DISASTER: With all due respect, the Jan....

DISASTER: With all due respect, the Jan. 17 Northridge quake isn’t the worst disaster we’ve had around here. Not even close. . . . You have to go back to 66 years ago Saturday--March 12, 1928. At 11:57 p.m., St. Francis Dam in northern L. A. County crumpled, sending billions of gallons of water down San Francisquito Canyon north of Saugus. The final death toll was 450.

COWBOY CASH: The city of Santa Clarita can’t win. It has asked FEMA for $13,000 to help pay for moving its Cowboy Poetry, Music and Film Festival from a quake-damaged auditorium to another site. If they had canceled it, the city would have faced heavy losses in advances paid to entertainers. . . . But some residents say FEMA money should go to more urgent needs. (B9)

COPY DOGS: Some say Hollywood has gone to the dogs, and the latest is “Lassie,” due this summer. And don’t be surprised if there’s a sudden rush on collies. “Beethoven” made St. Bernards popular, and “101 Dalmatians” did great business for the black-and-white dog (above). . . . “If they have seen it in a commercial or movie, everyone wants one,” said a Valley pet store manager. See Valley Life! Page 10.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: Let’s say you can’t wait for birth to get your new baby on video. Well, who says you have to wait? A couple of clever businesswomen have started a sonogram service in Westlake Village offering a videotape and still photos for $60, plus tax. . . . “I wanted to see and get to know my baby,” said one co-owner. See Valley Life! Page 33.

NOW OR NEVER: The CSUN basketball team was lousy again this year, but at least the powerful baseball team was going to make up for it. Some idea of redemption. So far, the Matadors (9-10) have stumbled and need to turn it around immediately to make the playoffs. . . . Conference play begins at home today against favorite Hawaii. (C8)