Takeover Vote: Friday around 10 a.m. at...

Takeover Vote: Friday around 10 a.m. at Great Western Financial Corp.’s cafeteria in Chatsworth, shareholders are expected to vote to accept Washington Mutual Inc.’s $7.2-billion takeover offer. H.F. Ahmanson had tried but failed to take over Great Western, a move that benefited investors. Four months ago, Great Western stock traded at $34.25; Wednesday it closed at $51.38 per share.

* RAGTIME GUY: Blake Ewing of Northridge plays The Little Boy in “Ragtime,” which opens Sunday at the Shubert Theatre. Valley Calendar Weekend. Page 43

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