NO FEES: The Northridge quake, of course,...

NO FEES: The Northridge quake, of course, came with a big price tag. Many folks lost their homes or their sanity. Or both. So any break is welcome, such as the vote Friday by the City Council to waive for 18 months the permit fees needed to rebuild quake-damaged structures. . . . But before you give City Hall too much credit, you should know that FEMA will reimburse the city for lost fees (B8).

MUM ON MANURE: Politicians are usually at no loss for words, but Councilwoman Jackie Goldberg had good reason to stop herself just in time Friday. . . . The council was talking about curbside collection for horse manure (B4), when Goldberg was told there are about 8,000 horses registered in the city, and each generates an average of 90 gallons of manure per day. “Wow, that’s a lot of . . . “ she said.

SAINT SUB: Poor Emydius. He was named patron saint against earthquakes for Southland Catholics some 130 years ago, and his position seemed pretty secure. But now, a Valley businessman is thrusting a new saint on the scene--St. Gregory the Wonderworker, identified by a new book as the expert in quake prevention. . . . He’s selling St. Gregory pocket medallions (above) (B1).

FAREWELL: It’s one of the prettiest spots in the Valley and it’s been Fred Bermel’s kingdom--and sometimes home--during the past 23 years. It’s the Sepulveda Dam Recreation Area, where Fred has retired as the dean of dam-keepers (B1). . . . After a final inspection Friday, Bermel said goodby and now heads for Utah. “We’re losing a good man,” said one colleague.

STILL ALIVE: It was do or die for the CSUN baseball team Friday. And guess what? They did. Well, at least, so far. The Matadors took the first game of the crucial three-game series against division-leading San Diego State, 7-6, in 12 innings. . . . They must still win the next two games to have a realistic chance of making it to postseason play (C14).