What happened on December 21, 1997

BOOKS

NEWS

ENTERTAINMENT

All the Elements of Drama By David Freeman, David Freeman is the author of "A Hollywood Education," and, most recently, "One of Us," a novel of Egypt and England
Finding a Place in the World By Christopher Knight, Christopher Knight is a Times art critic
L for Lack of Interest By Howard Rosenberg, Howard Rosenberg is The Times' television critic
Million Dollar Moments Compiled by the Calender staff
What in the World Happened to Techno? By Robert Hilburn, Robert Hilburn is The Times' pop music critic
Heavyweight With the Gift of Jab By Emory Holmes Ii, Emory Holmes II is an occasional contributor to Calendar
Really! They Did! Compiled by The Times staff
Five Easy Choices By Kenneth Turan, Kenneth Turan is The Times' film critic
Our Favorite Film Ratings of '97 From the Motion Picture Assn. of America:
After 'Blade,' Billy Bob Carves a Wide Path By Steve Hochman
Report Card on State of the Stages By Don Shirley, Don Shirley is a Times staff writer
The Best and the Worst, at Times By Laurie Winer, Laurie Winer is The Times' theater critic
Other Times Reviewers' Top Picks Of The Year
Swans to Dervishes: A Year Troupes Out By Lewis Segal, Lewis Segal is The Times' dance critic
Falling Into Place By Matt Black / For The Times and Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times and Mark Swed, Mark Swed is The Times' music critic
It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This By Nicolai Ouroussoff, Nicolai Ouroussoff is The Times' architecture critic
The Consensus Top 10 By Richard Cromelin
Rising Above the Anonymous By Robert Hilburn, Robert Hilburn is The Times' pop music critic
Pay No Mind to That Band Behind the Curtain By Steve Hochman
Marsalis, Sure, but Monk Too By Don Heckman, Don Heckman is The Times' jazz writer
Ridiculous and Sublime By Howard Rosenberg, Howard Rosenberg is The Times' television critic
Ellen's 'Heart Issue': A Friend's Report
Our Top Teen List By Sarah Vowell, Sarah Vowell is a contributing editor to the public radio series "This American Life" and author of "Radio On: A Listener's Diary" (St. Martin's)

BUSINESS

FOOD

CALIFORNIA | LOCAL

OPINION

Obsessed With its Nazi Past, Germany Misses Neo-Nazis By Jacob Heilbrunn, Jacob Heilbrunn is an associate editor of the New Republic. He recently returned from one month in Germany
A Deal That Could Restart the Warfare of Times Past By William Fulton, William Fulton, editor of California Planning and Development Report, is the author of "The Reluctant Metropolis: The Politics of Urban Growth in Los Angeles."
Where Have Parents Gone? By Richard Rodriguez, Richard Rodriguez, an editor at Pacific News Service, is the author of "Days of Obligation."
Increasing Incivility By Martin E. Marty, Martin E. Marty is a professor of the history of religion at the University of Chicago and directs the Public Religion Project, a nonprofit group analyzing the role of religion in public life
The Corruption of Africa's Darling By Helen Watson Winternitz, Helen Watson Winternitz, author of "East Along the Equator: A Journey Up the Congo and Into Zaire," has traveled extensively in Africa
America's Emerging Nemesis By Steven Merritt Miner, Steven Merritt Miner, a professor of Russian history at Ohio University, is the author of "Selling Stalin" and a contributor to "The Diplomats."
Clinton Avoids Repeating History in Lee Appointment By Robert Dallek, Robert Dallek, who taught history at UCLA for 20 years, is currently a professor of history at Boston University. His new book, "Flawed Giant: Lyndon Johnson and His Times, 1961-1973," will be out in April
Jose Millan By Sandra Hernandez
Testing the Principals
For the FAA, a Please-Do List
Tokyo, You Call That Bold?
The System Is Stacked Against the Unions By Ellen J. Dannin, Ellen J. Dannin is professor of law at California Western School of Law in San Diego and the author of a book on New Zealand labor law
To Gift of Hope, Add a Bonus: Love By Frank Del Olmo, Frank del Olmo is assistant to the editor of The Times and a regular columnist
Holiday Specials: the Fine Print Writ Large By S.J. Diamond, S.J. Diamond, formerly consumer affairs columnist for The Times, lives in Los Angeles
Achilles' Heel of the DWP Deregulation Plan: Union Clout By Michael T. Moore

REAL ESTATE

No More Horsin' Around for Him By Ruth Ryon, TIMES STAFF WRITER
A Fresh Start By Kathy Price-robinson, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES; Kathy Price-Robinson is a freelance writer who has written about remodeling for eight years. She can be reached at: KathyPrice@aol.com
FHA Appraisals Turn Nightmarish for Families By Kenneth R. Harney, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Increase in Loan Limits Will Help Would-Be Buyers By Lew Sichelman, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES; Lew Sichelman is a syndicated columnist
Park It Here
Pros and Cons of Buying 'Trophy Home' By Ellen James Martin, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Ask Before Adding Air Conditioner From Project Sentinel
Removing Acoustic Ceiling Can Be Hazardous
Shed Sleeve on Poinsettia to Save Leaves By Robert Smaus, TIMES GARDEN EDITOR

SPORTS

MAGAZINE

Pop Culture : Picture books that speak volumes By Debra J. Hotaling
Roll With It By Jon Regardie
Finns De Sicle By Lisa Leff
Both Sides Now : Fashion forward--and behind
Christmas tree lots BACKSTOP v. station employees at the... By Jean Winegardner
Dolls of the Valley By Ed Leibowitz
It Was 20 Years Ago Today
Confrontations With Death By Patt Morrison
Mothers and Sons and Guns By Celeste Fremon, Celeste Fremon's last piece for the magazine was on an ex-gang member in training at Streetlights, a program that prepares at-risk youths for jobs in the film industry. She is the author of "Father Greg & the Homeboys," published by Hyperion
Have Yourself a Very Retro Christmas By Mary Mcnamara
Life in a Laboratory of Ideas By Aron Betsky, Aaron Betsky is curator of architecture and design at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Living on Fruitcake Time By Nancy Spiller, Nancy Spiller's last article for the magazine was on garden chippers
French From the Garden By S. Irene Virbila
Old Growth, New Garden By Susan Heeger
Drawing the Clothes Line By Hilary Sterne, Hilary Sterne is a freelance writer who covers the fashion industry

TRAVEL

What happened on December 21, 1997

BOOKS

THE TENOR SAXOPHONIST'S STORY: A Novel in Ten Chapters.\o7 By Josef Skvorecky\f7 .\o7 Translated from the Czechby Caleb Crain, Peter Kussi, Kaca Polackova-Henley and Paul Wilson\f7 .\o7 The Ecco Press: 162 pp., $13\f7 By Richard Eder

SILVER CITY.\o7 By Li Rui\f7 . \o7 Translated from the Chinese by Howard Goldblatt\f7 .\o7 Metropolitan: 278 pp., $25\f7 By Paula Friedman, \o7 Paula Friedman reviews fiction and poetry for the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer\f7

RIVER OF TIME.\o7 By Jon Swain\f7 .\o7 St. Martin's: 282 pp., $22.95\f7 By David Lamb, \o7 David Lamb is The Times' Southeast Asia bureau chief, based in Hanoi\f7

NEWS

Power to the People: California's era of electricity deregulation begins Jan. 1, bringing consumers many choices, but also more than a little uncertainty By Chris Kraul, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Short on Elf-Esteem By Irene Lacher

The Scene of the Crime By Donna Mungen

Prayer on the Go By Mary Rourke

Move Over, Barbie By Michael Quintanilla

Cash Cows ... and More By Beverly Beyette

Cozy Up to a Classic By Michael Quintanilla

Mysteries By Dick Lochte, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Some Simple Ways to Get the Internet to Do Your Bidding By David Colker, TIMES STAFF WRITER

'Tis the Time to Judge Books by Their Covers By Anne Beatts, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

A House of Hope By Jean Merl, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Younger Teens' Drug Use Leveling Off, Study Finds By Alissa J. Rubin, TIMES STAFF WRITER

What Clinton Knew By Glenn F. Bunting and David Willman and Alan C. Miller, TIMES STAFF WRITERS

This Kid's 'Gang' Includes Folks Like Muddy Waters, B.B. King By Paisley Dodds, ASSOCIATED PRESS

El Toro Cargo Plan Divides Area Businesses By John O'Dell and Lorenza Munoz, TIMES STAFF WRITERS

Overused, Underdeveloped 'Highways' Put India's Drivers on Road to Ruin By Donna Bryson, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Woman Who Abducted San Diego Girl to Ask for Permanent Custody From Associated Press

Intel Chairman Grove Named Time's Man of Year From Associated Press

Farmers Till Technology to Boost Yields By Curt Anderson, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Girl Paralyzed in Shooting Still Upbeat By Ted Bridis, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archeologists Battle Thieves for Peru's Treasure By David Koop, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Country Music Expert to Head NEA Associated Press

Stress Zones Help Students Cope With Finals By P. Solomon Banda, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Anne of Green Gables Finds Countless Kindred Spirits in Japan By Hugh A. Mulligan, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Government Launches Study to Better Predict El Nino Rain By Scott Sonner, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Some Kids Find Chill, No Thrill in Visit to Santa By Carolyn Thompson, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moon Found to Be About 4.5 Billion Years Old By A.J. Dickerson, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bad Winters Suggest Arctic Ozone May Recover Slowly By Matt Crenson, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Student Gives Up a Dream, Saves a Life By Jackie Hallifax, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cruising With Santa : Tooling Around in His Rolls-Royce, St. Nick Brings Holiday Cheer in Ventura By Kimberly Lisagor, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Casting Celebrities to Make Them a Hit on Political Stage By Faye Fiore, TIMES STAFF WRITER

High-Nicotine Tobacco a Quiet Commercial Success in Brazil By Todd Lewan, ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cambodia's Past Haunts Its Present By David Lamb, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Immigrants Hit With Pressure to Repay Benefits By Alissa J. Rubin and Patrick J. Mcdonnell, TIMES STAFF WRITERS

Rose Bowl Has Tourism Blooming By Daryl Strickland, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Lessons in the Art of Dying--and Living By Maria L. La Ganga, TIMES STAFF WRITER

U.S. Budget Posts a Rare 12 Months of Black Ink By Janet Hook, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Cruising With Santa By Kimberly Lisagor, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Ruffled Palms By Tom Gorman, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Oops, There Goes Another Octopus . . . By Peter H. King

Extradition Case Shows Violence of Drug War From Associated Press

Unabomb Prosecutors Emphasize Team Effort By Mark Gladstone, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Wreckage of Ukraine Jet Found in Greece; All 70 Aboard Dead From Associated Press

U.S. Victims of Jet Crash Identified From Times Wire Reports

IMF Sees Asia Undermining World Economy--to a Degree From Reuters

79 Dead in Flare-Up of Pre-Vote Violence From Times Wire Reports

Right-Wing Militia Blamed in 40 Deaths From Times Wire Reports

Loser Disputes Presidential Vote From Times Wire Reports

Chechen Court Wants Yeltsin Beheaded, Rebel Leader Says From Times Wire Services

Diana's Family Said to Plan to Sue Fayed Reuters

Russian Helps Free Hostage, Dies Associated Press

No Tax Cuts Planned for Clinton Budget By Eric Pianin and Peter Baker, THE WASHINGTON POST

Power, Shelter, Holiday Cheer in Short Supply on Typhoon-Ravaged Guam By Dan Breeden, SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Telling White Lies to Ski the White Stuff By Esther Schrader, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Big Rig Overturns, Shutting Freeway By Thao Hua, TIMES STAFF WRITER

Intel Chairman Grove Named Time's Man of Year From Associated Press

A Grimm opera comes this way; Hume Cronyn never walks 'Alone'; sharing holiday stories By Steven Linan, TIMES STAFF WRITER