PUBLISHING NOTICE: I’m taking the rest of the year off!

HARDWOOD HERO’S

Yesterday, Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson of the New Orleans Hornets hosted a $10,000 shopping spree for 100 Central City New Orleans children at Toys “R” Us in Metairie, Louisiana. The event is part of the Hornets annual Season of Giving initiative, which features charitable events and donations in the weeks leading up to their “Holiday at the Hive” game Saturday, Dec. 22 against the T’Wolves. (Hornets)

Mad props to both Bobby Jackson and Chris Paul for making these kids smile, but word of advice to the Hornets, all players, organizers, pr people, parents, etc., Mascots are not fun, they are scary and more often than not, they produce nightmares. Case in point-check out the little girl (top left) getting mauled by that thing…

The Detroit Pistons cut the ribbon during a ceremony to officially open the Detroit Pistons 18th Live, Learn, and Play Center at the Ronald McDonald House of Detroit. (L-R) Head Coach Flip Saunders, CFO John O’Reilly, Jarvis Hayes, Amir Johnson, Santa Claus, kids and Jennifer Litomisky (2R) from Ronald McDonald House.

Stirring up my Live, Learn and Play hormones, was Amir Johnson (L) as he made this young patient smile and Jarvis Hayes for those dimples. The Pistons completed their renovations of the Ronald McDonald House next to Children’s Hospital to include a new hardwood floor, Pistons wallpaper, laptop computers, a flat-screen television, a Nintendo Wii system, books and toys. (Pistons)

I do not like the Dallas Mav’s, I do not like them so I sayz, I do not like them on the wood, but I just may like em in the hood…(sorry, I got Dr Seuss in my head). The Mavericks hosted a holiday party for 150 kids at GameWorks at the Grapevine Mall yesterday, where Erick Dampier won me over when he hugged 3-year-old Callie Jarmon. And I’ll give props to Dirk Nowitzki and Devon Harris for being there as well, but major props go to the young kid in green for making the rounds.

Caron, Caron, Caron…what am I gonna do with you and that smile? This holiday season the Washington Wizards have been busy performing their twelve random acts of holiday cheer around the Washington, DC community. As part of the program, Caron Butler donated 200 bikes (and helmets) to underprivileged youth to the Salvation Army. (dcmetrosports) Next up: Gilbert Arenas will host a skating party for local homeless kids on the 23rd for Gilberts Christmas Dream Skate Party.

The Portland Trail Blazers are blazing their way into my libido…namely Channing Frye and Martell Webster. The Trail Blazers entertained kids from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest and Children’s Cancer Association during the team’s holiday celebration today at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS
And finally, for those of you who have watched Old School 873 times, as I have, then you’ll enjoy this parting video. Aside from Snoop’s magnificent performance alongside Hank the Tank, the movie also put the Dan Band on the map. Ideally, I would have posted the Emmy Award winning ‘Dick in a Box’ (video) featuring Justin Timberlake, but I felt it was time for the Dan Band to get some more love.
Have a safe and happy holiday…

As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.