RIDE ON: Security was increased aboard Southland...

RIDE ON: Security was increased aboard Southland commuter trains Thursday following the New York City subway firebombing (A4). Still, commuters at the Northridge Metrolink station didn’t seem fazed. . . . “The train is still a lot safer than the freeways,” said Phil Salzwedel, 47, of Moorpark. “You can get a sniper on the freeway.”

PARTING SHOT: At her last press briefing Thursday, departing White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers was critical of Newt Gingrich’s book deal (A1). . . . She also spoke of her Washington tenure. Somehow, no reporters asked if she’d look for work in her native Valencia. Her mom, Judy Myers, has the answer: “I don’t think that’s in the cards”. . . . Mom says she’s glad her daughter is leaving the White House because for three years, “she couldn’t have another life.”

SITTING STILL: During the holidays, children often are taken to live events. But how to get them to sit still? And what age is appropriate for a live show? Today’s Valley Life! (page 10) reports that if you plan ahead, you can have a nice time at many live cultural events. . . . Maria Gutierrez and her nieces, above, attend a recent performance of “The Nutcracker.”

KEEPING SCORE: Burbank’s Jonathan Wolff is one hot composer. A few years ago, others tried to score Jerry Seinfeld’s new TV series, but it was Wolff who came up with the idea of finger snaps, lip pops and tongue clucks for the theme song. . . . He now scores “Dave’s World” and “Married . . . With Children.” See Valley Life! Page 3.

TRIPLE THREAT: It’s not hard to argue that soccer runs in the George family. Three of the top players on the powerful Chatsworth High girls soccer team--Melinda, Michelle and Pamela--are sisters. . . . At first, though, dad Dennis George didn’t have soccer on his list of family goals: “I’d always thought, ‘What a stupid thing to do,’ ” he recalled. “But then we got hooked” (C10).