High Rise: They don’t call L.A. the...

High Rise: They don’t call L.A. the bank robbery capital for nothing. . . . Ending a three-year decline, bank heists have taken off again in the San Fernando Valley. As of July 3, bandits had struck Valley banks 86 times compared with 49 during the same period last year, above. Takeover-style robberies have also tripled this year to 24. “They had been dropping, but now they’re coming up again,” FBI spokesman John Hoos said.

Hard Hit: Not all money comes out of banks, however. Some disappears from the stock market, where on Thursday the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 83 points, losing 1.5% of its value (A1). . . . Several local companies felt the sting. 3D Systems, a Valencia design imaging concern, saw its stock fall $3 per share to $14.25. Walt Disney Co.’s stock dropped $2, closing at $56.125. Litton Industries, the Woodland Hills defense contractor, slid $1.50 to $41.50. And auto insurer 20th Century’s stock slipped 50 cents, closing at $15.25.

CSUN Phones: The massive conversion of 4,200 numbers at Cal State Northridge to their new 677 prefix is scheduled to continue through Monday morning. . . . If you call before 8 a.m. Monday, use the old prefix first, before trying the new one.

Serving Up Aces: Who says tennis is only for the rich? San Fernando native Bob Heiser has been teaching underprivileged kids the tricks of the game at the Sepulveda Recreation Center for the bargain basement price of just $13 for eight weeks of lessons (C6). “The really nice part about it here is that it keeps the kids out of trouble,” said Heiser of the National Junior Tennis League.