Santa Monica

Charles Rich They've become a hot stove, and nobody will dare touch them for the time being. Throw in a newly found trust factor, and the members of the La Canada High girls' water polo team look to have found their offensive identity just in time. Especially with Jen Jorgensen and Kara Murphy leading the charge. Jorgensen recorded a team-high four goals and Murphy added three Thursday to lead La Canada to a 10-4 nonleague home victory against Santa Monica.

Crescenta Valley Water District has detected Methl Tertiary-butyl Ether (MTBE) in one of its wells at higher levels than the maximum containment level set by the California Department of Health and Environmental Protection Agency. An informational meeting was held at CVWD on Tuesday, Nov. 14 that addressed the MTBE contaminate. According to David Gould, CVWD district engineer, CDH and EPA have determined that safe levels for MTBE is five parts per billion (ppb). Water well number seven was shut down in August when MTBE levels of 29 ppb were discovered.

GLENDALE ? They could lament all they want about how the Pacific League didn't command respect this season, but they won't. Crescenta Valley High girls' tennis Coach Tom Gossard and Glendale Coach Bob Davidson are grateful that their respective teams have a chance to compete in the CIF Southern Section Division II playoffs, which will begin today. The CIF office released its playoff pairings Monday, meaning Crescenta Valley and Glendale had little time to prepare for their wild-card matches.

Erik Boal Glen Appels knows that in order to enjoy a fruitful run in the CIF Southern Section playoffs, that you have to be able to win a tough match on the road. During its run to the Division IV title in 2001, the St. Francis High boys' soccer team did just that, winning a second-round contest at Irvine Northwood, something it couldn't do the previous year after falling in the round of 16 to Pomona Diamond Ranch. That scenario unfolded again in Wednesday's Division II second-round contest against host Santa Monica, but it was clear from the outset that Appels' squad had plans on hanging around until at least Friday.

Peter Fuertes GLENDALE -- The Glendale Community College men's basketball team tries to continue its successful run this season as it travels to play West L.A. College in a Western State Conference South Division game tonight at 7:30 p.m. The Vaqueros, ranked eighth in this week's Southern California men's basketball rankings, have won eight of their last nine games, including an 84-82 win over third-ranked Santa...

Peterson -- Carpenter Emily Beth Peterson of Bakersfield and Kenny Carpenter of La Crescenta were married in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santa Monica. A reception was shared with family and friends at the Oakmont Country Club. For their honeymoon, the couple traveled to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. They are living in Provo, Utah. The bride is the daughter of Becky Peterson of Bakersfield and the late Kenneth Peterson.

Edgar Melik-Stepanyan Odds and ends from the local high school boys' water polo scene: Building blocks of the future: La Canada High is known for having strong sports programs, which range from the varsity ranks to the lower levels. Add the Spartan boys' water polo program to the blend of well-rounded teams. As evidenced by the junior varsity team's performance in the 33rd Annual Henry Stuart Tournament during the weekend, La Canada promises to be strong for years to come.

Your Oct. 15 Community Forum printed a letter from Emmy Rhine (of the) Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights, Santa Monica. This person paints businesses as "abusive," "intrusive into people's lives," "engaging in merciless bad business practices," and "sacrificing the safety and welfare of workers, consumers, and citizens in blind pursuit of profit." Why is someone from Santa Monica writing letters regarding Glendale? This is a wonderful community.

Alex Coolman NORTHEAST GLENDALE -- Designs for an 11-story office building at the corner of Central and California avenues are up for consideration at the Redevelopment Agency Tuesday. The building, referred to as the Millennium Tower, is being designed by the Landau Partnership of Santa Monica for property owned by Maynard Brittan. In place of the apartment building, auto repair shop and carpet store that sit at the northeast corner of Central and California avenues, the project design calls for an 11-story tower of office space and ground-level retail.

A record 410 exhibitors will take part in the 2005 American Film Market (AFM) scheduled for Nov. 2 to 9 in Santa Monica, making it the largest market in the event's history. Exhibitors will come from 33 countries, which is also a market record. The announcement was made by Jonathan Wolf, executive vice president of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) and managing director of the American Film Market. The 410 exhibitors represent a 15 percent increase from the 356 companies that exhibited at the November 2004 AFM. The increase is across-the-board, with 24 countries expanding their presence at the AFM. In addition, new countries attending the AFM this year include Russia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Egypt and Greece.