From the Lawyer Who ‘Yagged’ Me

After it was revealed that Sheriff Lee Baca planned to form an “executive reserve” unit of prominent people in the community, attorney Stephen Yagman attempted to enlist. But, believe it or not, Yagman’s name was not on the department’s list of candidates. Perhaps the omission had something to do with the numerous police brutality lawsuits he has handled.

Otherwise he seemed an ideal candidate. “I have lots of extra time on my hands. . . .” he said in a note to Baca. Yagman is under a year’s suspension for collecting an “unconscionable” fee in one case.

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SPEAKING OF POSSIBLE LAWSUITS: Kathryn Blackmun of Echo Park found an online rental ad with an unfortunate twist on a cliche.

It described a guest house for rent on a street described as “quiet rustic . . . off beaten passenger.”

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WHAT, NO HAPPY FACE? “You’ve no doubt noticed that some stores try to be friendly and offer the small town shopping experience of the past,” wrote Frank Kessler of Woodland Hills. But, he added, one store where he shopped “still hasn’t gotten it quite right” (see accompanying).

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CAREFUL WITH THOSE NEEDLES: Nancy Hubbell of Long Beach spotted a local store that can embroider most everything, but Hubbell hopes they’ll be careful when they stitch grandparents and babies (see photo).

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ATTENTION PAGANS: Sara Meric of Santa Monica found the job opening of the week in a newsletter (see accompanying)--a newsletter on the Westside, naturally.

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L.A. IS EVERYWHERE: One of the biggest gripes in Hollywood these days is that so many movies are being made outside the country. The issue is the basis for an inside joke in the latest Austin Powers movie, reports the L.A. Business Journal.

In one scene, star Mike Myers is supposed to be driving through the English countryside. He turns to co-star Heather Graham and says, “You know what’s remarkable? That England looks in no way like Southern California.” Actually, the scene was filmed on a sound stage in L.A. with footage from Kanan Dume Road in Malibu showing on a rear-projection screen.

I thought I saw a pagan in the background.

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SURPRISE BOWL BID: What could be more American on the Fourth of July weekend than venturing to the Hollywood Bowl to see folk singers Peter, Paul and Mary as well as a fireworks show? When our group sat down, we noticed numerous spectators standing and pointing to our right. As a former Raiders fan, I figured that a good, old-fashioned fistfight was in progress. I was wrong. But the object of attention was someone who knows all about fistfights: Jerry Springer.

Actually, spectators were lined up for autographs, peacefully. Springer also showed himself to be a man of the people by sitting in the rear of the bowl. “His seats are as bad as ours,” my daughter Sarah said in amazement.

miscelLAny:

For your “Duh!” file, M.C. Gomme of Manhattan Beach bought a candle in a wrapper that came with this warning, “Remove wrapping before lighting.”

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Steve Harvey can be reached by phone at (213) 237-7083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com and by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, Times Mirror Square, L.A. 90053.