Disneyland union files charges over Mickey Mouse raised fist buttons

• June 12, 2024

A Mickey Mouse button with the Disney icon’s white gloved hand raised in a fist as a symbol of fighting oppression is pitting workers against managers at Disneyland as union negotiations continue over a new contract for more than a third of the 35,000 park employees.

Master Services Council, which represents 13,000 Disneyland employees from four unions, filed unfair labor practice charges on Tuesday, June 11 on behalf of more than 500 workers who were disciplined for wearing union buttons with Mickey’s raised fist.

ALSO SEE: 7 reasons Disneyland characters want to unionize

The charges will be investigated by the National Labor Relations Board, according to Master Services.

Today, Disney cast members announced that they have filed unfair labor practice charges against Disney on behalf of 13,000 workers at the resort for unlawful discipline, intimidation and surveillance of union members exercising their right to wear union buttons at work. pic.twitter.com/gg7CUk6JUh

— DisneyWorkersRising (@disneyrising24) June 11, 2024

“Disneyland Resort cast members may only wear buttons and pins that are a part of their costumes while at work so that the show is maintained for our guests,” according to Disneyland officials.

ALSO SEE: Disneyland president remembers ‘kind’ and ‘gentle’ employee who died after backstage accident

Disneyland cast members may be asked to remove any item that’s not part of the Disney Look and could receive a verbal warning and disciplinary action for repeated violations, according to Disneyland officials.

Less than a handful of Disneyland cast members have received disciplinary action to date, according to Disneyland officials.

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The union cited a 1945 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows employees to wear union insignia at work even if they must follow a dress code.

Disney Look dress code guidelines that famously regulate on-stage costumes, hairstyles, mustaches, beards, sideburns, nail polish and jewelry have been loosened in recent years to introduce more diversity and inclusivity into Disney’s theme parks, workforce and company culture.

The union coalition — which has been negotiating with Disney over a new contract since April — represents ride operators, store clerks, custodians, candy makers and other cast members, Disney parlance for employees. The contract expires June 16.

​ Orange County Register 

What to stream: Get ready for upcoming slate of summer sequels

• June 12, 2024

Katie Walsh | Tribune News Service (TNS)

Like most summer movie seasons, summer 2024 is lousy with sequels. Last weekend we saw “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment of the “Bad Boys” franchise, take over the box office, and one of the buzziest titles of the summer is “Furiosa,” the prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road.” This weekend, “Inside Out 2” hits theaters. So here’s a quick streaming guide on this summer’s sequels, and where and how to watch or rewatch everything you might need to catch up, from family-friendly animated fare to horror franchises.

As mentioned, “Inside Out 2” comes out Friday, June 14. The first film, 2015’s “Inside Out,” directed by Pete Docter, is on Disney+ or available to rent on other platforms.

At the end of June, “A Quiet Place: Day One” will tiptoe into theaters. This third installment is a prequel to “A Quiet Place” (2018) and the sequel, “A Quiet Place Part II” (2021), which were both directed by John Krasinski and are available to stream on Paramount+ or for rent on other platforms (“Part II” is also on Hulu). This third film is written and directed by Michael Sarnoski, who wrote and directed the critically acclaimed “Pig,” and stars Lupita Nyong’o as a woman attempting to survive the initial alien invasion in New York City.

Gru (Steve Carell) has grand plans for his future in “Minions: Rise of Gru.” (Illumination Entertainment & Universal Pictures/TNS)

In time for Independence Day weekend, the fourth movie in the popular “Despicable Me” franchise will release on July 3. Catch up with the first three movies all on Peacock, though if you’re a parent you likely don’t need the refresher. Our antihero Gru also features in “Minions: Rise of Gru,” so perhaps take in that film on Prime Video or rent them all on Amazon or iTunes.

July 5 sees the release of Ti West’s “MaXXXine,” the third slasher film in his “X” horror film series starring Mia Goth. “MaXXXine,” the sequel to “X,” is set in 1985, and follows Goth’s Maxine as she makes her way to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of stardom after the massacre in Texas in 1979. She of course then encounters the Night Stalker killer in L.A. “Pearl” is the prequel film, set in 1918, with Goth playing the title character (and the film’s villain), who also appears in “X.” Watch “X” on Netflix, Showtime or rent it elsewhere, and catch “Pearl” on Prime Video or rent it on other platforms.

Mia Goth stars in “Pearl.” (A24/TNS)

In mid-July, the long-awaited sequel to Jan de Bont’s 1996 storm-chasing disaster picture “Twister” spins into theaters. “Twisters” is directed by Lee Isaac Chung, who directed “Minari,” and stars new Hollywood It Guy Glen Powell alongside a host of up-and-coming stars. Revisit “Twister” before the new movie by renting it on all platforms.

On July 26, it’s a Marvel mashup with “Deadpool & Wolverine.” You may want to revisit the potty-mouthed superhero played by Ryan Reynolds in “Deadpool” (2016), which is on Max and Disney+, or “Deadpool 2” (2018), on Disney+, or catch up with the lethally clawed mutant played by Hugh Jackman. He’s in most of the “X-Men” movies, all streaming on Disney+. Or you can stream “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009) on Max, or rent “The Wolverine” (2013) and “Logan” (2017) on other digital platforms.

Sigourney Weaver, left, and Carrie Henn in “Aliens.” (20th Century Fox/TNS)

Finally, the Aug. 16 release of “Alien: Romulus,” directed by Fede Alvarez, is a good enough reason as any for a full rewatch of the “Alien” series (it’s always a good time for an “Alien” rewatch). So here goes: “Alien” (1979), directed by Ridley Scott, is streaming on Hulu; “Aliens” (1986), directed by James Cameron, is on Max and Starz; the underrated “Alien 3” (1992), directed by David Fincher, is on Hulu; and “Alien Resurrection” (1997), by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, is also on Hulu and Starz. Let’s skip the “Alien vs. Predator” films, and then go straight into Scott’s return to the franchise, with “Prometheus” (2012), on Hulu and Apple TV+, and his “Alien: Covenant” (2017), which is available to rent on all platforms. Whew. It will be worth your while.

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There are of course some sequels and remakes in the fall that you may want to rewatch a few things for (“Beetlejuice,” “Joker,” “Venom,” “Gladiator”) but here’s what you need to prep for this summer’s sequels and prequels.

(Katie Walsh is the Tribune News Service film critic and co-host of the “Miami Nice” podcast.)

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

​ Orange County Register 

Santa Anita horse racing consensus picks for Thursday, June 13, 2024

• June 12, 2024

The consensus box of Santa Anita horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Terry Turrell, Eddie Wilson and Kevin Modesti. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Thursday, June 13, 2024.

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​ Orange County Register 

Tips for beach safety in the sun, sand and sea

• June 12, 2024

Lois Lee, MD, MPH, FAAP | (TNS) American Academy of Pediatrics

When the weather’s nice, many families love spending time near the water. Whether your favorite spot is near the ocean or the edge of a river or lake, it’s always best to prepare for your surroundings and make sure that health hazards don’t spoil your good time.

I encourage families to look for beaches where lifeguards are on duty and watch for any postings about water quality, rip currents or shore break, which can make swimming and water unsafe. It’s always important to designate an adult as a water-watcher to keep an eye on children playing in or near the water at all times.

You will also want to apply sunscreen every two hours at minimum or more often after children come out of the water.

Here are 12 tips for families to enjoy a safe and fun outdoors experience for everyone:

Check the water temperature. Generally, water between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 30 Celsius) will be safe and comfortable for young swimmers. Scan the sand. Before spreading out your beach blanket, look for debris that may have washed up, including sharp sticks, bottles or even jellyfish.
Watch for sand holes. Making sandcastles and sculptures can be a blast. But the hole your child digs in the sand should never be deeper than their own knee. Children can fall in and get trapped and buried in the sand. This can even lead to suffocation and death. Have kids dig where you can watch them—and don’t allow digging in sand dunes, where loose sand can collapse around them. For everyone’s safety, always fill the holes your crew digs before you leave. Sometimes holes that children can fall into aren’t always obvious or clearly visible.
Lightning strikes pose real dangers, so when you hear that familiar rumble, head indoors. The safest place during a thunderstorm is a substantial building or a hard-topped vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes after the storm passes before heading back to the beach.
Teach kids to respect the water. At the seaside or lake, they should always face the water so they can see new waves coming in. Teach them to wade in feet-first so they can check the water’s temperature and depth. Make sure they never dive or jump from high points such as a bridge, boat or dock, where shallow depths or underwater debris can cause serious head and spine injuries.
Appoint a water watcher. This should be an adult with good swimming skills who keeps a consistent eye on the water and shoreline. When it’s your turn, put away your smartphone, book or any other distractions, and skip the alcohol to help you stay alert. If you’re in a big group, choose more than one watcher to rotate duties.
Small children and those without strong swimming skills should wear a certified life jacket in or near the water, the Red Cross says. Families should also don certified life jackets whenever they’re boating, paddling, waterskiing or skimming along on Jet Skis.
Require adult permission before kids go in any kind of water. Make sure they always check in with a parent or trusted adult before entering the water.
Use the buddy system. For young children, this means having an adult beside them whenever they’re in the water, keeping one hand on them while they float, paddle or play. As kids gain water safety skills and show they can be trusted to stick together) they can swim and splash in groups. The forever-and-always rule is that no one goes in the water alone.
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen labeled SPF 30 or higher. Mineral sunscreens can be especially effective. Put sunscreen on at least 30 minutes before hitting the beach, using the equivalent of a full shot glass to protect your child. (Don’t forget the tops of feet, hands and ears.) Reapply every 2 hours or right after your child leaves the water, since no sunscreen is 100% waterproof or sweatproof.
Sunscreen often causes skin reactions in babies under 6 months, so it’s best to protect little ones with a wide-brimmed hat and lightweight clothing that covers their arms and legs. Stake out a shady spot where they can play or nap safely. And try to keep them out of the sun in the middle of the day when UV rays are the strongest (between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.).
Rash guards, long-sleeved tops and other beachwear offer extra protection for toddlers and older kids, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. You may also want to shield feet with water shoes, flip flops or sneakers on very hot days, since the sand’s surface can climb as high as 100 degrees.
Keep everyone cool and hydrated. Avoid heat illness by having plenty of water on hand, offering children frequent sips and calling for occasional shade breaks. If you use a  beach umbrella, be sure it is anchored securely in the sand. Umbrellas that fly away in the wind have caused serious injuries.

Whether you’re at the beach or a pool, families want to have fun and these precautions can prevent against injuries and drowning. Ask your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns about safety during an upcoming outing or vacation in the sun and water.

____

Lois Lee, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, is a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lee has published seminal research on pediatric emergency medicine, health disparities and injury prevention, including related to firearms. Dr. Lee’s expertise was recognized with her election to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023.

©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

‘Firebrand’ review: Katherine Parr tale succeeds, fall short of potential

• June 12, 2024

“Firebrand” is the first English-language film by Brazilian-Algerian director Karim Aïnouz, and he infuses this portrait of mid-1500s Tudor England figure Katherine Parr with an entrancing fluidity with which you cannot help but be impressed.

In theaters this week, “Firebrand” also benefits from an understated performance by Alicia Vikander, as the English queen and regent and a bolder turn by Jude Law as her tyrannical husband, King Henry VIII.

In all, though, this adaptation of Elizabeth Fremantle’s 2012 historical novel, “The Queen’s Gambit,” feels like at least a slight missed opportunity, a tale that instead of building momentum to its climax loses a bit of narrative momentum in its third act, even as the stakes for Katherine are of the life-or-death variety.

In his director’s statement, Aïnouz — whose credits include “Invisible Life,” “Mariner of the Mountains” and the documentary “Central Airport THF” — talks of “reimagining of a ‘period’ film, closer to a psychological horror film, or a political thriller,” which is how “Firebrand” plays. (Later in the film production notes, it is stated he is not a fan of the term “biopic,” and so what we get here is but a sketch of a brief time in its main subject’s life.)

Parr was the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII — in recent years, she, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves and Catherine Howard have been the heroines of the award-winning stage musical “SIX” — and early on in “Firebrand,” Katherine seems to believe she can influence Henry for the betterment of England. She says as much to old friend Anne Askew (Erin Doherty of “The Crown”), who is making waves in the countryside a Protestant preacher, aka “a radical.”

After all, Henry has appointed Katherine regent as he’s gone off to war, she points out to Anne, with whom she secretly meets.

“He puts a woman on the throne so a man cannot take it while he’s gone,” Anne counters.

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(Opening on-screen text also reminds us that “history tells us a few things, largely about men and war.”)

Thus, it is not surprising that when Henry arrives home — earlier than expected, as a worsening leg condition made it embarrassingly difficult for him to mount his horse in front of his men — he pushes her aside, along with her concerns about the plague and the the possibility of revolution.

“I’m home,” he says, “and you don’t need to worry your head about it anymore.”

As “Firebrand” progresses, however, Katherine will need to worry about her head, literally, as Henry grows suspicious of her for one potentially life-threatening reason or another. Fortunately for her, she becomes pregnant with his child, which, of course, he hopes to be a son.

Jude Law, left, and Alicia Vikander in “Firebrand.” (MBK Productions/Zuma Press/TNS)

Katherine is painted as a loving mother to Henry’s three existing children, all the products of previous wives, and is especially adored by Princess Elizabeth (Junia Rees), who, down the line a bit, will rule England and Ireland for nearly 50 years as Elizabeth I. They certainly are closer to her than to their biological father.

Vikander, an Academy Award winner for her work in 2015’s “The Danish Girl” whose credits also include terrific performances in “Ex Machina” and “The Light Between Oceans,” seems determined to give a less-is-more performance here. It’s fine work, but “Firebrand” may have benefited from a, well, more fiery moment or two from Katherine, who is, understandably, increasingly preoccupied with her mere survival.

No such concerns with the work of the similarly skilled Law (“The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore”), whose moments of intensity are responsible for much of the film’s tension. Henry is a man to be feared, greatly, even as his health worsens.

While Law reportedly wore weights under his baggy royal garb to convey the growing size of this ruler with a big appetite, more noteworthy is that he found someone to create on-set scents to help sell the idea that the “filth and rotting of his body” were creating horrible odors, according to the film’s press notes.

‘You can see people having a visceral reaction to the environment — that is something that really helped in terms of the performances,” says producer Gaby Tana.

Jude Law, left, portrays English King Henry VIII in “Firebrand.” (MBK Productions/Zuma Press/TNS)

As we can’t actually smell the movie even in the most technologically advanced cineplexes, we are left with the aforementioned acting and direction, along with the screenplay by sisters Henrietta and Jessica Ashworth (“Tell It to the Bees”), with “additional writing” by Rosanne Flynn (“Military Wives”). Like the other elements, the writing boasts more good than bad but is unremarkable.

“Firebrand” also benefits — if only so much — from solid supporting onscreen work by Simon Russell Beale, as politicking Catholic bishop Stephen Gardiner, and Eddie Marsan and Sam Riley, as brothers Edward and Thomas Seymour, respectively, who are noblemen and allies of Katherine,

Parr, who also is referred to as Catherine and Kateryn in writing, was said to have been vivacious and witty, and we get a glimpse of that in a well-executed scene in which Henry insists Katherine be the person to test his food to ensure it hasn’t been poisened. Her handling of this tense situation provides the film with one of its finest moments.

It’s also an example of how a decent film could have been stronger with a few choices having been made differently.

‘Firebrand’

Where: Theaters.

When: June 14.

Rated: R for some violent content, brief gore and sexuality/nudity.

Runtime: 2 hours.

Stars (of four): 2.5.

​ Orange County Register 

Bone broth buzz: Is this trendy diet worth the hype?

• June 12, 2024

Avery Newmark | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

Bone broth has been making waves in the wellness world, with influencers touting its benefits for gut health and weight loss. But what exactly is involved with this trendy diet, and does it live up to the hype?

A quick Google search for “bone broth diet” yields quite a few results, but one of the most popularized diets is by naturopathic doctor Kellyann Petrucci, according to Women’s Health. It combines intermittent fasting, bone broth consumption and an anti-inflammatory paleo diet. Proponents say this 21-day plan can boost weight loss, improve gut and joint health, and reduce inflammation.

While incorporating bone broth into a balanced diet may offer improved joint health and skin elasticity thanks to its high collagen content, minerals and amino acids, the diet’s restrictive nature raises some red flags. On fasting days, followers consume only bone broth, which can lead to calorie deficits and potential nutrient imbalances.

“Sure, you could see weight loss during the 21 days of dieting, but once those 21 days are over, you may feel deprived from eliminating so many foods that you result to binge eating which can then lead to weight gain,” Rebecca Russell, RD and founder of the Social Nutritionist, explained to the magazine. “This can then lead to a vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting which is detrimental to metabolism, weight gain, and gut health, and can lead to an increased risk of chronic disease.”

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Moreover, the diet’s low-carb approach may leave you feeling tired and constipated because of a lack of fiber-rich foods like grains, legumes and starchy vegetables, Women’s Health reported. These food groups are crucial for maintaining overall health and gut function.

Not to mention, any diet severely restricting calories or entire food groups increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies. “For example, completely eliminating dairy can put you at risk of a calcium deficiency,” Rancourt said.

Before embarking on any diet, the Mayo Clinic recommends consulting with a qualified health care professional to ensure it aligns with your individual needs and goals.

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

​ Orange County Register 

Man accused of murder after fight with deputy in Corona resulted in shooting death of woman

• June 12, 2024

The reported fight for a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy’s gun in Corona on Tuesday resulted in a San Diego County resident being arrested on suspicion of murder and mayhem after the deputy shot to death a woman involved in the struggle and the deputy was hospitalized, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Eric Nourani, 33, was also booked into Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on suspicion of attempted murder of a peace officer. He was being held in lieu of $1 million bail, jail records show.

The District Attorney’s Office will ultimately decide whether to attempt to hold Nourani responsible for the woman’s death. No charges had been announced as of Wednesday afternoon, June 12.

A person of the same name and age as Nourani has three criminal cases listed in San Diego County, but details on those were not available Tuesday. The most recent was in 2014. Nourani has no documented criminal record in Riverside or San Bernardino counties.

The deputy was the victim of the mayhem accusation, said Lt. Deirdre Vickers, a sheriff’s spokeswoman. The state Penal Code describes mayhem as cutting off, disabling or rendering a limb useless, or cutting a tongue or putting out an eye or slitting a nose or lip.

Vickers declined to elaborate on the deputy’s injuries or say whether they were career-threatening, but he was released from the hospital where he was treated after several hours.

The confrontation happened just after 1 a.m. when a deputy tried to talk to several people who were in the 1000 block of West 6th Street. He chased them when they ran. The man lunged at the deputy as the deputy turned a corner, and they fought, the department said. The woman was shot when she joined the fight for the gun, the department said.

Bystanders eventually helped the deputy subdue the man.

The Coroner’s Office had not released the woman’s name as of Wednesday afternoon.

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​ Orange County Register 

Alexander: Jerry West’s indelible impact on Southern California

• June 12, 2024

Jerry West taught multiple generations of Southern Californians various lessons through the years.

For children of the ’60s, his and the Lakers’ struggles through the decade against the Boston Celtics reminded us that life wasn’t fair, and valiant effort wasn’t necessarily its own reward. What else could you divine from someone who was named MVP twice of postseasons in which his team lost (the 1960 NCAA Tournament and the 1969 NBA Finals)?

For those who came of age in the ’80s, and then the first decade of this century, watching the teams built by West the executive and the championship celebrations that followed reminded us how much fun winning could be, and it probably spoiled us more than a little bit.

West, who died early Wednesday morning at the age of 86, was equal parts superstar and tragic figure as a player. Thanks to the late Chick Hearn’s words-eye view, we knew him as “Mr. Clutch,” the guy in whose hands you wanted the ball at the end of a close game. (He hated that nickname, by the way). He became The Logo, the model for the NBA’s insignia.

He soldiered on despite frequent injuries, including nine broken noses. That year he won MVP of the NBA Finals despite losing? He injured his hamstring and had to be carried off the floor in the waning moments of Game 5 at the Forum. Then he played in Games 6 and 7, with the hamstring heavily taped and after cross-country flights in each case. After what turned out to be a sixth loss to Bill Russell and the Celtics in that decade, even Boston players felt sorry for him.

And West also showed us that the rewards eventually come if you persevere. West finally won a championship as a player in 1972, the Lakers’ first title in Los Angeles, and the irony is that the player who is fifth in career playoff scoring (29.1 points a game) and No. 1 in all-time Finals points (1,679 to LeBron James’ 1,562) had his worst Finals in that triumphant moment.

Then, after retiring, he came back as the team’s coach for three seasons in the late ’70s, only to realize he hated the job – and he really wasn’t bad at it, with a 145-101 record, but said during a 1995 interview, “I was in the process of a lot of terrible personal things in my life, and emotionally I couldn’t do it. I was too angry, too immature. It wasn’t something that really excited me. … I didn’t have any fun with it, and I didn’t do the right thing for our players.”

But West then had a magnificent third act as an executive and talent evaluator.

He was a scout and consultant for the first two titles of the Showtime era, succeeded Bill Sharman as the Lakers’ general manager in 1982 and augmented the Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar roster by adding James Worthy, Michael Cooper and A.C. Green and trading for Byron Scott. (And don’t forget that West resisted, vehemently and to the point of risking his job, a proposal from owner Jerry Buss to trade Worthy to Dallas for Mark Aguirre and Roy Tarpley in 1986.)

He walked away from the Lakers in August of 2000, one year into the Phil Jackson era and four years after bringing Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant to L.A. The pursuit of O’Neal as a free agent in the summer of 1996 forced West to check into the hospital from exhaustion when it was over.

“Emotionally, every day we were on edge,” he told us on the first day of training camp in Hawaii in 1996, watching O’Neal go through his first Lakers workout. “It’s almost like you’re betting your life that you’re going to be able to get something done.”

Bottom line? West helped assemble two of the NBA’s great dynasties, and if you want to find the roots of Laker Exceptionalism, there they are.

Maybe West’s post-playing career was God’s version of a makeup call. He earned nine championship rings overall: Seven with the Lakers (’72 as a player, ’80 and ’82 as a scout/executive, ’85, ’87, 88 and 2000 as general manager), and two more in 2015 and ’17 as a consultant with the Golden State Warriors, before he left that organization to join the Clippers as a consultant.

Consider that West, already inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a player in 1979, was voted in as a contributor in April and will be honored posthumously for a record third time. Additionally, he was an Olympic gold medal winner, in 1960 in Rome, for which he and the team were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

He was a 14-time All-Star and a 12-time All-NBA selection. As noted, he’s No. 1 in NBA Finals points, including the memorable 63-foot heave at the end of Game 3 of the 1970 Finals against the Knicks to tie a game that the Lakers, naturally, lost in overtime.

“He was the Michael Jordan of our day,” said the late Rod Hundley, a former teammate at West Virginia and with the Lakers and later the Utah Jazz play-by-play announcer.

Amazingly, West won only two NBA Executive of the Year awards, in 1995 with the Lakers and 2004 with the Memphis Grizzlies after leaving the Lakers. And before that ’95 vote, then-Utah Jazz executive Scott Layden paid him the ultimate compliment:

“I don’t think we should insult Jerry West by giving him executive of the year. I think we should name the award after him.”

Maybe the league will do so now.

There was this about Jerry West, as well: Few superstars – indeed, few accomplished people in any profession – were as self-effacing. Maybe it was an outgrowth of his turbulent home life while growing up, and it’s probably no accident that the subtitle of his autobiography was “My Charmed, Tormented Life,” but he often seemed almost embarrassed by praise and honors.

He talked in a 1995 interview of being a perfectionist – “a horrible burden because you’re not really satisfied with anything” – and about preferring not to dwell on the past or reminisce about his accomplishments or memories. During that interview, in his office in The Forum, he explained the plaques and pictures and framed jersey on the walls this way:

“When someone walks into your office, they expect you to have some basketball memorabilia up. If you went into my house you’d never know I ever played basketball.”

Years later, during a speech in 2017, he elaborated.

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“No matter what people write, no matter what people say, no one knows what goes on inside you. Honestly, it’s sometimes really embarrassing for me. People make a fuss over me over things I’ve been involved in. I didn’t choose to do what I did in my life. It chose me. I had a skill – I didn’t know I had a skill – and I had a mind. I had a heart.

“There’s a quote from Carl Sandberg that somebody sent me years ago … Nothing happens unless a person dreams. I was a dreamer. Having an opportunity to talk about my life, hopefully it’ll inspire someone, somewhere along the way.”

That, too, is a lesson.

jalexander@scng.com

​ Orange County Register