Maybe This Town’s Main Street Should Be Called ‘Menage a Trois’ Boulevard

Summer is approaching--travel time--so, as a public service, this column will be passing along vacation items today. First, Alyson Ross of Alhambra advises that the lined-out sign she spotted south of Paris does not mean that the French are prohibiting a certain kind of group activity (see photo). The French? Are you kidding? No, it’s merely a notice to motorists that they are leaving the town of Orgy.

I haven’t heard of such a colorful town name since a reader wrote about the English settlement of Barf.

Barf (cont.): Ron Sinclair of Encino said that he and his wife were preparing to board a ship in Martinique when they saw a sign containing a term that sea voyagers don’t like to think about (see photo).

Speaking of sea mishaps: After reading a fishing report, Art Vinsel of San Pedro reminded anglers that they should always try to avoid renting sinking boats (see accompanying).

As for making reservations: With the travel slump, some companies have greatly eased eligibility requirements for various packages. Paul Shefrin of L.A., for instance, found a cruise line that will give you a millennium or so to make up your mind about where you want to go (see accompanying).

And if you’re taking yourself out to the ballgame: I want to warn you that one of Dodger fans’ most popular right-handed throwers is seeing only limited duty. That’s vendor Roger Owens, a 44-year veteran famed for his behind-the-back tosses of peanut bags. Owens, 59, has been thrown for a bit of a loop himself by a case of vertigo.

“I’m getting better, but right now I don’t have clearance to work in the stands,” said Owens, who is taking medication to combat the dizziness. Owens, who in years past would gallop up and down the aisles of the left-field loge section like a billy goat, now works the flat concourse, or concession, area. It’s a tribute to Owens that his admirers have been coming to him, including his season-peanut holders.

Yes, he’s the only vendor I know of who has season-ticket fans contract with him before the season to buy $5 bags of goobers for all 81 games. (He has 24 season-peanut seats.)

“The fans have really lifted my spirits,” Owens said. “And my arm still feels good. No peanut elbow.”

Disorder in the court: William Farris of Buena Park relayed an L.A. Daily Journal piece by fellow lawyer Donald Griffith, who defined some typos that show up in legal documents, including:

* Abscone: pastry theft.

* Double jeoparty: being twice accused of crashing the same event.

* In-horse counsel: lawyers for Mr. Ed.

* Oats of office: swearing-in ceremony after Mr. Ed gets elected.

* Wonton disregard: negligently serving hot noodle soup.

And, getting back to this column’s travel theme:

* Ural contract: verbal agreement to go climb a mountain.

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LA-TIMES, 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.