USC supplied a number of the figures...

USC supplied a number of the figures in the Watergate scandal but was unrepresented in the Iran-Contra affair until last week.

Then, at the first meeting of a Broadcast Journalism 402 class, each student rose to tell a bit about his or her background. Most ticked off their academic credentials, but one tall, blonde woman said, “I’ve had 10 years of experience on Capitol Hill.”

The class suddenly recognized Fawn Hall, the former secretary to Oliver North, who was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for her Contragate testimony.

She “wants to be a talk-show host and wanted to get more training and experience,” William Woestendiek, director of the journalism school, explained Tuesday.

Alas, Hall won’t be attending any more sessions. In attempting to enroll, Woestendiek said, she failed to go through “the proper channels.”

Wasn’t that her problem on Capitol Hill, too?

There are fire sales, and then there are fire station sales. The city of L.A. is putting Fire House No. 56--unfurnished--on the block Friday at City Hall.

It’s 66 years old. It’s a city monument so it can’t be torn down without a hearing. It’s one story and has no fire poles. It’s in need of earthquake repairs. And the minimum bid is $275,000.

Just another Silver Lake fixer-upper.

During Prohibition, the L.A. Press Club was forced to vacate its headquarters in a house on Westlake Avenue after a drunken newspaperman tipped off police that booze was being served on the premises. The scribe was angry because he had been denied admittance. Police raided, though reluctantly, since it was they who had supplied the reporters with the contraband spirits.

A half-century and five headquarters later, the 800-member Press Club is on the move again. This time, it isn’t trying to get away from the cops. Horses, maybe, but not cops. The 800-member group is leaving its temporary office at the L.A. Equestrian Center (in a non-stable area) and taking up residence in the Hollywood Palm Hotel on Highland Avenue.

Only in L.A. Menu Item of the Week: Celestial Sushi at UFO Zen Foods in Santa Monica. Taking the California Roll one step beyond . . .

To owners of bored cats, Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills suggests: “Kitty Video,” which “sends birds chirping and fluttering bigger-than-life across your TV screen . . . 30 full minutes of feline thrills! ($20).” Keep in mind, however, that studies have shown that cats who watch too much TV may develop learning disabilities and even become violent.

miscelLAny:

Small towns are not less expensive than L.A. in every respect. Grocery prices in Eugene, Ore., for instance, are about 7% higher than those in L.A., according to Runzheimer International consultants.