Every once in a while a story...

Every once in a while a story comes across our desk that raises a lump in our throat.

For instance: the decision to allow free rides to senior citizens on the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round.

During August only. Weekdays only. One free ride per day.

A memo from the Recreation and Parks Department to the L.A. City Council held out the hope that “the increased attendance precipitated by the publicity” over the offer “will more than offset the free tickets given to seniors.”

Heartwarming.

Assessing the Blame:

We didn’t realize it was such a scandal when we published the photo of the cover of the county assessor’s report--with the office misspelled Assesor--on Thursday. But we received two letters that day.

One came from the Assessor’s Reprographics unit, whose workers admitted responsibility for the goof (under no pressure, we’re certain).

The second came from County Assessor Kenneth P. Hahn, who assured us he’s a good speller and added that he initially hesitated writing a letter that “I felt would serve no real purpose and overlooks the humorous intent of your column.”

Not at all, Mr. Assesor.

Alpha Air announces that its company hiring policy will never exclude non-virgins.

This bold sign, which appears in the airline’s L.A. employee lounge, is the idea of Alpha Vice President Penny Smith. She was reacting to a Reuters news report that said that CAAC, China’s national airline, has a shortage of flight attendants because of its policy of hiring only “healthy virgins.”

So far, Alpha is the only American airline to go on record in support of ex-virgins.

Several new vehicles in Glendale’s police fleet carry bumper stickers that say:

“Another Drug Seizure Vehicle in Use by Law Enforcement.”

Economic Indicators:

Charles Chappell of San Marino is almost certain that the actor who portrayed the founder of a well-known brokerage house in one TV commercial is now playing the part of a repair man in a muffler commercial.

miscelLAny:

One survey found that people in Southern California who consider themselves movie fans attend a theater showing of a film 15 times a year, compared to 7.6 times for people who live elsewhere.