DEADLINE: It’s almost time to pay up...
DEADLINE: It’s almost time to pay up for 20th Century Insurance Co. The state Insurance Department on Wednesday gave the Woodland Hills insurer a Nov. 14 deadline to start paying the $120-million rebate owed to policyholders under Proposition 103 (D2). . . . The company has fought the rebates and may go to the U.S. Supreme Court.
SKUNK WORKS: Ben Rich has had some good news and some bad news recently. First, he wrote a book called “Skunk Works” about his life as a Burbank engineer working on military secrets. Then he was profiled on “60 Minutes.” But he was in the hospital when the report aired (B5). Still, it was big news at the hospital. “It was great, like we have a hero in our unit,” said nurse Vicki Umaming.
TIME OUT: Ed O’Neill of Fox’s “Married With Children” might have experienced deja vu Wednesday at Valley College. O’Neill, who once tried out for the Pittsburgh Steelers, lined up against former NFL stars Lawrence Taylor, Bubba Smith and Kenny Stabler, above left, to tape an episode. . . . “It was kind of spooky, seeing LT looking at you,” he said.
PLAN 9: Many great films have been made in the Valley, but at least one all-time clunker has local connections, too. The new Tim Burton film, “Ed Wood,” focuses fresh attention on what many consider the worst movie ever made, 1959’s “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” Wood directed much of it in the Valley. . . . Some action takes place “just a few minutes from Hollywood in the town of San Fernando,” according to one character.
BOXING: There was plenty of sweating Wednesday night at the Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills, but it had nothing to do with the bill. Boxing was back in town (C12). . . . The sport has a long history here. In the ‘70s, Don Fraser promoted shows at the old Valley Music Center on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, and Reseda’s Country Club has been the site of many fights.
