Mars, Shmars: Instead of a 6-Legged Rover, Consider a Walking Chopper

The two Mars rovers are impressive, but let’s not forget about marvelous technical achievements in exotic locales closer to home, such as Van Nuys. Audrey and John McAfee of Glendora, along with several other readers, sent me a story from a local newspaper about a flying machine that can walk like a human (see accompanying).

But some machines are goof-offs: Victor Kay of Laguna Woods saw a police log item in the Leisure World News about a car that sustained minor damage when it was forced to swerve to avoid an “inattentive vehicle.”

Startling discovery on Earth! Forget about speculation over whether there’s water on Mars. Kathy Orris of Fullerton came across an assertion that an inland Orange County city is actually near an ocean (see accompanying).

All wet: Virginia Lefever of Agoura spotted an ad for a mountain resort where the only place to bathe may be a lake (see accompanying).

Better than winning a talent contest: The folks at “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” invited aspiring actress Robynn Newton to be a guest, even sent a limo for her, despite the fact that Newton hasn’t had the most successful career.

“You may have seen me on the Lifetime network,” she told one interviewer.

“I had a nonspeaking part. My character was beaten up and almost killed on a reality show,” she added.

So why the interest in Newton? Probably has something to do with the fact that she recently won $49.5 million in the California Lottery. I doubt she’ll have trouble finding an agent.

You are what you do: Mike Peck points out that the 2004 Southern California Directory of Golf lists these pros at local clubs: Mark Range, Gregory Hack, Dave Woods, Korey Green, Jamie Mulligan and Paul Hooker.

Course superintendents, meanwhile, include Matt Grove, Doug Meadows, Brian Sandland and Dave Bermudez.

Parking con: The L.A. Daily Journal reports that a Santa Monica man was placed on probation for issuing 35 fictitious parking citations in several cities in February 2001. He didn’t fool very many car owners.

The newspaper said he received just three payments, one for $125 and two for $70 each. The crime came to light when one driver, cited in Berkeley, contacted that city’s Police Department. The ersatz cop made restitution to the one victim whose check he cashed, returning $125 plus interest.

miscelLAny: Funny coincidence. Over the years, I’ve received notes from several readers puzzled over why the fines for parking tickets issued by cities on the Westside, including Santa Monica, are sent to a Tustin address (see accompanying). Just a coincidence, I’m sure.

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATimes, Ext. 77083; by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012; and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.