Despite what people in other parts of...

Despite what people in other parts of the country say, there’s more to L.A. life than driving.

There’s also parking.

Or trying to park. Of the 6,500 miles of streets in the city, 1,040 are bordered by red curb, according to a recent report by the city Department of Transportation.

There are 143,000 signs that prohibit parking at some hours; 29,000 of those shoo off drivers at all hours. Some 4.3 million parking citations were issued in L.A. last year alone.

Then there are the off-street possibilities. Boxer Mike Tyson is only one of many who’ve gotten into scuffles over a parking lot space.

Nowhere do parking lots have the sense of importance--or history--that they do in L.A.

Grant’s Parking proudly includes the notation, “Since 1929,” on its signs. “It Started With a Nickel” is a biography of Andrew Pansini, whose claim to fame is that he founded L.A.’s first lot at 4th and Olive streets in 1917.

And now, another apparent first for L.A.: Students at USC are publishing a newspaper, “The Parking Lot Press,” that tackles such issues as parking permits, parking rights and parking problems.

Honk.

What is it about Valentine’s Day week that breaks up so many fun couples? This year, it was big spenders Donald and Ivana (How Dare You Compare Me to Leona Helmsley) Trump.

A year ago this week, the splits involved actress Jane Fonda and politico Tom Hayden, as well as actress Robin Givens and the scuffling Tyson. Just the other day, of course, Tyson was divorced from the heavyweight championship.

Don’t expect San Diego to be too chummy with L.A. after Tuesday’s yearly air quality report.

Smog levels in San Diego County exceeded federal health standards on 55 days last year, an increase of 10 days over 1988. And one San Diego official said: “Forty-one of those days, or 75%, were from smog blown here from Los Angeles.”

You can step on famous names all over the city, ranging from the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to those on the Avenue of the Athletes (on Sunset Boulevard) and on Sportswalk (on 6th Street in San Pedro).

With so many names honored, perhaps it was inevitable that some of the star-less would take matters into their own hands.

Hence, the lesser-known, not-so-long South Hill Street Walk of Fame, honoring two clothing stores.

Better-Late-Than-Never Dept.:

A press release sent out the day of the Southern California oil spill announces that Newport Beach will be the site this weekend of an Environmental Contamination Conference. The release says that the “highlight” will be a discussion of “what would have happened if the (Exxon Valdez) spill occurred offshore of Los Angeles and what can done to prepare for such a spill.”

Obviously, the catering truck driver seen motoring down Olympic Boulevard didn’t think anyone would see a hidden message in the ad he carried on the back of his rig.

It said: “Quality Relief--Rolaids.”

The L. A. County Task Force to promote Self-Esteem and Personal and Social Responsibility says many city officials are expected to attend today’s Valentine’s Day rally at noon in the Civic Center Mall.

Come on out and try to cheer up those officials.