July 22, 1957

This is to report that a distressing situation has arisen in MacWestlake Park.

Certain pigeons–just a few of the hundreds in the park, mind you–have
adopted a decidedly unmilitary attitude toward the recently dedicated
statue of the General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. Apparently they
believe he’s just another Beethoven. (Note: This is a reference to the
statue of Beethoven in Pershing Square across from
what used to be Philharmonic Auditorium and is now a vacant lot at Olive and 5th
thanks to a hurried developer with big plans–lrh).

There stands the general, erect, imperious, fastidious, hands to sides, as was intended.

But these uncouth, subversive pigeons have taken to bathing themselves
in the stagnant water in the enclosed forecourt surrounding the statue
and one of them sits by the hour on the peak of the general’s cap,
preening itself. Others flutter about him with careless disregard of
his welfare. They’re smart, they realize he can’t fight back or censor
their criticism.

Clearly this is a moment for a command decision. Fortunately there’s a
man in our midst with the know-how to cope with this crisis–Fred Beck.

Beck has proposed that funds be raised or appropriated for a statue of
a pigeon 15 feet high. The idea is that any generals passing through
L.A. would be given carte blanche to perch on the statue of the
pigeon–in reprisal.

I know just the place for this overgrown pigeon. Alongside.

AS BACKYARD barbecue addicts know, the big switch lately has been to the small, compact hibachi.

Paul Drus went looking for one but the stores in his neighborhood in
South Los Angeles were sold out. So he went to Little Tokyo and found
one in a store near 1st and San Pedro streets.

As the store owner wrapped it, he said: “Used to sell three, four
hibachis in one year. Now all buy and hard to keep in stock. Japanese
cook on hibachi three thousand years. Whatsamatter? Los Angeles just
learning to cook?”