If you’ve heard one shootout, you haven’t heard them all

The 10th anniversary of the 44-minute shootout between police and two heavily armed bank robbers in North Hollywood reminded me of a bizarre side-story that followed.

At a news conference a few weeks later, police played a supposed audiotape of the gunfire that had been given to them by a San Fernando Valley businessman.

But police subsequently learned it was actually the soundtrack from “Heat,” a 1995 heist movie that features a wild gun battle between cops and bank robbers in downtown L.A.

The Valley man admitted the hoax.

And how was the truth uncovered? “One of the officers who was [at the shootout] happened to have seen the movie several times,” a police spokesman said at the time, “and he was very familiar with that soundtrack.”

Unusual dual businesses: Dave Turner of Apple Valley discovered a local store that specializes in both pet grooming and music lessons -- the latter for humans unless you have a singing cat (see accompanying).

Readers have informed me of others in this genre, including Maine’s Fish’n Optician, Applesauce Tea House and Foot Massage in Flagstaff, Ariz., and Mr. D’s in Corona, which offers camping supplies and tuxedos (ideal for the well-dressed fisherman).

Lifeguard layoffs? Ruth Sirianni of Valencia sent along the sad news that Sunset Beach appears to be open just three hours a day (see accompanying).

This position should be filled right away: Engan Natarajan of Agoura Hills saw an ad for a job that requires some weekend duty, but who cares at that hourly pay rate (see accompanying)?

Dueling regions: When it comes to the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, there’s no question which one receives more publicity.

But the bloggers at the history-oriented 1947project.com want to change that. They’re offering the Blood & Dumplings Crime Bus Tour of the San Gabriel Valley on March 17 from 1 to 6 p.m.

The tour guides guarantee you’ll:

* “Thrill to the freakish case of the Man From Mars Bandit”

* “Shock to the battling Nazis of El Monte”

* “Mourn the Case of the Buried Bride”

* “Gnash teeth at the lion farm that served lion meat barbecues”

* Witness “scenes of notorious cases including the alleged Phil Spector murder, James Ellroy’s murder-victim mother Geneva (the true-life inspiration for his ‘Black Dahlia’ novel), neglected Manson victim Steve Parent and even an obscure East L.A. link to the JFK assassination.”

Cost of the five-hour jaunt: $55, including a “dumpling feast.” If you’re a true crime aficionado, you’ll still have your appetite even after hearing about the buried bride.

miscelLAny: I read in the Long Beach Press-Telegram that best actress winner Helen Mirren said: “I want to thank everyone, including the customs agent at LAX the other day, for telling me that I deserved the Oscar.” Wait till she tries to get it past the X-ray machines.

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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.