Spell Check: Times correspondent David E. Brady...

Spell Check: Times correspondent David E. Brady did a double take when he noticed an Adopt-A-Highway sign on the Simi Valley Freeway near the Reseda offramp. The sign, for a CSUN sorority chapter, reads Alhpa Phi. . . . The omega of the story is even more telling: A Caltrans spokeswoman said the goofed-up sign has been up since November 1994. No one has complained, not even the sorority.

Alphabet Soup: Some progress is being made on another mangled spelling first noted in this column. This one’s on a plaque at the new Chatsworth train station. Last month, Mayor Riordan’s surname was spelled Reardon. It’s since been “corrected” to Riordon. That’s an accuracy jump from 57% to 86%. Alas, spelling requires perfection. . . . Will the third time be the charm?

Finding Fossils: Tired of being a couch potato on the weekends? Bored with art fairs and food tastings? Here’s an idea: Head out to dig for fossils. But before you strap on those old hiking boots and grab your hat, check out today’s Valley Briefing (B2, above) where you will find all the whys and wherefores of unearthing ancient marine life. And who knows? You might even find an prehistoric turritella for the mantle.

Homeward Bound: CSUN’s spring cleaning features a Goodwill truck at Lindley Avenue and Lassen Street, thanks to CSUN’s Associated Students. Students can dump unwanted stuff, and some of it is not half bad. . . . Spokeswoman Cyndi Signett says the discards include skis and bikes--not just smelly sneakers.