THERE'S NOTHING LIKE HOMETOWN NEWS.

Byline: -- Mark Kellam

Welcome to this week's edition of valleynews.com. It's full of stories about people and events close to home.

An ophthalmologist who works in Van Nuys recently went Honduras to perform surgeries on people there who suffer from cataracts. Most poor people in Honduras can't afford the procedure to remove their cataracts. For those who can afford it, the results are sometimes disastrous because the doctors there lack proper training and equipment.

Therefore, Dr. Jonathan Davidorf, who treats patients at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, trained doctors in Honduras in the latest cataract surgery techniques and help them purchase more state-of-the-art equipment. Read his interesting story on page 7.

Clare Kevitt of Van Nuys is on the forefront of getting people to re-affirm their conviction about human rights. As youth president of Youth for Human Rights International, she participated in an event on the steps of L.A. City Hall on Dec. 8 where 200 people signed a pledge to support human rights. Her story is on page 13.

If you're having severe hip pain, there may be an alternative to total hip replacement. On page 14, read about a new procedure that saves the hip bone and eliminates pain.

When you hear the phrase ``marching to a different drummer,'' you often think it means a person is a unique individual. However, the point of a drum party is bring people together to make wonderful music. It's a bonding experience. Read about a drum party at the Serenity Garden in Valley Glen on page 8.

Speaking of living in harmony, read on page 14 about Harry and Rena Drexler, who opened the first kosher deli in the San Fernando Valley many years ago. On Dec. 24, they'll celebrate 60 years of marriage.