AIR ATTACK: The skies may be friendly,...

AIR ATTACK: The skies may be friendly, but for United Airlines, the competition on the ground is fierce. In October, it will launch a new shuttle from 14 cities, including Burbank, that takes direct aim at Southwest Airlines. . . . Yet it might be a flight of fancy. Southwest, an expert at keeping costs down, earned $154 million last year, while United lost $50 million. See Valley Business, Page 10.

FUNNY VALLEY: So what if Leno does his monologues in Burbank? Or if Hope just signed for his zillionth year with NBC? Those two are not the funniest people in the Valley. Not officially at least. That title will be announced in October at L.A. Cabaret in Encino, which is holding its 10th annual Funniest Person in the Valley contest on Tuesdays. . . . Contestants must do a seven-minute stand-up routine.

BIG LOSS: The boys of Northridge got off to a poor start Monday on the first day of the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. (C1). They managed only one hit and went down to defeat, 4-2, to Brooklyn Center, Minn. But the 11- and 12-year-old all-stars are guaranteed a comeback chance in at least two more games. They play Middleboro, Mass., today at 10 a.m. . . . Want to watch? ESPN will carry the game.

NOW HEAR THIS: Northridge will have some support in high places at Williamsport this week. Merle Sanders, a Little League volunteer from Mission Hills, made his debut Monday as the official public address announcer. . . . Sanders, 63, doesn’t hide his sentiments. “I want Northridge to win, absolutely,” he says (B1).

GETTING HELP: Gina Mirabella had the American Dream and lost it--she went from being a real estate broker to being homeless. But she’s back on her feet now and runs the emergency food pantry at MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity) in Pacioma (B2). . . . “I don’t think there is any shame in needing help,” said Mirabella.