SETTLING DOWN: Older folks in the Valley...

SETTLING DOWN: Older folks in the Valley don’t show much preference for one town or another. Sure, there are some places--Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Tarzana--more popular than others. But from Mission Hills to Woodland Hills, seniors have found plenty of places to call home. . . . Altogether, of the total Valley population of 1,892,488, almost 10%, or 186,273, are 65 and older. (Valley Briefing, B2)

GOT THEIR GOAT: While most of the Valley slept Saturday morning, four officers from the LAPD’s West Valley Division kept the streets safe from a bearded billy goat that tangled up traffic in Canoga Park. . . . The officers tossed the horned, black and white animal an Egg McMuffin and slipped a cord around its neck while it ate. “I guess he escaped from his pen and was running through the streets, kind of like the bulls of Pamplona,” said Lt. Anthony Alba.

UNLAWFUL ENTRY: He’s a desperado on the wanted list. His weapon: a computer. (B1) . . . Kevin Mitnick is a hacker extraordinaire who authorities say has the potential to cause untold mayhem by illegally entering official computer systems.

ALMOST PERFECT: Melissa Hearlihy began the basketball season with the January earthquake and ended it with a defeat in the state semifinals, but those two events sandwiched a euphoric winter. (C12) . . . Though her Alemany High girls team had to practice and attend classes at other schools, Hearlihy guided the Indians to 30 consecutive victories before a 5-point loss to Irvine Woodbridge.

MEMORIAL HALL: It was to be a cultural and religious center dedicated to the memory of their daughter, who died in a plane crash. But the Lancaster Planning Commission denied the parents’ request to build it. . . . Last week, however, the City Council overturned that decision, allowing construction to proceed (B7).

Senior Residents

Valley communities with highest percentage of residents over 65 and percentage of those over 65 who are female:

Sherman Oaks/Studio City 15.6% 59.5% Encino/Tarzana 15.0% 56.9% Reseda/West Van Nuys 11.6% 61.0% Van Nuys/N. Sherman Oaks 10.8% 61.1% Granada Hills 10.4% 56.4%

Source: U.S. Census