BUCK STOPS HERE: What about those approaches...

BUCK STOPS HERE: What about those approaches to Howard P. (Buck) McKeon, Santa Clarita’s freshman Republican congressman, about challenging Gov. Pete Wilson for the GOP gubernatorial nomination? Forget them. They came from conservative Republicans down on Wilson. But McKeon says he assured Wilson recently that he’s backing him for reelection. See Political Briefing (B5). . . . Maybe a wise move: A Times poll shows Wilson’s popularity rebounding (A1).

VEGGIE LOCKUP: It’s never good news when fruit flies turn up, but there’s a silver lining to the infestation just discovered in the Valley. These aren’t Mediterranean flies, of long and troubled history, but the Oriental variety--somewhat easier to fight (B1). . . . Nonetheless, a quarantine has been slapped on movement of fruits and vegetables in a 55-square-mile area reaching from Encino to Studio City.

UNMASKED MAN: Davis Gaines played L. A.’s Phantom of the Opera longer than anyone, appearing as the tortured man in the mask 942 times in the musical’s record-setting run. . . . In his first public performance since “Phantom” closed, Gaines sings Broadway tunes and pop numbers Saturday at Universal Amphitheatre. See Valley Life! Page 3

AUTUMN WHINE: This is for former Easterners who brought West this attitude , carping to natives and old-timers about how they miss four definite seasons, especially fall. Listen up. You missed the point: Southern California does have an autumn, with changes in weather, landscape and harvests. . . . You just have to know where and how to look for it. See Valley Life! Page 12

SLUGGER EXPORT: They call them “Samurai Warriors,” but by any name, the California Angels international scouts foretell the future of big league baseball, charging Japanese teams for American players they dig up for them (C10). . . . The head scout is Ray Poitevint of Sun Valley, perhaps the most trusted American baseball figure in Japan.