If Pharaoh Is Linked to Quakes, Remain in Denial

I still hear people talking about the four moderate quakes that struck in five days, one of which inspired a West Coast tsunami alert. My theory? Blame that exhibit at the L.A. County Museum of Art. I’m afraid that what’s at work here, dear readers, is the Curse of King Tut.

Such a deal: Sure, that free oil change is a bargain for anyone having a certain car dealer’s customer card. But, man, they really sock it to you for subsequent oil changes, pointed out David and Peggy Veal as well as Gavin Feehan (see accompanying).

Second item, no extra charge: The aforementioned Veals were not happy to receive a letter from the L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control that made their name sound like a mystery meat (see accompanying).

Chew on this: While some restaurants offer melted cheese dishes, John Price of Granada Hills found one that prepared another melted item on the premises (see photo).

Unclear on the concept: Victor Tamashiro of Santa Clarita noticed there was some confusion about how new one shampoo’s great scent was (see photo).

Department of Low Finance: Mention here of the 85 Cent Shop in Italy, no doubt inspired by the 99 Cents Only chain, reminded Susan Kasenow that while in Liverpool she saw a 99 Pence Store.

Misadventureland: Southern California’s tourist industry will get a boost from a reassuring piece in USA Today detailing the efficient Lost and Found operation at Disneyland.

The mouse folks have succeeded in returning such misplaced items as:

* A glass eye (the worker who spotted it initially thought it was a marble)

* An expensive engagement ring (taken off in a restroom by the owner, who feared it would slide off her finger into the sink)

* A canary (whose jubilant owner inadvertently let it out of the cage in which it was being held; it flew into the Jungle Cruise area).

miscelLAny: In case you missed it, Will Rogers points out that an L.A. Times story on the Holmes Regional Medical Center of Melbourne, Fla., reported that the director of obstetrics is named, naturally, Kelly Breedlove.

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.