Where the Buffalo Roam

When I read about the 104 bison in Catalina’s overcrowded herd being shipped off to a new life in South Dakota, I recalled being told that a question often asked by clueless tourists on the island is: “Do the buffalo migrate?” A restaurant worker told me last year that her usual answer is: “Yes, they swim across the channel [to the mainland].” Now we know they take a boat.

And in case you’re thinking of visiting Catalina, let me answer two other frequently asked questions about the creatures. No, there are no daily buffalo hunts. And, no, you can’t take baby buffaloes home as pets.

Harvey’s Hall of Wonders: Today’s specimens (see accompanying) include:

* A sign in a public restroom in Maui that made Keith Raphael of Hacienda Heights wonder: And if the water were not reclaimed?

* A CD player that evidently plays only religious music (from S. Moore of Long Beach).

* An appliance repair shop that charges 1960s prices (from Wendy Turk of L.A.).

* Proof that while most people don’t walk in L.A., some of their rooms do (Steven Gould of Pasadena).

Disney underground: The Walt Disney Concert Hall has received generally good reviews, but I’m surprised that one aspect has been ignored: the design of the parking facilities.

After all, the Disney Concert Hall Garage opened to the public in 1996, seven years ahead of the hall itself. (Hey, this is L.A.; nothing takes priority over parking.)

Luckily for you parking lot aficionados, the Downtown News’ Jon Regardie reviewed the hall’s underground garage back then. He gave the edifice good (not great) notices, a 3-grease-spot rating out of a possible 4. Regardie praised the “neon lime green button reading ‘Press for Ticket.’ ” And he lauded the lettering of the word “compact” on the spaces, which “varies from other garages, with a stylish gap between halves of the letters ‘o’ ‘p’ and ‘a.’ ” In sum, any car would be proud to park there.

Re-LAX? I spoke of a proposal to name Los Angeles International after the star of “Harvey” (my favorite movie).

But Debbie Berger points out there’s an airport called Jimmy Stewart Field in Indiana, Pa., hometown of the actor. So I guess we need a famous native Angeleno to honor. Only I can’t think of any.

miscelLAny: Well, maybe one. How about naming LAX after a star who made his debut in this world on Nov. 18, 1928? It would be a fine 75th birthday present for Mickey Mouse.

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LA TIMES, Ext. 77083, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012 and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.