A weighty name:John Goodman of Pacific Palisades...

A weighty name:

John Goodman of Pacific Palisades receives scripts in the mail as well as requests for autographed photos. The other day he got a letter from La Habra High, asking him to appear at a grad night “honoring Hollywood.” After all, the invite said, he’s “an outstanding role model in the Hollywood community. . . .”

Actually, this John Goodman is an outstanding role model in the food industry--he’s a food broker, not the co-star of “Roseanne.” Apart from actor John Goodman’s obvious interest in food, the two don’t have much in common.

Goodman the food broker delved into the mystery of his popularity and discovered that it apparently stems from the fact that his address is mistakenly listed in a guide to the stars’ homes.

Ever the good sport, though, the non-actor often sends out autographed pictures to his non-fans as a joke. He might even be willing to appear at La Habra High--if the school changed its grad night theme to “Honoring the Food Industry.”

BEATEN BY A TURTLE: A cardinal rule of journalism (besides avoiding cliches such as “cardinal rule”) is to be careful about crediting someone with a “first.” Alas, we recklessly said that the Dobbertin Surface Orbiter, a converted milk tanker, recently became the first amphibious vehicle to voyage through the Panama Canal.

R.J. Burbridge of North Hills set us straight, pointing out that explorer Frank Schreider wrote a book about how he and his wife, Helen, achieved the feat after World War II. The Schreiders made the trip in an amphibious jeep that they called “La Tortuga”--The Turtle.

OK. We’re still certain that the Dobbertin Surface Orbiter was the first converted milk tanker to sail the Panama Canal.

This year.

PRAY FOR THEM: On the Ventura Freeway, a colleague reports, he saw a Honda Civic sporting a rear fender that had been “crunched in, punched out and badly repainted,” a crumpled front fender, and doors displaying assorted dings. The car also had a nameplate, which said: “Hallelujah School of Driving.”

ANAGRAM OF THE DAY: Pondering “how much money local broadcasters are going to lose when the Raiders leave town,” Bob Logan came up with:

OAKLAND RAIDERS--L.A. RADIO DARKENS.

DUELING POCAHONTI: If our own household is a reliable guide, there may have been confusion--if not consternation--among children who happened to view A & E’s “Biography” program on Pocahontas Monday night.

That’s because “Biography” was relating history, while Disney has been vigorously promoting its make-believe love story about a voluptuous Indian woman (Pocahontas was actually about 12) and a blond, surfer-type (in real life, John Smith was a dark-haired father figure).

When a portrait of a crinkly eyed Smith was shown on “Biography,” our daughter Sarah, age 7, said, “Oh, my God! He’s got a beard! He’s almost bald!”

When a portrait of the Indian princess was shown, Sarah took one look at the somewhat plump, round-faced child and declared: “That is not Pocahontas.”

During one commercial break, however, she exclaimed, “There they are,” pointing triumphantly to the screen, where the voluptuous Indian maiden and surfer John were indeed frolicking. It was an ad for the animated movie. Disney couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

miscelLAny The upscale Hollywood Carwash, which opens next month, will offer customers cappuccino, bagels and frozen yogurt, not to mention frequent-flier points--500 free miles on two airlines for $500 worth of services.