Normal Misery: If you’re miserable with a...

Normal Misery: If you’re miserable with a cold or the flu, this won’t be much comfort. There is no unusual epidemic in the Valley area; you’re just part of the normal outbreak of such maladies at this time of year. Don’t blame the cold. “People travel for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, and that gives viruses from all over a good chance to come here,” said Dr. Roshan Reporter of the county health department. Demand for cold remedies is heavy but normal for this time of year, pharmacies report.

* NIGHT RITE: Teenagers, above, reenact in a Pacoima housing project the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem. It’s a Mexican Christmas rite, a posada. B1

* VAUGHN CHARGES: School officials wound up an investigation of cheating charges at the celebrated Vaughn Street school. The verdict: Can’t determine. B1

* STOOGED: Edgar Reynolds tries out Three Stooges’ masks at one of the many stores that sell Hollywood-oriented gifts (Calendar Weekend, Page 40).

* BOOK OF LIFE: The scrapbook goes from touching to scary, the tale of a girl’s life from sweet 15 to armed and dangerous. B1