END OF AN ERA: The Federal Emergency...

END OF AN ERA: The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s six earthquake service centers will close Friday, including Valley-area centers in Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth and Valencia. Continued disaster housing assistance and questions about disaster applications will still be handled through the FEMA Disaster Information Helpline at (800) 525-0321.

NO FRIEND OF THE EARTH: Students at Carpenter Elementary School in Studio City are victims of an environmental crime. Vandals on Monday night stole a patch of primroses from the school. The flowers had been planted by the students to celebrate Earth Day. . . . On Tuesday, students wrote letters of outrage--including one to Mayor Richard Riordan. Others wanted to form a posse. Said Principal Joan Marks: “They asked if they could walk around the neighborhood to see if there were any neighbors with newly planted primroses.”

POP EXPORTER: Sherman Oaks-based record producer Joey Carbone, above, has a sure-fire formula for producing gold albums. And it doesn’t always include good singers. . . . Carbone transforms budding American actors into Japanese pop music idols. “People with real talent often do nothing,” Carbone said. “But projects that are well-marketed and merchandised can do very, very well.” (F1)

NEW BALLGAME: With no head coach and not enough players for a scrimmage, Cal State Northridge’s spring football practice isn’t what it used to be. . . . But the Matadors’ program is no stranger to adversity. “Taking a few lumps is all part of the game,” said one assistant coach. (C8)

VALLEY VISIT: Seagram Co. Ltd. Chairman Edgar M. Bronfman made his first public visit to the Valley since his firm bought controlling interest in MCA Inc. But he wasn’t talking business. . . . Bronfman visited the Hillel Jewish Center at Cal State Northridge in his role as president of the World Jewish Congress. (B1)