Community Corner
Comments of the Week Around South Orange County Patch Sites
Find out which stories are resonating with Patch readers.
We take pride in our work here at Patch and always strive to bring our readers interesting news. However, we must admit, sometimes the most interesting part of a great Patch story is the comments from readers that it sparks.
Here are some of the best, funniest, strangest and most informative comments from Patch stories and board posts around south Orange County sites this past week:
Story: Update: Motorcyclist Killed in Newport Crash
Long Beach resident Patrick Lee was killed after seven cars and a motorcycle crashed Thursday evening at the intersection of Bristol Street North and Campus Drive.
Cassie Piasecki August 22, 2013 at 11:37 PM My husband and I drive through this intersection 4-5 times per week. We refer to it as "The Intersection" because of all pf the horrible accidents we have seen there. Please drive with care through them and don't run any yellow lights!
Richard Heston August 23, 2013 at 12:41 PM You can't "run" a yellow light, only a red light. The yellow is a precautionary light to warn of the imminent change to the red phase. It was not the cause of this accident. The collision was between a motorcyclist on a nimble, but small vehicle and an SUV, a large, overweight sled that handles like a sofa. Simple physics and motorist failure to watch out for and be courteous to the 2-wheelers who share our roads are what likely cost the life of Patrick Lee.
Fake Grass Mows Through City Hall
The Mission Viejo City Council agreed to allow residents front yards with up to 50 percent fake grass.
Shripathi Kamath August 22, 2013 at 02:30 PM 'The council also approved staff guidelines for landscaping with the grass substitute. It should be green, lead-free and fire-resistant. Blades can be as short as 1.625" and the turf should come with a minimum eight-year warranty. Certain backings and bases are not allowed.' _____________________________________________________ Good thing we do not encroach upon personal liberties, regulations, individual choice and freedumbs in a conservative, real American city, with local control like Mission Viejo. _____________________________________________________ 'Reardon said she approved the law because it's a water-saver.' _____________________________________________________ You know what else could save water? Banning lawns altogether and requiring concrete slabs. Where is that C. Travis Webb article? ______________________________________________________ I have to channel my inner McCain and yell "GET OFF MY LAWN"Jim Blankenship August 23, 2013 at 04:51 PM Only in California… This whole debate did spark some random thoughts in no particular order. _____________________________________________ I live in the step-sister city of Lake Forest and as far as I can tell, it must be a "don't ask, don't tell" approach to artificial turf and my neighbors are divided in their opinions on this issue. In fact, one neighbor a few doors down was so divided he installed two different types of artificial turf in his front yard. And yes, they're also different shades of green. This was further enhanced later as the REAL grass has started growing back in the seam between the two different turfs. ___________________________________________ This makes me wonder about the 50/50 regulation proposed by the MV City Council. Really? I mean, it's probably not going to be as bad as my neighbor, but the potential for bad is there. If people are worried that a house with a turf lawn next to one with a real lawn might affect the general curb appeal of the neighborhood, I can't wait to see how they like a half turf / half grass lawn on the same house. I'm thinking maybe a checkerboard pattern, or possibly alternating strips of turf and grass to give it the Angel's outfield look. __________________________________________ On the upside, this opens up a potential new market for a HOT Gauge (Height of Turf) that could be sold to HOA enforcers. What's the tolerance, I wonder? +/- .010 __________________________________________ Speaking of height, is there a maximum length? You might run the risk of getting a HOA ticket every day if you happened to like maybe 4" turf. __________________________________________ It also must be green. Does that mean every blade of the turf has to be green? The most realistic looking artificial turfs have little blades of yellow and/or brown mixed throughout and it really looks great. The all-green ones look sort of like indoor-outdoor carpet, don't you think? ______________________________________ Does anyone know how artificial turf holds up after your inconsiderate, dog owning neighbor doesn't bother to clean up after fido takes a dump on your lawn? Or, when fido marks his spot with a little spray of urine, will it last longer? Does he not have to do it as often? Maybe it will smell so good to him, he'll be able to zero in on the exact same spot every day. ___________________________________________ You know, I grew up in Kentucky where you're apt to find almost anything in your next door neighbor's yard and artificial turf would have been a welcome sight in many neighborhoods.
Gruesome Panama Discovery May Explain Dana Point Woman's Disappearance
The body of a Dana Point woman who went missing in Panama in Nov. 2011 may have been recovered Tuesday afternoon. A Panamanian found a skull and bones inside what one detective described as a "green military backpack" on the Isla Carenero in Panama, according to panama-guide.com.
Smokey Bear August 22, 2013 at 03:50 PM Horrible crime!!! Now why couldn't he just walk away? Why do people have to hurt each other? Just walk away then everyone would have been OK. This is so tragic & sad!!
Student's Half-Nude Photo to Teacher Was Ticket to Little Classwork
The student testified at trial that after sending Richard Rack the revealing photos, she no longer had homework, and he would supply answers on tests for her.
Teresa August 21, 2013 at 01:29 PM Southpaw, M, Patrick, and John...are you all serious? How can you compare the actions of a immature adolescent to that of an adult who knows the difference between right and wrong. Every bit of research shows that kids, even young teens, do not have the same reasoning power of an adult. She made a mistake by taking a nude pic and sending it, but he took it a hundred miles past that. He is a pedophile and to blame a child for the actions of an adult is disgusting. He groomed these young ladies to get his rocks off....he is a sick piece of poop.
Teacher August 21, 2013 at 03:45 PM This guys sickens me. Makes all of us look bad. I hope he has plenty of years in prison to think about what he did to this kid. As for the girl...People, 16 yr old girls aren't what they used to be. I've been a teacher over 20 years and this generation of kids is a lot more "savvy" than kids used to be. Maybe its the internet, social media, rap music and violent video games (aren't those what we blame for everything?) but this girl knew exactly what she was doing. I would bet that this kid has gotten drunk on beer, experimented with pot, and been sexually active. I'm not taking a shot at her. STATISTICS say that about 16 yr old girls these days. The teacher is a pig and I hope he rots. The girl? Her eyes were wide open.
Bob B August 22, 2013 at 01:19 AM We're coddling our minors way too much in this country. Yes, the teacher should be prosecuted, but the 14 year old should also be held accountable for her actions. Our kids are running our society! Surely, a 14 year old girl knows it is wrong to take a 1/2 nude photo of herself and and send it to an adult (teacher).
rebecca August 22, 2013 at 09:08 AM all you people saying negative comments about the girl who made a mistake are riduculous!!! she is paying for her mistakes by having to go through the trial. i do hope she is made to take the class over again however since she was given a pass by this idiot teacher. i always thought the law about distributing child porn in cases such as this was totally bogus anyway and should be revised- perhaps it has and why she is not being prosecuted and it is in the judgement of the prosecutor.
Firebug Professor: 14-Year-Old Son, 14 Years in Prison
Rainer Reinscheid's arson streak began after his 14-year-old son committed suicide. His threats to kill hundreds of students in retaliation were considered by the judge.
Gail Neuman August 23, 2013 at 04:00 AM I believe he was mentally unstable at the time due to grief from his son's suicide. The sentence is too harsh and he should have been sent to a psychiatric facility instead.
The Secret of Cedar Creek’s Garlic Bread Revealed!
Looking at the ingredients, we think it’s the combo of butter and mayo that’s the real secret.
Elsa August 23, 2013 at 07:03 PM Thanks, Penny! I shall try it; sounds heavenly! I just came across a recipe for Olive Garden's pasta e fagioli soup and just had to make it, which I did, yesterday! It was amazingly good, and exactly the same
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