April 2018 Grammy Edition

Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry

Grammy Edition

ÂŽ

Hollywood Icon

61st Annual Grammy Awards Highlights

James Ingram

Exclusive Interview with

Katrina Law

Victoria Liub

American Model & Actress

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome, readers, to our HW Grammy issue. Our Cover features the gorgeous Victoria Liub, a Model and Actress originally from Ukraine, who’s now lighting up the world with that beautiful smile and unbridled energy. All this from a little girl who used to get bullied in school. In her feature story, Victoria remembers a time when boys pulled her pigtails and ran away with her schoolbag. How far and high that little girl climbed in life. First, by becoming one of the most popular Models and Actresses in Kyiv, then taking the biggest leap of her life and essentially starting her Modeling career over on a Global level -- by herself. Her success in America is a testament to the glorious benefits that come from hard work and a positive attitude.

Victoria Liub may be the most positive, upbeat artist I’ve seen in a long time. She truly loves life. She’s an equestrian. She’s a painter. And she’s a people person. Coming from Ukraine she talks about marveling at the foreign beauties she met from Asia and Africa when she became an International Model. What a beautiful world it is, Victoria, and even more so with your wonderful energy.

We’re always proud to have our friend, Dr. Dame Munni Irone, Founder of Art4Peace, in our publication. There was a very special occasion that occurred in New Delhi, India, on February 5th: the planting of the Ashoka Tree as part of her Peace Tree planting initiative in India.

February 5th has officially been declared a Red Letter Day in India for both the Art4Peace Foundation and the Tibetan community, in general. As always, Awards were given during the festivities by Dr. Dame Munni Irone and her Country Director, Mr. Ike Sinha. And, of course, this occasion also served as the official launch of our Hollywood Weekly India Edition.

Thank you, International readers!

For our Grammy issue we’ve prepared a beautiful pictorial layout showcasing all your favorite musical artists, with all the styles and unique fashions of the night. We recently lost someone who was very well known to the Grammy Foundation. They nominated him multiple times and bestowed him with two Grammys over his incredibly successful career.

I’m talking about The Man with the Golden Voice. Mr. James Ingram. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We Honor him here in this special Grammy issue.

Thank you, as always, readers. Your support is everything to us.

Wishing All Of You Happiness, Anthony Ewart, Associate Editor Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry

Grammy Edition

®

Hollywood Icon

61st Annual Grammy Awards Highlights

James Ingram

Exclusive Interview with

Katrina Law

Victoria Liub

American Model & Actress

CALL US AT (424) 371 9900

On The Cover Victoria Liub

PR: Maria Borovenskaya Model: Victoria Liub Photographer: Vadim Yatsun MUA: Julia Dzhulay Stylist: Alina Sort www.victorialiub.com www.instagram.com/viki_liub/

www.facebook.com/VictoriaLiub/

EMAIL hollywoodweekly@gmail.com

PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris Michael D. Coxson SENIOR BOOK CURATOR Jane Ubell-Meyer ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Ewart DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES & ASST TO THE PUBLISHER Fal Adams MARKETING & SALES Launy Rhem FEATURED WRITER ANTI AGING EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Adrienne Papp CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Alex A. Kecskes Victor Migalchan Dr. James Kellenberger ART DIRECTOR Damian Aragon I.T. CONSULTANT Jacob Kovatch CHINA OPERATIONS Victor Migalchan victor@hollywoodweeklymagazine.com (213) 220-3052 (424) 371-9900 INDIA OPERATION Ike Sinha Country Director Art4Peace Awards Hollywood Weekly Magazine B1/1565 Vasantkunj New Delhi-110 070 Mobile +919599068592 ASIA OPERATION Joyce Penas Pilarsky HWM Asia Ambassador Email: info@joycepilarsky.com Bench Bello HWM Asia Operations hollywoodmagazineusa@gmail.com Mobile +639273895559 DISTRIBUTORS CoMag MADER NEWS NEWS INFLIGHT, INC

Laurence & Chico Fall/Winter 2019

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Runway Show

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Jane UbellMeyer

Victoria Liub American Model & Actress

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New Spring Books to Discove Discover

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61st Annual Grammy Awards

Art4Peace

Hollywood Spotlight

CJ Comu

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Highlights

Dr. Dame Munni Irone’s historic day in India

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Catch your favorite TV episodes

Inside the Heart of an Entrepreneurial CEO

Katrina Law

James Ingram

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Exclusive Interview

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The Man with the Golden Voice

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Victoria Liub

American Model & Actress

By Victor Migalchan

I

n demand American model and actress Victoria Liub, an artist with Ukrainian roots, began climbing the Fashion-Olympus in Kyiv. Now she’s booking shooting schedules in Miami and New York. In an exclusively with Hollywood Weekly, Victoria talks about her career, her path to fame and a glimpse behind the scenes of a model’s life.

Victoria, you’ve established a successful career in America as a model and actress; did you always know that you would become famous?

No, I did not. I was athletic, but very thin, and I was often teased for because of that. The boys always ran after me, pulled my pigtails, took my schoolbag away. I remember once I came to school and saw something written on the blackboard; it said “Vika’s legs are super!”

This made me feel so ashamed! I quickly grabbed a sponge and wiped everything away -- blushing the whole time!

I never imagined myself as a model, I probably just found myself in the right place, at the right time. In my childhood I always read magazines and looked at top models. I definitely enjoyed it all!

What do you consider a turning point in your career?

It was a moment when I reached a certain status of being a model.

People began to recognize me, but I wanted to keep developing and not just stop with what I had achieved. I was often invited to be a TV presenter in various projects, but I wanted to play! I’m a creative person, I have always painted. I

was engaged in equestrian sports, I’ve danced and played the piano.

I also performed in a school choir.

Thanks to my mom, I was raised as a real aristocratic girl. Art has always been in my life! Therefore, after my higher education in the field of management, I decided to get an acting education at Fort Lauderdale Theater, Florida, and now I continue to improve.

How was that period when your fans began to recognize you and ask you to take photos with them.

I never considered myself a star, although of course there was a time when I became to be recognized.

(Smiles). A lot of TV commercials and billboards with my photo were appearing, and people started to stop and whisper. The bravest of them photographed me or tried to speak, but I’m still a little shy when I’m in those situations. This is my work, my favorite work. And in my everyday life I try to stay an ordinary person!

You have extensive experience modeling in different countries.

What are you most attracted to by modeling in America?

I have to emphasize I love America, and the USA is a big market, for sure, and many different projects are done here. But I still work a lot in Europe and continue to travel all around the world.

America is a country of great opportunities! A hardworking person can establish themselves in any field. There are definitely a lot of options both in the modeling business and the film industry here.

You came from Ukraine, and it’s known that Slavs often achieve

great success in the modeling business. What do you think is the reason for that?

An interesting question. I was surprised at how many beautiful girls of Latin origin, Asian, African etc., that I meet everywhere. Each of them are such a unique beauties.

Probably, Ukrainian education does not allow Ukrainians to relax, we are very able-bodied, we love to achieve goals, Slavic women should always look 100 percent beautiful! Also, we are probably very sensitive, in terms of intuition.

I always try to feel what the photographer wants from me. What image best projects what I need to advertise? What mood does the photographer want to see in me.

Perhaps this has helped me to find consistent work as a model.

Which of the shows or photo projects do you remember the most?

I worked a lot in Kyiv with productions on advertising projects. My video ads have always been on TV. It is very difficult to choose one thing! With my favorite productions, I traveled to shoot in many cities with many professionals in this business. And for filming a lot of my bookings come from abroad: McDonalds, Pantene PRO-V, Assol cosmetics, Chistaya Liniya shampoos, banks and many others. I starred a lot in music videos of different bands. I was on magazine covers. I certainly am proud to work with many brands from Ukraine, even small ones. In each of my projects I do my best. Everything depends on me! I used to be a beginner model and was casting for Antonio Berardi, the Italian designer. I was chosen for the show and when I arrived after all the fitHOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 5

tings, things were hung for each model under the last names. At first I could not find my own. I began to worry that I was forgotten!

Then I saw on a separate counter only a name, without a last name, “VICTORIA,” with my things for the show. Of course, I was very proud!

For this designer I was the lead model every time I worked for him.

You also often work as an actress. Is it easy to get into whatever emotion the Director proposes?

Definitely, when you enter a role you experience everything together with your character, as if living another life. Certainly in life there are different moments and difficulties. But we must learn to leave everything ‘behind the door’ of the scene. In acting nothing should not be false! Otherwise, the view6 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

er will not believe it. Even if it is a very small role, you need to give all of your best. As Stanislavsky said: “There are no small roles - there are small actors” What areas of show business would you be interested in?

Today, I would concentrate on the task, without scattering in different directions. The work of an actor requires concentration and diligence.

Learning lines and entering the role takes a lot of time, effort and patience. In addition to work, there is still family and friends. And all of it needs time and energy! With relatives and friends, it is very important to be an ordinary person, but not a star. You have to leave the acting on stage. It requires a lot of mental flexibility and the ability to switch.

If you were offered to play the role of a James Bond girl, which one would you like to see yourself in?

Perhaps this is the dream of every actress to get a similar role in legendary film franchise! I like all of the actresses who played those roles! Whether it’s Halle Berry, a restrained Rosamund Pike or the cold beauty of Eva Green, each one is different and very inspiring. They leave a mark on your memory …

It seems like a lot of your success came organically. Would you categorize your rise in this business as easy?

Definitely not easy. An agent is very important; to make it alone is very hard! Everywhere there are nuances that you need to know about.

I’m currently looking for a good agent. I would like, of course, to find

a responsible person who could help arrange bookings for me. In Ukraine, I had no problems with this. When you reach a certain level there, everybody knows you and invite you everywhere even without casting auditions.

Victoria, you are an incredibly stylish girl, not only during filming, but also in everyday life. Who helps you with style?

Thank you. For everyday life I don’t use a stylist, I trust my own taste, I try to dress comfortably. I rarely put on make-up. I try to give the skin some time to breathe. But for different projects a stylist is always invited, and I often find something new for myself. It turns out very interesting.

You skillfully combine your private life and a career as a supermodel. Share your secret -- how do you do it?

Be it work or personal relationships, everywhere you have to give yourself completely. Every day I live life to the fullest of my soul and embrace my responsibilities! We never know what will happen tomorrow, today and now is our main life. A minute ago – is the past, and a minute from now is already the future.

Do not delay important business, do it now! And love what you do!

PR: Maria Borovenskaya Model: Victoria Liub Photographer: Vadim Yatsun MUA: Julia Dzhulay Stylist: Alina Sort www.victorialiub.com www.instagram.com/viki_liub/ www.facebook.com/VictoriaLiub/

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 7

Alicia Keys host of the 61st GRAMMY AWARDS, gave a espectacular performance.

Highlights Janelle Monae performs at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

8 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Highlights

Cardi B accepts the award for Best Rap Album Ella Mai wins Best R&B Song for “Booʼd Up” Dua Lipa accepts an award for Best New Artist

Kacey Musgraves accepts an award for Album of the Year

Photo Credits by Timothy Kuratex & Monty Brinton

Dua Lipa and St. Vincent perform at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 9

Highlights

Diana Ross performs at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

Dan + Shay win the best Country Duo/Group Performance Photo Credits by Timothy Kuratex & Monty Brinton

Sting and Shaggy of 44/876 win Best Reggae Album

Highlights

Chloe X Halle perform at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

Brandi Carlile performs at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

H.E.R. won two awards, including best R&B Album

Ludwig Göransson wins Song of the Year for “This is America” and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for Black Panther

Jennifer Lopez performs at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 11

Highlights

Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Andra Day attend THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS Photo Credits by Timothy Kuratex & Monty Brinton

Drake’s “Godʼs Plan” won for Best Rap Song

Kane Brown, Meghan Trainor, and Luke Combs present at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

Highlights

Post Malone and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS Ricky Martin and Camila Cabello perform at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

Travis Scott performs at THE 61ST ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13

t h lig

t o p S

r you f o des ay's o s i ep on tod t s e e lat ramas h t d h t Catc rite TV potligh S favo

TV | The Big Bang Theory

“The D & D Vortex” -- Pictured: Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons) and Leonard “Uncanny Valley of the Dolls” -- Holmes and Watson discover that the murder of a Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki). When the gang finds out Wil Wheaton hosts a robotics engineer may be connected to his groundbreaking secret research in the area celebrity Dungeons and Dragons game involving William Shatner, Joe of real-life teleportation. Also, when Detective Bell is shut out of a required class he Manganiello, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Kevin Smith, deception and betrayal needs in order to complete his master’s degree and join the U.S. Marshal Service, he are the path to make it to the one open seat, on THE BIG BANG THEORY, on is shocked to discover the course instructor has personal reasons for denying him the CBS Television Network. Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadaccess, on ELEMENTARY, Monday, August 13 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS casting, Inc. All Rights Reserved Television Network. Pictured Jon Michael Hill as Detective Marcus Bell JEFF NEIRA/CBS ©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

14 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Spotlight

TV | MacGyver

TV | FAM

“Drunk In Love” -- During their engagement party, Clem and Nick are both shocked to learn that the other has been keeping an embarrassing secret about how they met, on FAM, on the CBS Television Network. Pictured (L-R): Nina Dobrev as Clem, Tone Bell as Nick, and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Walt. Photo: Cliff Lipson/CBS ©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved TV | Charmed

TELLING THE TRUTH — With Macy (Madeleine Mantock) on a quest to find answers, she goes against Harry’s (Rupert Evans) advice and summons up a Necromancer which puts her and Maggie (Sarah Jeffery) in harm’s way.

Maggie attends a frat party at Lucy’s (guest star Natalie Hall) encouragement, to help her get over Parker (Nick Hargrove).

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 13

Spotlight

TV | Man With A Plan “The New Old School” -- When Adam catches Kate sneaking back into the house at night, he is determined to fix the behavior with oldschool parenting tactics. Also, Andi is dismayed when she can’t find many baby pictures of Emme, on MAN WITH A PLAN, on the CBS Television Network. Pictured Grace Kaufman as Kate Burns Photo: Robert Voets/ CBS ©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

TV | Mom “Pre-Washed Lettuce and a Mime” Christy has second thoughts about law school after a tough first day, and Bonnie is plagued by an upsetting dream, on the sixth season premiere of MOM, on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Anna faris as Christy. Photo: Robert Voets/ CBS©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

TV |FBI “Exposed” -- After an investigative journalist is murdered, the team uncovers information linking the suspect to past cases. The victim’s death also strikes a chord with Maggie, leaving her desperate for answers in regard to a traumatic event in her personal life, on FBI, on the CBS Television Network. Pictured: Missy Peregrym, Zeeko Zaki Photo: Michael Parmelee/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

16 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Spotlight

TV | Roswell, New Mexico

FLASHBACKS TO 2008 — In a series of flashbacks to 2008, secrets are uncovered about Rosa’s final day, Isobel’s (Lily Cowles) mysterious blackouts and Alex (Tyler Blackburn) and Michael’s (Michael Vlamis) relationship in high school. Jeanine Mason, Nathan Parsons, Michael Trevino and Trevor St. John also star. Tim Andrew directed the episode written by Eva McKenna & Carina Adly MacKenzie (#106).

TV | Survivor “It Smells Like Success” - Lauren O’Connell, David Wright, Chris Underwood and the Mana Tribe on the premiere of SURVIVOR: Edge of Extinction, on the CBS Television Network.

Timothy Kuratek/CBS Entertainment ©2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 17

When I got the script, I remember thinking; these are words boys get to say…. and how tough boys get

“

18 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

H

ailing from South Jersey, Katrina Law’s high school activities included varsity track, soccer, cheerleading, even weightlifting. She was also a member of The National Honors Society and won the title of Miss New Jersey Teen USA. After graduating with a theater degree from the Richard Stockton College of NJ, Katrina appeared on “CSI: Miami” and “Legend of the Seeker,” as well as supporting and lead roles in a number of films, including “Alpha Males Experiment,” “Lucky Numbers,” “Emmett’s Mark,” “The Learning Curve,” and “Bottomfeeders.” Katrina also landed the key role of Mira on the hit series, “Spartacus.” Fans then followed her on CW’s “Arrow” as the recurring DC comic book character, Nyssa Al Ghul. More recently Katrina landed the role of Rebecca Lee in the crime-drama series “Training Day” and later as Stephanie Bailey in the horror-drama series “Sacred Lies.”

In the gritty gangland drama “The Oath,” Katrina is Karen Beach, a member of the secret Ravens police gang and the only female lead in a series headed for season 2.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview.

In fiercely competitive L.A., what was the aha moment when you realized, okay, I can make a living at this?

Katrina Law: I would have to say probably “Spartacus.” It was my big break. Steven S. DeKnight and Rob Tapert took a chance on me and the series went on to be an international hit. It was the first time I’d actually gained success in my acting career.

From there, it just kind of kept going.

and dirty boys-only film. What attracted you to the role of Karen?

KL: My favorite thing about Karen is that she is one of the boys. She is just as tough if not tougher. She plays just as hard, if not harder. She’s accepted as one of the boys, which is very rare in scripts these days. I love how hard and fast she plays. A lot of times, the guys look at her and they’re like OMG, did you just see that? She has something to prove and a chip on her shoulder. So she’s very aware that she’s in a man’s world and that she knows that if she wants to play and compete, she needs to go above and beyond what men normally do.

Can you go into your audition for the role? You mentioned at one point that you thought it was a part for a male character.

KL: The sides were amazing. When I got the script, I remember thinking; these are words boys get to say. This is how tough boys get to play. Normally, women have to stand behind men to either placate them, be softer, or have a sensitivity that men aren’t required to have. But Karen just goes all out. It was a lot of fun. I initially thought Robert De Niro could play this part. This isn’t something you pass up.

Were you able to dovetail any of your real-life experiences into this demanding role?

KL: I think Karen Beach is not very similar to Katrina Law (laughs). I don’t have to be as hard or as manipulative. I get to be softer. Then again, I’m not part of this world of brutality and violence. Yes, there are definitely parts that I can relate to, having to compete but not to the extremes that Karen has to go to.

On the surface, “The Oath” seems like a mean

Katrina Law

Arrow’s Nyssa Al Ghul is a Rogue Cop in Season 2 of “The Oath”

By Alex A. Kecskes HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 19

I definitely have my Jersey attitude that comes out…and I channel most of that for Karen Beach.

In terms of personality, how are you like Karen Beach and how are you different?

KL: I think my drive comes out in Karen. I definitely have my Jersey attitude that comes out now and then. And I think I channel most of that for Karen.

So, yeah, the East Coast attitude definitely comes in handy. And when I’m tired and not feeling sympathetic toward other people, I can definitely have a harsher view of the world, thinking, it’s black and white guys. You either do it or you don’t. So that part of my personality gets to shine a bit brighter than it normally does.

What did you find most challenging about your role and being in this series?

KL: On a physical level, it was very hard working in Puerto Rico after hurricane Maria. We were being asked to work in a disaster area that’s still in the process of recovery. It’s difficult going to the set every day knowing that some of your crew still don’t have water or electricity. And knowing that this vital city block that used to be vibrant with activity and life has six of its buildings shut down because of the hurricane and things aren’t up and running yet. So realizing that we’re making this actor’s salary and living this dream job on this tropical island that’s still beautiful, while people are still dying because they can’t get access to clean water. It’s still challenging, which is why I was so proud of “The Oath” and Crackle for going back down to Puerto Rico and honoring their word to finish up this series after the 20 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

hurricane season. It made everyone feel better— from the local casting crew to others being flown in—to finish Season 2. There was a camaraderie that you don’t get on a lot of sets, especially when you’re being forced into a situation like this. So it was challenging but also a very beautiful thing to go through.

The camaraderie was palpable. You could feel it watching the first season.

KL: The boys and I got along really well. We really clicked. It was one of the best casts to work with and the crew was amazing. We’d be at the hotel hanging out and have beach days and go out on the island together.

“The Oath” explores many areas of the human condition—loyalty, betrayal, justice, even redemption. What do you see as the series’ core message?

KL: I think the core message is that sometimes life takes you in directions that you weren’t prepared for. It’s definitely not about glorifying cop violence

or brutality. “The Oath” explores how a cop who signed up to do something good, who probably had the best intentions of protecting the community, gets roped into being a criminal. How it’s a slippery slope and how easy it is to find yourself immersed in crime before you even realize it. It’s more about why people would stay in criminal activity and how they would justify it. And eventually, how they try to redeem themselves and get out of it.

Will Season 2 go deeper into the backstories of Karen and some of the other characters?

KL: We’ll get a lot of backstories in Season 2. I actually had a great time filming Season 2. I was so happy with Joe Halpin and the writing team and what they gave my character to do. And how much I got to sink my teeth into. So if you thought Season 1 was juicy for Karen, Season 2 gets even better.

You get all of her backstory. And it is juicy and dark.

As portrayed in “The Wire” and similar gritty cop dramas, there’s always a lot of police jargon and gang shorthand. Did you have to bring yourself up to speed on that?

KL: We did a lot of that in Season 1 and the great thing about having Joe Halpin, who was part of the LAPD Sheriff’s department, and the tech support we got from Reinhardt (Schuerger) was that they were on hand every day. They made sure we looked the part and spoke the part. Little things like how you walk up to a vehicle and how you stand, things that civilians don’t think about. Another thing, if you’re right-handed and shoot with your right hand, you won’t present your right side to a suspect. So that if a suspect tries to reach for your gun, they have to reach farther.

Can you talk about the physical demands of the role, something you’re no doubt used to, having been in “Arrow” and “Spartacus”?

KL: The physical demands weren’t crazier than anything I did on “Arrow” or “Spartacus.” The main difference is you go from hand-held weapons to a Glock. Like when you pull a gun, it becomes an extension of you. And you learn about gun safety on set, like never to point a gun at someone you’re not ready to shoot. Also to make sure there’s a weapons check every time a gun is passed from one hand to another. I had a little bit of that on “Training Day” but not nearly as much as we did on “The Oath.” And, again, the heat and humidity of Puerto Rico were physically challenging. We were wearing our cop uniforms and leather jackets.

Tell us a bit about Nepal, living with villagers, and working with buildOn. KL: What a great organization. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever wanted to reach out and do something more than donate money to an online service. BuildOn is a great way to go out, explore the world, and meet the people you’re helping. I’d never done anything like that.

My friend, actress Erin Cahill, put together a group and said, we’re going to a school in Nepal, would anyone like to join? I thought it was the coolest thing on the planet, so I signed up. We spent five days with the villagers and then we broke ground on a school. I’m so happy that I did it because there’s nothing like it. Nepal is so beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. The support we got from the villages—from five-year-old kids to 90-year-old grandmothers—was an amazing show of pride in what they were doing. It was an experience to pump your own water and to dump water to flush a toilet hole in the ground. We spent about a year raising over $120,000 and built three schools. Part of that money went to send ten inner-city kids from New York City to break ground for a school in Haiti. It helps inner-city kids see the world, understand volunteerism, and help kids down there.

The core message in “ The Oath ” is that sometimes life takes you in directions that you weren’t prepared for HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 21

Business

you don’t have to re-invent the administrative wheel every 6 months • Stretched too thin: There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done.

But prioritizing is difficult because everything on the todo list is essential to growing your business.

Law of Attraction and Business Coach

A

Jennifer Friebely, On Call Marketing s rewarding as owning a business can be—financially and personally—there is no doubt that it can also be a grind. Even the most motivated may have times when they’re unsure about their vision and purpose. The question is, when those days come, will you be ready for them? And what tools will you need to overcome the challenges you face? Unfortunately, neither Google nor a Forbes subscription will have the answers. Instead, the better approach may be to turn to a professional business consultant to show you the way.

Consider issues nearly every entrepreneur seems to face, at one time or another: • A/R shortfalls: Late-paying customers threaten your ability to make payroll

No matter what the particular challenge of the day is, in order to succeed, having a great team at your side is essential. But a great team is more than a staff, vendors and customers. It’s also having personal confidants you can turn to for vu through the tough times.

Those who believe in you, understand your vision, and can help you see how to turn your dream into reality.

I know how essential all this is, because I’ve been there myself.

I’ve had 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur, a business strategist, and marketing and public relations professional. I’ve been a small business owner, and I’ve worked in large organizations with Fortune 500 clients.

• Vendor issues: Poor quality or unreliable delivery make it dif- I’ve watched how small alterations—a new location, a new ficult to fulfill contracts manager—can significantly affect • Hiring employees: It’s hard to a company. I’ve seen how more attract great staff, and it’s even dramatic changes, such as a new technology, can utterly transform more difficult to keep them an entire industry overnight. The • Infrastructure: You need work- companies that succeed, no matable calendaring, bookkeeping ter the change, are those that and other processes that make strategize and plan. The leaders sense now, but are scalable—so who succeed are those who are

ment, or staying current digitally—my mission is to coach others to be their greatest, best version of I myself have had professional successes and fail- themselves. ures. And personal pain as well. When my late husband was fighting brain cancer, I gave up every- The problem with many entrepreneurs is that the thing, including my business, to tend to his needs. same independent spirit that drives them to start When he died, I was alone and uncertain how to companies can eventually become a liability. You came this far on your own, and you feel like that’s pay a mountain of expenses. how it always has to be. However, it’s just not true.

Despite financial, emotional and social struggles, You don’t have to go at all this alone. You can (and I kept my positive attitude and was determined to should) expand your team. Find great mentors, supporters and coaches. You want people who can give rebuild. And I did, with great success. you insight. You want people who will hold you acThis experience—overcoming the challenges that countable—not to their standards, but to your own. life throws at us—made me want to help others, those who are ambitious, but they, too, may face I’d be honored if I can join your team. Let’s hard times. This desire became the catalyst for my schedule your complimentary 20-minute consult today, to see how we could work together, or brainmarketing and coaching practice, storm with you, so you can achieve the company On-Call Marketing. and life you dream of.

For me, setting intentions is the key. I am a certified Law of Attraction coach, and I work with busi- Contact: ness owners to help them with goal-setting and on-call-marketing.com then, goal-achieving. Whether it’s a personal issue, Email: jenny@on-call-marketing.com a struggle for clarity in a business mission state- Phone: 212-419-1159 both personally and professionally resilient.

“Everything you want is out there waiting for you to ask.

Everything you want also wants you.

But you have to take action to get it.”

—Jack Canfield

Very Good(3 stars) Rated R for profanity, drug use, sexual references and graphic violence Running time: 118 minutes Production Company: Paradox Films / StudioCanal

By: Kam Williams

Nels Coxman (Liam Neeson) is Kehoe, Colorado’s most reliable snowplow driver. He was recently named the popular ski resort area’s “Citizen of the Year” for keeping its treacherous mountain roads clear during the blizzards which routinely threaten to disrupt the town’s tourist season.

Not used to making public appearances before an audience, the shy civil servant needs some help from his wife (Laura Dern) dressing and preparing an acceptance speech. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes the night of the awards dinner when their son (MicheálRichardson) dies of a drug overdose in nearby Denver.

After identifying the body at the morgue, Grace (“We didn’t know our own son.”) is inclined to accept the police explanation that Kyle had been a heroin addict.

But hubby Nels (“Kyle wasn’t a druggie!”) is very skeptical, since the kid had no history of drug use and had been gainfully employed as a baggage handler at Kehoe’s airport at the time of his demise.

So, the grieving dad decides to do a little digging on his own and soon discovers that Dante (Wesley MacInnes), a co-worker of Kyle’s, had stolen a kilo of cocaine from a drug cartel. As it turns out, Kyle was ostensibly mur24 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

dered in a case of mistaken identity on orders from a kingpin known as Viking (Tom Bateman).

That’s little consolation to Nels who suddenly becomes blinded by rage. The mild-mannered pillar of the community morphs into a sadistic spree killer determined to track down the powerful mobster who ordered the hit on his boy. However, Viking has an army of minions running interference, which means Nels must negotiate a perilous gauntlet en route to his well-protected target.

Thus unfolds Cold Pursuit, a riveting vigilante thriller directed by Hans Petter Moland. The movie is a faithful, English-language adaptation of In Order of Disappearance, a gratuitous gorefest which Moland made in his native Norway in 2014. This equally-gruesome remake similarly veers back and forth between slaughter and slapstick, never fully committing to comedy or drama.

Whether we’re supposed to laugh at or recoil from the escalating body count, Cold Pursuit, at heart, is a wanton splatterflick certain to satiate the bloodlust of fans of the genre.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 25

keep their doors open and businesses flourishing, consulted with her on how to bring ideas and business concepts and innovative business blueprints to market, along with suggestions on how to thrive in spite of business management problems that normally surface in the process of even effective operations. She realized that the chief component to any business success was to have good counsel in the form of an advisor/ mentor to help steer one through the mazes of business formation Dr. Marcia Ann Mims Coppertino projects. Additional outside AttorDirector of Operations, US Team neys, Accountants and seasoned veterans in business are often utilized to confirm and verify practice WHO WE ARE measures to assure compliance and good faith business with our Coppertino and Associates Conclients. sulting Group (offering premier business development, branding, Dr. Coppertino re-entered the and business management serbusiness arena to also help clarify vices) was founded in 1978 under the benefits of business ownerthe name of “Consumer Financial ship by entrepreneurs who sought Services” in Los Angeles, Califorher counsel, and to assist them nia by Dr. Marcia Ann Mims Copin business practices that were pertino, and thereafter in 1979 as beneficial to both customers and Coppertino and Associates, and clients. Dr. Coppertino has over re-established in 2012 in Los An40 years in the business indusgeles, California, under it’s new try, including acting as Business name to include additional, esManager for over 100 plus firms tablished business professionals under her tenure, including Jackthat are called on as colleagues son Hewitt Financial Services as and business associates to comtheir West Coast General Manager bine business strength, business where she opened over 40 offices knowledge, and business expertise for their parent company, Cendant in order to assist a wide range of Corporation, and trained over 300 businesses developed to serve the agents to become professioncommunity. Coppertino and Assoals in the financial world under a ciates Consulting Group was born 20 million dollar budget. Bringto help you take care of business! ing Jackson Hewitt from Virginia Beach, Va. was a great challenge Dr. Coppertino also saw a need to that netted JH a stellar reputation launch the company in a differin the tax field which is now 2nd ent direction in 2012 when mom only to H and R Block in California! and pop operations, new business JH Business offices in Inglewood, owners and those struggling to Compton, San Pedro, South Cen-

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Book of the Month Kam Williams “Despite dramatic social transformations in the United States during the last 150 years, the South has remained staunchly conservative.

Southerners are more likely to support Republican candidates, gun rights, and the death penalty, and southern whites harbor higher levels of racial resentment than whites in other parts of the country.

Why haven’t these sentiments evolved or changed? “Deep Roots” shows that the entrenched political and racial views of contemporary white southerners are a direct consequence of the region’s slaveholding history, which continues

28 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

to shape economic, political, and social spheres. Today, southern whites who live in areas once reliant on slavery—compared to areas that were not—are more racially hostile and less amenable to policies that could promote black progress.”

Excerpted from the dust jacket William Faulkner is the only Nobel prize-winner born in Mississippi, which is where most of his stories are set. One of this preeminent Southern writer’s most memorable lines is, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.” That quote comes to mind while reading “Deep Roots: How Slavery Still Shapes Southern Politics.” That’s because, after conducting painstaking research, authors Avidit Acharya, Matthew Blackwell and Maya Sen arrived at a conclusion (“History shapes contemporary political culture.”) which sounds like a paraphrase of Faulkner’s famous saying.

Over the course of the 150+ years since Emancipation, the descendants of slave owners have continuously operated to prevent blacks from pursuing the American Dream. In the face of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, southern municipalities, cities and states passed Jim Crow laws denying African-Americans the right to vote, travel, buy land, possess a gun, get an education, and so

forth.

The punishment for even the slightest of infractions ranged from whipping to lynching in order to strictly maintain the region’s color-coded caste system. “Racial violence was an important component of the development of anti-black attitudes, even among poor whites.” Furthermore, “White children were often present... and, in some striking cases, they were also active participants.”

So, is it any surprise that, “As of the 2016 election, all of the former states of the Confederacy had implemented some voter identification law” in an effort to deny as many black citizens as possible access to the ballot box? Advocates of Confederate monuments and memorials continue to claim the Civil War was waged over states’ rights, conveniently ignoring the assertion of the designer of the rebel battle flag that, “As a people, we are fighting to maintain the heaven-ordained supremacy of the white man over the inferior or colored race.”

A timely tome which explains why, from neo-Nazis marching in Charlottesville to Virginia politicians donning blackface, when it comes to the South, the more things change, the more they remain insane.

61st Annual Daytona 500

“DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: MTV star Chad Tepper checks out Monster Energy’s “Smoke Show” attraction prior to the 2019 Daytona 500. (Photo by NASCAR)” (PICTURED IN PHOTO: Chad Tepper) “DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Celebrities attend the Driver’s Meeting during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)” (PICTURED IN PHOTO, from left: Julian Edelman and Gavin DeGraw)

“DAYTONA BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 17: Grammy-award winning singers Tori Kelly and Gavin DeGraw join American Gods star Ricky Whittle in meet and greet with NASCAR legends Austin Dillon and Richard Childress. (Photo by NASCAR)” (PICTURED IN PHOTO, from left: Tori Kelly, Ricky Whittle, Austin Dillon, Gavin DeGraw, and Richard Childress)

“DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 17: Celebrities attend the Driver’s Meeting during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series 61st Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2019 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner/ Getty Images)” (PICTURED IN PHOTO, from left: Killer Mike, Gavin DeGraw, Tori Kelly and Ronnie Mund)

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 29

two Reiki healer. She was also able to begin to clear negative energies that were manifesting symptoms in her patients.

Editor’s Choice, Best of the Best, America’s Most Promising Companies and Practitionerss

By Lady Adrienne Papp

After receiving education as a mental health nurse practitioner and further training as a certified functional medicine

“A lot of these symptoms are stress related and exacerbated due to poor diet,” Watkins explains. “Things like gluten, specifically, are known to cause increased inflammation in the body. Other culprits of increased inflammation and stress on the body are sugar, eggs and dairy.”

Now, after ten years as a mental health nurse practitioner, Watkins has developed a practice that incorporates the teachings of Dr. Kelly Brogan, Dr. Brad Nelson, and Dr. Joe Dispensa.

Lisa Watkins Passionately Changing the Paradigm of Mental Health As a registered nurse, Lisa Watkins made her rounds administering treatments and encouragement to cancer patients, but soon she found she was also drawn to the work being done in an outpatient mental health facility in Bismarck, ND. The more she observed the more she realized that some of the patients had similar issues that she had herself.

“I just started asking a lot of questions and had a deep-rooted interest and need to help people who were hurting emotionally, just as I was,” Watkins says.

30 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

practitioner, her paradigm for mental health treatment shifted dramatically. Translating her experience at the clinic into private practice, Watkins soon was offering help to people who were deeply troubled.

“I listened to my patients sharing stories about their daily struggles, family life, family history, traumas, illnesses and other issues that may have had an emotional impact on their lives,” she says. “Those discussions gave me a place to start, and with the addition of energy therapies, we were able to dig into the real issues, as the mind always knows what the problems are and what needs to be healed.”

Watkins also began doing energy work, including muscle testing and becoming a level

“It is believed that diet is responsible for about 90% of all diseases. To assists the body in healing, I utilize a line of supplements, called Isotonix, the world’s most advanced nutraceuticals. Isotonix supplementation delivers nutrient dense solutions for efficient absorption with little to no GI distress, Lisa says. “It’s a powder that’s mixed with water to provide rapidly assimilated nutrients to the body. In as little as an hour I’ve had patients tell me that they feel more calm, and their thinking is clearer and more focused,” she adds.

Youthful and Ageless™ will be working with Lisa for years to come and update you regularly on the latest. Until then, for appointments call 701-471-7066.

Or email to LDWGROUPINC@ HOTMAIL.COM Website: www.ldwgroupinc.com and www.igotthevitamins.com

disease pathways and keeping you well and allowing you to live healthier. That’s Dr. Block’s legacy and I’m trying to keep it going.”

Anti-Aging and Beauty Expert, Erin Lucie Presented by the Youthful and Ageless™ Movement, Adrienne Papp, Editorial Director When Erin Lucie was growing up and playing in her mother’s beauty shop in Tulsa, OK, little did she know that those early experiences would lead to a career emphasizing disease prevention and the promotion of health with an emphasis on aesthetic medicine.

After attending beauty school at sixteen, Erin went on to work at a local medical spa. When it was time to move on to higher education, Erin studied journalism and education at Oklahoma State University, and at the same time became a national educator for Physicians Care Alliance, traveling extensively as she promoted their skin care products. The more she got involved, the more passionate about medicine and aesthetics she became.

After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts and setting some career goals, Erin decided to focus on medical aesthetics and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

from The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. In 2011, Erin opened Mod Skin Nutrition in Tulsa a private skincare clinic with a modern twist on traditional aesthetic procedures. She eventually completed her Masters and Doctorates in Nursing from the University of South Alabama.

As a newly credentialed Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) she was also invited to study alternative medicine with one of the top practitioners in the country, Dr. Jerome Block, who was doing groundbreaking work with protocols like neurotransmitter testing, hormone testing and the effectiveness of micronutrients in the diet. “Those studies gave me a whole new perspective on what medical treatments could involve, ”Erin says. “It was about getting to the source of a disease. Our health care system today is broken and based on sick-care not health-care. We give prescriptions in order to treat symptoms.

The more illnesses you have the more insurance pays doctors for your visits. It’s a backwards industry. I want to get paid to keep you healthy, not ill, and that is what anti-aging medicine is about, getting to the root cause and preventing and correcting the

That continuation process now includes a new clinic that Erin has recently opened to focus on women’s health and health promotion, disease prevention and health education. Luminate Direct Anti-Aging Care in now open in Tulsa, offering hormone replacement, cosmetic injections (including the innovative cannula technique), skin rejuvenation and nutritional supplements.

“In the last five years I have had zero patients who had either a stroke or cancer with any of my protocols,” says Erin, who is a member of The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS). “We want you to look better and feel better, and to do that you have to do the right things and do them safely.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment: https://luminate.clinic

FEATURED WRITER ANTI AGING EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Adrienne Papp

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 31

Kara - Red and Black Tweed Jacket and Skirt and Black Tulle Jellyfish Necklace

Elizabeth - White Cape Shirt, Pink Faux Fur Collar and Denim Skirt with Pearls and Ruffles

Sasha - Green Shredded Jacquard Jacket and Skirt with Ostrich Feathers and Turtle Neck

ClermontTwins - Backstage ofRose - Pineapple Print Shirt and Skinny Jeans and Brown Strip Flower Topthe Laurence and Chico 2019 Runway Show

32 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Laurence & Chico

Fall/Winter 2019 Runway Show

Holly - Grey Wool Oversized Coat with Pink Tulle Ruffle Dress Annon - Pink Faux Fur Coat Nicolette - Pink Faux Fur Dress with Denim Bow Tie Belt

Rachel - Gray Tweed Dress and Grey Tulle Jellyfish Necklace

Tess - Long White and Denim Jacket with Denim Dress with Pearls HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 33

Laurence & Chico

Fall/Winter 2019 Runway Show

Serena - Tropical Floral Print Blazer and Skirt with Red Polka Dots Print Shirt Lily - Yellow and Blue Geometric Jacquard Dress with Flower Ruffles

PK - White and Denim Jacket, Massage Tee and Denim Shorts with Ostrich Feathers

David - Yellow and Blue Geometric Jacquard Top with Flower Ruffles, Brown Plaid Skirt and Pants and Purple Tulle Ruffles

ClermontTwins - Backstage of the Laurence and Chico 2019 Runway Show Backstage Credit: Leandro Justen

Katia - Green Wool Vest Dress, Jacket and Turtle Neck

Hildie - Denim Dress with Pearls, Ruffles and Belt

Yulia - Green Wool Short and Long Vest, Skirt and Yellow Tulle Jellyfish Necklace

Ya - Yellow and Blue Geometric Jacquard Blazer with Flower Ruffles and Yellow Tulle Ruffle Dress Runway Credit: Dan Lecca

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 35

Meet Stella Singleton-Jones of Sculptures

by Stella in Baldwin Hills

By Stella Singleton-Jones Hollywood Weekly: Today we’d like to introduce you to Stella Singleton-Jones. Stella, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?

Stella Sigleton-Jones: My art career started when I was in the 8th grade at John Burroughs Jr. High, when my teacher, Mr. Shapiro entered my plaster sculpture into an overall art completion, which I won first placed. The prize was an internship program at Otis Art Institution. So from 1974 – 1976, I would go to Otis Art Institution in the early evening after school and on Saturday’s days for the next two years.

When it was time for me to graduate from John Burroughs Jr. High, Otis Art Institution recommended me to attend Santa Monica High School, because they had the best art depart36 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

ment in the state. So, I attended Santa Monica High that fall of 1976, where my career took on a new meaning because I was exposed to painting and drawing. Unfortunately, the drawing instructor there, she and I did not see eye to eye. I wanted to draw abstractly, but she wanted me to draw like a picture. So this mishap ended my career as a drawer.

I, later on, graduated from Santa Monica High School and went on to Santa Monica Jr. College to expand my art career. Needless to say, I planted my foot down at Santa Monica Jr. College and discovered my true talent in the art world would be as an abstract sculptress in stone sculptures. My stone sculpture career started to blossom throughout the early 80’s and then came crashing down in a spiral effect in the later 80’s, due to the death

of my brother, Derek Singleton, he was my number one supporter in my art world, as well as my parents, unfortunately, I stopped my art career in stone sculpturing. Consequently, I took a 20 years break from the art world, never letting any of my co-workers/current friends to have any indignation of my past worth in the art world.

Life is funny and takes on some strange journeys, but on January 16 of 1996, I was stricken down with spinal meningitis, which left me in a coma for two and a half weeks and I remember when I had woken up, I could not move my legs and could not form my words to speak. I had to endure 6 months to several years of physical therapy. And every time I would go out into the public, I would become ill and had to endure a lot of medicines and steroids, I had made up my mind, this is it and I

will not go outside again unless it was to go to a doctor’s appointment. My doctor at that time was Dr. Gorniswky and when I started my overall outcome position. He faced me and stared dead into my eyes and said, ‘HOW DARE you give up on life’, then shouted at me and said with a firm voice, ‘then you should go back to school for physical therapy and interact with others.’

I was not quite sure how to handle my doctor’s disappointment, but I did consider Dr. Gorniswky’s‘recommendation to attend school, I remember my study in college was the arts. So, I got down on my knees at home and said to God if this is what you want me to endure, then the art world I will give my all, as long as I am able to inspire others not to give up on their dreams and yes, life is strange how things work out, but with strength and determination any career is possible.

In resuming my art career in 2007 which was two years ago, I am proud to say, I have accomplished something in my wildest dreams, which can never be taken away from me in this life, that my stone sculpture which I created in April 2009 is now in the White House sitting on a desk inside the Oval Office called (UNITY) and I had a great time at the Pre-Oscar Show (2018) What a blessing and a dream come true!!!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc.

– but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy.

Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?

Stella Sigleton-Jones: Unfortunately, my art journey has not been a smooth road. I did not realize that some museum and galleries will take advantage of an upcoming artist. One museum broke 2 of my sculptures and they are unwilling to pay the cost of the damages. Another museum tried to steal my artwork. An art promoter stole my entrance fee and the entrance fee for approximately 500 other vendors to exhibit Also as you may know some museum and galleries overcharge to exhibit artwork. These incidents and obstacle, as well as others, have presented real struggles for me.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sculptures by Stella – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others?

I am the founder/artist of Sculptures

by Stella. I create one of a kind stone sculptures and every stone sculptures are created completely by hands. Every stone sculpture created has some type of a circular movement with beautiful and bold colors which makes a perfect conversation piece for any office or home. This is what sets my stone

sculptures apart from others.

I am very proud of my (unity) stone sculpture inside of the White House (2009) and my stone sculptures exhibited at the Pre-Oscar Show (2018).

So, what’s next? Any big plans?

My future plans are to have my stone sculptures featured in a movie, a commercial or a play. I would love to exhibit at a big museum or gallery with over 20 stone sculptures and inspire the next generation of artists.

Contact Info: Website: sculptures by stella Phone: 310-502-2492 Email: stellaj1006@sbcglobal.net Facebook: sculptures by stella

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 37

PACIFISM: NOW IS THE TIME Dr. James Kellenberger War has been with us as long as there has been recorded history.

The Bible tells of wars fought by the people of Israel against the Canaanites, and more that two thousand years ago there were wars between Greek city-states.

Every century has had its war or wars. Often in recent centuries wars have been between nations or between nations and quasi-nations (like ISIS). There have been civil wars, regional wars, and world wars. Wars have been fought for expansion, for national security, in retaliation, and to maintain a nation’s economic position.

conditioned to kill the enemy, and there have been those who renounce war and violence, as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. did. Many others not so well known have done so as well.

Wars occur with horrendous regularity, but they are not inevitable. They are not like disease. They occur because human beings in positions of power decide to engage in a war action. This means that if humankind or the decision -makers of the world had the will they could turn from war.

Some wars are wars of aggression undertaken by one side to gain territory. Some wars are wars of self-defense engaged in by one side in opposition to aggression.

This suggests that sometimes engaging in war may be “justified” for at least one side in a conflict.

However, every country that goes to war sees its cause as justified, whether it goes to war in defense or to expand or for other reasons.

Those who consistently turn from war are pacifists. They renounce war and hold that war should be renounced by everyone.

Many who are not pacifists concede that war is an evil and then proceed to proclaim that their war is a “necessary evil,” necessary, that is, to attain their end. There are reasons to turn from and to renounce all war, however. There are two significant reasons to repudiate war: a religious reason and a moral reason.

The constancy of war in human history has led some to the view that war is inherent in human nature, embedded in our DNA. But this is not so. Those inducted into an army have to be trained and

The Religious Reason. All the religious traditions of the world value peace, and within the various religious traditions there are scriptural and other sources that are pacifist.

This is so even though there have

38 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

been wars between religions, wars fought in the name of religions, and wars allowed by or approved of by religions. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were religious persons, Gandhi a Hindu and King a Christian.

More than a few terrorists and suicide bombers have identified themselves as Muslims, but many Muslims reject violent jihad. In the Qur’an a verse tells believers to respond in peace when the enemy inclines toward peace, and in the hadith (a collection of the sayings of the prophet Muhammad) many of Muhammad’s sayings call for kindness and love. Though there is not a strong Islamic pacifist tradition there have been Muslims who have followed the way of nonviolence. Rabia Terri Harris, the founder of the Muslim Peace Fellowship, is a contemporary example.

In the Jewish tradition, though again there is no well-established pacifist tradition, peace is recognized as a value. In the Hebrew Bible (which corresponds to the Christian Old Testament) in the book of Isaiah that prophet says that the Lord will ordain peace and prophesies a time when swords will be beaten into plowshares and nations will cease to war against nations. An organization within the Jewish tradition that today works for social justice and peace is Jewish Voices for Peace.

In Taoism (or Daoism) and Confucianism, two Eastern religious traditions, there is no explicit teaching of pacifism. Yet in Taoism Laotse in the Tao Te Ching advises all to avoid the use of arms and when

it cannot be avoided to exercise restraint. Mencius in the Confucian tradition says that while a tyrant will exercise force, a “true king” will practice benevolence in a virtuous spirit.

in other ways inflicting death or harm on them. The root teachings of Buddhism and Christianity when taken seriously rule out war and provide a sufficient reason for following pacifism.

Ahimsa (commitment to nonviolence) is a fundamental teaching in the Eastern religious traditions of Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

It requires nonviolence in every dimension of a person’s life and toward every living creature. As a renunciation of all violence it repudiates war. The Buddhist teaching of compassion for all sentient beings correlates with ahimsa and by itself is a rejection of war. The life of Gautama Buddha (the historical Buddha, who lived in India in the sixth or fifth century BC) exhibited nonviolence.

In the Christian scriptures there is no specific teaching regarding nonviolence or nonparticipation in war. However, the commandment to love our neighbors carries with it the implication to practice nonviolence toward them and not to engage in warfare. The life of Jesus, who called the peacemakers blessed and taught that we should turn the other cheek rather than strike back, epitomizes nonviolence. In the first centuries of Christianity the early Christians were pacifists.

The Moral Reason. Like the religious reason the moral reason against war has several expressions. In its simplest expression it cites the well-recognized moral principle that it is wrong to kill another human being. When states terminate the lives of those convicted of a serious crime they term their taking of human life an “execution,” not murder. When nations go to war they authorize the members of their military to kill those who are the enemy and characterize such killing as justified and not murder. But the legitimacy of such authorization is doubtful, The nations on opposite sides in a war action authorize the killing of those on the other side, but not those on their own side, which makes doubtful the legitimacy of either authorization. The very idea of such an authorization is doubtful, as though a political pronouncement could negate the moral principle that killing another human being is wrong.

And if that moral principle stands it is a moral reason against war or one expression of the moral reason against war.

It is important to recognize that the Buddhist teaching of compassion and the Christian teaching of love by themselves require the practice of pacifism. If we love our neighbors, we will not engage them in war. Love of others, or compassion for them, does not allow machine gunning, bombing them, or

Another expression of the moral reason against war derives from moral justice and respect for the rights of human beings. Human beings have the right to be treated as persons, to be respected as persons, There may be some question about all that is required in order to meet this basic right of

persons, but it is clear that at a minimum treating persons with hate or dehumanizing them violates their right to be respected as persons.

In wartime, though, this is just what happens. When a nation goes to war it encourages hate of those on the other side, the enemy, or even worse their dehumanization. A part of the training of soldiers teaches them to see the enemy as dehumanized. They become “gooks” or “devils.” As those who conduct military training appreciate, if enemy soldiers are seen as dehumanized it becomes psychologically easier to kill them. They are no longer seen as persons and can now be seen as targets. The fostering of hate or dehumanization is a part of the violence of war that occurs before the first enemy soldier is killed. And in itself it violates the right of hundreds or thousands or millions of persons to be treated as persons.

War by its nature causes death, destruction, and suffering; and perhaps the most obvious expression of the moral reason against war is that it has such terrible effects. All wars cause death, destruction, and suffering, but these effects of war have become amplified in modern warfare in which technologically advanced weapons are used. This expression of the moral reason against war applies to all war, but it applies with most force against modern warfare, warfare as it has developed since the beginning of the twentieth century. So we will focus on modern warfare and direct the argument based on this expression of the moral reason against war as it has occurred since 1900 and is likely to occur in the future.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 39

In the Second World War in one estimate there were between twenty-one and twenty-five million combatant deaths and between fifty and eighty million civilian deaths.

In the Vietnam War there were over seven hundred thousand military deaths and over six hundred thousand civilian deaths, while over the years of the Iraq War there were 461,000 total deaths, including hundreds of thousands civilian deaths. Many civilian deaths are caused by aerial bombing, one of the innovations of modern warfare.

justify the renunciation of modern war – the kind of warfare the world now faces – but it is only one expression of the moral reason, and the other expressions address warfare in all its forms.

Modern warfare also results in many thousands of civilians suffering amputation or otherwise being wounded. Modern wars destroy infrastructure and agriculture and can cause famine. Aerial bombardment of cities and villages create the suffering of homelessness for thousands. Lives are disrupted and families are separated on a scale that is hard for those who have not experienced war to imagine. And after the combat of war there are other long-range effects. One of these is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which affects both civilians who live in a war zone and returning soldiers.

The religious reason and the moral reason are universal reasons. They address all of us. You don’t have to be a Buddhist to recognize the rightness of compassion or a Christian to recognize the rightness of love. The moral reason addresses all who have a morality, as we all do even if we have moral differences. These two reasons are universal in addressing and applying to all persons. In this they contrast with individual reasons, such as personal fear of being in combat, and nation-specific reasons, such as the judgment that going to war is not in your nation’s self-interest or that going to war will harm your nation’s economy. (Actually economic reasons are more likely to be brought forward in favor of engaging in war, for a nation’s going on a war footing can stimulate that nation’s economy – at least in the short run.) Often economic reasons can be given for doing what is wrong.

This effects-focused expression of the moral reason is enough to

The religious reason against engaging in war actions, especially in

40 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

its Buddhist and Christian expressions, is sufficient to justify pacifism and the renunciation of war.

This is so even though Buddhists and Christians have engaged in war. In fact in the Middle Ages the Crusades were undertaken by Christians in the name of Christianity (although many crusaders had mixed motives). Nevertheless the requirements of compassion or love mandate the renunciation of war, as do ahimsa and Christian nonviolence.

In the same way the moral reason is sufficient to justify pacifism.

The moral right of person to be respected as persons rules out killing or harming them as absolutely as compassion or love. The religious reason and the moral reason can go together. They are compatible and do not exclude each other, but either alone is enough to bring us rightly to turn from war.

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TESTIMONIALS “Richard did a great job on short notice. He was very responsive and actually picks up the phone himself. No passing you off to neophytes he does all the work himself. He knows the ins and outs of the legal system and how to make it work for you.

He wrote a great response with the understanding of how to communicate with the judge, and got the desired result of little or no penalty. He is obviously smart and was half the price of big law firms. Lawyers generally can get you on an endless merry-go-round at your expense, but no sign of that with Richard.”

“Thanks to Richard l am able to have freedom. Not only was he very professional but also very punctual; anytime I would text him I would get a response within minutes, not many lawyers are that attentive to their clients!

I appreciate everything he did for me! Highly recommended!’’

“Richard is an extremely talented attorney whose in- depth legal knowledge and desire to best represent his client, no matter the complexities of ones case, makes him stand out among the best criminal defense attorneys in the state. Personally, Richard has represented me on two occasions in which he successfully filed motions that led to all charges being dismissed. I cannot thank Richard enough for his representation as it has literally changed my life! Truthfully if l could give Richard 10 stars, I would! He honestly could not have achieved any better results whatsoever!”

-MARK G

-TIM C.

-ANTHONY R

2 North Central Avenue, Suite 1800, Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 717-0631

richard@richardgaxiolalaw.com

GAXIOLA LAW GROUP Experience Criminal Law Trial Attorneys www.criminallawaz.com

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Located in Marietta Georgia, Georgia Swings make some of the best quality wooden outdoor patio furniture in the South. The standard order is completed in approximately 5 to 10 business days. We occasionally keep several swings available in stock on a first come first serve basis. Outdoor wooden furniture products are available for local pickup, however, out of town buyers may have fully assembled porch swings and adirondack chairs shipped directly to them using a third-party shipping company at an additional expense.

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MARCH 2019 Valentine’s day is over and now it’s springtime. Springtime represents growth and harvest. It is also a season of clichés… birds singing, bees buzzing etc. All of this brings about an optimistic feeling, an overflow of happiness, leaving us to believe we can find and do the impossible… yes… find that true love. I started this year receiving an overflow of questions asking for my intuitive advice on the question of “should I make a Love Wish List”. I agree that making a list is good, but more importantly is you creating a smaller list with seven things you really want in a partner in which three of those have to be a deal breaker. In addition to this list here is my intuitive advice.

1.

Be mindful of your choices, remembering to trust your intuition so you will know what is best for you.

2.

Realize first that no one is perfect, 3.

Never lower your standards or you won’t be happy Doing this will keep your focus on realistic expectations and on track for this Springtime Love!

For Information about Ask Dr. Jai www.strategicladies.com or write her at drjacinta@strategicladies.com The act of Inclusion requires us to delight in differences and be resilient in love. Mindfuldr Check out Dr. Jai’s new novel Unspoken Ones- the missing link at book retailers near you

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 43

gender, is the concern that surfaces in my mind. Many of us have acted out throughout the history of the world to get more attention and this not an usual behavior. But there is price you have to pay if things don’t go your way.

Speaking Above the Stars (The Voice Of Reasoning) “Who Wants to Be in the Limelight”

by Darwin Heard better known as “Doc Heard” Today, I bid you “Welcome” as I explore the topic of who wants to be in the Limelight. This subject on being in the Limelight is not just among celebrities; it consumes many of us throughout the entire universe. Since it is so new and fresh I had my thoughts in regards to Actor, Singer and Photographer Jussie Smollett. It feels like another opportunity en route of reaching out for the Limelight with the help of what I refer to as “ Star Power “ and the many compassionate hearts throughout the world. So many individuals across the map stepped up to the plate for Jussie. How vulnerable are we?

That’s the question that I ask. To believe in this staged play in the city of Chicago where many TV Series are being filmed, and at the expense of race, ethnicity and 44 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

In Jussie’s case it’s like a frisbee. If something goes wrong with your delivery, it might just come right back and smack you in the face.

I heard a pastor preach a sermon some years ago in which he ,said “the choices you make in life will determine your outcome “ and this staged fake attack on himself I’m sure, is not the way Jussie planned it. Jussie’s acting career was going just fine with years of bigger and better things to come; the sky’s the limit, and right now it’s going all bad. Although this is Jussie’s problem right now it has become a concern that we all need to explore or avoid. I am talking about the fact that this false attack has opened a new door for anybody in the world that may truly go through an attack or hate crime moving forward.This makes others become hesitant to report acts of crime towards themselves or of unusual circumstances, or shall I say, unbelievable circumstances.

Many people have acted out or merely put on a show to place the focus on themselves and we are all so familiar with those who seek the limelight through their bizarre actions. Please understand that I am not saying that Jussie Smollett is guilty; because I am not the Judge, Jury nor am I an Attorney at Law but I am simply stating that most people think the Limelight is the true light of the world, and they will do anything to become a part of it. The world is full of many

individuals that will talk you down to bring themselves up, that which has become a constant practice among the people of today’s workplace. Just keep in mind that when entering the Limelight, it will bring attention to every aspect of your arena.

The Limelight can get you the attention you need and it also can get you the attention that you don’t need. Maybe in this life we just need the light, but not the lime or should I simply say “give me the light and stay in a positive direction”. This I write to you today, is simply just one of “ Darwin’s Creative Strategies “ The Voice Of Reasoning. I reach out to you all today to offer those words of wisdom to shed the true light and not the Limelight on your situation. I wrote my first column in the Hollywood Weekly Magazine in January 2010 and I have always stated that I have a firm belief that everyone is a VIP. To make it very clear many have wandered through the Limelight; but, beware of the consequences that come along with the territory.

Yes, Doc Heard is inviting all of the Star’s, Celebrities and VIP’s of today’s world, who choose to read and explore the Motivational insertion of wisdom, that he offers up for all who can conceive and believe. I look forward to sharing Motivational word of wisdom with you all so let’s stay connected as we live and learn life’s lessons.

The Los Angeles Rams Heroes to Angelenos Written by Prather Jackson Los Angeles went 23 years without a professional football team. The Rams arrived in Los Angeles 2 years ago and took us all the way to Super Bowl this year. The new home being constructed for the Rams, the Los Angeles Stadium, is going to provide the equivalent of a financial blood transfusion to the city of Inglewood. Jobs for people in the community. Commerce for the local businesses. Most importantly, the arrival of the Rams has united Angelenos, and reestablished Inglewood as a historically important part of Los Angeles.

In 1991 I was hired by the Los Angeles Raiders to conduct the first professional sports research study for the L.A. Raiders. Based on information gleaned from my study corporate sponsors were able to identify the diverse demographics of Raider fans. I’m very aware of the incredible impact the Rams have on the multi-cultural community of Los Angeles.

“The Athletic” has stated that the “New Rams and Chargers home is taking shape as ‘the very best stadium in the NFL.’” The Rams have given Los Angeles hope, and pulled us together.

They’ve given us heroes like Quarterback Jared Goff and defensive guru Wade Phillips. Coach Sean McVay took us to the Super Bowl. He put us in position to take home the Super Bowl Ring -- that sounds like a Hero to me. We’re all sad we didn’t win the Super Bowl, but let’s focus on what we as a city did win: The L.A. Rams. We’ve got them, and they’ve got us!

Enjoy our selection of special red carpet photos and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Grey Goose sponsored Shaquille O’Neal celebritypacked Super Bowl after parties. Until next season -- GO RAMS!

46 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

the Grey Goose sponsored Shaquille O’Neal celebrity packed Super Bowl after parties.

Tim tibow

Akon

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 47

(L- R)Gabrielle and Allois, Christophe Choo, at BG Gallery booth, LA Art Show 2019 Allois works: “Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds”, “You can’t Vandalize My Soul”, “Sir Gustav VII”

Hollywood actress Alexis Kiley and Allois at bG Gallery booth, LA Art Show 2019 Allois works: “The Theater of Earth”, “You can’t Vandalize My Soul”, “Sir Gustav VII”

Alluring Artist Allois Beguiles at

By Barbara Burke

O

LA Art Show

ne of LA’s most successful, sizzling, sensational surrealists, Allois, beguiled attendees at the 2019 LA Art Show in late January when she revealed her new, intriguing portrait series, Allois Noir, featuring “Maddy,” a coy creation celebrating the powers and mysteries of femininity.

The pensive, yet playful piece invites intimacy, mystically mesmerizing viewers. Yet, as with many of Allois’ works, the subject holds something back. She fancifully flirts and flaunts, but does not reveal all - indeed any - of the cards she is playing. She’s holding some aces and collectors are off to the races trying to decipher delicious details in the intricate details of the painting as they seek to go along in the subject’s enchanting journey.

“You cannot vandalize my soul,” The allegorical, accompanying 48 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

annotation for the painting states.

“My name is Franscesca. I am a master of perfection. I am not quite human, but most humans cannot tell the difference and they either hate me dearly (those are called ladies) or worship me (those, of course, are men).”

The race is on. All bets are off.

What does the nuanced narrative mean? Ask those who try to interpret Allois’ works as they seek to untangle and interpret the magical, mythical message.

Allois’ subjects enthusiastically embrace the ethereal. They entice, enthrall and excite. They both consciously and subliminally evoke emotions. Many of Allois’ works are sold to loyal clientele who faithfully await and anticipate as she prolifically paints.

Collector Christopher Choo shared with Hollywood Weekly why he and his wife stretch beyond their usual artistic aesthetics to collect Allois’ works. They simply can-

not wait to see her newest creations.

“My wife and I collect Old Masters from the Eighteenth Century,’ Choo said. “However, we love Allois’ art and find it captivating.” Art show attendee, Karen Bystedt, heartily agreed.

“I find that Allois’ art is a bridge between the past and present,” She said. “I’m a lover of Sixteenth and Seventeenth Century art and crowns and I love her use of oil.”

A tantalizing teaser – Bystedt confided that she and Allois will soon collaborate on The Lost Warhols – look for more news about this exciting project soon.

“The characters that Allois brings out can relate to all of my inner emotions,” Collette Byrne said.

“I feel like she is expressing me . . .

I think that she is amazing.”

Clare Grant also shared her excitement about Allois’ emotive and evocative works.

“My husband and I feel in love

with Allois,” She said. “Her pieces have an ethereal quality that mix a dream element with the spiritual and I want to all own all her works because they really speak to us.”

BG Art Gallerist, William Cross, chatted with Hollywood Weekly about Allois’ artistic force. “When someone like Allois can come from the subconscious, digs deep from her youth and creates chaotic beauty that is still true to her soul,” He said, “That’s what I look for in an artist.”

Hollywood actress Alexis Kiley was extremely impressed with Allois’ exhibit. “The remarkable and gifted artist – Allois!” Kiley said. “During the LA ART SHOW 2019 befitting St. Judes Hospital - I walked and viewed beautiful art with my beautiful friend Pretam and there was not one modern painter that held my breath like the paintings of ALLOIS. How I await new paintings from Helen that are still held within her imagination awaiting their time for their grand arrival on canvas. If there are paintings in Heaven - surely these pieces will be there.”

Many in attendance at the exhibit noted that sadly, Allois, who is an artist from Malibu, lost her home, her studio, and all of her paintings except those exhibited at the LA Art Show in the Woolsey Fire.

“In addition to her incredible talent, Allois now symbolizes to me what it means to be resilient,” Steve Soboroff said. “She is committed to her works and celebrates a new start rising from the destruction.”

The Woolsey fire has not only lit a fire deep within Allois’ soulful, creative energies and synergies, like a mythical Phoenix emerging from the flame-driven fury, it has spurred a surge in her sensational surrealist creativity. All of her loyal fans wait with anticipation as they wonder what she will paint next and what tales her fanciful spirits will spin.

Allois work “Maddy”

(L- R) Hollywood actors Clare Grant, Allois and Seth Green at BG Gallery booth, LA Art Show 2019 Allois works: “The Theater of Earth”, “You can’t Vandalize My Soul”, “Sir Gustav VII”

Books to Devour by Jane Ubell-Meyer, Senior Book Curator, Founder Bedside Reading® Off the Grid. There’s an abundance of scientific evidence that proves reading extends our life, sharpens our memory, helps to de-stress and makes us happier. Our Bedside Reading program places books by the bedside in luxury hotels.Our hotel partners have been inspiring so many people to unplug, stay off the electronic “grid” and read as part of their daily routine.

Let’s keep it going!

In February, we welcomed our newest hotel partner, the Fairmont Miramar Bungalows & Hotel in Santa Monica, CA. This exquisite five-star hotel hosted USA TODAY bestselling author, Toby Neal at its premier book signing event on Feb 8th.

One event attendee, film and theater producer Amy Powers told us, “I picked up the book thinking I would read a chapter or two before I went to bed. I became so engrossed in the story that I literally could not stop reading it until I finished the entire book at 5:30am.” Rebecca Huetter, (Director of Sales & Marketing, Fairmont Miramar Bungalows and Hotel, Santa Monica) put the finishing touches on a lovely event, “To be able to slow down and disconnect from the digital world, even for just a couple of hours, can bring such a wonderful sense of calm, greater personal connection and enjoyment to one’s daily routine. By providing our guests with the Bedside Reading program’s books we hope to encourage guests to take some time for themselves, be it at the pool, in thegardens or lounge or at the beach and indulge in an ‘off the grid’ luxury.Reading a book is one of life’s greatest riches. And necessities.”

Fairmont Miramar Bungalows & Hotel Below: Toby Neal, author (far right,) Rebecca Huetter (center), Kurstin Christie, Amy Powers, Suzanne Goderstad

50 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

TW (Toby) Neal: Q: What prompted you to write your memoir when you were doing well with fiction. A: I’m in my fifties, and midlife is a time when you evaluate the true meaning and purpose of your life and still have time to make course corrections. I love my fiction, but the story of what I overcame to get where I am needed to be told, and even though I was faced with the task of building a whole new leg of my author platform to do so, and it took ten years and thousands of dollars in editing to bring out to the world...the time had come for Freckled: a Memoir of Growing Up Wild in Hawaii. I now feel a sense of completeness and accomplishment that is purely personal, and it's those moments that give life meaning."

Q: How do you know when you're in a transformational season of change in your life? A: Usually, there's some kind of trigger: a health scare, a job change, a divorce, the loss of a loved one. Those pivotal times are opportunities to step into a deeper authenticity of living according to your truth and values. I recently lost my mother in law, a woman we had moved from Hawaii to care for in her end of life. Her passing was unexpected in its timing, and now we are faced with choices: do we stay where we moved to care for her? Do we go back to Hawaii? Or do we chuck it all and take to the road in our Airstream? Mary Oliver, whose light recently passed into darkness, said it this way: "Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Minnesota’s Debra Lustig (left) reading Margaret Porter’s Beautiful Invention at the Fairmont Miramar pool in Santa Monica

(below) Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 51

Chamberlain West Hollywood (below)

As long as you’re by the pool it’s time for a little reflection.

New books to inspire and transform your mind, body and soul.

Funny, irreverent and fabulous, Susan Silver delivers! Susan is a Hollywood treasure!

She was one of the first female comedy/sitcom writers. Her memoir is for those of us who loved Mary Tyler Moore and still want more.

Success is certainly a mindset. We are thrilled Christy Whitman joined our program. Her experience and wisdom has inspired thousands of people, she is brilliant and down-to-earth and can teach us all how to live in our own power. Quantum Success is for anyone who is ready to transform their world. Whether it be financial, spiritual or in business, Christy clearly outlines the process to achieve your vision.

The Truth is the Art of Being is the amazing true story of how one young woman transformed her life following the devastating and unexpected deaths of three partners - all vibrant men in their 40s. After years of struggling, Dee Delaney finds her way back to her true self and leaves her past behind in England, to start a new life in India, where she is determined to cast the shadows of death to one side.

But the brutal murder of a young Irish girl stops her in her tracks, as she reflects how death has a way of following her around. Dee explains how she finally ooked death in the eyes and eased her grief as she faced the fears, stigmas and taboos that were locked inside.

A Memoir, not to be missed!

Wholly Unraveled is Keele Burgin’s gripping and inspiring journey of self-discovery and of finally finding her voice against nearly insurmountable odds.

Another page-turner!

Happy Reading. Enter to win a few of our favorites: BedsideReading.com/win For more information BedsideReading.com jane@BedsideReading.com Follow us #BedsideReading @BedsideReading HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 53

A HISTORIC DAY IN INDIA FOR ART4PEACE AWARDS TO HAVE PEACE TREE PLANTING ASHOKA TREE (SARACA ASOCA) WHICH COINCIDED WITH THE TIBETAN COMMUNITY IN INDIA CELEBRATING TIBETAN NEW YEAR

By Carmelita Pittman NEW DELHI,INDIA- 05 FEBRUARY 2019 - A historic Day in India both for Art4Peace Awards and the Tibetan Community in New Delhi to carryout Peace Tree planting Ashoka Tree (saraca asoca) at the Bureau Office of His Holiness The Dalai Lama ,B-10,Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi . It coincided with the Tibetan Community celebrating Tibetan New Year on 04 February 2019.

Dame Dr.Munni Irone, Founder, nmArt4Peace Awards was greeted by Mr.Ngodup Dongchung, Representative of His Holiness 54 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

the Dalai Lama and members of Art4Peace Awards both from US and India joined all the staff and members of Tibetan Community for a prayer meeting in the Prayer Room . It was a blessing for all members of Art4Peace Awards to be praying together with the Tibetan Community and to also receive the blessings of His Holiness The Dalai Lama.

The Ashoka Tree was planted by Dame Dr. Munni Irone , Founder, Art4Peace Awards and Mr.Ngodup Dongchung, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at the front lawn and all other members both Art4Peace Awards and

Tibetan Community joined in and each member present also participated in ensuring cleaning the area and Ashoka Tree planting . A plaque was placed by the side of the Ashoka Tree with the names of all members of Ar4Peace Awards and Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Secretary is on record and historic day in India both for Art4Peace Awards and Tibetan Community .This was followed by singing the Indian National Anthem sung

by Ms.Aishwarya Kapoor and all members joined in the chorus.

Then Ms.Violeta Martin, member from US sang the American Na-

tional Anthem followed by the Tibetan Community present on this historic day sang the Tibetan National Anthem. Greetings were exchanged to wish the Tibetan Community to celebrate their Tibetan New Year ,05 February 2019.

It surely is God’s plan and blessings of His Holiness The Dalai Lama that The Tibetan Community were awarded the Art4Peace Award at the award function at the Teen Murti Bhawan, New Delhi on 02 February 2019 to demonstrate not only to India but the world at large as a community to live in harmony and peace . The Peace Tree planting truly is symbolic and to carry out the planting in the premises of the Bureau Office of His Holiness found the right place that the community with His Holiness Blessings demonstrating peace to the world at large and to have coincided with the Tibetan New Year on 05 February 2019.

It was wisdom of Dr.Munni Irone and Dr.Vineeta Kapoor,MD,Art4Peace Awards to select Ashoka Tree (saraca asoca) as this tree is very symbolic to India .

bleeding and urinary problems.

In Ayurveda, it is used since time immemorial as a medicine. Charak and Sushruta used the flowering buds, seeds and bark in internal prescriptions for arthritis, sciatica, neuralgia, neurological affections, hemorrhages and gynecological disorders. Ashok tree is one of the main herb for gynecological disorders and for uterus health.

Ashok is effective in treating menstrual disorders associated with excess bleeding (rakta pradar), pain and congestion. Ashok tree is evergreen, small, much branched, spreading, erect, and slow growing tree.

Dame Dr.Munni Irone,Founder, Art4Peace Awards along with her Country Director, Art4Peace Awards Mr.Ike Sinha and using her wisdom created history in India to carry out the Ashoka Tree as the Peace Tree planting in India and 05 February 2019 is a Red Letter Day both for Art4Peace Awards and the Tibetan Community.

Ashoka Tree (saraca asoca)is a Sanskrit word. The literal meaning of this name is, one without Shok or grief (Shok means Sorrow, Grief) or that which gives no grief.

So, Ashoka is Remover of sorrow.

Ashoka tree is a very well-known tree. It is a sacred tree in Hinduism. Ashok is worshipped in Chaitra month of the Hindu calendar.

Kamdev the Hindu God of love and sexuality, carries five arrows decorated with five kinds of flower in his quiver. Ashok blossom is one of them. Ashok tree is also a medicinal tree and used in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani or treatment of variety of diseases related to HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 55

Meet CJ Comu Inside the Heart of an Entrepreneurial CEO

There are some in the world who travel an uncommon path on their journey to achieve their dreams. They forge a new path. They know what it takes to overcome challenges and build an empire against all odds. They never concentrate on what people say about their ideas, tune out all negativity and continue on the road to following their desires and to create the businesses they want to build. CJ Comu is one of these individuals who defines the word Entrepreneur.

HW: You have such a unique and diverse background. Starting in childhood and growing up, can you tell us a little bit more about CJ Comu?

I was born in Istanbul Turkey into a wonderful family with an older brother and sister. In 1970, the political and civil situation was reaching a volatile rate in Istanbul, so my Father made a life changing decision for all of us.

He called a family meeting and said, “We’re moving to Vancouver, Canada.”

As a 10-year old boy, this move introduced numerous personal and cultural challenges. The first was to learn English, as I was fluent in Turkish & French. The second was learning to deal with the adversity and

My Philosophy is the impossible I do right away -Miracles take a little longer opportunity of a new country, which my family had adopted and became citizens.

My parents always told us, “you can be anything you want to be.” As a young man, I took those words to heart by chasing every dream I had and realized I loved the experience of “owning” my own businesses.

I shoveled snow in the winters, washed cars and mowed lawns in the

summers.

HW: Regretfully, you suffered a tremendous loss as a young adult.

How did that impact you?

I went to college to learn business and anticipated attending law school, which I believed would be my road to

Comu Family HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • 57

gold and silver coins, like the American

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

success. At the age of 20, after my first two years in college, I received a phone call that my father was in the hospital and rushed to be by his side. I watched helplessly as he passed away from stomach cancer at age 62. He had just retired and battled his cancer privately for years without anyone in the family knowing. My father was an amazing and honorable man who left a legacy in his country in order to give his children the best chance he could give them. His passing changed my life. I left college and decided to go to work and figure out my calling.

HW: Tell us about your early professional life?

I started as a precious metals and currency trader. However, before my career really took off, I was introduced to the software industry. It was 1980 and was just the beginning of an exciting era in technology growth.

Apple had just gone public and we were one of the first financial software developers on the Apple platform who happened to be in the right place at the right time. I was very fortunate to meet amazing pioneers like Steve Jobs, Adam Osborne and Nolan Bushnell.

My partner David was the “geek” who wrote the code and I was the 58 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

marketing guy who packaged and sold the finished product. We started a company in a 100 square foot office within a medical office building and called it “MBA Group” because David had just received his MBA. After two years, we made multiple products, had our own building and had almost 100 employees on the payroll. What a learning experience! I exited the company and within a few years caught the “entrepreneurial bug” which I’ve yet to find a cure to!

HW: Taking what you learned, what did you do next?

I wanted to learn how Wall Street worked. So, with that same drive and passion I dove right in, reading and learning everything I could about the stock market, investment banking, corporate finance, mergers, acquisitions, initial public offerings and what was involved in running a publicly traded company.

I flew around North America meeting finance and software companies, which brought me to Dallas, Texas in 1990 as Chairman & CEO of the American Numismatic Exchange (ANEX), a new start up operating as a Computerized Financial Exchange for U.S minted rare

Stock Exchange (AMEX). The venture proved to be too early and the industry was difficult to consolidate and integrate, so we put the company on the shelf to see if the future had a place for it.

I fell in love with Dallas because of its dynamic business community, the people and even the 100+ degree summers. I decided to launch an advisory firm for the industry sector and formed a company called 20/20 Corporation. This company gave me the opportunity to learn and explore the inner workings of many companies from the oil & gas Industry, to manufacturing and real estate.

In the mid 90’s, I met John Potter, the man who would become my mentor, business partner and dear friend. Regretfully he passed away in 2018. John was twenty years my senior and a true “man of a man.” He helped calm me and showed me alternate ways to do business. He used to say, “try cooking with a slow flame and not a flame thrower.” At the time, I was still in my thirties and had that 0-100 MPH mentality. I eventually learned to slow down, be more vigilant and diligent in life and in business.

HW: You mentioned this experience led to a major venture and your first public company. What was this like for you?

John and I formed a company called Airtech and entered the world of

indoor air purification and sterilization.

We built some amazing products with great engineers who removed airborne particles and gases using revolutionary technology.

Unfortunately, our ideas were illegally plagiarized by a major HVAC company and we did not have the financial strength to litigate. We launched an international franchise operation which helped expand my global business experience and expertise. John and I took the company public in the late 90’s, which led to the first of many titles for me such as Founder, Chairman, and CEO of a public company. The experience I gained running a public company, along with the financing efforts and the public relations to posture and position the company for growth, was a challenge few people get the opportunity to understand and fully appreciate. The emotional, physical, and financial pressures, along with the responsibility to the shareholders, employees and vendors is one (as the US Marines say) “for the proud and for the few.”

HW: You went from Air to Dirt – tell us about this transformation?

In 2001, I stepped down from my role at Airtech and launched Humitech, a new consumer product & franchise company as the Founder, Chairman and CEO. This was truly a start up with nothing but my passion to take a mineral composition from planet earth, with incredible properties (more on the irony later) and build it from $0 to $4M in revenue within three years and over 100 franchise locations worldwide. I loved building the company and educating others about how the natural powers of planet earth compounds could alter and improve the quality of cold storage products. It was a dynamic franchise concept, embraced and followed with great success in countries around

the world. The company was doing well financially, and I was preparing it for a public offering. While I had the support of most investors and franchisees, there was the “one” who seemed to have their own hidden agenda.

During this time, I learned a hard lesson in “GREED & TRUST” when I agreed to a “Buy Out” which later turned out to be a huge mistake and lead me into a 10-year legal battle with the company I started. I learned an important lesson of how to legally protect myself and my business by seeking wise counsel, and not relying on the old school politeness of a handshake. This cost me dearly and yet Humitech franchises continue to exist and this remains a global part of my business legacy today.

HW: Entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. Who has been your support and foundation throughout your life?

I’m very fortunate to have a loving and supportive family who has been there for me during my roller coaster rides in life. In 1997, I was very fortunate to have met an amazing woman, my wife Phyllis who helped stabilize me during the high seas and rejoices with me in the calm waters. Phyllis is a remarkable woman, born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She’s a very generous animal advocate, chairing two high profile pet charities “Paws Cause” and the “Fur Ball,” where she’s been successful in raising over $1.5 million dollars for the Texas SPCA. We’ve had a great 20+ years fostering and rescuing a total of six boxer dogs and are blessed to have a healthy and peaceful lifestyle where we enjoy travel, culture and nature.

HW: What led you to put on your gloves and get into the Fight Business and work with some of the biggest names in boxing?

During my transition from Humitech, I

Phyllis Comu & CJ Comu Charity Night

Monaco - Private Equity Conference

received a call from a New York friend who said he had a pro boxer who wanted to get out of his contract. I said, “Why are you calling me…call an Attorney.” He said he didn’t trust attorneys (great point) and wanted to talk to a business executive. I had the free time, so I flew to NY to meet with the fighter and his promoter. I said, “Let me manage you guys,” and that’s how I got involved in professional boxing or, as I say the “fight business.”

I met and became friends with Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr. and many celebrities like Sylvester

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you must have the capital to stay in the game to see it through.

Vince Neil

Anderson, and even (now President) Businessman Donald Trump. It was quite the ride!

In 2008, I started Sun Sports & Entertainment, to pursue a new sport which was just licensed in the State of Texas. I had never heard of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), which is also referred to as Cage Fighting, until the sport came to Texas. I received a call from Mark Cuban’s company HDNET, who said “Mark wants to get in the fight business, if you produce the event, Mark will shoot and broadcast it.” That’s how I started working with Mark Cuban. We produced some of the most exciting MMA Events.

During this time, professional boxing was on “life support” and MMA was on fire. I approached the major TV networks (CBC, NBC, ABC, FOX) and said I would deliver the HOTTEST and FASTEST growing sport in the WORLD. However, I needed a broadcast partner to (a) attract national advertisers and (b) feed the Pay-Per-View formula. Nobody got it and I realized I was too early in the life of the sport and decided to retire early. Today, MMA is the HOTTEST and FASTEST growing sport in the world and the UFC business bought by the Fertitta Brothers of Vegas for $4M was sold to IMG for $4 BILLON. Lesson: It’s nice to have vision – but

60 • HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

HW: Entrepreneurs are known for being innovative. How did you transition from the fight business into launching the first public electric car company?

After I retired from SUN, I formed an Investment Banking Firm called Regus Advisors, Inc. (RAI) and served as the Founder, Chairman and CEO with a mission to explore minority investments in upcoming companies.

Our first venture was an electric car company called Green Automotive.

We brought the first Chinese manufactured mini electric SUV to America. It was a revolutionary SUV with a top speed of 90 MPH and range of 175 Miles. We funded the company, brought the SUV’s to the U.S. and were as giddy as kids because we were first to market with this “super hot and super affordable,” electric SUV under $30,000. We took the company public and were the first EV public company (before Tesla).

China Keynote Speech

HW: We’ve heard about the tremendous highs and lows in entrepreneurship.

With your diversity from electric cars to the Algae and Biofuel business, what challenges have you overcome and lessons you’ve learned?

After learning about EV cars and renewable energy, the next opportunity I discovered was converting Algae into BioFuel. I formed and funded a company called Algae International Group (ALGA) and took them public in the USA as their Chairman. They had a proprietary system to convert Algae into Biofuel from a multi-milliondollar waste water treatment facility in California. This was during a time when oil had almost reached $150 a barrel and the concerns of “alternative fuels” were the top headlines at the state and federal levels. We teamed up with the Scrips Institute at the University of California, San Diego and the City of Tulare. The results were incredible and the list of players from government to the military started to

line up. But as the classic story goes in the world of entrepreneurship – you can’t build a business on zero cash and we were unable to attract the institutional investors to fund the build out.

HW: What led you to expand into the UK? I started noticing a big economic wave in the UK and decided to increase our presence abroad, forming EuroCap Investments PLC (ECAP), a holding company in the UK. As the Chairman, Founder and CEO, I took it public on the GXG Exchange. ECAP was designed to identify and make minority investments of cash and stock in privately held companies in EU and UK, grooming these into an eventual listing on the GXG. ECAP identified a few companies and completed a few transactions, however the time involved in operations and leadership created multiple road blocks, many of which were poor management.

Another Lesson - always have back up plan.

HW: All of this has led to the creation of EarthWater. How and why did you create this “black water” company?

People ask me this question quite often and it’s always fun to share the story. I was having lunch in London with a business colleague who invited a friend to join us. When he arrived, I met Bryson. He was 82 years old. I stood up to shake his hand and he gave me one of those handshakes like Arnold Schwarzenegger! After we sat down, he apologized for being late because he had decided to walk from Paddington Station instead of taking the Tube to our meeting. Shocked, I said “Wow, that’s over an hour away!”

He cheerfully replied, “well actually an hour and 15 minutes.” We ordered lunch and I recall Bryson ordering a rare steak.

While we were dining, my associate Roger said to Bryon, “you

Regus Advisors Inc

Nasdaq with Jane King

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look amazing what have you been doing with yourself?” Naturally, I put my fork down and leaned forward to hear this story of the man who walked an hour and 15 minutes, crushed my hand and was now enjoying a steak for lunch. Bryson said, “I found this black liquid concentrate made of natural trace minerals from Planet Earth and have been putting it in everything from my tea, water and sprinkling it on my salad. It has changed my life.

My joints don’t ache, I sleep less, the whites of my eyes are clearer and I feel fantastic!” Naturally I was totally intrigued and wanted to know what It was called and where I could buy it.

He shared it was called black water, 4 oz and £49 Sterling (about $60 U.S) Well, that’s all I needed to hear!

That evening, curiosity got the better of me and I searched “Black Water” online and learned about these natural trace minerals. To my amazement, this company with little or no presence was based in my old home town of Vancouver, Canada.

I flew to Vancouver for a meeting because I obviously wanted to know where these minerals came from.

After meeting the two men who found the minerals, I asked “Where do they come from?” They looked at me and said “TEXAS.” Well, I almost fell out of my chair!! I said “London – Vancouver – Texas,” if this isn’t a Bermuda Triangle, I don’t know what else it could be.

I formed EarthWater in 2014 in the UK to explore this new business. I have been drinking the product every day since. Fast forward to today, five years later, we are in 121 Countries around the world with over 20 SKU’s.

We’ve been featured on TV, Radio, in Print and Sporting Events around the world and our mission remains the same, “to help improve people’s lives with our all-natural life essential trace minerals.” The journey is now in full swing and the next chapter of my life

is in motion.

I am also honored to sit on the of the American Diabetes Association North Texas Leadership Board and support the awareness of diabetes, a disease which impacts millions of people in the United States.

Only time will tell where my life will go and what the future holds. Stay tuned! It’s most certain to never be a dull moment.

Hollywood Weekly brings you exciting news of the Stars - but occasionally we find a person with a story that builds business and creates Stars and with that, we salute CJ Comu for a job well done.

Miss Earth 2018

David Ragan, EarthWater NASCAR Driver

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Hollywood

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The Man with the Golden Voice

By Anthony Ewart

T

here will be endless biographies written about Mr. James Edward Ingram. But that’s not how you remember James Ingram. You remember him through the moments you spent with someone while his songs were playing. Almost a musical, mental snapchat moment immortalized in your soul and the soul of the person

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you experienced that beautiful moment with.

James Ingram was the most altruistic singer I’ve ever heard.

His voice lived for the song. It supported the melody. It gave life and meaning to the lyrics. James Ingram, the man, became the Supporting Actor -- he gave the spotlight to his voice, and made it Lead Actor. What an incredibly giving artist he was. It was all about the song. The story...

That’s really what James Ingram

was. A great storyteller. He took us into tales of love and heartbreak that we all connected with. James Ingram could give confidence to a lovesick, junior high school student. He could make a husband married 30 years look at his wife as if he was seeing her for the first time.

That was the magic of James Ingram. We believed him and the beautiful lyrics he chose to share with us, many of which he wrote himself.

When thinking about the sincerity and integrity James Ingram brought as an artist, it brings to mind another famous “James” who captured the trust and heart of America. James Maitland Stewart. You may know him better as “Jimmy Stewart.”

One of the most loved Stars in Hollywood, Jimmy Stewart always put his art first. He inhabited the characters he played with sincerity and believability. And we believed him.

James Ingram sang a variety of songs in different styles and tempos and rhythms, but for me, and I know many others, his love songs have imprinted themselves in the atoms of my cells. Hearing his song, by chance, on a radio, through sheer synchronicity, is the Universe comforting me with love.

All artists want to leave a legacy of their work behind. James Ingram has left a body of work that will be enjoyed by his fans and students of music forever. And I don’t say

that word lightly. But the truly lasting legacy of James Ingram is the ripple effect the beauty of his voice will have on us for the rest of our lives. His tone. The vibrations of his sound. That feeling of love and happiness. That’s what will live on. That is the ripple effect of James Ingram. And what a beautiful ocean of sound he gave us.

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