Business Obviously Caters to Those Who Value Honesty

On L.A. County’s restaurant-closures website, Andrew Rubin of Santa Monica found one Venice establishment that was cited for these reasons: “No plans submitted. No public health permit.” The name of the business: Illegal Catering.

What’s in a name? (Part II): Henry Hespenheide of Hermosa Beach directed me to the Olive Garden restaurant chain’s website, which announces:

“Our $7.95 ‘Never Ending Pasta Bowl’ is only available for a limited time!” Then it ends, I guess.

Unreal estate: Of one flier he received, Mike Sugar of Simi Valley wrote: “It’s nice to know that some things never go out of fashion -- like bedrooms and bathrooms.” (see accompanying)

Do they come with a guarantee?: While in Missouri, Amber and Ryan Diem of Saugus noticed a sale of some used creatures (see photo). I wouldn’t kick their fenders.

Actors’ inequity: “Any wonder why there is runaway production in the film industry?” asked Michael Immel, who observed a no-thespians sign in Studio City (see photo). It’s in a parking lot adjacent to two casting studios.

And you thought you had problems: In affluent Pacific Palisades, a suggestion by one resident that the town’s noisy gardeners all work the same day of the week brought this angry retort from another homeowner in the Palisadian-Post:

“What does this dear person suggest for those of us who have a gardener three days a week?”

Flotsam and jetsam: You’ve probably heard how law enforcement agencies miles from L.A. have been accused of dumping transients at detox centers and hospitals on L.A.’s skid row.

Seal Beach police had a simpler situation when they answered a recent complaint from a resident about a drunken man allegedly trying to open the door of her house.

The Seal Beach Sun said officers determined that the man was a member of the U.S. Navy based in the area “and dropped him off at the main gate of the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station.” Bon voyage!

miscelLAny: The crime log of the Student Life newspaper at Pomona College carried this item: “An officer reports finding an off-campus adult fire dancer doing a routine in front of one of the dorms. She is asked to put out the fire and to leave campus.”

No offense to the artist, but it just isn’t the best time of year for fire dancers.

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 [email protected].