Neighborhood Whistle-Blower Tries to Halt Noise Problem in Laguna Beach

You think you have problems. The Laguna News-Post reported that a neighbor called police to complain of “continued noise problems” coming from the swim team’s practices in the school pool, including loud yelling and whistle-blowing.

Food for thought:

Today’s specials include:

* A brawny offering that is tinted a color once associated with TV’s “Incredible Hulk” (Judy Goodstein of L.A.)

* A modest fish dish that caused Art Vinsel of San Pedro to ask: “If it’s too hot, do they market them nude?”

* A zoo with commoners’ food only (photo by Susan Avallon of L.A.)

* And, finally, a property listing that cut off the words “Latter-day Saints,” spotted by real estate agent Greg Bayer. His colleague, Dennis Berry, said, “It wasn’t for someone in Seattle either.”

Dorms, God and booze: The Princeton Review’s survey of 345 universities came up with these findings about local schools:

* UCLA: Ranked seventh in the “dorms like dungeons” category (or 338th best, depending on how you look at it).

* Pomona: No. 16 on “dorms like palaces” list. Pomona, not surprisingly, also ranks second in the nation for “happiest students.”

* Pepperdine: No. 18 in number of students who pray regularly (not just during finals week).

* Caltech: No. 11 in number of students who “ignore God on a regular basis.”

* UC San Diego: No. 12 in number of students who “ignore hard liquor on a regular basis.” Pepperdine is No. 16.

Are you talking to me? An Acton resident was called away from dinner recently by a phone call from Robert De Niro. But it wasn’t the actor--it was a Dell computer techie walking her through a problem from his office in Bangalore, India.

In this era of satellites and the Internet, Dell is one of several companies that farm out support services to lower-paid workers in India. And the name De Niro?

The techie explained that the Indian support personnel are encouraged to use American names to create a more familiar presence for customers. Obviously, he thought De Niro was more catchy than Bob Jones.

Bird’s-eye view: Attending USC’s football opener against Auburn on Monday night, I quickly spotted the quickest and most determined creatures on the field.

They were three pigeons who were eating seeds near the 20-yard-line at the west end of the Coliseum.

They refused to leave when the game began, casually darting out of the way when humans came stomping through their turf, then returning to their meals.

I thought I saw one forward pass come close to hitting one of the birds, who seemed unfazed.

However, when a short fireworks show began at halftime, they flew off and didn’t return for the third quarter. A few more explosions and I would have followed them.

miscelLAny: Soon after a baseball strike was averted, the Republicans and Democrats in the Legislature ended the deadlock over the new budget.

It got me to thinking. The baseball players we need. But why couldn’t the legislators go on strike once in a while?

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Reach Steve Harvey at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012 or e-mail steve.harvey@latimes.com.