* foot notes

There’s something reassuring about places that are open 24 hours a day. You know they’re always there, waiting for you to visit or call whenever you want. Some places are vital, others are merely convenient. But if you’re a graveyard shift worker, an insomniac, someone in a pinch or serious trouble, 24-hour places can be the answer. *

*

There are several categories of 24-hour places.

First, there are those places you would rather not call if you had a choice, but since you need them, you’re awfully glad they’re open when the sun doesn’t shine. Hospital emergency rooms, police, lawyers, bail bondsmen, locksmiths, plumbers and exterminators would fall into this category. Check the Yellow Pages.

* For many years, the Horton & Converse drugstore in Van Nuys was the only 24-hour pharmacy in the Valley. It closed years ago, but now the Rite Aid stores in Canoga Park, Granada Hills, Sherman Oaks and Woodland Hills are open. So are the Sav-On stores in Agoura Hills and Northridge.

* Then, there are those places that are not exactly vital, but still important. If it’s 3 a.m. and you need those overhead transparencies for an 8 a.m. business meeting, nine Kinko’s in the Valley are open. Or it’s midnight, you’re working on your screenplay and you’re out of index cards and post-its. Staples at 12605 Ventura Blvd. in Studio City is open.

* All-night eateries make up their own category. Among others, Denny’s in Agoura Hills, North Hollywood, Sylmar, Van Nuys and Woodland Hills are open, along with Jerry’s Famous Deli in Studio City, Encino and Woodland Hills.

* As its name implies, the 24-Hour Fitness Center, 6429 Fallbrook Ave. in West Hills, is open around-the-clock. But the insomniac’s dream (so to speak) is the Canoga Park Bowl at 20122 Vanowen St. Not only is it open 24 hours, it also offers darts, billiards and arcade games. If knocking down pins finally gets you tired, the bowling center is connected to the Canoga Park Motor Inn (818-883-1200), a Best Western Motel that has a pool and complimentary continental breakfast.