UNHELPFUL SURVEY: How hospitals regard that quality...

UNHELPFUL SURVEY: How hospitals regard that quality survey by state health officials (A3) appears to depend on where they were ranked. It “reflects the success of many teams working closely together,” beamed the medical director of Kaiser Permanente in Panorama City, which was in the top 14 for treating heart attacks. The Woodland Hills Kaiser wasn’t listed. A spokeswoman says it came in 22nd . . . but conceded that it ranked 201st in neck spinal surgeries.

USUAL SUSPECTS: In “Casablanca,” it was funny: “Round up the usual suspects.” It’s less amusing for African American men--some with painful memories of being grabbed on sight as crime suspects--to be the target of edgy police and parents alert for the Valley Molester. Columnist Scott Harris (B1) talked to black men worried that they could be arrested by mistake. . . . Some are angry; others say it’s the price of nailing the molester.

PREP STARS: Hart’s Mike Kocicka (above), third in the state in passing, is celebrated as back of the year in The Times Valley Edition’s two full pages of high school football all-stars (C13-14). . . . Top coach is St. Genevieve’s Richard Fong. He surprised opponents, who expected a pushover, by winning the league title. Antelope Valley’s Keith Schiele gets top lineman.

PLAYBOY PAD? As celebrity trials go, it’s no Zsa Zsa versus Elke. But if you’re interested in Michael J. Fox’s bedroom decor and what he knew about those sick eucalyptus trees, you can follow the case of the Studio City Ranch House in L. A. Superior Court. . . . A woman who bought Chez Fox sued the ever-boyish actor over its condition (B4).

HOLIDAY EXPRESS: Merry Christmas from Metrolink and the Postal Service. The commuter train people, hoping you’ll like their service, are running special shopping trains Saturday, cutting fares up to 70%. . . . And post offices will be open the next two Sundays to spread out the holiday mail glut (B3).