So thanks to everyone for pointing me toward the starter. That was the problem. I was able to fend off the traffic cops for a couple days by waiting by the car during the street-cleaning period. Yesterday the cop said if I was still there next time, he'd have me towed. Anyway, got a good used starter from Frank in Orange, borrowed a jack and some jackstands and did it right there on the street! Started right up strong as ever. So thanks everyone, and I do apologize if my general ignorance in these matters is too much for some to bear.

I guess my only remaining question is what would have caused the starter to fail? I always thought that they die slowly and that you can see/hear the symptoms coming so you can prepare. We had tried banging on this one to get it to start and it was deader than Anna Nicole. Is it common for them to totally crap out like this, or am I special?