Not 100% Proof

The last two years may be remembered as the time when California discovered that it isn’t recession-proof after all.

The cliche, once used liberally by state boosters, was much in vogue the last few years. But Californians weren’t the only ones guilty of such hyperbole.

A scan of various publications reveals more than 100 references to recession-proof, most involving claims by people that something actually is recession-proof or an acknowledgment that something isn’t so recession-proof in today’s soft economy.

Some examples:

People: Heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield, George Bush and his lifestyle, Bill Clinton and his lifestyle.

Regions: Atlanta, Washington (the city), Washington (the state), Germany, Arizona, the Midwest, Las Vegas.

Businesses: Lotteries, light bulbs, weddings, baseball, entertainment, cosmetics, environmental firms, books, media, restaurants with repeat customers, religious bookstores, antique French furniture, pet accessories such as water beds for dogs, public golf courses, skiing, racing, smuggling people into the country.

Professions: Football, piano tuners, high-priced models, dog photographers, government workers, Congress.

This Threat Is Hot Air

Here’s one warning that turns out to be all bark and no bite.

An ad for Steve’s Dog Laundry in Altadena contains this ominous threat: “Dogs not picked up in 30 minutes will be blow dried at owners’ expense.” The cost: about $25 more than when the pooch is towel dried.

Jean Rapagna, general manager for the dog-washing shop, says the threat is rarely carried out “unless the person is a jerk.” She says it is intended to prod a few people who sometimes use the shop as a dog sitter.

“We phrase it so people will think twice about leaving a dog here for an entire afternoon. That causes problems because there’s no place to put them,” she said.

What About Monti Rock III?

An article in the latest issue of the Forbes publication “FYI” proves that there is a pretty lucrative life on the speaker circuit after fame has evaporated.

The magazine contacted four speaker agencies to compile a list of what kind of fee speakers get, including some of the following celebrities who are no longer in the limelight as much as they once were:

Disc jockey Wolfman Jack, $10,000; former Budget Director David Stockman, $10,000; economist Arthur Laffer, $10,000; former “Avengers” star Diana Rigg, $12,500; actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr., $10,000; former New York Yankees first baseman Joe Pepitone, $7,500; former President Jimmy Carter, $25,000 ($20,000 for former First Lady Rosalynn Carter).

Briefly . . .

Malibu Comics Entertainment, a Westlake Village comic book company, is publishing “Read My Lips,” a cartoon biography of President Bush. . . . Something is brewing: Former Dodgers pitching star Don Sutton is expected to agree soon to another year as honorary chairman of the Beer Drinkers of America. . . . Bloody right: Federal Reserve Vice Chairman David Mullins, speaking in Los Angeles last week, compared California’s sluggish economy to that of England’s.