PEOPLEL.A. Law: Scads of celebrities, political luminaries...

PEOPLE

L.A. Law: Scads of celebrities, political luminaries and community leaders turned out Sunday for a reception at the law offices of Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. to celebrate the opening of his new business division and the expansion of his entertainment division. The biggest stir came when Michael Jackson and his wife, Lisa Marie Presley-Jackson, entered the lobby with an entourage of bodyguards. The couple were whisked quickly through the crowd to tour Cochran’s 10th-floor offices. Cochran, who is defending football legend O.J. Simpson in Simpson’s murder trial, presided over the proceedings at the Wilshire Boulevard office. Among well-wishers were Dionne Warwick, Angela Bassett, Robert Guillaume, Robert Townsend, Debbie Allen, Motown Records chairman Clarence Avant, City Councilman Nate Holden, Los Angeles Urban League President John Mack and playwright-actress Anna Deavere Smith, who is attending some of the Simpson court proceedings for research on a screenplay not related to the case.

ART

Budget Boost: While some Republicans have threatened to “zero out” the National Endowment for the Arts and the Institute of Museum Services, President Clinton’s 1996 budget request, released to Congress Monday, seeks small increases in the allocations to both agencies. The NEA request is for $172.4 million, up $5 million from 1995; the IMS request is for $29.8 million, up $1.1 million. NEA Chairman Jane Alexander described the largely symbolic increases as a “vote of confidence” from the President.

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On Display: The Huntington Library in San Marino will open a refurbished exhibition space today with four new shows featuring dozens of books and manuscripts never displayed before. The library’s main public hall has been dark since the November closing of a major exhibition on Abraham Lincoln, allowing designer Rob Ball and architect Barton Choy to give the hall a new look, in collaboration with exhibitions facilitator Erika Erickson. Visitors will find exhibitions on four themes: “European Origins: The Widening World of Books and Readers,” “Seeking Identity and Meaning in British and American Literature,” “Created Equal: Inventing the American Republic” and “Contested Grounds: Cultural Encounters in the American Southwest.”

TELEVISION

Lucky Pups: Quiz-show veteran and animal rights advocate Bob Barker donated $2 million to establish a foundation to fund low-cost or free spay/neuter clinics throughout the country. Barker, 71, said he will also make annual contributions and leave the bulk of his estate to the DJ&T; Foundation, named in memory of his wife, Dorothy Jo, and his mother, Matilda (Tilly) Valandra. “The Price Is Right” host, who noted he became deeply involved in animal issues after serving as chairman of a “Be Kind to Animals Week” in Los Angeles some years ago, said he doesn’t want to leave the impression that he’s only interested in animals. Taking a break from a workout in his garage gym at his Hollywood home Monday, Barker said he also contributes to people-oriented charities. “We (animal activists) care for anything living--trees, flowers, animals--and we certainly love people.” Grant applications may be submitted to Barker’s foundation at 9201 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 204, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

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No Illusion: In another link between animals and show business, Las Vegas magicians and occasional TV performers Siegfried and Roy are caring for two rare 8-week-old white lion cubs from Johannesburg, South Africa, in an effort to save the species from extinction. There are believed to be fewer than 10 white lions in the world. The illusionists were chosen for the job by the Johannesburg Zoological Society because of their previous success with the endangered white tiger. After starting 13 years ago with a male and two females, Siegfried and Roy now have 33 of the approximately 100 white tigers in existence.

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Help for Kobe: A five-hour national telethon beamed from Los Angeles Sunday via cable’s International Channel raised $133,500 for Kobe, Japan, earthquake relief. Hosts were George Takei of “Star Trek,” Amy Hill of “All-American Girl” and Mario Machado.

MUSIC

Taking the Baton: After a two-year search, Keith Lockhart, associate conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops, has been selected to succeed John Williams as conductor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. Lockhart, 35, becomes the third conductor to lead the Boston Pops since 1930, when Arthur Fiedler began his tenure. Lockhart, a 1989 conducting fellow at the former Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute, will make his Pops debut on May 10. Williams, who has scored such film megahits as “Jurassic Park” and “Star Wars,” assumes the role of laureate conductor.

POP/ROCK

A Night With Elton and Billy: Elton John and Billy Joel will resume their popular concert tour March 22 in San Diego, their only stop in Southern California, it was announced Monday. Tickets go on sale Saturday for the appearance at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. The pair will appear at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on March 24-25 before heading to points east.