A Performance That Was Alarming

When the applause died down after a solo by trumpeter Ashley Williams, several people at a Pasadena music festival sprinted for the exits.

“The bandstand was situated next to a parking structure three or four stories high,” explained a spokeswoman. “When Ashley hit a high note, about 10 to 20 car alarms went off.”

SOMETHING TO CHEW ON: In today’s special dining issue, you can choose from a place that has food to die for, a restaurant that expects you to eat there every day, and an eatery with a security guard who can whip any Chicken Caesar in the house (see accompanying).

A MORE SUBTLE APPROACH: Emmett Dalton, a member of the infamous Dalton Gang, moved to the Los Feliz area in the 1920s after serving 15 years in prison for attempting to rob a Kansas bank.

The Hillhurst Avenue resident found a legal way to talk people out their money: He became a real estate agent.

PARKING IS SUCH STREET SORROW: Some memorable battles among drivers trying to dock their autos:

* Two female motorists at a shopping place in upscale Palos Verdes Estates were arrested, handcuffed, frisked and jailed. Their alleged crime: trying to circumvent the one-hour parking limit by wiping off a meter maid’s chalk marks.

* When two limo drivers wanted the same parking space at a supermarket in Redondo Beach, one brandished a BB gun customized to resemble a .45-caliber revolver. The other driver responded, “I’ll show you a real weapon,” and produced a loaded shotgun. No. 2 was later arrested.

MANY PENNIES FOR HIS THOUGHTS: An Upland man angry over a parking ticket tried to pay his fine with 2,000 pennies. Authorities exercised their legal right to refuse the box of coins.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR STAY WITH US: A fire erupted in the underground parking area of the Twin Towers office buildings in Century City several years ago, and motorists were asked to exit to make room for fire equipment--only to be stopped by attendants demanding that they pay their toll first.

THOSE FRIENDLY FREEWAYS: Almost 40% of drivers admitted making indecent gestures toward other motorists over a 12-month period in a Times poll. About 11% had become embroiled in a roadway dispute, and 5% carried a gun in the car. A previous survey by UC Irvine found that 17% had yelled at another driver during the previous week.

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In his guidebook “Los Angeles,” John Wilcock quoted an L.A. police captain telling the county Board of Supervisors: “The practice of making love on the highways is becoming alarmingly prevalent. In many cases, it is flagrantly open.” The year: 1921.