New philosopher in town: “Media vs. Culture,”...

New philosopher in town: “Media vs. Culture,” a lecture sponsored by Santa Barbara City College’s philosophy department, will be given at the school today by professor . . . excuse us . . . rock artist Joe Walsh. The former Eagles singer, who lives in L.A., has been trying to expand his horizons of late. During the last presidential race, he announced his candidacy for vice president. Losing a bid for that office would be enough to make anyone philosophical.

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For anyone who was a vice president in a previous incarnation: If you’re having trouble dealing with the ignominy of it all, Bruce Jagarosovich has, so to speak, dug up the name of a Marina del Rey specialist for you (see photo).

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Love stories: The San Fernando Valley Pennysaver, always fascinating reading, brought tears to our eyes with its for-sale listing of an unused love seat. But a heartwarming ad followed--for a bunk bed that obviously had known romance (see excerpts).

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While we’re getting mushy: A Whittier store advertised a “Mother’s Day Special”--for a vacuum cleaner.

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Speaking of digs: John Karevoll, editor of the Real Estate Observer newsletter, did a computer study to find the 10 most common last names of home buyers in L.A. County last year. The accompanying figures are the average price paid by each surname.

1. Lee, $270,306

2. Garcia, $169,863

3. Lopez, $166,045

4. Kim, $261,196

5. Hernandez, $161,462

6. Rodriguez, $166,423

7. Martinez, $164,777

8. Gonzalez, $167,285

9. Smith, $217,308

10. Chen, $174,567

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Identity crises: The other day we mentioned that a man with a fake L.A. Times ID had posed as a food critic, trying to wangle free meals from two eateries with no success.

The case brought to mind a story involving a young woman who wrote out a check at a clothes store in Marina del Rey several years ago. When the clerk asked to see her driver’s license, she explained apologetically that her wallet had been stolen. But, she added, she did have one form of ID.

“I was the May centerfold in Playboy magazine,” she told the clerk. “I have the centerfold here in my purse if you want to see it.” She took it out. The smiles matched. Restores your faith in humanity, doesn’t it?

miscelLAny:

Name That Toon, a West Hollywood cartoon shop, will honor animated women at a charity fund-raiser Thursday night. Considering the guff that Wilma Flintstone alone has taken, it’s about time.