Dredging of Back Bay a national concern...

Dredging of Back Bay

a national concern

Wetlands are sanctuaries for endangered species. The Back Bay is

one of the few wetlands left in the country. The clapper rail and

other rare water birds nest here, and as many as 140 species of

migrating birds find refuge here during the winter.

Failure to dredge permits silt to build up and slowly kills off

the nourishment for these rare and often vanishing species.

Preserving it is a national concern.

DAGMAR M. RIOS

Newport Beach

Smith column brings back one-eyed memories

I really enjoyed Steve Smith’s Sunday poker column. Smith

mentioned the poker game anaconda. If my college basement memory is

correct, you deal seven cards faced down. Then pass two cards to the

left and three cards to the right. Then you take your best or worst

five cards and reveal them one at a time, and the pot gets split

between the best and worst hand. Throw one-eyed jacks wild, and you

could guarantee an argument on every hand.

Steve, thanks for the memory.

JEFF DIERCKSMEIER

Costa Mesa