TODDLER IMPROVES: The condition of a critically...

TODDLER IMPROVES: The condition of a critically injured Newhall toddler wounded by a blast from a shotgun fired in a neighboring apartment improved slightly Sunday as sheriff’s deputies continued searching for the gunman. . . . Silvana Cuervo, 2, was being treated for pellet wounds to the abdomen and legs at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys after the Saturday afternoon shooting outside her 14th Street apartment, hospital administrators said. “She is doing OK so far,” said Nursing Supervisor Suzie Sauz. “From the way she is progressing, it looks like she’ll make it” (B1).

FIRST CLASS: For 25 years, Don the Mailman brought lunch to shut-ins, played catch with the neighborhood kids and made sure the letters always got in the right mailboxes in Winnetka. . . . So when he decided to take another job, Don Broadbent’s old customers blocked off a street and threw him an old-fashioned block party. . . . “Here comes Don, here comes Don!” screamed one little girl when he stepped out of his car for the surprise party (B1).

HAVING A BALL: Southern California is home to one of the largest populations of jugglers in the nation, and some of the best practice their routines in a Quonset hut at Valley College in Van Nuys. . . . The law of gravity seems to have been amended as Kathy Mendelson, above, makes balls dance hypnotically in the air. These informal Thursday night sessions give professionals and novices alike a chance to work on new routines (B1).

STREET SMART: If the roads aren’t already dangerous enough, says the Street Smart columnist, American ingenuity has conspired to make the freeways even more chancy by creating a slew of gadgets for use while driving. The list includes a refrigerator, a mini-oven that plugs into the car lighter, a car-based fax machine, exercise tapes for steering wheel calisthenics and a while-you-drive urinal (B1).