Bearing Up

Life can be a bear--especially when you’re a teddy bear.

You know, chocolate syrup down the arm. Grape jelly on the leg. Not to mention Gummi Bear goo on the stomach. If this sounds like your teddy bear, maybe it needs a good dose of Bear Bath, a non-toxic cleaning solution that can rub off the dirt, grime--not to mention glop--that befalls most teddy bears.

The solution was developed by the Bear Care Co., which has already distributed 15,000 bottles of the $2.99 solution to a number of Southland stores, including the J. K. Gill gift shop chain. David Goldberg, 26, who operates the firm from his home on Culver Boulevard in West Los Angeles, said he got the idea for Bear Bath while driving to his job at a law firm. “My girlfriend had given me a teddy bear that I hung from my rear-view mirror. I noticed it was getting dirty and figured I wasn’t the only one with a dirty teddy bear.”

The company’s slogan: “We help preserve wildlife.”

No Kidding

Here’s some advice for all you aspiring public relations people from Tom Hanscom, a guy who’s handling a tough PR problem at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. He’s been swamped with calls lately about the alleged beating of Dunda the elephant.

In the latest park newsletter, which names him employee of the month, Hanscom offers these thoughts: “Professional bliss comes in the matching of one’s true skills to a paid occupation. Being an astute and long-practicing liar, I’ve found my natural place in public relations.” Asked about the remark, Hanscom said it was “tongue-in-cheek.”

Job Security

After years of overseeing federal securities fraud and insider trading cases for the Securities and Exchange Commission, Irving M. Einhorn--the boss of the SEC’s Los Angeles office--has passed the California bar examination.

Einhorn, 46, has been regional administrator of the Los Angeles office since 1984. Although he passed the Illinois bar years ago, he took the tough California exam for the first time in February so that he would have full rights to practice law in California.

According to the State Bar of California, only 46% of those who took the February test passed. Einhorn said he got the results early this month and was jubilant. “It’s close to a miracle.”

Car Hang-Up

You just can’t escape those annoying calls from people selling things.

Simon Barker-Benfield, chief spokesman for First Interstate Bank, was cruising along the freeway when the telephone rang in his four-wheeler. Expecting his office, he said he picked it up to hear a salesman ask, “Are you satisfied with the service you’re getting on your car phone?”

The caller said he was selling car telephone service for LA Cellular and apparently had gotten the number of Barker-Benfield’s Pacific Telephone car phone. Robin Devine, sales information coordinator for LA Cellular said she was unaware of the practice, but noted that a number of independent firms and dealers handle the firm’s marketing. As for Barker-Benfield, he said no thanks and hung up.