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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Obama turns 51, plays round of golf

President Barack Obama celebrated his 51st birthday Saturday with a round of golf and a quiet weekend at Camp David, taking a break from campaigning three months before Election Day.

Obama, wearing a white golf shirt, khaki pants and sunglasses, boarded Marine One at Andrews Air Force Base after about six hours on the golf course before heading to Camp David. He was joined by a small group of friends and aides that included White House chef Sam Kass, a frequent golf partner.

He returns to campaign mode soon enough, with fundraisers in Connecticut on Monday and campaign rallies in Colorado on Wednesday and Thursday.

Next weekend, Obama will hold several birthday-themed fundraisers in Chicago, including one at his family’s South Side home. Obama’s campaign used the event to drum up small-dollar donations before the end of the July fundraising deadline, offering two lucky winners the chance to attend the fundraiser at Obama’s red brick home.

In an email to supporters last month, Obama warned that his birthday “could be the last one I celebrate as president of the United States, but that’s not up to me – it’s up to you.”

Obama got some early birthday wishes on Thursday during a rally in Florida, when supporters serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.” The president joked that his birthday wishes “probably would have to do with electoral votes. Winning Florida wouldn’t be a bad birthday present.”

Spike unswayed by Brooklyn team

He’s New York’s most prominent Knicks fan. But he’s also a proud son of Brooklyn.

So would Spike Lee ever consider switching teams and rooting for the Brooklyn Nets?

No, no and no.

That’s what Lee tells the New York Times in an interview discussing his split loyalties between the Knicks and the beloved hometown borough that has been the setting for many of his films.

The Nets will play their first games in Brooklyn this fall, after moving from New Jersey.

It’s far from the first time Lee has vowed to go to his grave a Knicks fan.

Last year he tried to hammer home the point on Twitter, saying that anyone who thinks he’s switching to the Nets “is on crack, meth and malt liquor.”

The birthday bunch

Former astronaut Neil Armstrong is 82. Actress Loni Anderson is 67. Singer Rick Derringer is 65. Actress Maureen McCormick (“The Brady Bunch”) is 56. Actress Tawny Kitaen is 51. Country fiddler Mark O’Connor is 51. Actor Jonathan Silverman (“The Single Guy”) is 46.