Durango Mexico

Next year makes half a century since an up-and-coming Hollywood pretty boy named Robert Wagner starred opposite a Pocahontesque Debra Paget in a cowboy-and-Indian love story called "White Feather," which may not mean much to American audiences (it's never even been released on video). But this northern Mexican city is already getting sentimental about the anniversary. "We are preparing a celebration," says Thelma Meraz of the Durango tourism office.

Next year makes half a century since an up-and-coming Hollywood pretty boy named Robert Wagner starred opposite a Pocahontesque Debra Paget in a cowboy-and-Indian love story called "White Feather," which may not mean much to American audiences (it's never even been released on video). But this northern Mexican city is already getting sentimental about the anniversary. "We are preparing a celebration," says Thelma Meraz of the Durango tourism office.

I've never been one for eating food off the street. But this week, in pursuit of journalistic truth, I purchased a tamale — or tamal, in Spanish — from a street vendor pushing a shopping cart in South Los Angeles. You can sell food on the street legally, with a series of business and health permits, but these days, L.A. County is taking the move to regulate food vending a step further by issuing letter grades to food trucks. Now, even hot dog, fruit and tamale vendors are getting grades.

As a hotel housekeeper, Amelia Acosta hustles to make the beds, vacuum the floors, scrub the toilets and empty the wastebaskets in at least 15 guest rooms a day. The smallest oversight ? a soiled towel left on the bed ? can be the difference between a reprimand from her boss and a generous tip from a guest. "I'm personally dedicated to my work," she said in Spanish, wiping smudge marks from a bathroom mirror at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and Suites in downtown Los Angeles.

Refugio Rojas, 129 1/2, of Durango, Mexico, won the California junior-lightweight title Thursday night by stopping champion Ramon Marchena, 128 1/2, of Sacramento at 1:08 of the sixth round. Rojas improved his record to 50-10 with 36 knockouts. Marchena is 31-6 with 24 knockouts.

Tandycrafts Inc. announced that it has stopped production at its Pinnacle Art & Frame manufacturing and distribution facility in Van Nuys. Manufacturing will be shifted to the company's new plant in Durango, Mexico, and distribution operations will be handled at the company's Fort Worth, Texas, corporate headquarters. Tandycrafts produces and markets a variety of specialty home and office products, including frames, wall decor, furnishings and gifts.

A Mexican woman attempting to scurry across a San Diego freeway early Sunday morning was struck by a car and killed. Justa Nunez, 52, of Durango, Mexico, died of massive injuries after she was struck on Interstate 805 north of San Ysidro Boulevard, authorities said. Nunez was following her daughter, grandson and another unidentified man across the freeway in the darkness at about 4 a.m. when she was hit by a car that then fled the scene, police said.

Rafael Ruelas, signed to fight in October against former lightweight champion Jorge Paez of Mexico, will tune up Tuesday night at the Country Club in Reseda against Benny Dominguez in a scheduled 10-round bout. Also, Gabriel Ruelas, the World Boxing Council's top-ranked super featherweight contender who might fight champion Azumah Nelson of Ghana late this year, will fight Ismael Diaz in a scheduled 10-round bout.

Mike White, a 7-foot, 279-pounder, won a unanimous 10-round decision over California heavyweight champion Dee Collier in their main event at the Irvine Marriott Hotel Monday night. White, 29, has a 19-6-1 record with 13 knockouts. Collier, 28, fell to 10-7-0 with five knockouts. His title was not at stake in the fight. White piled up points with combinations and jabs. He won by scores of 99-92, 98-92 and 98-94 on the judges' scorecards.

The 18-year-old driver of a van filled with illegal aliens that crashed, killing an infant, Thursday was sentenced to prison for six years. Raul Holguin Garcia of Durango, Mexico, also received a $200 fine from San Diego Superior Court Judge Wayne Peterson, who denied probation. Peterson said Garcia disregarded the safety of his passengers when he tried to elude capture by the U.S. Border Patrol which chased him on state Route 117 on April 28.