Photo: White House Blog -- 2010 NBA World Champion Los Angeles Lakers and President Obama came together for an afternoon of education and service projects with some Washington DC kids December 13, 2010

The repeat World Champion Los Angeles Lakers went  to the White House to celebrate a championship win last year. So this time around, they did something different to honor their latest accomplishment.

Earlier this month, on December 13, the Lakers visited with members of The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. Part of the time was spent with the kids assembling care packages and writing letters to wounded military men and women, as well as putting together special gift kits for the homeless in DC. For fun, the players and coaches joined with the kids in a skills building game called, “Big Brain Academy Challenge.”

Also, helping sponsor the event, the league’s global social outreach program, NBA Cares.

“The Lakers have a proud tradition of performing community service in the L.A. community, and I’m glad that they took the time to help us during the holiday season here in Washington, D.C. We celebrate that spirit of service off the court — because it’s very hard to do what these guys do on the court, but everybody can serve off the court,” President Obama said later at a ceremony honoring the Lakers.  The full text of the President’s remarks on the White House website.

More on this event in this story on the  Lakers website. You can get updates on the Lakers in the sports section,  in the middle column,  of this blog.

Former Laker Superstar, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, is no longer part owner of the NBA champion Lakers.  Sad, but true. Yesterday, the team announced Johnson had sold his ownership share to Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, a 25-year season-ticket holder, local businessman, and philanthropist.  

Johnson reportedly bought his share for $10 million in 1994. No official word on what it sold for, but according to the Los Angeles Times, Johnson’s stake was about 4.5 percent. Last December, Forbes magazine listed the Lakers as the NBA’s most valuable franchise at $607 million. So that means Magic’s share would be worth around $28 million.

Magic apparently wants to join a group of investors onterested buying the Detroit Pistons. Magic has strong ties to Michigan; he grew up in Lansing and  played for Michigan State. 

No matter, Magic is forever linked to the purple and gold. In a press released posted on the team website, Magic emphasized his commitment to the Lakers: ”I am truly humbled to have been a Lakers player for 13 years and an owner for over 10 years. I thank Dr. Buss from the deepest part of my heart and soul for allowing me such an incredible opportunity. I will continue to work alongside Dr. Buss, Jeanie Buss and Mitch Kupchak in their efforts to continually build and maintain the best NBA franchise in the league. This was a bittersweet business decision made on behalf of my family and myself, and I want to assure all the wonderful and loyal Lakers fans that my decision will in no way affect my dedication and support for the Los Angeles Lakers. I am and will always be a Laker for life.”

Follow the Lakers on this blog. Check the middle column for updates on the players and the franchise.

Fans whoop it up for the World Champion Lakers

Photo: Don Barletti/Los Angeles Times — Thousands of jubliant fans cheer for Kobe and company as the Lakers joy bus rolls along Figueroa Street during the big parade in Los Angeles, June 21, 2010

A parade of purple and gold in Downtown Los Angeles today to celebrate the 2010 NBA World Champion Lakers. Thousands of cheering fans lined the route to give props to the players. Story and more photos on the Los Angeles Times website.

Also, a report on the Times site about the prosecution of some of those unruly folks arrested after the Lakers clenched the championship with a snail-bitting win in the finals game 7 at Staples Center.

Fans camp out for premiere of new “Twilight” movie

Hundreds of devoted fans of that the “Twilight” saga began camping out in L.A. Live Plaza near Staples Center in Downtown L.A. Today.  The fans are waiting for Thursday’s premiere of the third movie in the series, “Eclipse.” They’re not hoping for tickets — just a glimpse of the film’s stars. Nikki Finke’s Deadline.com/Hollywood has photos and more here.

“Toy Story 3″ a monster at the Box Office

As expected, “Toy Story 3″ dominated the Box Office over the weekend. The third installment of the animated film series debuted with a mighty $110 million to easily become the number one movie in the country. This family-friendly sequel gave the Box Office a huge boost — theater business was up 32 percent over the same weekend last year, according to Box Office Mojo.

In this third “Toy Story” movie Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toy-box gang end up in a day-care center  after their owner, Andy, heads off to college. Celebrity voices include Tom Hanks as Woody, Tim Allen Buzz, Joan Cusack Jessie, and Don Rickles Mr. Potato Head.

The high-kicking money-making “Karate Kid” remake is still packing theaters as well. “The Karate Kid” dropped from the top spot to second place, earning $29.8  – bring its two week total to $107 million. “The A-team” battled its way to third with $14.4 million.

The comedy “Get Him to the Greek” landed in fourth with $6 million, and rounding out the top five, the 3D animation “Shrek Forever After” with $5.6 million.

The Burbank Leader goes after a blogger

UPDATE: June 20, 2010 — A new version of that controversial post is up on Semichorus blog and, you know, it’s more hard hitting than the first. Also, some pretty interesting comments on that post as well.  Check it out here.

Competition in the news biz is fierce, no doubt about it. Nevertheless, I was surprised to see the “Takedown Notice” posted over on the Semichorus blog last night. That notice is from The Burbank Leader and its parent company, The Los Angeles Times.

Be warned, if you click over to check out the notice, some of the language in that post is rather, ah, descriptive. Apparently, someone got upset about a post on that blog criticizing the Leader’s coverage of the Burbank cops recent arrest of a father whose 2-year-old daughter was found wandering around.  

This is worrisome for a couple reasons. First, Jim Carlile’s blog has scooped the Leader a number times in the coverage of the Burbank Police mess, city hall misdeeds, and so on. Also in the past, Carlile has used material from the Leader website to make a point about the newspaper’s coverage. So is this an effort to silence a competitor?

I read another blog called LA Observed. It’s a huge popular site. Kevin Roderick, the editor, has used material from the Los Angeles Times website to write some scathing critiques of the newspaper’s coverage, personnel changes/layoffs, and business operation. So why is it okay with The Los Angeles Times for LA Observed to do this and not okay for Semichorus to criticize a paper it owns, The Burbank Leader?

Lately, I got the impression the Leader has been attempting to improve its reputation and standing in the Burbank community with better reporting, a new look for its newspaper and website. In my opinion, this attack on a local blog/blogger is a serious setback for whatever progress the Leader was making.  

Update on political feud

I have more on those incidents involving local photojournalist Peter Musurlian, 43rd District Assemblyman Mike Gatto, and some of his supporters. Burbank Police Spokesman Sergeant Robert Quesada confirmed to me complaints have been filed as a result of two incidents.

The first complaint was filed against Musurlian on March 25, 2010.  Sgt. Quesada says:”It involved a confrontation between Mr. Musurlian and two other individuals that occurred March 24th in the area of the city council chamber.” From what I heard, Musurlian, who doesn’t mind being called a guerrilla journalist,  was chasing down then 43rd Assembly Candidate Mike Gatto and things got ugly.  Sgt. Quesada wouldn’t release anymore details because it’s “… an ongoing investigation.”

The second incident, reportedly happened at McCambridge Park on Saturday, May 22, 2010. Quesada says:”The information police received was that it was (a) disturbance between Mr. Musurlian and another individual. However, when police arrived, all involved were gone.”  But that was not the end of it. “Mr. Musurlian then came to the police station on June 2nd to file a battery report for what he said took place at the park.” No more details because this police investigation is also, “ongoing.” 

Burbank town hall meeting coming up in August

Photo: Buena Vista Burbank Library from the Burbank Library website  

The Burbank Police Commission is inching closer and closer to putting on that long-delayed town hall meeting.  From the discussion at last Wednesday’s June 16 police commission meeting, the only details that are solid are – the date, August 18, 2010 and the place, the Buena Vista Library. 

I won’t go into the convoluted town hall agenda plan proposed by two of the commissioners, Ray Adams and Elise Stearns-Niesen. To exhausting. This town hall meeting is supposed to be about HEARING FROM THE CITIZENS OF BURBANK. You don’t need folks to submit questions ahead of time for that.  Week after week, people speak at the Burbank City Council meetings by showing up and filling out a name card. It’s that simple.  Also, this is the way public comments are handled at the Burbank Police Commission meetings as well.

If the commissioners want time for city hall officials to promote themselves or city programs — let this occur BEFORE THE TOWN HALL MEETING.  That was the arrangement at the two city council-sponsored town hall meetings at the Buena Vista Library back in 2008. That worked. Why not just use the same format? That way the commissioners can put this town hall meeting on a fast track where it belongs.  It’s now about two months away — and the commissioners are still fumbling around over the format.

Dodgers’ Annual Father’s Day Catch event this Sunday

Photo: Courtesy L.A. Dodgers — The kicking Dodger Ticket truck will be on site at Dodger Stadium this Sunday, June 20, 2010, for the Father’s Day Catch event

The Los Angeles Dodgers organization is inviting families to come out and spend part of their Father’s Day at Dodger Stadium. The Seventh Annual Father’s Day Catch is a free event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 20. The parking is free and fans can enter through the Sunset and center field gates. This is a rare chance for families to play catch right on Dodger field.

The first three thousand people get free Dodger dogs provided by Farmer John. Other freebies include Sparkletts water bottles and PowerAde supplied by Coca Cola.  Also, there will be music, Dodger fan clubs, the Dodger Ticket truck, and possibly some surprise guests to mingle with the crowds, too.

Lakers Victory Parade

There will be a celebration for the Los Angeles Lakers NBA 2010 Championship win on Monday, June 21 – however, it will not be the blow-out seen last year.  Even so, the price for the victory parade is expected to be around $2 million. The Lakers have volunteered to pick up the tab. Between 500,000 and two million fans are expected to line the two-mile parade route from Staples Center to the edge of the USC campus. Click over to the Lakers website for the details on the parade route and the celebration.

Photo: Wally Skalij/The Los Angeles Times — Lakers Superstar Kobe Bryant scores on Celtics Guard Ray Allen during the NBA Finals game 7 at Staples Center in Downtown L.A., June 17, 2010

It was not pretty, but a win is a win. The L.A. Lakers struggled by their rivals, the Boston Celtics, to win their second straight NBA Finals title at Staples Center tonight. The score was 83 to 79. Lakers, and especially Kobe, were shooting poorly, but they never gave up — despite being behind by several points most of the game.

Kobe was the game MVP with 23 points and 15 all important rebounds. After the game, Lakers Guard Sasha Vujacic, who made two critical free throws in the fourth quarter, explained his team’s winning record : “…when we play as a team no one can beat us.” This is the Lakers’ 16th NBA championship.

More on the Lakers, game 7, the fans, and the violence that erupted after the victory on the hardwood on The Los Angeles Times website.  

Lakers blow out the Celtics in game 6 of NBA Finals

Photo: Robert Gauthier/The Los Angeles Times — Actor and Devoted Laker fan, Jack Nicholson points to the Celtics bench during game 6 of the NBA finals at Staples Center, Downtown Los Angeles 06/15/10

 The Los Angeles Lakers came out swinging and slamming in a must win game at Staples Center here in Los Angeles tonight. The Laker defense was awesome. Lakers trounced the Boston Celtics 89 to 67 in front of thousands cheering fans. But it ain’t over yet. The final “do or die” game 7 of this tough series between the two rivals is this Thursday at Staples.

Game notes and more photos on the Los Angeles Times website.  

White House party crasher lands TV series job

You might not remember her name, but I bet you remember the face in photos like the one above with Vice President Joe Biden and her husband, Tareq Salahi.  Michaele Salahi and her partner gained notoriety for crashing President Obama’s first State Dinner on November 24, 2009. A very bold duo. They took photos with the likes the veepee and White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, and then posted them on Facebook!

Yeah, the White House staff, Secret Service and other authorities got embarrassed and upset by the couple’s antics. But it paid off for them in tons of publicity and now a role on the new TV series “The Real Housewives of D.C” for Michaele Salahi.  Get more details on The Wrap.

Hollywood studios and agencies meet over Box Office gloom

The domestic Box Office was up this past weekend, but the bad vibes produced by the downturn of recent weeks still hangs heavy over Hollywood. So much so, that studio executives  are meeting with top Tinseltown agencies to try ti figure out what moviegoers want to see on the big screen, says Nikki Finke over at Deadline.com/Hollywood. And that may be a good thing for creators of original and fresh scripts. Let’s hope.

Hollywood shines at the Tony Awards

The telecast of the 64th Annual Tony Awards hit a soar note in the Nielsen ratings (down 6 percent from last year) with an average viewership of 7 million, according to TV by the Numbers .  Still, it was a super night at the Tony Awards for Hollywood stars with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Denzel Washington winning trophies.

Also, Actor Sean Hayes is getting kudos for his hosting duties.  The Hollywood Reporter has a nice recap of Broadway’s big night, the best lines, the dramas, the musicals, and who won what.

Photo from http://www.whitehouse.gov

Quite a week for the 2009 NBA Champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Last Monday, they were honored at the White House by President Obama and some local congressional Lakers fans among them, Jane Harmon, Laura Richardson, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Brad Sherman, and Adam Schiff.

President Obama belatedly congratulated the Lakers on their 15th NBA title — their fourth in the past ten years.  Here are some of the president’s remarks. 

“I want to congratulate everybody who helped make this team what it is -– from the assistants to the front office staff, to the trainers and the ticket-takers, all the fans back in L.A. who bleed purple and gold.  You all should be very proud. ”

“Of course, I’ve got to recognize Kobe Bryant -– one of the most competitive players I’ve ever seen — (applause) — for being named Finals MVP last year, obviously already MVPs under his belt, the youngest player ever to reach 25,000 points in his career.  And he’s playing with a broken finger.  Now, if I was — if I had a broken finger I would have trouble getting out of bed. (Laughter.)  And he’s still leading the team day in and day out.”

“This is a team that never lost its focus last season -– from the first tip-off to the final buzzer.  I know that the Lakers have a tradition of ending each team gathering -– whether it’s a practice, or a game, or a team meeting -– by with the chant, “1,2,3, Rings.”  As Lamar Odom said, “We kind of always saw that light.”  Everyone was willing to do what it took to get a little stronger, to play a little harder, and to bring home that title.”

“But I think it’s important to note that this team also knows that being a champ is about more than trophies and rings.  It’s about being a winner off the court as well as on it –- and giving back to those who are less fortunate.  The Lakers and the NBA have always been about serving others –- at home and around the world.  And that tradition continued last week, when the NBA and the Players Association, led by Derek Fisher, pledged to donate $1 million to support relief efforts in Haiti.  (Applause.) Jordan Farmar and Pau Gasol are also donating their money to the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund.  Pau pledged $1,000 for every point he scored against the Knicks — and I’m glad he dropped 20 –- (laughter) — helping the Lakers to beat New York and changing the lives of Haitians thousands of miles away.”

“And earlier today, the team joined with our United We Serve initiative to hold a fitness clinic for kids from Stanton Elementary School right here in Washington, D.C. -– teaching them about a few moves, but also how to live healthy and active lives.”

“So I just want to again thank the entire Lakers organization for your service, for the great joy that you have given the city of Los Angeles, but also the incredible competition your organization has graced the basketball court with for decades now.  If this season is anything like the last one — I know that you guys have your sights on the NBA finals — so we might see you here before long.  But we are very grateful for your presence here today.”

The full text of the president’s comments is on the whitehouse.gov website.  The day before meeting the president, Sunday, January 24, the Lakers lost a close one to the Toronto Raptors 105-to-106. That White House visit may have helped the Lakers get their basketball groove back.

On Tuesday, January 26, the Lakers played the Washington Wizards and beat them 115-to-103. The Lakers continued their winning ways by taking out the Indiana Pacers 118 -to-96 on Wednesday, January 27. Then yesterday, they whipped the Philadelphia 76ers 99-to-91.

Tomorrow, the Lakers take to the court in Boston to square off against the Celtics.

Photo: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times

Victory is sweet. I don’t think anyone needs to tell hard charging, hoop shooting, Kobe Bryant that tonight. Bryant led the Lakers to the NBA championship title tonight, beating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in the fifth game of the NBA finals.

Bryant scored 30 points, six rebounds, and five assists in the title clincher. Along with the title, Bryant won the MVP trophy for the NBA Finals. This is the 15th NBA championship for the Lakers. The fourth for Bryant and probably best of all, his first without center Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant has silenced the naysayers. He has proven he can win the big one without Shaq.