CALABASAS CUP: Forget about the action at...

CALABASAS CUP: Forget about the action at the Rose Bowl. What happened at the Pellegrini household in Calabasas, where husband Ronaldo and wife Mercedes squared off for World Cup bragging rights? Well, Mercedes, who was born in Brazil got the last laugh this time. . . . And just a few hours after the Brazilian victory, “I told him now we have to wait four more years to beat Italy,” she said.

RESCUE MISSION: For six months, Joel Greenberg, who owns a photography studio at the quake-damaged Laurel Plaza in North Hollywood, had followed orders and stayed away. But on Monday, enough was enough. He took out thousands of portraits and negatives from his store (B1). . . . It’s probably safe to say that his customers who filled out the “rush” orders found in the studio gave up long ago.

UPDATE: Roya Saberzadeh (above) has a right to be depressed. Who wouldn’t be? She owns Rochie’s Greek Row in Northridge, and like some other stores, business has been a big bust since the quake. So bad, in fact, she’s had to borrow from dad. “I’m going to owe him into the next lifetime,” she said. . . . Meanwhile, for others, business is booming. See Valley Business, Page 12.

BUYER’S MARKET: In June, it was the same old story with Valley home sales. On the one hand, the news was encouraging as more homes closed escrow--in fact, it was close to the best showing in five years. . . . But, at the same time, prices went down yet again. This time, the median price slipped 14% from June, 1993. See Valley Business, Page 5.

LOVE CONNECTION: It was love at first sight, and it’s been love ever since for Allan and Rene Gottlieb who, on Sunday, celebrated 50 years together. The Calabasas couple met on a dance floor in England during the war (B3). . . . Allan was smitten by her English accent and pea green stockings. Rene says her accent was genuine, but the stockings were originally khaki, turning to pea green accidentally after too many washings.