CHARITIES: Valley charities have experienced a roller-coaster...

CHARITIES: Valley charities have experienced a roller-coaster year. Many nonprofits were devastated by the earthquake but others found that it was actually a blessing in disguise. . . . The earthquake derailed plans and pushed off scheduled events, causing a loss of funding. Volunteer ranks dropped as people either were too busy putting their lives back together, or moved away. A Special Report on Valley charities begins on B1.

SCHOOL PRAYER: As Republicans and Democrats wrangle over the politically charged issue of school prayer, the students who will be most affected by the proposals are engaged in their own debates. The answers are no easier to come by in seventh or 12th grade than they are in Congress. (B1) . . . “In a way it’s kind of good, maybe it will start people’s day off better; but in a way it’s kind of bad because some people don’t have a religion and you can’t force it on people,” said North Hollywood High student Akila Baskin.

GIVING THANKS: It is a uniquely American holiday, but there are as many different ways to celebrate Thanksgiving as there are different kinds of Americans. A Special Report on the many reasons Valley residents have for giving thanks and the many ways they do it begins on B1. . . . Christy Nierva and Nina Bisquera (above) enjoy a holiday meal at El Torito in Northridge.

CLOSE CALLS: Death is never further away than a moment of ill luck or inattention. In a frightening instant, a Jeep spun out of control on the San Diego Freeway--and a family survived without a scratch. . . . The Around the Valley column looks at the fragility of life. (B5)

CLOSE QUARTERS: It was about as far away from home as most could imagine, but for the 3,700 inmates of the Peter J. Pitchess jail Thanksgiving passed behind bars. . . . Cooks at the jail served up more than a ton of turkey and 4,800 slices of pumpkin pie. (B4)