Activities/News: Updated 09.29.09

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Schedule of Events

Click here to download the schedule of events.

10 a.m.
Welcome To Pier del Sol

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Silent Auction Opens - Main Stage Area

10:45 – 11 a.m.
Dave Schulz (Goo Goo Dolls, Berlin) Live Performance - Main Stage

11 a.m.
Birthday Cake Competition Judging - Pacific Park Cabanas- Free Birthday Cake for all!

11:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Lakers Legends Autograph Signing - Main Stage

Noon
Emcee Jim Hill - CBS2/KCAL9 Sports Director
Presentation to Pier del Sol Honoree
Los Angeles Lakers

12:40 p.m.
DJ Clark Kepple - The Sound Investment - Main Stage

1 p.m.
Silent Auction Closes!

1:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Dave Schulz (Goo Goo Dolls, Berlin) Live Performance - Main Stage

2 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Pacific Park Open to the General Public*

*After 2 p.m., wristbands valid for the remainder of the day on rides only.

Pier del Sol Activities

Updates as of September 29th:

Master of Ceremonies Jim Hill – CBS Sports Director

Our growing list of celebrities:
Karem Abdul-Jabbar (Updated 09.29.09)
Jerry West
James Worthy
Laker Girls
Jason Gedrick
Joey Lawrence
Tom Arnold
Christine Devine

Press Release's (Updated 09.29.09)

Click here to download the official Pier del Sol Press Release
Click here to download the Media Fact Sheet

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA – NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Kim Pine, Special Olympics Southern California
kpine@sosc.org
562.354.2611 or cell 562.221.3787

Los Angeles Lakers Honored at Annual Pier del Sol

“Birthday Bash” Celebrates Special Olympics Southern California’s 40th Anniversary

Santa Monica, Calif., Sept. 23, 2009 – The Los Angeles Lakers will be honored at Special Olympics Southern California’s 40th “Birthday Bash” on Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pacific Park on the historic Santa Monica Pier. Lakers legends Jerry West, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy will represent the Lakers, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Honorary Chair and California’s First Lady, Maria Shriver, will also attend. Shriver and Special Olympics Board Member, Anita Green, founded the event, which has raised $4.5 million since its inception in 1997. “We are thrilled to be honored by an organization as important and meaningful as Special Olympics. On behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers, I want to congratulate Special Olympics and all its athletes on 40 wonderful years in the Southern California community. We look forward to working together with Special Olympics and continuing its mission for years to come,” said Lakers General Manager, Mitch Kupchak.

Festivities also include an appearance by the Laker Girls and an exclusive opportunity to take a photo with the Los Angeles Lakers’ Championship trophy. A birthday “cake off” competition among top bakeries has also been added to the VIP brunch, which features 35 of LA’s top restaurants. A family event, participants will enjoy unlimited rides, game booths, silent auction and entertainment.

Los Angeles restaurants participating in the brunch include Angelini Osteria/La Terza, Clementine, The Grill/Daily Grill, Tanino Ristorante Bar, Sunset Restaurant and Beach Bar, Pinks, Dandy Don’s Homemade Ice Cream and others. This celebration commemorates 40 years for SOSC, which was founded by Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist, Rafer Johnson. The 1st Annual Western Regional Special Olympics held on July 26, 1969, with athletes from Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah. “What started 40 years ago with 900 athletes, three track and field events and two swimming events was the stepping stone for our organization, which has grown to 13,000 athletes,” said Bill Shumard, SOSC President and CEO. “I’m proud that Special Olympics can be credited with not only introducing sports to people with intellectual disabilities but for creating more accepting and inclusive communities.”

General admission tickets are $45 and include unlimited rides, eight game booth tickets, and a meal coupon for Pacific Park's Food Plaza. VIP tickets include unlimited rides and 12 game booth tickets and a special VIP Brunch for $150 per ticket for adults and children over age 5 and $500 for a package of 5 tickets. Tickets are available through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (213) 480-3232.

For further information, contact Special Olympics Southern California at www.sosc.org/pierdelsol or 562.354.2605. This event is presented by Westfield Corporation, the Walt Disney Company, Los Angeles Lakers and JAKKS Pacific.

About Special Olympics Southern California
In 2009, Special Olympics Southern California celebrates 40 years of changing lives through the power of sport. Special Olympics offer opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities to participate in year-round sports training and competition. Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. For more information about how to compete, volunteer, coach or donate to Special Olympics Southern California, visit www.sosc.org.

About the Los Angeles Lakers Organization
With 2,970 victories and a .617 winning percentage, the Lakers hold the best franchise record in NBA history. Additionally, with their victory over Orlando in the 2009 NBA Finals, the Lakers have now won 15 NBA Championships in all, while appearing in a staggering 30 NBA Finals. In 1979, Dr. Jerry Buss purchased the team from Jack Kent Cooke, and under his guidance, the Lakers have recorded the NBA’s highest overall winning percentage (1606-822, .661).

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