Mailbag: Prayer has power to heal what ails you

The recent column written by David Hansen about Linda West-Conforti and her efforts to: “empower clients to take charge of their own health care” (and to help other individuals understand that there is a more natural approach to health) was most encouraging, (“Hansen: Bridging the medicine gap,” Nov. 11).

Many recognized authorities such as Deepak Chopra would agree, and in an article he expresses support for the idea that there is more to health than western medicine is addressing. He indicates that the elements of wisdom and science, tradition and research, mind and body, should be combined to enhance treatment alternatives.

Yet, many ask what these alternatives include.

For years the public has been using a number of complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) but haven’t labeled them as such. More recently, researchers and others have been labeling the different alternatives.

In a report from the National Institutes of Health listing the 10 most common complementary and alternative medicine therapies adults use, prayer was at the top.

It appears that the public’s interest in these alternative medicines is opening the door to a broader view as to what provides the best health care for individuals.

I would agree with West-Conforti’s efforts that to raise the awareness of alternative medicine, especially prayer, will help clients take charge of their own health care. I have had a broken bone set and other physical ailments healed through the application of prayer.

Donald W. Ingwerson

Laguna Beach

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Traffic is not very hospitable

I hope the city comes up with a better traffic plan for next year’s Hospitality Night. While I realize it is a boon to local businesses, it is a boondoggle to the rest of us residents who are stuck in horrendous traffic. I personally was trapped for 64 minutes between the canyon’s festival area and Ocean Avenue and Coast Highway. There has to be a better plan next time.

Bah, humbug!

Ebenezer Scrooge

(Galen Wollenberg)

Laguna Beach

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Let’s revisit idea of closing Forest to cars

Last week’s wonderful Hospitality Night was our annual reminder of how much better Laguna would be if we closed the west end of Forest Avenue permanently to cars.

I don’t know anyone who thinks this is a bad idea, except one or two retailers clinging to an old paradigm. The failure of the Chamber’s valiant effort two summers ago was they simply tried too hard — and made it into a party that disturbed the merchants, instead of simple public square — with planters, benches and cobblestone. Still, most people loved it.

Of course there are tons of excuses why this can’t be done: merchant protests, Coastal Commission, reduced parking, etc. But wouldn’t a pedestrian promenade, where our community can gather freely, restaurants can spill on to the sidewalks, and the eyesore and gridlock that now exists as a de facto parking lot is eliminated, enhance everyone’s life in our fair town?

If any public official really got behind this, I think the vast majority of this town would support them. And with some real creativity and cojones, it could be done.

Billy Fried

Laguna Beach

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ASL needs to crack down on who stays there

That was quite an article regarding a homeless man accused of masturbating to porn at the library, (Man arrested for lewd conduct, Dec. 2.)

The man has been staying at the Alternative Sleeping Location. I think it’s time this shelter notifies the homeless staying there that the services provided are a privilege, not an entitlement, and if they misbehave in Laguna (break the law), their privileges will be rescinded.

Why should repeat offenders be allowed to stay there? This makes life worse for the other shelter residents, it makes it hard for shelters to raise money, and it degrades the quality of life for all Laguna residents. It certainly isn’t good press for Laguna as a tourist destination.

Mark Bosko

Laguna Beach

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Cycling accidents are news, too

On Nov. 26, two more cyclists were involved in accidents with motorists and on Nov. 27 two pedestrians were hit by a motorist — all of these occurred in Laguna Beach. The pedestrian incident appeared in local papers and online while the cycling accidents did not. Why do pedestrian accidents make news while the cycling accidents do not?

Les Miklosy

Laguna Beach