MAY / JUNE 2019 ISSUE

USA $7.50 INTERNATIONAL $9.50

MAY / JUNE 2019 ISSUE

MAGAZINE

KIRA TAYLOR ADVOCATE, SINGER, AND

CYSTIC FIBROSIS WARRIOR

RIC ZWEIG

FROM JUDGE TO MUSICIAN, HE’S NEVER MISSED A BEAT

ROOM FOR RENT BY FILMMAKER

TOMMY STOVALL

FASHION DESIGNER

ANGELICA TIMAS

ISBN 978-1-365-58375-9

90000

9 781365 583759

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Ric Zweig – From Judge to Musician, He’s Never Missed a Beat Kira Taylor – Advocate, Singer, and Cystic Fibrosis Warrior Shaun Between Worlds FILM Future World Division 19 Helmer, Suzie Halewood Make Room for Tommy COVER STORY Angelica Timas – Passion, Fashion, and Success

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SUE’S COFFEE TALK

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SHORT STORY

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HUMAN INTEREST

64 70 www.facebook.com/citytocountrymagazine/

ENTERTAINMENT Makenzie Rosario

Reboot, Reset, Revitalize A Child's Miracle Parenting Squads – The Support Systems Every Parent Needs

TAMMY’S KITCHEN

Making a Four-Course, Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home with Ease

ACTING TIPS

Acting Tips with Madeleine Wade

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MEET THE TEAM President/Publisher/Co-Owner Vice President/Director of Operations/Co-Owner Executive Editor/Managing Editor

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Contributed by Jonathan Route

MAKENZIE ROSARIO CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

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i, my name is Makenzie, and I am 12. I was born to a mother who was incarcerated. I lived with her, as she went through rehab programs, after she got out of prison. My mom spent lots of time with me. As far back as I can remember, I have always been a kid who likes to pretend. I used to annoy my sisters and make them pretend with me. I would choose a character, and I’d make them choose a character from the show, and we would pretend to be them. They would record me singing, acting, and playing, no matter where I was. When I was upset, I would act as if I was someone else who was not going through whatever I was going through. It made me feel better. To this day, I still pretend/act. It’s kind of embarrassing, but I don’t really care.

“I’ve been through a lot. I was diagnosed with depression when I was nine or ten and went to therapy for three years. As I was going through these times, I was going through it acting. It was always there and always helped me get through it. When I was younger, I made my mom call the number I kept hearing on the radio in the car. It always said, ‘If you want to be a Disney Channel star like the kids from the show Jesse and Bunk’d, call the number…’ I called and went to the DCU Center, and I tried out. They said, ‘Yes,’ but when they told my mom the price, she didn’t have enough money. So, we forgot about it. Then, we go the next year and the next year and the next year and the next year, and the same thing always happened. They would tell us the price, but we didn’t have enough money. One year, I went, and they gave me a scholarship. That’s when acting and modeling started getting serious for me.

"Yeah, sometimes I felt like I should just give up, but it is my dream and where I feel the best version of myself. I persevered, and now, I made it to the start of my journey.”

“I went to Barbizon for acting and modeling. I got a scholarship there, two years in a row. I enjoyed it very much. Then, I got invited to Waltham for a competition and was called back. I was invited to Washington, DC, for a competition and ended up winning a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico. On the cruise, you had to act and model to try to find a manager and/or an agent. I was told the most callbacks most people got was 10 and not to worry, if I got less.

After I did the competition, I was waiting for the number of callbacks I got. The next day, I woke up and had 30 callbacks. At that moment, I was so thankful. I didn’t know what to do with myself! It was so crazy that the average callbacks I would get is 10, and I got 30.

“Then, I met a bunch of agents and managers, and a lot of them said they liked me. When I was leaving, I ran into someone that I thought I would never run into, Ted Maier. He is an agent/manager and works for the Disney Channel. He posted a picture of me on Facebook. He said he knew a man that could guide me and gave us Chris Neville’s contact information. I met with Chris Neville, and he introduced me to his acting classes and invited me. I decided to go, then from there, somehow, I got another scholarship to go to the acting classes. I got invited back three years in a row, and I went every year. In those three years, I made a lot of friends, and Chris Neville is now my manager.

“Now, I’m doing photoshoots with Jonathan Route. Getting in front of the camera just makes me feel so awesome, because this is my dream. It’s my happy place. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to do acting and modeling, and it is starting to come true. Yeah, sometimes I felt like I should just give up, but it is my dream and where I feel the best version of myself. I persevered, and now, I made it to the start of my journey.” ~ Makenzie Rosario

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akenzie is an amazing, young talent. A few years ago, I received a phone call from my agent in Hollywood, Ted Maier, saying that he was referring someone to me and that they would be calling. He had met Makenzie at a Barbizon event, where she was 1st Runner-up at the 16th annual competition, Barbizon Monologue Winner at the 16th annual competition, Passport to Discovery 1st Runner-up for Improv, and Passport to Discovery Grand Finale runway walk. Quite frankly, if she had been living in Los Angeles, Ted would have signed her right away. Ted and I had worked together for years, and he knew I was in the area, so he didn’t hesitate to send her my way. Soon after, I received a phone call from Makenzie’s mom, and we met to talk about Makenzie and the possibility of me managing her. It was a no-brainer for me. She just blew me

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away. Makenzie is talented, confident, fearless, and knows how to control a room, even at her young age. She has been training with us at The Actor’s Loft in Worcester and has been coached by both myself and Jordan Tofalo. Working with her, you can tell that she is passionate about performing. Her imagination is amazing, and her ability to improvise is stellar. Anyone can see that she is meant to be a star, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this young lady. Now that we’ve got some new headshots for her, we’ll be making a big push to get her out there to be seen by industry professionals. Once they see what we’ve seen, they’ll want to book her as often as they can.” ~ Chris Neville, Makenzie’s Manager

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akenzie is the definition of a multitalented artist.

She is a beautiful person on the inside, as well as the outside. I had the pleasure of teaching her in my acting classes. This is where I was able to see her shine. In one class, I recall Makenzie asking if she could sing in front of everyone, once she finished performing her monologue. She did, and she was wonderful. I admired her courageous outlook and willingness to practice her craft. She is hardworking, unshaken, fearless, and focused.

Makenzie always brings a great attitude with her and is always willing to be pushed past her comfort zone as an artist. I noticed a few instances when Makenzie’s enthusiasm and passion helped her peers feel more comfortable when they were apprehensive about performing during class. Being a film director, I am always looking for actors who have the ability to push their scene partner to the next level, and Makenzie has this ability. I have no doubt in my mind that Makenzie will go far in her career. She is a natural performer.

It is rare to find such a young, upbeat, and ambitious talent like Makenzie. I look forward to seeing her excel in whatever path it is she wishes to take.” ~ Jordan Tofalo, Makenzie’s Acting Coach

Jonathan Route, Photographer J. Route Photography www.jroutephoto.com

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From Judge to Musician, He’s Never Missed a Beat Written by Terri R. Bassett

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n the March/April 2017 issue of City to Country Magazine, we met a very interesting man named Ric Zweig. After retiring from a lengthy career in the criminal court justice system, Ric picked up his guitar and began a whole new journey in life.

Based in Hollywood, Florida, he has now been a part of the music industry for over a decade.

High praise has been given to Ric’s music. In a review of his album, Running Out of Time, Russell Eldridge stated, “If Bob Seger, Tom Petty, and David Bowie were to jam around a campfire, you would get an idea of Ric Zweig’s music.” Recently, Ric was nominated for a 2018 Oski Music Award, an annual event that honors musicians from the South Florida music scene, as Best Local Singer/Songwriter.

Ric has had a music project that he’s wanted to do for quite some time, and he is proud to present his new video, “Box,” which was just released in February 2019. The song was written over 15 years ago by songwriter and lyricist Oski Gonzalez. Tony Colella directed the video. Let’s catch up with Ric and learn more about his latest accomplishment!

CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE: Hello, Ric! Last time we spoke with you, you and your band, Fresh Air, had relocated to New Orleans. What happened with that venture??

ZWEIG: It started out great. We had a fabulous time. The first few months went really, really well. Then, I got ill, because I think I over-partied. Sometimes, you can have too much fun in life, and that’s what happened. I ended up having to come back to South Florida, temporarily. When I went back, it seems the young guys decided to move on without me. I had handpicked each one, and they were all very talented. So, I saw the handwriting on the wall, and even though there was SO much opportunity there, I decided, for health reasons and because I missed a lot of my friends in South Florida, to come back to South Florida. In retrospect, it was exactly the right decision at the right time.

When the band disintegrated, as most bands do, it allowed me to finally concentrate on my solo career, and that’s what I’m doing now. I have no regret at all about going to New Orleans. I did play guitar every day for 2-3 hours a day. I’d never done that at any time during my musical life. By doing so, it really accelerated my guitar playing to a standard that I didn’t even think I was capable of. That worked out great. Now, I feel I’m good enough, as a guitar player, to accompany myself. I like being a solo performer.

Being in a band is like being married to 3-4 women at the same time. It’s never easy.

But I had a great time in New Orleans, and I think one of the most memorable experiences in my entire life was playing at Mardi Gras. We had so much fun! It was just amazing. We played on the street, and it’s incredible how much money we made in such a short time. So, that experience, alone, made the whole CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

venture really worthwhile. New Orleans is, without a doubt, in my opinion, the most seductive city in the US. It gets under your skin, especially if you’re into music. It’s a must to visit. One of my guys is still there, and I remain very friendly with him, lead guitar player Alexander Mallet. He and I are in contact all the time. He’s doing great there with his career. I feel I’m doing wonderfully well here in South Florida, so it’s all good.

CTCM: Now that you’re back in Florida, what have you been doing around the music scene there?

ZWEIG: I’ve been writing a lot of songs. I play live at least twice a week. That’s another thing that is so important that I have learned. The first few years that I was into music, I was basically a studio musician. I lacked the confidence of going out and performing in front of people. It got to a point where I felt very, very comfortable in the studio, and I really felt I knew what I was doing. I’m one of those people who is always looking for a new frontier to try to conquer. The challenge was to see if I could take what I learned as a studio musician and take it into live performances. So, that’s when I started being in bands. I’ve done a lot of things in my life. I was a professional boxing judge for 10 years. I was a paratrooper in the Army. I was a trial lawyer, a teacher, and a judge. But nothing have I enjoyed as much as performing live, whether it’s solo or with a band. So, I go out at least twice a week. South Florida is an absolute hotbed of talented musicians. It’s not uncommon to come across somebody who has had significant success in the music business. It’s very easy to meet these people and jam with them. It’s just a wonderful thing.

I do have a pretty big gig coming up in April. I’ll be playing in a 500-seat auditorium with a bunch of other singer/songwriters here in Pembroke Pines, Florida, so I’m looking forward to that.

There’s always something to look forward to, as far as performing.

It’s a good life. I think what I’ve learned is that there is life after a career as a criminal court, circuit court judge, which I did for 30 years. That was an all-consuming job. There was no room for music when I was doing that. So, now, I have the time and good health, so I hope for more of the same.

CTCM: Oski Gonzalez wrote “Box” over 15 years ago. How and when did you discover the song? How did the song come to mean so much to you?

ZWEIG: I had never done a cover song before. I do my own stuff. I met Oski about 15 years ago, maybe even longer. He was performing at a very well-known club in Miami called Tobacco Road. We just started talking during intermission. He’s really a cool guy. He was interested in me, and I was interested in him, because we were both songwriters. He handed me an album and said, “Ric, take this album. After you get a chance to listen to it, let me know what you think.” Like most people, I took the CD and let it sit in my car for at least a month. I hadn’t listened to a single second of it. Then, one day, I said, “Let me throw this in the CD player,” expecting it to be the usual garbage, when out

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came Oski’s version of “Box.” I’m listening to it, and I listened to it again, then I listened to it again. When I got home, I couldn’t get the song out of my brain. It was plaguing me!

I’ve experienced that before, we all have, but not to the degree that this song did. “Box” is the story of a homeless guy who lives in a cardboard box. There’s a hook in that tune that should get into your brain.

CTCM: What was behind your passion to make the video?

ZWEIG: I knew I wanted to cover it back then, but I didn’t have the voice to do it at that time. It’s not an easy song to sing, plus I didn’t know Oski well enough to have the audacity to ask him. Over the years, he and I have become pretty friendly. I’ve played many, many times at his club, Tobacco Road.

As our friendship progressed, I finally got up the nerve to say, “Oski, your song ‘Box’ is so great. Would you kindly be willing to give me permission to cover that tune?”

He replied, “Ric, I’ve been waiting for you to ask me that for years! I always thought that your voice would work for that tune.”

So, I decided to go ahead with it. I wasn’t overwhelmed with confidence that I could pull it off. His version of the song is 5 minutes and 40 seconds long, which is not radio friendly. So, a lot of it had to get cut, yet I had to maintain the structural integrity of the tune to make it work.

I guess the jury is still out on if I succeeded or not, but I was able to at least please myself. I think it came out pretty decent, and Oski has given me every indication that he likes it as well. For a low-budget, modest, local effort, it ain’t too shabby. [YouTube views] aren’t really the criteria I use to judge success. The criteria I use is, “Is it a decent tune?” Local reaction has been very positive. So, I’m delighted with the way it turned out. Will I ever do another cover? Probably not, but I think me doing a cover of Oski’s song has prodded and possibly convinced other singer/songwriters to consider doing other musician’s stuff.

I think it benefits everybody when songwriters do that. I wouldn’t make a career of doing other people’s songs, but every once in a while, if it’s a song that affects me as much as “Box” affected me initially, then I’m likely to do it.

CTCM: How did you finally get to realize your dream to film the video? What made it all come together?

ZWEIG: A guy by the name of Tony Colella, who is a local

videographer here in South Florida and an exceptional musician, did it. As well, he did my previous video, “Here Comes the Rain.”

When I finished the audio portion of “Box,” I was having dinner with Tony one night and said, “Check this out and see what you think.” He said, “Boy, that would be a good video. I think I could do something for you there. Do you want a video for this?” I replied, “I think it’s logical at some point.” I finished the audio back in November, so it sat for November, December, and January. I think I got together with Tony sometime in January, played the song for him, and he liked it. I should mention that he participated in the tracks. He played bass guitar on the track, did a little backup singing, and I think he put down an acoustic guitar track for the tune. He hadn’t heard the finished product, but he’d been in the studio with me. So, he offered to do the video and whipped it out pretty quickly. For a video to be successful, I think it’s the song that has to be good. If the song sucks, I don’t care how high-tech or how good the video is, at least in my mind, it does not work. It’s the audio portion that makes people want CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

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help from YouTube, so it would be very costly litigation. It’s caused a problem.

Basically, now, musicians play for free and make music for free. The only way to make money in music is in live shows. If you’re The Eagles, you can get a tremendous appearance fee of a million dollars, and you can make money, but I don’t know if anybody is making money, now, on recordings or CDs. You’ve got to love the music to do this, and I do. I’m not in it to get rich or make any money.

to watch the video. We’ll see what happens. But I’m not even worried about the destination. I had a great time doing it. It’s a wonderful experience. I love making music. I love putting stuff on YouTube.

CTCM: What is your opinion of YouTube?

ZWEIG: YouTube is a real problem. I’m going to go off on a bit of a tangent here. A lot of people have filmed me performing live. Without my permission, stuff ends up on YouTube. It sucks!

It’s terrible! It’s not produced properly. It’s not mic’d properly.

The camera is shaky. It’s not professional, but I have no control over preventing people from doing that. I can imagine what a problem it must be for someone who is really famous. They have to be very careful when they go out and perform. But to just show up to a club, like musicians have been doing for 50 years, and just pick up a guitar, it’s going to end up on YouTube, and the artists are not going to make any money off of it, and it can sully their reputation. When I watch it myself, I just want to vomit. I’m like, “Oh, my God, if somebody is checking me out and this is what they see, they’re going to say, ‘This guy sucks.

Why is anybody talking about this guy?’” I think that’s a real problem for artists these days. People post it, because they can make money off it. They can monetize it, if they get a certain number of views and have a certain number of subscribers.

Everyone, now, has their own channel on YouTube. These people are not interested in doing anything other than trying to make money for themselves, which the artist gets nothing of and may not even know it exists. I guess there’s probably a way to seek damages, if you want to hire an attorney and sue them, but they are very careful about not using their real names. Tracking them down is not so easy, and you would probably need considerable CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

Somewhere out there is a Mozart, Beethoven, George Gershwin, Jimmy Hendrix, Etta James, or Judy Garland who is not getting heard, because of how the music industry has evolved. I don’t know how to change it. I just enjoy my music friends. Whether they play or not, we all have the same thing in common. We all have a passion for the music. That’s what counts – relationships that we make as we go along and the joy of playing.

CTCM: In my research, I noticed that you have played and spoken at more than one medical marijuana concert. Given the present state of marijuana laws around the nation and your career in the justice system, combined with your support of its medical use, I think you must have an amazing understanding and informed opinion on this subject. What can you tell us about the medical use of marijuana and its highly-debated, but successfully-growing, trend of legalization?

ZWEIG: Well, let me just start off by saying I was on the bench as a circuit court judge. I tried first-degree murder cases. I was a felony court judge for 30 years. Before I became a judge, I was a capital crimes defense attorney. When I got appointed to the felony bench in 1987, I tried over 500 jury trials in my career.

Now, all that means is that I’ve got a lot of experience. It doesn’t mean I was a good judge or a bad judge, but I certainly paid my dues and spent a lot of time there. My career is over now, but the thing I’m most proud of is that, in 30 years as a judge, I never ever once put anybody in jail or prison for marijuana. I just didn’t do it. It made me controversial. It brought me criticism publicly and from my colleagues. I told them, “Well, if someone wants to run against me on that issue, then maybe they’ll beat me, and I’ll go back to being a trial lawyer. If that’s what it takes to get me off the bench, so be it, but as long as I wear that black robe, I will NEVER EVER lock somebody up for marijuana. It’s INSANE to do that, absolutely insane.”

Amazingly, as controversial as I was, nobody ever ran against me.

I was unopposed every single time. I always expected somebody

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would run against me, but they never did. So, maybe I was doing something right. But it’s insane to put somebody in jail for smoking a plant that has positive health attributes. There is no question about it that people can benefit, some people, not all people, by smoking marijuana. I happen to be Exhibit A! Of all the years I sat on the bench, do you know how many times I smoked pot in 30 years? Zero! I didn’t want to embarrass my colleagues. I didn’t want to embarrass the profession, and I had too much respect for the job. When I was in college, I got stoned every day. It was just a way of life at that time. When I became a lawyer, that was it. I was a prosecutor, defense attorney, county judge, circuit judge, and senior circuit judge. But then, there came a day when I retired. I got high that night. During that 30year period of being a judge, I suffered from sciatica. My brother was a doctor, but his only advice was to take Advil. So, I took Advil. God knows how much damage I did to myself taking it.

Well, when I retired from the bench, I started smoking pot again, because I wasn’t a judge anymore. Low and behold, the pain from my sciatica was decreased by like 80%! I’m going, “Oh, my God, I could have been doing this all that time!” Instead, I suffered for 30 years! What kind of insanity, what kind of legal system, what kind of social system wants to make criminals out of people who are having medical problems, when there is something available that will help these people, but they are forbidden from taking it?

Is that logical? Is it logical for a society to adhere to that doctrine?

I say, “No.” Now, the interesting thing is that I’m not alone on an island. Two years ago, it was on the ballot here in Florida. In a shocking result, 72% of voters voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana.

Do you know how often a candidate gets 72% in a statewide election? NEVER! NOTHING gets 72%! A landslide is 4555%. It’ll ultimately be legalized everywhere, eventually, because it’s going to provide tax revenue for states, and they can use that tax revenue to fight real problems like opioid addiction, which is a terrible, terrible, problem. We just need a real intelligence in our legislatures and in the offices of our governors.

CTCM: Considering the monetary ties between the government and pharmaceutical companies, do you think the federal government will ever legalize marijuana?

ZWEIG: Eventually, it will happen. Things change. It’ll take some time, but ultimately, there is too much revenue to be had. Money always carries the day in any issue. Of course, we’ll continue to enforce laws that restrict smoking marijuana while driving and accessibility to minors. This can all be done in an intelligent, logical way. It will get done. There is no question about it at this point. My position on marijuana has been the same since I was a kid in college, and my position has never changed, and it never will. And I don’t care who knows it. It’s my right to express myself. I feel with the 72% passage here in Florida, I’m in pretty good company. It was very interesting to watch the issue evolve

over many years. Every year, the opposition got a little bit softer, until eventually, all the people that hated me in the beginning, now they’re my best buddies, you know. I found it humorous.

CTCM: What would you tell someone interested in learning to play music?

ZWEIG: Don’t be afraid to fail. Be adventurous and just start doing it. We all speak English, which is a very difficult language to learn. I think it’s just a matter of being exposed to it. Don’t worry about what people say, and before long, you’ll be making progress. Anybody can play music. Singing is another thing.

You really have to apply yourself. Believe me, I’m still a work in progress. It’s been 15 years since I retired, and I sucked really bad in the beginning, but I just refused to give up. I just kept working at it. I’ve achieved my goals through polite persistence, which goes a long way, in my opinion.

CTCM: Do you have any specific plans for future musical endeavors?

ZWEIG: To have fun each and every day. I’m putting the final vocal tracks down for one of my original songs called “The Stranger.” We’ve been working on it the past week, and it’s coming together very, very quickly. The plan is that it will be the next video. I’ll probably wait at least five months to give “Box” a chance to see if we reach 10,000 [views on YouTube], which is the short-term goal. I think we’ll make that by summer, so we’ll be ready to shoot and release the video for “The Stranger” then. Like most songwriters, I’m always the most excited about whatever I’m working on at the present time. So, I’m excited about that. I’ve got the big show coming up in the auditorium, which the promoter is very confident that we will sellout. That’s always great fun to perform in front of a large audience. I just want to have fun each and every day.

CTCM: Thank you, Ric, for taking time to give us another glimpse into your life and music. You were a delight to talk to. We wish you much success and lots of good times, as you continue on your musical journey.

ZWEIG: Thank you, Terri. I look forward to the article.

CTCM: We would like to thank Yvonne Laughlin, Publicist and Owner of Yvonne’s World (www.yvonnesworld.com), for turning us on to the incredibly smart, cool, talented, and fun Ric Zweig! www.riczweig.com “Box” Video https://youtu.be/tWcJTx_pBoA “Here Comes the Rain” Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e4LhCi-FFU

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Written by Jess Svenson

FUTURE WORLD HELMER, SUZIE HALEWOOD CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

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JESS SVENSON: Hello, Suzie! Where are you from?

SUZIE HALEWOOD: London.

SVENSON: How did you become a filmmaker?

HALEWOOD: I’d love to say my dad bought me an 8mm camera when I was a kid (he did) and that I never went anywhere without it (I did), but the truth is, I was always quite obsessed with film, without noticing it. After studying mathematics, then art, my sister suggested I try the film industry, which she thought combined the two and my love of film. My sister’s usually right.

SVENSON: Have you fused your childhood interests into the stories you write?

HALEWOOD: Whatever you believe in or rail against, those themes will come up in the writing: an overbearing state, the innocence of youth, nostalgia for a less-complicated time, etc.

Aside from subject matter, the structure or theme that seems to repeat itself in the stories I’ve written, so far, is brotherhood (Bigga Than Ben, Division 19) or maybe the internal fight between the animus and the anima. It’s probably why I like cowboy films or spaghetti westerns. I find the sensibilities of the male more fascinating, purely because I’m not one.

SVENSON: Where does the interest in dystopian futures come from?

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HALEWOOD: I think we’re in a dystopian present. We have religious organizations that prey on children, murder babies, and approve genital mutilations, daily, and people still worship at these altars. But should anyone openly challenge this, they will be branded and ostracized. War makes money, poverty would eradicate much of society’s ills (but who’s going to bother with that, when the poor have no influence?), and sociopathic leaders not only get away with it, but go on to make billions from their crippling legacies. In terms of the future, I’m not worried about aliens landing. I’m worried about them leaving.

took that one. You can’t really do it all and give each job the effort it requires. Plus, you don’t want to have artistic conversations with someone you then have to have a financial discussion with or sign documents on set. It’s discombobulating for all. But in the end, you do whatever it takes to get the film made, even sell your house. I had that conversation with David Putnam, who explained how he would have lost his house had the financing for Chariots of Fire not come through, which they did at the eleventh hour. When I recounted that story to someone else, they said, “Yes, but he owned the street.” Everything’s relative.

SVENSON: You’re a sci-fi fan?

SVENSON: How close to real-world events do you think the film is?

HALEWOOD: Not specifically as a genre. If I had to choose a favorite genre, it’d be the western. But I do love films about what it is to be human (Blade Runner, Moon). I also like mindbenders (Pi, Primer) and the work of Arthur C. Clarke and Philip K. Dick (the K stands for Kindred – as all sci-fi fans probably know). I especially like Dick’s Time Out of Joint, where a man slowly begins to believe the world he inhabits isn’t real. But then, what is? If you daily question whether everything you see or touch is or isn’t real, you would surely go mad. Or would you just appear mad in a world willing to accept all that it is spoon-fed? Maybe the madness is actually believing it.

SVENSON: Being an independent film, I imagine you ended up wearing more hats than originally intended. Can you talk about all the things you did on the movie?

HALEWOOD: Well, the furthest away from my job description was day one in Detroit, when two drivers hadn’t shown up. In the parking lot was a grip truck, a van, me, and the production manager (PM). The PM didn’t want to drive the grip-truck, so I

HALEWOOD: We’re already here. Look at Christchurch. People not only watched the nutjob’s headcam footage, but they also shared it – as entertainment. There’s a Herbert Van Thal horror story about two neighboring, rival cinema chains that constantly up the ante in a bid to win audiences. The films get more and more violent, and when interest wanes, they introduce the bubonic plague into a few ice cream tubs and include a random rapist at certain performances. The whole thing descends into a bloodbath, all in the name of entertainment. So, yes, I don’t think we’re far off jails being opened to the public like Big Brother. It’s an easy sell, if it helps finance the expanding prison business. But the other side of the Division 19 story is also true. We, as the taxpayers, could wield more power, don tools, if necessary. The time is now.

Division 19 is now showing in select theaters and available On Demand.

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MAKE ROOM FOR TOMMY Written by Jess Svenson

F

ilmmaker Tommy Stovall talks about his highly-anticipated new film, Room for Rent, starring legendary actress Lin Shaye, which is now screening in theaters and available on digital from Uncork’d Entertainment.

JESS SVENSON: Hi, Tommy. Tell us how you got into filmmaking.

TOMMY STOVALL: When I was a teenager, I made some horror movies with friends, just for fun. Then, I ended up studying TV and film in college and, eventually, had my own video production company for many years. I always had a desire to give indie filmmaking a real shot, and eventually, that’s what I did.

SVENSON: Did any film, in particular, inspire you to take the road?

STOVALL: Not really any one film, in particular. I just loved movies, in general, and wanted to be a part of making them.

I was inspired by a lot of the indie films being made in the ‘90s, because as technology kept changing and equipment kept becoming more accessible and affordable, filmmakers could make quality films on lower budgets.

SVENSON: As a kid, were you shooting Super-8 films in your backyard?

STOVALL: Pretty much, except that I had a VHS camcorder, instead of a Super-8 camera. Making videos became an obsession, and for a while, it’s how I spent most of my free time.

SVENSON: Any filmmaker school?

STOVALL: I have a degree in Radio/Television/Film from the University of Texas.

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SVENSON: Where did you grow up?

STOVALL: I was born and raised in Llano, Texas, a small rural town in Central Texas.

SVENSON: Did Room for Rent shoot there?

STOVALL: No, we shot Room for Rent where I live now, in Sedona, Arizona.

SVENSON: How did Lin Shaye get involved?

STOVALL: I had worked with Lin twice before. She was in my first two films, Hate Crime and Sedona. When I found the script for Room for Rent, I sent it to her to see if she’d be interested, and she ended up wanting to do it.

SVENSON: Tell us about working with Lin. What did you learn from her?

STOVALL: Lin is incredible to work with. She’s a lot of fun and fascinating to watch. I’ve learned a lot about the actor’s process, or perhaps what it should be, from Lin. She really gave it her all with this project.

SVENSON: Did she have any suggestions for the material that you took on?

STOVALL: Oh, yes. With this film, we had a few months to develop the character of Joyce, and Lin really took advantage of that. She delved deep into Joyce’s backstory, and we talked a lot, during those months, about ideas of who Joyce is and why she does the things she does. Lin was very detailed in analyzing the character’s choices and things she would say.

SVENSON: Was the storyline inspired by a real incident?

STOVALL: Not that I know of. The writer, Stuart Flack, had the idea of doing a story about a woman with regrets and what those regrets could lead to later in life.

SVENSON: How much does a theatrical release mean to you?

STOVALL: It’s always fun to have your film viewed by an audience in a theater, so I’m glad we have that opportunity. I think Lin’s performance, alone, deserves a theatrical release.

SVENSON: Will the film put people off renting their rooms out from here on?

STOVALL: Ha! Somehow, I don’t think so, but perhaps it might make people a little more cautious about checking out the person they’re renting a room from. I think that’s a good thing.

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Angelica Timas, Fashion Designer (left) Laura Shi, Model (right) Myke Yeager, Photographer

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"Realize your dreams with determination, hard work, and persistence. When you have passion, you unleash this brute force within you called creativity, but remain true to yourself, always."

Written by Sue McGaughey

PASSION, FASHION, AND SUCCESS

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Designer Angelica Timas' Daughter, Naysa Kaira DaSilva Nigel Fubara, Photographer

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t a young age, Angelica found that she had a keen interest in women’s fashion. She liked to sketch, and sometimes, she thought about what she would look like in her own clothing designs. She also liked storytelling and uniqueness. One would think it was a no-brainer that Angelica would graduate high school and go off to fashion school. However, that’s not how it all unfolded for her.

Angelica’s family moved to the US from Portugal. Eventually, during her high school years, her father retired and moved back to the Cape Verde islands. She was still a minor, so her mother decided to stay in the States with her, while she finished her education. Angelica felt a sense of guilt about her mother staying behind. Although she loved fashion, she realized she needed a job with a lucrative salary, so she could support herself and her mom could go to be with her dad in the Cape Verde islands. Her main objective was to be educated in a financially-stable field that would allow her to do what she needed to do.

Angelica grew up watching one of her brothers, who she refers to as a tech geek, eat, breathe, and live technology, more so programming and development. So, at a young age, Angelica had a curiosity for technology. She ended up following in her brother’s footsteps. She even confesses to being a bit of a tech geek, herself, now. She attended Suffolk University and Northeastern University, where she earned two master’s degrees – one in Computer Science, the other in Professional Studies in Informatics. She signed-up for work study in college, tutoring and working a good 25-30 hours in the Boston University bookstore, to make money to help pay for her tuition. Angelica was a teen with a mission to gain knowledge, feed her curiosity, and eventually, find a well-paying job that would help her to become a strong, independent woman, as well as become selfsufficient. At that time, the technology field was rapidly evolving and booming, and everyone wanted to get into it. To Angelica, that profession seemed like a much more sensible one, rather than fashion. She knew the tech industry pay scale would be more reliable than that of a young fashion designer who was trying to pave her way.

Even though Angelica had moved into the tech field, she still loved fashion. It was always in the back of her mind. She married at the age of 23 and had a beautiful daughter with her husband.

Later, the marriage ended in divorce. Although Angelica was actually doing very well, she had a six-figure income and a beautiful daughter, her divorce took a devastating emotional and psychological toll on her. “The divorce was very ugly and not amicable at all. It was a very tough time for me,” she said. In retrospect, the divorce did have one positive outcome. Angelica began her journey in fashion. She continued, “I was cleaning out the basement, to rid myself of his presence, when I came across two boxes of sketches I had done throughout the years, as well as related fashion items.” This got Angelica in the fashion mindset again. Delving into fashion allowed her to shift her focus from the divorce and all the negativity that came with it. In a sense, the process became therapeutic for her. A good friend and coworker, Pam French, kept insisting she should pursue her passion for fashion and carve her own path into the industry. Angelica said,

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“Pam caught me sketching during my breaktimes and insisted my work was amazing. She really kept encouraging me to just go out and do it.”

Angelica began to sketch again and taught herself how to sew, make patterns, and do everything that had to do with fashion. Although professionally accomplished, there was still something leaving a void somewhere in her life, and her passion for fashion was about to fill that. Even though she was a little apprehensive, she was excited to start working to be a fashion designer. Angelica kept her designing a secret for a while. She said, “My biggest obstacle was fear of rejection. I’ve always handled constructive criticism well. I think it is part of the learning process. However, what I didn’t deal well with was negative criticism like, ‘You’re a seamstress now,’ and ‘Stick to your day job.’” Some people discouraged Angelica by reminding her of how many people wanted to be fashion designers. Hearing those comments from people she cared about seemed to hit a nerve, but Angelica just kept going. Despite what people were saying, she was going to become a fashion designer, and she most definitely has.

Nowadays, Angelica credits her daughter, mom, and siblings as her number one supporters.

“For the most part, it took other relatives and friends a while to see I actually had some skills. Now, I have a tribe of loyal friends and family that are extremely supportive,” she stated. “I really value and appreciate all of them and their support.”

Angelica always had a keen interest in women’s fashion. “Women have a huge and diverse amount of options available. I always saw myself in my clothing. I like storytelling and uniqueness. My goal is to have garments that are relatable to women who tell their own stories through clothing,” she said. She has done an amazing job. If you go to her website at www.angelicatimas.com, you will see what Angelica has available. She has realized her dream by creating a unique clothing line that is suitable for women of all sizes. She takes orders and actually tailors the fit to each woman’s needs. Angelica Timas has created a women’s ready-to-wear label that offers its clientele limited collections of luxurious pieces.

Each piece is unique, handcrafted, and made in small quantities, giving an exclusive and individual feel. With no formal training in fashion, she has mastered her skills, through self-teaching, and her true passion for what she envisions in her work.

Angelica is a very busy woman. Amidst all she has scheduled in her life, she still finds time to do at least two runway shows a year, as well as private events. We live in a current climate where women’s empowerment is a big topic. I’d say Angelica encompasses the very essence of a powerful woman. She is highly-educated, a successful software developer, a fulltime mother, and a successful fashion designer. That doesn’t leave much downtime for her. Angelica said, “It’s true. I really don’t have a lot of downtime, and I wouldn’t know what to do with myself with so much time on my hands. I am a Gemini, and I get bored easily. I need to be constantly moving and doing something, but I am learning to have ‘me’ time. My daughter’s schedule is even more hectic than mine. Whatever time we have, when she and I aren’t scheduled for anything, we binge watch movies, couchpotato mode.”

When I asked Angelica where her inspiration comes from, her response was clear. She said, “My inspiration, by default, is based on an alter ego. She is high-spirited, confident, strong, and versatile. She has a style all her own. She has a taste for uniqueness. That is essentially the brand’s motto. The aesthetic of each collection is very influenced by various passions: my culture, my history, architecture, nature, and the simple things that life offers. Each collection is a fusion of asymmetry, minimalism, and color.”

Angelica lives by her personal philosophy, which is to have determination, faith, and focus. “Realize your dreams with determination, hard work, and persistence. When you have passion, you unleash this brute force within you called creativity, but remain true to yourself, always,” she said.

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When asked what advice she would give to other young, passionate hopefuls who want to break into fashion design, Angelica said, “My advice is be persistent, but more importantly, be passionate about your craft. Everything you do with real passion shows! The fashion world is hard to break into. Be willing to make sacrifices, work extra hard, and take the rejection you get along the way and use it to fuel your ambition. Do more and do better than the last time.”

Angelica Timas is, by far, one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever come across. Having started off as a young girl who simply wanted to educate herself enough to get a good-paying job and become an independent woman, she certainly fulfilled her goals and did so much more. Angelica’s clothing line has become very successful.

People can order online in the United States and Canada. If you order through her website, sizes small to extra-large (0/2 to 12) are immediately available. The bulk of her work comes from clients liking an item and asking for it to be made in their size. Everything is made-to-measure upon request. Angelica doesn’t have immediate plans to sell in stores yet, but that is her ultimate goal.

Angelica Timas has passion, purpose, and drive, which has led her to not only be successful in the tech world, but to also find passion in fashion and success. For more on Angelica and her wonderful clothing line, please visit her website at www.angelicatimas.com. You can also follow her at www.instagram.com/angelicatimas or www.twitter.com/angelicatimas.

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Stanley DeSarmes, Photographer Alexander Garrish and Erica Taylor, Models Elza Rosa, Hairstylist Catherine Ursache, Makeup Artist

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Stanley DeSarmes, Photographer Christina Palavra and Tirzah Evora, Models Elza Rosa, Hairstylist Shamona Small, Makeup Artist

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Melissa Quinones, Photographer Miguel Martinez, Creative Director Bryan Alexi, Fashion Stylist Ruby Masterson and Tihara Latae, Models Elza Rosa, Hairstylist Katherine Ursache, Makeup Artist

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Stanley DeSarmes, Photographer Crysthal Veiga, Model Elza Rosa, Hairstylist Kai Kumalae, Makeup Artist

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a r i K aylor T Written by Sue McGaughey

Advocate, Singer, and Cystic Fibrosis Warrior

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K

ira Taylor is not your typical 19-year-old teenager. I was introduced to Kira when she was about 12 years old, seeking counsel and representation for her singing passion. What struck me about Kira was her sweet and cheery personality. I found it endearing and admirable for a young lady her age. Her passion, for both her singing and life, was infectious.

However, what is most admirable about Kira is the fact that she maintains a positive attitude while living with cystic fibrosis (CF). Kira is one of the most loyal and driven CF warriors I know. She not only has overcome some major obstacles in life, as you will learn in this interview, but she also takes her own time to advocate for others. I hope you see Kira through the same eyes that I do.

CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE: Kira, at what age were you diagnosed with CF? Were you old enough to understand, and how did you respond at the time?

KIRA TAYLOR: I was diagnosed at 10 months old, when my mom, Lisa, had to demand my pediatrician do extensive testing on me for concerning reasons. My story is a little complicated.

I was not diagnosed until after I became ill from culturing pseudomonas. This occurred after having emergency surgery to place a shunt in my head, due to having hydrocephalus. At the time, I didn’t completely understand what was going on, because I was so young. Thankfully, I didn’t really understand what I had until I was around five years old. Even then, I didn’t fully comprehend it. It wasn’t until I first got sick and was hospitalized for 14 days, with intravenous antibiotics through a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line, that I started to realize the extent of what was happening to me. I just remember being very scared while being stuck in a hospital room.

CTCM: I know you want to bring more awareness to others about what it’s like living with CF. Tell me some of the limitations and/ or issues you have had to deal with. How does it affect you?

TAYLOR: When I was in elementary school, I always felt excluded.

I was not able to run laps during physical education class, since I would get out of breath easily. So, I had to stay back and jog around the basketball court by myself. I missed a lot of days of school, as I was sick a lot and had to have several sinus surgeries.

During those absences, it seemed I would always end up missing fun fieldtrips, and I specifically remember missing my fifth-grade class photo for the yearbook. I was picked on for having to have someone escort me out of class early, before going to lunch, to go to the nurse’s office to take my Creon medication. I would also get asked why I was able to miss so many days. During sixth grade, I ended up attending school at home, through our state’s virtual school, because I was getting too stressed out from being bullied. I had to attend Florida Virtual School (FLVS) fulltime from then on, until I started 11th grade in public school.

When I was in public high school, I had such horrible allergic reactions to some sort of environmental factors, I couldn’t even attend my last class period. Therefore, I felt very strange and isolated, as I had to do my work in the library. I would get upset, because I would end up missing clubs, club events, etc. I had to have school through Hospital Homebound in the mornings, so I would have enough energy to attend school for at least three courses. Just to be able to attend the senior class trip, my mom had to fight to ensure that I could go on the bus with my food, medicines, etc. Looking back to all the experiences I had in high school, I learned a lot about how important it is to advocate for yourself and your needs.

CTCM: Despite having CF, you always seem to live with a positive attitude. Is this something that was instilled in you by your parents, or have you just learned how to live a positive life?

TAYLOR: I do feel that my parents strongly instilled upon me, at a young age, the importance of living with a positive attitude.

I learned that you have to see a positive, no matter how small, in everything that happens.

CTCM: I know you love to sing. What is your ultimate dream, as far as singing goes?

TAYLOR: I was in chorus in elementary school. I would teach myself how to sing better, through my Wii’s Sing It game, at home. In middle school, I started with a vocal coach who helped me get prepared for one of my first performances. I had different vocal coaches until 11th grade. Since then, I have been teaching myself, but am looking for a vocal coach now.

Music has immensely helped me find my voice and comfort zone. When I perform, I immediately feel invincible and forget I have CF. Singing has made me so much stronger. Whenever I perform, I always pick songs that I know everyone can relate to in some way, which helps engage the audience. My goal in music needs to be not just about myself, but what I am about when it comes to empowering others through my music, especially those who have physical and/or mental disabilities, illnesses, and life challenges. Having said that, I intend to broaden my singing career by having the opportunity to produce high-quality music.

I want to help others find their voice that makes them also feel invincible. It may not be singing for them, but whatever their voice is, I want to encourage them to find it.

CTCM: I know you are active in supporting the organization Free2Luv. Tell me about the organization and how you became involved.

TAYLOR: When I was around 13 years old, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and just coming off having depression. I felt

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like no one else understood how I felt. This was when I began staying home and attending school online with FLVS, because I couldn’t handle being mistreated by others in my class. One day, I decided to search Google to find an anti-bullying organization that I could be a part of. I wanted to help spread awareness. I was on my computer for a good hour or so when I came across Free2Luv. I immediately knew I wanted to be a part of their family. I contacted the founder, Ms. Tonya, and told her about myself and how I had been looking for some way to help spread the awareness of anti-bullying, due to the fact bullying had affected me so severely. Free2Luv is an amazing group that I’m proud to support.

CTCM: You are very active in encouraging others with CF to live a positive life. What types of things do you do to get the word out to others?

TAYLOR: I’ve been fortunate enough to be allowed platforms to share my story of living with cystic fibrosis. Through my youth advocacy, Free2Luv has given me the ability to share my experiences of being bullied, having CF, and how I turned it into a positive. I was blessed to collaborate with a very talented CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

music engineer friend of mine, Pablo Adame. We created a music video to my cover of “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter, which turned into an anti-bullying awareness video and cystic fibrosis awareness. Also, through social media, I am able to share aspects of my life with CF, to help others gain a better understanding.

I aim to give them encouragement and believe they are capable of achieving their dreams, while having a disease. I am on a teen advisory board for the amazing Miss Heard Media Magazine, which is where I write blogs for specific topics to empower teen girls.

CTCM: What advice would you give another kid who is diagnosed with CF? TAYLOR: It depends on the age of the child. I would tell him/her that they are not alone and can contact me whenever, if they need someone to talk to. I would also remind them how important it is to get their treatments done, as I know they can sometimes be frustrating. With all the new medications that are coming out, there is so much hope that, one day, there could be a cure.

CTCM: You also advocate against bullying. Were you bullied?

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TAYLOR: Yes, I was bullied. There were several incidences, but the most prevalent ones, which made a huge impact on me, were when I began sharing my experiences with having CF over social media. I experienced a lot of people in the acting and music industry recommending that I not share the fact I have this disease. I have had some acquaintances that would tell me that the reason some people didn’t talk to me or make me feel included was because, “I would talk too much about the disease.”

From these painful experiences, I have learned that CF does not define me, but it is important to share about it, since I am helping spread awareness. I overcame these situations by learning to stay around people who support me and make a distance from those who become toxic.

CTCM: What advice would you give to kids who are currently being bullied?

TAYLOR: Sometimes, it’s difficult to know how to respond, depending on the situation. It is very important to give the person an outlet, so they know someone cares and is interested in listening to them. It is important to validate their feelings and not let them go through it alone. I would encourage that they talk to someone they trust. To stop the bullying, making an adult aware of what is going on is needed.

CTCM: The movie Five Feet Apart is currently in theaters. What is your opinion of the movie?

TAYLOR: I would like to share how thankful I am that Jason Baldoni, the director of Five Feet Apart, made the book come alive with such amazing actors. Due to the movie Five Feet Apart, the amount of people I have reached about cystic fibrosis has increased dramatically. I have always been praying for this platform to show people what a day in life is like with CF. Now, when I try to explain what I have, it’s been easier, because I can refer to the film. Truthfully, due to my own anxiety issues around hospitals and the harsher side of CF, I am waiting to see the movie when it comes out on DVD. However, my mom did see it and was very impressed with how they portrayed the reality of having CF. CTCM: Do you live by a personal philosophy?

TAYLOR: Yes, I have always looked up to the quote, “Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud,” by Maya Angelou. I have always tried to help someone else out, especially when I notice someone is being excluded. I know what it feels like to be on the outside. Whenever I see someone that needs cheering up, I make sure to try to engage in a conversation with him/her that could easily make their day. For example, I love talking to those people who others normally don’t talk to, such as school security guards, librarians, teachers, and neighbors, etc. From growing up with my sister, who has a genetic disorder known as triple X

syndrome, which affects her intellectually and is recognized on the autism spectrum, I have seen how people can mistreat those with disabilities. It is very easy to make them happy, as all they want is to be treated normally and be accepted.

CTCM: You’re currently enrolled in college. What do you think you want to get your degree in, and why?

TAYLOR: Currently, I’m enrolled in an associate of arts in general studies for now. I have been considering working with the special-needs community, in order to be an occupational therapist. I have always had a heart and felt connected with others who have physical disabilities and cognitive delays, since I have been volunteering with local special-needs ministries events.

CTCM: Well, Miss Kira, it sounds like you have become and continue to be a strong, compassionate young lady. You’ve learned a lot from living with cystic fibrosis and being bullied.

What bit of encouragement would you like to impart to other people with CF? TAYLOR: I’d like to tell others that, because of what I have gone through, I am now much wiser beyond my years. I’m stronger emotionally too. Others with CF, as well as other diseases, should know they are not alone. There are all kinds of supports, especially with social media making it so easy to connect with other people going through the same things. Having CF has taught me how to be more self-sufficient and better control my life. They can learn the same thing.

CTCM: Thank you for sitting down with me, Kira. One more personal question for you. Who is your celebrity crush?

TAYLOR: My celebrity crush would have to be KJ Apa, who is known as Archie Andrews on Riverdale. I absolutely love his funny and quirky personality. Whenever I watch the videos he shares, he always makes me laugh so hard.

CTCM: Well, there you have it. As you can see, Kira Taylor is a bright, intelligent, compassionate young lady who has a passion not only to develop her dream as a singer/songwriter, but to also use that same passion and drive to help others who struggle with cystic fibrosis or other diseases that cause struggle in people’s lives.

Kira is adamant about getting her message out that people can still follow their passions and dreams, no matter what obstacles life throws at them. She wants people to know they are never truly alone.

For more information on Kira, you can follow her at www.twitter.com/KiraTaylorMusic and www.instagram.com/kirataylorsings.

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SHAUN Written by Jess Svenson

BETWEEN WORLDS A

ustralian actor Shaun A. Robinson puts on the director’s cap for a new documentary, That’s Not a Knife.

JESS SVENSON: Hello there, sir. Whereabouts in Australia are you based?

express myself.

SVENSON: What was your first project?

SHAUN ROBINSON: I’m based on the Central Coast, which is just north of Sydney, south of Newcastle.

ROBINSON: I was an extra on a TV show called Bogan Hunters.

That led to me working frequently with the same producer and director and appearing on Fat Pizza vs Housos and Dumb Criminals.

SVENSON: Is that where you were born?

SVENSON: Did you frame that first check?

ROBINSON: I was actually born in Penrith and raised in the western suburbs of Sydney, until I was about four, at which point, the family moved to Queensland. I returned to the area when I was 16.

ROBINSON: No, I should have, but I was broke. I cashed that check so fast it smudged, because the ink was still wet!

SVENSON: Did you have family in the industry?

ROBINSON: My grandmother was an Opera singer, and my uncle was a Country singer, but no one was in the film industry.

ROBINSON: I became a filmmaker out of the necessity I felt to create work for myself, but it was also about what I was going through at the time. I wanted to document it, so I picked up my camera, and that’s what I did.

SVENSON: Why acting?

SVENSON: And what’s the impetus of That’s Not a Knife?

ROBINSON: I loved it. It’s something I can do and a way to

ROBINSON: It was about late 2016, and I was having trouble

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SVENSON: How did you get into filmmaking?

ENTERTAINMENT

to me, Lucinda Bruce. She’s been making her own pathway to Hollywood, like I have, and I even interviewed her as part of the documentary. Since Lucinda and her company, Lady of the Light Productions, have come onboard, she’s been helping me steer the boat, so to speak, in order to complete the documentary and get it out there. Now, the only hats I wear are executive producer, director, and creator. Lucinda takes care of the rest and has been awesome to work with.

SVENSON: And you have Matt Nable involved?

figuring out what to do with myself. It was a case of itchy feet, really, as I wasn’t getting any acting jobs, and I felt a bit hopeless.

The only thing that seemed to really make sense was to go to the United States, to Hollywood, to follow in the footsteps of one of my idols, Paul Hogan. The only problem was that I had no idea how to do it. I tried looking up information online, but nothing really made any sense to me. I felt like I was going ‘round in circles, trying to find the information I was looking for, so I decided to ask some of my other actor friends and see what they had done and how they had gone about making the move to the States. Every single one had a different story or opinion on the right way of doing it. This was the moment I realized that I would have to find my own way of making the move, of following my dream. The idea to film it came about, because I just thought, “If I can do it, anyone can do it,” and I could at least show them how I achieved it and maybe even inspire others like me who were struggling to follow their dreams.

SVENSON: What’s the project about?

ROBINSON: It’s for anyone with a dream of making it big in Hollywood. It’s the underdog story of an actor who fights back against the odds by overcoming his own fears and creating his own path to Hollywood, documenting his journey along the way. He meets other actors who share their own fears and insecurities with him, helping him to understand his own journey better and inspire others to do the same.

SVENSON: How many hats do you wear in this project? I imagine it’s been quite a heavy load to carry.

ROBINSON: Up until early last year, I was wearing all of the hats, but I was lucky enough to have a producer recommended

ROBINSON: Yes, Matt only recently became involved after a chance meeting I had with a friend of his at an American Film Market cocktail party in Santa Monica just a few months back.

It was a fancy little shindig for attendees of the Market to mingle and chat in a casual environment. On one of the evenings, I met a fella called Kevin from Pathfinder Motion Picture Company, who asked me what I was currently working on. I told him about the documentary, and he suggested I chat with Matt Nable. A few weeks later, I made the call, and Matt, being the humble guy that he is, was more than happy to come onboard and chat with me.

SVENSON: Was he a great interview?

ROBINSON: He was amazing to interview. He’s a very humble guy and so easy to talk to. I would love to work with him some more, if I get the chance.

SVENSON: What’s his secret to success?

ROBINSON: Matt contributes his success to hard work and luck. He discusses the highs and lows of his career, his transition from football to acting, mental health, his own demons, the challenges he faced to get where he is today, and how he got some of his biggest roles.

SVENSON: Whose career would you like to emulate, if given a choice?

ROBINSON: Well, the obvious one would be Paul Hogan, of course, but the likes of Seth Rogen, Bruce Willis, and Jason Statham would definitely be career paths I would be comfortable with.

SVENSON: When do you think we might see the movie?

ROBINSON: My producer, Lucinda Bruce (Lady of the Light Productions), came onboard last year and has helped me steer the documentary towards our final destination of distribution. We’re aiming for a festival release later on in the year, with the hopes of that leading to a theatrical release at some point, then VOD, followed by an eventual showing on an Australian television network.

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SUE'S COFFEE TALK

, T O O B RE RESET, E Z I L A T I V RE "We all need to take time to reboot, reset, and revitalize ourselves. Stop and dance in the rain, smell that fresh air around you."

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SUE'S COFFEE TALK

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Written by Sue McGaughey

ow often do you dance in the rain, smell the fresh air around you, and give thanks for the nurturing of the grass, ground, and plants? Just like plants, we humans need nurturing too. In a sense, we are just like plants. We need sunshine, rain, and food to grow. More than that, we need a growth mindset, a positive mindset, and the daily routine of giving thanks for all that we do have, instead of focusing on what we do not have.

It’s very easy to succumb to sadness, negativity, and the routine of mediocracy. It’s all too easy, especially with social media so prevalent in most people’s lives. We get up, make our coffee or tea, and scroll through social media to see what’s happening in the world and what other people are up to. The problem is that a lot of what’s on social media is fluffed by others to make themselves feel and look better than they really are. I guess that’s alright, because it’s fulfilling a need that the person posting needs. However, enter into the realm of social media lightly. Find the positives and the humor in it. Social media is great for business promotion, but not so much for self-health.

Lately, I’ve been practicing something new. Instead of my normal routine of waking up with my phone in my hand, I leave it alone. I head to the kitchen, make my tea, and say my morning prayer. For those of you who don’t pray, try some positive affirmations. If you set your mind in positive mode first thing in the morning, the rest of the day will lean towards a positive outcome. After drinking my tea, I do one of three things. I listen to my Calm app, which gives me meditation and a positive affirmation for the day, turn on my Down Dog app and do 15 minutes of yoga, or listen to 30 minutes of Joel Osteen’s service that’s filled with positives. Now, you may not like any of these options, but you can find something that fits you and helps you relax and reset for the day. Set your alarm 30 minutes earlier than you usually do and just take that time for you.

Right about now, you might find yourself saying, “I can’t possibly get up 30 minutes earlier.

I need all the sleep I can get!” I hear you! I felt the same way. However, once I got in the habit of getting up earlier and actually doing my routine, I found that I had even more energy than I did before. I started to become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. You’ll find that you feel recharged, and you may even start to recognize how your days are turning out more positive. It’s very easy for people to fall into a fixed mindset, a tedious routine.

We have to learn how to grow, how to have a growth mindset. All of life is a lesson. It’s up to us to grow our minds with new ideas and to learn to apply those new ideas and nourish ourselves.

After your morning reset, take time to nourish yourself with a healthy diet. Make yourself breakfast. Protein is important in the morning. You must balance your diet with the right amount of fruits, vegetables, carbs, and proteins. Remember that your body needs nourishment in more than one form.

Resetting your habits may seem difficult at first, but as you get used to your new routine, things will get easier. We all need to take time to reboot, reset, and revitalize ourselves.

Stop and dance in the rain, smell that fresh air around you. Create your own sunshine.

Don’t succumb to the negative societal pressures you see on social media. Don’t let yourself succumb to sadness, negativity, and depression. You have the driver’s seat. You can control your own life, growth, and happiness. Once you reboot, reset, and revitalize yourself, you will feel so much better. Remember, though, as with anything new, it takes time to see results. Don’t expect to do something once or twice and see benefits. Find a routine you enjoy doing and stick to it. Give it at least 30 days. If I had to bet on it, I’d bet you’ll see a pleasant difference. Now, go out and enjoy your day. Namaste.

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SHORT STORY

"Miracles come in many forms and when you least expect them."

Written by Sue McGaughey

Miracle" "A Child’s

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SHORT STORY

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iracles come in many forms and when you least expect them. Children, especially, don’t usually recognize a miracle right away, if ever. Generally, they will recognize it later in life, when they are older. That’s not what happened to me.

When I was just a little girl, seven or eight, I experienced a miracle I will never forget. I knew, right away, what had just happened.

The smells of summer were all around me. The blooming flowers smelled fresh and bright. Everything was so colorful around me.

I could even smell the dirt after the night’s rain. Sun was shining down through my bedroom window. I wanted to lay in bed, just a little longer, to enjoy the peacefulness. From downstairs, I heard my uncle call to me. “Time to get up, Princess. Come on down and eat your breakfast.” He called the same to my little brother. My brother was only four years old. Life, for him, was still all about cartoons and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. My brother was a sweet little boy, always cheerful and loving. I jumped up out of bed, yawning and wiping the sleep from my eyes. I threw on my robe and walked downstairs to the kitchen. My brother was already sitting at the kitchen table. I realized the laughter I had grown used to every morning, when I came down the stairs, was missing. Something was different. I could feel it deep within me. I had an unexplained feeling of uneasiness that was piercing through my stomach and chest. I tried to shake it off, but it was like a sudden chill went through my body. It was like my soul was rising out of me, starring back at me, talking to me so clearly.

It was a Sunday morning. Uncle John was up and dressed in a suit, and Aunt Dolly was working around the kitchen. She had breakfast ready for me and my little brother – French toast with syrup, freshsqueezed orange juice, and scrambled eggs. Auntie could cook really well. Her food was always delicious. We were used to doing chores after breakfast, making our beds and getting ready for the day. Uncle John spoke to me and my little brother, saying, “Good morning, you two. After breakfast, I’d like you to get dressed, brush your teeth, and Auntie will help you pack your suitcases. Today, you are going home to see your family.” Back when I was a kid, we never even dreamed of talking back to our elders, so we did as told. My brother and I were excited. We had not seen our mom or dad for almost two months.

Although we loved being at our aunt and uncle’s house, we missed being home in our own rooms. My brother and I quickly ate our breakfast and did what we were told. We didn’t ask any questions.

We were just filled with excitement, knowing today was the day we’d see Mommy and Daddy. Soon, we were saying our goodbyes to our aunt and our cousins. We were a little sad to say goodbye, but happy at the same time, because we were bound for home.

Two months earlier, Mom had informed me and my brother that we were going to spend the summer at our aunt and uncle’s house.

We were reluctant to go. We didn’t want to leave our friends, our toys, and all that was familiar to us. However, Dad had been really sick and was in the hospital. Mom felt she had to ship us off, so she could fully focus on Dad. She told us Daddy had cancer. “Cancer?

What’s that?” Being so young, we didn’t really understand what it meant. On the morning Mom told us we were going to our aunt and uncle’s, she also took us to see our dad. I remember being afraid to go into the hospital. Hospitals were scary and smelly. I have no

idea where the fear came from, but it was there. I packed a suitcase for me and my little brother. We were ready to go see Dad and to wait for our uncle to come and pick us up. It was a sad day. Neither of us wanted to leave our home or our mommy and daddy, but we knew we had no choice. What was to be would be. We were about to embark upon an adventure. Going to a new place could be fun.

Besides, our aunt and uncle lived in a more upper-class area than we did. It was about to be a whole new world for my brother and me to explore and learn.

My brother and I hopped in the car with Mom. I remember the silence on the way to the hospital. No one really spoke. My brother was playing with a little toy in the backseat. Somehow, I knew that I was going to have to take care of him for a while. We pulled up to the hospital. Although I felt the fear swell up inside me, I was also excited to see my dad. I loved my dad so much. I was his little Princess Pea. We walked into the hospital, got on the elevator, and walked into his room. When we walked in, Daddy’s bed was the one right next to the door. He looked tired to me. His skin had a funny color to it, but he mustered a smile for us and held out his hands for us to come up on his bed and give him a hug. “Be careful of Daddy’s tubes,” Mom said. We slowly climbed on the bed to feel our dad’s hug. Daddy always gave the best hugs that told us, without words, that he loved us.

That was the last time we saw Dad before the journey to our relatives’ house. Now, after spending two months there, our visit was over. My brother and I were bickering over who was going to ride in the front seat. I was the oldest, so I wanted to ride in front. Uncle John, always diplomatic, made us share the ride. It was going to be a two-hour ride home, so he split the time. I got to ride the first half in the front, and my brother got to ride the second half. We never talked back to our elders, so it sounded like a good deal to us. We obeyed the directions. My little brother was three years younger than me. I was seven, and he was four. He was dressed in a nice shirt, khaki shorts, and his little, brown sandals. I wore my favorite summer sundress, white with blue and green flowers on it, sporting my white sandals.

My sunglasses were on, because the sun was out that day. I loved wearing my glasses. They made me feel like I was a celebrity. A child’s mind always has an active imagination. As a child, I watched a lot of television. I used to say, “One day, I’m going to move to Hollywood and become an actress.” Ironically, I moved to California in my 20s. I didn’t become an actress, but I did get involved in the entertainment business. Funny how, sometimes, as a child, you speak your destiny, without even knowing it at the time.

The first hour, riding in the car, seemed like an eternity. Of course, we had to make bathroom stops, and Uncle John had the music on. He kept things lighthearted in the car. In retrospect, I think he was trying to keep us happy all the way home. I knew, though, that something wasn’t right. As we drove, I rolled down my window, hung my arm out, and felt the breeze blowing on my arm. I wasn’t thinking about much, other than getting home to my room and seeing our parents. As we were riding down the road, suddenly, off to the right, I saw this big, bright, golden light. At first, I thought my eyes were deceiving me. I rubbed them and looked again, closer this time. The light grew bigger and bigger, and I felt extreme warmth CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

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SHORT STORY

against my arm and all through my body. My eyes couldn’t move.

They were fixated on the light. I knew it wasn’t just the sun, because it had a golden glimmer all around it. It became big, bright, and warm – one of the most beautiful sights I had ever witnessed. Still, I couldn’t turn away or speak. Suddenly, I heard a man’s voice say to me, “Daddy’s gone to the angels.” I was stunned. I wasn’t sure what I was hearing. Again, I heard, “Daddy’s gone to the angels. It’s alright. Everything will be okay.” The light faded away, and I turned to my uncle and asked, “Did my daddy die?” My uncle looked at me with a bewildered look on his face and was evasive in answering my question. He changed the subject, gave me some answer that I don’t even remember, and asked if we wanted to stop for ice cream.

Obviously, he didn’t want to be the one to break the news to us, so he just changed the subject and attempted to distract me from the question.

and so did my brother. I was happy to be home, but noticed Daddy wasn’t there. Was that voice in the car right? I still couldn’t shake that feeling I had in the car, when the bright light spoke to me.

I couldn’t get the image or voice out of my head. I felt sadness, yet also a peace that I didn’t understand. There was no fear. There were no questions. I only knew what the voice said to me. We stopped for ice cream. I had a hot fudge sundae, and my brother had a vanilla ice cream cone. We sat at the counter in the ice cream shop, eating with an awkward silence. We got back in the car and completed our journey home. Uncle John pulled up to our house. Parking was scarce. There were so many cars and people at our house. Uncle pretended not to know what was going on. He found a parking spot down the block, helped us out of the car with our suitcases, and took us in the house. Mom was sitting in the kitchen, and there were probably 50 people floating around our house. There was food and lots of people talking, some crying, some laughing. We were excited to see Mommy. Both of us ran to her to give her hugs and kisses. I climbed in her lap and asked, “Mommy, why are there so many people here?” “We are having a housewarming party,” she said.

Dad had bought the house not more than six months previously.

Being a kid, I took her answer at face-value. I ran off to my room,

I’ll never forget that day for as long as I live. I believe an angel came to me that day to prepare me for the news of my dad’s passing. From that day forward, my faith in God has always been strong. I know there are a lot of nonbelievers out there, and I never force my own beliefs on anyone. However, for me, there was no stronger sign than the one I was given. I already knew my dad was at peace. I knew he was gone from Earth, but never gone from our hearts. It was years later when I finally cried, not because he was gone, but because I missed him. The pain he was suffering from the cancer was over.

Daddy never really left us. He just left his body that was causing him pain. I know that he is part of me. Part of him runs through my veins and stays in my mind. There was an angel looking over me that day.

A child’s mind is innocent and imaginative, but how could I ever explain that the exact words my mom spoke to me were the exact words the light had given me. I knew. I just knew that an angel had come to me, a real angel sent from God in Heaven, to prepare me for my dad’s passing. I was but a child, given the miracle of truth, as well as the faith I needed to get through the loss.

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After a few hours, all the people started to leave. There were a few left roaming around the kitchen, cleaning up. Mom called to me to come downstairs. As I bounced down the stairs, my little brother still playing, I had no idea what she was going to say. Mom pulled me up in her lap and gave me a hug. I could see the tears in her eyes. I asked, “Mommy, what’s wrong?” She simply looked at me and said, “Daddy has gone to the angels.” “I know, Mommy. I already know,” I said. “He won’t be coming home,” she said. “He’s in Heaven now with God and the angels.” I didn’t even cry. I already knew he was gone, because the voice I heard, while riding home, had told me those exact words. I was sad, but I knew my dad was at peace.

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HUMAN INTEREST

Written by Julia Voge

PARENTING

SQUADS S

NEED T N E R A P Y R EMS EVE

YST S T R O P P U S THE

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sually, I write about parenting and issues or topics related to the family, as a whole. This time, I’m doing something a little bit different, and I’ll tell you why. The other day, I opened the mail, and inside was a letter from our local high school. The time has come to go to orientation and get my oldest registered. I had to take a deep breath and reread the name and address on the outside of the envelope.

It just didn’t seem right that my little baby (who was surely just born a week ago!) was already preparing to enter his final four years of mandatory schooling.

Then, I started to do what I often do when big milestones are coming...reminisce through all those little moments over the years that brought us right here. I spent a fair amount of time remembering the days both my boys were born and the visions I’d had for their futures and the prayers I said over their little bodies. I remembered all the firsts we’ve already conquered: steps, overnight visits to their grandparents’ houses, days of school... I could go on. I also thought about the people who’ve supported me in my journey over the years of parenting these kids and those I’ll get to meet in the next phase. So, instead of the usual notes on guiding your kids through something, I’m going to talk about the different types of squads a parent can turn to as they raise their children.

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HUMAN INTEREST

The Newbie Squad In the beginning, these are the people you need most. Granted, you might only see each other through a fog of exhaustion, but they won’t care when your clothes are a mess, that you really can’t have a conversation lasting more than five minutes, or that all gatherings need to happen around nap time. From birth to six months, at least, other newbies will not only help you feel like you’re still connected to the outside world, but also be able to commiserate with you about the challenges you’re experiencing in the moment. A new baby is a huge transition for both moms and dads, so connecting with those who are in that same space is key. With my first, I attended a breastfeeding support group, which connected me to other new moms and opened a door for the dads to lean on each other too. With my second, I joined an online pregnancy group that fit my toddler-having lifestyle much better. This group helped me not just take care of my baby and troubleshoot the almost daily concerns related to an infant’s well-being, they also helped me to not feel isolated and remember to take care of myself. To anyone preparing for the arrival of their little bundle of joy, I encourage you to find a way to connect with others who are welcoming a new family member in the same timeframe. And, if you’re as lucky as I was with my Sunbaby group, you’ll find yourself still helping each other out and supporting each other, on a regular basis, a dozen years later.

The In-The-Weeds Squad I think of the time from when your baby can sit up by themselves until the time they can make their own breakfast on a Saturday morning as the “in-the-weeds” phase. You know, they need constant supervision and often say things that make you wish they had a five-second delay on their mouth. This can be a super fun part of parenting, because absolutely everything is new to your kid, and you get to experience the wonder and excitement right along with them. This can also be a tough time to maintain friendships, because leaving the house requires a change of clothes, 37 different snacks, multiple potty breaks, and a level of alertness typically associated with dogs looking for squirrels.

This is not a relaxing time to be a parent. Your best bet is to hope they fall in love with a particular animated movie, which you can bring out in times of dire need, to keep them occupied, so you’re able to have a cup of coffee or finish a conversation with your spouse. Finding a squad of other parents who are in the weeds with you is a lifesaver. You’ll need to be able to spend time with people who understand the importance of light socket plugs and baby gates and who can also tolerate the 3,427th performance of a song from the aforementioned animated movie. These friends will be like a dancer’s focal point when things get overwhelming, but they’ll also be as excited as you are about every little triumph your child experiences and cheer you both on when it’s needed. You might even get lucky enough to be able to swap date nights with the members of your squad or help lighten each other’s loads in a number of other ways.

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HUMAN INTEREST

The “I Knew You When” Squad It is so important for every parent to have that friend or group of friends who knew you long before you ever held the title of mom or dad. This squad will carry you through every phase of parenting. When you have a little one, these are the friends who will be a lifeline to your pre-parent self. These friends will love your babies and love watching them grow, but they will always love you, as a person, more than they love you as a parent. These are the friends who will talk to you about their promotions, breakups, adventures, and disappointments, but none of those things will be related to parenting. This squad will help you remember who you were BK (before kids), and as your littles turn into bigs, these friends can help your children see you as a real live human, not just the chauffeur you’ve likely become.

They can also remind you what it was like when you thought your own parents knew nothing and you were the smartest person on planet Earth, which might help you communicate with your own adolescents a little bit better.

The Extracurricular Squad

Julia's (author) mom's water polo group

This is the group that will save your life and keep you sane. Not only will you share carpool duties, so your kid can get to practices or meetings, but these will also become the people who will keep an eye on your kid when you’re not around. This squad is particularly important, because these are the people who share in your kid’s greatest passion, whether it’s playing a sport or instrument or participating in scouting or another type of club. The people in this squad cheer along with you in some of your proudest parenting moments and help your kids learn how to handle defeat or injury. It’s also likely you will find yourself traveling and sharing milestones with these people. My kids are sports oriented, so we’ve celebrated birthdays poolside, at a field, and between games with teammates and their families. Your extracurricular squad becomes an extended family by virtue of all the time you spend with each other and experiences you have together. This sense of community is important, not just for your kids, but for you too, to form bonds with people who understand your routine and the support you’re giving your child. Some of the best times have been shared on the sidelines and at group meals. A lot of my favorite moments are with my fellow water polo moms in the bleachers. Helping your kids be successful in any extracurricular endeavor takes a lot of commitment from you, as a parent, and having a group to support you, while you support your child, is important.

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HUMAN INTEREST

The No-Kids-Allowed Squad

This will be the hardest group to find, but a really important one to cultivate. No matter what point you are at in raising your kids, you need to have some time in your life when you are just you. If you work outside the home, your colleagues may be this group for you, by default. If you are a stay-at-home parent or your job includes your kids, you may have to work a little harder to put this squad together. Some people join a gym or signup for music lessons. For me, I found a really great book group, which gives me real-life interaction and an opportunity to talk about something I love. I also joined an online writing group, which allows more flexibility and more focused attention on an activity that truly makes me feel creative in a space I don’t share with anyone else in my family. Finding people who will be supportive of you and leave you feeling restored is key. If you’re feeling stressed or obligated to put energy into a group, it’s not the right one for you. As parents, we already have many obligations, and the goal is to find a place where you can relax and spend time on something you care about.

We all know it’s a lot easier to do a good job of taking care of everyone else, when we make taking care of ourselves a priority. Having these different squads, as you raise your kids, will make each step a little less daunting. How have you and your parenting squads helped each other? Which parenting squads did I leave out, and which ones do I have to look forward to when my child enters high school? Share with us on Instagram at www.instagram.com/citytocountrymag or Facebook at www.facebook.com/citytocountrymagazine.

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TAMMY'S KITCHEN

Four Course, Making a

RESTAURANT-QUALITY MEAL AT HOME WITH EASE Written by Tammy KC Hegyes

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“Food is not just eating energy. It’s an experience.”

~ Guy Fieri

re you ready? I know cooking a big, fancy, multicourse meal at home can sound intimidating, and rightly so! It’s easy to enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant, when they do all the preparation, cooking, cleaning, and dealing with the stress, BUT it doesn’t necessarily have to be a stressful thing to do it yourself. Making a nice, multicourse meal for your family or friends really comes down to ONE thing – PLANNING AHEAD. Yes, a bit of skill in the kitchen is helpful, but the issue that I see most with meal preparation is in the detail and planning of the prep. If you can plan out your meal and schedule every little bit of prep work, you will find that pulling the meal together is smoother and easier than you thought it would be. This turns into a stress-free meal for me that keeps me from getting frazzled. I’ve put a four-course meal menu together for you, along with the prep lists, so that cooking this meal can be done with little stress. Enjoy!

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APPETIZER COURSE

TAMMY'S KITCHEN

Butternut Squash Ravioli

with Rosemary Browned Butter

INGREDIENTS • ½ large butternut squash • ½ cup water • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 garlic clove, minced • 1½ teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped • ⅛ teaspoon white pepper

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt • ¼ cup heavy cream • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded • 1 package round wonton wrappers • (about 60 total) • 4 ounces salted butter • 1½ teaspoons fresh rosemary, roughly chopped

PREPARATION Cut hard, outer shell off squash. Remove seeds. Cut squash into ½” cubes.

Add olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper to squash and sauté on medium/high heat for 1 minute.

Place cubed squash in medium sauté pan with ½ cup water. Bring water to simmer, cover pan with lid, and allow squash to steam until tender and water has evaporated, about 7-8 minutes. Check every few minutes. Add more water, if it all evaporates before squash has fully cooked.

Transfer squash to food processor or powerful blender.

Add cream and Parmesan cheese to squash and puree until mixture is very smooth. Check seasonings and add more salt and pepper, if necessary.

While filling cools, fill stockpot halfway full of water and bring to simmer.

ASSEMBLE RAVIOLI Fill small bowl with water and place on work surface. Lay out 4 wonton wrappers at a time (keep the rest covered) and place about 1½-2 tablespoons of filling in center of each wonton wrapper. I like to use a 2-tablespoon scoop to do this.

Dip finger in bowl of water and run around edge of wonton wrapper, dipping finger in water again, as necessary, to wet entire perimeter of wrapper.

Carefully place another wonton wrapper over top of filled wrapper and carefully seal edges, not letting air bubbles form and keeping filling in center.

Press tines of fork all the way around ravioli, indenting wrapper and sealing filling in well.

Place each finished ravioli on a towel and keep covered until ready to cook.

Repeat this with remaining filling and wonton wrappers.

Drop 4-5 ravioli into simmering water at once and cook for about 1 minute or until ravioli float to top of water. Remove with a spider and drain. Repeat until all ravioli are cooked. Plate immediately and drizzle with browned butter.

BROWNED BUTTER PREPARATION Place butter and chopped rosemary in sauté pan and heat to medium/ high. The butter will melt and foam. Continue cooking, giving pan an occasional swirl, until butter turns golden-brown in color and

gives off nutty aroma. Watch closely, so butter doesn’t burn. Remove from heat immediately.

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TAMMY'S KITCHEN

SALAD COURSE

Baby Kale Salad with Honey Vinaigrette

SALAD INGREDIENTS • 8 ounces baby kale leaves • 2 Asian pears, sliced • 1 cup black grapes, halved • ½ cup walnut halves • ⅓ cup sugar • ⅓ cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

DRESSING INGREDIENTS

• ⅔ cup canola oil • ½ cup honey • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar • ½ teaspoon dry mustard • 1½ teaspoons salt • ¼ teaspoon white pepper • 1 tablespoon onion

WALNUT PREPARATION Place ⅓ cup sugar in small sauté pan. Heat on medium/high. When sugar begins to melt around the edges, place walnuts on top and stir in with rubber spatula. Continue to stir nuts around pan every 10 seconds or so. The sugar will begin to caramelize. Stir nuts constantly,

until evenly coated in caramelized sugar. Do not allow to burn! Pour nuts onto greased cookie sheet or nonstick mat, spreading out and allowing to cool.

DRESSING PREPARATION Place all ingredients in blender and puree until emulsified. Keep refrigerated and shake or whisk to re-emulsify before serving.

SALAD PREPARATION In large bowl, toss together kale leaves, pear slices, grapes, Gorgonzola cheese, and candied walnuts. Pour desired amount of dressing over salad and toss well. Serve immediately.

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MAIN COURSE

TAMMY'S KITCHEN

Balsamic-Glazed Lamb Chops INGREDIENTS • 12 small lamb chops • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 tablespoon garlic, crushed • 1 tablespoon coarse salt • 1 tablespoon coarse, ground pepper

BALSAMIC REDUCTION INGREDIENTS • ½ cup balsamic vinegar • ½ teaspoon coarse salt • ¼ teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper • 3 tablespoons brown sugar

BALSAMIC REDUCTION PREPARATION In medium saucepan, pour in vinegar, salt, pepper, and brown sugar.

Bring to boil, then reduce heat to medium. Simmer until vinegar has reduced and is thick enough to coat back of spoon.

Watch closely! If vinegar and sugar cook too long, it will caramelize and become solid. Remove from heat and pour in small bowl. Let cool. Can be stored in fridge for up to a month.

LAMB CHOP PREPARATION Turn oven on broil.

Remove chops from oven and turn each one over.

Place lamb chops in bowl or large Ziploc bag. Place olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in bowl or bag with chops. Toss well to evenly coat chops with seasonings and oil.

Place chops back in oven. Broil for another 5 minutes or until side facing up is same golden brown as underside.

Spread chops out evenly on broiling pan, making sure they are not touching each other.

Remove from oven and drizzle balsamic glaze over chops.

Plate chops, as desired, and drizzle additional balsamic glaze over them, as desired.

Place pan on top rack in oven and broil chops for about 5 minutes or until chops are a deep, golden-brown on side facing up.

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TAMMY'S KITCHEN

MAIN COURSE

White Bean Puree

With Brown Butter (Sauce for Lambchops) INGREDIENTS • 3 cups dried white beans • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 large sweet onion, chopped • 2 teaspoons coarse salt

• 2 dashes white pepper • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced • 3 tablespoons butter • ½ cup coconut milk

BEAN PREPARATION Place beans in strainer and rinse well under water, picking out any debris. Place beans in stockpot and cover with 6” of water. Bring beans to boil and boil for 2 minutes. Turn off heat, cover pot, and allow to sit for 2 hours.

Drain soaking water from beans and place beans back in stockpot.

Add 8 cups water to pot.

Bring pot to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover, and allow to simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. Beans are ready when fully tender.

While beans are cooking, prepare browned butter.

BROWNED BUTTER PREPARATION Place butter in sauté pan and melt on medium/high heat. Continue cooking, giving pan an occasional swirl, until butter turns golden-brown in color and gives off nutty aroma. Remove from heat and set aside.

FINISHING SAUCE In another sauté pan, heat olive oil to medium. Add onion and salt and sauté for 5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent. Add pepper and garlic and sauté for 30 more seconds.

Puree beans 1-2 minutes or until a smooth texture is achieved, adding more milk as needed. Check beans for seasonings and add more salt, as needed.

When beans have finished cooking, drain and place in food processor or powerful blender. Add sautéed onions to beans, along with ½ cup coconut milk and 2 tablespoons browned butter.

With a rubber spatula, scrap beans into serving bowl. Pour remaining browned butter over top of beans. Serve hot.

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DESSERT COURSE

TAMMY'S KITCHEN

Honey-Yogurt Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Sauce

INGREDIENTS • 1½ cups honey Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice • ¼ cup water • 1 tablespoon gelatin, powdered

• 1½ cups almond or coconut milk • ¼ cup honey • Blood Orange Sauce • Mint leaves, to garnish

PREPARATION Place honey yogurt and lemon juice in mixing bowl. Set aside.

Pour water in small bowl and sprinkle gelatin on top. Let gelatin bloom for at least 5 minutes.

Place milk and honey in saucepan and bring just to simmer. Add bloomed gelatin to milk and whisk until fully dissolved.

Pour ½ of milk mixture into bowl of yogurt and mix until combined and smooth. Add remaining milk mixture and whisk until incorporated.

Divide mixture between 8-10 silicone molds or 8 ramekins.

Chill for at least 3 hours or until set.

SERVING Unmold panna cottas onto small plate by dipping outside of mold in hot water, then inverting mold. Spoon blood orange sauce around panna cottas. Top with few ribbons of mint leaf. Serve cold.

Blood Orange Sauce (for Honey-Yogurt Panna Cotta)

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ cups blood orange juice or regular orange juice ½ cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoons garlic, minced or pressed 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced ¼ to ½ teaspoon hot chili flakes

PREPARATION In 10-12” nonstick frying pan over high heat, mix orange juice, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes, to taste. Boil until reduced to 1 cup, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Use hot or cold. Chill for use with panna cottas.

If you’d like to try other recipes from Tammy’s Kitchen, feel free to go to our website at www.citytocountrymag.org and order a past digital or printed issue.

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ACTING TIPS

h t i w s p i T g n cti A MADELEINE

WADE Written by Jess Svenson

Acting tips from Blood Craft star, Madeleine Wade 1 Don’t overanalyze the material. If you go with your initial gut instinct, it’s usually correct.

2 Use old photographs or souvenirs to help bring you back to an emotional place you need to be for a scene. Listening to a particular song that elicits a visceral response in you can also be very effective.

3

4

If you’re in a position to help a fellow actor get a job on a project that you’re on, do so. You never know when the tables will turn, and they will be in a position to return the favor. Good karma is a beautiful thing!

Be kind and cordial to everyone. The scruffy dude on-set, who you thought was just someone’s assistant, may very well actually be one of the producers. Also, an assistant on a project may well end up directing or producing another project down the road and remember you.

5 Always be prepared, whether it’s knowing all your lines or bringing a book and your own snacks to set, just in case. It’s better to be prepared than caught off guard.

Madeleine Wade stars in, cowrote, and executive produces the new supernatural horror film Blood Craft, now available on VOD. CITY TO COUNTRY MAGAZINE LLC

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