THINGS TO COME: Jogging trails, graffiti-proof bus...

THINGS TO COME: Jogging trails, graffiti-proof bus stops, smog-absorbing trees and a statue of a boy in a baseball uniform in the middle of a busy intersection that looks like a baseball diamond. . . . This is the future of Ventura Boulevard, at least according to a team of architects who have unveiled their vision of what the 17-mile road might look like in the year 2000 and beyond. . . . The public will get a look at the possibilities sometime this summer, but budget cuts are already threatening the 20-year, $222-million plan (B1).

LITTER WARRIORS: Victor Prito understands how litterbugs think. He used to be one. . . . Rotting food, broken glass, spent bullets--he and his gang buddies left them all behind after partying in the Angeles National Forest. . . . Now, Prito is helping to clean up the forest through an ecology program employing inner-city, bilingual youths who teach visitors respect for Los Angeles’ back yard (B1).

ELECTED AND SELECTED: Latino power and prestige in the San Fernando Valley are underscored by two recent events. . . . First came the election of the Valley’s first Latino city councilman, Richard Alarcon of Sun Valley. . . . Then the pride of Pacoima--Ritchie Valens--was honored with a 29-cent postage stamp as part of the U.S. Postal Service’s salute to stars of rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues. . . . Columnist George Ramos says this shows that East Los Angeles is no longer the cultural or political heart of the city’s Latino community (B9).

STREET SMART: What should you do about motorists who cut in front of you, besides yell unpleasantries? Where is North Hollywood’s “post office from hell”? Why are Trooper Billy Joe Bob and Uncle Jethro needed in Tarzana? What does the Trojan War have to do with cars? You don’t know? Of course not. But you will after reading Street Smart (B1).