Southland’s parking frustrations are measured in meters

In an article on parking woes, the Wall Street Journal briefly noted that L.A. first banned curb parking in 1920 to reduce congestion downtown. The move was greeted with such outrage from the motoring set that the ban was rescinded in 19 days.

For the benefit of tourists intending their first trip out this way, I would add that parking restrictions later returned, for good.

Which reminds me that one of the best parking stories I’ve heard is told in “First Responders Handbook of Humor,” by L.A. firefighter John Hicks and L.A. Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Jordan: A man and his small son walked up to their curb-parked car, only to find the meter expired and an officer writing a ticket. The man argued that he was just a couple of minutes late.

While he spoke, his son tugged at his sleeve, trying to get his attention. The man ignored the boy and continued his appeal, telling the officer he had never received a ticket before.

Finally the father asked the son what he wanted. “But Dad,” the boy said, “you never put any money into the meter.”

Welcome to the Only in L.A. health section! This column’s newest feature carries three reports:

* Deloris St. John of Laguna Hills sent along a shot of an Illinois chiropractor who accepts creatures who get around on all fours (see photo).

* Rose Weiss of Pasadena was shocked to read about a building with an infectious disease (see accompanying).

* And finally, while driving through the community of Littlerock, Dr. Robert Ashley deemed “it striking to find an advertisement for a large pizza at a community health clinic. I think it says something about our healthcare system” (see photo). I’d advise the patients to at least hold the pepperoni.

Mystery of the Day: A Claremont resident became concerned when he noticed “what appeared to be long human hair coming out of the trunk of the car in front of him,” the Claremont Courier reported. Police located the driver and discovered that he was a student at a beauty school. The passenger in his trunk was a mannequin who seemed perfectly content.

Freeway recital: On the Golden State Freeway, Celeste and Len Norford of North Hills spotted a motorist who was holding the steering wheel with one hand and playing a trumpet with the other.

Charge!

miscelLAny: L.A.’s first parking ticket is believed to have been issued to James Wynne, age 19, during the first ban on curbside parking in 1920. L.A. historian Bruce Henstell wrote that Wynne had “refused to remove his vehicle from in front of the store in which he worked on 1st Street.” No word on whether he fought it in court.

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012, and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.