Olympic Gold Medalist and ten-time World Champion Fighter Oscar de la Hoya officially cut the ribbon on the Oscar de la Hoya Ánimo Charter High School in Boyle Heights today, the first public high school built in Boyle Heights in 80 years. The school is situated at the location of de la Hoya’s former boxing gym. Big congrats and thanks to Oscar; full press release and more photos by Nicholas Alan Cope after the jump.

»continue reading De La Hoya Cuts Ribbon on Namesake Boyle Heights Charter High School

The Dodgers may currently be unable to win one single crummy game in order to clinch the National League West title, but that all changes when we collectively use the force this Saturday night to guide the team to victory over the Rockies (90% sure it won’t happen tonight). Fans who forked over the $50 for the yoda t-shirt and a seat in the now-sold-out special Lower Reserve area will also enjoy mask-wearing privileges and a menu consisting of Cloneburgers with cheese, R2-BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, and Ice Sabers (popsicles) (no, I did not make those up). Jim Rome may have said it best some time back:

»continue reading Don’t Forget: Star Wars Night @ Dodger Stadium This Saturday

It’s officially Food Friday here at the Losanjealous.

…The featured event is the 3rd Annual Nisei Week Gyoza Eating Championship – presented by Day-Lee Foods – which starts at 3 p.m. at the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center (JACCC) in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo district. Two-time defending champion Joey Chestnut (Nathan’s Hot Dog Champion and the top competitive eater in the world) returns to defend his title and break his world record of 231 gyoza consumed in 10 minutes.

Attempting to unseat Chestnut will be top-ranked eaters Tim Brown (#10 World Rank), rapper Eric “Badlands” Booker (#13), Nate Biller (#19), Kevin Ross (#23), and Sean Kirby (#42) as well as a field of local amateurs. Competing on behalf of charity will be the 2008 Nisei Week Queen and Court.

Anyone wanting to enter the contest may participate in an auction for the 20th and final spot, which will take place at the beginning of the event [...] Admission is free with seating limited to a first- come- first- serve basis.

» Third Annual Annual Nisei Week Gyoza Eating Championship (via LA Metblogs)
» Joey Chestnut 2009 Threepeat: 68 Hot Dogs in 10 Minutes

Top photo of losanjealous ryan’s gyoza-dinner-atop-coffee-table by losanjealous ryan (used by permission)

HEADS UP
George Thorogood & The Destroyers w/Jonny Lang @ The Greek Sun July 26

Destroyers frontman George Thorogood, acutely aware of his place in the pantheon of rock and blues, has at various times in the past likened his musical output to a car dealership and a cheeseburger franchise, arguing that the business is thriving because all customers still get a quality cheeseburger (and/or car) at the end of the day. George and The Destroyers will play hits, catalog standards and songs from the new album The Dirty Dozen, which drops on Capitol/EMI this coming Tuesday, July 28, at the Greek this evening. George will also stop by Guitar Center tomorrow evening for a free story-and-song session sponsored by Gibson guitars.

George! How are you?

Bad. I’m bad.

Some things never change. So you’re playing the Greek on Sunday. I just read in the LA Times that it’s one of your favorite venues here in town.

We’re playing on Mick Jagger’s birthday. And…we’re going to invite him. I don’t know if he’s going to show up, but the invitation’s out there. (laughter in background)

Are you going to give him some sort of shout-out, on stage?

I might. You never know. This is the entertainment capitol of the world, you know. You never know who’s going to turn up. I did a thing at the House of Blues, and Bruce Willis and John Goodman poked their head in to say “Hi.” It was pretty cool. Another time I was working there and my wife came in and said, “You know who wants to meet you out there? Johnny Rivers.” Los Angeles. It’s a cool place to work, you know what I mean? You never know who’s out there checking your ass out, so you gotta hunker down.

You’ve just played two nights with Jonny Lang on this tour. How did those dates go?

So far so good. I knew there weren’t going to be any disappointments with Jonny Lang; he’s a first-rate entertainer in his own right, you know? In my mind he’s really just starting his career. He was no flash-in-a-pan, but he was attention-grabbing when he started. As far as him maturing into what it is he’s going to be, if he chooses to have a lengthy career, I think he’s coming into it now.

Ok, enough formalities. I want to get an answer now to a question I’ve had for years regarding your take on “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer.” You basically tack an extended play onto the front of the song. Long before the guy ever goes inside a bar, the protagonist is running around, hustling, dodging the rent lady. Where’d you get the idea for this, sort of, dodgy character avoiding paying his rent?

»continue reading George Thorogood: The Losanjealous Interview: “You’re Going To Have To Legalize Dope And Tax It.”

I’ve seen plenty of puzzling billboards and advertising in LA. They’re usually viral marketing of some sort for an upcoming film. This one has me truly stumped, though.

Tara Lipinski (looking somewhat like a cross between Shakira and Shawn Johnson in this one) looms stories high above the 10 freeway sans any sort of Dodger t-shirt, cap or giant foam finger on a Dodgertown billboard stating “This is my town”. A pair of ice skates is thrown in for good measure, because…you know… LA is an ice skating kind of town.

Last I checked, Tara was born in Philly, grew up in New Jersey and Texas and finally moved to Detroit where she trained for the Olympics.

This seems like an image more suited for a Wheaties box 10 years ago than a Dodgers billboard. I’m grasping at straws trying to come up with a connection. A quick survey of friends, family and RYAN yielded these equally unlikely guesses and cynical replies:

»continue reading And Tara Lipinski has WHAT to do with the Dodgers?

Photo: Major League Eating / IFOCE

CONGRATULATIONS to Joey Chestnut, who downed an unprecedented 68 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in 10 minutes at noon EST today, the fourth of July, at the corner of Surf and Stillwell on Coney Island, setting a new world record and keeping the Mustard Belt right here at home WHERE IT BELONGS. Fellow USA gurgitator and wig-and-vintage-ruffle-shirt-clad daytime chef Pat Bertoletti also showed remarkable prowess, downing some 55 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Dog Count: The Top Three
Joey Chestnut…………………68
Takeru Kobayashi…………..64.5
Pat Bertoletti………………….55

Chestnut told ESPN that he plans to eat a Cobb salad with ranch dressing for dinner this evening, offering further proof that the USA can and will eat more than any other country. Never forget that. Happy 4th!

DID YOU KNOW?
Ryan is no stranger to the IFOCE judging process, having witnessed and judged a popcorn-eating contest and a chili-cheese-fry eating contest for George Shea and the IFOCE at various points in his shady past.

From the LA Times:

In a move that trims $8.5 million off the Lakers’ payroll, [Vladimir] Radmanovic was sent Saturday to the Charlotte Bobcats for a pair of third-year pros — forward Adam Morrison and guard Shannon Brown.

This gives us a nice opportunity to dust off Adam Morrison’s Five Stages of Grief from the archives in his honor:

Welcome aboard, Adam.

Pre-game warm-up. DF sits impatiently in the southbound 101 traffic. Don’t these goddamned slow-ass motorists realize they’re interrupting an important mission? After a year and a half of talking a big game about taking on the all-you-can-eat right field pavilion at Dodger Stadium, DF is finally going to step up to the plate and match his appetite to the onslaught of low-end ballpark chow that lies in wait.

Top of the first inning. Running late. At ticket gate. Let’s see: the price for a ticket in the left-field pavilion runs $13. It includes the following free food: none. The price for a ticket in the right-field pavilion runs $40. It includes the following free food: Dodger Dogs, peanuts, nachos, popcorn, soft drinks, and bottled water. That’s a $27 difference, so let’s do the math: conservatively assuming that each of these food units average about $5 per, in order for the left-field pavilion to create savings, you’d have to eat six units of all-you-can-eat food, which would retail for $30 in the left-field pavilion. Can DF consume over $27 worth of free food? If you have to wonder about the answer to that question, you don’t know DF.

Bottom first. Arrival in all-you-can-eat pavilion (AYCEP). I pause briefly to steady myself against a support beam. Pleasure overload—the sights and smells of unlimited ballpark food have made me briefly swoony. I assume a place in line, and when I get to the front, I ask the lady for two Dodger Dogs. She serves them up with a “That’s all you got, son?” arch to her eyebrows. Oh, I’ll be back, senorita. Just you wait and see.
»continue reading Hello, Engorge Us! All-you-can-eat Pavilion @ Dodger Stadium, 9/6/08

Key Takeaways

• James wins Olympic Gold; loses own Cub Cadet Trick Shot HORSE challenge in Venice Beach Wednesday, 9/3
• PAINFUL air ball, 3:22-3:27
• Dig those funky Venice Beach drums at the 3:44 mark
• Harry Perry inexplicably nowhere to be found in video

» AP | SI

News comes today out of Shelby of Cleveland County, NC where The Star’s Sports Editor, Alan Ford and Assistant Sports Editor, Gabe Whisnant have teamed up for a provacative Point/Counterpoint article on the upcoming Lakers/Celtics NBA Finals matchup. Ford takes the Celtics-Will-Win side of the argument, while Whisnant defends the Lakers-Will-Win position. The piece is available online here for those not in the Shelby area to pick up a copy on the newsstand.

The article really should be taken in in its entirety to be considered properly, but here are some choice excerpts to give you some sense of the debate.

Ford rightfully complements both squads:

Both teams have done tremendous jobs getting to this point.

Before ultimately surmising:

Since the Celtics have the current version of the Big Three – Garnett, Allen and Pierce – I think that gives them an edge over Kobe Bryant and Co.

For his take, Whisnant offers an handy mnemonic to summarize the Lakers advantage:

To me, this series comes down to two “B’s” … backcourt and bench. I give the advantage to Los Angeles in both aspects.

…then arrives at the conclusion that seals the Celtics fate:

…(B)ut when the “Zen Master” Jackson gets to the finals he usually doesn’t lose.

There you have it.

Also, just a reminder the The Star’s World’s Greatest Dad contest is accepting entries through 6/30/08. Right now, Donald Cantrell has a lead of nearly 1,000 votes over the next closest entrant in a field of 14. He stands to take home the prize valued at over $170 which includes:

a men’s watch from Arnold’s Jewelry, bird feeder from Cleveland Lumber, 18 holes of golf at Riverbend YMCA Golf Club and two $10 gift certificates to Jackson’s Cafeteria.

Best of luck, dads.

The Lakers and Spurs open the NBA Western Conference Finals tonight at Staples Center.

Tip off for the game is scheduled for an early 6:00 pm PST start in order to maximize the national television viewing audience. Factoring in for driving, parking and beer, getting in your ass in your seat by 6:00 is going to be tough anyway you slice it.

It’s looking like UCLA may have nabbed a big man to fill the void in the middle left by Kevin Love. The highly touted 6′10″ 275 lb. Center J’Mison “Bobo” Morgan out of Dallas has been granted a release from his LSU LOI and looks set to sign on as a Bruin next year, reports the Times. (If “J’Mison ‘Bobo’” isn’t the single greatest first name/nickname combo ever, then I don’t know what is.)

One can hear the Pauley student section chant now: Let’s go, Bo-bo! CLAP-CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP! Let’s go, Bo-bo! CLAP-CLAP CLAP-CLAP-CLAP! Etc.

Given this serendipitous development, K. Love’s quick split for the NBA may just turn out to be a blessing if it played any part in helping sway Bobo to come Westwood. Add him to #2 national recruit Jrue Holiday starting at guard in next year’s lineup, and the Bruins are shaping up to make another deep run at a banner–so long as they can Get. Bobo. The. Ball–no mean feat with Howland’s sketchy offensive X’s & O’s.

TANGENTIALLY RELATED

Vin Scully & John Wooden @ Nokia Theater (Scully & Wooden, together at last, “For The Kids”) Fri 6/13

That’s right motherfuckas! I am Live-Blogging Superbowl XLII Presented by Planters Instinctively Good From My Couch. Latest at the bottom.

325pm
Jordan Sparks Sings The National Anthem. Commercial break. LET US TAKE STOCK OF THE SITUATION.

Tivo Remote CHECK
Queso CHECK
Smokies CHECK
Beer CHECK
Wine CHECK
LA Minis – sloppy joes – CHECK
Pizzas CHECK
»continue reading I am Live-Blogging Superbowl XLII From My Couch

NEWS

Lakers Pickup Gasol, Unload Kwame, Javaris

INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS

I like this move. I like a move that plugs a 7 footer and his 19 and 9 to the lineup in one fell swoop. And I especially like any move that ends with Kwame, his $9 mil a year, and his oven mitt hands in a different time zone.

Besides having just about the most awesome-sounding first name ever, Javaris (just say it a few times to yourself aloud—“Ja-VAR-is”—see what I mean—and, sure, “Pau” its own right is a pretty sweet name—like POW!—but it’s no Javaris) Crittenton has shown some spark to breakout as a star, so that’s a loss that could very well come back to haunt us. He has a ton of headroom on his game, but now he can develop on someone else’s dime, while we run for a title today.
»continue reading Lakers Pickup Gasol, Unload Kwame, Javaris

It’s early in the season, but an intervention needs to be staged. A style intervention. No, I’m not referring to Russell Westbrook’s “flaming mohawk”:

No, I am referring now to Kevin Love’s–heretofore refered to as “K. Love” in perpetuity, barring any future Mata-Real-style surname appendages–and his pencil-thin 3-in-1 sideburns/beard/Van Dyke facial hair:
»continue reading Bruin B-Ball Report: Hair Follies

6:47pm. November 17, 2007. DF prowls the streets of Echo Park on a brisk Saturday eve. This time, however, my goal is not to find a bodega that sells my favorite brand of imported Oaxacan mescal, but something even more exotic and forbidden. I take a quick left off Temple, and – oh, glorious! – dead ahead lies The Doll Factory, the steaming, teeming site that will house tonite’s contest involving the fierce yet somehow also adorable ladies of the L.A. Derby Dolls.

6:50pm. Outside the venue, a helpful gentleman security professional reminds us that guns, knives, or other implements of violence are prohibited inside. Dang. I return to my vehicle, dump off assorted assault weapons, and retrace my steps, feeling far less safe. When will the lefty-loon gun control commies learn? Guns don’t kill hard-hitting rollerchicks; bullets do.
»continue reading Bitches on Wheels: L.A. Derby Dolls @ The Doll Factory, 11/17/07

A) “No, seriously. I really think the Dodgers can win a championship with us.”

B) “Do you think I should grow back the ’stache?”

3) _________________________________.

Little known fact: I am an athlete. I not only practice ath, I am in fact quite adept at it. Much as high school mathletes are reknown nationwide for their skills at math, so am I reknown for my prowess at ath. I practice ath here. I practice ath there. I practice ath everywhere. I would practice ath with a goat and I would: I would practice ath on a boat. To be sure, I am an athlete in every sense of the word. Saturday prior I found myself three cocktails into yet another athletic endeavour: the dreaded front eight at Chavez Ridge. Join our group as we relive the moment today, won’t you.

Chavez Ridge – Elysian Park
Course Established: 2006
Description: Eucalyptus covered ridge and hillsides with steep dropoffs and spectacular views of Dodger Stadium and downtown skyline. Climb uphill trail and cross ridge road to 9th tee on opposite hillside.

Remember this part because it will be important:

steep dropoffs

11am:Five athletes assemble in the parking lot. I polish off a burrito de pastor and belch mightily. Our guide this morning sports a mischievous grin behind a robust beard, twinkling eyes and two thermoses of bloody mary. He shakes one and takes a hefty swig. Let’s do this.
»continue reading Chavez Ridge: The Front Eight

Kobe Bryant lascia i Lakers. L’annuncio era nell’aria da diverse settimane, ma ora dalle pagine del suo sito internet arriva la conferma sotto forma di lettera scritta di suo pugno nella quale spiega le motivazioni di addio che rende, parole sue, questo giorno “surreale”. Modi diversi di vedere la competizione, le ambizioni di Kobe non corrispondono più a quelle dei Los Angeles Lakers: “Ho voglia di vincere”.

da website di Kobe:

“Quando ami qualcosa tanto quanto io amo i Lakers, è duro immaginare di essere da un’altra parte. Ma l’unica cosa che non sacrificherò mai, quando si parla di basket, è la vittoria. E’ tutto chiaro, semplice. E’ nel mio Dna, è quello che mi spinge a lavorare nel modo più duro possibile. Più penso al futuro e più mi convinco che io e i Lakers abbiamo due visioni differenti”.