HOW REAL? If you’ve seen “The American...

HOW REAL? If you’ve seen “The American President,” maybe Michael Douglas and Annette Bening were too dashing for you to notice the Marine band playing while they danced at the White House. It was actually the El Toro Marine Band, directed by Master Sgt. Steve Schweitzer. . . . He’s the band’s assistant director--Chief Warrant Officer Roxanne Haskill is the director. But sources say the movie’s producers apparently thought a male band director would be more realistic.

GRAND FINALE: Marching band season ends with a bang Saturday as student bands compete in Santa Ana and Van Nuys (E1). . . . More than 40 local bands will perform at Santa Ana Stadium during a 15-hour marathon beginning at 8 a.m. Hosting the event is Mater Dei High School, which has “one of the best parochial school bands in the country,” says Harvey Barrish, publisher of the nation’s only marching band newspaper, who adds: “They are among the few Southland bands honored with a Rose Parade appearance.”

ZENSATIONAL: Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson will plug his new book, “Sacred Hoops,” at Super Crown Books in Brea on Friday night--before his team plays the Clippers at The Pond of Anaheim on Saturday night. No, Jackson did not dedicate the book to Michael Jordan. But Jackson, a “Zen Christian,” does tell tales on his star. Like when he tried to persuade Jordan to try Zen, but Jordan told his coach: “I don’t need any of that Zen stuff.”

LAGUNA BELLS: Daina Bradley will thank Laguna Beach residents this weekend for the $22,000 they raised to help her replace the leg she lost in the April 19 Oklahoma City bombing. She’ll attend the city’s Holiday Parade tonight and a Monday night reception at Laguna Hills High School. . . . But there’s more: In between, she’ll marry fiance Gabe Bruce: Time and exact location are secret. Both lost children in the tragedy. Says Donna Jackson, a native Oklahoman who organized the local fund drive: “We’ve become good friends. They’re a beautiful couple.”