MAILBAG - Dec. 7, 2006

Young tennis player’s story is touchingThe story “Gaytan-Leach motivated by rejection,” (Sports, Nov. 30), was a well-written and unfortunately all-too-true article.

As a photographer for a statewide tennis publication, I have had the opportunity to see first-hand Cierra’s stunning athleticism, her grace and poise on the court, her external beauty, and most important her inner beauty — the person she is. In all my years of photographing CIF, Easter Bowls, etc., I have never met a more sweet, gracious, genuine and downright likable teenager than Cierra!

As a clinical psychologist who practiced in Newport for over 20 years, I had too many opportunities to see first-hand the effects of parental abandonment on children.

Cierra is lucky for two reasons: She has the inner strength to survive the hurtful rejection of her father, and she has the love of her courageous paternal grandmother, Sandy, and her uncle, John, and aunt, Lindsay, not to mention her wonderfully supportive mother and her maternal grandparents. They all help her continue to develop her inner resources and awareness of what a truly fine person she is — she has already beaten her father in every important way.

Perhaps someday Rick Leach will have the courage to come to understand and resolve the deep anger that he has projected onto his innocent daughter for over 15 years.

Whether he does or not, I am sure that Cierra will go on winning on the tennis court and in life!

PATRICIA F. PARSONS

Corona del Mar

Hey, city, leave my tennis club aloneTwo weeks ago I joined the tennis club at Newport Beach Country Club. I joined after viewing the plans for the spectacular new tennis clubhouse, new center court, and reduced number of tennis courts, which in my mind makes the tennis club more intimate. Upon joining, I immediately convinced two of my friends to also join.

Imagine my surprise when I returned from my honeymoon to read the Nov. 18 Daily Pilot article that Newport Beach officials are in talks to buy my tennis club for the new city hall and that the tennis club lease was about to expire, (“City is in talks to buy hall site”).

After making several phone calls, I learned from the landowner, Golf Realty Fund, and the tenant and operator, IBC, that the tennis club lease has 3 years remaining; however, a new 25-year tennis lease has been agreed upon and will be signed in the near future, and there has been no discussion between these two parties and Newport Beach officials about a sale.

I was born at Hoag Hospital, was a member of the Newport Harbor High School tennis team, and except for my time at USC, have spent my entire life in Newport Beach. Over the years, I have played many tournaments at the tennis club at Newport Beach Country Club, starting when I was very young.

To consider taking away something that for generations has provided recreation and enjoyment to so many residents, so many children and many visitors to Newport Beach, including several U.S. presidents, at a time when it is about to be revitalized with a new clubhouse and a new stadium court, is shocking to me and my family and friends.

KATIE WERNER

Newport Beach

Put drug rehab homes where they belongWe do have a lot of the problem with drug rehab homes in our area. There is a need for treatment; however, the treatment homes are actually a business, and they would be better off in areas that are zoned for mixed use rather than in residential areas.

The reason I say that is they’re building one at this time exactly across the street from my house, and next door to where they’re building it are two young boys about 3 and 5 — next door to that is an 8-year-old girl. I have a daughter who is 11. Because they put them in close proximity to children this young, I think it puts children in danger, and so I do think there should be some sort of restrictions on the areas that they can be established.

FRED RAWLINS

Newport Beach

Chin up, Trojans fans; we can’t win ‘em allRegarding the story “UCLA fans’ turn to gloat” (Sunday), I was there. Great seats, watching my USC team face a very prepared defense and lose their chance for another national title game appearance.

I took the long drive home only to find the house dressed in blue and yellow ribbons and balloons from my very happy neighbors. Hard to take, but that was good, clean fun. What was difficult to see was the house down the street had taken down its USC flag after the game.

It happened after the Texas game last season, but I thought maybe they just display it during the season. Not the case. They were upset with the team for losing.

Are we so wrapped up in winning that losing is no longer acceptable? They are 20-year-olds for goodness sake.

USC has provided this town with something the NFL could not; an exciting, professional-quality football program. They are in a rebuilding year and going to the Rose Bowl (the granddaddy of them all) to play a classic against Michigan. Someplace every team in the country (save maybe Florida and Ohio State) would love to be going.

Today, you are a select group of the 92,000 that get tickets. The number of those wanting them is far greater. In the pre-Carroll years the place was a lot less full. No doubt because people with tickets like the guy down the street can’t handle the down times.

This program is solid with two very promising years ahead, and the best of the best to pick from year after year. We will not win every game. Get over that. We do, however, produce a great program at a school that is as focused on education as great sports. Chin up (and flags too), Trojan fans. We got another big one New Year’s Day.

Fight on!

CHUCK REILLY

Newport Beach

El Ranchito memories are happy onesI am so happy to be an El Ranchito customer since 1971.

We are now the fourth generation going to El Ranchito, having started with our parents, with us, with my children, and now my grandchildren.

One of the most adorable stories about El Ranchito was bringing my husband’s aunt here on a visit, and she didn’t speak English, and her birthday just happened to be on Cinco de Mayo.

So we took her to El Ranchito and she thought that everyone there was celebrating her birthday. She didn’t know that it was a Mexican holiday. And we always enjoyed going — especially to the one on Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa. It’s like being at home.

SANDRA BASMACIYAN

Corona del Mar