We took our general malaise and aches...

We took our general malaise and aches from orthopedist to chiropractor to acupuncturist. Nothing worked. A masseuse named Shiro informed us that we had an angry back. Pent-up hostility, he said. Told us to pound the arm of a couch while screaming to release all the poison out of our system. We declined. Arrived at home in a funk. Formidable Companion was watching Laurel and Hardy in “Pack Up Your Troubles.” Sat down and in no time were howling with laughter. Tears rolling down our face. Forgot all about our aches and funky feeling. Walked around the rest of the day mimicking Stan Laurel, scratching our head with complete abandon whenever we felt like it. Made plans to attend the celebration of Laurel’s 100th birthday, being held Oct. 13 at 1345 Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, beginning at 1 p.m. The event is being organized by the Santa Monica Historical Society to honor “one of its own,” says president Louise Gabriel. Laurel was a longtime resident of Santa Monica, says Gabriel, spending his later years in a hotel near the ocean. The daytime activities are free, and will feature a Stan Laurel look-alike contest and a tour of the historical society’s museum, complete with original Laurel memorabilia. The evening festivities, which cost $125 per person, will begin with a screening of three short films at the Mann Criterion, including a rare one from Laurel’s pre-Hardy days titled “Just Rambling Along.” Dining and dancing follow immediately at the nearby Van Tilburg building. Proceeds go to the building fund of the museum, which hopes to mount a permanent Laurel and Hardy exhibit. Reservations for the nighttime gala are necessary. For information call (213) 829-0305.