CHINA CARD: The people who do business...

CHINA CARD: The people who do business with China are happy today because President Clinton is expected to renew that country’s most-favored-nation trade status (A1). Few, in fact, could be happier than Robert Solomon, head of Dakin Inc. in Woodland Hills. Half of his company’s stuffed animals and toys are made in China. . . . “I would have had to scurry to double manufacturing in other countries,” he said.

SMOKE RULES: It looks as though smokers in Santa Clarita won’t get burned quite as badly as they originally feared. That’s because the City Council has passed the first reading of an ordinance that would ban smoking in enclosed workplaces but permit it in some restaurants and bars (B8). . . . The new guidelines would prohibit cigarette vending machines as well.

SALVATION: Gary Torgeson proves you do get second chances in life. His first coaching attempt at Cal State Northridge was in football, and it was a huge failure. He was fired after three seasons. . . . But Torgeson (above) was hired 13 years ago as CSUN’s softball coach and became a big winner. His team plays today in the first round of the College Softball World Series (C12).

INSPIRATION: The softball team’s march to the World Series also means a lot for school pride. This is a campus that, only four months ago, took quite a beating from the quake. In fact, you can’t avoid the daily reminders. . . . “Their field is surrounded by trailers, almost up against the outfield fence,” said Ron Kopita, a CSUN vice president, “and yet the team pulled together.”

ART IMITATES LIFE: Write about what you know, everyone told Jeff Seymour. No thanks, he told them. But when Seymour, who ran the former Gnu Theatre in North Hollywood from 1984 to 1993, found other projects too costly, he turned to his own life, and, presto, he made his first movie, “Rave Review.” . . . Made for under $1 million, the movie, which stars Ed Begley Jr., may hit theaters this fall.