Daunting recovery underway in tornado-devastated Mississippi

• March 27, 2023

ROLLING FORK, Miss. — Help began pouring into one of the poorest regions of the U.S. after a deadly tornado tore a path of destruction for more than an hour across a long swath of Mississippi, even as furious new storms Sunday struck across the Deep South.

At least 25 people were killed and dozens of others were injured in Mississippi as the massive storm ripped through more than a half-dozen towns late Friday. A man was also killed in Alabama after his trailer home flipped over several times.

“Everything I can see is in some state of destruction,” said Jarrod Kunze, who drove to the hard-hit Mississippi town of Rolling Fork from his home in Alabama, ready to help “in whatever capacity I’m needed.”

Related: See a video of the destruction in Mississippi

Kunze was among volunteers working Sunday at a staging area, where bottled water and other supplies were being readied for distribution.

Search and recovery crews resumed the daunting task of digging through flattened and battered homes, commercial buildings and municipal offices after hundreds of people were displaced.

The storm hit so quickly that the sheriff’s department in Rolling Forks barely had time to set off sirens to warn the community of 2,000 residents, said Mayor Eldridge Walker.

“And by the time they initiated the siren, the storm had hit and it tore down the siren that’s located right over here,” Walker said, referring to an area just blocks from downtown.

Related: ‘There’s nothing left’: Deep South tornadoes kill 26

The mayor said his town was devastated.

“Sharkey County, Mississippi, is one of the poorest counties in the state of Mississippi, but we’re still resilient,” he said. “We’ve got a long way to go, and we certainly thank everybody for their prayers and for anything they will do or can do for this community.”

President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration for Mississippi early Sunday, making federal funding available to hardest-hit areas.

“Help is on the way,” Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves told a news conference with local, state and federal leaders.

Recovery efforts in Mississippi were underway even as the National Weather Service warned of a new risk of more severe weather Sunday — including high winds, large hail and possible tornadoes in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

A tornado touched down early Sunday in Troup County, Georgia, near the Alabama border, according to the Georgia Mutual Aid Group. Affected areas included the county seat of LaGrange, about 67 miles (108 kilometers) southwest of Atlanta

About 100 buildings were damaged, with at least 30 uninhabitable, and five people suffered minor injuries, officials said. Many roads, including Interstate Highway 85, were blocked by debris.

Two tigers briefly escaped from their enclosures at Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia, after the park sustained extensive tornado damage. “Both have now been found, tranquilized, and safely returned to a secure enclosure,” the park said on Facebook. None of its employees or animals were hurt, it said.

Outside of Rolling Fork, a tornado ripped apart the home where Kimberly Berry lived in the Delta Flatlands. The twister left only a foundation and a few belongings — a toppled refrigerator, a dresser and nightstand, a bag of Christmas decorations, some clothing.

Berry said she and her 12-year-old daughter huddled and prayed inside a nearby church as the storm roared outside.

“I didn’t hear nothing but my own self praying and God answering my prayer. I mean, I can get another house, another furniture. But literally saving my life — I’m thankful,” she said.

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Like many people in this economically struggling area, she faces an uncertain future. Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the country, and the Delta has long been one of the poorest parts of Mississippi — a place where many people work paycheck to paycheck in jobs tied to agriculture.

Following Biden’s declaration, federal funding will be available for recovery efforts in Mississippi’s Carroll, Humphreys, Monroe and Sharkey counties, including temporary housing, home repairs, loans covering uninsured property losses and other individual and business programs, the White House said in a statement.

The twister flattened entire blocks, obliterated houses, ripped a steeple off a church and toppled a municipal water tower.

Based on early data, the tornado received a preliminary EF-4 rating, the National Weather Service office in Jackson said in a tweet. An EF-4 tornado has top wind gusts between 166 mph and 200 mph.

In Rolling Fork, the tornado reduced homes to piles of rubble and flipped cars on their sides. Other parts of the Deep South were digging out from damage caused by other suspected twisters. One man died in Morgan County, Alabama, the sheriff’s department said in a tweet.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that 25 people were confirmed killed in Mississippi, 55 people were injured and 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. High winds, hail and strong storms were expected for parts of Alabama and Georgia on Sunday, the National Weather Service said

The tornado that slammed into Rolling Fork tore across Mississippi for about 59 miles over a period that lasted more than one hour, the National Weather Service said in a preliminary report Sunday. The tornado was an estimated three-quarters of a mile wide at some points, according to the preliminary estimate.

The supercell that produced the deadly twister also appeared to produce tornadoes causing damage in northwest and north-central Alabama, said Brian Squitieri, a severe storms forecaster with the weather service’s Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma.

In Georgia, Rachel McMahon awoke Sunday to news from her dad that the Troup County motel he’d been staying in was destroyed. She said her dad, who is disabled, took shelter in the bathtub when the tornado hit.

He was badly shaken up, but not injured. She had to walk the last half-mile to his motel because of downed trees.

“SO thankful my dad is ok,” she posted on Facebook, along with photos and videos of the damage: houses with gaping holes in roofs, massive tree trunks snapped in half and powerlines dangling every which way.

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers blank Angels in Freeway Series opener

• March 27, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― While Sunday’s Freeway Series opener might have catalyzed the Angels’ decision about who will claim the final spot in their starting rotation, the Dodgers might have found something special themselves.

Clayton Kershaw turned back the clock in his final regular season tuneup, tossing six shutout innings in the Dodgers’ 3-0 win over the Angels at Dodger Stadium.

The left-hander threw 74 pitches while limiting the Angels to three hits and no walks. He struck out seven batters, including Mike Trout in all three of his plate appearances.

One week after celebrating his 35th birthday, Kershaw finished the exhibition season with seven runs allowed across four starts, good for a 3.44 earned-run average.

“Overall it was definitely better than it has been,” Kershaw said. “Slider was definitely better. I threw some bad ones too, but overall the consistency was better with it. Got some swings and misses finally with it. Fastball command was better. Overall definitely a good step forward for me.”

The only clock Kershaw didn’t turn back Sunday? The new pitch timers, which caused the left-hander to be charged with two automatic balls, and led to one lengthy discussion between Kershaw and home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez between innings.

Kershaw said one of the two violations was his fault for not delivering a pitch before the timer counted down. The other was based on a misunderstanding after the 15-second clock stopped counting down by mistake.

“I stepped off, looked up, and there was seven seconds (left on the clock) but the clock turned off,” Kershaw said. “The clock should’ve just kept going. And (Marquez) tried to make his best judgment, and thought I wasn’t going to make the pitch in time. … He said it was his judgment on that one.”

Back-to-back home runs by Max Muncy and Chris Taylor in the second inning provided Kershaw the only runs he needed. Those were the only runs allowed by Angels starter Tucker Davidson, who was making his final bid for a rotation spot.

Davidson allowed one hit besides the two home runs, a single by Miguel Vargas on his 75th and final pitch. The left-hander walked one batter and struck out one in 4 ⅓ innings.

“It was good to be back out there, kind of in the big league setting, away from Arizona and kind of get some adrenaline back into it so it was good,” Davidson said. “I threw the ball well. The slider was really good and then I thought I commanded the fastball well to righties, lefties. We’re gonna have to make some adjustments in the bullpen this week, but I think we’re on the right track.”

Davidson is out of minor league options. Of his six spring starts, only one went poorly. He allowed six runs in three innings against the San Francisco Giants on March 19, and four earned runs in 14 ⅓ innings in the other five games.

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“We kind of wanted to see him in this atmosphere, other than a spring game, and it was just as well as he’s pitched all spring,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “A lot of good sliders. A 3-0 fastball that Muncy hit and then a slider he just left on the plate, but we’ll take that.”

Right-hander Jaime Barría, who’s also battling for the sixth starter’s job, allowed one run in 2 ⅔ innings, striking out four. The one run came on an eighth-inning home run by Dodgers outfielder James Outman, who will make his first Opening Day roster on Thursday.

Outman and Muncy each have hit three home runs this spring.

Yency Almonte, Brusdar Graterol, Phil Bickford and Shelby Miller did not allow a run over the final three innings.

Doug Padilla contributed to this article

​ Orange County Register 

Laguna Woods music clubs march to a different drummer

• March 27, 2023

“Ham and cheese!” “Peanut butter sandwich!” “Mac, mac ’n’ cheese!”

These words ringing through the Elm Room in the Laguna Woods Community Center on Tuesday evenings don’t mean that food is on the table.

Rather, they’re rhythms that help members of the Drum Circle keep the beat as their lively sounds meld together.

The Drum Circle is one of several groups in the Laguna Woods that make their own kind of music. The Ukulele Club does it with the ever popular stringed instrument, while the new Yankee Doodlettes will soon be setting the tone with their buzzing kazoos.

Gayle Slaten, who leads the Drum Circle with partner Don Celestino, said she finds it easier to remember rhythms when words are attached to them.

Celestino prefers to let his hands do the talking as he beats out intricate patterns and rhythms for the group, which numbers from 15 to 20 members at any given gathering.

Celestino views drumming as a great stress reducer and a good health inducer.

“You don’t need to bring anything but your hands, and you can’t play the wrong note,” he said with a laugh. “You can relax and get rid of excess energy.”

Slaten emphasizes the communal aspect of the group.

“The drum was the very first instrument,” she said. “It echoes our heartbeat.”

The couple usually set up their Native American “Mother Drum” in the middle of the circle and bring a variety of other drums, shakers and noisemakers for members to use.

Participants join in enthusiastically as Slaten intones her food-related rhythmic words or Celestino demonstrates catchy beats for members to replicate. Often, these take the form of “call and response,” where he plays first and members drum the beat back to him.

Participant Rich Levy has wanted to play drums since childhood, he said.

“I find the drumming meditative, both stimulating and relaxing,” Levy said after beating the Mother Drum through a five-minute number.

“Drumming connects me to the earth,” said Olivia Batchelder, who also enjoys seeing everyone joined in a common endeavor.

New group member Chuck Marlatte said he enjoys participating in the rhythm.

“I like seeing other people enjoying themselves,” he said, adding that he hopes to drum a lot more with the group.

Slaten and Celestino settled in the Village last June after spending the previous summer here. While visiting, they drummed with a group led by Jerry Self, but that circle had disbanded during the pandemic by the time they moved in permanently.

Celestino had been drumming for around 15 years, starting with his participation in drum circles at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Riverside County.

“A close friend who was a master drummer died and left all his stuff to me,” he said.

The friend asked him to carry on the tradition, which was easy for Celestino, who had fallen in love with the sound of the djembe, or African drum. Celestino perfected his skills through the many circles he joined and the accomplished drummers who led them, he said.

Slaten came to the drum after playing Native American flute for a while.

“With flutes, usually only one person at a time can play, but with drumming, everyone plays together and there is more community building,” she said.

Slaten led a women’s drum circle in Tucson, Arizona, before meeting Celestino there about five years ago.

“People would gather in a Tucson park, where there was a lot going on, like drumming, dancing and even stilt walking,” she said.

“All the eclectic people that enjoyed music and art showed up,” Celestino added. “Everybody loved it.”

Slaten closes each drum session in the Elm Room with a beat to the catchy tune of “Funga Alafia,” an African greeting song that means “peace” in the Yoruba language of Nigeria.

Drum Circle members leave humming the tune as they head out into the night.

Full-out singing can be heard at Clubhouse 6 on Friday afternoons as members of the Ukulele Club gather to play.

One of the oldest continuous music clubs in the Village, the ukulele group has gone through many incarnations since being founded in 1968 as the Hikers’ Ukulele Band. Original players were members of the Hiking Club, but those who were not hikers broke away to form the Ukulele Club, with the purpose of teaching and entertaining residents and community organizations.

Through the years, members have performed in many venues and have focused on different types of music, including an emphasis on Hawaiian melodies.

Current club President Jay Miller joined in 2015 and participated via Zoom during the COVID shutdown. This year, he and his wife, Marquita, reestablished the in-person group.

“We now have a nice little group,” he said of the dozen or so people who show up each week.

Miller hopes the membership will grow to at least 17 regulars so that a minimal membership fee, not being charged at present, can cover rental and registration costs.

No performances are planned at this time, but Miller hopes to reinstate those as the group grows in size and proficiency.

“We used to play in the Clubhouse 3 lobby before performances, and it was very successful,” he said,

No experience on the uke is necessary to join the group, Miller said, and there’s no pressure.

“It’s fun to sing songs,” he said, pointing to the extensive offerings in the music books members use.

The club’s own songbook has been updated twice since Miller joined and features many tried and true folk songs and popular melodies that members know and love from their younger days.

Peggy Edwards, the club’s publicity director, has been with the group for 17 years. She has played guitar but finds the ukulele more portable.

“It is relatively easy to learn and sounds beautiful,” Edwards said.

Tom and Lynn Finkelor can attest to that. They came to the Ukulele Club six or seven years ago knowing nothing about the uke, but they quickly learned to play.

“We learned from being in the club and from DVDs and YouTube videos,” Tom said.

“It’s a forgiving group,” Lynn said with a laugh.

Tokyo-born Mike Amemiya learned ukulele from a Hawaiian student in Japan and loves to strum and sing out with his strong melodic voice.

Also singing out, especially on the Hawaiian numbers, is “Uncle” Harry Akioka, a Hawaii native who has played the ukelele since age 7. Music is integral to his life, as he also plays guitar, bass, drums and keyboard.

“Everybody at home used to play the uke, but not anymore,” Akioka lamented. “Now everyone’s got a phone in their hand instead.”

Besides Hawaiian songs, Akioka plays church music, jazz and standard American uke music, depending on which group he is playing with.

“Music is music,” he said, adding that he enjoys singing as well. “It’ll take a while for our group to get back to performing,” he said.

But when they’re ready, he plans to take them to as many local venues as possible.

One of the newest Village groups to make music is the Yankee Doodlettes. The kazoo band formed last July to enter the Village’s Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade.

“We played a lot of patriotic songs and had a lot of fun,” said founder Karen Hunt. “It was nothing serious, but we got a lot of notice.”

The group numbered about a dozen women last year, and Hunt said she hopes to accrue more members as the kazoos begin tootling together again in late March.

“I would love to have members with marching band experience and some cymbals and snare drum players as well,” she said.

“It would be great to have hundreds of people and maybe be recognized as the kazoo band with the oldest members in the country,” she added with a laugh.

For more information

The Drum Circle meets Tuesdays from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. in the Elm Room at the Community Center. Bring your own drum if you can. No club dues at this time, but donations for snacks and room rental are welcome. For information, call Gayle Slaten at 818-564-9457.

The Ukulele Group meets Fridays from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in Clubhouse 6. No club dues at this time. Bring a music stand if you have one. For information, call Peggy Edwards at 949-707-5156.

The Yankee Doodlettes will begin meeting this month in the Los Olivos Room at Clubhouse 2. Open tryouts are Friday, March 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Practice kazoos will be provided. Snacks provided, but BYOB. For information, contact Karen Hunt at 970-744-8523 or [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Santa Anita horse racing consensus picks, Monday, March 27, 2023

• March 27, 2023

The consensus box of Santa Anita horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Art Wilson, Terry Turrell and Eddie Wilson. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Trouble viewing on mobile device? See consensus picks

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​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers’ Chris Taylor looks poised to platoon in 2023

• March 27, 2023

LOS ANGELES ― Chris Taylor has never been a strict platoon player in seven storybook seasons with the Dodgers.

A right-handed hitter, Taylor has twice as many plate appearances against right-handed pitchers (2,137) compared to left-handers (1,017) in his career. His on-base plus slugging percentages (.760 against righties, .774 against lefties) do not lend themselves to riding the bench with a right-handed pitcher on the mound.

Yet that might just be his fate in 2023.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday in advance of the Freeway Series that he sees Taylor getting at-bats “against left-handers” this season.

That was in response to a follow-up question about Taylor’s quest for playing time on an Opening Day roster that includes five other right-handed hitters who mostly outperformed Taylor at the plate in spring training. In 48 Cactus League plate appearances, Taylor had six hits and 23 strikeouts ― a .125 batting average.

“I’ve been more encouraged the last couple days, to be honest,” Roberts said. “(Taylor) was really searching, out of whack. I think he’s found a little something. Still a work in progress. The last couple days for me he’s had better intent. I think he’s seeing the ball much better. Swinging shorter.”

The question for Taylor, soon, is when he’ll get that work in during regular season games. He’s in line to get at-bats at third base, shortstop and second base, Roberts said, but is blocked by a starter at each of those positions. Trayce Thompson, James Outman and David Peralta effectively comprise three outfielders to play left field and center field, with Mookie Betts holding down the right field on most nights.

Outman is poised to start in center field after an impressive spring training. The 25-year-old rookie batted .286 with a .379 on-base percentage and .531 slugging percentage in 49 at-bats. Taylor’s best opportunity, then, could come as a platoon partner in left field with the left-handed hitting Peralta ― a position Thompson would like to hold down too.

Thompson batted .103 (3 for 29) with 10 strikeouts in Cactus League play. He also hit .214 (3 for 14) with seven strikeouts in the World Baseball Classic.

Taylor made his first career All-Star team last year but faded badly in the second half. To get back on track, does he need to play regularly, or can behind-the-scenes practice do the trick?

“You can argue both sides,” Roberts said. “In this case he’s going to have to do a little of both. We’ve got other opportunities and guys I want to play, so it’s a combo.”

In his first at-bat Sunday against the Angels, Taylor hit a solo home run against Tucker Davidson, a left-handed pitcher.

“It’s a long season. I’m not thinking about the whole year,” Taylor said. “I’m just trying to get myself right. If I play the way I’m capable of, I’ll play against lefties and righties.”

SURE THING

Miguel Vargas’ place on the Opening Day roster has gone unquestioned since the outset of camp. Saturday, Roberts said that he pulled aside Andre Jackson, Ryan Pepiot and Outman individually to tell them they had made their first-ever Opening Day rosters ― but not Vargas.

This only came to his attention when Vargas pulled a subtle trick on clubhouse manager Alex Torres.

“(Torres) asked me (Saturday) if I will drive here or take a flight,” Vargas said. “I was joking, saying, ‘I don’t know if I’m on the team.’ ”

Torres took the message back to Roberts, but didn’t indicate Vargas was kidding.

“I sort of maybe dropped the ball a little bit,” Roberts said. “It was assumed he was going to be on the team. I didn’t feel the need to call him in, so he was asking about what his status is going into the Freeway Series. I said, ‘you’re going to be starting at second base this year, congratulations.’ ”

ALSO

Will Smith, who was not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Angels, will play both Freeway Series games in Anaheim, Roberts said. … Jayson Heyward was given a day off after playing Saturday in Arizona. … Special assistant Adrian Gonzalez was in uniform with the Dodgers’ other coaches Sunday.

UP NEXT

Dodgers (Noah Syndergaard) vs. Angels (Tyler Anderson) at Angel Stadium, Monday, SportsNet LA, KCOP, 570-AM, 830-AM

​ Orange County Register 

For Proposition 13’s sake, let’s keep the elected California Board of Equalization

• March 26, 2023

Here’s a question for homeowners: If there is an issue regarding how Proposition 13 should be interpreted or implemented, would you rather have it resolved by unelected political appointees – who have an inherent conflict in their desire to raise revenue – or a board directly elected by, and accountable to, the voters?

Seems like an easy choice to us.

For the second time in recent years, there is a push by anti-taxpayer politicians to abolish the California Board of Equalization. Assembly Constitutional Amendment 11 would transfer the BOE’s responsibilities to a newly created agency or agencies.

When Proposition 13 was overwhelmingly approved by the voters in 1978, the BOE was instrumental in interpreting its Constitutional and statutory provisions as well as in developing programs and guidance to administer Proposition 13. During this period, the Board continued its role as an unbiased arbiter of property tax issues so important to both business property owners and homeowners. Very few of its adopted policies and regulations have been challenged or overturned, largely because of the Board’s status as a respected independent elected body.

Working with county assessors, the BOE administers property tax statutes and regulations for all taxable real estate, consisting of both state-assessed property, such as railroads and utilities, as well as all locally assessed properties including homes. The Board also oversees how counties conduct assessment appeals and periodically surveys their assessment practices.

The elected BOE also develops the Assessors’ Handbook, an exhaustive explanation of property tax law for county assessors, their staff, and other interested parties. All the resources of the BOE are available online and provide valuable guidance, not just to assessors, but to property owners and taxpayer organizations.

The BOE was especially helpful to Californians who were victimized by Proposition 19, which substantially weakened the ability of homeowners to transfer their home and a limited amount of other property to their children without triggering reassessment. While the BOE had no power to change Prop. 19, board members worked very hard to ameliorate the impact to families who had just suffered the death of a loved one.

Homeowners are justified in their concerns that the abolition of the BOE and the transfer of its responsibilities to other bureaucracies will eliminate accountability and convert what is now a relatively responsive body to some uncaring agency as oppressive as the IRS. For homeowners, this is unacceptable. Homeownership is an important right and property taxes are perhaps the most sensitive (and costly) point of contact between citizens and their government.

Those attacking the BOE claim that it is mismanaged. But this argument is a pretext as those accusations are based on an investigation nearly a decade old against former BOE members. None of the current members have been accused of such malfeasance.

Proponents of ACA 11 contend that the duties of the BOE could be performed by political appointees and bureaucrats rather than elected officials. But government tax agencies have a sorry history of being abusive and, in some cases, even vindictive to taxpayers. (For example, look at what the IRS did in targeting some political organizations for audits. Also, California’s former Franchise Tax Board was found guilty of violating the civil rights of Californians who attempt to establish residency in other states).

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The final failed argument by those seeking to abolish the BOE is that it would save money.

Oh, please . . . since when did the California Legislature show an inkling of concern about waste?

The cost of running BOE, about $35 million, is a pittance compared to the waste demonstrated by the state’s political leadership in recent years – high-speed rail, anyone?

Moreover, since most of the functions of BOE would be transferred to other agencies, the alleged cost “savings” would be a fraction of the $35 million.

Taxpayer advocacy organizations, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, CalTax, and the California Alliance of Taxpayer Advocates are opposed to ACA 11.

We’re united in our belief that the elected Board of Equalization gives taxpayers accountability, responsiveness, and transparency. It is greatly needed and must be preserved.

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

​ Orange County Register 

My beef with the Academy on behalf of philosophers like me

• March 26, 2023

Once again I did not receive the Oscar for Best in the Field of Nagging.

Before you get your britches in a bunch because of the negativity the word may connote, the nags of their day – may I remind you – were known as philosophers and were greatly revered.

Yes! Plato was a nag, too. In fact, Plato and the Platitudes were the first rock/advice-giving group in history.

Did he even mention that if you ate moo shu pork, you would bloat the next day? I would have told you.

Nagging is simply giving information. For example, when I suggest you avoid an area because of the potholes, I am giving you the facts as I know them. Since this is America, you have the option of not listening to me and squishing your tires and spending a day at Acme Automotive. It is all about choice.

My Oscar losses started many years ago when I listened to those new age suggestions to “let everyone be” and “do their own thang.”

It was not natural behavior for me. My life fell apart that nag-less year. I didn’t tell anyone what to do or give advice, so every unuttered word went straight to my hips.

Being frustrated, I started celebrating Fat Tuesday every day of the week. Then I moved on to Taco Tuesday Wednesday Thursday … well you know the rest.

The kids didn’t clean their room that year so our home was condemned by the board of health.

One son refused to get a haircut. I said nothing. The principal legally changed his name to Mary Elizabeth, so when he was drafted in the Army … oh please, don’t ask.

So the Oscar for Best Nag in 2023 once again … wasn’t me.

I’m usually nonviolent, but do I have to slap someone to get attention?

To nags and every boss, editor, taxman, crossing guard and those on the board of advisers in our community, everywhere all at once … there’s always next year.

In the meantime, sit up straight and eat your veggies. By the way, speaking of which, ya know, it wouldn’t hurt ya to take a nag to lunch sometime.

Humor columnist and Laguna Woods Village resident Jan Marshall is the author of humor books for grownups, including “Dancin Schmancin With the Scars.” She also has written aspirational books for children — “The Toothbrush Who Tried to Run Away“ and “The Littlest Hero.” She’s the founder of the International Humor and Healing Institute in 1986. She’s a clinical hypnotherapist, a TV host and media humorist, and — above all — a proud great-grandmother. Contact her at [email protected].

​ Orange County Register 

Bulls outplay Lakers, spoil LeBron James’ return from injury

• March 26, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Coming off the bench for just the second time in his career, LeBron James still made his check-in a spectacle.

Roughly 5 1/2 minutes into the game, the 38-year-old stepped the scorer’s table, and the home crowd’s volume began to rise as he shook the chalk dust into his hands. Then as he tossed it into the air, a roar rose with it.

The Lakers have been hot over the last month and a half, and James’ arrival after a 13-game layoff due to injury seemed like it might ramp up that momentum even more. But on Sunday, the franchise star’s return could not cure all that ails the Lakers (37-38), who were outplayed nearly start to finish in a 118-108 defeat to the Chicago Bulls (36-38).

There was plenty of juice to a game between two teams at the fringe of the playoff race, including plenty of pre-game trash talking from former Laker Patrick Beverley. James’ quick escalation off the injury report from his right foot tendon injury only amped up the volume, and he wound up with a team-high 19 points and 8 rebounds on 6 for 11 shooting.

But ultimately, a lack of defensive intensity — the very thing that has driven the team’s turnaround after the trade deadline, was the key factor more than any individual player. The Lakers have boasted the league’s third-best defensive rating since the All-Star break (110.4), which helped them go 8-5 without James. But they couldn’t stay in front of Zach LaVine’s weaving drives or keep a lid on Chicago’s bench shooters, and they were bothered in the paint and on the glass by the Bulls’ physicality.

Even with James making a stunning return to the fold, the Lakers got checked in a loss that dropped them down to ninth place in the West. It ended a three-game win streak and wasn’t especially encouraging given that the Lakers have to turn around and play the Bulls again Wednesday in Chicago.

James’ return doesn’t clear up much of the Lakers’ injury uncertainty, either. While James was able to spin, plant and sprint on his injured foot which he hadn’t played on since a Feb. 26 win in Dallas, it’s uncertain how many of the Lakers’ final seven games he’ll play in as the team tries to manage his health for the playoffs. The team also played without D’Angelo Russell for the second straight game as the point guard dealt with right hip soreness.

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Anthony Davis labored again for offensive touches, scoring 15 points on just eight shot attempts. The Bulls — who have had the NBA’s best defense since All-Star — hammered him with double-teams. But the Lakers’ shooters couldn’t punish them, either: The team was just 13 for 36 from deep. Troy Brown Jr. was the team’s best offensive weapon early, finishing with 18 points, while Malik Beasley (18 points) heated up late when the Lakers tried eating into Chicago’s 21-point lead.

There was a small flicker of hope with 1:30 remaining, after Beasley hit his fifth 3-pointer and brought the game within eight points. But Beverley got the last laugh, hitting a turnaround hook over James and gesturing “too small” on the court and howling to himself.

As fired up for his first game in a month as the home crowd was, James himself was slow-starting. It took him nearly four minutes to attempt his first shot, a driving baseline layup. James did a chunk of his first-half damage on the free throw line.

But as much as the Lakers could have used a hit of offense, the other side of the ball held up much more poorly. LaVine caught a rhythm on pick-and-roll drives, while Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu hit 3-pointers that had Chicago up by 20 points even by the second quarter.

​ Orange County Register