The Buzz column, March 16

What is it? Rusty metal and steel have been joined together and pronounced “art.” Mission Hospital recently installed sculpture on its property at Crown Valley Parkway and Medical Center Drive. A lengthy article in the March 16 Saddleback Valley News tried to explain the visual eruption, which looks like a rusted coil from an oversized mattress entwining stainless steel lips. A hospital spokesperson said the city helped choose the sculpture, which explains a lot of things.

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California is into its third generation of students receiving no formal instruction in art. Those who grew up without training, skill or knowledge are now making artistic decisions so that others without training, skill or knowledge can pay homage to junk on street corners. These are the same folks who want to put an electronic sign on the corner at La Paz and Marguerite.

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According to City Hall, the sculpture placed on the hospital’s corner is part of Orange County’s drivable gallery. Apparently, motorists can contemplate roadside oddities as they are stopped in traffic. Drivers in back of commuters from developments to the east (who comprise the bulk of traffic on Crown Valley) should note how much litter is tossed out by these passersby. The city spends a fortune to clean the streets, gutters and roadsides after these “art appreciaters” pass through while unloading their fast-food wrappers, paper cups and ashtrays.

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The blog’s summary of the March 5 council meeting inspired a reader to respond: “I noted the city manager’s comment about vehicle thefts at the mall. Regarding the lack of reports in newspapers, the city manager said residents could get police reports from the Internet. I disagree. I’ve watched the online sheriff’s blotter for Mission Viejo for a long time, and resident complaints and calls to police, some of which I know about personally, don’t appear anywhere. I believe there’s a huge discrepancy between the number of calls to police and the reports available on the Internet. I don’t remember a high number of auto thefts on the log during the time they occurred, and I’m wondering if anyone has checked this out.”

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Another blog reader had a different take on the city manager’s comment about getting information from the Internet: “If the city manager is suggesting the Internet is a replacement for print media, then stop the presses. Instead of becoming the largest paper-waster in town, our city government can lead the way by putting 100 percent of its information on the Internet.” The City Outlook Magazine” comes to mind.

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Residents who have been following a story about Santa Margarita High School may have been surprised by the dismissal of a teacher. While details are unknown, the termination resulted from allegations following a teacher-led European field trip. Additionally, an administrator is stepping down at the end of the school term. The school dealt swiftly with its problem, despite the popularity and lengthy tenure of the teacher.

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Capistrano U.S.D. has a new superintendent, Dennis Smith, who will take charge in July. One person quoted in a news story said Smith is known for his honesty. Such an abrupt change of direction could cause whiplash for some of the long-term school board trustees.