BACK TO EARTH: Astronaut Scott Horowitz, a...

BACK TO EARTH: Astronaut Scott Horowitz, a graduate of Cal State Northridge and Newbury Park High School, is fielding questions these days about the loss of a satellite during his recent space shuttle mission (B1), but he has other concerns too. . . . During the flight, students at his elementary school alma mater, Acacia Elementary in Thousand Oaks, sent him some e-mail. But mission control didn’t let it through. So Horowitz wants to explain why he didn’t respond. He says he’ll visit the school in person soon.

FOUR MORE: The newly hatched Lancaster JetHawks no longer have to worry about losing their franchise as the minor league affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners have extended their contract with the JetHawks by four years, taking it up to the year 2000. . . . The agreement says the JetHawks will provide the facilities and a spot in the California League and the Mariners will provide the players, coaches and equipment. . . . More on the Cal League (and a look at the new Dodger Stadium turf) on B2.

NO, REALLY: And now, folks, here to tell you all about the dangers of fraud and con men, is . . . Barry Minkow. Minkow, who grew up in Reseda, made a fortune as a teenager in a carpet cleaning business that turned out to be a scam. Starting April 1, Minkow will host “The Fraud Biz” on KWNK radio.

NUMBER, PLEASE: The new 626 area code--planned for Burbank and parts east--is turning out to be a very expensive proposition for many businesses (D1). . . . Many commercial phone systems won’t recognize the new code, and it can cost upward of $15,000 to upgrade them.