L.A. Cathedral Contains a Baptismal Font That’s, Well, Misunderstood

Apparently, some visitors to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels have mistaken the baptismal font inside for a wishing well. Thus the sign that has been posted, in English and Spanish there: “Holy Water/No Coins.”

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Moving right along: Dockweiler State Beach is generally considered to be the birthplace of hang gliding in this country -- another great contribution to the nation from L.A. -- so the warning sign there is not a surprise (see photo). But it is a bit ambiguous. As David Beraru of Woodland Hills asks, “Do I have to duck as I go by?”

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Universal concern for motorists: Besides hang gliders? It’s parking, as a billboard in New Zealand and a wall sign in L.A. illustrate (see photos).

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Something else to chew on: Marvin Popkin of Laguna Woods sent along an unusual for-sale ad (see above).

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A commentary on the quality of Orange County’s bagels? The police log of the Huntington Beach Independent said: “A suspicious person was reported wandering a parking lot asking for directions to New York City.”

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Do you have an alibi for Feb. 14, 1973? The police log of the Seal Beach Sun listed this recent call: “A citizen reported that he lost his passport 30 years ago.”

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Valentine’s Day wish, of sorts: Gloria Hayes of South Pasadena spotted a special missive, taped on the wall of a wound center:

Roses are red,

Violets are blue,

Cupid is so cute

And your wounds should be too.

I guess the sentiment would bring a tear to my eye, unless I was under anesthesia.

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L.A. Slam-Dunk of the Day: Nancy Steele of Altadena noticed this passage in the Sacramento Bee’s business section on the state capital’s chances of being attacked by terrorists:

“Security experts and landlords agree that Sacramento ranks well below cities such as San Francisco, New York and Chicago -- and even Seattle, Houston and the home of the hated Lakers -- as a likely tar- get ... “

Sounds like Sacramento still hasn’t gotten over being targeted by Shaq and Kobe.

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miscelLAny: Those e-mail spammers are getting sneakier and sneakier. I received a message that said “soccer dad” under the subject heading and opened it, since both my kids are on teams. However, the message, to my surprise, talked in explicit language about getting more of a kick out of sex.

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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.