Southeast : MISSING LUMINARIES

It took seven years, but the city of Long Beach is finally getting around to installing a long-promised plaque honoring 100 athletes and coaches from the city. The only problem is, so much time has passed since they promised it--during the city’s Centennial celebration in 1988--that many of the honorees can’t be found.

Now, city leaders are sending out an all-points bulletin for such Long Beach sports luminaries as tennis legend Billie Jean King, Dodgers coach Joe Almalfitano and Olympic gymnast Cathy Rigby. So far, 60 athletes have been found, said city spokeswoman Joan Caterino.

Officials are hoping that all 100 will show up for the ceremony on July 25 in front of City Hall when the plaque, attached to a nearby wall, will be unveiled.