I was delighted to read about the Serbian Church's plans (Saratoga News, July 28) for a new chapel that would replace their current building on Allendale Avenue. I couldn't, however, understand nearby resident Mr. Macauley's objections to the project.

His concerns would be perfectly understandable if the church were planning to build the chapel on Serra Oaks Court, but this is Allendale we're talking about—a major traffic artery and home to not only the church's current makeshift chapel, but also the Church of Latter Day Saints and West Valley College. Additional traffic should be negligible with such a small congregation and pose no greater threat to neighborhood children than that which already exists.

A distinctive, beautiful piece of architecture is a rare thing. This new chapel could be a real gift to the city and elevate the spirits of many who happen upon it. I'd like to encourage Mr. Macauley and his association to keep an open mind. It would be a shame for the Rev. Jovic and his congregation to have to modify their long-held dream unnecessarily.

Colleen Balough

Casa Blanca Lane

Orchard is a better
place for soccer fields

The Saratoga City Council is once again bringing up the subject of building two full-size soccer fields, rest rooms and parking facilities in the Kevin Moran Park located in Prides Crossing.

However, I believe that the building of two full-size soccer fields, rest rooms and parking facilities in Kevin Moran Park would be detrimental to our neighborhood. Traffic will increase within our neighborhood. And in addition, restrooms will only contribute to strangers coming into our neighborhood, making it unsafe for children walking home through Kevin Moran Park from Blue Hills Elementary School, and for neighborhood children who frequent the park daily.

Furthermore, I believe that it is unrealistic for the city of Saratoga to hold onto land such as the large, "unused", Heritage Orchard located on Saratoga Avenue when it could be put to good use for the benefit of the community. Therefore, I recommend that the Saratoga City Council vote to build the two full-size soccer fields, rest rooms and parking facilities on the large, "unused", Heritage Orchard.

Christine Gulrich

Saratoga

What's happening
to our wildlife?

I have many questions, but no answers. Maybe some of your readers can help me.

My family moved to the Glen Una area of Saratoga in 1971. Our home was built in an old orchard. The various fruit and nut trees have died, and the unlandscaped areas of our property have gradually reverted to native vegetation—live oak, bay laurel, madrone and toyon. It is delightful to find the same vegetation in our backyard as I find when I hike in the mountains near our home.

When we first moved here, there were many fascinating bird species—quail, dove, robin, finch, owl, thrasher, mockingbird and hummingbird, to name a few. I haven't see quail in years, nor have I seen thrashers, finches or mockingbirds recently. It was entertaining and charming to be scolded by the hummers when we didn't keep their feeders full, but lately there are very few of them around.

By far, the dominant bird species now is the crow. I understand that they are all God's creatures, but crows are poor substitutes for the various birds that are now gone from our landscape. I'd blame it all on my neighbors' cats, but they have all been eaten by the pack of coyotes that roamed our area until this past spring. In the past few months even the coyotes have disappeared. I wonder if they have been poisoned by an angry pet owner. I think that's too bad, because despite the fact that the coyotes killed our two cats, they also helped control the deer population by bringing down some fawns each spring.

Deer have always lived in these mountains, but their numbers seem to have increased dramatically in the past two years. It seems that the average age of our local herd has dropped as more of the fawns are surviving. I like deer, but it is disconcerting to see them eat the very vegetation that has been considered deer proof over thousands of years. When there is overpopulation, deer will eat anything, and I am certainly finding that to be true. Additionally, I am concerned about the increased number of ticks that they bring and the accompanying risk of disease. My wife thinks we should allow people to hunt the deer to supply the local food banks.

How long will it be before their No. 1 predator, the mountain lion, extends his range to include our backyards? Deer are cute and relatively harmless, but a mountain lion perched in a live oak in my yard concerns me. It appalls me to even think that it would be necessary to destroy one of these beautiful creatures, but if they are roaming our neighborhoods, I can see that it may evolve to that. Things are very out of whack.

So, I'm up for suggestions, information and dialogue.

Steve Fox

Saratoga

Residents showing
a lack of tolerance

Your recent article seems to indicate that Saratoga has become a city that wants to stop the growth of churches' plans ("Neighbors voice concerns over church plans," Saratoga News, July 28)—a city where the design of church structures is taken from the congregation and given to others that know what is best. I have no knowledge of the Serbian church or their beliefs, but I am very sorry to see my city show such lack of tolerance and consideration when a church is ready to grow. I do know that the church has owned the property for many, many years, probably longer then most of the neighbors.

Frank Patten

Carniel Court