MANY SCORES AGO: It’s not often mentioned...

MANY SCORES AGO: It’s not often mentioned in the history books, but it was Abraham Lincoln who first proclaimed the National Day of Prayer, which comes up Thursday. Churches throughout the county will hold events. . . . One example: The Nutwood Street Baptist Church, as it does annually, will put together an early morning service at the Garden Grove Community Center for all churches in the city. “That’s because our pastor, Paul Root, is a great motivator,” says Nutwood’s church secretary, Robyn Boyd. “He’s also a great believer in the power of prayer.”

NOT BLUE ENOUGH: If you’re a veteran of the El Toro Air Show, did you notice the Navy’s Blue Angels were a jet short last weekend? Usually it’s a four-jet formation, with two solos. This time: Just three in formation. . . . Reason: A new pilot had to be dropped recently “for safety reasons.” A Navy spokesman said the pilot had trouble adapting to the precision flying. But Lt. Cmdr. Doug Thompson, a veteran of past Blue Angel shows, has been retraining at the El Toro Marine base this week, and should rejoin the team soon.

OPEN HOUSE: It’s called the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, but its new president, Tony Aguilar, 45, plans to push for more non-Latino members. The overwhelming majority of its members are Latino, but it does have some white and Asian American members. Says Aguilar, who took over this week: “We welcome anybody and everybody.” . . . His goal, Aguilar says, is to “support and promote businesses of all our members.”

RUBBING ELBOWS: Maybe the Angels think it helps to be surrounded by winners. When they open a nine-game home stand at Anaheim Stadium tonight against the Oakland Athletics, members of the NCAA basketball champion UCLA Bruins will be on hand to throw out the first pitch. . . . Tyus Edney, Ed O’Bannon and Charles O’Bannon will be the Angels’ special guests for the occasion. Bruins Coach Jim Harrick will be there too. . . . The Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers will follow Oakland.