• William Logan read in the New York Times about the problems city householders were having in getting promised money for repairs after Hurricane Sandy. James S Oddo, the Staten Island borough president, was quoted: “They turned the spigot so tightly that we went to the other end of the pendulum, and we created this gridlock.”

• Gary Mason explained that Heartwood Forest north of London is much used by dog walkers. Bins for disposing of dog waste have notices placed alongside: “Help keep Heartwood beautiful. If this bin is full please take it home with you”.

• An Associated Press report of 9 September on a fire in Yosemite, seen by Hilary Powers, quoted a hiker who had been rescued by helicopter from on top of Half Dome: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I don't think I'll do it again.”

• Norman C Berns overheard a repeated national NBC News broadcast comment about the asteroid that passed Earth this week: “Even with a telescope, this object can't be seen with the naked eye.”

• Roger Clark notes that BBC America online reported on Wednesday: “In a nationally televised speech outlining his strategy against IS, [President Obama] said that any group that threatened America would ‘find no safe heaven’.”