A real party town: We can’t understand...

A real party town: We can’t understand why some voters lament that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans appeal to them. So what? The L.A. County registrar’s office lists another 440 political parties to chose from.

For instance, there’s the Bachelor Party, which was the designation given by two voters. Others include the Birthday Party (4), Boston Tea Party (12), Bull Moose Party (10), Dead Head Party (2), Gumby Party (2), Keg Party (4), New Year’s Party (1) and the Wig Party (11).

The Wigs haven’t announced their 1996 nominee for President, but our money’s on Burt Reynolds.

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Election Daze: We look forward to Election Day because it’s always full of suspense--that is, suspense over what snafus are going to occur. Some oldies but funnies:

* A drawing of California is printed upside down on some Democratic ballots (1990). Only in L.A.’s demand that the election be invalidated is ignored.

* A precinct worker in the San Gabriel Valley holds up the vote-counting in a City Council race by going out to dinner, thinking that the ballots can be brought in the next day (1990).

* Voters at a Bel-Air mansion-turned-polling station are turned away when the security gate slams down. Those inside voting are trapped in luxury for several minutes (1988).

* In a municipal election, more than 40,000 ballots must be recounted because the chads (the punched-out parts) fail to break loose (1981).

* Santa Ana winds curl paper ballots at the edges, causing them to be rejected by some vote-tabulating machines (1976).

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A leg up on the competition?The pin-up girl who graces 18 Ruby’s restaurants in the Southland is having trouble winning acceptance in scandalized Santa Barbara.

Reviewing the chain’s application for a new eatery there, Santa Barbara’s sign committee complained that Ruby is not only wearing a skimpy skirt but apparently has forgotten to put on panties. (You judge after seeing the accompanying trademark logo).

The committee says the skirt has to be lengthened for the outdoor sign.

“We are sticking to our guns,” replied Doug Cavanaugh, the chief exec of Ruby’s. “If we’re turned down, we’ll appeal. Once we change the trademark, it is no longer protected. And we think it’s pretty harmless. It’s in keeping with the character of Ruby’s--a re-created, 1940s wartime diner.”

Cavanaugh has a sentimental attachment toward the logo for understandable reasons.

“It was modeled on my Mom,” he said.

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We hear him: Bill McCash of San Dimas, meanwhile, sent along an ad that says: “Protruding Ears? We’re the Experts, Board-Certified Cosmetic Ear Surgeon.”

He wonders if it’s mere coincidence that it appeared “when a certain royal figure is visiting L.A.”

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We hear him: Bill McCash of San Dimas, meanwhile, sent along an ad that says: “Protruding Ears? We’re the Experts, Board-Certified Cosmetic Ear Surgeon.”

He wonders if it’s mere coincidence that it appeared “when a certain royal figure is visiting L.A.”

miscelLAny In the 1860 presidential election, the leading vote-getter in Los Angeles was the Democrats’ John Breckinridge with 267 votes. Next was Stephen Douglas, the Independent Democratic nominee, with 263. Finishing third, with just 179 votes, was a fellow named Abraham Lincoln.