Contempt of juror:Inasmuch as we’re on jury...

Contempt of juror:

Inasmuch as we’re on jury duty, we thought that a note from Byron Slater of San Diego was particularly inopportune. Slater pointed out that, in a recent Times list of films coming to video stores, “The Juror” was followed by “Twelve Monkeys.” Inopportune but understandable.

IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS: Jeff Bliss of Newbury Park testifies that while he was driving on the Ventura Freeway he saw four helicopters towing banners that said, respectively, “Independence Day July 3,” “No Los Angeles,” “No Negotiation” and “No Warning.”

We were going to recommend that Bliss take some time off until we remembered that “Independence Day” is a movie. It’s about some nasty space aliens who turn L.A. into an urban renewal project without getting any permits beforehand.

NO NEGOTIATION: It’s been a bit more than a year since the closure of Chasen’s restaurant, an L.A. landmark for rich and rich alike since 1936. No longer will a first-time diner experience the thrill of having his jaw drop as he looks at the menu prices. Some of the eatery’s bargain dishes, as listed on its last menu:

* Irish Coffee . . . $7.50

* Milk . . . $3

* Tea . . . $3

* Sliced Tomatoes . . . $7.50

* Broccoli . . . $6.50

* String Beans . . . $6.50

* Chicken Broth . . . $5.75

* Lobster Cocktail . . . $19.50

* Hamburger . . . $19.50

* Calf’s Liver . . . $25.50

* Chicken Pot Pie . . . $33

Obviously, the pot pie wasn’t chopped liver there.

IF IT’S NOT SPACE ALIENS, IT’S THE DRIVERS: To your list of cinematic lines uttered about the City of Angels, you may add this gem from “White Men Can’t Jump.” It’s the scene where Rosie Perez has a fight with boyfriend Woody Harrelson, then strides out to the street and sticks her thumb out. Harrelson admonishes her:

“You can’t hitchhike--this is L.A.”

WE HEAR THEIR SAUERKRAUT’S NOT BAD: Ruth Sugerman of L.A. found a bilingual sign in a Korean neighborhood that, she says, “seemed to capture the essence of L.A.”.

YES ON NO: Joe Navarro of L.A. says he has been meaning to send us this golden oldie for a while. It’s a rarity in that it qualifies both for our Dueling Signs competition and for our Department of Redundancy Dept. Surely it speaks of a time when there was just no stopping L.A.

SO, HOW’S IT SHAKIN’? Well, for the first time in eight years, California’s share of the nation’s tourist trade increased, state officials say. And part of the credit goes to our public servants who have tirelessly promoted the virtues of life here.

Two winters ago, for instance, CHP Commissioner Maury Hannigan issued a memorable press release reminding out-of-staters that “when you consider the weather most of the country is experiencing, California sunshine can definitely be a great change of pace for those who are tired of ice and snow.”

Hannigan’s statement was prompted by the Northridge quake.

miscelLAny:

A gun used by the character Dan Tana (Robert Urich) in the TV series “Vegas” recently was donated to a Planet Hollywood restaurant. Ironically, the character was named for the owner of a Planet Hollywood competitor--Dan Tana’s in West Hollywood.