Some nuns in Kentucky say they paid...

Some nuns in Kentucky say they paid a manufacturer in Paramount $16,550 for altar wafer-making equipment two years ago and they’re still awaiting delivery.

“We really need the updated equipment,” said Sister Marie Michelle, superior of the Passionist Nuns monastery in Erlanger, Ky. “We sell wafers as a way to support the monastery, but we also need time for prayer.”

Sister Marie Michelle said all she has to show for the transaction with Wieland Machine and Manufacturing in south Los Angeles County is a canceled check.

“We have done business with them for 25 years and the equipment was always excellent,” she said. “We don’t think there’s any malice involved but we don’t know what the problem is.”

She said that the monastery recently received a letter from the company--now known as Wieland Equipment--claiming it “does not have the (monastery’s) monies.”

A secretary at Wieland told a Times reporter that the company would phone with an explanation Wednesday, but no such call was made.

Sister Marie Michelle is uncertain whether the monastery will take legal action.

“We pray for people,” she said. “Even people at that company.”

A Chatsworth newsletter recalled that a plaque for a recently remodeled Sunland-Tujunga day care center “was to be personally presented by an old friend, Mr. Joel Wachs, Councilman, 2nd District. Mr. Wachs passed away just prior to its unveiling.”

Responded Wachs’ spokesman Greg Nelson: “Obviously, the councilman is not available for comment.”

A bubble-gum blowing contest drew about 50 participants in Century City, the most skilled of whom came up with an inflation measuring 6 1/2 inches in diameter. It was a promotion for a movie called . . . “Cookie.” Well, who can explain art?

One of Los Angeles’ last bastions of formality has fallen: City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter wore slacks to Wednesday’s session.

No one, including Councilman Ernani Bernardi, a 25-year-veteran, could remember a female member appearing in such casual attire.

Certainly not our bosses, said spokeswomen for Councilwomen Joan Milke Flores, Joy Picus and Gloria Molina.

The council has no dress code, but Galanter spokesman Rick Ruiz denied it was a first, anyway.

He noted: “Richard Alatorre and Zev Yaroslavsky have worn slacks and so have a lot of the other men.”

Need a reason to make it through the month?

Well, to promote earthquake preparedness, the Santa Clarita City Council has proclaimed August as “Flashlight and Batteries Month.”