Surgery Shouldn’t Cost an Arm and a Leg, or Any Other Body Part

Lately this column has discussed how some patients facing arm or leg surgery use a felt pen to designate “Yes” on the part being operated on and “No” on the other part.

Well, Hal Landy of Woodland Hills says his HMO recently advised him to make such markings.

” Trouble was,” Landy said, “my operation was on the prostate.”

*

WHICH REMINDS ME: When a friend read about this issue in my column, he said, “I guess if a guy is going to have a back operation, they mark ‘Yes’ on his back and ‘No’ on the back of the guy in the next bed.”

*

“DUH!” FILE ENTRY: Tom Kehoe of Placentia sent along a sign stating the obvious near Newport Pier (see photo).

*

PROTEST CENTRAL: While the City Council reconsiders the designation of Pershing Square as a gathering place for demonstrators at the Democratic National Convention, I’m hearing some suggested alternatives.

Milton Kagen of Hollywood wonders if the gravel pits of Irwindale--once intended as the stadium site for the L.A./Irwindale Raiders--are available.

Or why not the Coliseum? Officials there are certainly experienced in handling unruly crowds from the days of the Raiders.

Then there’s La Crescenta, which has a park with a name that might have a sobering influence on would-be rioters who have criminal records (see photo).

*

BRING ME YOUR POOR, YOUR TIRED--BUT RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED: Happy Fourth of July! Especially to the proprietors of the Liberty Hotel in Long Beach, where every day seems to be July 4th (see photo by Lisalee Wells).

Harvey’s e-mail: steve.harvey@latimes.com