Hollywood Weekly December 2009 Tiffany Baker by Hollywood Weekly Magazine, LLC

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cOntEnts

DECEMBER 2009

COVER 04 Hard Laughs, Nothing Easy About A Proper Workout And A Good Laugh

E N T E R TA I N M E N T 14 Daybreak End’s Darkest Hour 48 Scene In LA 56 LA Theatre Beat

FA S H I O N 18 How To Be Budget Friendly And on Trend This Fall 26 The Darker Side of Style

F E AT U R E D 31 The Best of 2009 50 SoCal Top Photographers

PUBLISHER, EDITOR IN CHIEF Prather Jackson VICE PRESIDENT Bernice Harris VP MARKETING Michael D. Coxson ExEC. ASSISTANT Danielle Dietrich

STAFF WRITER Brea Tisdale WEBMASTER Autumn Hawarden PHOTOGRAPHY Edgar A. Santacruz LIFE & STYLE EDITOR Niki Shadrow

DIR. OF MARKETING Launy Rhem

OPERATIONS Erskine D. McSwain (1991-2000)

SENIOR EDITOR Pamela Spyrs

PRODUCTION MANAGER Hector Santacruz

ADVERTISING Danielle Dietrich

CONTRIBUTORS Anthony Calderon Leah Michele Yananton Sarah Klegman Adam Freeman Pockross Andy Nguyen Rachel Stuhler Leah Yananton Rayne Sieling Steve Zall Sid Fish Jeffrey Jaggers Iman Lyons

DISTRIBUTOR NEWSWAYS ASSISTANT EDITOR Jenny Werth ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anthony Calderon CREATIVE DIRECTOR Autumn Hawarden

Hollywood Weekly is a monthly publication wholly owned by Jackson Publishing Company. © 2009 All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permission of the Publisher is expressly prohibited. Letters to the Editor may be sent to: Hollywood Weekly, 4221 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 290-06, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Email: editor@jacksonpublishing.com. For Advertising inquiries call: (323) 934-6397, or Online at: www.hollywoodweekly.net

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TIFFANY BAKER

Nothing Easy

About A Proper Workout And A Good Laugh

By: Brea Tisdale 4

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It was a typical Wednesday afternoon and I was beginning to feel the lost effect of my morning coffee, causing me to feel tired and energy-less. As I am sitting there considering whether I should grab another cup or not, in walks Tiffany Baker and “BAM!” Her enthusiasm and energy bounced around the room and my demeanor changed, my energy shifted and I suddenly became engaged, enchanted even… who was this girl??? Why is she bewitching me and forcing me to pipe up? Her name was Tiffany Baker and she knew how to own the room… you couldn’t help but notice her…. she was straight up, energetic, positive and funny as hell (which to those of you out there that don’t know me, I don’t say that about someone lightly- as I have strict guidelines to which someone can get the “your funny” comment from me). I turned to her and said, “ Where are you from? Where did you learn to gather energy like that?” (I later learned that energy like that comes from a place within and not at your local Starbucks -as much as I would love to think it could). It turns out Tiffany is from the East Coast…Worcester,

Mass (SW) Boston; she has 8 brothers and 1 sister. Although she has 9 siblings she was the only child of her mother, which caused a controversy in the family, consequently leaving her to be raised by her grandmother alone. Her mom- Susan Marianowas a single mother and was busy “taking care of the family” in the financial sense. Not only was Susan supporting her own child but she was also supporting her own nine siblings, by putting them all through college. In order for Susan to do this, she had to be working several jobs at all times to support her family. Tiffany was describing to me, that where she comes from is a place where people are unhappy, so unhappy that a smile was viewed as weakness, and that was the last thing you wanted to be accused of. Explaining that her childhood makes “Good Will Hunting” look easy (which for those of you out there that have not seen Good Will Hunting, shame on you.. Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, see it for at least the eye candy). Tiffany said her mother displayed the type of work ethic that was empowering to her; as she put her family first. I asked her; “You realize in LA people aren’t like you?” She laughed and said: “I know…in LA when someone says Hi to you, it really means Screw You.” I laughed and then thought about it and she was right…I started thinking about everyone that said “Hi” to me that day and I was almost certain most of them didn’t really mean “Hello”. Tiffany says that a lot of who she is because of how strong her mother was, getting through times of living on food stamps with no electricity. This sort of strength held a significant influence over Ms. Baker. The consequence to her mother’s undying work ethic and loyalty was that Tiffany was with her grandmother a lot because her mom was a traveling sales woman and a guard at a jail (being a female guard in a Jail takes balls itself). However, it was her mother, in spite of her financial state, that took her to NYC in the 80’s to see the musicals on Broadway. It was through this exposure to Broadway that Tiffany awoke to the importance of creative arts. Then, at 16, her grandmother died. The loss of her grandmother gave her the initiative to seek out change. She decided to explore beyond the confines of her hometown; a place where you better be tough, or you better make them laugh. Baker

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Nothing Easy About A Proper Workout And A Good Laugh decided her calling was to take the blue-collar work ethic she learned from her family into the rest of the world. She did this by leaving to go to college as a double major in Psychology and Theatre arts. After college Tiffany then moved to NYC where she was enrolled in acting classes. Unfortunately Tiffany’s first step off of the subway into the big city was on the morning of September 11th 2001. 9/11 happened and like a lot of people out there, it shook her, physically and mentally, leaving her sick and in an unclear head space..…. What now? 9/11 left her in the same mental and physical state she found herself in after the passing of her grandmother …finding herself in fear that if another attack were to happen she wouldn’t be able to “escape” or protect herself, because she was 210 pounds (in order to be prepared for anything and everything she needed to be in shape). Tiffany’s genes allowed her to transition into the world of physical fitness easily- her father was a boxer and her mother was a gymnast- she quickly took to her training, it was a love that came naturally (for the record when she told me that she used to be 210 pounds I was floored, because the woman I was staring at was fit and when I say fit I mean “FIT”). I saw Tiffany’s eyes light up even more when she was describing her dedication to working out and how she took the love she found in fitness as a new way to look at life. Looking at something that seems impossible and making it possible... looking at it with inspiration. In fact, she glanced up at me and told me to be inspired. Telling me; “When you are inspired and you come from a place where you are truly happy… good things will come to you in an honest way.” I know what you are thinking right now, because it’s the same thing I was thinking originally... yea ok, I’m happy…. But I later realized I’m not the kind of happy she was talking about. In fact, Tiffany didn’t seem to question or hesitate about anything she was saying…I could tell she was speaking from her heart… which was founded in truth, love and honesty. According to her, allowing herself to be truthful in all she says and does, changed her life (I personally am still in the first stages of the Tiffany Baker home remedy to life).

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Tiffany moved to LA about three years ago… she says she left the east coast to come to LA because sometimes you have to remove yourself completely from a situation to force a change/ or growth within you. Her first job in LA was the Fitness Director of a popular Hollywood Gym. Tiffany was quickly discovering that people in the city of angels were more concerned with where they were going to be partying that night… than what they were doing with themselves during the day. She found herself a fish out of water, being stuck in a job she really didn’t want and surrounded by people that were not on the same page as her. This left her constantly filled with want…chasing a need… fighting the flow… and 30 grand in debt to show for it. She was sick, tired and completely broken down, physically, mentally, and financially. Then she remembered what it was to be 210 pounds and how she managed to get herself in optimal physical shape… it was then she fell to floor and said to God “I don’t know what I’m doing, I have messed up, I’m hurting myself… how many more odds do I have to overcome, I can’t stay in survival mode anymore”. The answer she found was simple… he wanted her to let go…give herself to him, separate yourself from your ego. Getting to this realization changed her eternally. Her first step in this new light was changing the way she spoke of her work. It wasn’t “the prison” that others often referred to it as; it became “her palace”. From her mother; “Find beauty and comfort even in the most hard places”. At this point, it wasn’t about her, it became about the employees that were counting on her to keep going so they could feed their families. So, she would take on clients at the gym and do their personal training sessions for FREE…. (I know I thought to myself “wow”…. that’s not a boss you find everyday.) I suppose at this point, I had the “are you crazy” look on my face, because she looked me dead in the eye and said, “When you have an honest intention, it comes back.” You know what…. I believed her I really did. I believed her on a very personal level.

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A Proper Workout

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Baker realized that the main component of her motivational technique when training clients was her comedy… (I mean if I can laugh myself a dress size down… I’M IN).

T I F FA N Y B A K E R

Tiffany has since been training some of the hottest bodies in Los Angeles from Mike Tyson to the top executives over at Grey’s Anatomy for the past few years now (tiffanybaker143.com). I suppose you could say she is sort of the Alpha Omega of fitness. She says a lot of that is due to the guidance she had from famous old school Hollywood body sculptor, Heinz Altieri.

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A Good Laugh

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Nothing Easy About A Proper Workout And A Good Laugh Tiffany Baker now has 18-hour days because she has been on the comedic scene in Los Angeles for the past few years. Being a fish out of water in a new place seemed to be the best time for her to get back into comedy again (I guess back when she was a kid and they told her “either you got to be tough or make people laugh” she decided she was going to be both… and she already has the tough part down). Because Tiffany was training and taking care of herself physically… she didn’t want to be out partying and drinking with the majority of Los Angeles, she wanted to find the arenas where people were focused, dedicated and artistically driven. She took to heart the importance of being positive and surrounding yourself with people in the same state of mind. When she wasn’t in this environment she slipped back into the mentality she was having before her breakdown… but she didn’t allow herself to go there, and in return she was rewarded for her selfless, honest intentions. Baker found herself surrounded with some real comedic geniuses. In fact, she was always out and about with Mike Marino, whom she knew from the comedy circuit in NYC. In time, people just started to think she was a professional. They saw her as a regular in the comedy scene. So, interestingly enough, she was at the popular Los Angeles comedy club, Laugh Factory on a Sunday night and someone in the line-up was a no show. So, Pookie Wigington looked over and after seeing her face so many times before, gave Tiffany her “real” first shot and said “you’re going on!” She “nailed it” as some would say, which says a lot, considering if was “Chocolate Sunday” (Chocolate Sunday is a night designed to showcase black comedians). You can talk the talk but if you can’t walk the walk… you are never going to be getting back up on the stage. Tiffany Baker showed us that it is possible to talk the talk and walk the walk… because she has been very active in the Los Angeles Comedy scene ever since. In fact, you can see her every Tuesday night with Dante from Last Comic Standing at “Life” on Wilshire at: 6311 Wilshire Blvd. 90048, Monday’s at: “The C Word” in the Belly room at the Comedy Club as well as regular national touring. Ironically enough, she still performs Chocolate Sundays at the Laugh Factory. Tiffany says

her comedy is very sarcastic, saying she often compares herself to Kim Kardashian who ate her boyfriend Reggie Bush (punch line for those that didn’t get it: since she has the thighs of a running back). Her comedy is all about relating to other people, so in order to get them to relate, you have to relate to yourself. Baker claims that some her favorite comedy icons are: Dane Cook, Richard Pryer, Dante, Robin Williams, Mark Currey (whom she performs with) and her Uncle Gary! To see some of her stuff on the Internet go to myspace.com/tiffanycomedy or facebook.com/tiffanybaker (fan site) Saying that Tiffany Baker lights up a room is an understatement… she enters with the capability to change your energy and in fact inspires you to try and be a better person (or at least begin the process of thinking about being a better person). She embodies the saying and beliefs that are always sort of thrown at us, but most of the time never acted upon. With a burst of energy and enthusiasm and honest to god sincerity, Tiffany looked at me… demanding my attention. I stopped typing and let go of any outside thoughts I was having. She tells me that to understand real love and happiness, you have to go through intense pain… let it dig you a big hole and then allow love and positive energy to fill it back up. She claims that LA has taught her not to fight anymore… it’s not a grind it’s a party… you can’t fake it in LA… its where people rise to the top. Rising to the top is exactly what Tiffany Baker is doing!

Recommended Websites: Tiffanybaker143.com Myspace.com/tiffanycomedy Masawndesigns.com Puretherapyla.com Joannabrooks.com Lucentejewelers.com

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Calling Out for the Truth

I am the owner and CEO of Heard Consulting Group and I have been in the health care field for 27 years. I have owned my business for 7 years. My qualities can best be describes as “I educate, motivate and enable myself and all those who know me to believe and achieve goals that may seem unreachable by others”. I was born with a physical disability and have overcome many difficult challenges throughout the years. I have used my disability as a blessing from “God” to develop strength and courage to succeed in life. I am known by my family and friends as an honest, loving, and caring man. I am known by my business associates and colleagues as a fair, honest, responsible and hardworking individual that has a well respected reputation throughout the US. Today is the start of a new chapter that I will be sharing with you for months to come, to promote a more positive lifestyle for the Star’s, Celebrities and VIP’S of the world. In life everything from the dark side must soon come to the light. Should celebrities be expected to be any more human than your average everyday citizen? Maybe it is too much to ask of the Star’s by placing them on this glass pedestal. It is in many ways asking them to be superhuman let alone role models. Many of us have fallen short of the role model calling including myself. Okay, let’s keep it real we are all imperfect and the Star status will always come with higher expectations. In my opinion they should be set personally by the celebrities themselves. Yes, I’m going there “celebrities need to step up and set certain professional and personal goals. Many of the celebrities have been guilty of keeping bad company or as they say “camps that mislead you”, you know

people that are bad influences and are usually trying to get over. In many cases we all need to review our relationship with our friends, colleagues and family members in regards to our best interest. We all know that people all across the universe are watching the celebrities and not only are they watching they are modeling their lifestyles after them. Don’t get me wrong people it is not only the children getting involved in the mayhem; the adult’s have joined the madness as well. Yes, Darwin’s coming out with his own creative strategies on how to stay out of trouble and avoid it at all cost. Many of the Star’s have lost high profile endorsements due to bad judgment or choices. I am a firm believer that everyone is a VIP and it is only fair that I mention that we as a nation should also understand that parents have a responsibility to be good role models as well. Today there are more and more shocking occurrences coming out of the dark side in to the light within the entertainment industry. It makes you wonder about what’s really going on in the minds of the Star’s. Do they have too much money and just don’t know what to do next or is it too much pressure being in their shoes? Staying hot and youthful to maintain their lifestyles, you know what I mean! Where I come from they say keeping up with the “Jones’ or Rockefeller’s” and we all know that the Jones and Rockefeller’s enjoyed lavish lifestyles. At the Star’s status they should have a plan to live a professional conflict clear lifestyle being free from criminal activities. This leaves me with serious concern about finding a solution and that my friend is what I have to offer to the Star’s on this day. Check in with the Motivational Consultant above the Star’s, Darwin Heard and experience the true light for Trouble Free Success. Although I am not a Doctor, I have been referred to by many people through the year as “Doc Heard “ and I have helped many people physically, mentally and spiritually as it

relates to motivation. Keep in mind that the Star’s are in the public eye and being a responsible person comes with the territory. The compassionate side of me feels at times it may not be easy for some of the celebrities and even the VIP’S in this world to stay out of troubles way. With all that being said we have to start somewhere and now is the time. At the end of the day I am still a firm believer that everybody is a VIP and should uphold the role model status which has a direct effect on the overall population. So let’s make a new beginning for the Star status by setting higher goals and making better choices. Let’s be careful about who we choose to have in our so called “posse” and create the perfect platform to change our surroundings and the way we view the world. Written By: Darwin Heard Photographer: Randall L. Brown Make-Up Artist: Kristina Feyerherm Hair Stylist- Ray Wise December 6, 2009 Email:dheard@heardconsultingroup Phone: (312) 933-6635 Please Direct all Letters to: Heard Consulting Group, Corp P.O. Box 11353 Chicago, IL 60611

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H ollywood W eekly-Musi c

Daybreak End’s Darkest Hour

By: Natalie Perez

MySpace Us: http://www.myspace.com/daybreakends

No matter which way you toss it, there’s a handful of various ways a band can become noticed. Whether that’d be by an online source, through a friend, or by catching a show it always leads back to you wanting more.

That’s just what DayBreak Ends is all about - they’re your typical Los Angeles locals that just love drawing in attention no matter where they look. Frontman Greg caught up with me via email to discuss the band’s current plans, latest EP “A Self Unseen” and exposing their music upon the world. 1. You guys are relatively young band, how long have you been together and how old is the oldest member?

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Greg: We have been a band since 2004 in various lineups but it has not been solidified until 2006 when we got Mike. I feel that is when the band truly started. Mike is our oldest member and he is 29. 2. You recently released a new EP, “A Self Unseen”. Tell me about the writing and recording process. Greg: We wrote “The Self Unseen” after we got Josh as our bass player in April 2008. We recorded it with Evan from Cage 9 and Powerman 5000 in a week. We really think it’s truer to our sound than our first CD Perfect Tragedy was and we think Evan did a great job on producing it. The CD is more raw and aggressive and that fits our live show a lot better. Writing it was a lot of fun and we are excited to continue writing and evolving for our next CD. 3. What do you feel are the major differences between “A Perfect Tragedy” and “A Self Unseen”? Do you

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feel that you’ve progressed as a band? Greg: I feel we have progressed a lot. Our new bass player Josh is a great bassist and singer and he has added a lot to our band. Our harmonies are a lot better and his chemistry with Mike is great and has made our music much tighter and headed in a direction we want to go. In our opinion “Perfect Tragedy” was too safe and polished and we wanted to go a more aggressive and raw direction. We think we sound better stripped down and I think everyone else agrees. 4. Why the use of the letter “A” before each title? Greg: Well only three of the songs on the CD have A as the starting song titles so it’s pretty much coincidence. Before I Drowned, Hope Like Water, and Vehicular Promicide don’t have an A. 5. Obviously you guys are very technically sound. Are you trained musicians? Greg: We have all been involved in music for a long time and Jonny was in drum line in High School and has taken Drum Lessons. I took voice lessons for a few years and went to a private school for music but besides that we are just hard workers and want to do the best we can! 6. Do any of you have any unusual practice regiments? Greg: We get Del Taco before every practice and eat that and then we run through songs we want to play to warm up and then will run through the set and then write new stuff the last part. We usually take a

break and go to 711 and just hang out and talk about stuff. 7. When can we expect the next Daybreak Ends record? When are you going to begin the writing process? Greg: We are always writing and have a bunch of things in the beginning stages. We have one song that is pretty much done and some are close. We always have a lot of stuff in the works and Mike has a million ideas for songs so the writing process for the next CD is underway. The next CD will dark and aggressive and have our sound. We are looking forward to getting back in the studio again and make some more music for our fans. 8. What can we expect from Daybreak Ends in 2010? Greg: We will be touring the West Coast in February and May and then we will be back in the studio and record a new CD so there will be a bunch of cool stuff we are working on for 2010. 9. Where do you see the band say five (5) years from Now? Greg: I see us playing in more cities and more places and to have more of a reputation and buzz. Hopefully we can travel abroad and have a few more CD’s under our belt. 10. Any final words? Greg: Thanks for your support and for helping bands get exposure. The music industry is in a rough place right now and it’s great that people like you are there to help us get the word out about our music!

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How to Be Budget Friendly and on trend this fall

By: Brea Tisdale

We all want to look fashion savvy and chic at all times, but sometimes that comes with a cost that unfortunately most of us can’t afford and frankly why should we. So, how do we stay fashion savvy for less… without looking like we spent less? It’s the age-old question that requires mixing, matching and caring for the items we buy. But before all this, we have to know where to look to find these items. I’m going to be giving you the budget gals guide to staying fashion forward at all times, without breaking the bank (our men will appreciate that). So save all that money and take your clothes and yourself on a vacation!

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Here is an overview of the top trends of fall 2009: A Boyfriend Blazer:

section. They have a lot to choose from under $20 with most at $8 to $15.

This is a must have for every girl… SPOILER ALERT: “The blazer is not going to be fading into the night after fall… it’s going to keep its place in the Spring 2010 season… so grab one now!”

Ripped Tights or Pattern Tights: For this one I’m sure you can go into your closet and find some tights in there with rips and runs that you thought you would never be able to wear again. Well, here is your chance to bring them out. Don’t be afraid your toe nail will snag them while you put them on… the more snags the better!

I recommend trying urban outfitters for this one; they have a boyfriend vintage blazer for $55. (Most designers are charging anywhere from $200 and up for the exact look)

Leather: If you don’t feel like experimenting too much with leather, you can get a good leather coat for under $40 at: http://www.forever21.com, product code: 2066082453.

Tall Boots and if you dare thigh high: The best place I find to grab shoes is endless.com. They ship everything for FREE no matter how much you spend and it’s usually overnight. Check out their sale section. You can really find some steals in there.

Distressed/ Ripped jeans: The best way to do this on a budget is to go into your closet, reach for the top shelf and grab those old jeans you don’t wear. Then get some cardboard, place

it under the jeans and get a butter knife to start your own distressing on the jeans. Also, if you don’t like the wash of your old jeans you can soak them in bleach and give them that washed out look that’s really “on trend” this fall.

Embellished Leggings: For this I would go to forever21.com and click on the leggings

Military Inspired Jackets: They were all over the runway, but who wants to pay “runway prices”? You’ll be running away to the land of credit card debt, so I recommend a good military inspired jacket for less than $40 at forever21. com, product code: 2067562341 Then of course a good sweater for layering and keeping you warm as well as the basic trench you may already have in your closet.

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Here is an overview of the top trends of fall 2009: Note: add a colorful scarf or any patterned scarf to your outfit and it will not only keep you warm but also beef up your style. So while I have just sent you to some budget friendly stores, something we need to all face before entering “that land” is some of these items are going to fall apart after a few washes… and some will “truck on” season after season. So as a rule of thumb, if it looks really cheap don’t get it because chances are that item will fade or fall apart before the trend has even faded. On that note, I have listed some great places to find items on a budget and what I think they are really strong in:

Forever 21: Good old forever 21… this really is a hit or miss place. Sometimes we can find gold and other times it just looks like we are wearing a cheap, tacky outfit. Forever 21 is good for specific items, i.e: blazer, leggings, and graphic tees. They also have a new line called “heritage 1981” which is based on real vintage pieces that buyers have traveled around collecting. This is a great way to get vintage inspired pieces for less.

Urban Outfitters: Great for “on trend” pieces that are fairly priced and great for their sales. Right now you can get dresses for under $20. Layer it with tights or leggings, throw on a jacket you have and “boom” a fall themed outfit for less than $20. I

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highly recommend going to their website at urbanouttfitters.com and clicking on the sale tab. You can scroll through hundreds of outfits and accessories all under $40.

Target: I was recently in a Target and thought I would wander around the woman’s section to see what I could find. I suddenly realized Target is great for getting those essential oversized shirts and tanks that are right “on trend” for under $10. Now onto most women’s favorite thing: SHOES! We can’t all be Carrie Bradshaw and spend hundreds of dollars on our Manolios, so whatever shall we do. I have listed some of the top shoe trends for this season, so when you are scouring the “price cautious” shoe stores you know what you should be looking for.

- Ankle Boots

- Over the knee Boots

- “Rough” details like studs or zippers

- Many Designers used the color purple… so search your closet for that pair of purple pumps or find one at a cheep price - Velvet was all over the runways this season—try a velvet ballet flat.

If you are asking yourself, “I don’t know any recession proof shoe stores around me where I can get cheap shoes.” I would suggest trying the sale section of endless. com, nordstroms.com (I know the big bad expensive Nordstrom’s, but you would be surprised the

deals they can have sometimes), forever21 or H and M. Beware that when buying shoes from said forever21, they are probably going to kill your feet and look like you went to war and back with only a few wears. So, if you feel like spending more than $20 but under $100 I would also try Aldo, Nine West or Mia shoes. You can usually get great “on trend” shoes for less than $100. If you still can’t seem to find anything, you can always check your local payless. Purses, Purses, Purses a woman’s life line throughout the day. This fall the key styles include colors ranging from purples, greens, greys, metallics, reds, and hot pinks. Oversized clutch bags and totes are also key styles. The real ticket this season is the embellished handbag! Embellished bags include styles such as studs, stones, and sequins. Chains are also big as well as snakeskin and prints. You can run around grabbing up all the designer handbags, but what you will be left with is a “big fat negative” in you checking account. I say, “Why spend hundreds of dollars on a purse that will mostly likely get stolen/ lost or will be out of trend before you even get your moneys worth out of it.” For this I recommended going to the Brass Plum department of Nordstrom, where you can get great purses for under $30 and clutches from anywhere between $10 to $15 (I have personally had a clutch from Brass Plum for two years that I still get compliments on… $15 well spent!). The biggest key to making one-self look more stylish and fashion forward is accessorizing! Here are some hot jewelry trends

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Here is an overview of the top trends of fall 2009: straight from the runways:

- Mulit Layered Chains - Leafed Designs

- Bib Necklaces; which are necklaces that have two to three layers of gemstones, flowers or chains stacked against each other to form a ‘bib’ shape around the neck - Chandiler Earings

- Statement Necklaces From giant metal flowers to big rocks and stones In my experience, the best place to find jewelry for less is H&M or Forever 21. Both are very reasonably priced and usually right-on with the trends of the moment. Now you have the outfit and all you need is some beautification of the face and you are ready to go. The Top 5 beauty trends for fall 2009:

-Rosy Cheeks - Bold Lips

- Natural Brows (don’t over tweeze your brows this fall) - Get quirky with 80’s eye shadows… add some color for your night out

To get some of these items, I say its time to head down to the local drug store and check out our friends Maybelline, Revlon and Almay. Browse through their versions of the bold lipstick colors. If they have a tester available, try a few on your hand and see which one speaks to you and your style the most. To get the rosy cheek,

any blushes by these lines will do. If you are feeling like spending a little more than the $10 to $20 you would have spent at the drugstore, head down to Sephoria. Get an associate that works there, tell them what you are looking for and what your budget is (i.e.; “I don’t want to spend more than $10 on a lipstick.”) and have them guide you to some popular styles that are within your budget. Don’t be ashamed to say you aren’t going to spend more than “x” dollars… confidence is the key to budget shopping. It’s time to deal with your hair. Lets face it; hair always has a mind of its own. The best thing you can do for your hair right now is: WAVES. If you have wavy hair let it wave on, you are ready to go… if you have stick straight hair, pull out your curling iron and wrap an inch of hair around the barrel of your curling iron at a vertical angle for at least 50 seconds and boom: WAVES. My favorite hair care products can be found at Target; a line called Umberto Beverly Hills. They are great conditioners and shampoos for under $15 (who needs to be spending $50+ on “designer hair care products”). While you are at Target, I would recommend picking up the Infinite curling iron by Conair. It’s now nighttime and time to wash your face and care for it. You don’t want to get suckered into a $50 face wash, so I have a little secret that will probably surprise you. Most local 99-cent stores carry Clearasil facial products for 99 cents!! If you are willing to spend a few more dollars, I highly recommend Neutrogena, which you can get at your local drugstore. They have great moisturizers and face washes for under $15 dollars.

Ok, so I have saved what I think to be the biggest wallet friendly secret yet for last and it also happens to be the most “ECO”:

Vintage Stores/ Thrift Stores: If you are wanting to be “green” and budget friendly, head down to your local vintage or thrift store (you would be surprised the things you find). Take with you a list of the fall trend items that appeal to you and print photos of the ones that you really love and hit the local thrift store. Keep in mind this will take patience and an eye for knowing how to find the right item. I recommend going with a girlfriend and make sure you eat before you go, otherwise you will loose all patience and get cranky before you found that amazing $4 blazer that looks like you spent $400!! Tip: If you find a blazer at a thrift store that has that really intense 80’s shoulder pads, you can cut the hem on the inside shoulder of the jacket and remove the pad or cut it down to the more “in trend” shoulder pad of out instead of up. The thing to remember when shopping for and putting together an outfit on a budget is to know what your own style is and to feel confident in everything you are wearing. If you don’t love it… DON’T GET IT. Confidence is the key to pulling off anything. If you can rock it with the best of them, then you and your outfit will look like a million bucks!

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Kings Gate Ct. MLS # 933957 TannieLuke REALTY ExECUTIVES 1903 So. Jones Ste. 100 Las Vegas, NV 89146 Ph: 702.873.4500 Fax: 702.221.7355 E-mail: tannieluke@aol.com

This magnificent estate boasts every fabulous and desired amenity imaginable. It’s located on Kings Gate Ct. in the premier guard gated golf course setting of “Queensridge” Truly one of “Las Vegas” finest neighborhoods, adjacent to Summerlin. * Estate Lot of 1.90 acres * Actual living square footage 20120 * Fully furnished turn key * Year Built 2003 * Bedroom or guest suites 8 * Total Baths 12 * Media room with six separate TV’s * Full sized tiered seating theatre room * Game room * Exercise room * Network communications and ample storage room’s * Multiple wet bars and secondary working kitchen * Two presidential studies * Library and lounge * 1st and 2nd floor laundry rooms * Dual wrought-iron floating staircases * Wine room * Butler’s Pantry * Commercial Otis elevator w/600 1lb capacity * “Crestron” home automation * Stone, marble, sculpted carpets & hardwood flooring * Marble and stone baths * Gourmet kitchen w/ walk-in pantry and cooking island * Custom finished cabinetry throughout * Fully equipped exercise room * Designer glass and Iron doors * Tropical Lanai with specimen palms * Steam showers, jetted tubs * ceiling fans, motorized draperies, shutters * Pocket panel motorized doors * 9 gas fireplaces * Detached guest house * Four view balconies * Dual connected pools * Gated pool area * Indoor fully finished basketball court * Decorative bronze statues * Multiple water features, swim up bar

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This outstanding residence should have been built for a king. It is adorned with the finest interior finishes available to the trade. It is impeccably furnished with custom designed furniture, custom built-ins, stone inlay’s and finishes. The exquisite floor plan and architecture takes your breath away. You know you have arrived in style upon entering the privately gated 2 acre compound. There is absolutely nothing left to be desired. Its all hear and more. The dream details and amenities are endless, bring your tooth brush and move in. Price is available upon request. MLS # 933957

www.tannieluke.com

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The Darker Side of Style Life size cut out, $33, Nordstrom, Westside Pavilion

Draped cross pendant necklace, $7.80, Forever 21, Los Cerritos Center.

“Team Jacob” fitted tank, $28. “Team Edward” fitted boyfriend tee, $30. Nordstrom, Westside Pavilion.

Who knew that Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton would be so on trend when they sealed their love by wearing vials of each other’s blood around their necks? Now it seems you can’t turn your own neck without catching sight of the vampire craze from HBO’s “True Blood” and CW’s “Vampire Diaries” to the blockbuster “Twilight” franchise. As it so often happens in Hollywood, this blood thirsty obsession is spilling onto the runway. It’s a darker side of style that combines some of this season’s hottest trends but luckily, for most, passes over lockets of blood.

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Twilight star Peter Facinelli donned in Affliction attire signing autographs in Hollywood.

So how best to bite into this trend? “Leave your capes at home,” advises Los Angeles-based real life stylist Crystal Fambrini, “While this look is all about drama from make-up to body-conscious clothing, remember that Halloween is over.” Fambrini says to keep on trend by subtlety enhancing your

make up and tying in some of this season’s leathers and over-the-knee boots. “It’s a moody, more dramatic statement that plays heavily on Edwardian and Victorian touches,” explains Fambrini. Retailers are also introducing vampire-inspired lines. For example at Westside Pavilion, Nordstrom’s New Moon line is inspired by the

Twilight series and carries everything from ‘Femme Fatale’ lip gloss to‘Howling Wolf’ pendant necklaces to ‘New Moon Stamp’ Tees and yes, even life size cut outs of the movie’s leading men. For those who want a taste of this dramatic trend, it’s a simple matter of hunting down a few key pieces. Here, Fambrini sheds some light on how to create the look:

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Leather:

Nothing screams vampy like leather, and nothing says it louder than the over-the-knee leather boot. A worn leather jacket with a theatrical silk ruffled blouse underneath is another fetching way to get the look. Don’t forget the sleek, fitted, worn jackets for men.

Black:

Embrace the color of night, but use different textures when layering black on black to keep it intriguing. Last year’s sweet little black dress can be vamped up for this year’s friends’ parties with some dramatic make up, lace stockings and a motorcycle jacket.

Tighten up:

Seek out more body conscious styles– think black skinny jeans, grey leggings or close fitting tops and dresses. But remember, this trend is about subtle sexiness and not about showing off more skin or plunging necklines.

Make-up:

Make-up artists typically tell us to enhance the eyes or the lips. With this trend, play up both. Cover the lips with strong, deep reds, and try a cat eye or brush on sultry smoky shades on the eyelids. Sleekly pull back your hair to show off these bold features, a coiffeur trend Fambrini says will be hot next spring.

Jewelry:

Longer cameo necklaces or rosary bead style chains illuminate the look or for a bolder presence, try a black and gold lacquered cuff bracelet. Leather cuffs adorned with studs are catching the eye of men who are looking to create this look. Guys have also fallen prey to rosary-style necklaces.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Leather jacket and black on black trend.

The Darker Side of Style

VAMPIRE ATTIRE Designers have quenched the thirst for this trend with several lines that immortalize the look. At Westside Pavilion, Nordstrom’s New Moon line is inspired by the Twilight series. • “Bet You Can’t Read My Mind” fitted v-neck tee, $30. • Life size cut out, $33, Nordstrom, Westside Pavilion. The Twilight Saga: New Moon apparel and jewelry collection * “Team Jacob” fitted tank, $28. “Team Edward” fitted boyfriend tee, $30. Nordstrom, Westside Pavilion. Find a rosarie-style necklace and don’t shy away from the exaggerated length. Forever 21 at Los Cerritos Center offers these styles. * Rosary Style Necklace, $5.80, Forever 21, Los Cerritos Center. • Draped cross pendant necklace, $7.80, Forever 21, Los Cerritos Center.

Affliction clothing line, available at The Oaks Shopping Center’s Metropark.

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Best of 200 9

the

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Top Movies of 2009

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Top Songs of 2009

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DEBT SOLUTIONS Call us toll-free at 888-639-4080

www.NewEraDebtSolutions.com New Era Debt Solutions wants to help you become Debt Free. • Call today for your Free Confidential Consultation with the industry leader in Debt Settlement.

• We want to improve your life and improve your financial knowledge. • We have made a special arrangement with Hollywood Weekly to offer readers a FREE Copy of Gerri Detweiler’s book Reduce Debt, Reduce Stress. Real life solutions for solving your credit crisis. • Offer valid for first 100 callers.

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www.lasvegasminicastles.com For Lease or Sale Call Annette Fiala at 714.396.2912

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N I K I

S H A D R O W

HOLLYWOOD scene in la

Juliana Glader & Cooks GOBI Mongolian BBQ House Grand Opening Event/ Presented By6 Red Light PR/Special Events Gobi Mongolian BBQ , Silver Lake Christopher Fransisco

Dakota Fanning November 15, 2009 First Star Celebration for Children’s Rights event at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles FaceChipz.com Jet and Star of the Wing Girls Wing Girls Speed Dating Smiles Night Club,Sherman Oaks Photo Credit: WG Photos Kali Hawk & Alyssa Julya Smith Samora Spring/Summer 2010 collection fashion Sunset Tower Hotel Jesse Grant/WireImage

Maxime Salvador & Yotam Solomon

Sharon Lawrence, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mariska Hargitay & Debra Messing

Era 20’s Party

The Joyful Heart Foundation/ partnering beauty brand philosophy

Campanile

Philosophy Store, Santa Monica

Andre D. Cohen

Wire Image

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Katy Perry Katy Perry performance/ Samsung Behold II Premiere Launch Event

Ashle’ Dawson modeling Courtney McEntire’s “Thriller” Design

Boulevard 3, Hollywood

MOONWALK Catwalk: “a fashionable celebration honoring the man, the

Charley Gallery, Wire Image

myth, the legend” Fashion Show The KRESS ,Hollywood, CA HOPEBOAT FILMS/ George Bernabe

Lesa Amoore, Nony Tochterman, Romy Tochterman FGILA Fundraiser: Designers and Their Muses The Standard Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles FGI Models Yotam Solomon Spring/Summer 2010 “Shinning Through Collection” Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles NSI Scott Gold, Nick Morrison, Laura Morrison, Mike Levine 3rd Annual Roaring 20’s Old Hollywood Gala Friends of The Israeli Defense Forces Young Leadership Los Angeles The Los Angeles Theater Photographer credit: Jasmin Kuhn

Caroline D’Amore & Bobby Alt Halloween Party Louis IV, Los Angeles Photo by Adam Alt

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Nicholas Paulos Photos that Get Jobs To see more of their work please visit: www.nicholaspaulos.com Or you can call Nicholas personally, he would love to chat with you: 310.694.9894

By: Brea Tisdale

If you are an entertainer in Los Angeles, than you know that a photo is worth a 1,000 words or a 1,000 dollars. A headshot can be the difference between getting into the room, booking the job and making that 1,000 dollars or sitting at home waiting. It’s a hard life for an actor: constant struggle, patience, perseverance and mostly trying to avoid people scamming you. Who will “understand” them enough to get the ‘shot’ that will get them the job? Enter Nicholas Paulos and wife Catheryn. Nicholas was a child actor, But before all this, he was a photographer, at age 7 Nicholas picked up his first camera, by age 14 he convinced his parents to let him have a dark room. Nicholas decided to combine the things he loved, photography and acting. He started this by doing black and white headshots for friends. As photography morphed into the digital age, Paulos began morphing with it. Nicholas is aware how important the connection between actor and photographer is. What really makes his business special is his wife (they say behind every great man, is a great woman) Catheryn and Nick actually met in third grade… but reconnected in 2001 after running into each other out and about in LA. They quickly fell in love and were married. It was then that they decided to collaborate and combine both of their talents… making them the ‘go to duo” in Los Angeles. Catheryn’s background is as a stylist; working as a personal shopper/ stylist for Giorgio Armani and Macy’s. Tailoring up outfits for clients for the photo shoot as well as for auditions… you could say she “revamps” the actor. In fact many top agents and managers turn to them because they know they will deliver the results they need to get their client in the right rooms. Nicholas and Catheryn are taking their combined talents one step further by spreading out into the world of fashion. Catheryn’s background in fashion and Nicholas’s undeniable talent behind the lens makes their splash into the fashion world the only next natural step for this power duo. As an actor, every little thing you can do to set yourself aside is important… and knowing the right places to get these things is the number one key. Nicholas and Catheryn have put the passion, knowledge and all around human experience back into the world of photography. It’s more than a photo with them- it’s an experience. To see more of their work please visit: www.nicholaspaulos.com

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY

Michael & Emi

Discovering the Moments

By: Brea Tisdale When it comes to that time in your life when you are ready to get married. There are so many things one has to think about: a: Do I love this person enough to put up with all of this, B: Do I really think it’s going to work out? C: How do I plan a wedding? A lot goes into the planning of a wedding; one of the most important elements I think is to find the right person to capture your wedding. So you can remember it the way others saw it, and not by all the craziness that was going through your head the day of the wedding. Searching for a wedding photographer can be daunting, and knowing where to turn always seems to be the hardest part. This is where Michael over at Evoke Photography comes in. Michael and his wife partnered up to start Evoke in 2004. But this is not Michael’s first rodeo; he has been doing photography since he was 12 years old. In fact, at 16 he was published in National Geographic’s, by always keeping what he shot personal and true… the great outdoors. He met his wife because she was set up with his friend, but it was in Yosemite the “sparks” flew, they were both on photo assignments when he was walking down the mountain and she was walking up, they reconnected and the rest is history. They started freelancing together which took off rather quickly, they found themselves doing any where from 50 to 60 weddings a year; which eventually led them starting Evoke Photography. However this power duo does more than just weddings, in fact they are responsible for a lot of the lifestyle editorial’s you see from major University’s. The reason I think they capture student life so well is because they are young, and they can relate to the students and the ‘vibe’ of the University. So if is wedding photos to last a lifetime you are looking for, or an experienced photographer with the natural ability to capture the truth in situations, than Evoke Photography is the place to turn.

You can contact Evoke Photography at: HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY www.evokephotography.com

Dana Hursey

an image that can stand-alone

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Dana got into photography as a teenager and on a visit to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena he realized hat he might actually be able to make a living with photography, and so went on to study at Art Center. Two years after graduating he started teaching at Art Center (yes after only two years). He taught classes on and off when he had time; classes such as the business of photography, basics of photography, and a class on digital photography. Also after graduating Hursey started working as a studio manager where he thought he wanted to be strictly a fashion photographer. He then switched over to portraits and would now be labeled a “generalist” because he does everything except for automotive. The unique thing about Dana is that he has had his own business for 22 years, but if you talk to him, it feels like it’s only been 5 or 6. He has the experience of the 22 years but the same passion and energy he has always had. He’s always trying to learn and evolve and grow. Dana does his portrait and lifestyle images with more of a concept… so you get more out of the photo. The really interesting thing I learned about Dana was something he is working on for corporations, where he creates libraries of images for companies, which allows them to have access and rights to a vast amount of proprietary photos at any given time, without having to always be licensing and re-licensing them. To me, anyone that can shoot product stills that pull you into the photo and portraits that tell a story is a talented generalist, someone who can do anything and do it well. Dana Hursey is your “one stop” go to guy in Los Angeles, but don’t trust me, see for yourself (I wouldn’t let you down) go to Dana’s website at: www.hursey.com.

By: Brea Tisdale

Or if you would like to get in contact with him, he is represented by:

Jodie Zeitler Phone: 312 467 9220 E-mail: jodie@jodiezeitler.com

Here in the city of lights we have millions of artists (some insanely talented and some just insane), so its hard to find someone who really knows what they are talking about and also deliver incredible results… a gift that few have. I have seen many a photographer in my day, but when I saw Dana Hursey’s work it was quite different to say the least. I knew I had to share what many people already know to everyone else (Well, everyone that will listen). I called Dana up and he was gracious enough to let me pick his brain (lucky for you I’m a person that likes to really pry).

Carrie Sandoval Capturing a Child’s Most precious Moments

We all experience certain moments in our life when our mothers bust out the baby photos to you potential beau. As embarrassed as we may all get, we really appreciate the fact that our mother took the time to have someone capture us in moments we will never remember. Capturing the innocence, beauty and unforgettable moments of early childhood, is renowned photographer Carrie Sandoval. Carrie notes that she never considered her photographs anything more than “snap shots”. Graduating from college with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design she was soon hired as an art director at an Orange County advertising firm. Carrie thought this career path was her calling, little did she know; it was merely a stepping-stone. In 2000 Carrie had her first baby and like most mothers began taking hundreds of snap shots of By: Brea Tisdale Mikey. The difference between her and us is that she has a talented eye behind the lens. Two years later, she delivered a set of twin girls, Kalynn and Makenna. When they were ten months old she decided to take her snap shot craze a step further and began looking into upgrading to a better camera. This only lead her to frustration with the “consumer end camera”, so she ended up buying a professional camera. Which was quite extravagant for someone that was only calling her photos “snap shots.”

Since Brittany’s move they have been specializing in newborn babies and pride themselves on continually pushing the envelope by using different poses and props. Together, Carrie and Brittany receive an average of 1500 unique visitors to their blog daily; many are photographers visiting for a dose of inspiration. I would say the most important part of treasuring your child and letting them life forever as a baby, is a photograph… something your family will have for generations to come.

Carrie is located in North County San Diego but works nationwide. For more info or to contact Carrie visit her websites: www.capturedbycarrie.com www.babyasart.com

After the purchase of the camera she began diving into books, the Internet and children photography forums. In all of her research she not only gained knowledge, but friendships and clients as well. In 2005, she met her long time “cyber-photographer-pal” in person, Brittany Woodall. Brittany was only 17 at the time and so naturally Carrie was worried about how she would entertain such a youngster. One year later, in 2006, Brittany visited her again... and continued visiting her many times throughout the year and eventually moved here in early 2008.

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H ollywood W e ekly-Healt h

Health & Fitness

Robin Ackerman, R.E.

The Benefits of Electrology Effective for over a century, it still works today.

KEEP THESE GENERAL RULES IN MIND: • The electrologist should be a graduate of a qualified school of electrology. A State license or certification should be displayed. An electrologist who is a member of a professional organization, such as The International Guild of Professional Electrologists, Inc. will have a current and dated certificate on display. • The office should be clean and private.

Ever since Dr. Charles Michel, an ophthal-

mologist, first utilized a delicate needle to conduct electrical current to remove an in grown eyelash,

electrolysis has been recognized as the only method of permanent hair removal. Electrolysis is still the only proven method of permanent hair removal.

“Electrolysis lets you say a permanent good-

• During the consultation, your questions should be answered courteously and professionally. The process of electrology and the hair growth cycle should be explained. • The electrologist should use sterile, disposable instruments. A new disposable probe should be opened for each visit. Disposable gloves should be worn. Areas to be treated should be antiseptically cleaned before and after treatment.

bye to plucking, tweezing, bleaching and other ways of temporarily removing unwanted and annoying hairs. Electrolysis is a safe and smart way to permanently shorten your beauty routine.”

Under some circumstances, laser hair removal

is an effective method to clear large areas in a fast-

er period of time than electrology. Generally, laser

hair removal has not been proven to be permanent, and is not effective on darker skin tones or on light

or grey hairs. Electrolysis is also more effective for finer, detail work such as eyebrows and hairlines. Electrolysis is safe. I am aware of no case of disease transmission through electrolysis.

Take as much care in choosing an electrologist

as you would in selecting a doctor or dentist or any personal service. The skill and ability of the electrologist affects the success of the treatment.

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Electrolysis professionals should work

within the comfort of the individual’s tolerance level. A small amount of heat or tingling sensation may be all you experience.

Application of creams prior to treatment,

e.g. the “R.P. Method” or lidocaine injections for the very sensitive may be used to make the treatment more comfortable.

Electrolysis lets you say a permanent good-

bye to plucking, tweezing, bleaching and other ways of temporarily removing unwanted and annoying hairs. Electrolysis is safe and smart way to permanently shorten your beauty routine.

Robin Ackerman is a registered electrolo-

gist who has private practices in both Beverly Hills and Brentwood.

The Laser Hair Removal Company Laser Trolysis Thousands of patients; 5,000 treatments; over 10 million laser pulses

Simply put, we offer the best laser hair reduction in men and women of all skin types.

Safe | effeCTive Return to normal activities immediately Longer lasting results - less tedious and less invasive than other hair removal methods

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www.cosmeticlaserworks.com Good for MeN and Women

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H ollywood W e e kly- th eat re

LA THEATRE BEAT BY STEVE ZALL AND SID FISH

The hustle and bustle of holiday preparations may be the only thing you’re thinking about this time of year, but our local venues are still going strong with fantastic new shows, such as:

“If Your Eyes Are Clear...” a Soviet era Armenian superior court judge is under great pressure from all sides to convict a possibly innocent man, a driver of a state conglomerate where allegations of rampant corruption at all levels have been systematically covered up or ignored by equally corrupt state officials. Written by Saghatel Harutyunyan with English adaptation and direction by Aramazd Stepanian, it runs through December 12 at the Luna Playhouse in Glendale. For tickets call 818-500-7200 or visit www. itsmyseat.com.

“Extinction” a darkly funny drama exploring the evolution of friendships and the lengths to which we go to save them from falling into extinction when two college buddies compare their self-indulgent past with their all-too-present future. Written by Gabe McKinley and directed by Wayne Kasserman, it runs through December 13 at the Elephant Space in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-7784 or visit www.plays411.com/Extinction.

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“The Wanting” A group of dancers portray the world of a dysfunctional and decadent family - twin sisters, brother, parents and a nanny who engage in perverse pleasures. Produced and directed by Janet Roston, it runs through December 13 at the Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-315-1459 or visit www.highwaysperformance.org.

“Hamlet Shut Up” an adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic tale of revenge, love, and angst performed without any dialogue. Written and directed by Jonas Oppenheim, it runs through December 19 at the Sacred Fools Theater in Hollywood. For tickets call 310-281-8337 or visit www. sacredfools.org. “A Christmas Carol” is a musical incorporating masks, puppetry, and a 25-voice choir based on Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story. Written by Richard Hellesen and directed by Ernest A. Figueroa, it runs through December

20 at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-700-4878 or visit www.thegrouprep.com.

“Robbie Jensen: The 12 Steps of Christmas” A self-help guru who exploits those looking to improve their lives by promoting sales of his books and DVDs almost loses his wife and his best friend. Written by Tony Matthews and Matt Schofield and directed by Craig Woolson, it runs through December 20 at The NoHo Arts Center in North Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-1053 or visit www. plays411.com/robbiejensen.

“Winter Wonderettes” when their Santa Claus turns up missing, the girls must use their talent and creative ingenuity to perform their office Christmas party without him. Written and Directed by Roger Bean, it runs through December 30 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www. LagunaPlayhouse.com.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” When the organizer of a neighborhood Christmas pageant breaks her leg, her substitute must find a way to turn devilish kids into perfect angels. Written by Barbara Robinson and directed by Stan Kelly, it runs through December 20 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

“The Last Angry Brown Hat” four ex-Brown Beret Chicanos meet after the funeral of a close friend to renew the bond that existed between them years ago. Written and Directed by Alfredo Ramos, it is followed by Rick Najera’s stand-up comedy routine “Diary of a Dad Man” about the joys and woes of marriage and fatherhood. Both shows run through January 9 at The Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-960-4442 or visit www.thehayworth. com.

“A Christmas Carol” is the classic tale of a miserly old man who learns the true meaning of Christmas from three spirits who visit him on Christmas Eve. Written by Charles Dickens and directed by John-David Keller, it runs through December 26 at the Folino Theatre Center in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.

“La Posada Magica” a young girl and her companions encounter colorful characters, including chocolate–gobbling sisters, graveyard spooks and a heartthrob rock singer on their journey to the neighborhood posada on Christmas Eve. Written by Octavio Solis and directed by Diane Rodriquez, it runs December 3 through December 24 at the Odyssey

“Holiday Hangover: An Anthology for the Seasonally Affected” explores the day after Christmas through six unrelated short subjects. Written by Sylvia Anderson, Phillip Kelly, Andrew Moore and Pamela Moore and directed by Andrew Moore, it runs December 3 through December 12 at the Sherry Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-849-4039 or visit www.theatreunleashed.com.

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LA THEATRE BEAT Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 or visit www.odysseytheatre.com.

“X-Mas Cabaret” A lost little girl must find Santa Claus amidst the litter and broken ornaments at the North Pole’s Christmas Extravaganza street fair. Presented by The Eclectic Company Theatre, it runs December 4 through December 12 at The Eclectic Company Theatre in Valley Village. For tickets call 818-508-3003 or visit www.eclecticcompanytheatre.org.

“Bob’s Holiday Office Party” An insurance agent in a small town yearns to leave his home to become an inventor until his friends at a Christmas party make him realize he is the heart and soul of the town. Written by Rob Elk and Joe Keyes, it runs December 4 through December 20 at Theatre Asylum in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323960-5774 or visit www.plays411.com/bobs.

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“That Perfect Moment” an ex-rock star who loses his job at an office Christmas party throws his own Christmas party hoping to make a comeback with his aging baby-boomer band-buddies. Written by Charles Bartlett and Jack Cooper and directed by Rick Sparks, it runs December 5 through January 17 at The Little Victory Theatre in Burbank. For tickets call 323-960-7745 or visit www.plays411.com/ perfect.

“Crumbs from the Table of Joy” is a sly coming-of-age comedy about a widower and his two teenage daughters whose lives are suddenly changed when their free-spirited aunt shows up. Written by Lynn Nottage and directed by Seret Scott, it runs December 9 through December 13 at L.A. Theatre Works at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-827-0889 or visit www.latw. org. “Rent” is a musical that follows the lives of a group of young artists too poor to pay rent, some of whom have AIDS, who live bohemian lifestyles and refuse to conform to social conventions. Written by Jonathan Larson

and directed by Nick DeGruccio, it runs December 11 through December 20 at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562856-1999 or visit www.musical.org. “Frosty the Snow Manilow” is a musical that melts together the holiday classic “Frosty the Snowman” and the sounds of the love-song-crooner Barry Manilow. Written and directed by Matt Walker, it runs December 11 through January 17 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank. For tickets call 818-955-8101 or visit www.falcontheatre.com.

“Xanadu” a muse descends from the heavens to inspire the first roller disco but falls in forbidden love with a mortal and chaos ensues when her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation. Written by Douglas Carter Beane and directed by Christopher Ashley, it runs December 15 through December 27 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-5562787 or visit www.OCPAC.org.

M. Brown. Installations Discover the Freshest Ideals in Window Coverings

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“Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy” features popular characters from the movies “Cars,” “Tinker Bell,” “The Lion King,” and “The Little Mermaid.” Produced by Feld Entertainment, it runs December 17 through December 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, December 22 through December 27 at the Honda Center in Orange County, December 30 through January 3 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Inland Empire, and January 6 through January 10 at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach. For tickets call 800-7453000 or visit www.disneyonice.com.

Though the weather outside is frightful, but a show is so delightful, so when you’ve no place to go, see a show, see a show, see a show. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff of Hollywood Weekly magazine, especially our wonderful editor Prather Jackson, for making this column possible, and for all their support throughout the year. We also hope the coming year will be filled with peace, love, success and happiness for all humankind, so Merry Christmas/ Kwanza/Hanukkah and happy New Year everyone!

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Darwin Heard

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The Great Motivator: Darwin Heard Leads by Example “You don’t have to be Halle Berry to be a star”. Motivational entrepreneur Darwin Heard was born with a physical disability, but he says he can help those in entertainment attain higher levels of success by not focusing on obstacles or their emotional handicaps. He is available through his company Heard Consulting Group at 312-933-6635. dheard@heardconsultingroup.com

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