UNHOLY SALE? It was bad enough when...

UNHOLY SALE? It was bad enough when Pastor Arthur B. Houk’s congregation dwindled to only 10 members. But then Baptist officials decided to sell his Northridge church building to a Hindu group that Houk refers to as “a cult.” Responds Prithvi Raj Singh, president of the Artesia-based Federation of Hindu Temples and Associations: “This group is part of a respectable Hindu tradition” (B1).

NOT AN ACT: Thomas Ian Nicholas, known for his role in “Rookie of the Year,” had no problem with an earth-shattering scene in Disney’s “A Kid in King Arthur’s Court,” opening next week. An earthquake causes his character to literally fall into medieval times. “I’ve been in a few earthquakes,” said the Valley 15-year-old. “I don’t think it’s really hard to pretend you’re in one.”

PLAYING THROUGH: In the 1960s, nobody thought Monroe High School shortstop Doug DeCinces was pro material. Then DeCinces, above, went on to play for the California Angels. Now he’s entering the world of sports business by trying to develop a public golf course in Irvine. . . . Says DeCinces: “Sports has taught me to survive this because you have to have the perseverance” (C10).

HOT TICKET: Sure, it’s not a catchy name: the 19th annual Home Remodeling and Decorating Show. But this event at Cal State Northridge is catching lots of attention (B2). . . . There’s a Tarzana company that made Judge Lance A. Ito’s chair. And the booth hawking prearranged funeral plans. But the hottest item? A $29 automatic spray bottle that kept visitors cool.

HEATED RESCUE: A Fresno couple was plucked from a burning vehicle Friday moments before it exploded on the Golden State Freeway near Castaic. The blaze sparked a 450-acre brush fire and closed the freeway. . . . The incident began when the couple’s car broke down on the roadway and was hit from behind by a pickup truck (B1).