It’s duck-and-cover day at City Hall as Toronto Mayor Rob Ford visits

It was the day after the Oscars, but the happiest, most relieved Angeleno on Monday was probably Mayor Eric Garcetti. Why? Because he just happened to be on a trade mission to Mexico on the day Toronto Mayor Rob Ford came to Los Angeles.

Ford — who was famously caught on video smoking crack cocaine and later admitted his drug use and the occasional drunken stupor — said he was in town for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show. He popped into City Hall for a visit with his fellow politicians and “councilors,” Catherine Saillant reported.

Ford apparently wandered the building, followed by security and his entourage, who managed to snap photos of his meetings with Councilmen Mitch O’Farrell and Tom LaBonge. (You can see the photos on Ford’s Twitter feed.) He even made a stop at the City Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.

There must have some awkward moments in the council offices when Ford stopped by. Imagine the poor receptionist passing the message to the boss that Rob Ford — yes, that Rob Ford — was waiting in the lobby to speak with him. Was this for real? Or we they about to be punked?

And Garcetti was far, far away in blessedly dull meetings. There will no cheery Garcetti-Ford photos on Twitter — for now, at least.

Must-read headlines from L.A. to CA:

On L.A. River restoration, it’s time to think bigger, Los Angeles Times

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should embrace a broader, longer-term restoration plan for the Glendale Narrows area.

Consultant’s report recommends major overhaul of L.A. Fire Department, Los Angeles Times

The report, commissioned by the city, calls for significant changes in how the LAFD responds to medical rescues and 911 calls.

Los Angeles redoubles efforts to host 2024 Summer Olympics, Daily News

As a deadline to submit its bid approaches, Los Angeles officials are stepping up their efforts to host the 2024 Summer Olympics and overcome perceived obstacles that could keep the International Olympic Committee from looking elsewhere.

They’re Going to Wish They All Could Be California Hens, the New York Times

Hens in California are living the good life. Many can now lay their eggs in oversize enclosures roomy enough to stand up, lie down — even extend their wings fully without touching another bird. Hens in most other states don’t have it so good. Their conditions, as the head of California’s egg trade group explained, are “like you sitting in an airplane seat in the economy section all your life.”

O.C. gets more than 1,000 concealed gun applications in just weeks, Los Angeles Times

Orange County has been deluged with more than 1,000 concealed weapons applications since rolling back restrictions in the wake of an appellate court ruling, and officials are preparing to hire more than a dozen retired deputies to handle the crush.

ALSO:

It’s the U.S.-Mexico border, not the Wild West

Water conservation’s other benefit: It’s a power saver

What Long Beach can teach us about cycling, and politics

Follow Kerry Cavanaugh on Twitter @kerrycavan and Google+