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Updated at the bottom through the weekend...
Former LAT religion writer William Lobdell describes his born-again awakening, attempted conversion to Roman Catholicism and finally his disillusionment with God and religion after investigating the clergy abuse scandals and financial ripoffs perpetrated in the name of Jesus. It's a first-person piece in the Saturday Times.- Mirthala Salinas' relationship with Mayor Villaraigosa was an open secret in the Telemundo 52 newsroom, according to a Times story that say her fate with the network could be decided as soon as Monday. Some of her background as a Latino community star is filled in, but there's no news about the affair.
- Stats pioneer Bill James will attend Sunday's induction of James, Yankees legend Yogi Berra and author-pitcher Jim Brosnan into the Baseball Reliquary's Shrine of the Eternals. Rich Lederer of The Baseball Analysts will introduce James. Charlie Silvera, who backed up Yogi for eight seasons, will stand in for him again. David Davis' interview with Brosnan at SoCal Sports Observed is a fun read for baseball fans.
- The de la Ossa adobe on Ventura Boulevard, a former roadhouse for 19th century travelers on the real El Camino Real across the Rancho Encino, reopens to the public Sunday after thirteen years of earthquake repairs.
- Times brass got an earful about not covering the 40% of Los Angeles that sits in the Valley. SFVBJ
- David Beckham began warming up in the 66th minute and hobbled on the field in the 78th minute of the Galaxy's 1-0 defeat by Chelsea. In the house were, among others, Gov. Schwarzenegger, Brian Grazer, Katie Holmes, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Drew Carey and Kevin Garnett.