Smoke Signaled the End of a Pope Impersonator’s Career

Actor Eugene Greytak of Santa Ana has suffered something of a career setback. Greytak has worked for years as an impersonator of Pope John Paul II (see photo), appearing in such movies as “Naked Gun 33 1/3 : The Final Insult.”

Since John Paul II’s death, Greytak told reporters, “friends have been calling me from all over the world. It has been very sad for everyone, but especially for me.”

In case you’re wondering, Hollywood has not yet named an impersonator for Pope Benedict XVI. Watch for the white smoke to ascend from the chimney of Nate ‘n’ Al’s deli in Beverly Hills.

Which reminds me: Earlier this week, Mary Ann Reed of Lompoc saw a newspaper story that discussed the search for a “predecessor” to John Paul II. She thought that search was over decades ago.

Further adventures in the English language: Carl Ehrlich read an article that mentioned “peek” driving hours (see accompanying). “I guess that’s the time for dedicated looky-loos,” he said.

“Duh!” warning of the month: In Hawaii, Larry See spotted a notice for short-sighted pedestrians on an overpass-turned-drop-through (see photo).

Food for thought: See also found a shop with some really hot sauces (see photo).

Water, water, nowhere: The new book “Tommy Davis’ Tales from the Dodgers Dugout” recalls the opening day problems Dodger Stadium suffered in 1962: the foul poles were in foul territory (they’re supposed to be in fair territory despite their name), giant moths flitted about, and there were no drinking fountains in the stadium except for one in each team dugout.

Some suspected that owner Walter O’Malley was trying push soft drink and beer sales. People can be so cynical. Health authorities ordered the Dodgers to install fountains.

Parched throats here, too: When Disneyland holds what I fear will be a massive celebration of its 50th anniversary this summer, don’t expect any mention of its opening day problems, which also included a lack of drinking fountains.

Founder Walt Disney angrily blamed it on a plumbers strike, explaining he had to concentrate on building either restrooms or fountains.

He chose restrooms, he said with unassailable logic, because “people can buy Pepsi-Cola, but they can’t pee in the street.”

miscelLAny: With the switch away from standard time, the Seal Beach Sun asked its readers what they’d be doing with the extra hour of daylight. Cindy Stantz of Lake Elsinore said she’d be spending it “on the 91 Freeway.” Spoken like a true Southern Californian.

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.