CHIEF FAN: You know things are going...

CHIEF FAN: You know things are going pretty well when the President of the United States wants to meet you. That’s what happened when President Clinton was introduced to mystery writer Michael Connelly, an ex-Times Valley Edition reporter, during a December trip to Los Angeles. Then, on Wednesday, Clinton was given a galley proof of Connelly’s next book, “The Concrete Blonde,” at a Washington bookstore. “I was so nervous,” Connelly said about their meeting. “I couldn’t remember a lot of what we talked about.”

TRIBUTE: Adam Slotnick died in the earthquake, but his co-workers haven’t forgotten him. On Wednesday, they reopened the store he managed, Pizzeria Uno. It’s the first shop in the Northridge Fashion Center to open since the quake. “It’s not the money,” one employee said. “It’s what Adam would want.” (B1)

DECISION DAY: Not long ago, the most challenging task of every pet’s day was fetching sticks or taking afternoon naps--tough life. Then came the earthquake, and hundreds of terrified animals escaped into the darkness. On Wednesday, many pets at the West Valley Animal Shelter, above, faced the possibility of being killed if not reclaimed by their former owners or adopted by new ones. (B1)

NOTHIN’ SHAKIN’: There’s Norman Bates and his mother, and Jaws terrifying the swimmers. But still no earthquake ride at Universal Studios. It’s been shut down since the real thing hit Jan. 17. . . . “It doesn’t seem right,” public relations director Jim Yeager said. “There are a lot of people homeless. If we go a week or two without shocks, we’ll see. It’s a day-to-day decision.”

TAKE ME OUT: Sick of Jimmy Johnson and his ego? Burned out on Skategate? Well, sports fans, you can escape: Baseball is back. The junior college variety, that is. Valley teams will start playing this weekend at tournaments throughout the state. . . . Once again, the conferences have altered their alignment. (C8)