what is now known as the Bella Saratoga Restaurant, the barn is a large, two—story structure that has housed a number of Saratoga businesses, including a printing company.

The building was originally a livery stable, once owned by Sam Cloud, the proprietor of the general store that occupied the building that currently houses the Harmonie Day Spa.

The Saratoga Historical Foundation has sent letters to the city, urging them to make every effort to help restoration of this important resource. The building was damaged in the earthquake and needs seismic retrofitting.

Today it is jeopardized, not by its age or its condition, but by the city's deadlines. Since the restoration problem is fairly complex, we feel that the owners deserve every consideration to find a workable solution.

The Barn is a unique structure that makes an important contribution to the history and character of Saratoga Village.

We hope that you will join us in urging the city to support the owners in their efforts.

Bob Louden, president

Saratoga Historical Foundation

Too much pressure put
on high school students

In light of recent events at Saratoga High School, I feel compelled to speak out, as a former Saratoga High School student, about the undue pressure that is placed on students.

Cheating, of course, is never the answer, and neither is revenge. Nothing can excuse the conduct of the students who cheated and the one who may have plotted to bomb the campus. However, I hope the administration takes these events the right way and not only tries to turn them into a learning experience by expelling those students that it deems appropriate, but also by taking this opportunity to remind students, and faculty for that matter, about what really matters in life.

Although grades are very important and achievement is always revered, I find it crucial to remind SHS students that a 4.0 is excellent, not average; that graduating high school, in and of itself, without taking one AP course is an achievement; and that, above all, emotional and mental well-being outweigh any score on an exam.

Sheeva Ghassemi

Saratoga

Ghassemi is a 2001 graduate of Saratoga High School and a law student at Santa Clara University.