Public Eye

It's never surprising as such to see Pasadena City Hall in the movies or on TV -- although when we caught the new Amy Poehler comed "Parks and Recreation" for the first time Thursday night, it was noted that it's unusual enough to see the big dome stand in for an actual city hall -- in this case, that of the fictional Pawnee, Indiana.

Mediterranean architecture in southern Indiana? Whatever. It looks great. Unusually, the show goes on to use a lot of City Hall interiors, including the mayor's office, as well.

And then, as we're watching, there comes brilliant movie and stage actress Pamela Reed, whose son went to pre-school with our daughter at Pacific Oaks, onto the screen, playing Poehler's mother.

OK. Good to see you, Pamela. It's been a couple of years. How're Sandy and the kids?

And then I'm saying -- "Wait a minute -- that shot's on our street!" And it was. And then there was Poehler walking down Linda Vista at Yocum past the big blue mailbox on the corner.

The old neighborhood looked even better well-lighted by the TV guys than it does in real life.