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If there's one thing rising up oh so clearly from the political swampland in Sacramento, it's that the state budget--now 59 days past deadline--is achievable only if the tolerable and possible is not sacrificed on the altar of the ideal. From the perspective of Gov. Pete Wilson and those who share his view that the present structure of the state budget is fundamentally misconceived, an ideal budget would be one that prepared California for the future fiscal storms to come.

When Michael Wilmington, formerly a movie writer for The Times and now the film critic for the Chicago Tribune, was stricken with spastic dysphonia--which leaves its victim with a strangled voice--he was able to overcome the problem by working with self-proclaimed "voice builder" Gary Catona. Today, Catona's client list includes show business personalities who want to build their voices as well as ordinary people with vocal problems or traumas.

The fall season is always the most active time for pop record releases, as the music industry gears up for its November-December season, during which nearly a third of all records, tapes and CDs are sold. But that can mean confusion for even the most serious music fans, as old favorites compete with newcomers for consumers' attention. These are the albums expected to generate the most critical and commercial interest of all the post-Labor Day releases during the hectic year-end rush.

Frame-n-Lens Optical Inc. of Fullerton, the state's largest eye wear chain, said Wednesday it agreed to be acquired by National Vision Associates Ltd. of Georgia for $37 million in cash and assumed debt. The acquisition of Fullerton-based Frame-n-Lens, which operates 209 stores, will boost National's operations to 715 stores, making the company the third-largest eye wear retailer behind Cole Vision Corp., which operates Pearle Vision and NuVision stores, and LensCrafters.

Bobby Rahal chose the right time to move past the leaders and wound up winning Sunday's Detroit Grand Prix. Rahal waited until the 56th lap of the 77-lap race before passing Paul Tracy and Michael Andretti as they were locked in a wheel-banging battle for the lead. The two-time series champion and current leader, Rahal said experience and a bit of cunning helped him to victory. "I'm 39, Michael is 29 and Paul is, what, 23?" said Rahal, who drove a Chevrolet-Lola.

Here is a glossary of Italian products found in restaurants and grocery stores where Italian products and wines are sold. PASTA AND RICE Arborio --short-grain rice farmed in the Po Valley in Northern Italy. It has a rich, creamy texture and full flavor when cooked. This imported rice comes in cloth sacks. Gnocchi-- small dumplings, sometimes available in frozen form. They are made of corn flour or potatoes and are served with tomato or other sauces.

It was N.W.A's incendiary words a decade ago that made the Southern California group the most controversial and influential ever in rap. They even drew the fire of an FBI official who said that some lyrics in N.W.A's "Straight Outta Compton" album encouraged violence against law enforcement officers. The language in that album--which defined the entire gangsta rap movement in America--was startling. Though other artists had laid the foundation for N.W.