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A nearly 8-foot canvas by the great 18th century English portrait painter Joshua Reynolds recently made the journey from London’s National Portrait Gallery to the Getty Museum in Brentwood, where it will make its grand West Coast debut next month.

“The Portrait of Mai,” which depicts a regal-looking young Tahitian man who arrived in London with Capt. James Cook in 1774, was purchased by the Getty two years ago in a celebrated and rare joint acquisition with NPG after the privately held painting was put up for sale by its Dublin-based owner for more than $61 million.

“Mai” has received the royal treatment since being unpacked at the Getty late last month, as the museum’s conservation team performs a technical study that includes capturing new imaging, and uncovering pigments and materials used by Reynolds. The team is also confirming any alterations that may have been made to the painting over the last 250 years.

On a recent sunny Tuesday morning at the Getty — in a back room filled with other paintings, tucked into a corner of the hilltop museum — NPG’s visiting conservator Sally Higgs joined the Getty’s associate conservator of paintings, Kari Rayner, in an examination of the painting, which was first exhibited in 1776 at the Royal Academy in London.

Follow link for full story on the art of preserving art.

When one of his students hits the stage to try out their comedy material, Aidan Park is usually pacing back and forth in the back, hoping his students don’t forget a line.

“If a [performer] flips two words, it can tank the next six jokes,” he said. “I’m like a nervous dance mom.”

That anxiety is a different feeling from when Park is the one on stage.

“Me getting the laugh is cool,” he said. “But I’m like a football coach [when I’m teaching].”

It’s not about the jokes. It is about getting the story across, in a manner that allows the audience to relate and gives the performers the opportunity to share their story in a positive way, without feeling shame.

Through the Yay Foundation, the former comedian has helped hundreds of people struggling with some form of mental health own their stories with stand-up.

Follow link for full story on the power of comedy.

America’s grasp on Korean culture goes beyond the music and viral dance moves. The beauty products and the K-dramas, on top of the music — all of it has become a ubiquitous part of life in the United States, and that was evident on the opening day of KCON, the world’s largest annual convention and music festival that celebrates everything Korean.

Fans traveling from as far away as Hawaii flooded the South Hall of the L.A. Convention Center on Friday for the first day of the three-day event. Once inside, they were able to enjoy musical performances on two different stages, wait in endless lines to get their hands on free products from a number of Korean beauty brands and explore other aspects of Korean culture.

More important, they got to share an experience with their community. Here are some of the highlights from the first day of KCON.

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Whitmer Thomas takes a sip from his cold brew as he answers whether or not he feels like a “cool guy.”

His wavy hair sits under his hat. Reflected sunglasses cover his eyes while a second pair hangs from the collar of his plain white T-shirt.

“On paper, people have said, you know, you’re a guy in an indie rock band who does stand-up and has floppy hair, you’re technically a cool guy,” Thomas said. “But I don’t. That’s me being performative, like, trying desperately to buy the right clothes.”

He’s not worried about being cool. The only characteristic he really cares about is loyalty, especially when it comes to his guys, his buds, his “Terminal Crew of Dudes,” the title and subject of his latest HBO Max comedy special, out Friday.

“[Their friendship] means a lot, you know?” Thomas said. “It’s my entire identity. My friends and the stories that we tell together. … I almost feel, like, in debt to my friends.”

Follow link to read about Whitmer Thomas’ new special “Terminal Crew of Dudes.”

Stuntwoman Devyn Dalton never stops training. Her workouts typically consist of strength exercises, mixed with martial arts and outdoor activities like hiking and running. The only things that change in her relentless regime are the structures of her workouts, depending on the role she’s getting ready for.

“When I am [preparing] for a role specifically, I’ll definitely figure out what I need for that [character],” she said.

Sometimes it requires increased agility. Sometimes she needs to focus on athletic training.

Regardless of the role, she has to be mentally sharp and completely submerge herself into the character, to the point of invisibility.

Follow link for full story. Some pretty cool insight into the world of stunt work.

Jaylen Clark split the young basketball players into two groups and pitted them against each other in a series of one-on-one drills.

One group attacked the basket while the other played defense.

The losing team had to run suicides down the court, under 30 seconds.

Each player battled for points and a chance to impress the Riverside native, now a shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

When it was time to pay the price for losing, one of the kids didn't make the run under the set time. Instead of letting it slide, Clark had the team run again, until every player finished their suicide run under 30 seconds.

The redo wasn't meant to embarrass the young athlete. It wasn't meant to make a fool out of anyone.

It was meant to demonstrate the work ethic needed to be successful in basketball.

In today's world of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), families often spend thousands of dollars chasing lessons like this.

At the JRock Community Camp, an annual basketball clinic, that kind of wisdom only cost $25.

Just the right lesson for the NBA player to pass along to the community that shaped who he is.

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A new era is upon UCR baseball.

After finishing the season 15-37 overall and 10-20 in Big West play, while hitting .236 as a team and posting an 8.43 ERA, it was time for the Highlanders to rebuild from the ground up.

UCR needed more than a quick fix. It needed a reason to believe it could climb out of the hole.

Enter Gregg Willis, the new head coach of the Highlanders, who's hoping to lead UCR to its first winning season since 2010 by changing the culture of the team.

Just the kind of reset the program desperately needs.

Follow link for full story.

A conga line breaks out, winding through the Farm House Collective in Riverside. Fans dance, throw their hands in the air, sing along to the music and, yes, enjoy a few drinks as the celebration weaves through a sea of green jerseys.

The viewing of Mexico's opening match against South Africa at the World Cup turned into more than just a soccer game. It turned into a carne asada, a barbecue with fans ready to kick off the tournament.

As the song underscoring the chain dance, "El Za Za Za," declares in its opening line: "Que comiense la fiesta!" Let the festivities begin. Soccer fever is moving through the United States as relentlessly as Lionel Messi charging at a back line, and Riverside is feeling it.

From jerseys representing countries across the tournament seen all around town to watch parties popping up around the city, the World Cup is physically making itself felt. This is the kind of vibe Riverside needs to continue once its professional team joins the United Soccer League.

Follow link for full column.

Trying to catch the 4th of July fireworks show at Mt. Rubidoux. Where’s the best place to catch it? Any tips?

Thanks!