86 Candles: Call it a command performance....

86 Candles: Call it a command performance. Eighteen second- and third-graders from the private Glenoaks Primary Center in San Fernando sang “Happy Birthday” Thursday to President Reagan at a party at the former chief executive’s Century City office. They were invited because they were so well-behaved during a recent visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library near Simi Valley. . . . They also sang “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Reagan’s favorite, a spokeswoman said.

Valley Boost: The Fernando Award honoring a leading volunteer has an added bonus this year. For the first time in its 38-year history, the recipient, banker Nancy L. Schmidt, will award a $1,000 scholarship to a Valley high school senior. . . . Attorney Jeffrey L. Glassman of Valley Village, who set up the scholarship foundation, is the organization’s new president.

Fund-Raisers: Mayor Richard Riordan, above, and Council member Laura Chick, who advocate a $15-million tax break to keep five major HMOs from leaving L.A., have benefited from campaign contributions by the firms, as have several other City Hall officials. See Political Briefing, Page B5.

Hidden Past: Madeleine Albright is not alone. Untold thousands of Jews are ignorant of their heritage. Trudi Alexy of Tarzana was raised a Catholic in Spain. Two years ago, she joined a synagogue. . . . Her book traces her roots (E1).