He had a key. But his plumbers still had to break in.

On September 4, 1969, President Richard Nixon received the "Key to Orange County" at his Western White House in San Clemente. (Who else has received these keys?) The key, quoth the AP, was "presented to him by William Hirstein, chairman of the Orange County Board of Supervisors in a ceremony... The President also holds a framed resolution authorizing the giving of the 'gold key' to the President. The resolution had been presented to him by Alton Allen, (right) 5th District Orange County Supervisor."

I always get Alton Allen mixed up with Mr. Slate from The Flintstones.

Speaking of Richard Nixon, did you know that Orange County only has two National Historic Landmarks: The ModjeskaHouse and the birthplace of Richard Nixon? One of my friends at OC Parks, Carey Baughman writes, "There is currently a photo contest for National Historic Landmarks. Winning photos are placed on a national website and printed in a calendar. Each photographer can submit up to ten photos, but only one photograph from each site." The contest runs until June 13.  Photos should be submitted to the following flickr group: flickr.com/groups/2012nhlphotocontest, which also includes entry rules and other contest information.