That’s (Not) the Way to Get Reelected, Mr. Councilman!

Talk about a bold, against-the-grain stand by a politician.

Discussing a prospective football stadium, Anaheim City Councilman Harry Sidhu said in his newsletter: “I do believe in giving away the taxpayers’ land.” Oops. Sidhu later sent out an apology saying that the “the word ‘not’ was omitted.”

You know it’s a bad day when you’ve misquoted yourself.

Guide to Adventurous Dining: Today we have several specials du column (see accompanying).

* My colleague Mike Grundmann ordered “catalog chicken” at IKEA and it was delivered not by UPS, but by a cook. Cafe folks couldn’t explain the meaning of “catalog chicken” but said you’re not supposed to lounge on it.

* In view of the recent finger-in-the-chili case, one wonders if the Mazatlan eatery visited by Charlotte Fournier of Laguna Woods might remove one joke from its menu.

* Speaking of body parts, Cal Porter of Malibu found an unusual kitchen item that might interest hungry boxer Mike Tyson.

* And, finally, Richard Rorex of Apple Valley wrote, “It’s good that we don’t see the bill until the end of the meal because when my wife did see it, she wasn’t sure what kind of pet she ate. (Actually, they have a ‘petite’ version of most meals.)”

Horsing around: Bill Moore of West L.A. was struck by the name of a gelding (a castrated horse) that ran at Hollywood Park the other day. “Only in L.A.,” Moore said, “would a gelding be called Sex Machine.”

Reexamining Reseda: My assertion that Reseda has been shunned by screenwriters -- though it receives a plug in the new movie “Down in the Valley” -- drew violent objections from some Reseda-lovers, of which there are a few.

Kristina Sobko pointed out that it’s mentioned in the “Terminator” movies and “The Karate Kid.” Who can ever forget the parent of the kid’s girlfriend saying, “Not that boy from Reseda!” In addition, one of the main characters in “Boogie Nights” travels by bus from Torrance to Reseda -- if such a feat is possible -- to work in a porn studio.

And the Reseda post office appeared in “Severed Arm.” I’m not sure if there’s a connection there.

miscelLAny: Incidentally, Happy Fiscal New Year. Hope you didn’t imbibe too much champagne last night in Reseda or wherever you celebrated.

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.