Drained of Enthusiasm, an Editor Hangs Up Her Fangs

A Scottish media website reports that the editor of a Glasgow-based vampire magazine “has decided to quit after being ‘sickened’ by strange requests” from readers.

I bring it up because the dispatch noted that Arlene Russo, 32, “launched Bite Me in 1999 after visiting the World Dracula Congress in Los Angeles.” Russo noted, apparently in surprise, that “there are a lot of very disturbed people. People beg me to turn them into vampires.”

Do I see a reality TV show in the making?

More Halloween leftovers: Keith Johnson snapped a warning that was posted on Hollywood Boulevard over the weekend but now has expired, much to the relief of all you Silly String users (see photo). Yes, the ban was legitimate.

Switching to body part items: Alan Bosshardt of Hawthorne spotted an opportunity for customers needing eyebrows on a temporary basis (see photo).

Bruce Stark of Seal Beach, meanwhile, visited Newfoundland, where he couldn’t help but notice that, when it came to naming towns, the hardy settlers of the region seemed to have been fixated on the proboscis (see photo) as well as other parts of the anatomy. Neighbors of Jerry’s Nose include Nick’s Nose Cove, Joe Batts’ Arm, Philip’s Head and Noggin Cove.

As for taking a pound of flesh ... : When Liesa Rodin of Santa Clarita received a note from the Internal Revenue Service she felt “sooo much better” after seeing the agency’s Memphis address (see accompanying).

Exposed flesh, sort of: The Dana Point News revealed that a resident phoned the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to complain that a mannequin in front of a surf shop “was ‘inadequately clothed’ on its top half.” Deputies went to the scene, the newspaper said, “but they decided that based on the bare facts, that there had been no violation.”

Making the spine tingle: Superior Court Judge Judith C. Chirlin passed along a notice she received about a film shoot for the TV show “Crossing Jordan” involving “a car chase and gun shots” in the Music Center’s parking structure. “Please advise attorneys, jurors and the general public so there will not be any panic,” the memorandum said.

I dunno -- I sort of like the image of a bunch of panicking attorneys.

miscelLAny: With election day over, it will be good to have a little peace and quiet in the house. No more live and recorded phone calls from candidates and their supporters at all hours.

I never thought the day would come when I could say that I had hung up on Arnold Schwarzenegger.

*

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATimes, 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.