Countdown: Universal Studios’ new Jurassic Park mega-ride...

Countdown: Universal Studios’ new Jurassic Park mega-ride is expected to open a week from today, but those who find it hard to wait can sneak a peek at an unofficial World Wide Web page devoted to the rafting attraction. . . . Created by a fan, the site (https://www.primenet.com/ ~bwright/jpindex.html) offers technical details as well as photos of the costliest theme-park ride in history. Celebrities will get first crack at the ride on Saturday as part of a charity benefit.

Dole’s Visit: Republican Bob Dole will make his first appearance in the Valley next week, hard on the heels of President Clinton, who spoke at Glendale Community College on Tuesday. . . . Dole is due in the Valley during a three-day California campaign swing next Monday through Wednesday. He’s got some catching up to do, though. The Valley Visit scorecard shows Clinton 5, Dole 0.

Double Identity: Rather than move the original Fernando statue in the Van Nuys Civic Center, officials of Fernando Award Inc., which honors public service in the Valley, have erected a second Fernando monument in Warner Center (B3). . . . The new monument, above, is an obelisk featuring a bas-relief of Fernando, a Native American figure who represents the Valley’s first settlers.

Bump, Set, Spike: The blocking, spiking and serving skills of 6-foot-4 Rick Rauth have earned the Harvard-Westlake senior a scholarship to UC Santa Barbara. Rauth (C10) helped lead his volleyball team to an undefeated season in the Mission League and to the semifinals of the Southern Section Division I.