April 24, 2003

Greenspan Says Yes Alan Greenspan accepted President Bush's invitation to be nominated to a fifth term as chairman of the Federal Reserve. PAGE C1

ON a hot, airless afternoon earlier this month, Geoff McFetridge, a graphic designer, showed up for a quick session at a skateboarding park a few miles north of the house he shares with his girlfriend in the Los Feliz neighborhood here. A slightly built 32-year-old with a mustache and a dusting of freckles, Mr. McFetridge climbed out of a Land Rover carrying a battered skateboard and wearing a dark blue ''Hang Loose Hawaii'' T-shirt. Rounding out his 1980's throwback attire were a chunky black Casio watch and a pair of red Vans sneakers faded almost to pink. Just as he was about to tip his board into the concrete bowl, the park attendant yelled out, ''Elbow pads!'' Mr. McFetridge, slipping on the pads, just shrugged: he wasn't about to try anything that would cause a fracture. ''It's not like when I was a kid, and I was desperately trying to learn some crazy new trick all the time,'' he said.

Harvey Araton Sports of The Times column contends that New Jersey Nets should share Madison Square Garden with New York Knicks as alternative to facing pressure of funding and filling team's own Newark (NJ) arena; photo (M)

New York Yankees enjoy best start after 20 games in team's 100-year history, at 17-3, despite adversity like injuries to star players and number of roster changes; photos (M)

Microchip implants are effective in tracing lost pets but many owners are resistant to having procedure done; humane societies and animal shelters have embraced chips as effective alternative to other identification devices; photos; chip makers and registries noted (M)