The Ear received a rather fascinating tip from a ghost. Oh, OK, not quite a ghost, but it was from “George Flavel,” who runs the Clatsop County Historical Society’s Facebook page, and it’s too good not to pass on. So here it is:

“Last Monday (meaning Aug. 16), RUSSELL BRAND, pictured above. the actor, heard about the OREGON FILM MUSEUM and drove from Portland with five of his friends. He’s a huge “GOONIES” fan. They arrived about 8 p.m. – too late to tour the museum.

“A dog-walker got to chatting with him and suggested they drive to Clatsop County Historical Society Board President KENT EASOM’s house. Kent’s significant other, LJ GUNDERSON, was out in her yard when they arrived. She called Executive Director MAC BURNS, then drove to his house.

“No one answered the door, so she called Director of Marketing SAM RASCOE, who came and let them into the old jail. They bought a lot of items in the gift shop and left a donation.

“When Mac heard about it the next day, he asked his wife if she had ever heard of Russell Brand. ‘Sure, I’m reading his autobiography right now.’ So, apparently, RENE BURNS sat Monday evening reading a book about a man knocking on her door 30 feet away!”