WHAT’S NEXT? Fires in 1993, earthquakes in...

WHAT’S NEXT? Fires in 1993, earthquakes in 1994, floods in 1995 . . . now locusts? Well, not exactly. But county agriculture Inspector Gary Mork says leftover puddles from recent rains in the Antelope Valley could hatch millions of harmless ground beetles. And if the region has a dry spring, look for grasshoppers to threaten alfalfa and other crops. . . . It’s happened before. “The roads were literally greasy with grasshoppers,” Mork recalled.

BROWN THUMB: Here’s one company with a knack for finding trouble. . . . Earlier this month, Fastening Solutions Inc. in Van Nuys sent to Japan its first shipment of thumb lock fasteners, which secure such items as refrigerators in the event of an earthquake. Then the 7.2 temblor struck Tuesday. “It was just ironic coincidence,” company CEO Chris McManus mused. . . . Future shipments are headed to St. Louis, where scientists predict a 40% to 63% chance of a magnitude 6 or greater earthquake in the next decade along the nearby New Madrid fault zone.

CURVEBALL: After several unsuccessful tries to get together with the national champion Northridge Little League team, President Clinton finally connected Tuesday. He introduced them during his Cal State Northridge speech (B1) and then met the team, above. . . . Clinton received baseballs from the Little Leaguers and congratulated them. And, taking a swipe at striking major leaguers and team owners, Clinton said the quake kids “did something the pros couldn’t--they kept baseball going.”

UNSUNG HEROES: The President had also planned to single out several heroes of the Northridge earthquake during his CSUN visit. Then a bomb scare prompted him to cut the honors short. . . . Clinton only mentioned one person, Ramona Vega, who helped families living in their cars get housing. But at least one other hero, Ford Scott, a Ventura County actor, sat in the crowd unrecognized. Scott was disappointed but noted that he didn’t really help his neighbors for a pat on the back, anyway.

TONIGHT: B. B. King will play the blues at 8 and 11 at his blues club at Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza. Tickets are $25 to $40 for standing room only. Information: (818) 622-5464.