SAN DIEGO (SDJW) — The U-T’s James Hebert went to New York City for the Tony Awards ceremony, in which a number of Jews were honored. Robert L. Freedman won for the best script (book) in A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder, which was refined by former Old Globe resident artistic director Darko Tresnjak. Sophie Okonedo, who describes herself as “a Jewish, Nigerian Brit” won for her portrayal of Ruth Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. Also, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical picked up awards for lead actress Jessie Mueller and for sound design. While Freedman won for lyrics in Gentlemen’s Guide, his collaborator, composer Steve Lutvak, placed behind Jason Robert Brown for The Bridges of Madison County.
*
Ed Zieralski, who covered the Belmont Stakes for the U-T, reported that while California Chrome’s owner Steve Coburn is still expressing anger over fresh horses being allowed to compete against those that ran in the two previous contests of the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby and the Preakness) quest, trainer Art Sherman has been far more conciliatory. About Coburn calling owners of fresh horses “cowards,” Sherman said: “He was caught there at the heat of the moment. He’s a new owner, emotions got in the way. He hasn’t been in the game a long time and says things. I’m sure he’ll apologize.” Concerning the injury to Chrome’s front right foot, Sherman said: “He had a chunk taken out, part of the hide. He had a superficial cut down by the tendon by the pastern. We’ll stop on him for six or seven weeks and give him some pasture time. Chrome will get some much-deserved rest.”
*
Speaking of horse racing, the U-T’s Bill Pinella noted in his “From Pages Past” column that 50 years ago jockey Willie Hartack ended his professional relationship with agent Lenny Goodman, who had persuaded him to ride Northern Dancer in a Triple Crown bid at the Belmont. Said Goodman at the time “It’s been coming now for a long time. Let’s just say it’s a personality thing. We have different personalities.”
*
As the City of San Diego’s $1.3 billion proposed budget is fine-tuned, the U-T’s David Garrick reports that City Councilmembers Marti Emerald, David Alvarez, Sherrie Lightner and Myrtle Cole are calling for the hiring of a code compliance officer to deal with illegal mini-dorms that pop up near San Diego State University. The four Democrats also are calling for the hiring of new park rangers.
*
Letter writer Amy Rothsays in the U-T that she believes it unlikely that it was just a routine matter for District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis to write a letter of recommendation for the son of a Mexican millionaire who is the subject of a federal investigation for contributing to San Diego politicians, including Dumanis, in the 2012 mayoral race. Having worked as a presidential aide at a university in New Jersey, she said, she knows that “politicians don’t write letters of recommendation to university presidents for just anyone.”
*
Preceding culled by San Diego Jewish World staff