COMMUNITY NEWS : POLICE DEPARTMENT LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN, WOMEN.

Byline: Stacy Brown

Here is your chance to ``protect and serve.'' Your opportunity to fight crime in the city of angels.

The Los Angeles Police Department is looking for individuals who stand at least 5 feet tall, are at least 20 years and 6 months old, and posses a high school diploma or GED, to join the city's finest.

``This really is a unique opportunity,'' said Sgt. Art Miller of the LAPD Recruitment Unit. ``Most people have an interest in police work and all the specialized equipment in use within the LAPD. They just don't have an opportunity to check it out.''

On Sunday at Elysian Park, applicants and their families are invited to visit the department's Police Academy. You will be able to view an LAPD helicopter, a K-9 officer's dog, take pictures of your child on an LAPD motorcycle and see the mounted unit.

At the heart of the open house, which will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will be the testing for new police officer candidates.

The department is hiring at a rate of nearly 100 officers every 28 days, and the opportunities, the department says, have never been better.

More than 500 candidates are expected to take the written test at the expo for the entry-level position, which has a starting salary of $36,900 to $47,500. The academy is at 1880 North Academy Drive in Elysian Park, just behind Dodger Stadium.

Candidates will be given test results immediately following their exams. If successful at that point, an appointment will be given for an oral interview followed by a medical exam, psychological exam and background investigation.

Theresa Adams Lopez, LAPD director of media relations, says the process of hiring can run anywhere from 6 to 12 months.

LAPD has a need for candidates who have no felony convictions and are United States citizens.

For more information, the department urges you to call (213) 847-LAPD or [phone].

Balboa Elementary School in Glendale now has a new study-activity use area thanks to the efforts of civic-minded groups, individuals and local businesses.

The area, which is designed to afford students more space to study, do science experiments and have outdoor class time, was completed Oct. 12.

``When you have a year-round school designed for 350 students and enrollment is near 800, you can't afford to have 6,000 square feet of unusable space,'' said Sue Clement, vice president of the PTA.

Clement, who humbly deflects any credit, was instrumental in getting the aid of the Glendale Sunrise Rotary Club, which supplied most of the materials necessary to form oak planters to protect the oaks from excessive water.

Home Depot garden manager Kevin Altar lent his expertise and helped to secure the sod donation from Superior Sod Co. in Tehachapi.

``Like most school districts, Glendale is strapped for cash when it comes to extras such as clearing ivy and planting sod,'' Clement said.

Clement said so many others, such as Jonathan Morris of Jonathan E. Morris Landscapes; Art Householder, head gardener of the Glendale Unified School District; the Hoover High School Interact Club; and Glynn Martin and Don Ramirez of the Rotary Club deserve all of the credit for making this project a success.

``They were the ones who made this happen,'' she said. ``All of the hard work they put in was the key.''

Dennis Ianiro says he knew his daughter Lauren had some interest in history and government because she would participate in family discussions on politics and other matters.

As it turns out, that interest - possibly sparked by those family discussions - will take her to Washington, D.C.

On Tuesday, Lauren, a Woodland Hills resident and Louisville High School senior, will join a number of other local students on a trip to Washington, D.C., for the National Young Leaders Conference.

The weeklong event will enable aspiring political leaders to be president for a day, role-play being cabinet members and assume the roles of United States representatives by debating, amending and voting on proposed legislation for an official language and immigration reform.

The theme of the National Young Leaders Conference is ``The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting The Leaders of Today.''

Throughout the conference Lauren and others will interact with key leaders and newsmakers from the three branches of government, the media and the diplomatic corps. The students, all of whom have grade-point averages at or near the top of their classes, may also meet with their respective senators and representatives or an appointed member of their staff to discuss issues facing Woodland Hills and other Los Angeles County areas.

The National Young Leaders Conference is sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization. Founded in 1985, the council is said to be committed to fostering and inspiring young people to achieve their full leadership potential.

More than 375 members of Congress join this commitment as members of the Council's Honorary Congressional Board of Advisers. Each year, 7,000 youths nationwide may participate in the 20 sessions of the National Young Leaders Conference.

``The conference provides the opportunity for students to distinguish themselves as tomorrow's leaders,'' said John Hines, council executive director. ``Scholars not only gain knowledge and experience in the nation's capital, they leave with a sense of accomplishment and an increased ability to face the challenges of the future.''

Meanwhile, Lauren Ianiro is aiming for the skies. She's applied to attend the Air Force Academy due to an interest that was sparked by a visit from a female cadet while she was in the seventh grade. ``I was awed by her; I knew that was where I wanted to start,'' she said, noting that her uncle and grandfather were in the U.S. Air Force.

MEMO: Do you have news in your neighborhood? If so, please send the information to Stacy Brown, Daily News editorial department, P.O. Box 4200, Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4200. Fax: [phone].