RED, WHITE & BARE: From traditional patriotic...

RED, WHITE & BARE: From traditional patriotic ceremonies to topless dancers on parade, the Valley celebrated Memorial Day with a range of activities that reflected the wildly varied lifestyles and cultures of our area (B1). . . . In Burbank, a small crowd listened intently to the stories of an 80-year-old Belgian native who as a young woman was a Resistance fighter in World War II, while in much more bohemian Topanga, the festivities included water fights and various states of undress.

INSURANCE WOES: More then four months after the earthquake, numerous Valley residents are still battling to get what they believe is their due from insurance companies. A new organization, Community Assisting Recovery, is attempting to bring together those who have unresolved issues with specific companies (B1). . . . In the meantime, here are answers to some of the most often asked questions about settlements, including, “Why is my neighbor getting a much larger insurance settlement than I am when we had the same amount of damage?”

FIRE STABILIZERS: At Rocketdyne International in Canoga Park, where this machinist works on the main engine for a space shuttle, company officials hope the work force has finally stabilized after a painful series of layoffs (Valley Business, Page 4). But the fate of Rocketdyne and several other Valley aerospace firms is dependent on economic and political forces that are still volatile.

WOMEN POWER: The times are definitely a-changin’. It wasn’t too long ago that women were excluded from many professions, especially the world of superheroes. No more. . . . Two of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers--Trini and Kimberly--are women, and boys love them, which is great news for Saban Entertainment in Burbank, which produces the TV show about the action figures.