How much is that baggage handler in...

How much is that baggage handler in the window?

Mayor Richard Riordan hasn’t said much lately about his proposal to raise revenues by selling L.A. International Airport to private interests. Of course, there are other ways he could raise money from the airport. Tom Bratter points out that a new business has opened across the street from City Hall--Collateral Lender Inc., a pawn shop.

A MASCOT THAT LED TWO LIVES: The big bunny that sits atop Blacksmiths Corner pet feed store in Bellflower used to adorn another business. Manager Pat Reed says the critter was obtained from a dealer who sold Rabbits--of the Volkswagen variety.

A CHOCOLATE SUNDAE BREAK FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE! Congratulations to 10-year-old Deborah Gantz, who takes over as general manager of Century City’s Park Hyatt Los Angeles on Tuesday. Just for the day, though. She and 34 other fifth-graders from Castle Heights Elementary School are among 1,500 students taking temporary jobs with the hotel chain across the nation.

Hmmm. How about having some schoolkids run the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for a day?

Or a year.

EXACTLY WHAT TYPE OF “ENTERTAINMENT”? Stan Kelton snapped a photo of a Lakewood restaurant’s sign that had two letters burned out, resulting in a message with an unintentionally racy ring.

TRY AGAIN ON ST. PATRICK’S DAY: An Apple Valley-area student was barred from enrolling at a high school in Covina because her hair was dyed emerald green, reports columnist David Allen in Victorville’s Daily Press. The girl and her mother had tried to transfer to Covina out of the belief that “Los Angeles County schools would be less conservative.” Hey, Covina isn’t Lakewood!

THE BIG TWO: Roosevelt and Churchill are names that have been linked in history--but in the Long Beach area? Well, yes, to an extent. Delano Roosevelt, a grandson of FDR, is a Long Beach city councilman. And Carol Churchill is a City Council candidate in Signal Hill.

“If you find a Stalin, we can have a conference,” quipped Churchill.

She isn’t certain whether her Churchills are related to Winston’s but added, “We all have the Churchill jowls. At least, that’s the joke in the family.”

miscelLAny:

The Piecemaker custom furniture shop on West 3rd Street in L.A. has a sign that says, “Antique tables made daily.” Comments Norm Sklarewitz: “You can’t wait for history in this city.”