That Malibu boulder that recently hovered over...
That Malibu boulder that recently hovered over Pacific Coast Highway almost became a star.
Sculptor Brett-Livingston Strong hoped to fashion part of it into a likeness of Princess Diana -- that is, until the whole thing was pulverized by Caltrans crews.
Before the boulder met its fate, Strong told Hank Rosenfeld of public radio’s “Weekend America” show that he wanted to “put it up by the Malibu Chili Cookoff -- carve it in view of the public.”
You old-timers may recall that 27 years ago, Strong carved the head of John Wayne out of a Malibu rock that threatened PCH in an eerily similar fashion (see photo).
That one had been pulled from its perch by crews, preserving large chunks.
Strong told Rosenfeld that it took him 70 days to sculpt Wayne “down to the nose hairs.” The Duke’s cranium is now at a small school in Texas.
During the latest boulder drama, residents recognized Strong when he reappeared.
“I hope you’re going to carve me this time,” one producer joked.
Alas, out of safety considerations, the rock couldn’t be spared.
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Di in Southern Cal (cont.): In Peter Lefcourt’s 1994 novel, “Di and I,” written before the princess’ death, she runs off with a middle-aged Hollywood writer, and the lovers become the operators of a McDonald’s in romantic Rancho Cucamonga.
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Unreal estate: Helen Vartanian of Downey found two unusual properties: one that comes with a newlywed (a breathing newlywed, at that) and one that is equipped with some low-tech cleaning equipment (see accompanying).
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Mystery dish: “As a lover of Thai food, I don’t recall ever seeing this on any Thai menu,” Robert Betsoi said of a sign he spotted in Hollywood (see photo).
He’s betting the spot was once occupied by a purveyor of more traditional American fare.
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Which reminds me: I mentioned another prime example of cross-cultural stew the other day: a Thai menu that listed a tempura dish with a Spanish translation.
Howard Berk of Glendale pointed out that there are even more elements in this stew. First, tempura is a Japanese dish. “And it didn’t even originate in Japan,” Berk said, “but in Portugal, where the dish was called ‘tempora,’ which means ‘temperance.’ It was a dish served during Lent.”
Sorry, ever since I saw Betsoi’s photo, I can’t stop thinking of hot dogs.
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miscelLAny: On Saturday, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach will play host to Sustainable Seafood Day, in which chefs will discuss responsible seafood consumption choices. Cooking tips and recipes will also be dispensed, while, Press-Telegram columnist Tim Grobaty quipped, “the fishes in the aquarium’s Great Hall look on in helpless horror.”
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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.