Happiness

The Clippers' play on defense has slipped since the All-Star break in mid-February. And that bothers Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro to no end. "I don't think our defensive intensity is where it needs to be right now," Del Negro said. In their three losses since the All-Star break, the Clippers have given up 116 points to San Antonio, 108 to Oklahoma City and 107 to Denver. "You see some of our defensive numbers dropping a little bit," Del Negro said, "and I don't like that.

For years Melissa Rosenberg toiled away as a TV writer, jumping from one show to the next, never finding the right fit for her voice and personality. Then she landed on Showtime's "Dexter" and the combination of her dark sense of humor and the show's edgy story lines melded together in a frothy mixture of critical acclaim and avid viewership. Rosenberg was on the Emmy-winning show for four years, convinced it was the best job she would ever have in television. Until now. The 50-year-old writer-producer, now best known for her screenwriting work on the wildly successful "Twilight" movie franchise, is the show runner behind ABC's new female-driven series "Red Widow.

Robert Kennedy was a young Bill Rosendahl's hope for the White House, but Kennedy's rival, Hubert Humphrey, practiced the "happy warrior" style of politics that represents the principles Rosendahl has embraced. As he leaves the Los Angeles City Council after two terms, his eight years in office (and a diagnosis of cancer, now in remission) have not extinguished Rosendahl's cheerfulness, but they have given his warrior side an instruction booklet. He's crusaded for gay rights, for better care for the homeless and his fellow veterans, for mass transit.

WASHINGTON - For the last two years, official Washington has pursued a clearly defined budget goal - reduce projected deficits for the next decade by $4 trillion. Mission accomplished. Why so many long faces? President Obama and congressional Republicans went through their first round of cutting in 2011, shaving about $1.5 trillion from federal spending. The "fiscal cliff" deal in January brought another $720 billion, mostly in higher taxes on the wealthy. Now the automatic spending reduction package known as the sequester is projected to cut spending by about another $1 trillion over the decade, with some $85 billion coming this year.

As its title suggests, the seminal French film "Chronicle of a Summer" is a time capsule of a particular moment: Paris in 1960, the Algerian War entering its sixth year, the Holocaust still a recent wound, popular and consumer culture on the rise, and, especially among the younger population, clear signs of the discontent and frustration that would define the tumultuous decade to come. A collaboration between the anthropologist-filmmaker Jean Rouch and the sociologist Edgar Morin, "Chronicle" takes shape as a panoramic, state-of-the-nation survey.

Happy National Peanut Butter Lover's Day! To celebrate, we've compiled 11 of our favorite recipes. From massive peanut butter cookies to cream pie and peanut dipping sauce. VIDEO: How to make homemade nut butters Oh, and would you like to know how to make homemade peanut butter? It's easy. Check out the video above and read the steps below for tips. Enjoy! ALSO: Food photography 101 Go behind the scenes at the Test Kitchen Browse hundreds of recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen You can find Noelle Carter on Facebook , Google+ , Twitter and Pinterest . Email Noelle at noelle.carter@latimes.com.

Santiago Perez and his neighbors went straight to Councilman Eric Garcetti when they heard that a developer planned to build a 62-unit housing and retail development on their quiet street in Echo Park. Worried that the four-story complex would tower over homes and bring excess traffic, the group emerged from their meeting at Los Angeles City Hall feeling relieved. "He told us that, yes, he's with us and he will do everything possible to reject the plan," Perez said. But months later in front of the citywide Planning Commission, a Garcetti representative offered the lawmaker's tacit support for the project, saying it was "designed well" and would bring needed jobs and housing to the area.

The Lakers have heard Mark Cuban's comments about Kobe Bryant. They're not amused. On Friday, the Dallas Mavericks owner said in a radio interview that the Lakers should consider using their one-time amnesty provision on Bryant. Bryant has one more season and $30.5 million left on his contract. He is one of four players the Lakers can amnesty, and next season is the last chance they can use the money-saving device. The Lakers weren't thrilled with the speculation. “We're aware of Mark Cuban's comments and feel they are inappropriate,” Lakers spokesman John Black said Friday.

Happy National Margarita Day! To celebrate, we've compiled 13 of our favorite recipes . If you love a classic margarita, we've got you covered. Of course, we'll also take care of you if you'd like to get creative with a little blood orange, pomegranate or guava. Or perhaps you'd like to add a little jalapeno, horseradish or cilantro to the mix.... We include a variety of recipes, including favorites from El Coyote , Mas Malo and Border Grill (which is below.) Yes, we even include slushy margaritas.

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/article/245450   Carolyn Kellogg: Join me on Twitter , Facebook and Google+