Those who have had experience with sports understand that at times coaches can get frustrated with their players' performances and express that unhappiness in very loud tones.

Nevertheless, an issue raised at a Mars Borough Council meeting Tuesday evening is cause for concern.

Specifically, is it really necessary for coaches of Mars Area Recreational Sports to shout obscenities at their young football players who might not be performing well? The answer to that is, "No!"

At the Mars council meeting, Councilman Robert Bost reported hearing the obscenities while at his home, which is near Marburger Field.

Bost said young athletes should not be subjected to such treatment — he is correct — and that neighbors were tiring of the vulgarity.

The tactics of the coaches in question are no doubt removing some of the fun of participating in the program. In some instances, those tactics might discourage future participation by players who have been targets of the foul language.

That would be unfortunate.

The players are young people trying to learn the sport, not professional athletes who are expected to perform at a level befitting their compensation.

Councilwoman JoAnn Rogers, who is in charge of parks and recreation, said she would get in touch with the football association and have the situation rectified.

The council also should continue to monitor the coaches.

It's accepted in sports for coaches to yell at their players for performing badly. But obscenities should not be part of that criticism.

Butler County is not an island, and hearing mesages and proposals about regional issues and concerns is time well spent. That happened Tuesday as Dan Onorato, Allegheny County executive, met with Butler County leaders at the Community Health Clinic in Summit Township.Onorato touched on some issues important to both counties such as economic development and employee health care costs. He also was interested in learning about the health clinic operation, a concept workable in most communities, not just here.The meeting also gave Butler County's leaders a perspective about what's happening in this county's southern neighbor.As with Onorato's trip to Butler County, this county's officials should be open to attending sessions in neighboring counties that might have benefits for this county.

Ron Carter's seven-year effort to "bring back to life" the Strand Theater in Zelienople is on track for completion by the end of this year, and he deserves praise for his determination and hard work."We promised it would open in 2008," Carter was quoted as saying, in an article in Tuesday's Butler Eagle. "If it opens on Dec. 31, it will be one heck of a New Year's party here. But we're hoping it will be sooner than that."According to Carter, completion still is more than 12 weeks away.In discussing his excitement regarding the project's progress, he made the observation that the "new" Strand will not be just Zelienople's prize and pride, but a gem for other area communities as well."It's going to be for everyone, but especially for people in places like Evans City or Cranberry who haven't ever experienced a Main Street theater in their lives," he said.It has to be a source of satisfaction for Carter that the project has been able to stick to its original $1.2 million price tag. Had the project gone much beyond that initial estimate, it's likely project completion might not have been possible this year.Carter has spent countless hours over the years on fundraising and other work associated with the project, which is at the same site as the old theater, which was built in 1914 and which initially featured silent films and vaudeville performances.Those who will be going to the theater after its opening will get a glimpse of what theaters were like in the past. For example, the new theater will have the original ticket booth. It also will have vintage movie projectors from the 1930s.When the restoration is completed, the theater will be able to seat 400.For Carter, the project represents a major feat on behalf of an entertainment facility that was threatened by demolition for two decades. It's also a major feat on behalf of the borough.Now a spirit of rebirth surrounds the facility.