Ignorance Is Not Always Bliss--and It’s No Excuse for Breaking the Law
When a driver was pulled over for making an illegal U-turn in Paramount, she was asked if she knew why she was stopped. Her less-than-convincing answer, according to the city’s newsletter: “Because I didn’t see the ‘No U-turn’ sign.’ ”
In parallel lanes: He admits it may be “mocha ado about nothing,” but columnist David Allen, the conscience of Ontario, revealed that that city’s logo bears a strong resemblance to the Folgers coffee logo (see shocking evidence).
Both show a golden sunburst and 10 points of light rising above a red mountain range. On their Web sites, each logo’s sun also moves, rising from behind the mountains.
Mmm-mmm bad? Well, no one’s nerves seemed jangled at the Ontario Convention and Visitors Bureau when I phoned. Director David Aldana said he hadn’t heard any complaints from residents.
“But,” he added, “I’m just the interim director.”
By the way, you’ll notice that the city’s Web site labels it “Southern California’s Ontario” so that it won’t be confused with the rival brand in Canada.
That Crazy Ol’ Sun (cont.): Doug Anderson of Rancho Santa Margarita saw an ad for a Dana Point mansion that apparently has a view of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans (see accompanying).
Swan songs: My plea for a theme tune for secessionist Valleyites brought a heartwarming reaction from readers.
The nominees included:
* “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” the Animals (from Dan Wickerd).
* “L.A. Breakdown,” Jack Jones (from Gary Myers).
* “Let’s Just Kiss and Say Goodbye,” the Manhattans (from David Allen).
* “It’s Too Late Baby,” Carol King (from Steve Driggs).
* “I Get Along Without You Very Well,” Robert Goulet (from Kenneth Fleischer).
Anthems for the anti-secessionists: Some folks sent along songs for the other side, including:
“Stay,” Jackson Browne (from Wickerd), and, of course, “We Can Work It Out,” the Beatles.
And there’s the gospel song “There’ll Be Peace in the Valley” (from Allen).
Plates in motion: Scott McCarty of Upland writes that his wife, an ophthalmologist, has a vanity plate that says AR UCNOK (Are you seein’ OK?). He swears they once pulled alongside a car with the plates CN DBBLE (Seein’ Double).
And, I assume, gave Seein’ Double plenty of room to pass.
Sex and splinters: Dale Franz of Woodland Hills read an Internet ad for an herbal supplement that was “developed for the active man striving for maximum sexual energy.” But Franz wonders if it’s “more than I can swallow.” The directions require the user to take two “tables” a day.
miscelLAny: Here in earthquake country a lot of people (including me) get nervous when the room begins to shake. So I can understand this complaint to the police, listed in the L.A. Independent: “A woman reported that the woman in the apartment above her was repeatedly jumping up and down, causing a disturbance.”
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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.