Maybe What This Pot Issue Needed Was a Joint Commission

Longtime Superior Court Judge Harry T. Shafer, who died last week, had so many amusing stories that I thought I’d tell one more from his book “Howls of Justice” (coauthored by Angie Papadakis).

During a custody hearing, a father of two children told Shafer that his ex-wife smoked pot.

“Have you smoked pot?” Shafer asked the father.

“Yes,” the man admitted. “In fact, I’ve smoked marijuana with my wife.”

“Now I’m confused,” Shafer said. “Is this a case involving joint custody, or a case involving custody of a joint?”

Severe dislocation: Perhaps the tsunami alert that was issued Tuesday after the 7.2 quake off the coast of Northern California explains how LAX washed up in downtown L.A. -- at least, according to the Amtrak schedule that Jim Helms of Arcadia spotted (see accompanying).

Not for feline fanciers: In discussions of unusual street names, I’ve pointed out that Beverly Hills has the intersection of Gregory (Way) and Peck (Drive) while Rancho Santa Margarita has the junction of Antonio (Parkway) and (Avenida de las) Banderas.

But Kenneth McIntyre of L.A. points out that the pioneer town of Woodland, near Sacramento, is the proud home of Dead Cat Alley (see accompanying).

The street dates back to at least Feb. 8, 1873, when the Yolo Democrat reported: “Sam Ruland on Dead Cat Alley was burglarized.”

Moving on to live cats: The real estate market is so wild these days, points out Scott Schmitz of North Hollywood, that even cathouses are on the market (see photo). Perhaps I should make that, cat playhouses.

Now it can be told: Like Woodward and Bernstein, I have sources. The wife of a friend of Linda Trevillian of Alhambra showed her a program from a Washington, D.C., Inauguration Day party for George Bush that didn’t “herald” an era of good spelling (see accompanying).

Sure, I’m getting this a little late -- it was last January. But we’re talking history here.

Thanks for the warning: Kathleen Austin saw a for-sale ad for “Multi-Poo Mixed Pups.” That sounds like puppies, all right.

miscelLAny: I love live, unscripted news broadcasts. You never know what a talking head is going to blurt out. During the police chase of a speeding motorcycle on Tuesday, Anne Olmstead heard one TV reporter say, “It gives you a pit in your stomach!”

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.