L.A. SOUTH? Ever confuse tranquil San Clemente...

L.A. SOUTH? Ever confuse tranquil San Clemente with bustling Los Angeles? A Japanese movie company arrives in San Clemente today to begin shooting “Super Eccentric Legend,” a movie about Zsa Zsa Gabor. . . . Why Zsa Zsa? A company spokesman says the Japanese find her “interesting.” Why San Clemente? His answer: It’s a good stand-in for “a small Los Angeles.” Says Mimi Collier of the city’s Chamber of Commerce, “It’s very bizarre they’re filming here, but we’re happy.” She’s helping find extras.

DOG DAY AFTERNOON: Tustin has decided to do something about its Catch-22 for residents who like to walk their dogs in the local parks. The city code says a dog in the park is OK, as long as it’s on a leash. But all nine city parks have signs posted saying “Dogs Not Allowed.” . . . The City Council has decided to end the confusion. The signs will come down. Dogs are welcome-- if they stay off the playground and any activity courts.

FAT CHANCE: For research on his new movie about obesity, Hollywood director Ron Howard sent a team of writers to Cynthia Graff, president of the Lindora Medical Center in Costa Mesa. She had them meet four clients who had peaked at 450 to 570 pounds. The writers asked for problems they could show visually. They got them: Trying to pass through grocery turnstiles, finding auto seat belts that fit. . . . Adds Graff, who was present: “And seeing everyone’s eyes on a crowded elevator go to the pound-limit sign when you step on.”

DO THEY CARE? Who finished poorly in that Capital Journal magazine ranking of the best California legislators? Gil Ferguson (R-Newport Beach) was second from the bottom for Assembly members, and John R. Lewis (R-Orange) was third from last among senators. . . . It was based in part on a survey of legislative staffers. But Lewis spokesman Matt Cunningham scoffs: “Conservative Republicans are always at the bottom. It’s a liberal magazine and who cares what they say anyway?”