For several months last year, they tore up the streets in my neighborhood, installing a new sewer. I watched this closely, for I had taken — have still — a deep interest in repairs. Repairs, …
March 12, 1998
News & Stories
Maple Street sewer repair, part one
Three Caltrans questions
Oh, Almighty Matt: I noticed a great dip in the fast lane about half a mile from the I-5/805 split. What's the reason for that? Did they run out of dirt to fill in the …
March 12, 1998
Where did the word, "butterfly" come from?
Dear Mr. Alice: My mom and I were watching a butterfly and I asked her why they're called butterflies. They fly, but we couldn't figure out where the butter comes in. Can you help us? …
March 12, 1998
Why do people toss coins into fountains?
Dear Matthew Alice: We all know that people like to toss coins into fountains and other artificial bodies of water, but why? To make a wish? How did this practice of throwing money away into …
March 12, 1998
Plaza Bonita stabbing hushed up
Two weeks ago, on Saturday night at around 8:30 p.m. in Plaza Bonita, three janitors mopped blood off the tile floor beside a golden carousel that spun and thundered "You're a Grand Old Flag." Mr. …
March 12, 1998
Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton – take your cue from Walt Whitman
A few weeks ago, Tony Perry, a reporter for the L.A. Times who knows I love Walt Whitman's poetry, called me on the telephone. "What would Whitman make of the fact," he asked, "that Bill …
March 12, 1998