I had you for 18 years. You were six weeks old when I brought you home. You brought so much joy to me, and I don't know how to go on without you. You made me laugh. You loved scratches. Miss you, Chico. Love you forever.
—The man

Last year was a hard year for me—something you seemed to know without even asking. Your departure was so unexpected. I thought I'd have forever to thank you for everything you did to make it bearable; The fun projects, the opportunities, just stopping to chat in your busy day. It's been weeks now, but you are still thought of, missed, and I will always be thankful. I really hope you see this and know how much I appreciate everything you did for me.
—Tech whiz

You were at The Oval. As was I. It was the last Thursday in February at noon or so. I couldn’t help but drift close to you to watch you skate. Your blond hair flowing from a red beret. It made my day to do a few more laps. See ya round, and round and...
—Red jacket, red laces

Thank you! Over the past however many years, our weather has become much more icy than snowy and a lot (a LOT) of homeowners still just do a quick shovel or let the city deal with the sidewalks. Also, it seems fewer people are salting or gravelling their sidewalks (or doing it enough). As a chronic pedestrian with terrible balance even on solid pavement, walking the icy obstacle course to work in the winter is both inconvenient and dangerous. I've gotten more bruises than I can count so far this year alone. But then... then I come upon a house ot two, or sometimes an entire block, where the ice has been eaten away by judicious salt application or studded with enough gravel to make for stable footing. I can walk without fear of personal injury or being late to work. My life has been rough lately, and even the small things like not having to skate halfway to work can make my day a whole lot brighter. To all of you who take the time out of your day—even if the city has already salted and it's not quite enough—to sprinke down a few hefty scoops of salt or gravel, and especially to those who go above and beyond to break up the larger sidewalk ice sheets, thank you, thank, thank you! I can't tell you how much your efforts are appreciated by the pedestrians of the city.
—Wobbly walker

I think I'll start a February tradition, for me, because I doubt anyone will take the effort to write for me. A Special Thing? (I love reading the Loves in every Coast, wondering about the lives of these beautiful people). Yet I still want to write to you Sweets, not for myself. My poor heart has been full of you. I was asked why I continue to love you. I simply continue to choose love is all. I can't help who. I just choose love.

So, we never had the best track record for nicknames, Avocado. But oh wow, you have taught me things. Have I taught you anything during this roller coaster? I hope you if you learn anything, its to always remember to find your will. To choose love over your hide. Those red demons. All of it. Continuously everyday, I hope you choose life instead. Every time you must decide. For you and for love.
—Amarillo

It's Valentine's Day and I was hoping to see a page filled with new LOVE's from the public to The Coast <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 —Because love!

What a magical morning walk this morning at 5am along the Portland Street strip for my coffee. There I beheld the miraculous appearace of numerous stunning ice sculptures peppering both sides of the street! Whoever did this, you made me feel something, something warm, chip away at my cold, dead soul. Who did this magic? Was it the city? Like how they plant flowers in the summer? I've never seen ice sculptures before though. Tax payers might argue art is not a necessity. But art is life. It touches you and makes you feel.

Could they have been made by a local artist with high dreams and mucho community spirit, delivered in secret in the wee hours of the morning like a new age Santa Clause? These ice occurances remain a mystery to me, but I love them so! Thank you Ice person, for a magical experience!
—Thawed my heart

The Dead Kennedys mocked extreme liberals, fascists and bullies regularly and stated that one should "think for oneself". As a recovering leftist, I started to pay attention to the insidious madness of political extremes and realized that Trump was the antithesis of the regressive left.
I spent half my life as a socialist, and once I started to pay attention I realized I was wrong.
I am happy to think for myself again, and I have DK to thank for it.
Slander and ad hominem attacks are a symptom of those who have no argument—it's just bullying. It's easier to call someone a fascist than to truly understand what it means. It's lazy. People need dialogue to proceed. You don't have to like Trump, but people, please, think for yourself. There are always two sides.
And to Jello "Ashamed" Biafra, I've paid very close attention to the lyrics, and I'm confident DK would endorse neither Donny nor Hillary, just free thought. I respect your perspective and appreciate you being civil about it. It was inevitable someone would question the paradox—I'm glad it was you. And thank you, Halifax, for being so tolerant. Cheers.
—The man in the coat

When you saw a lady approaching the bus, slipping on the icy sidewalk, you stopped without hesitation and went out to help her. You could have driven away and let her catch the next bus, but you did not. Thank you for reminding me there are good people in this world. I wish there were more people like you.
—Bus passenger in awe of your goodness

Two years ago, we dated for about six weeks. It was my first relationship with a girl. I can still remember how fast you made my heart beat, how sweaty my hands got, how my words fell over each other. I wasn't like this with guys; I secretly knew I was bi for a long time. I came out to my family—what a mistake. I didn't tell you how they badly they gay bashed me. I broke up with you instead and never told you why. I'm so sorry and I still miss you.
—Back in the closet