About that coyote in the backyard ...

Do you own a small, or even mid-size, dog? If so, you've surely heard a few things about the hunting traits and habits of coyotes, which also call this area their home — and in big numbers.

But what if you spot a sick or injured coyote slinking around in your backyard? That scenario occurred in my Geneva neighborhood a couple of weeks ago.

My neighbor called 911, but was quickly told that spotting a slow-moving coyote in your backyard doesn't qualify as an emergency. So the next call went to the Geneva police. An officer came out but said there wasn't a whole lot he could do about it, because the coyote was still alive and kicking, and pretty much minding its own business.

To confuse matters, he told my neighbor that county animal control should be called, but that the city and county were squabbling a bit over tax money related to who really should be responsible for “animal emergencies” in Geneva.

This sounded like a problem for Geneva aldermen to straighten out or at least explain.

Geneva Alderman Ron Singer did some investigating, but admitted he's never heard of any bills the city pays for animal control. He spoke to the Geneva Police Department and reported the department has money budgeted for animal emergencies on an “as-needed basis.”

So, based on Singer's suggestions, the pecking order on calls for help should be: First, check in with the county animal control or forest preserve district to see what action is recommended for what you are dealing with. Second, call your police department and explain the situation. Third, contact an alderman if you don't like what you hear.

Granted, a coyote that appears ill or injured presents an odd circumstance about what to do. And this coyote eventually lost interest and wandered off.

But residents need to know what they should do if, for example, a family of skunks decides to call the area below your deck “home, not-so-sweet, home.” Or, you hear a raccoon banging around in your attic. Or, everyone's favorite — the squirrel coming down your chimney.

He's not doing it as often as he used to, but Phil Zavitz of St. Charles, the former animal control officer, started his own animal control business after he retired from the county. It's probably worth it to check in on private businesses that handle animals as well.

For rib lovers: As if the folks at Geneva United Methodist haven't gone above and beyond the call of duty in providing the community free meals on the third Tuesdays of the month for more than a year — now they are preparing a special treat.Have extra napkins ready, because they'll be going all out for the Third Tuesday supper next week by featuring boneless braised short ribs prepared by Chef Jack Funderburg of Prasino Restaurant, 51 S. First Street in St. Charles.Because of the expected popularity of this dinner, the ribs will be available only for those dining at the church. Carryout meals will consist of pasta and marinara sauce, salad and bread.Not much activity?: If the Golden Corral restaurant at Main Street and Randall Road in Batavia is truly preparing to open in January, as Batavia officials proclaimed last month, then the work at the site probably needs to go into warp speed.It sure doesn't seem like a lot is going on at the site, but it's not like I am stopping by each day to inspect progress as the project supervisor. Someone who knows a lot more about these things hopefully has the build-out and opening date plans under control.Based on how this saga has gone in the past, I will pretend to live in Missouri for the moment, and just say, #8220;Show Me.#8221;Breaking pants code: We're moving quickly toward the season in which some men may actually go to a clothing store to try on some pants #8212; so they know what size to request if a new pair of slacks is on a Christmas list. This is not a bad habit to get into at this time of year, especially if your midsection fluctuates in size year-to-year.There was a time, many years ago, when a man could walk into a store and try on a pair of pants without much thinking involved. They would either fit, or they wouldn't.My last trip to the men's department revealed you need a degree in physics to understand the various codes and styles available for a pair of pants.At one store, there was D2 and D3, among other codes, as well as Classic, Straight and Slim fits, among other names. And that was just for Dockers. In the end, you ignore codes and go the true-and-tested route: They either fit, or they don't.No electricity needed: Overheard getting off the Metra train in Chicago last week: A fellow telling his buddy why he will always read a newspaper on the train, rather than fool around with an iPad or Nook:#8220;I never have to charge its battery.#8221;Running again?: Didn't these folks just stop running a couple of months ago? Word comes that signup for the 2012 Fox Valley Marathon starts again Jan. 23. Those of you ready to tackle that long, long run can sign up at foxvalleymarathon.com.Christmas legend, lore: Next Sunday I'll share the key points of the Rev. William Beckmann's Christmas message delivered annually to my service club.Beckmann, of Immanuel Lutheran in Batavia, has given interesting talks about the Christmas season since 1989.On the road?: For those of you leaving town for the holidays, have a safe trip and a Merry Christmas!dheun@sbcglobal.net