Waste Not, Want Not: A Morality Tale With an L.A. Twist

David Chan of L.A. noticed that Reuters’ website rechristened the Department of Water and Power the other day (see accompanying).

Then again, Reuters might have a point. After all, it was the DWP that, according to a city audit, paid the public relations agency Fleishman-Hillard $4.2 million in questionable and unsubstantiated billings.

You think the Angels are pulling a fast one?: I mean, with their new “Los Angeles” name and all? How about the radio commercials for “L.A.-Ontario Airport”? The facility hasn’t been moved any closer to L.A. -- it’s still about 40 miles away (in San Bernardino County, which may soon be renamed L.A.-San Bernardino County, at this rate).

A less misleading ad would say: “Ontario Airport: Hey, at Least It’s Closer to L.A. Than the One in Canada.”

One giant step for mankind: In Kentucky, Diane Miller found a hotel whose entrance is better suited to high-jumpers (see photo).

Such a deal: John Thomas of Northridge (and I) thought a device currently on the market had been outlawed (see accompanying). At least the ad didn’t go into detail about the poor soul who used the chair.

Unreal estate: After viewing one property ad, Stuart Muller of Pacific Palisades concluded that a $3,249,000 mailbox “is way overpriced” (see accompanying). I think Muller is jumping to conclusions. The mailbox could have exquisite furnishings.

This could be the last time: The sixtysomething Rolling Stones dodder into Angel Stadium for a concert Nov. 4, and I guess we can expect them to play these hits, adjusted for their ages:

* “Time Is Not on My Side”

* “Get Off of My Couch”

* “Lurchin’ Jack Flash”

* “1,951st Nervous Breakdown”

* “(I Really Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

* “Honky Tonk Grandmas”

* “Let’s Spend the Night Separately”

miscelLAny: Is it just a coincidence or is Madison Avenue making fun of Giacomo, the lightly regarded California horse who staged one of racing history’s biggest upsets the other day in Louisville? I’m referring to the commercial in which a host serves a high-toned drink at a society function and comments: “You wouldn’t enter a donkey in the Kentucky Derby, would you?”

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.