Antonio in the hizzle

It was just days ago that I was lamenting how much I missed my pal Antonio.

Well, Mayor Villaraigosa just came barreling through the Daily News newsroom, entourage in tow.

Today it was Motivational Speaker Antonio, who loudly (and yes, proudly) told us all to "Smile, it's a beautiful day." Could be, but I'm stuck in this windowless box editing poker columns and tomorrow's YouTube feature. And no, I don't participate in Editorial Board discussions. I've got coffee to drink ...

Anyway, before A-Dog and his posse made it to the Zebra Room (the meeting room at Daily News HQ, named for the zebra photograph on the wall, and possibly for a zebra wallpaper theme decades ago) for the Editorial Board meeting (LAUSD-centric, no doubt), he encouraged all of us to head to Griffith Park for the reopening of the observatory. He didn't mention the $5.50 shuttle bus fee.

And Antonio doesn't come without information. He even gave us the opening date -- Nov. 3. Go here for more official Observatory info, or direct for the full press release.

More: L.A. Observed on the observatory.
Daily News is all over it, too.

Update: Antonio was here about his upcoming trip to Asia. They'll never know what hit them. Oh, and the junket will cost a half-mil.

Hizzoner returned from London and Manchester last week. He should've taken mope rocker (and ice-cream eater) Morrissey with him as a guide.