More Things That Need Recounting

Welcome to Only in L.A.’s Official Recount Issue!

Several readers contend there are other figures that need double-checking besides that election stuff, so let’s go to work.

Two doubters even had the nerve to question a statement in this column about a law student having a vanity plate that says SHARK2BE.

These readers of little faith pointed out that plates have only seven spaces for the messages. After several hours of carefully reviewing DMV records, I’ve decided to concede. The plate says SHARK2B.

WACKY MATH: Dennis Purcell of L.A. sent me the seal on the stationery of a Van Nuys plumbing company that didn’t add up (see accompanying). Sherry Morrow, wife of the owner, told me with a laugh that it was supposed to say that the company was founded in 1976 “but a printer turned the 6 upside down--just like this election has been turned upside down.”

ALL RECOUNTS ALL THE TIME: Some other products whose numbers (see accompanying) were questioned by readers:

* A package of turkey that didn’t seem to contain much meat (submitted by Helen Rodenbeck of Temple City). I almost said, “Where’s the beef?” but I guess that wouldn’t apply here.

* A Chevy Blazer ad that prompted Robert Flynn of San Pedro to comment: “Nice vehicle, but I can’t afford the monthly payment.”

* A 6-foot-tall flagpole for a tiny flag (Ken Wilkins of Northridge).

* And, finally, a company that claims a Guinness-type world record for the oldest fresh doughnuts (Susie Tso of Rancho Palos Verdes). Geez, I can’t even get my kids to eat doughnuts that are just a month old.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE, PLEASE: Barbara Landsberg of Thousand Oaks was skeptical about a newspaper item that read: “Female, 2, from Newbury Park attempted to steal several clothing items before being stopped by store security.” Of course, if she was crawling when apprehended. . . .

MORE CONFLICTING NUMBERS: Milt Oberman steered me to a city parking lot at Westwood Boulevard and Midvale Avenue where one row has eight parking spaces but seven meters.

“I spent close to 10 minutes wandering around trying to figure out which meter was mine till I did some counting,” he said.

“One woman parking next to me said she knew about the problem so she would put money in both meters that might be hers.”

After parking there, I had the good fortune to run into a parking control officer (never thought I’d say that). And, after checking to see if I had paid 25 cents for my half hour, he said no one using the eighth parking space would be ticketed: “Any one who parks there--it’s their lucky day.”

The officer said a recount of the meters wasn’t necessary; the city was aware that one meter had been damaged and removed. I’m projecting that the city won’t allow this parking place to remain meter-less for more than 30 days. It’s next to a Starbucks.

miscelLAny:

While the vote-checkers are at it, I wish they’d review the 1860 presidential election. I still can’t believe the records that show that Abraham Lincoln received less than 25% of the vote in L.A., finishing behind rivals Stephen Douglas and John Breckinridge. Incidentally, I believe CNN projected Breckinridge to win the presidency that year.

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A., 90012 and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.