EARTHLY BONDS: Diplomatic relations between Israel and...

EARTHLY BONDS: Diplomatic relations between Israel and the Vatican (A1, A8) may improve life for an often-ignored minority--Arab Christians. That’s the prediction of Bishop John A. Elya of North Hollywood, who is due to be elevated next month to eparch, or archbishop, of the 25,000 U.S. Melkite Catholics. “It is a positive move toward peace,” Elya said. “We hope it will mean less intransigence by Israel on the rights of Palestinians.”

GET OUT AND PARTY: The final hours of 1993 are ticking away. You had months to make dinner reservations, buy concert tickets or plan that splendid little dinner party. But here you are, with absolutely no idea how to spend New Year’s Eve. You are not alone. . . . You are also not without help. See Valley Life! (Page 3) for a list of 10 activities and events to ensure a very Valley New Year.

HEAD OF THE TIMES: Starting Saturday, the law requires bicyclists under 18 to wear safety helmets, like the little girl above, annoying fashion-sensitive teen-agers (B1). For the first year, no citations will be issued to those who lack helmets--only verbal warnings. Beginning in 1995, however, violators will be fined up to $25.

1993 REDUX: Most of the biggest Valley-area sports stories (C14) happened off the field in ’93. From the abrupt resignation of women’s volleyball Coach Walt Ker at Cal State Northridge and the subsequent sexual harassment charges to the boycott and protests against the Northridge football program, it was a topsy-turvy year in local sports.

SMART BARS: Into the bars they swagger, ready for battle. They smoke, drink, cuss and glare at strangers suspiciously. But these battlers are armed with dictionaries, ready for the interactive television games fought out in Valley bars every week by erudite trivia buffs and sports fans. “It’s the Andy Warhol kind of thing . . . your 15 minutes of fame,” says a game producer. See Valley Life! (Page 8).