Most bizarre news teaser of the year:It...

Most bizarre news teaser of the year:

It happened on KNBC (Channel 4) the other night. Before its 11 p.m. newscast, the station announced that actor Jimmy Stewart had been rushed to the hospital after falling at his home. And what accompanied the bulletin? A film clip from the movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life”--showing Stewart’s character jumping off a bridge.

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE: “As a volunteer at the Braille Institute, I pass by the library to and from the recording booth where I tape various and sundry books, articles, etc., for the visually impaired,” writes Jeanette Miller of Los Feliz. “Much to my surprise, among the periodicals in Braille available to borrowers is Playboy magazine.”

Miller adds: “I was assured that only articles are included.”

TO BE READ WHILE HUMMING THE THEME TO “2001”: Not only is 1995 coming to an end but the 20th century is nearing its curtain call. So perhaps this is a good time for a look back at the 1900s, as recorded in song lyrics.

Some examples:

* “Got a feeling ’21 is gonna be a good year,” recorded by The Who (“1921”).

* “I’ve been a flop with chicks; I’ve been that way since 1956,” The Clovers (“Love Potion No. 9”).

* “Kept some letters by his bed, dated 1962; he had underlined in red every single ‘I love you,’ ” George Jones (“He Stopped Loving Her Today”).

* “Started humming a song from 1962; ain’t it funny how the night moves,” Bob Seger (“Night Moves”).

* “Late December, back in 1963, was a very special time for me,” The Four Seasons, (“December, 1963”).

* “In ‘65, tension was running high at my high school,” Bruce Springsteen (“My Hometown”).

* “In ‘65, I was 17,” Jackson Browne (“Running on Empty”).

* “We haven’t had that spirit here since 1969,” the Eagles (“Hotel California”).

* “I have loved some ladies, and I have loved Jim Beam, and they both tried to kill me in 1973,” Hank Williams Jr. (“Family Tradition”).

* “Shakedown 1979; cool kids never have the time,” Smashing Pumpkins (“1979”).

* “Tonight we’re gonna party like it’s 1999,” Prince (“1999”).

How will lyricists handle mentions of the next century? Well, we still occasionally hear Zager and Evans warbling, “In the year 2525. . . .”

SIGN IN, PLEASE: Incidentally, we often hear from people who had a fascinating item for Only in L.A., only to have it slip their minds before they sent it to us. So, for all you would-be contributors, here’s one last chance to get your name in the paper this year.

miscelLAny Joe Flanagan, a worker at the Beacon House recovery facility in San Pedro, was told that a new restaurant in the area was temporarily prohibited from serving alcohol. Reason: The building’s restrooms are not accessible to the handicapped. Quipped Flanagan, a recovering alcoholic: “I became handicapped every time I ever drank a beer.” A sober thought for New Year’s Eve.