DOLPHIN WATCH: Sure, the Raiders are leaving...

DOLPHIN WATCH: Sure, the Raiders are leaving L.A. And the Rams went on the lam from Anaheim. But now the Valley has the Dolphins. . . . The semipro Pacific Football League entry begins its first season this month, playing at Birmingham High in Van Nuys. The Dolphins are the dream team of Julius Beauvais, a former Cal State Northridge player who wanted to coach so badly that he created his own franchise (C6).

BURNING ISSUE: Should the Constitution be amended to protect the flag? The House of Representatives voted for it last week and the Senate casts its ballots next. But not everybody agrees. . . . A congressman and the great-great-great-great-granddaughter of flag maker Betsy Ross join the debate on B3.

DOG-GONE IT: Pooch power candidate Farley D. Kaynine, above, lost his bid for honorary mayor of Sunland-Tujunga. The election results were announced at a community Fourth of July parade, one of many local Independence Day events Tuesday (B1). . . . But Farley does not lack for the honors of office: Residents named him official mascot.

VIDEO OASIS: The first U.S.-produced animated movie promoting Islamic values--no romance for the unmarried--has stormed Middle Eastern markets. Nearly 30,000 videos of “Salam’s Journey”--featuring a young boy and his elephant friend--have been sold in Kuwait and neighboring countries. The cartoon draws on the talents of veteran animator Ed Damattia, who worked on “Pinocchio” for Burbank-based Disney (B1).

ROUNDUP: Department of Motor Vehicle offices from Burbank to Winnetka have been besieged with requests for the new Western Preservation license plates. Sales of the $50 plates, which feature a cowboy on a bucking bronc, help the American Heritage Rodeo Foundation Fund preserve Western memorabilia. Said a foundation spokesman: “We’ve received more than 3,000 requests from the Valley area.”