Sure Seems to Be the Right Device to Use for Dampening Boyfriend’s Ardor

Hope this doesn’t throw cold water on the romance: The Los Alamitos News-Enterprise’s police log reported that “a woman was pounding on her boyfriend’s front door with a lawn sprinkler.”

From Russia with menu concerns: “I’ve been entertaining a friend from Moscow who informed me that virtually her whole concept of L.A. has come from reading your Only in L.A. column in her homeland (through the Internet)!” says writer Tom Greene of L.A.

“The title ‘Only,’ in Russian, according to her, translates as ‘The Absolute Truth.’ So she takes everything you say as Gospel.”

Greene said his friend, Anya Zontova, was taken aback to find that restaurants here are much less “adventurous” than my menu items had indicated. But then he took her to a Hollywood reception at a ritzy eatery where she became a bit nervous over a nearby sign.

“I told her in my very bad Russian, ‘Not to worry--at least restaurant supplies nearby emergency treatment!’ ” Greene quipped.

Luckily, the story has a happy ending. Zontova not only ate there without incident, but felt well enough to snap a shot of the sign (see photo).

Now that’s scary! Ex-Pasadenan Peter Jacobson went into a Sacramento restaurant and found a display of Pepto Bismol coupons available. “First Aid for heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion and upset stomach,” the display said. “Next time, think pink.” Jacobson’s reaction: “There won’t be a next time.”

Unclear on the concept: Speaking of food establishments (see accompanying), Dan Fink of L.A. found a place that evidently specializes in baked chicken. Richard Zigrang came upon a store that doesn’t know the meaning of big. And Sandra Walker of Temple City isn’t sure if a seller of a barbecue-type set is just blowing smoke.

Lost Angels: The Arizona Diamondbacks won a World Series in their fourth year, while the Anaheim Angels have never even made it into the fall classic in 40 years. Steve Koenig wonders if the Angels’ problem might be disorientation.

After all, he points out, this is a team that has played in two cities (L.A. and Anaheim), has had three names (L.A., California, Anaheim), and has played in three ballparks (Wrigley Field, Dodger Stadium and Edison International Field; four, if you count Edison in its former life as Anaheim Stadium).

And, as if all that isn’t dizzying enough, the team just announced its sixth uniform change. The team, by the way, has never won any fashion awards, though I’m surprised that Mr. Blackwell didn’t take note of the just-abandoned ensemble that featured periwinkle (blue/purple) stripes and a logo being propelled by angel wings.

Almost enough to make you think pink.

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miscelLAny: Donald Godfrey’s fascinating biography, “Philo T. Farnsworth--The Father of Television,” notes that this week marks the 75th anniversary of Farnsworth’s patent of what critics call the boob tube. But let’s not blame Farnsworth for “Temptation Island.”