Mammoth Pet Peeve: Dogged Cops Apparently Make the Collar on Owner
Dick Chun read in the Mammoth Times about a police citation that surely would make some pet owners growl. The crime log reported: “Dog owner cited for not wearing current dog license on Hill Street.” Wearing it around the owner’s neck? Geez -- at least allow it to be carried in a wallet or purse.
The holidays are a time for treasured memories: So if you’ll excuse this nostalgia, I want to share one of my favorite Christmas tree ads from years past (see accompanying).
Lights! Camera! Garbage! Shirley Ackroyd of Northridge noticed a sign that seemed to refer to a trashy movie. (see photo).
Literary breezes: Weather-wise, Southern California has much to recommend, but not the dry, hot Santa Ana winds that have been lashing the area. The gusts did, however, inspire a great passage from novelist Raymond Chandler in “Red Wind”:
“There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands’ necks.”
And husbands start acting peculiarly on freeways? Not sure, but perhaps the Santa Anas account for a couple of strange sightings I received.
David Grudt of Long Beach saw a driver reach for a guitar on the 605, and when Grudt pulled alongside he observed the guy “playing it while controlling the car, I think, with his knees.” If “controlling” is the correct word.
And Chuck and Arliene Hillinger of Rancho Palos Verdes were slogging along in slow traffic on the San Diego Freeway when they spotted a driver who “was beating away on his steering wheel with a couple of drumsticks and steering with his knees. We kept seeing him on and off for the next 15 minutes. He never missed a beat.”
Some commuters’ Xmas wish: Isn’t it only a matter of time before automotive parts stores take heed of all the freeway musicians here and start selling knee pads that attach to the steering wheel?
Speaking of offbeat: Ralph Merrill of Long Beach came upon an announcement for a carwash that sounded interesting (see accompanying). Maybe the workers were playing musical instruments while they toiled.
MiscelLAny: Who says you can’t take it with you? O’Ray Davis of Torrance saw an ad that seemed to indicate you can even add to your bank account in the hereafter (see accompanying).
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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LA-TIMES, ext. 77083, and by e-mail at steve.har vey@latimes.com.
