PLAYOFF PLANS: You want guaranteed California Angels...

PLAYOFF PLANS: You want guaranteed California Angels playoff tickets? Put down a $250 deposit per ticket for next year’s season tickets, the Angels say, and they’ll guarantee those same seats for this year’s playoffs, if the Angels make it. The non-refundable deposit is about one-fourth the average season ticket price. . . . The playoff tickets--10 games if the Angels go all the way--will only be sold in packages, starting at $419 per ticket, with partial refunds if the Angels don’t play all the games.

JUNIOR’S TURN? Local tennis fans are used to hearing about Rick Leach victories in tennis doubles. But on Thursday, it was younger brother Jon Leach, 22, winning his first match at his first U.S. Open doubles (C2). He and partner Brett Hansen-Dent of Newport Beach defeated Richard Krajicek and Jan Siemerink of the Netherlands. . . . “Awesome! Impossible!” exclaimed the Laguna Beach brothers’ dad, Dick Leach. “They beat two of the world’s best. I may have to fly to New York.”

WOMEN ONLY: The restaurant kitchen is still dominated by men. So chef Zov Karamardian was delighted her Zov’s Bistro & Bakery--co-owned by husband Gary--was included in this week’s Nation’s Restaurant News magazine as one of the five top “hot” spots in Orange County. . . . Karamardian hopes to create an organization of Southland women chefs. First step: a brunch for potential members at her bistro on Oct. 15. Says Karamardian: “I love cooking. I was supposed to retire last year, but now I’m in deeper than ever.”

NEWS ANY TIME: How do tiny radio stations compete with the big outlets? Maybe by joining forces. Beginning today, there’s a new all-news AM station to compete with KNX and KFWB. Three small frequencies in Beverly Hills, Tijuana and Costa Mesa (KNNZ 540) will combine to become K-NEWS. Its slogan: “News when you want it.” The station promises both traffic reports and regular updates from Bloomberg Business News.