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The signs of an approaching election are everywhere. A cacophony of political messages is beginning to saturate the airwaves, and mailboxes are stuffed to overflowing with campaign literature. With the primary election just 3 1/2 weeks away, there can be no doubt the volume and intensity of the campaigning will increase to a fever pitch shortly. Voters' endurance is sure to be tested. Those who want to survive the onslaught and make informed decisions at the ballot box March 7 have to be especially vigilant between now and then.

Gretchen Hoffman The following incidents were taken from police reports. 600 block of South Brand Boulevard: A 31-year-old Glendale man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of driving without a license. 700 block of East Harvard Street: A man told police someone took a cell phone and wallet from an unlocked car on Tuesday. 100 block of South Chevy Chase Drive: A 40-year-old Glendale man was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Janine Marnien LA CRESCENTA -- Back in the days when Ding-Dong-Dinky trolley cars carried passengers up and down La Crescenta Avenue and the KGFH radio station broadcast live from New York Avenue, the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce and its Historical Business Directories were still a faint glimmer in the far distant future. But now the future is here and as materials are being gathered for the 2002-2003 directory, a wealth of information about La Crescenta's past is being unearthed.

Tim Willert If it's Thursday, Carmen Garcia can be found selling flowers on Brand Boulevard in front of Java City. As for the rest of the week, you'll need a road map to pin her down. Garcia, who works for a Thousand Oaks wholesaler, shares sidewalk space with other Glendale Farmers' Market vendors moving everything from pistachios and soap to dog biscuits and oranges. "I really like selling flowers," she said. "It's better than working with fruits and vegetable because I don't get messy."

Darleene Barrientos Most students wouldn't dream about going to school during the weekend, but they can't wait to go to R.D. White Elementary on Saturday. They won't be there for school work, though. The school, at 744 E. Doran St., will offer lessons on fun, with an inflatable big slide, carnival games, go-karts, a bake sale and a holiday store. The event is in its third year as the Fall Festival, but the tradition reaches back a few decades as the Halloween galas.

Jackson Bell Management at Barragan's Mexican Restaurant is so anti-smoking, even matches aren't provided at the eatery -- much to the chagrin of some customers. "We're very serious about keeping this a nonsmoking environment and a family-oriented restaurant that is safe and healthy," said Carmen Hernandez-Barragan, a manager at the restaurant. Smokers might be unhappy, but officials from Glendale Adventist Medical Center and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services were so impressed, they decided to recognize the restaurant.

For those that may be timid yet curious to try different ethnic foods, Havana Beach Café at 2235 Honolulu Ave. offers true Cuban-style cuisine that is an excellent way to tantalize the apprehensive taste bud. Connie Ramirez and Mel Barauskas, the husband and wife team that own Havana Beach Café, have created a menu of delight that comes directly from family recipes that were used in Connie's father's restaurant in Havana in the 1960s. These recipes were painstakingly written on the back of an envelope by Tia, Connie's aunt who still lives in Cuba, and sent to Connie and Mel. Their dedication in keeping true to these family recipes guarantees that guests of Havana Beach Café will be served a genuine taste of Cuba.

A lot of people wonder why the Crescenta Valley Sun ends up on their driveway every Friday when they haven't paid for a subscription. They don't generally call us to complain about it, but I figured everyone deserved an explanation anyway. We produce two different versions of the Crescenta Valley Sun each week, one with more pages of news and calendar listings than the other. The complete version gets delivered by mail to our subscribers. The post office says we have to give subscribers more than people who don't pay for a subscription get, and we believe subscribers deserve more.

Josh Kleinbaum Instead of just greeting residents on the streets, sheriff's deputies are opening the doors of their station today to visitors. Thirty of the 100 officers based out of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station will focus on the station's 22nd annual open house, as the station opens itself up to the public for a four-hour stretch. More than 30 law-enforcement, military and emergency-preparedness agencies will be at the station from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the family-oriented event, including the Asian gang task force, the SWAT team and the Montrose Search and Rescue team.

John H. Cochrane III has been appointed president and chief executive of Glendale-based Southern California Presbyterian Homes, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of senior living, health care and support services. His appointment took effect Aug. 10. Cochrane’s selection by the Southern California Presbyterian Homes Board of Directors follows an extensive national search that generated more than 100 applicants, according to board Chairman David R. Decker.