SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR WOODEN RESEDA POST OFFICE IS RENAMED TO HONOR FORMER UCLA COACH.Byline: JILL PAINTER Staff Writer John Wooden flies all over the country on company jets to deliver inspirational speeches. He had to travel only two miles from his Encino home Saturday to give an acceptance speech unlike any he had ever given. A major portion of Reseda Boulevard was closed to house a mini-UCLA party. The alumni band, cheerleaders Notable cheerleaders
Wooden cracked jokes, humbly thanked his family and friends and recited poetry in front of about 200 people. On this day, he also celebrated his 96th birthday. ``We all really know the reason I'm here,'' Wooden said. ``The young men under my supervision put me in the limelight. Without them, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't be invited to many places, except my family's, and that's the most important thing.'' Congressman Brad Sherman Bradley J. "Brad" Sherman (born October 24 1954) is an American politician. He has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1997, representing California's At-large congressional district. (D-Sherman Oaks) engineered the legislation that renamed the post office, and President Bush signed it in August. Sherman had to pull a few strings to get the legislation for the renaming of the government building, which usually happens posthumously. Sherman called Wooden ``the leading citizen of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. .'' A brass plaque with Wooden's name was unveiled and will be permanently affixed af·fix tr.v. af·fixed, af·fix·ing, af·fix·es 1. To secure to something; attach: affix a label to a package. 2. to the building. Wooden's daughter, Nan Muelhausen, lives in Reseda and frequents the post office. Wooden might be 96, but he's well-versed on current events, sports teams and much, much more. In 2003, Wooden received the U.S. Medal of Freedom Medal of Freedom highest award given a U.S. citizen; established 1963. [Am. Hist.: Misc.] See : Prize alongside President Bush in Washington D.C. and recounted a moment with Bush, who referred to Wooden's late wife, Nell. ``He said, `I know she's looking down and I bet Nellie is enjoying this,' '' Wooden said. ``Whatever you think of President Bush, when he said that, he went up high (on my list).'' Wooden is obviously well-schooled on the latest approval ratings for the President, and the audience roared with approval. He looked dapper Dapper lawyer’s clerk; swindled into believing himself perfect gambler. [Br. Lit.: The Alchemist] See : Dupery in a navy blue jacket, Bruins blue shirt and a bolo tie, given to him by an Indian Tribe INDIAN TRIBE. A separate and distinct community or body of the aboriginal Indian race of men found in the United States. 2. Such a tribe, situated within the boundaries of a state, and exercising the powers of government and, sovereignty, under the national he visited in North Dakota recently. He took countless pictures with post office executives, police officers and one with Gita Khanna, who works at the Reseda post office. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. anything about him, but my son knows all about him,'' Khanna said. ``I'm going to give the picture to my son. He's going to be so excited.'' Outside the post office, commemorative Wooden stamps, envelopes and frames were sold. One worker said: ``I bet some people put these on eBay later today.'' Wooden won a record 10 national championships at UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX and retired in 1975. Since then, he has written scores of books with author Steve Jamison, who came from San Francisco for the event. Former players Mike Warren, Keith Erickson and others were on hand, as was Ben Howland and UCLA gymnastics coach Valorie Kondos Field. Field thought the renaming of the post office was quite appropriate. ``He's a true champion of the written word,'' Field said. ``He writes handwritten hand·write tr.v. hand·wrote , hand·writ·ten , hand·writ·ing, hand·writes To write by hand. [Back-formation from handwritten.] Adj. 1. notes, puts them in an envelope, puts a stamp on it and sends it. Most of us are quick to send text messages or e-mails.'' When asked about the new technology, Wooden joked: ``What's that? I don't know what you're talking about.'' Wooden doesn't have a cellphone (CELLular telePHONE) The first ubiquitous wireless telephone. Originally analog, all new cellular systems are digital, which has enabled the cellphone to turn into a smartphone that has access to the Internet. or any other fancy gadgets. You don't need a cell to know where you can find Wooden. He was at VIPs Restaurant in Encino, his regular hangout, early Saturday morning. After all the festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. , everyone sang happy birthday to Wooden. Then he was off with his family -- about 35 or 40 strong -- for a meal at a local restaurant. ``I don't know much about his statistics, but he's the nicest man I've ever met,'' said waitress Jackie Hunt as she fought back tears. ``If everyone had a little bit of what he has, we'd all be better for it.'' jill.painter@dailynews.com (818) 713-3615 CAPTION(S): 2 photos Photo: (1 -- color) Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden is flanked by Bruins cheerleaders as a plaque is unveiled at the Reseda post office, which was dedicated in Wooden's name Saturday. (2) John Wooden sits between Congressman Brad Sherman, left, and daughter Nancy Wooden during dedication ceremonies. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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