John Boston

Because our office microwave oven hasn't been cleaned since the Truman Administration, bizarre creatures have mutated out of leftover food particles and now threaten all life as we know it.

Because our office microwave oven hasn't been cleaned since the Truman Administration, bizarre creatures have mutated out of leftover food particles and now threaten all life as we know it.

'He's one of those people that just seems like he can get out of bed and hit. Like he was born to do it.' John Burkett, Boston Red Sox pitcher, on teammate Manny Ramirez

At last, after a week of pandemonium and nonsense over prostitution in Hollywood, a voice called out from the wilderness. Who would have guessed that that wilderness would be Newhall? Roy Rivenburg's piece on the Santa Clarita Valley maverick, John Boston, was a welcome respite ("The Maverick," Aug. 15). It gives one hope to know that there are still some independent, intelligent thinkers out there. Perhaps civilization is not altogether lost. JANA PENDRAGON Long Beach

Police appealed Thursday for help in an investigation into the gang-related shooting of two Long Beach men, one of whom was fatally injured, the night before. Chhan Khensovan, 22, died at a hospital, said Long Beach Det. Steve Prell. Channora Men, 28, was treated for a bullet wound in his right leg and released, Prell said. Three men approached the two victims about 10 p.m. Wednesday near 14th Street and St. Louis Avenue, Prell said.

A 12-year-old Long Beach girl believed to have been kidnaped arrived at her home early Friday and said she was kept blindfolded in a room for two days but not harmed, police reported. Lakeshia Clements told police that two men kidnaped her in the courtyard of her West Long Beach apartment shortly after midnight Tuesday. The men drove the girl home and released her around 5 a.m.

Five people are facing criminal charges in connection with the killing of a Long Beach woman who was beaten and stabbed in her Long Beach home last December, police said Thursday. The suspects were booked for murder in the Dec. 2 attack on Ruby Chong at her residence in the 2100 block of Baltic Avenue, Long Beach Police Detective Logan Wren said. Police on Wednesday arrested Tabitha Brown, 20, of Ontario.

A Long Beach woman pleaded Thursday for the return of her 12-year-old daughter, who was kidnaped by two men outside her home this week. Lakeshia Clements was reportedly kidnaped in her apartment courtyard in west Long Beach shortly after midnight Tuesday. A neighbor saw two men chasing the young girl; one then hit her and carried her away, police said. She had apparently been gagged, police said.

An armed Metro Rail passenger was fatally shot by Long Beach police when he pointed a gun at two officers after being told to drop his weapon, authorities said Saturday. The unidentified man, described as being in his 20s, was seen by passengers about 8:30 p.m. Friday carrying a handgun on the southbound Blue Line train as it approached the 5th Street station in Long Beach, said police spokeswoman Karen Kerr Owens.

*--* Year Player, Team 2002 Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 2001 Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 2000 Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 1999 Tim Duncan, San Antonio 1998 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1997 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1996 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1995 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston 1994 Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston 1993 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1992 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1991 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1990 Isiah Thomas, Detroit 1989 Joe Dumars, Detroit 1988 James Worthy, Lakers 1987 Magic Johnson, Lakers 1986 Larry Bird,

Assemblyman Ross Johnson and his wife, Diane, are to be commended for their decision to withdraw their daughter, Molly, from kindergarten when they saw she could become another casualty of the system. School readiness (the ability to conform, follow without question, sit quietly and speak only when allowed to) needs to be looked at by educators as more than just a hot topic. "Many children are not ready to be schooled as late as 8 years and a few not until 10 years old," according to Raymond S. Moore, author of "Better Late Than Never" and former superintendent of the Whittier School District.