PopImpressKA In The Journal: Collection ON THE COVER: Saving Little Italy Project, Rich Rossi-Movie, Foundation, p. 76-87 PopImpressKA Cover Shot Photography: Andrew Kaen Oil On Canvas 24X30 POPULAR: P. 6 - P. 185 Olga Maria Czarkowski, Latina Entrepreneur, p. 7-15 Inna Grubmair, Photograhy, Artist And Portfolio, p. 16-19 Andrew Kaen Poetry, “Reawakennd” Poet, p. 20-23 p. 53, p. 289-290 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth, p. 20-25; p. 27-43 PopImpressKA, A New Art Movement by Olga Papkovitch , DSJ p. 44-47 The Aronson Twins, Joe Vulpis and Lady Gaga...... , p. 48-49 Actor Vinny Vella Sr., An Intimate Portrait, p. 50-52 New York City and Its Popular Destinations, La Bella Ferrara, p. 50-52 Gerald Lipsky: Entrepreneur, Visionary..., p. 54-55 Steve Dash, Actor,...The Movie “Friday the 13th, Part II”, p. 56-57 Sheryl Intrator Urman, An Artist Testimony, p. 58-59 Michaelle Fiore, Artist and Her Passion, p. 60-61 Amadeo Modigliani and Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, p. 62-63 PopImpressKA Andrew and Jesse Tsygan, PR Powerhous, p. 64-69 William Russo, Beach Whispers, p. 70-71 Christine Marie, a healing Artist, p. 72-75 Journal: The M Crew, p. 88-92 Ernie Rossi “Fa L’Amore Con Te”, p. 93 Thomas Fiore “Nino”, Executve Producer, p. 94-97 Anita Clay, Acting, Art and Film, p. 98-105 John Thomas, Talent Manager Casting Director, JT Talent, p. 106-113 POPULAR IMPRESSIVE KALEIDOSCOPE Etcetera, Artist, Entreprenuer, Mogul, p. 114-129 Emilio Rosa “Ante”, Real Life, p. 130-137 Publisher: Fawn, Singer, Songwriter, Poet, p. 138-139 Mokablu, Her Debut Single “Empty”, p. 140-141 PopImpressKA Giovanni Gambino and Lance Lane, Mulbery to Rome, p. 142-145 Giovanni and Rita Gambino, Undercover Secrets, p. 146-147 Photography: Pete Seeger, A Folk Song Legend, p. 148-151 Lizzie Sider, Lizzie Sider Music, Introducing 14 year old, p. 152-157 Andrew Kaen “Ola Style” By Ola Hawatmeh, p. 158-161 Editors: Got Entertainment, Rock Photos by Diana King, p. 163-167 A Dedication to Love By Diane King, p. 168 Andrew Kaen A Love Story By Susan Erim, p. 169 RC Productions and Management, Christian Ruart, CEO, p. 170-175 PopImpressKA Continue p. 4 PopImpressKA 2 PopImpressKA 3

Continue from p. 3 Letter From PopImpressKA Dear Readers, Children-Our Future: Catalina, Santiago, p. 176 Model Portfolio Presents, Benjamin Aronson, p. 177 Welcome to our very first premiere issue! We are very excited to be here with you on this journey called Model Portfolio Presents: Brooke Leight Earnest, p. 178-183 life on this beautiful planet and to share many interesting stories and images from around the world to inspire, move and touch you. Read articles about art, movies, fashion, new discoveries, new adventures, Lyuba Dorf, Actress & Model, p. 184-185 new enterprises and amazing people, their great causes and how we can make our planet Beautiful. Our journal is quite different from any journal you may have read. We look forward to a bright future with you, our readers. You can visit our website at http://www.popimpresskajournal.com. Please tell all your friends IMPRESSIVE: P. 187 - P. 233 about us. We need your help to spread the word about our new international journal, which at this time is anticipated to be bi-annual. Grandfather Manuel Lopez, The Seven Prophecies of Maya, Manuel’s Message for 2012, p. 188-195 PopImpressKA Journal is inspired by various socialites such as: incredible artists, actors, producers, writ- Planet Heart’s 6th Annual World Peace Celebration: ers, poets, musicians, creators, chefs, spiritual leaders, healers, thinkers, Native Americans and people Earth Day 2012 Elders Forum, p. 188-191 from all over the world. The purpose of this publication is to create a world that connects everyone. Grandmother, Bishop Lygia Maciel De Castro, “Through PopImpressKA Journal we want people to feel good and get in touch with their inner self, help The Medicine Woman, p. 196-204 each other and be compassionate, create love and understanding, and to inspire and learn about each other Earth Celebrations Hudson River Pageant 2012, p. 205-206 for a better world” Kristin Hoffmann, Song For The Ocean, p. 207-214 .... PopImpressKA Mother’s Day Celebration, p. 215 I am Master Rob, p. 216-218 PopImpressKA Journal is indebted to so many amazing people for their great help and collaboration with Tricia McCannon, Galactic Alignment 2012 and Beyond, p. 219-225 the Journal and its October 2012 Red Carpet Launch Event: The Universe for giving such Love, Inspiration and Creativity, Our Mothers that make our world so spe- Dance of Liberation, Parashakti Sigalit Bat-Haim, p. 227-232 cial and for loving all of us unconditionally, Lygia for encouragement, Rich Rossi for giving his support and believing in PopImpressKA, Andrew Kaen for his amazing work, editing and tremendous input to our Journal, Olga Maria Czarkowski for help with PR and Marketing, Christian Ruart for his PR, Musical KALEIDOSCOPE: P. 234 - P. 304 Program and Event Planning, Adora Penn for Her Adorable Cakes and Support, JT Talent for his incred- Kim Zanni’s Gelato di Babbo, p. 235-238 ible collaboration with our project, Ahmad Armando Quazi for his outstanding contribution with the Jour- Living Skinny In Fat Genes, Dr. Felicia Stoler, R. D., nal, Michael Masucci for his Audio Visual support and crew for the launch event, Anita Clay and Anna Camara for their input and web design, David Karges for his input, Dr. Daniel Silver with Mannatech and Healthy Eating, Felicia’s Recepies, p. 239-242 his support and sponsorship, Lee Earnest for her valuable input with the journal, and We, The World for Partnership 2Gether, A Living Bridge Between Northern their contribution and outreach. Special Thank You to Andrew and Jesse Tsygan for all their incredible New Jersey and Nahariya p. 243-244 work and support through the years, to Vinny Vella Sr. for putting PopImpressKA on his talk TV, Christine March Of Dimes, The Ball Family Story, p. 245-246 Marie and Diane King with Got Entertainment, Trixie Gynn for her collaboration with her TV network, Dr.Daniel Silver, Mannatech Live for Real, p. 247-250 Paul Sladkus with Good News Broadcast, Dazzie with ChatterBoxx, William Russo for his Radio repre- Ahmad “Armando” Quazi, Celebrities Citizens and Children Against Poverty, p. 251-256 sentation, Silvia Zonana with World Wide Beauty Expo for her great support, Carlos Otero for Hair and Make Up, Perfect Peach Events for Sponsoring Catering for PopImpressKA Journal Launch Event, Kim Zanni WE - A global campaign of We, p. 257-264 with Gelato Di Babbo for Sponsoring Gelato. Santosh Bidari - Peace for People by Diane King/ Got Entertainment, p. 265-272 Gregg Carlucci with his Radio Show and interview and Lyuba Dorf for her help. Also, Thank You to all Parrots For Peace, Gloria Waslyn, p. 273-280 of you who are reading this first issue of PopImpressKA Journal and everybody who we forgot to mention Russell Ashley, Journey To Africa, p. 281-290 who supported and helped make this project happen. Paul Sladkus and Good News Planet, p. 291-292 We would love any feedback you may have from our first issue. Feel free to email us. Also, if you have any Simon Burrell, Our Man On The Ground, ideas for a future story, please contact us. So read on … and let’s take a human journey towards making the world a better place! PopImpressKA Global Travel and Lifestyle, p. 293-298 Collection PopKA Christian Nicholau, Blogger, Italian heritage in NYC/ Mayor Bloomberg, p. 293 For ad sales, sponsorship, Journal inquiries, feedback or future story ideas please e-mail: Oil On Canvas David Karges, Deep Kut Entertainment, p. 294-295 [email protected] / www.popimpresskajournal.org 24X30 PopImpressKA Art Collection, p.2, p. 5, p.26, p. 44-47, p. 226, 302-304 May Peace Prevail On Earth! PopImpressKA 4 PopImpressKA 5 Olga Maria Czarkowski Founder & CEO Dreams in Heels PR www.dreamsinheelspr.com [email protected] 917-727-1418 http://about.me/olgamaria

Photography: Zohn Yancy

PopImpressKA Journal:

POPULAR P. 6 - P. 185

PopImpressKA 6 PopImpressKA 7 Olga Maria Czarkowski [email protected]

Photography: Zohn Yancy

PopImpressKA 8 PopImpressKA 9 Olga Maria Czarkowski OLGA MARIA CZARKOWSKI Founder & CEO Dreams in Heels PR 917-727-1418 Latina Entrepreneur, Publicist, Journalist, www.dreamsinheelspr.com Poet & Role Model [email protected] Olga Maria Czarkowski (nee Vargas) is an independent publicist and international PR specialist. She works with industry leaders in fashion, media, and entertainment as well as partners with nonprofits that focus on social issues that women and pov- erty stricken communities face.

A fashionista, reporter/writer, model/stylist, and community developer, with 5+ years of experience in NYC media and PR. Early 2012, Olga founded “DREAMS in HEELS PR” her very own Public Relations Boutique Firm; where her and her team work with English and Spanish NGO’s, companies and personalities, includ- ing: famed designer Ola Hawatmeh of Ola Style, celebrity hair stylist/make-up artist Carlos Otero, The Latino Make up Show, My Lifestyle Magazine, Bohemian Trails, iVive H2O.

An avid fashion maverick, Olga styled for fashion designer Shekhar Rahate at the Brooklyn Wave Fashion Week and went on to judge the preliminary for Miss Amer- ica assisting with the selection of Miss Long Island Metropolis, Miss Southern NY and Miss Westchester. She is not only a fashionista, but a published poet and model. Serving as campaign model for Huntress Stiletto Fragrance by Epiphany and Body Up Pro hairbrushes. For her contribution to the fashion industry, Olga won the Glam Sense Award on December 2011.

Olga is a part-time correspondent for iVive H2O, where she conducts backstage and red carpet interviews at the Latin awards “Premios Latinos”. She hosted “My Life- style Magazine’s” 4th Edition launch event for Revenge Fashion Magazine. She’s also a published writer for Livid Magazine and the associate fashion editor for Fash- ion Reverie.

Being civic-minded, Olga belongs to JCI (Junior Chamber International), a non- profit organization dedicated to creating positive change, and enjoys assisting non- profit organizations including the ReginaldF. Lewis Foundation, Milagros Day Worldwide, and Casa Esperanza New York. Olga is also part of the team of “Inspir- ing Lives with Dr. Shellie,” which is a new TV talk show focused on the life stories D-mulsion Photography of people who have triumphed over adversity. Hair by: Carlos Otero Make up by: 3D Beauty Consulting Dress and shoes by Pamela Quinzi Continue p. 12 PopImpressKA 10 PopImpressKA 11 Continue from p. 11 Olga’s strength and deter- Olga’s main goal and focus in life mination led her to climb is to give back to the latino com- munity, to be a role model and a the Covadonga Mountain mentor to all young women, espe- in Spain and the Great cially young latina women. This Wall of China….in heels! is the reason why Olga will be a co-author of the up & coming Beautiful and focused, no book called, “Real Women, Real wonder her personal man- Issues, Real Solutions”. In this tra is “ I am Living my book, Olga represents the new Dream in Heels”. entrepreneur latina woman who overcomes language barriers and cultural obstacles. She will utilize this platform to reach and inspire women all over the world. Olga’s independent spirit and fast- paced lifestyle led her from Puer- to Rico, to Miami where she has nested in New York City. Native Spanish speaking tongue upon ar- rival, Olga began to speak English within a year and quickly accli- mating to American life.

Couture Dresses By: Lissy Gomez/LVG Designs

Photography: Zohn Yancy

Photography: Zohn Yancy PopImpressKA 12 PopImpressKA 13 Olga Maria Czarkowski Founder & CEO Dreams in Heels PR [email protected] www.dreamsinheelspr.com Photography: Zohn Yancy

PopImpressKA 14 PopImpressKA 15 Inna Grubmair started taking photographs with a INNA GRUBMAIR rangefinder camera – a gift for her 16th birthday. She mastered techniques for developing pictures in her own darkroom. Increasing demands for PHOTOGRAPHY higher quality resulted in switching to a film SLR. Inna refined her skills at the New York Institute of Photography, from which she graduated in Febru- ary 2011, having reсeived two merit awards, and at the International Center of Photography. With her experience as an expert, Inna covers a wide range of travel photography, presenting cer- tain places and countries from inside. Her works have been exhibited in Damascus, Continue p. 18 ARTIST AND PORTFOLIO

PopImpressKA 16 PopImpressKA 17 Continue from p. 17

(2003) and in New York (2010, 2011). She is also a member of Park West Cam- era Club (New York). “Reporter” newspaper published her work in the issue of December 29, 2011. http://issuu.com/reporterru/docs/ reporter-213 Another achievement was a second place award at the Bryant Park Holiday photo contest in December 2011. http://blog.bryantpark.org/2011/12/ holiday-photo-contestwinners. At the moment the photographer is work- ing on two projects: “Russians in New York” http://www.smugmug.com and “Bryant Park”. http://www.innagrubmair.com/

website: www.innagrubmair.com

PopImpressKA 18 PopImpressKA 19 Scribble scrabble For much is at stake “Uncover our Human Truth” Dazzle the senses For us to take Underlying score A look at what we have done Part of the Being Human Series Of the divine candy As a human race Awaiting our taste A time to reflect Composed 10/23/03 Scribble scrabble No more time to waste Dazzle the senses A time to join with others by “ReAwakennd” Poet Visions unseen To join as one Unravel the eye To bring unity consciousness Andrew Kaen To a new awakening together Scribble scrabble To awake the others Dazzle the senses Lying dormant asleep Andrew Kaen actually spells Reawakennd if you take the let- Intake of a new height For much is at stake ters and create a new word. He calls himself “ReAwakennd” Of dynamic durability For us to take Poet and all of his poems are about Re-Awakening to our Taking on new forms A momentary study own truth – that We Are All One. He also refers to himself New dimensions Of the here and now as a Peace Poet. All of his poems were channeled and refers Of a higher plane And work towards peace and under- to them as Vibrational Healing Poems. He has read his po- Taking on new meaning standing etry in different places, including Alex Grey’s monthly Full To light It is time Moon Gatherings. All of the poems that he received years Sense the velocity of It is time ago is about the times we are living in right now, as the Ma- The sky to the stars It is time to acknowledge the past yan Calendar is about to end and a New Era is about to be And the trees to the ants And create a new future born. He is hoping to finally publish his collection (most Scribble scrabble For humanity likely self-publish) sometime next year, which comprises not Dazzle the senses For much is at stake just poems but songs as well. It is an amazing 100 page com- To know there If we pretend, for heaven’s sake pendium which comprises the period between 1998-2006. If Is an absolute truth We must not pretend anymore you are interested in supporting his work he is looking for To uncover and discover Let us now come together donations to raise funds to make the project possible. If you To see and to know And reflect in community are interested in more of his work or would like to be on the To seek and to find As brothers and sisters mailing list for when the book comes out contact him at an- To find and to embrace Of the human race [email protected]. What is the meaning of it all It is a race for us What is the diagram of life To all awake to He also receives music and is a sound healer. He is available That calls for us to examine To know there for readings, especially spiritual events and festivals, where The answers lie within us Is an absolute truth his work would be a perfect match. He recorded three of his Scribble scrabble To uncover and discover poems with music and one of them can be heard at www. Dazzle the senses To see and to know myspace.com/akaen with Shake Dua of LionFox Entertain- Visions unseen To seek and to find ment Group. He also anticipates to put up a website by early Unravel the eye To find and to embrace next year with the domain www.reawakenndpoet.com so be To a new awakening What it is to be really human on the look out. He loves to hear from people about how they BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth For much is at stake What it is to be really alive feel about his poetry, so feel free to contact him. A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space For us to take What it is to be really awake A momentary study What it is to just be. Photography: Andrew Kaen Of the here and now Copyright 2003 PopImpressKA 20 PopImpressKA 21 PopImpressKA 6 Resides in the heart of all things “Tidal Wave of Bliss” Be at the heart of your own creation Part of the Being Human Series Creating a tidal wave of bliss Blessing your soul with Composed 10/30/03 by Andrew Kaen Rejuvenation and joy Blessing the sounds of silence Tiddle tattle Within will allow you to Tidal wave of bliss Be at the heart of your own creation Bless the sounds of silence Creating a tidal wave of bliss Within Within your thread Ignite the cords of peace Weaved into the web of your life Within our thread Be at the heart of your own creation Of glorified harmony And sing out hallelujah Sing out hallelujah Blessed be to be you Sweet honey of the moment Blessed be to be free to be you Quenches the sweetness of blessings Blessed be to be true to you That are abound in the mists of time Blessed be to know that peace Tiddle tattle Resides in the heart of all things Tidal wave of bliss Blessed be to be you Bless the sounds of silence Blessed be to be free to be you Within And touch your heart with the thread Taking a journey into the unknown Of your true calling Where we meet new tones Reach out and spread your wings Of mystery and suspense Reach out and seek your path Taking a journey into the unknown Reach out and touch the sky Leaves us searching for the core Tiddle tattle Lying deep within our thread Tidal wave of bliss What is the sense of the keys Bless the sounds of silence That alert our tidal wave of bliss Within Take a piece of the pie And savor each taste AMEN For the cake of peace and justice Lies deep within our thread Don’t shred the thoughts of doubt Go in, go within, go deep within Copyright 2003 Andrew Kaen The sounds of silence To find the answers you Have been searching for all your life Ignite the cords of peace Within our thread BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth Of glorified harmony Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS Sing out hallelujah and A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Know that peace Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 22 PopImpressKA 23 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS Performer: Irina Akulenko

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 24 PopImpressKA 25 Bella Gaia Kenji Williams Presents: Earth from Space Kenji Williams PopImpressKA T-Shirts Mission Statement: Available for purchase BELLA GAIA is an audio-visual presentation on line $25.00 that illuminates the connections between www.PopImpressKA.com natural systems and human activities To Customize the Image: and inspires audiences to act www.olgapopartworld.org as stewards for our shared resources.

To hire Models for fashion showcases http://www.bellagaia.com/ or modeling for PopImpressKA Collection and BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth its shows please A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Contact: [email protected] Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 26 PopImpressKA 27 The art of KENJI WILLIAMS BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth Several years ago I had a life-changing experience: I A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space was sponsored on a trip to witness the launch of a Rus- Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS sian Soyuz rocket, on its way to the International Space Station (ISS). On this trip, I met NASA astronaut Mike Those first images of our Earth from space, the famous “Earthrise” pho- Fincke, who had lived and worked on the ISS for six tos from NASA’s Apollo missions, I believe changed the world. That was months. I asked him what had changed for him when the first time humans saw our planet in its true whole form. That image is he went into space. He told me that his favorite planets now ubiquitous, but it was the driving iconic image that brough about the used to be Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, but as soon as he environmental and civil rights movements of the 60’s that we all take for looked out the windows of the space station orbiting granted today. Earthrise created a culture, and there is no greater change 200 miles above, he fell in love again with the planet agent than culture. BELLA GAIA brings that Earthrise moment back as a Earth. Now Earth is his favorite planet. Mike had a pro- more personalized experience, in a greater cosmic context. This theme of found realization of how unique and special our planet transformational art has been reflected in all my works for the past 15-20 really is, its atmosphere barely 20 miles thick, with no years, from my film “Moment Utopia” to the “Worldspirit” project with borders, just a beautifully interconnected bubble of life Alex Grey. BELLA GAIA is the next iteration of my life-work. floating in the blackness of space, rapt in the realization of the number of “by chance” factors required to make BELLA GAIA today is an award winning, gripping immersive experience it habitable for life. This experience, which is called the combining high fidelity projected imagery of the Earth, data visualiza- “Overview Effect,” is a transformation shared by many tions, and stirring live performances of music and dance from around the other astronauts. I was incredibly inspired by this story, world. BELLA GAIA successfully simulates space flight (according to and I wondered, “How can I share this transformative real astronauts) taking the audience on a spectacular journey around planet experience with those who cannot yet go into space?” Earth. BELLA GAIA tells the story of the Living Universe, exploring both And BELLA GAIA was born. human and natural expressions of the Living Universe through dance, data visualizations, and music, illuminating the relationship between humans How do you accomplish flight simulation as an art- and nature as we enter the Anthropogenic Age. ist without funds (and without ingesting certain sub- stances)? What ensued was a creative experiment of “BELLA GAIA is a ‘game changer’ in communicating the relationship ‘building the bridge as I crossed it’ – following my between humans and planet Earth.”- April Bucksbaum, The Baum Foun- three creative passions: Filmmaking, Music composi- dation tion, and Performance, and mixing it with my life ex- periences and love of world cultures, art, science, and BELLA GAIA has converted climate skeptics, been described as a “Game datavisualization - bridging those disparate worlds to Changer” in its transformative power and new perspective it inspires. The find common ground. Over the past few years, an inter- modular design of BELLA GAIA means that the content is regularly up- national team developed; including NASA scientists, dated with new content from NASA and other data visualizers as they datavisualizers, visual, music, dance artists, and bridge gather more and more data, like an updated weather report but for all hu- builders. My goal was to create an experience to ignite man and natural activity happening now. Two shows are rarely the same, the emotional intelligence that resides in all of us as and new ‘country’ modules with different world music and dance can be humans inhabiting planet Earth, and inspire a personal- added or replaced. The full 80min BELLA GAIA experience is performed ized love for the design of nature (and the universe) out Performer: Kaeshi Chai by an 8 piece Ensemble of top New York artists: of the ashes of fear & guilt environmentalism. “BELLA GAIA’s imagery is stunning. Photography: Andrew Kaen Continue p. 30 PopImpressKA 28 PopImpressKA 29 Continue from p. 29

It’s difficult to make music that can match it, and Kenji Williams delivers.” - Ray Kurzweil, The Age of Spiritual Machines One recent audience member wrote:

“This odyssey of music & imagery blew my heart & mind wide open. Visions of the Sierra Nevadas inhaling & exhaling with season after season’s snow falling & melting away, continuously come to me with my own breath in meditations now. And I still see the currents of the ocean swirling in my mind’s eye, as if Van Gogh himself had animated the ocean’s tides. NASA’s images come alive and sing straight to our hearts with new significance thanks to Kenji’s creative direction and emotion- ally mesmerizing music. ~ In other words, I cannot recommend this artistic experience more highly: go get moved by BELLA GAIA” Jeni Lyon

BELLA GAIA has performed more than 100 events in 8 countries, reaching over 150,000 peo- ple globally through live performance, and 6 mil- lion high school students through our media part- ner Channel One. NASA funds BELLA GAIA’s education program “Beautiful Earth” bringing to- gether art, science and indigenous wisdom. BEL- LA GAIA has been invited to perform at many corporate events and conferences, among others the Economist Magazine, NASA and UNESCO. Our 8-piece Ensemble tours to University theaters and Performing Arts Centers, recently perform- ing for a sellout audience of 5000 at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Houston, and just premiered in New York City at cutting edge Art & Technology Cen- ter, EYEBEAM. Various other platforms such a fulldome planetarium movie and a larger theatrical show are in the works. BELLA GAIA is generously supported by NASA, BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth The Baum Foundation, but we are actively looking for A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space help in fundraising to continue BELLA GAIA’s develop- Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS ment to take it to these next levels, and we invite you to get involved and be a part of BELLA GAIA! Photography: Andrew Kaen Continue p. 34 PopImpressKA 30 PopImpressKA 31 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS Performers: Läle Sayoko And Irina Akulenko

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 32 PopImpressKA 33 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS Performers: Läle Sayoko And Irina Akulenko

Photography: Andrew Kaen Continue from p. 30

KW: If you look at all of my life work, the music, the dvds, it seems to always be the same message. Na- ture, spirituality, etc. Bella Gaia is the latest expres- sion of my artistic career. I can’t seem to get away from it so I think I was born to do this. When I started Bella Gaia I had no idea how people would react, what it would look like. But it was quite an inter- active process. I did a lot of surveys with audiences asking them what they liked and what they didn’t like. A lot of it was quite surprising. I thought audi- ences would be most moved by simple beauty shots and more realistic shots yet in fact they were actually most moved by the data visualization so that was sur- prising to me so I populated more data visualization into the show. So it’s been a real organic process. There is so much I want more to do that I am not able to do quite yet for the different sections of the show. My dream When we do a broadway show we can get more into these details of really important pieces of information and wisdom of different countries around the world and really express them in a way that peo- ple can understand. It’s amazing the reactions I get at shows, people in tears, people and their facial expres- sions, like something they have never seen before or never experienced before. It is a whole new perspec- tive on yours and our relationship.

PI: We gotta change something before we destroy our planet.

KW: Yeah, we do. Before Bella Gaia I just felt like oh my gosh I have to do something. I asked myself, as an artist, what can I do to make it better. PopImpressKA 34 PopImpressKA 35 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS Performer: Yumi Kurosawa - 20 string Koto

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 36 PopImpressKA 37 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS Dancers: Irina Akulenko & Kaeshi Chai

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 38 PopImpressKA 39 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 40 PopImpressKA 41 BELLA GAIA – Beautiful Earth A Poetic Vision Of Eath From Space Directed and composed by KENJI WILLIAMS

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 42 PopImpressKA 43 PopImpressKA Collection PopImpressKA Art By Olga Papkovitch, DSJ PopKA (p. 26) Oil On Canvas 24X30

Lilacs Fantasia (p. 27) Oil On Canvas 24X30

Below Left: Archangel Michael Jesso On Wood 11X14

Below Right: Wild Lily Oil On Canvas 24X30

PopImpressKA 44 PopImpressKA 45 PopImpressKA is a new form of 21st Century Art, inspired by Artist Olga Papkovitch. PopImpressKA represents a combination of three words: Pop for Im- ages that appear three-dimensional, impressionism for her favorite art form and the word Popka which is parrot in Russian for its Vibrant and deep colors. Papkovitch is recognized as a Russian-American artist focused in the art of Impressionism and is based in New York City. She has been ex- hibited nationally and Internationally and her work has been featured in many private and public collections.“Through My Art I want people to feel good and get in touch with their inner self, help each other and be compassionate, create love and understanding, inspire each other to do good”, Olga said.. While growing up, Olga was following with Princess Diana and her passion for people and her will to make a difference in their lives, Olga has been involved with various charities to make a difference in our world.

Olga was Knighted last fall and became a Dame. Nobility Ball Charity Fundraiser: She continues to serve humanity and its people. “Blue Dream of Sunflowers” Olga’s next project include an art exhibit at The Julia De Bur- Oil On Canvas, 24X30 gos Latino Cultural Center (1680 Lexington Avenue at106th St.), Olga creates unique canvas quilts of paintings from her PopImpressKA Art New York, NY); Exhibit at The Gallery Lounge Sweet Jane’s Collection and loves to give her quilts a very glamorous look. PopImpressKA (172 East 106th St.,New York, NY). Olga’s work was featured Olga’s fascination with American quilt tradition puts this at movement to a whole new level of understanding, bringing back to our 21st century with a fresh new look through her art and creativity. Collection The New York International Film Festival in November 2011. Her unique invention attracts various label designers and brand carriers. Rich Rossi, Director of the New York International Film Festi- “ People are always looking for something new, and I like for them to have val was inspired by Olga’s Artwork and is having some of her something new to talk about, something that they have never seen before, Left: artworks featured in his upcoming movie “Saving Little Italy” collaboration of art and design and various art subjects is a new way to Sunflower Genesis with Vinny Vella, who plays the Mayor of Little Italy. look at art”, she said. Oil On Canvas Olga said, “It is our responsibility to help each other in order www.olgapopartworld.com 24X30 to see our society grow into a humane and kind environment”. Contact: [email protected] PopImpressKA 46 PopImpressKA 47 T

Joe Vulpis and Lady Gaga Joe Vulpis and The Aronson Twins (Left: Phillip Aronson, Right: Seth Aronson)

“When Phil first shared “Show Me the Way,” I knew it was the result of his suffering and anguish. Without a doubt his experience of overcoming depression led to inspiration. The song is a cry for direction and help-- a song of hope which resonates deep within the soul,” said Seth.

After hearing the twins perform at a charity benefit, Joe Vulpis took a great interest in Seth and Phil and encour- aged them to record at his studio APMusic. “I’m not music for hire guys,” he recalled. Joe took the twins into his The Aronson Twins, Joe Vulpis and Lady Gaga...... studio and with his sensitivity to artistic nuances and creative musical genius brought incredible depth and talent. Who knew that cigar boxes would become the inspiration for the Aronson Twins love for music. At the young age Joe is a co-writer/producer and arranger of Aronson Twins “Show Me the Way,” “Remember When,” and “Paint of five, identical twins Seth and Phil Aronson created guitars using their father’s cigar boxes. Using rubber bands a Rainbow.” Six months after recording “Show Me the Way” Aronson Twins hit 25 on the AC Charts. which they stretched across the boxes as “strings,” the duo would play for hours on end. “Performing for relatives during holidays was a favorite for us both,” Seth and Phil said simultaneously. Joe’s credits in the music industry are ubiquitous from New York piano bars to Lady Gaga, singer – songwriter – producer Joe Vulpis has and continues to make his rounds working with artists from all over the world. He is However, it wasn’t until Phil traveled the west coast of the United States with brother Seth during their sophomore credited with producing the “Red and Blue” sessions that helped a female New York Based singer – songwriter year in High school on a bus filled with teenagers that he picked up a real guitar. Self taught, the Aronson Twins on her way to becoming Lady Gaga. Joe is Producer – Songwriter for Classic crooner – Singer-Actor Al Martino began to sing and write songs with important messages about family, love, friendship and life. The twins relished aka Johnny Fontane (The Godfather). Currently Vulpis is producing a solo CD for Classical Harpist Suzanna in the artistic vibe of New York City. Folk City, Speak Easy the Bitter End and open mic nights throughout the Klintcharova in Paris, France. In addition, Joe Vulpis has worked with Lindsay Lohan, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Metropolitan area became the stage for their early listeners. classic rocker Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple – Rainbow).

After graduating from college, twin brothers Seth and Phil formed a group called Mirror Images which is also the Currently, Aronson Twins, are writing/arranging 14 original songs that they coauthored back in 1985. The twins title of one of their first songs. Never recorded any albums the two continued to perform at various venues in New can be found performing as a duo as well as with Vulpis. York City at various night clubs and restaurants in the late 80’s. Eventually, both went on to continue other careers More information and additional credits can be obtained through Google as well as through and got married. Years after their last performance the twins began singing again under the name Aronson Twins. www.aronsontwins.com, cdbaby.com, APMusic Entertainment.com. This was the result of a new song that Phil wrote after battling a severe depression. PopImpressKA 48 PopImpressKA 49 Vinny Vella “Who’s Better Than You”

Vinny Vella has seen it all and delights in telling his audiences about his parents, his adventures, and his acting Actor Vinny Vella Sr. career in his new one man show. Vinny in story after story regales the audience with the deeds and misdeeds of his From the Movie“Casino” to Comedy life. Born in Greenwich Village, Vinny grew up in a family with three brothers and three sisters. His dad earned An Intimate Portrait enough money from being a bicycle racer to open up a fish store in Little Italy. From his youngest days in grade school he describes himself as “not a bad kid, just a mischievous one.” He was thrown out of four grade schools for various infractions. Vinny shares his stories to audiences and brings them to hysterical laughter and tears, with his motor bike accident, lottery ticket misfortunes, an encounter with Hobo The Chimp, numerous chance meetings with Frank Sinatra, his Rikers Island vacation, matzo ball soup. Miami Beach in the 1960’s, haphazard meetings with shady characters, Little Italy and show business insider stories and let’s not forget the girls! He also tells hilarious stories of blaming his “twin brother” for many of the predicaments he found himself in.

Vinny Vella Sr. with Frank Vinny Vella in Front of Famous will be going out on the “La Bella Ferrara Cafe” road to share his stories 110 Mulberry Street with his many fans. New York, NY 212-966-1488 People from all walks of life and all ages will iden- tify with his stories, so you don’t have to be Italian to enjoy his chronicles. Come get a peek into the hilarious antics of a life that has and continues to be a series of remarkable events.

Connecticuit Show- Vinny is headlining a comedy show in Oakville Ct.(near Waterbury), The Grand Oak Villa 550 Sylvan Lake Road, Saturday November 17th 8:00 PM Show , For Tickets Call : 203 592 4081

Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 50 PopImpressKA 51 New York City and Its Best Destinations

From Left Frank, Vinny Vella Sr. and Nick in Front of Famous “La Bella Ferrara Cafe” 110 Mulberry Street Actor Ben Stiller on NYC Set New York, NY Role of Walter Mitty, upcoming film 212-966-1488 “The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty”

Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 52 PopImpressKA 53 I met with Gerald Lipsky during New York Interna- PJ: Gerald, how did you get involved in the movie industry? GL: My partner Donny Spagnuolo introduced me and I loved it. tional Film Festival. Gerald is a very interesting man and a fantastic entrepreneur, who believes in people PJ: When did the movie business become your interest and why? GL: My partner Donny Spagnuolo asked me if I was interested and I saw it was a great opportunity. and helps them create incredible film projects. Ger- ald’s recent projects were the award winning films PJ: What do you think can make a movie successful? GL: A good plot, a good director and interesting name characters. “You got Whacked,” received 200,000 hits on you- tube and “From Geek to Guido”, received 400,000 hits PJ: What is the most important character trait that you recognize by being a successful entrepreneur? GL: I am naturally able to identify individual potential. on you-tube, both are amazing numbers of viwers.I interviewed Gerald for PopImpressKA Journal and PJ: Have you ever spent time on the set? GL: Yes, and I love the energy of being on the set. was really intrigued to find out how he got involved Gerald’s in the film industry. PJ: How did you get involved producing the movie and financing the project “You Got Whacked”? G:L: My partner Donny Spagnuolo gave me the script to read and I loved it! recent Thought it was worthy of the investment. projects were the award GERALD PJ: When did you start investing in the film Industry? winning films GL: Approximately 5-6 years ago. “You got Whacked”, LIPSKY PJ: What do you think the best traits for a successful movie producer is? received 200,000 hits on Entrepreneur GL: The movie that relates to personal experience. you-tube Visionary PJ: How do you recognize a talent in films? and His Passion and GL: The characters are credible and I believe them. The viewers abandon their own reality “From Geek to Guido”, Investment in Films and are absolutely into the story. received 400,000 hits on PJ: What was the most exciting project in your career? you-tube GL: This is it, “You Got Whacked” is the Best. PJ: What’s coming up that you would like to let your fans know about? GL: This is it, but there are more projects in the works.

PJ: What did you like about making movies? GL: The challenge and excitement of the process.

PJ: What was the most memorable and interesting project you worked on? GL: Again, what is there to say, “You got Whacked”.

PJ: What inspiration can you give to young actors looking to get into the industry today? GL: Perservere and do not take no for an answer and follow your dreams.

PJ: What movies are your favorite? What are your new upcoming projects? GL: Godfather Series, Scarface. There are a lot of things we are working on right now and I will be glad to share them in the future.

Written and Edited by Olga Papkovitch PopImpressKA 54 PopImpressKA 55 PopImpressKA Magazine had the oppor- tunity to interview Steve Dash. Who’s Steve Dash you say? This ques- STEVE tion has been asked and answered in may interviews. It’s a Face that was hidden be- DASH hind a masked hood! Actor The answer… Steve Dash, is the guy that played Jason in the movie “Friday the 13th Part II.” While most actors rel- ish in celebrity because people recognize The Original them…Steve’s career until recently was one behind the scenes. Man Behind Steve has done many films since Jason. the Mask of However, nothing memorable except for the titles: Fort Apache the Bronx, Night- Jason from hawks, Ghostbusters, The Jazz Singer and many more. Steve worked with top notch The Movie stars: Sylvester Stallone, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli to name a few. However, “Friday the the roles in these films were either one liners or doing stunts and doubling for 13th, Part II” actors. He was never offered major roles because he was recognized in the field as a stuntman. “This was Something I grew to hate. I always wanted to act in a film, but I was well known in the industry as an actor that did stunts and hired for that way in most of my films.”

In 1992, because he could not get a good role in a film without being a stuntman, Steve decided to quit the industry and move to Florida. In Orlando he was able to pick up a few small film roles and some television work but nothing fulfilling or substantial. It wasn’t until ten years later that Steve decided to return to the film industry. This was due to a book entitled “Crystal Lake Memories” which was about the making of Friday the 13th. The book lead to a flood of phone calls and people wanting to know about the guy who played Jason over 30 years ago!

Steve was asked to appear at horror conventions where he began to promote himself by signing autographs and meeting people. “As long as I was introduced as the actor that played Jason in Friday the 13th it was a good thing.” At 67 years of age, Steve Dash is not interested in being a star. Since Steve’s return to the film industry he has appeared in: Hemo, Julie & Julia, Trust Me, 13, Murder Bunny, Mr. Hush, Conclusion, Emerging Past, Gunners Rift. Friends. Although the films are low budget independent films Steve’s true passion is the work itself. “I am satisfied because I am fulfilling my creative juices. I am only interested in acting in films, being a star is not important, working is important and I am working.” Written and Edited by Olga Papkovitch

PopImpressKA 56 PopImpressKA 57 BIOGRAPHY: ARTIST/CURATOR/ TEACHER - An Artist Testimony

It has always been my desire and dream to be a working artist, however that was not the path I chose to seriously pursue until 2007. Although involved with art as a business, I lacked Sheryl Intrator the courage to create and market my own work. Listening to advice I gave my students year after year, I finally decided it was time for me to follow my own dreams. I began to paint and exhibit and my work received attention. When the Borghi Fine Art Gallery accepted my work and quickly sold 2 pieces, it gave me the courage to pursue art as a serious career path. U r m a n I am active in several art organizations which help fuel my passion to build a body of work, exhibit and sell. Much of my work has a message. I wish to communicate with the viewers to cause thought provoked reaction to my work. I have chosen to be involved with with political, religous and Artist charitable organizations, which provides stimulation to grow my art. Painting on wood attracted me because it allowed me to produce large sized pieces. Once work began, I noticed figures inside waiting to be painted. I feel that G-d is helping me see the figures in the wood and guiding me toward creating my paintings. I can’t explain the excitement I feel while using wood, a living thing. I live in Northern New Jersey, very close to Manhattan. The view of the Hudson River, the New York City Skyline and of the George Washington Bridge has always thrilled me. I am very blessed to see this view when ever I wish. I decided to try to capture the majesty of it’s beauty in my paintings. I love water, air and bridges; I plan to continue to build a body of work devoted to the bridges around New York City and New Jersey. This past September 2011, I was the curator and creator of the concept for the Response Art Series exhibition for Artists 4 Israel. Artists attended lectures and were asked to use the mes- sages as inspiration to create art work. We collaborated with Jewish National Fund, Stand with Us and The David Project, Dr. Alex Grobman, who is Executive Director at American- Israel Friendship League and Malcolm Hoenlein Executive Vice Chairman of Conference of Presidents and John Batchelor a radio talk show host. The body of work created for the show was almost 100 pieces. The Exhibition included 72 pieces of art work, selected by the 3 prestigous jurors. I believe that this new genre of art work, used as an advocacy tool, will be accepted as a new form of art. The Opening night attendance was almost 1000 people, who listened to the Honorable Ed Koch (former Mayor of New York City), Malcolm Hoenlein, Gil Lanier from the Israeli Consul and Richard McBee an Artist/Writer, speak about this new way to help Israel through art. For the past 16 years, I have been involved in art through teaching. I have been teaching art technique, primarily to children. I have designed and established a summer program of weekly art programs (camps) for children, ages 5 to 16, under the business name, Art for Learning LLC. The weekly programs have been designed to focus on particular art/historical subjects. The business has grown to include a variety of 27 topics, with attendence of over 220 children per summer. The programs are diverse and have subjects like Impressionism, where I act as docent at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and teach art lessons in Central Park, or Medieval art where we visit the Cloisters and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I have designed 7 levels of Fashion programs where students learn concepts about the fash- ion industry and they visit the Garment District. I also have created Art related Enrichment George Washington Bridge Programs to match curriculums of lower schools, middle schools as well as high schools. I Sailing am also a Hirshhorn Lecturer, and have designed art appreciation lecture and tour series for Oil and Glass Liquid adults and seniors as well, and have presented lectures based on Art focusing on history, lit- Glazes on Wood erature and movies at community centers and various Jewish Community Centers. 24X24 Written By Sheryl Intrator www.Sherylintrator.com PopImpressKA 58 PopImpressKA 59 Michaelle Fiore Artist And Her Passion

Michaelle graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree in Illustra- tion, and a minor in English from the School of Art and Design at the Fashion Insti- tute of Technology in New York City. Primarily working with acrylic and digital paint- ings, yet explores other me- diums often, portraiture and various creatures are found frequently throughout her work. She has been featured in shows at the Brooklyn Public Library and various locations throughout New York and Connecticut. She currently resides in New York City.

Layla

Tres Torsos

PopImpressKA 60 PopImpressKA 61 The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, also referred to as “The Guggenheim” is a well-known museum located Imagine colors so bright and pow- PopImpressKA Art Review on the Upper East Side in New York City, Manhattan. Guggenheim Museum has a permanent collection of vari- erful that makes you stop in the ous art genres, such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Contemporary Art, early Modern Art. The museum Amadeo Modigliani and middle of the museum and just was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum stare at a painting....I experienced that feeling when I saw a painting As an artist and a painter, I strive with my whole artistic force to transform the “nerve emotion” while painting so of Amedeo Clemente Modigliani at the feeling of the observer will grow with questions. Paintings can be from different periods, and styles but what Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum we get out of it we hold on to. in New York City. Time just stopped for me in that Amedeo was born on July 12, 1884 and died January 24, 1920. What he accomplished in his short 36 years of his moment. When a painter directs life is more than most would accomplish in their lifetime. high energy to his/her object-- that His wisdom was that of a man with much older years. energy transforms to his/her canvas What made Amadeo so different and special from any other artist? The answer to this question would be as varied and stays there and mesmerizes ev- as his paintings and unique to each and every person. For me, Amedeo became one with his craft. He never saw eryone who has the pleasure to ex- anything else. He became one with the process. His Passion and process was unique, transforming his subjects perience the piece live. Amedeo Modigliani into allegory and myth that provoked the viewer to ask questions. When I first visited the museum I Portrait of Jeanne Amedeo was influenced by the Rumanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi. Another big influence was primitive felt like I was in a grand modern sculptures from Africa. These influences culminated in his exceptional work of painting very elegant and simple Hebuterne hall. The staircase upstairs is in the forms…including his famous and extraordinary nudes as well as his portraits which are magical. shape of a spiral form that never 1898-1920 A very special example of Modigliani’s figure paintings which I like is a ‘Reclining Nude” (1917; Guggenheim ends. When going to Guggenheim Museum), very sophisticated and elegant which shows a woman in her peak of feminine sexuality. Amedeo was it’s best to go all the way upstairs amazing at transforming his emotions into bright colors, his despot and pleasure, his happiness and sorrow which and slowly come down enjoying all are evident in his work. the paintings and priceless art piec- Amedeo was an Italian Jewish painter and sculptor. He spent most of his working years in France. Amadeo’s cre- es the museum has to offer. ated many portraits that portrayed the emotions of his objects trapped within; almost a self portrait of his inner- self…struggling faces, frozen with pain, happiness and life drama. His paintings were a clear representation of I had such an enjoyable time just his struggle and addictive personality. Amedeo took advantage of alcohol and drugs. His abuse often caused many looking up towards the ceiling. blackouts including states of serious delirium. Lloyd’s fascinating architectural design/structure changes from a Extremely prolific he continued to produce great works despite his disease. An even greater challenge for Modi- wide bottom base to a thin column gliani was to sell his art to benefactors. However, Amedeo’s health was deteriorating rapidly. In 1920, a neighbor closing up on the top. checked on the family and found Modigliani in bed delirious holding onto his true love Hébuterne who was nearly nine months pregnant at the time. When a doctor finally arrived very little could be done. Modigliani was in the final stage of his disease, dying of tubercular meningitis which finally took his life on January 24, 1920. Many people from the artistic communities in Montmartre and Montparnasse attended the funeral. Even Picasso one of his competitors, attended the funeral. They were friends and it was a true moment of sadness Modigliani portrayed his lover, for everyone. After the funeral, Hébuterne, his love, wife and muse was taken to her parents’ home. muse, partner Jeanne Hebuterne In complete despair and inconsolable, she threw herself out of a fifth-floor window, killing herself with Yellow Sweater, 1918-1919, and her unborn child. Oil on Canvas, size is 39 3/8 x 25 How incredibly tragic! It seems as if all our great artists live on the edge of greatness, genius and insanity. For ex- 1/2 inches (100 x 64.7 cm), paint- ample, Edgar Allen Poe, Mozart (who’s first name ironically was Amadeus). Artists, whether sculptors, painters, ing is in a collection of Solomon musicians or poets…all of them reach deep within their souls to express themselves through some type of media. R. Guggenheim Museum, New They yearn for acceptance and understanding because their art and their being are so entwined. York City,Solomon R. Guggenheim Until then, enjoy each day and your unique talents. We are all special and carry so much potential. Share with each Founding Collection. other and make your journey more enjoyable and valuable, honest and generous.

I look forward to sharing my next review in PopImpressKA Journal. Suggestions and requests about other artist, art forms and museums please e-mail me [email protected] PopImpressKA 62 PopImpressKA 63 Having been born and raised in New York City, Andrew and Jesse Tsygan relocated to South Florida where they graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. Their strong entrepreneurial edge has been the driv- ing force in establishing their presence in the world of lifestyle and entertainment on an in- ternational level. Over the last few years, An- drew and Jesse have held a number of positions, their first being personal advisors and account executives to a Miami based luxury real estate company with a tv show and magazine, fo- cused on high net worth properties in Miami, the Islands, and Latin America, with whom they managed to forge a personal relationship and media endorsement deal with Russia’s ANDREW most acclaimed name in Entertainment, Phil- AND ip Kirkorov. Their relationship with Kirkorov helped them to break into the entertainment JESSE scene in the Russian market and made them the From Left: TSYGAN “go to guys” in Miami for some of the most Andrew Tsygan well recognized names in the Russian fashion THEIR Glenn Packard and entertainment industry that frequented Mi- Jesse Tsygan PR ami Beach. From there on, they began forging alliances with industry leaders in luxury hos- POWERHOUSE pitality, night life, real estate, and entertain- ment, which led to lucrative business ventures and affiliations. Jesse and Andrew have hosted, contributed and organized numerous events in Miami from charities like The Make a Wish Foundation, to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, AYUDA, and Art Basel functions, as well as other private A-list social gatherings. Together, they co-founded and managed Valanetti Group PR, a life style and entertainment PR, in which they assisted in consulting for various early- From Left: stage brands and have executed media/book- Jesse Tsygan, ing arrangements and brand campaigns for Steven Tyler, Hollywood stars, A-List clients and emerging Andrew Tsygan brands. In 2009, they were afforded an oppor- tunity to join a boutique Beverly Hills PR and talent management agency, as the Co-Manag- ers of the Miami Branch and East Coast divi- sion. Both brothers brought a fresh enthusiasm and excitement to the team as well as fulfilling their ambitious growth plans in new media and Left: Jesse Tsygan the entertainment industry. Some of their most Right: Andrew Tsygan recent clients have been, Continue p. 67. PopImpressKA 64 PopImpressKA 65 continue from p. 64

NEW STYLE MAGAZINE, SOCIALITE MAGAZINE, TAINI ZVEZD (Russian online Me- dia), SET Nightclub, SETAI Hotel, Gansevoort, Icon South Beach Condo, Morgans Hotel Group, The Manor Nightclub, BAR 721, MTV Russia, MUZ TV, and various celebrity personalities like Janice Dickinson, Bravo TV personalities, celebri- ty choreographer, Glenn Douglas Packard who also starred in the hit TV series “Brooke Knows Best,” Russia’s Next Top Model Cast, and Europe’s #1 Music Artist, TIMATI. Hailed by Brickell Maga- zines 2010 “Top 20 Professionals Under Forty” Philip Kirkorov With Kay One 1 special edition issue, their continuing efforts to Jesse Tsygan Andrew build their reputation and positioning themselves Tsygan in the business arena allows for their skills to go unnoticed.

In 2012, they decided to put Valanetti Group PR aside and have retired their co-manager positions at the Beverly Hills agency in order to make their first move to Los Angeles to pursue a bigger career opportunity in entertainment media and PR and are currently in the process of establishing new ven- tures in digital media, tv production and fashion. Some people move to LA with the hopes of be- coming the next Brad or Angelina, but in Andrew and Jesse’s case, they have always strived to break into one of LA’s or New York’s top ten prestigious agencies, and in that end of the business, in order to make the rules, you must master them.

The twin brothers told us, “Who wouldn’t want to be Ari Gold from Entourage? He’s the alpha male that a guy dreams of being; he’s rich, loud, and answers to no boss, but that’s what makes this move to LA so great for us both. The city is unique,interesting, and sometimes a little strange-in a good way, and idea is to make sure you never know what we’ll do next. It’s no coincidence that we From Left: are here and it feels great to be in communi- Andrew Tsygan ty of creativity, home to worlds leading vi- Timati sionaries in music, film, journalism, design Jesse tsygan and entrepreneurial endeavors. All we can say is, what a long, stange, and interesting trip it has been and thank you for celebrat- ing this milestone with us.” PopImpressKA 66 PopImpressKA 67 TOP MODEL PO RUSKI

From Left: Andrew Tsygan Masha Kravtsova Jesse Tsygan

From Left: Jesse Tsygan Andrew Tsyga, Vika Krutaya, Jesse Tsygan Jesse Tsygan Andrey Appolonov Andrew Tsygan Top Model Po Ruski Andrew Tsygan PopImpressKA 68 PopImpressKA 69 WILLIAM RUSSO APRIL 2001

BEACH WHISPERS

Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 70 PopImpressKA 71 CHRISTINE MARIE

is a healing artist and she has performed as a multimedia per- formance artist a singer, dancer, MC, poet, actress as well as be- ing a published writer. Her ex- tensive performance experience includes a feature on The Tyra Banks Show, talk shows and variety shows through cable networks; appeared on Network Television as well as many many live performances. Christine http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ChristineMarie Marie’s presence, personality, Contact: [email protected] charisma and her vocal talent reflect the inner work and pas- sion that she has for the planet and her mission is to raise her own consciousness, fulfill her potential and help others do the same!

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If money had new value And Politics had a new name And schooling, education was free What Would Our World Be Like? And every little boy and every little girl Had an equal opportunity to live Christine Marie Berkowitz C)1994 And be as great as their potential Would enable them to be Let’s see If every homeless person All of a sudden had a home And the boarders that lined the maps disappeared Between Africa Asia Middle East and Rome If a love that was real Was burning inside everyone And we were all free from fear Our hearts would overcome The hurt and sorrow that is abound Live this life to give back the gifts we found If money had new value Wouldn’t we go inside? To find our real power Love –that’s alive Civilization is supposed to take care Of it’s own But we’re too busy Trying to make money to realize That our lives are being Thrown away Striving for that extra dollar Forgetting who we really are Or who we would really rather be Most of us don’t even know what they love to do They say “Why bother who would pay me?” What would our world be like? If every day everyone woke up Just to love And everything else Was a consequence of? Then Peace would work out chaos And Evil would balance with good And we would all live in harmony I believe we’d all be understood When it comes down to it We’re all really the same If money and politics Could go back through the process From whence they came If we could all break free And let our emotions flow Photography: Diane King Like tides in the ocean Photography: Andrew Kaen It could be I know it could be PopImpressKA 74 This is called O.V. PopImpressKA 75 RICH ROSSI HOLLYWOOD LIFE Actor Producer Director Cover Story

Rich Rossi has worked on everything from major motion pictures to small independent films as well as television shows and plays. Born to the parents of Sebastiano A. and Gil- da A. Sciabbarrasi in Houston, Texas, he grew up in Staten Island with his brothers Michael, Joseph and Johnny and his sister Aprile. He used to play in the empty televi- sion sets his father used to fix, dreaming one day he would become somebody in the entertainment world. What was once a dream is now becoming a reality. Working with such veteran actors as Vinny Vella (Casino, Soprano’s) in Rich Rossi’s upcoming film, “Saving Little Italy” is a dream come true. He remembers growing up watching Vinny Vella in the clas- sic film Casino directed by Martin Scorsese with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. In the Tom Cruise classic line that Vinny Vella Continue p. 78

Peter Fonda

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Mayor of Little Italy was flown to Los Angeles to shoot many of his west coast scenes. “It’s funny how this project is coming together” say’s Rich Rossi. You start out planning your shoot one way and through the magic of filmmaking it ends up completely different. Originally Rich Rossi had hired a director to shoot the Los Angeles scenes, but due to scheduling problems the original director was unavailable. We had the cast and crew and no director. So when the cast and crew turned to Rich Rossi and asked, “So who’s the director,” he replayed, “I guess it is me by default.” Not having directed a major motion picture and with a cast and crew of over 20 people on the set he was a bit nervous. With the support of his talented DP Christopher Peralta and his Producers Peter Allman, Julia Alexander and Corrine Spicer he was able to get the situation under control. Work- ing with veteran actor Vinny Vella helped a great deal. To direct an actor such as Vinny Vella, who worked with some of the greatest directors of our time, such as Martin Scorsese was quite an honor. While Michael Muldoon was working on the first draft of the script it had been decided to shoot some scenes for a marketing trailer to raise additional funds. In the long run the Los Angeles shoot turned out to be quite successful. And now back in New York, he is working with Michael Masucci from Masucci Music and Film Productions, Andrew Kaen, Andrew Hernandez, Dominick Tart and Lonai Mosley. It is also great working with Olga Papkovitch who is kick-starting the non-profit charity to save Little Italy. Olga, a talented artist, who in some ways is like a female Andy Warhol, also plays a small part in the film. What is interested about Olga’s part in the film, she is in a scene where she is painting tomatoes and Andy Warhol’s famous painting is that of tomatoes. Rich Rossi who works as Director of the New York International Film Festival (NYIFF) has had an oppor- tunity to meet many filmmakers from all over the world. Having both produced and acted in a numberof films recently, such as Night Bird and Los Vatos Locos, Rich Rossi has a much greater appreciation for film- From Left: makers. There has been a number of funny situations which have occurred on the various sets of his recent Rich Rossi films. In one occasion, on the set of Night Bird, one of the actors Andrew Hernandez was asked to pretend to Jason Statham call 911 when in fact he actually called 911 and the police showed up to a scene with blood and guns drawn. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Continue p. 80

Continue from p. 77

said in the film when the FBI closed in on him, “those aren’t my books, they are my mother’s books.” According to Vinny, who has appeared in over 51 feature films, he came up with that line himself and Martin Scorsese kept it in the film. “Who would have thought that I would be in a film with such actors as Vinny Vella” says Rich Rossi. Originally he met him on the set of his last film Night Bird directed by Damian Chapa, which is due out this year. The two became friends which led to the inception of the upcoming film “Saving Little Italy.” It is the hopes that many other famous actors will come on board. Since Robert De Niro was Vinny Vella’s best man at his wedding in 1993 and Vinny has been in other films with him such as Analyze This and Analyze That, there is hopes that Robert De Niro might consider playing a part in the film. There is also a good chance that Vinny Vella Jr., who was in Analyze This, may be in the film as well. Other actors that are being considered for roles in “Saving Little Italy” are Danny Aiello, Chaz Palminteri, Paul Sorvino, Domenica Scorsese, Jackie Chan and Steven Tyler. Rich Rossi met Steven Tyler in Los Angeles at a few Oscar parties and discussed with Steven about playing a part in the film. Steven, who’s birth name is Steven Victor Tallarico, comes from Italian descent. He would be a great character in the film. It is very exciting to have Thomas “Nino” Fiore from the Fiore Film Group, who is one of the exective producers of “Gotti: In the Shadow of My Father” with John Travolta, Al Pacino, Chaz Palminteri, and Lindsay Lohan, coming on board as consultant and possible Executive Producer for “Saving Little Italy.”

Rich Rossi was in Los Angeles for 4 months earlier this year shooting many of the Los Angeles scenes for the movie. According to Rich Rossi there is no place like New York City. Working on both coasts is quite an experience. Los Angeles is a bit more laid back where as in New York it’s non-stop action. Working with his Los Angeles crew he was able to shoot some rather funny scenes for the film.Vinny Vella who plays the impromptu PopImpressKA 78 PopImpressKA 79 Continue from p. 79

They were immediately talked down and when it was explained that it was just a scene in a film. In the film, He’s Way More Famous Than You, direct- ed by Michael Urie, coming out later this year, Rich Rossi played a charac- ter named Roberto who was a waiter. Never having been a waiter in real life, he tried to balance drinks. It didn’t seem to work out that well. Drinks kept spilling everywhere which added comic relief to the set.

This past year, Rich Rossi met Ben Stiller, who is starring in He’s Way More Famous Than You, at an Oscar party and discussed a few projects with him. He also told Ben about running into his sister Amy Stiller at the NY- IFF. The New York International Film Festival is a great place to meet people and network and discuss projects.

Many projects have evolved from meeting people at the festival over the past three years since he became the Director of the NYIFF.

Continue p. 83

From Left: Jennifer Lopez, Bill Maher, Rich Rossi and Steven Tyler PopImpressKA 80 PopImpressKA 81 Continue from p. 81

One of the people he met was Jerry Landi, of Amuck Duck Films, and writer and director of “Krackoon” and “Blood Marsh Krackoon 2.“ Blood Marsh Krackoon 2.“ was one of the first projects Rich Rossi worked on when he returned to New York City in April 2012. Jerry is a great director to work with, he sets up the parameters to the scene and lets the actors do their thing. “This was a very exciting project to work on” says Rich Rossi. In this film he played Dick Brimmer and has a scene with Sal Amore who plays the mayor of a small town. Marc J. Makowski, who works with South Bronx EFX Work, promises to deliver some great special effects for the film. It was fun working with Sal Amore again, this being the second film Rich Rossi has worked on with him. In the film Night Bird, Rich Rossi plays a mafia boss and Sal Amore plays his right hand man. Sal is a natural and has appeared in numerous projects.

In 1990, Rich Rossi was in the scene with Al Pacino in The Godfather III, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. It was a special experience for him to be on the set and meet such stars as Al Pacino, Joe Man- tegna,.Andy Garcia, Talia Shire. On a rainy night on the set, he met Talia Shire (Rocky I-V) who mistook him for a close friend of Ernesto Rossi’s family. They became friendly and she invited him to meet her husband in California. Rich Rossi literally moved to California with his girlfriend thinking this would be the start of a big career. When he met Jack Schwartzman, producer of Being There and James Bond Never Say Never Again, he thought he was on to a brilliant career. When he came clean with Jack, and told him that he was not connected to Ernesto Rossi family his career took a little longer to get off the ground than he thought. What is funny about this, is that on the day that Rich Rossi took the cover photo for this magazine with Olga Papkovitch and Vinny Vella, he met Ernie Rossi, the son of who Rich Rossi supposed to be and they had a big laugh about it. All in all, working full time in this business is quite an adventure and journey according to Rich Rossi.

What’s most exciting about being involved with this business is that at some point you are watching Rich Rossi, Malcolm McDowell, George Lucas people that have shaped your life in television and films. Little did you know you would wind up work- ing with these people. Over the years Rich Rossi has met Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Ray Liotta, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds, Al Gore and so many others and this had made Rich Rossi realize that dreams do come true. According to Rich Rossi and the famous seven words of Winston Churchill which he fol- lows “Never give up, never, never give up.”

With Ray Liotta

With Jon Voight With Ben Stiller PopImpressKA 82 PopImpressKA 83 Life in Hollywood: from Krackoon, from left to right: Domenica Cameron-Scorsese with her husband Tony Frenzel Marc J. Makowski, Jerry Landi, Rich Rossi and Sal Amore at 83rd Academy Awards

Rich Rossi and Amy Stiller, Above: Ben Stiller’s Sister at From Night Bird, from left to right: New York International Rich Rossi, Vincent Spadia, Film Festival Anthony Bisciello, Sal Amore Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 84 PopImpressKA 85 SAVING LITTLE ITALY PROJECT

Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 86 PopImpressKA 87 THE M CREW Back in the day he was fronting his band, Sizzle, on weekends covering all the hits. Playing clubs and weddings was a regular happening for the band at this time, but as with all bands there arose A “Small But Mighty Studio” is the way that Michael Masucci likes to describe the production some personnel changes; his guitar player was going to strike out on his own into the “jazz” facility that has grown from audio to video to film projects over the last 12 years. world. Back when a band could play the “Holiday Inn Circuit” and earn a few bucks making people Along came a young musician named Ron Kaufman who could play all sorts of styles on the gui- dance and sing along with popular standards there was Michael Masucci, a singer/keyboard play- tar. Having grown up playing saxophone in high school, he found a better outlet on the six strings. er who was doing well on those festive nights. Michael has been playing music since he was 4 Through common acquaintances, twice removed, Ron was able to encounter Mike and join forces years old, and has been part of one band or another for quite some time. in the wedding band endeavor. Continue p. 90 PopImpressKA 88 PopImpressKA 89 Along the way Masucci & Kaufman were able to work with such esteemed directors such as Blake J. Zawadzki of Dark Light Productions, Ken Kushner founder of Blue Marble Cinema and Frank M. Calo to name a few. These contacts led to more and more connections with people in “the business.” Now they were doing music videos for clients as well as the music production. Now it was time for this group to become Masucci Music & Film Productions. Those who have joined Masucci Music & Film Productions have become known as The M Crew. The M Crew is a close-knit family of professionals that comes together on all of Masucci Music & Film Productions projects. Included in this ensemble of experts are writers, actors, directors, producers, musicians, editors, graphic artists, cinematographers, camera operators, sound engi- neers, associate producers, line producers and talent agents. This fine quality of talent can accom- plish any task that is necessary for a feature film, music video or independent project. The latest addition to The M Crew is Mike Spatola, a mutli-talented individual, who has the talent for putting together footage to make the rest of The M Crew look good. He actually assisted in the original “White Lady” sessions and went off to pursue his own career in film. Now he is back because as the saying around here goes “All roads lead to Masucci.” Mike Spatola has worked for the Matt and Jeff Hardy of WWE fame on their Web Series “The Hardy Show.” As principle editor and associate producer for all of Masucci Music & Film Productions projects, he is worth his weight in gold. Working on Frank M. Calo’s “Pay It Forward” and Nick Scochemaro’s “The Right Path” have driven this production company in new and better directions. Masucci Music & Film Productions recently released “The Right Path” at the 2011 New York International Independent Film Festival. It is a story of Nick Scochemaro, a man whose real life Continue from p. 89 experience and thoughts of suicide plague him from the torments of the Devil. Culminating in a battle for Nick’s soul between a demon, played by actor Danny Roberts, and an angel, portrayed In time, Michael began to dream of owning some recording equipment so the band could make by Mike Ellis, sent from heaven to release him from his fears and provide redemption to his life. their own demos and not have to pay someone else. After approaching his bandmate, Ron, the two This film is an attempt to help all people, young and old, who have contemplated suicide and of them invested in some serious studio equipment. They started with a Mackie 32x8x2 mixing show them that suicide is never the answer. This film won Best Short Documentary. “Pay It For- board, 3 ADAT machines and a Audio Technica 4050/CM5 microphone as the core and eventu- ward,” a film by Director Frank M. Calo, was also just completed at the Masucci Music & Film ally branched out into the digital world with a MAC G4 and Pro-Tools this was apparently going Productions studio. In this film, the idea that we can all support each other withoutbeing asked to be more than just a little hobby. This was the seed that was to grow into a major recording studio and has branched out into the film business. Soon, even Michael’s son John would become for that assistance is brought to the screen through the the house drummer and eventually a SAE certified Pro-Tool Engineer and the third member of efforts of the people of Asbury Park helping the Aslan the company. After a few demo songs for themselves, they realized that with the equipment they Group, a group who themselves aid the children of started with and accumulated along the way, they could begin to record others who were looking Asbury Park, by offering services and food selflessly. for an affordable way of putting their ideas on CD. This led to their private operation becoming Included in this reality drama are the efforts the Aslan more professional and businesslike. Local burgeoning artists would come down to track demos Group also put into medical assistance to the people and and songs. Some would even come for voice lessons from Michael. In 2002, they branched out children of Haiti. By bringing the two worlds together into the first trial of the movie business. The idea for a teaser trailer for an idea of “The Legend those who thought they have nothing see they have ev- of the White Lady of Branch Brook Park” would be married to some music that Mr. Masucci had erything. This too, was entered into the 2011 New York written some years earlier with one of his touring bands. This project was filmed on a shoestring International Independent Film Festival and won Best budget and edited in the homegrown studio. Even though it would be another decade before this Reality Sizzler. One of Masucci Music & Film Produc- trailer would be reconsidered as a project for a feature film, it laid the groundwork for future tions favorite actors to work with has been Mike Ellis, projects. Michael himself would start to work in film as an actor, and as such has worked on film who has been on the acting scene since 2007 and was and TV sets such as “The Bourne Ultimatum”, “Law & Order” and “The Taking of Pelham 123.” featured with Wyclef Jean in his music video Continue p. 92 PopImpressKA 90 PopImpressKA 91 Continue from p. 91 Americlef as an INS Agent. He has worked on the sets of CBS’ “The Good Wife”, Bravo Chan- nel’s “Millionaire Matchmaker”, FX Channel’s “Damages”, and the feature film “Duplicity” star- ring Julia Roberts and Clive Owen. Mike, who resembles actors Kevin Costner and the late great Steve McQueen, has the range to go from Cop to Angel and all characters in between. Another friend of The M Crew is Danny Roberts, actor, who attended the J. Vincent acting school in New York City. He has been in feature films such as “Ghetto Dawg” with Drena De Niro, daughter of Robert De Niro, “Buzz Kill” with Darrell Hammond, and has worked on the set of the Sopranos. Both actors are featured in “The Collector”, the next big project for Masucci Music & Film Productions and the trailer was aired at the Indie Film Marquis in New York City. This was well received by the attending public. In “The Collector”, actor Mike Ellis plays the title character The Most Beautiful love song of Ernie Rossi starring alongside his long time friends John Masucci and Danny Roberts. This film portrays a corrupt police Lt. driven to extremes; trying to break free from his ties with the underworld and “Fa L’Amore Con Te” for his ailing wife the vices that caused his life to take this downward spiral. “The White Lady” is another production being worked on in tandem with “The Collector.” It is He keeps his antique guitar behind the counter the story of the White Lady of Branchbrook Park whose legend in New Jersey is infamous. As of his store in Little Italy mentioned earlier, bringing this to the screen has been a lifelong dream of producer Michael Ma- succi. Mike Murch, Director of the film production “BUS STOP”, is in pre-production rehearsals Rossi’s family has owned this store for 100 years currently and set to use The M Crew for filming in the Late Summer of 2012. Currently filming on locations in LA and NYC, with famous Italian personalities such as Vinny This unique store attracts tourists from Vella among others, is Producer/Director/Actor Rich Rossi’s “Saving Little Italy.” Rich is pres- all over the world ently utilizing the creative forces of Masucci & Kaufman for this production. Rich Rossi states, “Masucci & Kaufman’s editing ability is phenomenal and has enhanced enormously the quality Ernie has a musical soul of a poet of this production to bring it up to a level that is competitive with those seen in theaters.“ Produc- tion on “Saving Little Italy” will be continuing through 2012. If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact Michael Masucci at 732-277-0566. Send email inquiries to [email protected]. See & Hear us at www.youtube.com/user/MasucciMusicProd. Written by Ronald Kaufman PopImpressKA 92 PopImpressKA 93 Thomas Fiore “Nino” Executive Producer

PopImpressKA 94 PopImpressKA 95 Fuggedabout the polar bears, this Coney Island icebreaker was made for media. In 1976 Thomas Fiore placed first place in the accordionist division at the hotel commodore in New York City, and continued pursuing his love for music from an early age. On the road at 16 as a professional roadie for Fresh Heir Orchestras, Thomas formed a disc jockey promotion company performing at local events for charity and public entertainment.

Thomas organized events for Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden, Senator Chuck Schumer and Senator Marty Markewitz, concerts at Sea Side series for SJM audio as well as Nancy Reagan’s “Just say no” Campaigns in the 80’s. He was a DJ/Promoter for New York City night clubs Limelight, Palladium, Webster Hall, etc. He performed at charity events for J.F.K Jr. and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

Thomas graduated Bishop Ford CCHS where he studied radio production, comic vision, and busi- ness law. He studied recording arts at the Center for the Media Arts and has degrees in recording engineering, “Midi” and composing arranging and synthesizing music for media. Collaborating with double platinum artists like Hanson and Davis that produced 1987’s dance hit “Hungry for your Love,” Shannon, TKA Coro & the Cover Girls, Thomas was on the dance scene. He is a 10 year veteran at Times Square’s New Years Eve ball dropping for Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, as an agent for Fallsworth Consulting. Trained in the martial arts, such as Ryuko Kempo Karate, he utilized his training whether it was backing up the secret service for the Laura Bush Annual Luncheon, to being a personal bodyguard to Baseball Hall of Famers Ralph Branker, and Bobby Thompson, Soap opera star Susan Lucci and NBC’s Meredith Viera for her children with brain cancer foundation as well as for other celebrities.

Thomas broke into the independent film business as a production assistant, and best boy in film and T.V. in 1993. Commercials for companies include Symbol Technologies and Guess Jeans. He was an Associate Producer for projects such as “Run for cover in 3D” starring Adam West and Viveca Lindfors, “Revolving Doors” featuring Law and Order star Chris Meloni. Worked on the international German miniseries “Anniversaries,” and as Production Manager for “One Deadly Road.” Unit Production Manager/ Line Producer, fire arms master, special effects, squibs and stunts for Burt Young and Frank Adonis. His Feature Film projects range from “Good Fellas” to “Stepford Wives.” He attended premieres with the likes of Ellen Barkin, Sean Penn and John Tat- torro. Mr. Fiore is currently Owner/Founder of Productions Management LLC. and Exotic Auto Leasing and Picture Car Company. With having a prior technical injury, an automobile snow mobile atv stunt accident, Thomas has been through the trenches and still swims and steams on a weekly basis.

In December 2010, Executive Producer Thomas Fiore attended and hosted the Music Kitchen Winter Wonderland Gala at Bogardus Mansion in New York City. Mr Fiore introduced Academy Award Nominated Actor and Screenwriter Chazz Palminteri, and Leo Rossi to the company CEO and Manager which led to consummating transactions for the film projects “Mob Street” and the John Gotti Jr. shadow of his father’s project. PopImpressKA 96 PopImpressKA 97 When I was a little girl, my aunt used to work for a video distributor. It was her job to sell movies to video rental stores, which meant go- ANITA CLAY ing to her house and it was always a treat. She probably had over 20,000 movies at her house and she always had the best movies before they even hit stores. In fact, she had so many movies Acting Art and Film that when she came to visit, she’d bring boxes and boxes with her. She had foreign films, low budget movies, blockbusters; any movie dis- tributed between 1985-1992, I could probably find either at her house or one of my family members’.

I would be the first awake in the morning (guilty, I’m a morning person) and go through stacks of movies just to pick the perfect one for that day. There was a time I was watching movie after movie. Sometimes 10 movies a day! I know for some of you movie buffs out there, you might say, “Oh that’s nothing.” But when you’re 10, it seems like a lot. I used to sing along to the “Five Heartbeats” and cry my heart out when “Benji” lost one of his cubs to an eagle. Still to this day, no matter what the movie, I am always fully invested. This is why I know I’m on the right path. Continue p. 101

PopImpressKA 98 PopImpressKA 99 Continue from p. 99 I moved to New York City at the ripe age of 18, eyes shining with hope, wonder, and gusto. I got accepted to The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and just knew that I was going to be on Broadway someday. My hometown cherished me; I had made countless friends there. I was even a mini celebrity with all the plays, musicals, competitions I took part in. I was lucky enough to win Home Com- ing Queen and had made the paper a few times, so I was just sure that I was destined for greatness. When I arrived at the conservatory, however, I real- ized that everybody there had had some sort of par- allel experience and were all mini celebrities in their own hometowns. Not to mention, some of them were more talented and better prepared than me. I let this affect me. I began to stop going to class and hung out with the “cool kids” instead, getting high and into trouble. I stopped caring. My teachers all reacted differently, some reprimanded, some didn’t care. But, one of them pulled me aside and asked, “Are you okay, Anita? Are you in trouble?” That softened my heart to open up and tell her what I was feeling. She told me simply, “Don’t give up.” And instantly, I began to work on my craft again. Continue p. 102

PopImpressKA 101 Kindred spirits that thought on my crazy level, spoke my language, and understood me far deeper than anyone outside of that realm could. When I first moved to New York, I met a Palm Reader randomly at a bar. She was reading everyone’s palm but people were walking away upset and frustrated clearly not really happy with what she said. Yet she remained completely calm and relaxed. I said to myself, “I gotta talk to her.” So, I ventured over and she nodded for me to sit down. She took my hand, looked at me, and said, “Why did you come over here?” I looked at her incredulously confused. She said, “You already know what you want to do.” “I do?” I breathed. She asked quietly, “What do you want to do?” “Well, I want to sing.” “And?” “Well, I want to act.” “And?” In 2010, an ex-acting coach of mine contacted me to be in his play. He kept mentioning how he didn’t want to direct, commenting that he’s not a director. So day in and day out, I would hear this, and that little voice in the back of my head began to say, “Mention it. Try it.” So, I asked him, and he gladly gave me the proj- ect. I was nervous, but also incredibly motivated. I began to shape the story and work with the actors; I negotiated space, made flyers and posters and promo Continue from p. 101 materials. At the end of that year, I got called into the financial aid office for an ultimatum: If I couldn’t pay the remainder I was having a blast! Unfortunately, due to a fluke of circumstances beyond my control, the performance dates of my tuition, I couldn’t come back. Well, I had tried all year long to get a loan to pay for the difference (about were cut short as well as my larger-scale aspirations for taking it to the next level. However, instead of looking at $4000) but, alas, with no credit and no co-signer it was time to go. it from a negative standpoint, I chose to view it as a learning experience and got much more out of it. My first five years in NYC were probably the most interesting. I was bouncing from room to room, borough to I serendipitously met my longtime friend and manager, JT of JT Talent and from there, the rest is history. I starred borough, job to job, friend to friend, you get the idea. I was smoking like a chimney, amongst other things. I had in a low budget indie called, “Black Heart” and then went on to star in “Death is No Escape” aka “Ghost Hunted”. proclaimed myself a gypsy as I was never in one place for too long. I had become the starving artist, and there I did an Off-Broadway play entitled “Saida.” Throughout this whirlwind, JT approached me and said, “We should were entire months I ate only ramen noodles and eggs. do a movie.” At first I was skeptical. “JT,” I said, “If I’m going to do a movie, I’m going to do it right.” “Don’t One day, my boyfriend at the time had landed a decent job as an Administrative Assistant for a small company on worry,” he shrugged confidently, “We can do it.” Wall Street. Before I knew it, he had helped me get a job there. Cut to three years later, I was the Executive Assis- “Mescalito” was my first short film. I wrote the script in 10 days, and before I knew it, we were in a cabin upstate tant to the President of the company. I was making good money, I had a nice apartment, and… I was completely shooting the film. The cast and crew were amazing, truly a great group of people. We put our heads together, miserable. My boyfriend had left his job at the company a few years prior, and though broken up, we were still aligned focused and made a movie. The completion of the film is very close and I’m both intrigued and excited “seeing” each other. I would work, come home, and sulk. That was my life. At one point, I seriously considered to see how audiences react. The movie is based on the supernatural. The plot surrounds a group of friends that suicide and came so dangerously close that I sought out professional help. escape upstate for a weekend to get high in the woods. But things don’t quite go according to plan. Then, I remembered how incredibly happy I was when I first came to New York. So full of hope and wonder, I Amidst all of that, Producer, Nick Schochemero, approached me, to adapt his family’s true story “Mourning on began to revisit that happiness and decided to go to modeling school. I had always thought that I had potential Charlotte Street” for the stage. It is a heartbreaking tragedy set in the Bronx during the 1950’s. as a model. I’m glad I did as the school provided me with a group of warm femininity. There’s love, turmoil, betrayal, comedy, music, and dancing. What more could you want? This story is an instant That nurturing feeling was what I was missing. My mentor was an inspiration to me, a woman of such confi- classic and I can’t wait to get started with production. We are in the works, the script is rapidly nearing completion dence and poise. I wanted to be like her. She taught me that beauty is a state of mind. Everything else is just and production will commence early 2013. flash and shine. After graduating, I went out into the world to be a model. Unfortunately, I didn’t get very far. I People often ask me how do I do it? This balancing act, the many hats I wear floating from actress, to director, had designers tell me I was too short or that I needed to lose weight. I had a make-up artist rip me to shreds and and back again. I tell them, I just do it. I don’t think about it. When you do something you love, your body is en- photographers tell me I was the best model they’ve seen all day, all year... Ugh. Well, needless to say, I ended up ergized, your heart is full, and your mind is incredibly clear. I’m not afraid anymore. The biggest advice I could hanging up my stilettos and picking up sides instead by returning to my original passion: Acting. offer anyone out there, whether they want to be in the entertainment industry, or just want to live a fuller life, is to I found an acting class that was inexpensive and weekly. I began to go, and at first I was terrible. Acting is like illuminate fear, and eliminate them. It’s the only thing that holds you back from anything. Fear is the mind killer. a muscle. You have to work it often or it becomes weak and sickly. So after a few months of exercising my act- I laugh at fear when it comes knocking on my door. Because I know from where I’ve been, what I’ve done, and ing muscles, I was starting feel normal again. I realized that art is a part of my being, a part of my soul. I can’t what I’m doing that anything is possible. You just have to believe. survive without it. I needed to be surrounded by artists. They were my brothers and sisters. PopImpressKA 102 PopImpressKA 103 Anita Clay e-mail: [email protected] www.Anitaclay.com

AlejandroCerdenaPhotography PopImpressKA 104 PopImpressKA 105 John Thomas is a Talent Manager and Casting Director in New York city. JT John Thomas Talent is a manage- ment and casting Talent Manager company with over 11 years’ experi- Casting Director ence casting over 75 films, TV shows JT Talent and music videos. “We manage some of the best actors, models, singers, co- median and danc- Courtenay Turner and John Thomas ers in New York. JT Talent cares about our clients and we work very hard to get you bookings.

“Some of our talent has booked major films and TV shows. We have over 3,000 clients all over New York and L.A. We have just started producing films.” From Left: John Thomas , Steve Dash and a John Thomas Guest, Tony Lobianco, Frank Calo Contact Ana DeVillegas and John Thomas [email protected] PopImpressKA 106 PopImpressKA 107 John Thomas and Kelly LeBrok

PopImpressKA 108 From Left: Brimstone, John Thomas, Ronnie ‘The Rottweiler’ Kerner

with Rosario Dawson

Above with Andrew Keegan from 10 things I hate about you

Sonia Ann Curtis, actress and John Thomas

With Michael Madsen, Actor

PopImpressKA 110 PopImpressKA 111 From Left: Trisia Brown Choreographer to Florida Former NFL Cheerleader; Ana DeVillegas (Former Redskins cheer- leader and owner of The Unofficials, John Thomas (JT Talent) and Kesha Nicols CEO, Sugar and Spice, Former NBA dancer VH1’s Basketball House Wives PopImpressKA 112 PopImpressKA 113 PopImpressKA 114 PopImpressKA 115 ETCETERA

When you think of a 360 de- gree recording artist you will have to add the Brooklyn Boy Wonder....ETCETERA. Since a little over a decade Etcetera’s career has undergone a huge metamorphosis, from being a member of a highly favored un- derground rap group to a now unmatched solo artist, award winning actor, business en- trepreneur and philanthropist. During his emerging music ca- reer, Etcetera has released close to 200 chart scaling solo and featured recordings majorly and independently generating triple figures in revenue to date. During his silent progression Etcetera, has worked with an array of talented and successful artists in his career. Introduced into the music industry by rap ARTIST legend Kwame, Etcetera started as a “ghostwriter” and worked on a steady incline from there.

ENTREPRENEUR Continue p. 118 MOGUL

UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUPS RECORDING ARTIST ETCETERA PERFORMS FOR CAPTIVE CROWD AT DC FASHION WEEK IN ARLINGTON VA PopImpressKA 117 Continue from p. 117 the budding new talent to perform along- Etcetera, real name Shawn McClain side him and his group at various shows. was raised in Crown Heights Brooklyn, Etcetera This lead to Shamelle, later renamed ET- home to some of hip hop music’s hot- and CETERA, to more lucrative co-writing test artists in the world. Affiliating with American Top Model and collaborations with more of the most talents like Mc Lyte, Tone of Track- influential artist in the music industry. Et- Masters, Dan Zhane, Talib Kewli, Joselyn Penntwell cetera since then has recorded a multitude Das Efx, Notorious BIG, Kevin Lyttle, of his own songs which has allotted him Queen Pen, Richie Stephens, Cellas to tour the world and earn various awards Dwellas just to name a few made it al- and acclaim. This success has also al- most impossible not be as creative lyric lowed him to accomplish a checklist of wise as he is. Growing up in a single goals, which one was to be a nominated family household with a mother who artist for a Grammy Award in hopes to one suffered from multiple illnesses attrib- day win. uted to his creativeness and made the As we press fast forward, Etceteras tal- focus towards a better way of life clear- ents, personality and humility has placed er. This is not to say that his environ- him in an arena of greats. Still on a in- ment did not surround him with a huge troductory level, Etcetera has managed amount of negative influences, but the in a short time to be considered in the disapproval of his mother forced him Grammy Nomination pool four times, at- to find other means to travel beside the tract the attention of Celebrity Publicist streets. Etceteras involvement in sports Deborah Griffin of Strictly Industry, sign kept him occupied, which was an inspi- with film agent John Thomas (JT Talent) ration to start Team Idol, as well as his and within the 6 months land the lead role love for education that later earned him in the award winning film, “Black Heart”, a dual B.A. Degree from John Jay Col- become the Creator and CEO of a embry- lege via Virginia State University. But onic female fragrance called Black Dress. through all this Etceteras commitment Land the Executive Producer role along to music was the catalyst to his focus. with Platinum Producer Francion Cor- His music industry involvement was bett of Black Heart the film soundtrack, A not very clear in the beginning. He 2010 Recipient of the YGB (Young Black faced obstacles of multiple rejections, Entrepreneurial Award) for his commit- deception and false hope. A couple of ment to Team Idol, which Etcetera is the months later at a bowling tournament CEO. Team Idol is a sports management where a friend of the family, company that supports youth and their A-Sharp, who was an influential mem- education within their perspective areas ber of the trendy 90’s group of athletics. Later this year, Etcetera will Kwame and A New Beginning heard be collaborating with Limit Break Studio some of the songs that he had done and on his first guest voice appearance of their was impressed enough to let Kwame new animated series Life After Pride. hear them. Also taken aback, the Poka There appears to be no ceiling for this vi- dot King took him under his guidance, sionary from Crown Heights Brooklyn. not only on music projects but allowed “From the Grind to the Grammys” PopImpressKA 118 PopImpressKA 119 Etcetera and Coco PopImpressKA 120 PopImpressKA 121 For more on Etcetera please visit www.iametcetera.com For more on “Life After Pride” visit www.limitbreakstudio.com ETCETERA (THE BROOKLYN WONDER) AND KWAME ( THE BOY GENIUS)

PopImpressKA 122 PopImpressKA 123 ETCETERA THE WONDER WALL

With Actor Brian White

Etcetera and Recording Group “Allure”

Etcetera At The Grammy Awards

PopImpressKA 124 PopImpressKA 125 With MC LYTE

With Dan Zhane (Play House Disney)

With Corbin Bleu

ETCETERA AND NY GIANTS MICHAEL STRAHAM PopImpressKA 126 PopImpressKA 127 PopImpressKA 128 PopImpressKA 129 S

My father walks in and says “What did you say?” So I repeated myself while gazing into his eyes, he then struck me with a bare knuckle over the head. I didn’t break my stare so he struck me again. This time tears came rolling down my face but the hatred wouldn’t allow me to break my stare. This was my first introduction to a normal family relationship.

EMILIO Years later at the age of eight, my brother Eddie and I shared a room, although we were extremely poor and my mother had left the abuser, we had a happy environment. I came up with a story time each night. Eddie and I would take turns telling each other stories, which were made up as ROSA we went along. We didn’t have a TV, but until this day, I believe this was the catalyst that pro- pelled me to write. When I was eleven years old, my brother Eddie was twelve. My mother had ‘ANTE’ accused him of sniffing airplane model glue because she found some empty tubes on the side of our house. She told me that I had to look out for him.

REAL LIFE We were on welfare. A single mother with four children, we were struggling to keep food on the table. I remember one day my siblings and I were so happy because Mom made spaghetti, REAL but there wasn’t enough to go around. My oldest brother and Eddie always wanted seconds. My sister ate like a bird. I told my mother I wasn’t hungry and had eaten over at a friends house so there would be more to go around. I went to bed hungry that night. PEOPLE When I was thirteen, my mother met a man and we moved to Cleveland, Ohio. I really hat- ed that place, so I left at the age of fourteen, and went to live with relatives in Brooklyn, Set Of Ante’ Emilio Rosa and UFC fighter actor Pete Drago Sell New York, my hometown. I was never hap- True Story In Film pier, but after living there for a few months, I became a slave. I had to do everything except cook, I wasn’t allowed to sleep on the liv- ing room pullout couch so I slept on the floor with the dog, who I truly loved. Perseverance, hard work, determination and surrounding yourself by people who have the same I couldn’t take it anymore so I left to go live common ground, are the key to success, but what is success? Success is not determined by mate- on the streets. A superintendent of a build- rialistic value nor by worldly possessions, it’s determined by your inner peace that only you hold ing was kind enough to let me and a friend dear, it’s personal. I believe in karma, and in my life I have helped a lot of people succeed and who was homeless live in the basement of an prosper and years later when they came back to thank me, I only asked them to pay it forward, apartment building which was rat infested. I but success wasn’t suppose to be in my cards. was at peace even though I never liked steal- ing. We would go to the supermarket and steal It wasn’t always easy. I recall a memory from the age of four, when my father, who was a drunk and a wom- little things like potatoes and sometimes my anizer, came home late and my mother had set the dinner table at the regular time, (whatever time that was) expecting my father to come home after work. When my father finally came home stumbling and wreaking of friend would steal a dozen eggs. Everything women’s perfume he sat down, took one bite of his dinner to find it was cold. He angrily pushed the plate off we made to eat was made in the deep fryer the table, as it hit the floor and shattered, my eyes widened with fear as he grabbed my mother and beat her. that my friend acquired from somewhere. The A few minutes later, after waiting for his rage to calm down, he walked over to the living room and turned on oil in the fryer was really old. Needless to say, the TV. I then quietly tip toed to my mothers bedroom where she was kneeling in front of her bed crying and I am not a fan of fried foods. praying. I gave her a hug and told her “one day when I grow up, I’m going to be just like Superman and I’m Continue p. 133 going to beat him up”. PopImpressKA 130 PopImpressKA 131 Continue from p. 131 My mother and my sister came to New York and persuaded me to go back to Cleveland, Ohio, where I stayed for four years. I really loved my friends in Cleveland, but I hated living there because of the racism and the negativity. I had my own apartment by the age of fifteen. I was always independent. My mother was alone again and I couldn’t bare to see her struggle. I got my own place and it felt great. It was in the same building my mother lived. When Eddie was thirteen and first arrived in Cleveland, he and I went for a walk from 116th street to 25th street. We were accosted three times by three different groups of racist men. They called us spics and wetbacks, telling us to go back to our country, although we were of American Puerto Rican descent. Brook- lyn was our country and we were not used to this kind of treatment, so we did what we new best, we kicked some ass. I left Cleveland at the age of eighteen after starting a gang to protect ourselves and getting into a little trouble. I was the leader. I called the shots and everyone did what I commanded. It got re- ally bad and I had bad intentions against the racist group. This group once stood across the street form The Hispanic Community Center where I worked at my summer job. I fired above our heads with a machine gun shouting racial slurs. The Police arrived after the group left.

When I was ten tears old, I remember staring at posters that were up on my wall of celebrities. I was thinking to myself, ”they’re no different than I am.” One day my poster will hang on some- body’s wall. Once again I was homeless at the age of eighteen. I was back home in New York Set of The Sun Shines with Poetik and Tito Puente Jr. City. It was a struggle. I had to fight my inner self because of all of the demons in my past. My best friend who I left behind living in the basement had died from an overdose of heroin, I found him in an aban- doned building with a syringe sticking out of his arm. I thank God everyday I wake up, although I grew up around violence and a drug infested world. I did not like drugs and wouldn’t try them. Maybe they would’ve eased the pain I was feeling of abandonment from my father, who never cared about me, and never supported us. My mother left him and he just disap- peared. Everyday above ground for me is a good day and I always strive to be like no one other then myself. I lived on the sub- way. I would sleep in different trains and would wash up in Penn Station. My waist was down to 26”. I was nothing but bones. Tito Puente Jr. with Director Emilio Rosa Continue p. 134 PopImpressKA 132 PopImpressKA 133 Left to right:

Noel Torres Alida Lang Angel Salazar Emilio Pantero EmilioRosa Eddie Rocky Rivera

Continue from p. 133 Every time I would speak with my mother, I would tell her I was doing great. The reality was, I was contemplating suicide. I would stand on the platform waiting for a train to come so I could just jump in front of it. One day while standing on the platform I had an outer body experience. It was my good side talking to me and it said: “Emilio, you will go through whatever it is you have to through to get where you want to be in life.” I agreed. I never felt stronger. I never felt so determined to succeed and find happiness. A friend introduced me to a gentleman named Marvin Felix Camillo (Pancho). He was the Founder of the critically acclaimed Family Repertory Theatre Company. He had a gift of read- ing people. Pancho gave me a Scholarship and convinced me to study acting at his theatre group classes. So I did. I had nothing to lose and I strongly wanted to achieve something positive in my life. The teacher’s name was Penny Allen. Two weeks into the class, Pancho walks over to me and tells me that he wants me to play a role in the Off Broadway Play “Throw Down.” I replied “ Pancho, I’m not ready to go onstage, I’ve only been doing this for two weeks.” Pancho says, “ No kid, your ready. I’ve been watching you.” I replied, “Are you sure?” Pancho says, “ I’m sure.” As he walks away, he mumbles something to me. So I asked him to repeat it. He wanted me to play six different characters in one play. I was in a panic. Then he turns around and tells me that I’m staying with him at his house in Newark, New Jersey and that I would never be homeless again. Apparently someone must of said something to him because I never told anyone I was liv- ing on the streets. He knew I had holes on the bottom of my shoes. I met a lot of actors, such as Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Ralph Macchio, Eartha Kitt and the list goes on. After my first performance, the Chairman of the Board, Colleen Dewhurst gives me a big kiss and a hug. She tells me I’m like a breath of sunshine. Wow. I had no Idea who she was. What kind of man would just take me in? Thoughts ran through my head. Recently one day I sat down on my computer and I wrote a script titled “Xxistance.” It is a psy- chological thriller, which is yet to be filmed. Since then I have written several other scripts. One day when my ship comes in, I will make them all a reality. I never knew I had this talent, but I know where it comes from. It comes from that little boy who had nothing but could tell a good story to his brother before bed time. I miss you Eddie, RIP. Red carpet event N.Y.C. Angel Salazar, Emilio Rosa, Ray Rivera, My first film to hit the film festival circuit was the award winning “The Sun Shines TheOn singerJayquan, Grammy award winner Xecreto Continue p. 136 PopImpressKA 134 PopImpressKA 135 Continue from p. 134 Other Side of The Street.” This film starred Latin Royalty Tito Puente Jr., who is a good friend of mine and Christian Rosa. This film can be found on Amazon. My second film “Ante’ ” which is an abbreviation for Antes, which means the past in Spanish. This film was written, directed by and produced by me, Donna Rosa and Eddie Rocky Rivera. It is partially based on a true story about my life. I’m starring in this film with Angel Salazar, (Chi Chi of Scarface) and Jaime Tirelli (Carlito’s Way, Girl Fight) to name a few. Tito Puente Jr., famous singer Jayquan, famous Music Producer Luis Capri Duprey and the soon to be famous Hip Hop Artist “Poetik” contributed songs for the soundtrack. Alberto Rosa and myself composed the score and he contributed two songs. The sequel to “Ante’ ” is titled “The Rise,” and continues the story based on my life. The cast will include most of the actors from “Ante’.” It will also include Steven Bauer (Scarface), Panchito Gomez (American Me) and many more. All we need is the capital to make it a reality. I do not want to struggle to make a film again. I will make it happen either way. “Ante’ ” is a powerful film about two brothers that touches upon child abuse following the char- acters through life as they live each day in turmoil trying to disguise the pain. Both brothers turn to the streets as one of them works his way up the ranks of the mob, while the other brother turns to drugs. In the middle of filming “Ante’ ,” I had a heart attack and I died on the table in the emergency room. All I remember was a bright light and I was floating on the clouds. It was so peacefuI. I didn’t want to come back but I knew I had too. It was discovered that I was born with a defect in my heart, which they were able to fix. As soon as I got out of the hospital, we resumed filming “Ante’.” It was very tough on me but I did it. We did it. I fully recuperated. I still can’t believe I won the Best Producer Award over a Ron Howard film. In closing, I must say writing this article was very therapeutic for me. But I had to leave a lot out because there is so much to my story. One day I will write a book based on my life and call it “The Color of Darkness, The Color of Light.” If I ever had a choice for a father, I would of chosen Marvin Felix Camillo (Pancho) for helping a teenager who was struggling and about to give up. “You changed my life forever Pancho, and I will continue to pay it forward. I love you till we meet again” (Dad?) I leave you with some of my quotes: Damaged Soul: “I would like people not to judge so quickly and think about the person in front of them before coming to a conclusion. We are all a product of our environment and are damaged accordingly. It all depends on how well we can suppress our deepest sorrow, so we can build a facade and build character. Although I have been successful in life, there are a lot of damaged individuals who do not give themselves a chance to achieve and celebrate life rather than just endure it. ” E.R. 5/10/12 A Promise: “Don’t ever let anyone get in the way of achieving your goals. People like to make promises in hopes you will forget. But when the time comes, you will know who your true friends are. Forgive the rest for they do not know any other way but envy. Keep them close and help them grow as well. In the end, you will find that the only way to accomplish your goals in your life is to do it yourself with God’s blessings and you will succeed.”romi Emilio Rosa 3/10/10 PopImpressKA 136 PopImpressKA 137 FAWN

SINGER SONGWRITER POET

Fawn’s musical endeavors began at the age of 6 with classical piano lessons, continuing on throughout her adolescents. At 19, Fawn attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA where she received a merit scholarship for excellence in music, graduating with honors earn- ing two degrees - a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting. Continually playing at local coffee houses, parties, and pubs, Fawn discovered her true calling in life. After college, her spare time was spent writing, while she worked for 2 years at PriceWaterhouse Coopers in New York City. But an artist at heart, she resigned from the corporate life and set out in pursuit of her dream... “Scrambled Reflections” was released on October 31, 2007 while Fawn was still at PwC. Her second album, “Take Two,” was released in 2009 with songs like “Calling” and “Seamless” gar- nering her the most attention and “Santa’s a Dick” the most laughs.

Fawn occasionally performed at New York’s iconic Bitter End, NYC oldest rock club essential for launching the careers of many legends including Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Carol King and most recently Lady Gaga. Not a bad place for a budding singer-songwriter to hang their hat. Cur- rently working on her 3rd LP, Fawn is excited to put her new material to work. PopImpressKA 138 PopImpressKA 139 Refusing to become a product of her environment, Mokablu has M broken her silence giving herself a voice in her debut single “EMP- TY” released in 2012. “EMP- TY” represents a talented young O woman that overcame adversity, struggle and pain and as she says “Failure is not an option”. Mok- ablu is definitely a hidden gem not K to be overlookedbut recognized for her uniquely raw talent from her touching ballads to her pop/ dance/hiphop music. A Mokablu was born in Brooklyn New York to drug addicted par- ents. At an early age, Mokablu and her siblings were placed into the B foster care system and eventually separated. The verbal and physi- cal abuse she endured in her fos- ter homes forced her to run away. L She was then placed in a group home where her independence began. Later she was placed in a homeless shelter where she was U viciously attacked receiving over three hundred stitches to her face. Growing up Mokablu felt invis- ible, lost and neglected with no voice.

HER DEBUT SINGLE Accepting her unstable living, Mokab- lu used writing as a scapegoat and even though we would love to hear that her pain “EMPTY” was channeled through lyrics, it was not the case at first.As a way to identify with herself she would write her name hundreds Contact: of times in a composition book and this [email protected] self-therapy proved to be the one thing she http://twitter.com/mokablu needed to find her identity. Soon after, her http://www.facebook.com/mokablu name writing turned into the words of her www.mokablu.com thoughts and her thoughts turned into the lyrics of her songs. PopImpressKA 140 PopImpressKA 141 MULBERRY TO ROME With the simple snap of a football, Tony Magliocco’s life changed forever. What seemed like the bet of a lifetime, has now turned into a true major league nightmare. A fifty-thousand by Monday or Tony and his friends will be floating in the East River kind of nightmare.

Sitting across from Don Luciano, Little’s Italy’s mob boss, Tony and his friends Ralphie and Joey know they’re in a nasty bind, and there is only one thing to do... Get the hell out of town! Welcome to Ken-”Friggin”-Tucky!!! Hiding from Don Luciano in Kentucky, Tony and the boys are like ducks out of water when it comes to the “down home living” on a farm.

Finally banished to the field to plant corn, which of course they screw up, the guys are home sick and nearly broke when their tired, weary heads hit the pillows.

KA-BOOM Jumping out of bed, the fellas are scared to death. Thinking that Don Luciano has finally found them, they soon realize that something has crashed in the corn field.

Running outside, Tony and the boys race through the dark field towards the smouldering hole. Their jaws hit the ground when they see a Time Machine resting at the bottom of the huge pit. Covering the time machine with hay, the boys come up with an idea to solve all their problems.

With the sweet dreams of giant cannolis, the boys fall asleep unaware that life is about to deal them a bum hand. Later that night on a road near the farm... Getting out of the car appears down on his luck rapper T-Bone. T-Bone knows the old Ford has crashed and isn’t going another mile.

Looking for a place to sleep T-Bone spots the barn. BINGO! T-Bone knows he’s hit the jack pot when he uncovers the Time Machine. WHAM! Joey, Ralphie and Tony are on T-Bone quicker than Fat Frank from Bensonhurst is on a sausage.

Tony, Joey, Ralphie and T-Bone, And a whirl, bang and lots of smoke, fly back in time! In no time, the boys are standing in front of the one and only Julius Caesar. Meanwhile, unknown to Caesar and the boys, Brutus and his crew of stone cold killers have had the Time Machine hauled to the floor of the Senate.

It also doesn’t take long for Tony and the fellas and T-Bone to form an alliance to help Caesar defeat Brutus and the goons from the Senate. With cheering crowds, Tony and the boys with T-Bone are the new hero’s of Rome. The guys are all smiles, with Tony and everyone jump into the time machine and haul their asses back to the future. PopImpressKA 143 ““

Giovanni Gambino

is the author of Prince of Omerta, Undercover Secrets, and Mulberry to Rome B.C. He was born in the Province of Palermo in Sicily and grew up in Torretta, located in a mountainous area overlooking Palermo. Thirty-seven years old, he is the youngest in the family. His fam- ily moved to Bensonhurst, a neighbourhood in southwestern Brooklyn, in 1985. He grew up in the underworld as the son of Don Francesco “Ciccio” Gambino. Don Ciccio was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison in 1988 and passed January, 4th 2012 honorably in prison. Visit him online at: giovannigambino.com

Giovann Gambino and Former US President Bill Clinton Lance Lane is a self-taught screenwriter and playwright, Lance Lane was born in Prosser Washington. The second youngest of nine children, Lance grew up in Richland, Washington and attended Hanford High School. After graduating high school, Lance moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, writing and directing. Giovanni Lance now a journeyman writer, has worked along side and with such film icons as Director John McTiernan (Die Hard), Director Tony Kaye (American History X), Playwright and Screen Writer Gambino Paul Zindel (Effect of Gamma Rays, Runaway Train), Producer Jay Julian (Kings of New York), And Acting guru Lee Strasberg, Director Bobby Lewis and many more. In recent years, Lance worked on The Bleeding (Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones) with producer Hillary Michael Tadross Jr. (Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding) in Wilmington North Carolina. Lance also rewrote the film “Smile” (Armand Assante) for Cine Tel Films also. Last year, Lance worked on an un- Diane titled Armand Assante project and with Misguided Productions’ Phil and Mike Ferrara, Lance has proudly worked on Casca: The Eternal Mercenary. He is currently working on a Eric Bas- Rodham set (Janie Jones) production and independent film slated for shooting in the fall. As a Director, Clinton, Lance’s films “The Kings of Brooklyn” (David Keith) and “Junked” (Thomas Jane and Jordan Ladd) have reached acclaim in the independent film circuit. Lance directed and co-wrote “Kings the 67th of Brooklyn” which won the New York Film and Video Festival. “Junked” which Lance also wrote and directed was nominated for Best Film in the Austin Film Festival and was nominated United for a Prism Award. Over the years Lance has worked on numerous script polishes, ghost writing States assignments and treatments. “Order of Redemption” (Tom Berenger), “Brighton Beach”, “Wolf Pack and Unknown Hero” (Brian Kilmeade Fox News), and “Baby Soldiers” just to name a few. Secretary Lance is married to actress Marion Yue, with whom he has a lovely daughter filmmaker Zoe. He is a proud member of the Directors Guild of America, and also a member of Actor’s Studio of State Writers and Directors Unit. PopImpressKA 144 PopImpressKA 145 UNDERCOVER SECRETS Nobody knows the “underground” AKA the Mafia better than Giovanni Gambino as he teams up with Rita Gambino the mixing of Non-fiction with Fiction makes this book a super novel. The sto- ry starts with undercover agent Nikki Jacobs who is assigned to notorious mafia boss, Luca Marchisio. She quickly becomes intrigued of his power, attractive looks and his magnetic character. With her continual contact with the organized crime and unable to resist Luca’s ability to control, Nikki finds sympathy with those being targeted. Little does she know that gaining the trust of Luca and living the double life will result in discovering dark secrets and a big Federal conspiracy!

Rita Gambino

Author Rita Gambino was born in Brooklyn, NY. She is one of four sisters. Her main priority in life is her kids. The mom of three gets her drive and determination from her kids. Most of her work is inspires by her dreams and through trials in her life. With hard work and most- ly her determination she hopes that she can achieve all her dreams and goals in life. Rita Gambino co- authored with Giovanni Gambino; “Destiny, The Great White Hope and Undercover Secrets.”

RITA GAMBINO PopImpressKA 147 “Song, songs kept them going and going;/ They didn’t realize the millions of seeds they were sowing./ They were singing in marches, even singing in jail./ Songs gave them the courage to believe they would not fail.” PETE SEEGER Music is synonymous with Pete Seeger, from his family heritage to his career and political activism. Singer/Songwriter, Activist, 1919– His parents, Charles and Constance, musicologist and musician respectively, both taught classical music at Juil- Pete Seeger who is 93 years young is one of the liard. His stepmother Ruth Seeger was a composer. His half siblings Mike and Peggy are both musicians, and Pete most respected musicians and activists of all has often performed with his grandson Tao, a member of the band The Mammals. time. Seeger’s love affair with folk music and the banjo began at a Folk Festival he attended when he was sixteen. That In the 1950s he was a member of the chart-top- love has informed his career and his activism. After two years of study at Harvard, he left to travel around the country, singing and mastering his craft. In 1940, Seeger met Woody Guthrie and they later formed the group the ping folk group the Weavers. Among the many Almanac Singers. This group combined folk music with activism for the labor movement. In 1942, he entered the chart hits he sang and played on were: “On Top Army, but spent much of his service time entertaining the soldiers by playing and singing. of Old Smoky”, “Kisses Sweeter than Wine”, Once discharged in 1945, Seeger founded People’s Song, a musicians’ union combining folk music with the labor “Sloop John B”, “Rock Island Line”, “The movement. He even took to the campaign trail in 1948 with his music, traveling with Progressive Party Presiden- Midnight Special”, “Tzena, Tzena, Tzena” and tial candidate Henry Wallace. “Goodnight Irene”. Continue p. 150 In the 1960s he was the writer or arranger/adapt- er of numerous songs that reached the music charts worldwide. Among the many chart hits he wrote, adapted or arranged were: “Turn, Turn Turn” “If I Had A Hammer”, “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” “Guantanamera” and “We Shall Overcome”. Now Pete Seeger is releasing a new recording. A digital single track. It’s his version of the classic Bob Dylan song “Forever Young”. Typical of Pete - he has not recorded the song for his own personal benefit. He has recorded it to raise money for the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization Amnesty International that is commemorating its 50th anniversary in 2012. It’s one of the tracks on Amnesty’s new four-disc album of Bob Dylan compositions titled “Chimes Of Freedom”. Pete has been a lifelong activist for humanitarian causes so this is a natural part of what he does. On his recording of “Forever Young” he is ac- companied by a group of singing youngsters who he has been mentoring for the past few years - The Rivertown Kids. http://www.foreverpete.com/

Photography: Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 148 PopImpressKA 149 Strawberry Festival at the Beacon Sloop Continue from p. 149 Club and Pete Seeger meeting Ara, That year he also founded The Weavers, a band which his latest “god-child” found a good deal of mainstream success until Seeger’s on Ara’s first outing ties to the Communist Party (he was a member from 1942 – 1950) caused the group to be blacklisted. He was subpoenaed before the House Un-American Ac- tivities Committee in 1955 for those affiliations. In- stead of invoking the Fifth Amendment as many oth- ers had before him, Seeger took the unique stand of declaring that it was a violation of his First Amend- ment rights of free speech and associations to be asked these questions by the Committee. In 1961, he was cited for and found guilty of contempt, resulting in a prison sentence which was later overturned. Seeger draws on diverse kinds of music to create his songs, from African melodies to spirituals, and even takes passages from the Bible for songs such as “Turn, Turn, Turn.” His words cover many subjects from sup- porting labor to protesting war and advocating peace. His seemingly simplistic folk music and ideas have touched the lives of people all over the world, gar- nering him a huge fan base and influencing many art- ists such as Bruce Springsteen, who in 2006 released a tribute album to Seeger called We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. In 2007 a documentary of his life came out entitled Pete Seeger: The Power of Song. Pete Seeger’s music and activism goes further than playing concerts and producing albums. He wrote a book, How to Play the Five-String Banjo, to teach others about his beloved instrument. He hosted a folk music show in the 1960’s called Rainbow Quest fea- turing other folk music singers. He founded Sing Out!, a magazine dedicated to folk music. Peter Seeger launched a project in the 1960’s to call attention to the pollution in the Hudson River. He built the sloop Clearwater to sail the Hudson and work toward cleaning it up. The organization also hosts festivals to address en- vironmental problems not only on the Hudson but elsewhere in the world. PopImpressKA 150 PopImpressKA 151 INTRODUCING 14 YEAR OLD Lizzie Sider WITH HER DEBUT SINGLE “BUTTERFLY”

“Hi, I’m Lizzie. I’m a devoted and passionate 14 year old country/pop singer/songwriter. In school, I’m involved in drama, dance and chorus. Outside of school, I keep busy practicing gui- tar, piano, singing and songwriting.

I draw a great deal of inspiration from the artists I’ve always looked up to and admire, both as musicians and as people. The artists I’ve been most influenced by are Taylor Swift, Jamie O’Neal and Sara Evans. Most of my songs come from my personal experiences. I try to write music that will touch people, perhaps take them back to when they may have experienced a similar situation.

As my career has been taking off, I’m in constant amazement at how incredible this journey has been, how supportive the people I’ve come across are, and all the wonderful opportunities I’ve already been given. Writing and recording in Nashville is a dream come true. I’m so very thank- ful to everyone who has supported me and believed in me along the way! I’m only just getting started, so I hope you will follow along with me on this amazing journey. “ xoxo, Lizzie Continue p. 157 PopImpressKA 152 PopImpressKA 153 Contact: FOLLOW LIZZIE AT: Lizzie Sider Music www.LizzieSider.com 6751 N. Federal Hwy www.facebook.com/LizzieSidermusic Suite 200 www.youtube.com/LizzieSider Boca Raton, FL 33487 P: 561 391 1100 F: 561 391 2801

PopImpressKA 154 PopImpressKA 155 RECENTLY WRITTEN ABOUT LIZZIE:

Continue from p. 152

Considering her young age, critics and industry reps have com- mented on the surprisingly mature and powerful tone of Lizzie’s vocal sound, a quality that allows her to reach a broader demo- graphic. Lizzie’s voice has a heavy, earthy quality that gives weight and depth to her music, hitting the heart of the listener.

Lizzie was the 2nd place winner in the Rotary of Boca Raton’s 2012 Future Stars Competition, 3rd place winner in 2011, and a finalist in 2010. She also was a winner in the 2010 Florida Barbi- zon state competition for singing, modeling and acting. Lizzie won first place in the 2011 Los Angeles IMTA (International Model Tal- ent Association) singing competition and has already performed the national anthem for more than 10 major sporting events.

Lizzie has written, recorded and produced music in Nashville with names such as Liz Rose, Keith Follese, Jamie O’Neal, Lisa Drew, and in Florida with Keith Ridenour. Currently, Lizzie continues to work on her music and various other talents as her expanding mu- sic career takes off. Keep your eyes and ears open for this young talent, as Lizzie Sider is here to stay.

Joe Vulpis is working with Lizzie and leading her career to blos- som. Joe is a songwriter/producer born and raised in New York. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in ‘89 with a de- WITH HER DEBUT SINGLE gree in commercial arranging. Joe has performed, produced and “BUTTERFLY” toured with major acts all over the world. As a producer/musician, Joe works proficiently in all styles. In addition to being an accom- For a sneak peak check out her video plished pianist and songwriter, he has written and produced many national jingle ads. Joe is the owner of AP Music Entertainment http://www.youtube.com/ Inc which is a 24/7 music production business. He divides his time watch?v=KJuu1hKo-u8 between New York, Los Angeles and Nashville as a writer, pro- ducer and musician. www.apmusicentertainment.com PopImpressKA 156 PopImpressKA 157 “OLA STYLE” BY OLA HAWATMEH

Ola’s motto is:

“See all Fashion Hear all Fashion Speak all Fashion” http://www.olastyle.net/

Photography: Creative Brand Company Photography: by Moises de Pena Creative Brand Company by Moises de Pena PopImpressKA 158 PopImpressKA 157159 No shrinking violets here! Ola’s designs are for women that have urges for self-expressionism, where she creates beautiful coutour gowns. She built another company called “Mom Me Make- creativity and a desire to stand out. Ola says, “My designs are created for women that are trendy over” which she helps to bring the spark and vitality back to mothers by cultivating and grow- and not afraid to express themselves with unique fabrics and colors that are edgy yet classy.” She ing their self-worth and self-confidence in hopes that this message of hope and inspiration will also says, “I like things that are different and out of the box. Clothing that makes a woman feel be passed on to their children. This dynamic designer’s ultimate efforts to give back are evident beautiful, confident and special.” Ola Hawatmeh is not your average mom, she is a mogul minded through her third business, “Makeover for a Cause” which partners with charitable organizations. entrepreneur and enjoys making a difference. She founded a fashion company called “Ola Style” Her mission is to provide health and beauty services to women with diverse needs like: out of work women and homeless women, teens and children with cancer, victims of domestic violence. In every genre of business, Ola Hawatmeh seeks to enhance the lives of women in every aspect of life through fashion and beauty inside and out.

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Debbie Harry

Ana Popovich

Photography by Diane King PopImpressKA 164 PopImpressKA 165 Rock Photography by Diane King PopImpressKA 166 PopImpressKA 167 A LOVE STORY A dedication of Love, By Diane King in Honor of Tunc & Susan Erim

In our lives, we have few people who show us unconditional Love! Su- By Susan Erim san Erim is one of those people. Her love for her husband of 39 years was nothing short of what Love really means. When I first met Tunc, he looked at Susan with such Love in his eyes, I knew this was a mar- When I finished school in the turbulent 60’s, I traveled this country trying to find what it was that riage that was based on total devotion on both their parts. I wanted to do with my life. After trying New Orleans, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles I As his partner, she kept her vows in sickness and in health and for came back to New York, and answered a NY Times ad for an executive assistant. That’s all it said. the past 18 years Susan has selflessly tended to Tunc and gave him a The next day I went for an interview and the job was working for the Vice Chairman of Atlantic quality to his life that kept them both, as always, together. The minute Records, Jerry Wexler. As I walked down the long hall, there were gold and platinum records on Susan would walk in the room and say “ Hi Bunny “ Tunc’s eyes would the walls and I felt as if I was home. I got the job and it changed my life forever. This was 1972. sparkle and say Sweetie what took you so long! My heart goes out to I was going to work for a man who produced all the music that I had been listening to all my life. Susan as she lost her Love, Her Best Friend, Her Partner, Her Husband, It was surreal!! and Her Reason! Let’s give her all the support she deserves! It was there that I met TUNC ERIM. Here was a man that lit up every room he entered. He had We love you Susan started there in 1963, being a tape libertarian for $67.50 a week. He eventually worked his way up, working and running every department. Atlantic Recods was his family. His position at the Your friend, end of this very long road was Senior Vice President of A&R, assistant to the Chairman of the Diane King company, Ahmet Ertegun. We worked together, and had some really great years. www.gotentertainment.net In 1994, Tunc and I were watching the Super Bowl. He dropped his plate and fell to the floor. He had suffered a brain aneurysm. I was able to get him to the hospital in 10 minutes and there they stabilized him and took him for surgery. He survived this horrible attack on his brain, but no one knew for how long. Our lives in a matter of 20 seconds would never be the same. I didn’t know what the future held for us. He came out of the hospital and I took care of him for the next 6 years at home. He was a very big man, well over 6 feet and 200 pounds. It became apparent that I could no longer care for him at home and placing him somewhere was my nightmare. God was on my shoulder because I found HEARTHSTONE. This was not assisted living or a nursing home. It was not only an ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA care unit, this was another home. They cared not only for Tunc, but for me as well Tunc lived there for 12 years. I always said that if I couldn’t give him a quality of life where he could laugh and have friends, then what was it all about? HEARTHSTONE ALZHEIMER’S CARE believes and works very hard through their foundations, that people who are afflicted with this monstrous disease, should not be drugged and put in a chair in front of a TV 12 hours a day, but should enjoy the many wonderful things in life. Such things as bringing them to places that would stimulate their minds, such as museums, Broadway shows or getting different music pro- grams to Hearthstone. Julliard and other schools or organizations would volunteer and come up to entertain. One day I was walking past the family room and their was a three man band playing “You Are My Sunshine.” I walked in and I heard a little voice singing the words. It was Evelyn who hadn’t said a word for 7 months, singing along with everyone. It was breathtaking. My husband survived a full 12 years more on this earth because of there love and devotion to him. I lost him in March, this beautiful man, who anytime you would mention his name, people would smile, because he gave of himself and people could see that his heart and soul was genuine.

The foundation’s name is: “I’m Still Here Foundation” www.ArtzAlz.org facebook.com/ArtzAlz Photography by Diane King PopImpressKA 168 PopImpressKA 169 Contact:

[email protected]

www.CHRISTIANRUART.COM

RC Productions and Management CEO, Christian Ruart

Greetings!

RC Productions presents to you a few of our current artists. Here at RC Productions, we have a variety of flavor represented. RC Pro- ductions, a Wonderful mix of Style and Entertainment as we repre- sent Vocalists, Lyricists, Models, and Dancers. We are a one stop shop where artists are able to develop all areas of their career while receiving guidance and direction for their career. We believe in al- lowing the artist to grow as an individual artist while collectively working together as a team of artists. Here at RC Productions we are one big family where you will find smiling faces and warm em- braces. Here are few of our Artists and a little about them: Walter Moore – Talent Coordinator, RC Productions CEO, Black Kash Entertainment

Derrick McArthur, Assistant Director RC Productions CEO, Crusade Productions and Management

African American Country Artist, Franklin “Cisco” Burns Franklin Growing up, “Cisco” always loved country music. It was later on ‘‘Cisco” he started getting teased by his peers for liking country music. He Burns was confused and wondered why can’t he love and sing a certain genre of music because of his skin color. He continued with his love affair of country music.“Cisco” recalls being in music class in 4th grade and having to sing. He tried to sing music that wasn’t his range because he didn’t wanted to be teased again. “Cisco” realized that Country music is part of the very fiber of his being and not to sing country music, for him, would be like a bird without its wings. Franklin “Cisco” Burns has proven he is a force to be reckoned with. He wowed an audience at a recent performance during the Fashion Christian Ruart and Wendy Williams Couture Show at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC.

Continue p. 173 PopImpressKA 170 PopImpressKA 171 Continue from p. 171

R&B/Soul Artist, Romano Recording artist soul singer Romano was born in the Bahamas and moved to the United State in 1996 with his mom to start a better life. This soul singer has taken his hard ship and started writing. Romano interprets and covers music from a soulful place. Romano has the voice to speak to your soul. With a Left: legend voice he is here for your listening pleasure, Romano the Gentleman with the voice and style. HIP Hop Artist, M.R. Riddlez Christian Marc Rainey was born in Lincoln Hospital of the South Bronx. Growing u, he fell in love with Hip Hop music. He was influenced by such artists as Notorious BIG, Tupac, Jay-Z, The Lox, and LL Cool J. He Ruart started writing rhymes by the age of nine where family members started taking notice in his gifted abili- ties to put words together and rhyme like they have never heard before. Growing up in a tough section with of the Bronx isn’t an easy hood to consider your home. M.R. Riddlez uses his charisma, life stories of anguish and triumph, passion for the music, and inner most feelings in his music to express the struggle Fly Nation most minority communities are faced with today. With his B Boy Attitude, catchy lyrics, versatility, and strong work drive, he is an unstoppable force. M. R. Riddlez, an all around lyricist, delivers his rhymes with great versatility, using similies, metaphors, personification and more. He has a strong foundation in his lyrics that draws the listeners in to his strong mid baritone voice. He produces a sound that is new, raw and irresistible. This talented rapper/producer is a symbol that Hip Hop is Neither Dead or Dying, but rather waiting for the next era of superstars to change the “Game.” With a College degree and a fo- cused mind, M.R. Riddlez is ready and prepared to give his all to his passion (music), and take his career to the next level. Using his hunger, positive energy and humble attitude, Riddlez is more then ready to shock the Music Industry as being the Young Bronx Representer.

R&B Artist, A*2*EZ RC Productions introduces a New Young Artist from Black Kash Entertainment, Andrew Perry A.K.A. “A*2*EZ”. When you ask Andrew, “ What do you want to be when you grow up?”, he simply responds, a lawyer or a professional singer. When Andrew is performing he goes by the name A*2*EZ in which he got the name from his friends because they say when he sings and dances he makes it look so easy. Andrew has one sister and four brothers, in which one of his brothers is an up and coming, well known Hip Hop artist and music Producer from the Bronx named M.R. Riddlez. Andrew enjoys singing “My Girl” by The Temptations, “Stop The Love You Save” by Michael Jackson, “Looking ThroughTthe Window” by Michael Jackson, and “Never Say Never” by Justin Bieber. With a strong work ethic and charming personality, coupled with the help from his talented and already successful older brother M.R. Riddlez, A*2*EZ will be a known talent for the years to come.

Christian Ruart with FlyNation Fly Democracy is the brain child of Crazy K & Easy, hailing from New York, NY. With hard hitting lyr- ics and metaphors, and immaculate production by Crazy K, Fly Democracy brings you back to a time where meaningful music once ruled the world. Fly Nation Music Group originally put together by long time friends Kenneth Soriano ( Crazy K) and Michael Lee Delisser Jr. (Easy) in 2006 in a collective of two individuals who make music from the pure guts of their soul. Their musical style can be compared to a mischievous child. It cannot stay still. Whether it’s the classic boom-bap hip-hop style, to dance tracks that make you feel good, all they ever wanted to do was bring the world together and have people follow and be inspired by a brand they trust.

Stalin Nunez Manager

PopImpressKA 172 PopImpressKA 173 PopImpressKA 175 Model Portfolio Presents: CHILDREN - OUR FUTURE Benjamin Aronson WORLD OF NEW TALENTS Contact: 201-906-3109

Growing Up Beautiful: CATALINA

Contact: Lucia Muriel 201-838-0954

SANTIAGO

PopImpressKA 176 PopImpressKA 177 Model Portfolio Presents: Brooke Leigh Earnest M O D A

The Gainsboro Spot-Light ELEGANCEBYJASON Photography by Joan Bateman PHOTOGRAPHY PopImpressKA 178 PopImpressKA 179 When the Earnest Family began traveling between Washington, D.C. and New York in the Fall of 2011, Brooke also enjoyed the role of concertmaster at her school no one envisioned that Brooke and her three younger sisters would become immersed in the acting and and was thrilled to meet violinist Itzhak Perlman and the late modeling world. Now they are living in New York and exploring all the city has to offer. conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Both gentlemen are still an in- Brooke, the oldest of the four girls, was no stranger to the stage and performing. From an early age she was ex- spiration to her. posed to ballet and violin, allowing her with each recital and performance to conquer stage fright. To complement the family’s love for travel, Brooke and her Now, at a height of 5’ 10”, those days seem eons ago. sisters learned to speak Spanish and French fluently. During Fond memories from the ballet include dancing in the Nutcracker with her friends for years during the holiday the summers they studied languages abroad. Many of their season. She was fortunate to audition and secure a child role with American Ballet Theater (ABT) when they travels have supported a type of “roving” classroom. The were looking for local children to share the stage while performing at the Kennedy Center. study of Darwinism resulted in a trip to the Galapagos to study the animals. When in Morocco, the girls rode camels with the Berbers into the Sahara Desert and slept in tents, a classic nomadic experience. Brooke has a love of animals and through the years she has volunteered for various animal charities. By fostering ani- mals, she learned to work with injured cats, dogs, birds and foxes and how to take care of their motherless babies. Some- times animals would be left anonymously at the front door. Healing animals, and seeing them adopted or released, has been one of Brooke’s positive and pivotal experiences. And getting to know New York can now be added to that list.

Photography By Nathan Yungerberg

GRACE OF STYLE AND CLASSIC ELEGANCE COLLECTION

Photography By Eric Fischer Photography By Nathan Yungerberg PopImpressKA 180 PopImpressKA 181 Model Portfolio Presents: Designer & Photographer : Photographer : Brooke Leigh Earnest Adrian Alicea Adrian Alicea For Modeling Inquiry [email protected]

PopImpressKA 182 PopImpressKA 183 Lyuba Dorf Actress Producer Model

Height : 5’ 6” Weight : 110 lbs. Eyes : Hazel Hair : Brown

Lyuba’s passion for acting began at an early age she pretended to be the head of the household after the passing of her father at the age of ten. Born in Moldova and growing up in the former Soviet Union was challenging; however it helped foster Lyuba’s creativity and inspiration as she would watch Russian plays and reenact all the roles in front of her old mirror. During her childhood years she attended dance school where she learned discipline and devel- oped a spirit that refuses to quit no matter how difficult the task is. For the past ten years she has risen up the corporate ladder to become the Director of Internship for a college in New York where she has excelled doing public speaking, presentations, and help- ing people with their careers. All during that time Lyuba never relinquished her dreams of having a career in the entertainment business. Her performance in the play “Pieces of Paper” reminded her of how much she loves making a written piece of art come to life. Currently, Lyuba is devoting more and more of her time to her acting and her love of the business side of the industry. Her next project is Lyuba’s most ambitious yet as she helps produce the movie, Romantic Jour- ney, an erotic comedy based on the best selling relationship board game of the same name. Lyuba is well on her way to make her childhood dreams come true.

Contact: Cell (917) 362-2267 • [email protected]

PopImpressKA 184 PopImpressKA 185 PopImpressKA Journal:

IMPRESSIVE P. 187 - P. 233 GRANDFATHER MANUEL LOPEZ

Planet Heart’s 6th Annual World Peace Celebration: Planet Heart Earth day 2012 Elders Forum Planet Heart is a project of We The World a non profit 501 (c) (3) organization. www.planetheart.org PLANET HEART One Planet. One Race. One Heart. We Are all One. Photography: Juan Nisvis, The Photo Ranger PopImpressKA 188 PopImpressKA 189 “The Coming of Times: 2012 marked the 6th Annual World Peace Earth Day Celebration for Planet Heart Messages from the Elders a project of We, The World, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization (www.wetheworld.org). This year being 2012, co-producer Grandmother Lygia De Castro insisted Andrew Kaen, Executive ” Awakening Humanity’s Producer, focus on the messages from the Elders and so we did a three day Earth Day event with Consciousness for a just the Native Elders from different tribes and different parts of the world. Some speculation has Better Planet” been made that the destruction of the world is imminent which is far, far from being the truth ac- cording to the Elders. It is a message of caution, alerting humanity to be more gentle, more kind to one another, more caring of the Earth and its inhabitants including people. If we do that, and if we work towards peace within our hearts, within our minds and send our love to the whole uni- verse we become one with Earth and one with ourselves. The next 7 generations of children will be the new stewards and we invited the new york community to listen to the Elders very carefully and apply the lessons. According to Grandmother Lygia, “we will be alright and humanity will be different and much better.” The Earth Day event this year had in its title “Awakening Humanity’s Consciousness for a Better Planet” and was also co-produced by Lisa Roma, a new york singer- songwriter. World Peace Earth Day Celebration is the brain child of Event Producer Andrew Kaen. Andrew was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma tumor in 2005 and lost his hearing in his left ear after it was successfully removed. A professional photographer raised in NYC with a passion for spiritu- al healing, Andy found solace in spirituality and healing and decided to share that with the world. Andy says, “I created these events because after my operation that removed the tumor, I knew that the human spirit was far more powerful than any hospitals. I wanted to spread the healing energy by creating a World Peace Earth Day Event.” In 2007 Andrew started an annual event for world peace, forming PLANET HEART, a non-profit organization. Its mission is to help bring human- ity together in harmony on a global scale and to cultivate a world of peace, helping us to realize that WE ARE ALL ONE. EARTH DAY is one of their most important annual events. Rick Ulfik, Founder of WE, THE WORLD says, “Andrew Kaen has put together a phenomenal event that is not only fun but makes an impact on everyone. His tireless dedication has shown us that we can all make a difference in helping the world.”

For more information on future events,you can email us at [email protected] or call 212- 222-5432. You can visit our website (which is currently featuring our past Earth Day 2012 event with the bios of the Elders) at www.planetheart.org

Photography By Abdul Hakim

Photography: Juan Nisvis, The Photo Ranger

Photography By Abdul Hakim PopImpressKA 190 PopImpressKA 191 Grandfather Manuel Lopez Fierro

is a Mexican archaeologist, from Jalapa, Veracruz. He is a Traditional Healer of Mexico and Toltec Elder, Ar- chaeologist and shaman of the Jaguar. His life is marked by his incredible experience in saving three colossal heads at San Lorenzo, Veracruz in 1986. His personnel sculp- tures come from the olmeque culture, the oldest from the mesoamerique dating back 3000 years before J.C. when he met Don Felix, keeper of the historic olmeque, he was told to he must become spiritual to remove the colossal heads from the earth. He accepted this and the task was accomplished. This task started the change in his life and helped open the doors to transformation and perception. at the same time manuel was introduced to the native tra- ditions and became a guardian of the olmeque tradions and sun dancer with help of his will and the elemental arts. His mission is to bring the message of brotherly al- liance between his people and the world.

PopImpressKA 192 PopImpressKA 193 We must be very concious and aware of the many changes in our “Ecosystem,” and the extreme MANUEL’S MESSAGE FOR 2012 suffering that “Mother Earth,” has endured in these last times. It is all because of the trememdous irresponsibility of the Human Beings who continue to ignore that, “Mother Earth does not belong The Seven Prophecies of the Maya to us, we belong to Mother Earth.” and, that we are Mother Earth’s children and guardians of this very fragile Planet.

In the Sacred book Chiam Balam of the “Sacred Hidden Things.” It says that at the last Katun. The Seven contemporary Maya prophecies of which so much Expectation has awakened recently. There will be a time in Which we will Plunge into obscurity,for some time, and later Man will come from the center of the “SUN” bringing the “Sign of the Future.” Has absolutely nothing to do with the Maya Ancestors. The Earth will awake throug the North, and, in the West the Itza will awake to give the “Mes- The protagonists and constructors of the great cities and ceremonial centers sage” of the Prophets about what is currently happening with Humanity, and the return of the like; Chichen Itza,Tulum, Uxmal, Wise Red Itzas. And then, finally once again, the Voices of the Ancient Maya wll manifest and Tikal, Palenque, etc, just to name a few. they wll be Listened to Again.

They have no Archeological support whatsoever, and those who think they Our mission is very important. do, they only give an apocalyptic We need to prepare the Sacred Path, obeing the Divine Plan of the Great Spirit, to seal and open vision prophesizing the upcoming event that will affect the fate of the the coming cycle through Sacred Ceremonies, so, the Mayan Elders and Elders of other indig- “Whole Humanity on Earth.” enous “First Peoples” tradictions, generations, then will appear in the New Dawn.

The Maya never spoke of the “End of the World,” or “The end of Times,” It is important to all the Children of Mother Earth, to become very concious of the dangers and problems that is and will afflict Humanity, we must remember, that if we work together, there In Reality, it is a Renovation of one chronological stage of time dated, in the always will be and comes with “The Hope of Change.” calendar known as the Long Count, 13 baktunes which ends on December 21, 2012. And this has nothing to do with “The end of the World.” Brothers and Sisters. It is a very welcome time to create Alliances with One Another. These kind of prophecies are nothing new, they have been around like ghosts Unity, Fraternity, Love. for a long, long time in our history, to spread fear and panic with the sole We are living now in this Greater Times of Changes. objective to control the free will of the Masses and, suppress their behavior and their way of thinking. What will be your participation in these changes to come? Let us walk together in the Path of Love and Peace In these times of changes, it is extreme important and necessary to pay hom- In The Path of Peace, Love, Light, Harmony and Tolerance age and give honor to those who deserve honor, listen very carefully to the “Ancestral Voices.” These are the weapons more powerful than any weapons anywhere in the Universe! and will once and for all defeat the darkness. El Gran Consejo de Abuelos Mayas, and according to ancient tradition, they are “The Guardians and Authorities,” of the Spiritual Culture and Scientific Lets Walk and Work for Unity of All Peoples in All Continents and the World... legacy that has been transmitted from generation to generation. OMETEO The Maya Astronomers were the ones who safely guarded the Art of the Prophecies that was written in the Scriptures of Chilam Balam, De Chumay- el, prophesizing the arrival of the European and the Spanish Invaders, and with them, the religious Imposition, Climate Changes, the the Exploitation of Man by Man, Corrupton, Destruction and Abuse of Power.

In the Dresden Codice, they describe the prediction of the Eclipses, and they registered the cycles of the Planet Venus. PopImpressKA 194 PopImpressKA 195 Grandmother, Bishop Lygia Maciel De Castro The Medicine Woman

Grandmother, Bishop Lygia (Sun Fire White Buffalo Spirit) is from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and currently lives in New York City. On Sundays in Cherry Hill, Central Park from Spring to the Fall from 9:30am-11am she teaches PanEuRhythmy Sacred Dance Meditation, along with other teachers from all over the world that comes to New York City. Sometimes they have live violin players. PanEuRhythmy Sacred Dance Meditation is the dance meditation for the 21st century to bring people together in harmony with themselves and the entire universe. Lygia is an ordained Bishop with Faith Restoration Churches. She is adopted by the Mi’kmaq Nation and is from the Tupi Guarani and European Descent. She is also an organizer of Sacred World Tours, where she has travelled to Israel, Mexico, Central and South America, China and other sacred sites . Heal- er of African Tradition Medicines and Indigenous Traditional Medicines. she is also a promoter of organic gardening and all other ways to promote good health for everyone. Recently she was asked to be part of Casa Do Brasil in Manhattan to bring a closer bond between the cultures of Brazil and the United States. She believes that all people together who learn to live in total harmony will create a more peaceful world. She also be- lieves that we must respect Planet Earth by using less of the resources of this very fragile planet. Love is the most powerful force in the universe, and she feels that humans need to abide by that. “The only way we are going to achieve peace is through love”, according to her..

Central Park Location and website for PanEuRhythmy Sacred Dance Meditation: http://www.paneurhythmy.us/NYC_Paneurhythmy_Central_ Photography: Juan Nisvis, The Photo Ranger Park.shtml PopImpressKA 196 PopImpressKA 197 LYGIA (L): What do you think why God created the woman to give birth.

PI: There is a certain feminine power. What I heard is feminist power is emotional power.

L: It’s a balance. God created the woman and man for balance for Mother Earth and we are not alone in the universe. All around us are people waking up. The Divine Creator created us to share. This Earth is supposed to share. In my town where I grew up I was the only one with dark skin and black hair. In my family, half of my family is blond and blue eyes so to me it didn’t make a difference. In the Catholic School, there were Catholics, Protestants, everybody was there. And when you are playing with people with different languages, play all the children’s songs, and you play the games, you realize what’s the difference? Black, White, green, yellow, it’s the same. We are all one. We were all sharing. When I grew up, we were sharing with all the immigrants from other towns, including Europeans who had nothing. My father had some land from his father, who is Portuguese and Indigenous. Let’s share with them was what we wanted to do. So we became like one village. Take care of the animals and crops, do this or that, we all help each other. You don’t see that anymore. It’s complete selfishness today. Selfishness is destroying the planet. You become so selfish you don’t see it in front of your eyes. “The needs of others is more important than the needs of one” that’s a phrase which I remembered from Star Trek. I am a Star Trek fan. Spock is one of my favorites. I agree with him. So, you help each other. You help one another. If we don’t go back to that, it’s really not good.

PI: So how can people avoid huge disasters or how do you think it will come?

L: Tsunamis are getting ready every day. The earth crust is criss crossing right now. They are touching in the oceans and outside the oceans. When the tsunami in Japan happened, we became 180 degrees. New York State is close to Japan. Then we allow people to do fracking. That is weakening all the major earth structures. We can’t allow these things to happen. The industry has to be reformed and recreated. People have to think about if you are going to invest in something you have to be responsible in that it is not going to hurt the earth. Mother Earth is hurting right now. The indigenous people are praying every day. There are ceremonies that are being held every day because the earth is freaking out. People are taking, taking, taking too much. The other planets are going to start helping earth.

PI: The other planets? L: Yes, they talk.

PI: What are the ways of communication happening amongst the planets? L: The communication happens amongst planets themselves. We are just like a tiny grain of sand here. But this tiny grain of sand is agitated. It doesn’t matter if people believe in God or not. God is tremendous. God created many universes. There is millions of other planets. PI: Why do you think we are incapable of contacting anyone else? It it that our knowledge is very limitless, that we lost it? L: Our knowledge is immature. Photography: Andrew Kaen

PI: Do you think we are in an embryonic state? PI: People have a free will right? L: Yes. We are in an embryonic state very much. Individuals here can tap into it if they want to. A lot of people L: Yes. We can have free will and do the wrong thing. Destroying things for my own purpose, for my own benefit. just concentrate on the material things. I want this, I want that. It’s getting out of hand. You don’t need much in If I am thinking I am getting all the richness of the earth or whatever I can get for my own generation. The earth this planet because when you leave this planet and the form that we are we are going to another dimension. We mother is not going to allow that. So the next generation will not have anything. Sharing, caring more then they create a new direction. Some people, and religions don’t want to hear it. If I get to that stage, I am God. It is done. can see the difference maybe immediately or not. But I’d like to quote my Italian Grandmother, she said “Don’t If I get to the stage that I no longer need to abuse or to acquire materialistic things, if I don’t know how to share do anything wrong because it’s one eye of the Creator God in you.” And “There is a Golden Book in the Heavens what kind of things that I have I don’t need much. At that stage you get to thinking, God gave me all these things, and the universe with your name there.” If you do something wrong to others and you are selfish to others you will like new friends to meet every day. We have to get out of where we are now. not see your name there. One of the things we have to be careful right now and we have to listen to the Indigenous people. Continue p. 200 PopImpressKA 198 PopImpressKA 199 Continue from p. 199 PI: How can one solve corporations from going to stop them from buying the land?

They have been given this talk for generations and generations and they never want to share because what is there L: Stop people from investing in these corporations is number one. I don’t think I will be able to support my to share when no one will follow. children if I have any children because there will be no more water. Corporations are taking over. It’s destroying people. When are we going to get a life? When are we really going to care about each other? One another? Loving PI: Do you think they don’t want to share because they are afraid it will be taken in a different manner? each other?

L: Yes, they feel misused. The Elders have a time to talk and a time not to talk. Five hundred years of suffering. PI: How can one person, who works so hard in a corporation and he is unable to get out of the system because he needs to get money, he is just comfortable with the benefits and everything else but he hates his job how do you PI: Was it trail of tears time? think it’s possible for him to get out of this system and do something he loves and still be able to support himself L: Trail of tears was only one. The Spaniards, the Dutch, the French, all over the world took everything that the and his family? Indigenous People had. Gold is sacred for the Indigenous People. To honor the sun that comes to earth and to embrace and create tremendous fire on Mother Earth. Gold is part of the sun. Sun rays come and create that. L: Well, just tell him if he continues that way there will be nothing left, okay? It’s a catch-22 situation. You can’t The Mayans are coming now with the Great Message that their calendar is ending. Some information is saying it do that. You can’t expect to do status quo and doing the same thing and exploit the system. Commodities won’t is the end of life as we know on the face of the earth. But it’s not so. It’s the renewal. It’s the beginning of a new be there. They will be gone. Wall Street. Not everything is going to be there. Gold is skyrocketing but there is calendar for humanity. All of the major seers and prophets, Nostradamus and all of them say that humanity will not going to be any more gold pretty soon. I talked to people at the United Stations and told them we can’t go go through changes and that is what the Mayans are saying. Our calendar is over but humanity will have to create on like this. And you have to listen to other people. You have to listen to the average person. I am going to go to their own calendar, their own life. Wall Street July 4th, Wall Street occupiers are going to camp there or whatever they are doing. I am going to sit there and listen to them. I know quite a few of them now. I agree with them. What we can do is do little things at a PI: Do you think the change will effect people in different manners? How do you think people in different mind- time ourselves. I think I am doing one of my little things, PanEuRhythmy, which is bringing people love, putting sets will affect their life in the future? You know, there are certain people will certain lifestyles. Do you think people together, teaching loving attitudes towards one another with respect. there will be a clash or do you think there will be a change in a way? Do you think the mindset will be different? More Humane? PI: How can people get more in tune with their inner self or the universe? L: To be humane it has to be there already in people’s hearts, in people’s minds. If it’s not there they are not going to change. In the status quo the way it is it’s not going to change anything. It’s okay because the earth mother will L: Not by worshipping one particular God in temples or anything like that. By looking into yourself inside of your change. When they see certain things that are going to happen it will be too late for them to do anything. They heart and your mind. You cannot think only with your mind, you have to think with your heart. The heart and the will not be going to be able to take their Lamborghinis with them. They are referring to people who are abusing mind is one. And think what am I going to do? Who am I? Put out there that all your needs will be met. Even the the planet and are materialistic. person on Wall Street that works there, he or she should stop thinking too materialistically, too into themselves. I tell my investor nothing that destroys the planet, if anything you invest in destroys the planet I would rather have L: Corporations are going into certain places like in Africa and they are going to where there is clean water and nothing. Or destroy other people or hurt other people, no weapons of mass destruction making money on that, no they are trying to buy the village. And then they are trying to bottle the water so people will pay to drink water. polluting the air, no machines that are hurting and destroying the oceans, the animals are suffering. There are certain places in Africa and other countries that they are forbidding the people from having own wells.

PI: In some rare places in Africa, or some islands, how can they even buy anything. America has their own struc- ture of government. Africa has their own government. They buy in those islanders?

L: That’s what the Chinese are doing. The Chinese are trying to buy parts of the Amazon. People elect the people. We were discussing this at the Indigenous Forum at the United Nations. People elect the people that is going to sell their whatever. And then they don’t have that anymore. There is a reason why we have forests. They are supposed to clean the air. To make the earth pure and nice. To give life, to allow us to breathe. Fresh air. Fresh everything. There is a reason why Divine Creator created all this. So we can have fresh water. Water is a pure, Divine liquid. Oxygen and Hydrogen are the first two things created in the universe. Those first two things that were created are the most associated with the water. We were created long long after that with the Big Bang and all that. We were created from tiny little things. We are no different than the grass. We are no different from the grass, we are this. If we neglect to take care of nature and more than ever now.. some areas in Bolivia and in Mexico, Africa, Indonesia, different areas where the people are really suffering with the interferences of big corporations that go in and buy everything that they have. It is about getting people who are serious about taking care of the planet, such as my dear friend, Rick Ulfik, of We, The World (www.wetheworld.org). It’s about really taking care of the planet and getting involved. Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 201 PopImpressKA 202 Grandmother, Bishop Lygia Maciel De Castro

Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 203 PopImpressKA 204 Earth Celebrations Hudson River Pageant 2012 Earth Celebrations was founded in 1991 by theatrical pageant director, Felicia Young, as a not-for-profit 501c3 organization in New York City, dedicated to fostering ecological awareness and reviving the arts at the center of community life. Earth Celebrations creative programs address and effect change on issues such as: climate change, river species and habitat restoration, and the preservation of community gardens, parks, and a healthy urban environment in New York City, while highlighting ecological sustainability. Earth Celebrations environmental and arts programs include: theatrical pageants, exhibitions, performances, art & ecology/puppet & costume workshops, internships, artist residencies, and partnerships with schools, community centers, parks, and gardens. http://www.earthcelebrations.com/

Photography By Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 205 PopImpressKA 206 Singing with kids in Baja Mexico Kristin Hoffmann “My goal is to spread love, light, peace and truth into the world through music and energetic frequency.”

Kristin Hoffmann is a singer/songwriter based in New York City. She grew up studying classical piano, opera, guitar and composition, and attended the Juilliard pre-college program. Her musical influences are eclectic, rang- ing from Samuel Barber and Maurice Ravel to Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Peter Gabriel and Radiohead.

Her sound has been described in the press and elsewhere as: “the best new voice I’ve heard in two years,” “her beautiful soulful voice is smooth and sultry,” and “deeply positive songs,” among others. She combines a power- ful keyboard technique with compelling feeling, drive and energy – and a haunting, lilting voice.

Kristin has performed her music at many venues in NYC and toured with The Wallflowers and Tina Dico, as well as opening for Brandi Carlile, Feist, Howie Day, Dar Williams, Richie Havens and Ben Lee. She was signed by both Capitol Records and Interscope Records and currently has her own indie label, Starr Records. She has per- formed at the Sundance Film Festival and her songs have been featured on several television shows, among them Dawson’s Creek, Palmetto Pointe and The Young and the Restless.

Kristin is also a musical spokesperson for ocean awareness and conservation, with her “Song for the Ocean,” and has recently released a music video of the song, created with the videographer/environmentalist and founder of Global Classroom, Colin Garland.

She has written more than 150 songs for health-challenged children as a writer/producer for Songs of Love, a non- profit organization. In 2006, she began working alongside acupuncturist Dar Gadol at Chelsea Healing in NYC and was then inspired to create a powerful bi-coastal workshop series called YogaSong which is an ingenious combination of yoga and sound. Kristin has also studied at the Tama-Do Academy of Sound, Color and Move- ment with its founder, the legendary sound healing pioneer, Fabien Maman.

In addition to her 3 previous CD releases, Spring Comes, Divided Heart, and Real, Kristin has released her first CD of healing music, which she calls SOL~AUM (Songs of Light). Her newest mainstream CD, The Waking, has also recently been released.

She is a featured performer at New York’s Caffe Vivaldi, is the singer for Bella Gaia, the Living Atlas multimedia immersive theatre experience, and is working with the dance group PURE, whose powerful piece Beauty Rei- magined is set to her music. Photography: www.kristinhoffmann.com Andrew Kaen www.sonicbids.com/kristinhoffmann www.songfortheocean.com Photography: Colin Garland PopImpressKA 207 PopImpressKA 208 ONE MILLION VOICES SINGING FOR CHANGE She has been singing “Song for the Ocean” with school groups, choruses, at her own shows around the world and even recently performed on the esteemed TEDxSF! Several performances “We are all connected by the Ocean. Our everyday actions affect the have already been added to the site. Kristin has been ecstatic world in which we live and all creatures sharing this planet.” to receive videos and emails from people around the world who are singing on their own as well, in places as far away NEW YORK, NY –Kristin Hoffmann wrote her “Song for the Ocean” when she performed as the as Taiwan, Australia, Wales and Mexico, to name a few. Her featured artist at the “Speak St. Pete” ocean convention in St. Petersburg Florida. “Speak St. Pete” vision for “Song for the Ocean” is to inspire a million people was attended by many top scientists, ocean researchers, and conservationists including Phillipe to join her in singing the song and establish it as the official Cousteau, Dr. Noel Brown and Dr. Frank Muller-Karger and focused on urgent actions needed to “Anthem for the Ocean”. “As we sing, let’s hold the vision of protect and restore the seas. a healthy planet in our hearts, and make a commitment to be a “About a week before the convention, the melody and lyrics just poured into me one night and I part of positive change in whatever ways we can.” recorded the song right away.” says Hoffmann. On stage, she taught the entire audience of 1000 the chorus to “Song for the Ocean” and invited them to sing along with her. As they sang, they Be among the million voices singing for change!! Record or stood and recommitted themselves to healing the oceans. “I looked out at the audience of people, videotape your chorus, group, or choir singing the “Song for all different ages and backgrounds. Many people were holding hands and crying. It was power- the Ocean” (or sing it yourself) and upload the video to You- ful, potent, and evident to me right away how much impact singing together can have. When Tube (www.youtube.com/songfortheocean). Everyone who people share an emotional bonding experience together It can go far deeper than merely listening submits a video or emails participant names to songforthe- to a lecture. It can bring a new awareness back into their everyday lives. A song can be sung ocean.com will be included as one of the million voices sing- again and again, carrying the message into each individual life as a constant musical reminder for ing for change. change.

Kristin Hoffmann is a singer/songwriter based in New York City. You can learn more about her at the “Song for the Ocean” site. For more details please visit www.songforth- eocean.com • www.youtube.com/songfortheocean email: [email protected]

I thought how powerful it could be if a million people sang this song and created a huge wave of awareness and action growing out of the music.”. At the end of the convention, Dr. Noel Brown stood up and predicted that Kristin’s “Song for the Ocean” would be the future “Anthem for the Ocean”. Subsequently, Hoffmann created a beautiful music video, with Colin Garland of Global Class- room, and website featuring the song and its message at: www.songfortheocean.com Photography: Colin Garland PopImpressKA 209 PopImpressKA 210 Kristin and Orcas during filming SONG FOR THE OCEAN Song For The Ocean video by Kristin Hoffmann

Oh, oh, oh, oh… Children of the Earth, I’m calling out! There’s a mission for you and for me You see, our Mother, she has been suffering And the truth is told beneath the sea So raise your voices, sing like ocean waves Crashing to the shore Oh, oh, oh, oh…

Chorus: This is our song for the Ocean Mother Earth, we are calling your name We know you’re taken for granted But we stand her committed to change The voices of children are singing Towards tomorrow’s horizon, they gaze Oh, this is our song for the Ocean Give us strength

Each and every voice will be counted As each and every soul has a place Sharing on this beautiful planet We need awareness, every decision we make So raise your voices, sing like thunder Strength in harmony Oh, oh, oh, oh…

Repeat Chorus:

Oh, oh, oh, oh… Repeat Chorus: Photography: Colin Garland PopImpressKA 211 PopImpressKA 212 PENGUINS Photography: Colin Garland Kristin Hoffman Singing Song For The Ocean Photography: Colin Garland

PopImpressKA 213 PopImpressKA 214 I Am Master Rob

“I Am Master Rob” is a positive reflection of many creative gifts expressed through many artistic channels: Motivational Speaker, poet, natural hair designer, model, musical composer and dancer

I Am Master Rob www.Masterrob.com Living Your Dreams/ I Am Master Rob on Facebook Follow me @IAMMASTERROB (twitter)

Upon experiencing “I AM ROB” face to face, you will first be captivated by his unique sense of style. His appear- ance is designed to suit either the occasion or his particular state of consciousness for the day, by using cutting edge clothing styles complimented by light accessories and amplified with eye-catching hairstyles. Constantly transforming himself for the stage of life, “I AM ROB” expresses his creativity in every aspect of his life. From his perspective, “Creativity allows us to bring forth that which we are”. Within the many gifts possessed by “I AM ROB” you will find a plentitude of treasures. All you have to do is just follow the light …

ROB places “I AM “before his name to represent the center of consciousness that cannot be divided. “ Whether I AM the orator, writer, poet, or hair stylist, the fact still remains that I AM.” The “I AM” allows “I AM ROB” to be the creator of his own self-concept. Looking deeper, the “ I AM ROB” self-concept, in its truest form, allows “ I AM ROB” to freely let the God that lives within serve as the Creative Force which brings the writer, hair stylist, and other creative elements of “I AM ROB” into reality. Purpose: Without purpose we wouldn’t exist, purpose created us, purpose connects us, purpose pulls us, purpose guides us, purpose drives us, and purpose binds us. – The Matrix Photography: Andrew Kaen Continue p. 217 PopImpressKA 215 PopImpressKA 216 PJ: What happens when you have doubts? Continue from p. 216 MR: I immediately change my thought PI: Do you know your purpose? process by replacing it with positive en- R: What made you choose your path to be an inspirational speaker to others? In my early life journey I used to ergy. I affirm that I know and I look to the always dream and longed to be in a greater place, to have more, and to see more, as I was born in the South. dream or the goal fulfilled, thus not giv- I had this total mindset of feeling like the ugly duckling or the one out of place. That was the feeling that I had ing any unnecessary energy to doubt. If about myself. Key word here is “feeling”. Then my life began to grow as I began to move out and learn more, we recognize a thing we energize it and as we all tend to do, but the burning desire deep inside kept me pushing for even more and I prayed on a regu- if we energize it, it then becomes a real- lar basis for God to “order my steps.” This simple prayer led me down many paths and the more I continued to ization. So I simply don’t dwell in a place learn, the more I continued to awaken! My gradual awakenings however lead me to make some hard decisions. of doubt. My motto is “Change your mind I found myself at a spiritual fork in the road “I want answers,” I cried out, “or I am done with this whole idea of and your ass will follow.” organized religion!” It just didn’t seem to feed me what I needed. The universe responded (which by the way, it PJ: When we have negative energy around always does, you just have to listen) and shortly thereafter, I met this awesome bishop/teacher/prophet that would us how can we breakthrough it and change become a mentor and a powerful influence in my life. During my time with him, I had a rude and most powerful it? awakening in consciousness that became the start of a new way of life for me. Now, on my spiritual journey, one MR: We must look inside, for it is ALL of the ideals and compassions I have for people is that we all can achieve if we believe. Most of all, you must an inside job. Everything begins and ends make a conscious choice to do so. Today, I love to offer food for thought and to challenge men and women to be with us. We create the experiences we still and think for themselves as to what their next move will be in life. The answer is already there, you just need have in this life from our inward conversa- to listen. Life is a script that we write and a game that we play, the question is how do we perfect the script for a tions. We do this by deliberate creating or better life and what do you need to do to become a winner in this game called Life? You will learn this and more by what one could say as default. One of if you make a choice to join Living Your Dreams, for it is all you and choices that you must make. Wake up the my favorite teachers is Neville Goddard. God or Goddess in you and began to live life to the fullest! It is your divine right but it is a CHOICE you must “There is no one to blame but self for all embrace and make on your own. the things that have happened, are happen- PJ: Who was your influence? ing and will happen to you, as they could MR: I can say that the list is long because I have learned from all. I will mention a few people that have had a not come into your world unless you con- major impact and that I still tend to interact with, however please understand that this is not by any means an all sented to them.” Thus how do we rid our- inclusive list. Everyone we interact with can be a powerful example if we have the consciousness to really see selves of this is by starting with the man in them, we can learn from everyone, for we are only meeting ourselves in different forms. My mother and father, the mirror, for we are like large magnets who have been my support team as well as guides though life sowed much into me and still do even now. I would drawing unto us that with which we are also like to mention Bishop B. Jordan, and awesome man of God. After meeting and learning from his wealth of giving off. Like attracts like. knowledge, my life took on a whole new dimension and once your mind is stretched it can’t go back. Joe Davis a long time buddy and friend, has always been there to help guide me. When I sometimes didn’t know which way to Shift your internal vibration and watch how everything around you will shift to accommodate and work with you. go he would always have a suggestion. Sometimes it was not one that I always wanted to hear, but I would quickly That is how you breakthrough, you just do it. Another great quote, this time from Rhonda Byrne “Whatever feel- learn that his guidance was advantageous for me to follow, Then there is Prophetess Denise Baize, Apostle Baize ings you have within you are attracting your tomorrow. Worry attracts more worry. Anxiety attracts more anxiety and Janie Chandler just to name a few that have been great spiritual guides in my life and we have a wonderful … Peace attracts more peace. Gratitude attracts more gratitude. Love attracts more love. Your job is an inside one. relationship to this day. With their knowledge and dedication to helping bring forth a message to the people, they To change your world, all you have to do is change the way you feel inside. In order to change the man or woman have truly inspired and help to ignite the fire within my soul.Suffice it to say that I could go on and on with nam- you must first change the thought. ing influential people I have met, but for now I will humbly say that I am grateful for all that I have crossed paths PJ: What is the recipe to achieve a dream? with on my journey for I continue still learn daily. MR: One must always be grateful for the lessons learned and for the power we possess. You create your destiny, PJ: Do you have a mentor? your imagination is creation, your thoughts create, and therefore my question to you is … what are YOU MR: I actually have a few mentors and I am sure there will be more to come. currently focused on in your life? The thoughts you think consistently with bring that kind of condition into be- PJ: Who inspires you? ing … so what are you thinking???? The most important guidance I can give for you right here and now is that MR: I am inspired by those that choose to pick up their bed and walk. I truly love to see when an individual has for one to be able to learn on must live in the present moment while focusing from the END result. If one can see had an awakening in life and have either manifested or is in the process of manifesting his or her dreams. I love from their wish fulfilled that person has successfully embraced the key to success. Take away the longing, wish- the feeling for we are created to be great, to have a life of health, abundance and more but it is up to us to change ing and hoping for it is all an illusion. We are already equipped with all we need. I’d like to leave you with one our minds from the old to move forward to a new day and way. I look at many of the greats that have come before final thought: me and I discovered that I identify with a lot of them. I have learned to pick from the examples before me, choos- Phl 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, ing which I would like to have in my experience, while the ones I know are not best or right for me I don’t add to whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] my script. Olga, you inspired me! Witnessing you grow and began to live your dreams after attending just a few any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. Phl 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, classes is a true testament for me to carry onward. and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. PopImpressKA 217 PopImpressKA 218 as a mainframe computer might relay signals to an orbiting space station. These new celestial codes then wash over our planet, literally altering the blueprint of organic life. As experiments in Russia over the past 25 years have shown, the use of coherent light rays have the power to transmit the DNA codes of life, reprogramming the developing cells of biological creatures. This Tricia means that as the new frequencies are broadcast from the Sun, they can create a new template for all biological life, including human evolution. This is why there has been much talk in recent years about the Indigo and Crystal children who seem to possess spiritual abilities beyond that of regular humans. This is also why such popular McCannon movies as X-Men and the Fantastic Four, which deals with upgrades to people’s DNA, have had such appeal. This is due to the knowledge in our collective psyches that such spiritual upgrades are coming, and that we, as humans, have far more potential that mainstream science has previ- ously believed. The Galactic Alignments of 2012 and beyond are truly complex. They span the disciplines of ge- ology, astronomy, plate tectonics, solar storms, polar shifts, biology, astrophysics, history, anthro- pology, and even the esoteric study of astrology. While there are many ingredients that should be Galactic addressed, at the heart of these changes is a rare solar alignment that only happens every 26,000 years, a period that the Ancients called the Great Year. This cycle is determined by the 25,920 year Wheel of Time that charts the movement of our Sun through all twelve signs of the Zodiac. This Alignment Precession of the Equinoxes is marked by determining the celestial backdrop of the Sun each year at dawn at the Vernal Equinox (March 23rd). Since the Sun travels backward against the sky only one degree every 72 years, the length of time it takes for the Sun to move a total of 30 degrees, or one complete astrological sign, is 2160 years. If we multiply 2160 years by the entire twelve 2012 and signs of the Zodiac, then we get 25,920 years, or one Great Year. This is called the Precession of the Equinox. Yet the Sun and its planets do not merely go around the galaxy like a flat record player. They Beyond move in a great sine wave over 26,000 years like the up and down beating of our hearts, or the registering of our brainwaves. So for the last 13,000 years our solar system has been below the Galactic Equator, when we “fell” into the third dimension after the destruction of Atlantis. Now, some 13,000 years later, we complete this cycle, and reach the beginning of a new Great year as Since the 1987 publication of Jose Argüelles’ book The Mayan Factor, the date of December 21st, we once more move above the plane of the Galaxy, beginning an entirely new evolutionary age. 2012 has become the focus of worldwide attention, and with it the awareness of an impending This great undulating wave affects every living creature, shifting us into a more refined state of change coming to our planet. But what is the nature of this change, and should we be afraid of it? vibration. We call this higher state the “fourth dimension,” and it affects the laws of matter, space Is this change purely economic, or is it geological? Is it brought on by natural events or manmade and time in a completely different way than we are used to today. However as our solar system disasters? Does it bode well for our current civilization, or is it the trumpet that alerts us to serious climbs slowly over thousands of years to reach the crest of this wave, we may even find ourselves changes in the wind? How might these changes impact us in the months and years ahead, and how reaching a fifth dimensional state.This solar system shift is not hypothetical; it is actual. And it is can we best understand the cosmic mechanisms that lie behind this change? not merely a shift in human perception, but it affects the very substance of matter itself. Matter In truth the answers are multi-faceted, and the underlying agent of this transformation appears to is created by the vibration of atoms, and as quantum physics now tells us, atoms are created by be the Sun, the local distribution center for the light frequencies that bathe every living thing on packets of light called photons. Photons are created by sound, (phonons), and thus the very struc- our planet. As we consider the Sun and the role it plays in every facet of organic life, we begin ture of material reality is created by the mechanisms of vibration and light. As electromagnetic to see why the ancient cultures of the Greek, Roman, Mayan, Chinese, and Egyptians placed it at beings, our life force is tied to the planet and to the cycles of the Sun that flood the geomagnetic the center of their theologies, and viewed it as a living symbol of God’s awesome power. fields of Earth. In addition, we know that the Third Eye or Ajna, is like a vestigial eye. Along Our local Sun, which encompasses some 97 to 99% of the mass in our entire solar system, peri- with the pineal gland it governs the hormonal output of the entire body, according to how much odically becomes downloaded with information originating from the center of our galaxy, much light is received by the retinas of the eyes. Continue p. 222 PopImpressKA 219 PopImpressKA 220 Continue from p. 220

The pineal is responsive to the daily Sun cycles, monthly lunar cycles, and even the 11.3 year sunspot cycles. It is also respon- sive to changes in sunspot activity. In short, this gland acts as a command center for the production of hormones in the body that not only includes serotonin and melatonin, which affect our sleep cycles, but the release of certain naturally occurring chemicals in the brain like DMT, and harmala alkaloids, which are all potent hallucinogens.This means that the changes coming from our Sun can directly affect our consciousness. As these increased solar storms bathe our entire planet, they may open up our sensitivity to telepathy, remote viewing, and psychic perception. They may also activate the release of chemicals in the brain that allows us to “see through” the dimensions, and to begin to experience spiri- tual states of enlightenment. Many scientists believe that all living organisms have a sensitivity to these changing electromagnetic fields, and such drastic changes in Earth’s field may catalyze the activation of the kundalini (or fire snake energy) within our spines, and thus bring the opportunity for enlightenment to many across the world. Nine Steps to Self Mastery Continue p. 223 PopImpressKA 221 PopImpressKA 222 The Fifth World of the Maya is called the Age of Illu- mination, a wonderful world of connection and spiritual promise. Many other civilizations across the world have written of these cycles, including the Greek, Roman, Etruscan, Indian, Native American, Persian, Sumerian, and Celtic cultures. The Etruscans believed that there were alter- nating periods of destruction that they called the Galac- tic Winter and Summer, meaning that in the “winter” the world changes come through water or ice, and in the “summer” they come through fire. So if the last world age ended in a Great Flood, it would seem that we might be in for some rather intense solar flares in the next year or so. Certainly this would create drastic changes on both the physical and spiritual levels. It is important to point out that humanity has survived all past geologic changes, despite evidence of great up- heaval in the past. Homo Sapien Sapiens have, after all, been around for nearly 200,000 years, and I suspect they will be around much longer. To further understand this great cosmic puzzle, and the many ways it will affect our future, please join us for a series of lectures and work- shops on Galactic Alignment 2012 and Beyond. Continue from p. 222 Tricia McCannon is a renowned American clairvoyant, While o ur Sun’s crossing of the Galactic Equator takes place over several hundred years, how historian, and teacher who has been a Headliner in Eu- swiftly these changes may come to our planet after December 21, 2012, remains to be seen. To rope and America for over two decades. As a researcher the Mayans this date marked the end of a 5,000 year cycle that began in 3114 B.C.E. This period and mystical symbologist, she has traveled the world in was divided into 394-year cycles that the Mayans called Baktuns. The year 2012 marks the end search of answers to the greatest Mysteries of the Ages. of the 13th Baktun, and specifically the end of a 13-year “Long Count” cycle that began in 1999 She has appeared on over 175 radio and TV shows, in- and ends in 2012. cluding Coast to Coast AM, Strange Universe, and a Astronomy number of international documentaries. She is the author Galactic Alignment But is this really the end of the world? Such doomsday theories stem from a variety of sources, of more than 30 DVD’s, and the acclaimed books Dia- including the Book of Revelation, the prophecies of Nostradamus, and the discovery of a stone logues with the Angels and Jesus: The Explosive Story tablet discovered at the archaeological site of Tortuguero in the Gulf of Mexico. This tablet was of the 30 Lost Years and the Ancient Mystery Religions. found in the 1960s, and describes the return of the Mayan god Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl was a She is the Founder of the Phoenix Fire Mystery School god of wisdom who prophesied that he would return at the end of this Fourth World Age to help in Atlanta and has students around the world. As a clair- the people. Since that discovery, similar references have been found at other Central American voyant she has given over 6000 Soul Readings, and is sites, however there is also evidence that this most important event may occur in late February of often compared to Edgar Cayce in the depth and accu- 2013. racy of her Soul Readings. While the Mayans believed that December 21st marks the end of a World Age, it also marks the She will doing a series of talks and workshops in NY beginning of a new World Cycle. In each of the previous cycles our world has undergone a puri- in September. To find out more about her schedule or fication. The First World Age, they say, ended in fire; the Second in Ice; the Third was destroyed contact her for a reading call her 404-355-2211 or www. by Flood; and the end of this World Age is as yet unknown. triciamccannonspeaks.com. PopImpressKA 223 PopImpressKA 224 PopImpressKA Collection

Archangel Gabriel Jesso On Wood 11X14 PopImpressKA 225 PopImpressKA 226 Dance of Liberation®

The Dance of Liberation® is a unique form of movement therapy that heals and frees physical, mental, emotional and spiritual blockages. Utilizing dance, contemporary shamanism, hands on healing, drumming and global music, this powerful and beautiful soul work sheds inhibitions and heightens inner awareness in a safe and carefully monitored group setting. Dancers are blindfolded in the shamanic tradition and step beyond their conscious fears and limitations and allow their innermost creative sides to break free. Dancers tune in to sound and movement to take an inner journey exploring a trancelike state of self-discovery and self-realization.

Parashakti Sigalit Bat - Haim

Born in Jerusalem, Israel, and descended from a long line of spiritual teachers. Exploring the es- sence of spirit and dance from the age of four, Parashakti moved to the United States, where she spent two years studying yoga and living at the ashrams of Integral Yoga. While at the ashram she began her studies of Trance Dance™ with Shaman Wilbert Alix, this drew her to the wisdom circles of Native American ceremonies. Both of these profound in depth teachings and inspira- tion led her to develop the powerful, life-changing process known as Dance of Liberation™. The Dance of Liberation integrates shamanic journeying, hands-on healing, drumming, global music, sweat lodges and fasting to dissolve participants’ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual block- ages to joyful life. Parashakti has worked with over 10,000 dancers from around the world and led workshops and retreats at some of the world’s leading holistic centers including: The Tree of Life (Arizona), Es- alen Institute (California), Jivamukti Yoga School and the Omega Institute (New York), Alexis Zorbas Retreat Center (Greece), Zorba Festival (Israel) and Hermecillo (Mexico).Mission Parashakti’s mission is to open the possibility for people to achieve a liberating sense of whole- ness and joy through the fluid, healing, and exhilarating integration of body, mind and spirit. She works in private sessions with individuals and couples, as well with groups & conducts Dance of Liberation teacher trainings.

*Stay Tuned!! Parashakti is completing a full feature documentary film that had its world premier at the Albe- querque film festival & at the Silent River film festival.

Dance of Liberation trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-pkIkSAzDU PopImpressKA 228 After years of participating in Spirit Dance, apprenticeship, study, and nourishing my shamanic practice with Eagle, I acknowledged my connection by having eagle wings tattooed on my back By Parashakti as an external symbol for an inner process that has allowed me to fully feel the weight; to fly free and spread my wings and profoundly share my own wisdom teachings with the world. The wings also represent a way of reaching my goal: always opening and recommitting to spirit.

I’d like to suggest to our readers that, if Eagle appears to you in a dream, hiking, yoga, in your prayers, in meditation, dance, in your song or even driving, it is a call for an awakening that is urging you to soar up to the next level of your life. The eagle flies closest to the sun – so when you align yourself with the energy of the sun there is a deep connection of power and warmth and of shining your true colors. Aligning yourself with Eagle is saying yes to that higher call that you signed up for before you even entered this lifetime, and that you have been in preparation for your entire life. For many of us, Eagle appears when you are ready and takes you through tests, journeys, growth Photography: Verda Ver opportunities and spiritual work. Eventually, you will discover a more authentic expression of who you are and the wisdom to fly your true flight in the world. We call this connection a power animal. In the words of Jamie Sams and David Carlson, authors of the Animal Medicine Cards The Eagle has been a vital reality, a magnificent power animal, an embodiment of spirit and a and Sacred Path Cards: “Take heart and gather your courage, for the universe is presenting you significant symbol in my life. It was the sight of a bald eagle soaring through the vast sky, alight- with an opportunity to soar above the mundane levels of your life.” ing atop the tallest tree in sight, and pausing and posing on its own enormous aerie, itself the most You may recognize the places within your soul, personality, emotions, or psyche that need bol- massive bird nest I had ever seen on my vision quest. stering or refinement. By looking at the overall tapestry, Eagle teaches you to broaden your sense of self beyond the horizon of what is presently visible… for “eagle medicine is the power of the Eagle. Noble. Powerful. Fierce. Great Spirit…the ability to live in the realm of spirit, and yet remain connected and balanced within the realm of earth. It’s no wonder that the eagle is sacred in the Native American tradition. Eagle is seen as a mes- senger between the creator and human beings, the world of earth and of spirit. So when the feather Soar high into the heavens, travel vastly within your soul, take care of your offspring (whether of an eagle was gifted to me by the same eagle that visited me that day, I was ready to receive the creative, physical, spiritual, aesthetic, intellectual) and celebrate the glory of your nest! sacred wisdom and teachings. This eagle feather led me to dancing with eagle medicine for over a decade. I was invited to the Naraya – A Native American Dance for All People, a tradition of the Great Basin/Plateau peoples led by Clyde Hall. With the intention of generating healing for the earth, the offering of the dance is to focus one’s heart, mind and prayers on inner transformation, based on the belief that we must become in our inner lives what we choose to create in our outer world.

In my first dance, when the eagle song was chanted by my elder, Nancy Eagle Spirit Woman, the very first vision I received was that of the eyes of the eagle. In response, I set out on a path to understand what seeing on more than the physical plane means and how to integrate spiritual vision with the world of the senses. That experience led me to create Dance of Liberation™ , a movement therapy birthed out of the roots of Shamanism and based on seven foundations. One of the foundations is the blindfold. When blindfolding our physical eyes we free ourselves to see Photography: with our “inner” eye — to see what for us had been unseen. Andrew Kaen Photography: Verda Ver PopImpressKA 229 PopImpressKA 230 SRB Brooklyn Spiritual Club Illuminate “My mission is to share the journey that was passed down to me by my Elders. My goal is to prepare you to become a leader, facilitator, invocator, seer, and carrier of your personal medicine. There is something very big that we’re all going to share together! ...... Experience a transforma- tional lifestyle. An Invita- tion to the Dance of Life!!!!”

Parashakti

http://parashakti.org/

Photography: Andrew Kaen PopImpressKA 231 PopImpressKA 232 PopImpressKA Journal:

KALEIDOSCOPE P. 234 - p. 304 Lancaster County (PA) – In five short years Gelato di Bab- Zanni maintains a daily dialog with fans who share bo™ has become one of the largest manufacturers of arti- her joys, canny observations and frustrations, pro- san gelati and sorbetti in Pennsylvania – with seven flavors vide instant product reviews and advice, even keep now making their way into a national distribution that has tabs on store inventories. The page is constantly up- grown from 20 stores to over 200 in 15 states. dated with photos and videos of her products and store demonstrations, press, and trips to Italy (al- It is no small accomplishment for a single mom who re- ways a source for inspiration). fuses to take no for an answer, is willing to put in the time Zanni owned a video production company before to turn her dreams into reality, and has figured out how to she discovered gelato on trips to Naples, Italy. “I make great-tasting, authentic products that are super low- spent an entire summer there, tasting gelato every fat. day – sometimes twice a day. I loved the way Italians have evolved a social scene around gelato. Some flavors are as low as 0 to 3 grams of fat per serving, And I love to see everyone’s faces when they taste making them the lowest fat gelato on the market. my gelato the first time. It’s like a shock to their Her sorbetto, made with 1½ to 2 pounds of fruit and no mouth. When it hits your lips, it is warm but still milk, is refreshing, healthy and fat-free. cold, and the dense, rich, velvety texture allows each Initially, Kim Zanni sold her made-that-morning product flavor to be fully experienced.” from a customized trike up and down Main Street in Lititz, Pennsylvania – a popular tourist destination in Lancaster An absolute stickler for quality and authenticity, County and her hometown. Taste after taste, word spread Zanni mastered both the technical and creative as- about Zanni’s amazing creations – from traditional Pista- pects of producing exquisite gelato, enhancing the chio, Hazelnut, Chocolate and Coffee to more adventurous traditional recipes she learned in Italy and seasonal favorites like Honey Lemon Lavender, Southern constantly experimenting with new flavor Sweet Potato with Walnuts, Sunflower, Key Lime White combinations in search of the perfect niche. Her Pure Chocolate Chip, even Shoo-Fly Pie. Pistacchio di Bronte, made with 100% DOP Bronte After a summer of non-stop lines and special orders, she pistachios, is a case in point. “I went to Italy for began selling to nearby restaurants, cafes and theme parks. the best pistachio in the world,” Zanni explains. “I She developed a catering business and set up a website so walked the magma rock in Mount Etna to see the pis- she could ship nationwide. Within six months her hand- tachio growing during last year’s harvest – a harvest filled pint-size packages hit local grocery shelves. that only takes place every other year. I have found my liquid green gold, my oro verde, and brought it “Gelato di Babbo will always be made fresh daily, from back to the U.S. for my products.” scratch, using the finest ingredients,” Zanni said. “People How it all started. . . find me – by word of mouth – because they want some- Growing up in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch thing natural that doesn’t come from a powdered mix, or Country fostered a keen awareness of the benefits From the farm direct to the supermarket off an assembly line with all kinds of fillers. Happily, once of farm fresh. “Lancaster County practically in- people have a taste the product sells itself!” vented the notion of farm to table,” she explains. Kim Zanni’s Gelato di Babbo™ “It has given me a profound appreciation for only Kim remains true to her Italian roots The desire for “all natural” motivated two major chains, the best of the best ingredients. In the early days, Giant® and Whole Foods® Market, to pick up Gelato di I utilized raw Lancaster County milk that literally with a Pennsylvania Dutch twist Babbo flavors for their stores – along with a roster of bou- went from the cow, to pasteurization, to production tique and gourmet shops and regional chains like Stauffers without leaving the farm. I get goat’s milk at a local of Kissel Hill and Darrenkamps. Amish farm, honey from a beekeeper in Strasburg, Each new introduction (a store or new flavor) is announced and grow lavender in my own back yard.” on Gelato di Babbo’s Facebook page. Gelato di Babbo’s meteoric rise in sales did take its toll. Kim not only poured every penny she earned back into the business, she oversaw everything from product development and package design to

Continue p. 237 PopImpressKA 236 and building the Gelato di Babbo brand that, thanks to Facebook, is delightfully intertwined with her own, sometimes over-the-top personality. Never one to stand still – ever – Zan- ni created Zanni Foods, Inc., an um- Continue from p. 236 brella company that is home to Gelato di Babbo, Zanni Foods spreadable production, marketing and sales. creams (including a Baci d’Amore She even stocked and restocked gro- white chocolate hazelnut crunch cery shelves to make sure her prod- spread that was influenced by her uct was out there and in sight. White Chocolate Hazelnut gelato recipe), and a line of nut pastes tar- She took advantage of PA Preferred, geted to commercial bakers, gelato/ a state program that connects con- ice cream makers and confectioners. sumers with local producers, and PAgrows, which helps agriculture-related businesses, raise money. Said Jared Grissinger, an economic development analyst with the state Department of Agriculture, ”I give her a lot of credit. She really puts herself out there and goes after things.”

As sales grew, she moved production from her home to a Men- nonite farm production facility, to a major producer that could keep up with demand and still maintain her strict standards in terms of de- livering the best possible product to her customers. From producing over 30 flavors that changed with the seasons, Zanni zeroed in on six customer favorites to take into the All reflect a business model that is national limelight – Pure Pistacchio eloquently simple: to use local di Bronte, White Hazelnut Choco- ingredients whenever possible and im- late, Coconut, Coffee, Super Dark port unique specialty ingredients that no Chocolate and Vanilla Bean – plus other manufacturer uses, creating a mar- Raspberry Sorbetto. Fall 2012 will ket niche of high quality products for see two new introductions, a cactus customers with discerning palates. fruit gelato and a pear or apricot sor- Her newest customers in Utah will soon betto (her direction lies in the posts find out. As she posted on Facebook on of her Facebook fans). May 25th, “Two more weeks until I hit Utah. Chain of stores. All I know is that She also works with a broker and na- I have lost track now of where GDB is tional distributors, making her free sold. And I am happy about it :)” to focus on sales and PopImpressKA 237 PopImpressKA 238 HEALTHY EATING

RECEPIES BY Dr. FELICIA STOLER, R.D.

www.feliciastoler.com www.livingskinnyinfatgenes.com http://twitter.com/FeliciaStoler

Author Living Skinny in Fat Genes™: The Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Feel Great Pegasus (January 2011) I SBN 978-1-60598-116-1 Host of TLC’s show “Honey We’re Killing the Kids” Contributor, FoxNews.com Health PR Chair/Past President/Media Rep NJ Dietetic Association President Greater NY Chapter American College of Sports Medicine NJ Council on Physical Fitness & Sports

PopImpressKA 240 Vegetarian Couscous Paella This recipe can be made Serves 4; 1 ¼ cups per serving strictly vegetarian, Felicia’s Vegetable oil spray it can be made without shell 1 small red onion fish or red meat, or without New Orleans-Style 2 tsp minced garlic sausage at all. 1.5 cups vegetable or chicken broth The preparation is pretty Jammin Jambalaya 1 cup (8 oz) baby lima beans (frozen or canned) much the same (except for 1 cup (8 oz) baby sweet peas the roux – which I have ¼ tsp salt found is unnecessary). ½ tsp ground tumeric I have cooked it with 1/8 tsp ground red (cayenne) pepper and without the roux 1 cup dry couscous and prefer the recipe 1 medium tomato (or 1 small can chopped tomatoes) without the roux. ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsely It can be low in fat, Spray a large saucepan or Dutch Oven with vegetable oil spray. cholesterol and Place over medium-high heat. sodium. Add onion & garlic and cook until onion is tender (about 5 minutes). Note: all meats are optional and can be Add broth, lima beans, peas, salt, tumeric and pepper.Bring to a boil over high heat. made vegetarian or Reduce heat, cover & simmer 10 minutes or until lima beans are tender. modified as you Remove from heat and stir in uncooked couscous, tomato, and cilantro. would like. Cover & let stand 5 minutes.

Spinach Balls § 1 lb chicken breast § 1 lb sausage (pork, turkey or vegetarian) 2 packages of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained § 1 lb peeled shrimp (optional) 2 cups of Pepperidge Farm Stuffing (or any small cut stuffing) – may use Matzoh farfel (great § 4 medium size onions way to use this recipe during Passover as well) § 1 green pepper § 1 red pepper 1 onion chopped § 3 cloves of garlic 8 egg whites § 1 can RotelleÓ tomatoes - a brand name for canned, seasoned tomatoes & peppers & chiles. ½ cup melted butter May used Italian/Mexican-style tomatoes ½ cup grated parmesan § 1 cup rice (Uncle Ben’sÓ) 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. § 2 ½ cups of water § Cayenne Pepper to taste 2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. § ¼ tsp. McIlhenny Co Brand Tabasco Pepper Sauce 3. Form into bite sized balls and place onto a cookie sheet or pan § Cut chicken & sausage into small pieces § Dice the onions, garlic & peppers that has been coated with non-stick spray. § In a skillet, cook the chicken & sausage (& shrimp) 4. Bake for 20 minutes and serve (turn them gently halfway) § Add onions, garlic & peppers Yield: 36 spinach balls. § Put the above into a large pot; add tomatoes, rice, water & cayenne pepper Note: The spinach balls can be frozen & placed in a container (separate the layers with wax pa- per or aluminum foil). Defrost 20 minutes before baking and then bake as above. Also, in lieu § Cover & cook on low heat for 30 minutes (maybe longer, the mixture should be “dry” not soupy). of rolling balls, you can bake this in a square, non-stick or glass pyrex dish and cut into squares. This may also be made in a large or disposable roasting pan – covered, and placed in the oven (at 375°) This does not have to be the time of year to pack on the pounds. Remember, there are always for at least 45 minutes. Yields dinner for 4 or side dish for 8. holidays throughout the year. These three months seem to be more dense with eating opportunities beyond your regular meals! Dr. Felicia D. Stoler, DCN, MS, RD, FACSM There is so much to be grateful for… plentiful food, friends, and good health! Instead of starting your diet on Monday – make better choices every day! Nutritionist & Exercise Physiologist PopImpressKA 241 PopImpressKA 242 A Living Bridge Between Northern New Jersey & Nahariya Partnership 2Gether links the people and communal organizations in northern New Jersey with those in Partnership 2Gether Nahariya, a seaside resort town in the north of Israel. The partnership is about building relationships between the A Living Bridge Between Northern New Jersey & Nahariya two communities via the exchange of ideas and joint cooperation and participation in different projects. Partnership 2Gether (P2G) formerly Parthnership 2000, was launched in 1994 by the Jewish Agency for Israel Partnership 2Gether : (JAFI) linking Jewish communities in the Diaspora with those in Israel. An extraordinary global platform Avinoam Segal Contact: Elad [email protected], 201-820-3909 connecting 550 communities around the world in 45 partnerships, P2G is building living bridges among these Sarit Ron - Partnership 2Gether - Medical Task Force Coordinator - [email protected], 201-820-3907 communities, by sharing ideas, strengths, challenges and models of success. The impact of these projects goes Phyllis Miller - Partnership 2Gether - Education Task Force Coordinator - [email protected], 201-820-3919 far beyond the community level—each member of the community has the opportunity to become directly and personally involved. In New Jersey, under the auspices of Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey,

PopImpressKA 243 PopImpressKA 244 I got a new specialist, I had a whole bunch of ultrasounds and I never knew from one day to the next if I was MARCH OF DIMES going to get an IV for contractions. Eventually the contractions were coming so regularly the doctors put me on the medicine twice a day, every day. My hospital stay kept getting extended and the doctors finally admit- ted what we knew early on--that I would not be going home before the babies were born. At that point we were THE BALL FAMILY so scared about all of the things that were happening we were happy to keep me in the hospital under constant “Our Story” by Kristin Ball supervision rather than go home living in fear! As I got into the 5th and 6th weeks of my hospital stay my contractions were coming every night. We wondered each night if it would be the one where the babies finally decided it was time. On September 22nd, we got that answer. My water broke at midnight at 35 weeks and just under three hours later, the babies were here. Charlotte came first at 5lb7oz followed 2 minutes later by Martin at 4lb14oz.They had trouble regulating their breath- ing so they were taken to the NICU. The doctors originally told us they would likely come home when I was released in 5 days but they ended up needing 2 weeks in the NICU for help with breathing and eating. We were able to see them within a few hours but we weren’t able to hold them for a few days. Imagine the pain of finally having your babies after months of preparation and waiting only to be told that you couldn’t hold them. Leaving the hospital without our babies was the hardest thing we ever had to do. Instead of the joy new parents are sup- posed to feel when they leave the hospital we felt helpless and didn’t understand why the visions we had early on of holding our babies right after their birth, celebrating with family and friends and going home as a new family were not coming true. We spent 2 weeks visiting the babies that should have been home with us. Martin Ball III I know this isn’t the usual story you hear when you hear about the March of Dimes and that is why we wanted to tell it. Women are being treated for preterm labor and disastrous outcomes are being avoided everyday due to the research the MOD does and the information and resources that doctors now have. If I wasn’t getting the prenatal care that I was our babies could have come at 26 weeks and there could have been a much different outcome.

We will continue to support the MOD’s great work so that one day parents won’t have to see their babies Charlott Ball hooked up to machines, won’t have to wait days to hold their babies and won’t have to go home without their babies like we did. This is why we will continue to support the MOD and hope that you will join us with your Marty and I have been involved with the March of Dimes for the last 4 years. We both got involved through our support. jobs, never thinking about the impact the March of Dimes would eventually have on our lives. Official Web SIte: www.marchofdimes.com/ny For More Information Please E-mail Martin Ball: [email protected] In early 2010 we found out I was pregnant with twins. We were very excited and, of course, nervous! We knew that premature labor and bed rest were real possibilities but tried not to worry about it too much. Because of my twin pregnancy I was seeing a doctor every two weeks. After every appointment we were surprised how well it was going! I was feeling good! I got all the way through my 24 week appointment without a problem! We were sailing along smoothly and getting the nursery ready at home.

Then I went to my 26 week appointment and everything changed. During my exam the doctor noticed that I was showing signs of premature labor and put me on modified bed rest at home. It was a setback but not the end of HAPPY the world. I was able to work from home and stay off my feet. I was given the OK to go back to work after a HEALTHY week or so as long as I didn’t overdo it. BABIES

At 29 weeks I left work for a doctor’s appointment and told my coworkers I would be back in a little while. CHARLOTT Little did I know I wouldn’t be back until after maternity leave! Marty met me at the doctor’s office and I had AND my normal ultrasound and the doctor looked at me and said he was admitting me to the hospital. He told Marty MARTIN BALL III to take me straight to White Plains Hospital, not to even stop at home. If that doesn’t cause new parents to be to panic, I don’t know what does! The doctor said I was to stay there on bed rest for 3 weeks. We were shocked and upset but for the health of the babies, I could do 3 weeks. It was just three weeks. During those weeks I was under constant monitoring and experienced contractions that had to be stopped with medication. PopImpressKA 245 PopImpressKA 246 “I was always the type to think outside the box. I trusted my instincts and followed my gut feelings. While in college I dis- covered massage therapy and left school to get my license in massage therapy. While attending school for massage it opened my eyes to the whole health field. Prior to this I had no inter- est in pursuing a health career. After getting my license and beginning work I was moved to return to school. I have come to believe that we are on what I refer to as ‘a need to know ba- sis’. I went back for a program in sports medicine. While there I was offered a seminar on motivation. This seminar prompted me to choose to challenge myself. This led me to going to Chiropractic college and getting my degree. While I was in Chiropractic college I became interested in energy healing and nutrition. I had a life changing experience during my first year when I was given an energy experience that has given me an affirmation of the profound nature of energy in our bodies and our world. I have been blessed with this and many other expe- riences which have helped to shape my outlook on life as well Dr. Daniel as healing. I later became a Reiki practitioner and include it in my practice. I have been using nutrition in my practice for 27 years and have been using Mannatech products for 16 years. I Silver use a diverse set of techniques including cranial work, trigger point therapy, AK., dynamic stretching, nutrition, Reiki, and Pain Neutralization Technique. My approach is to fit what I do to your body, instead of your body having to adapt to what I do. Most problems are a combination of many factors. My goal is to address as many of them as possible. I never want to stop learning and growing, and this work allows me to do just that.” Dr. Daniel Silver Contact:

e-mail: Mannatech [email protected] phone: 516-568-2989 Address: Live for Real 119 N. Park Ave. Suite 301, N.Y. 11570 USA Website: givingchangeseverything.com PopImpressKA 247 PopImpressKA 248 Mannatech is on a mission to eradicate childhood malnutrition around the world. Currently there are 5 million children that die from malnutrition every year. It used to be thought that kids would die from starvation, but “Doctors Without Borders” has identified malnutrition as the main culprit. Most international aid groups provide processed grain based food which does not have the necessary nutrition for health. To address this problem Mannatech has developed a whole food nutritional powder that can be added to anything that these children eat. We part- ner with major international relief organizations to distribute this powder to children in need. So far we have donated over 41 million servings. We are currently adding over 1 million serv- ings per month, and growing steadily. The caregivers are reporting that the children are now able to learn more effectively, and they are growing at a healthier rate. Disease rates are down, as well as infant mortality.

There is a new model called social entrepreneurship. We provide a unique solution to a global problem. We provide an economic incentive for people to share in this mission, which helps or- ganizations to have sustainable funding for their charitable activities. We combine the passion for the cause with reward for the participants. With Mannatech, for every qualifying automatic order we supply a needy child with a 1 month supply of nutritional support. It is a win-win-win situation. The malnourished children get the nutrition they need, the organization gets a sus- tainable source of income, and the consumer receives the most advanced nutrition available, all at no additional cost. Mannatech also works with indigenous groups around the world. They are able to partner with these groups due to their heart and mission.

Mannatech is environmentally conscious. They use recycled materials in their shipping and processing whenever possible. They use sustainable harvesting practices. They use organic and hydroponic ingredients. They are committed to decreasing their carbon footprint. Mannatech is committed to valid scientific research. Mannatech has a state of the art laboratory. Their products have been GMP certified since their start. They certify all of their ingredients to be 100% pesticide free. They have third party certification. They have presented their research at scientific symposiums and have won awards for the quality of their research. They have done double blind studies as well as open label studies, which have all been peer reviewed. Our CEO is on the board for “The Council For Responsible Nutrition”. 40% of their budget goes to research. Their sports products have been certified to be safe according to anti-doping rules. Mannatech is the leader in the field of glycobiology – the study of sugars. The story starts with aloe vera. Everyone knew how good it is but no one knew how or why. They were going to take it off the market, so they commissioned our Dr. Bill McNally to find out how it worked. He discovered that there was a sugar – mannose that was the active ingredient. That was the beginning of the new field of glycobiology. In subsequent research they discovered seven more sugars that I refer to as structural sugars. These structural sugars are responsible for all transfer of information in your body. In other words, without these sugars there is no organi- zation or function in your body. It was also discovered that we only get 2 of the 8 sugars that we require in our modern diet. It has been shown that breast milk contains 5 of these sugars – nature knows best. Our products contain all 8 sugars. We are the only company that has all 8 in biologically active amounts. Also our product are both standardized and stabilized. This is crucial because it helps the products maintain maximum potency each time you take it.

I have been with this company for 16 years because they have the unique combination of prod- ucts, integrity, scientific validation, compensation plans, and heart. It is hard to find all of these qualities in one company. I offer a complimentary nutritional consultation to help you choose what is best for your needs. Just mention this article when contacting me. I look forward to serving you and the needy children of the world. PopImpressKA 249 PopImpressKA 250 Celebrities Citizens AHMAD and “ARMANDO” Children Against Poverty QUAZI CAP2015.org “It is our duty as human beings Kid Kapri to come together for these great Humanitarian causes and contribute our efforts for a better tomorrow. It is our mission to combat indifference, intolerance and injustice while we promote acceptance, understanding and equality as we continue our quest for Global Change.”

…Ahmad Quazi Jr, CEO

Jada Kiss

Tito Puente Jr. with Jessie Jackson PopImpressKA 251 PopImpressKA 252 Celebrities Citizens and Children Against Poverty bal action to address these critical issues and holds the world’s leaders responsible for the commitments that they made in September of 2000. Every 3 seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies from Poverty related causes. That’s a total of 28,800 chil- dren every day. More than a billion people worldwide still survive on less than a dollar a day. Half the world’s Ahmad “Armando” Quazi Jr, CEO of CAP2015, is doing an incredible service for humanity using the relation- population, over 3 billion people, earn less than two dollars a day. Over a billion people lack access to saf drinking ships he has established over the years and his own humble approach to change. In his Global Campaign of Ce- water and over 2.4 billion people still lack access to proper sanitation facilities. Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate lebrities, Citizens and Children Against Poverty, he is using the voices, images and power of celebrities, media people are female. Pregnancy is the leading cause of death for girls ages 15-19 in developing countries.Is anybody personnel and the average person from all over the world to raise the awareness of the Millennium Declaration doing anything to end this and make the world a better and safer place? and The Millennium Development Goals. By producing PSAs and videos and broadcasting them over global networks, along with other marketing strategies, he hopes to raise the voices of celebrities and people to hold the In September of 2000, 189 heads of governments came together and each signed the Millennium Declaration at world leaders accountable for the commitments that they made towards meeting the 8 Millennium Development the United Nations Millennium Summit promising to “free men, women and children from the dehumanizingcon- Goals in an effort to eradicate extreme global poverty by the year 2015. ditions of extreme poverty” by the year 2015. They all agreed to donate 50 billion dollars a year collectively, sat- isfying the yearly amount that would be necessary to fulfill this humanitarian initiative. This amount of 750 billion CAP2015 is also an information platform designed to inform the world of practical solutions to help Eradicate dollars, over the next fifteen years, would be the entire burden that the world would have to endure to make the Extreme Global Poverty by the year 2015 and to keep the world in tune with humanitarian and peace initiatives world a better place. This timeline of fifteen years was established to eradicate extreme poverty and meet the Mil- that are currently impacting the world. CAP2015 is a global invitation for everyone to be involved in changing the lennium Development Goals (MDGs) by a specific target date. The MDGs cover the range of key development future of our world. Mr. Quazi has also formed a strategic alliance with various other humanitarian organizations issues and are rooted in a human rights framework. Freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature and and affiliates in an effort to raise the Global awareness of key Humanitarian concerns in association with his part- shared responsibility are the core of the Millennium Development Goals. These goals are as follows: 1. Eradicate ners Rick Ulfik, CEO and the Founder of the WE Campaign (www.we.net) and Stephen Fantl, CEO and Founder Extreme Poverty and Hunger 2. Achieve universal primary education 3. Promote gender equality and empower of PeaceDay.TV. WE is a Consciousness, a Campaign, and a Collaboration of people, organizations and social women 4. Reduce child mortality 5. Improve maternal health 6. Combat HIV/AIDs, Malaria, Tuberculosis and change movements from around the world. WE promotes making a shift from “I” to “WE” in our individual ac- other diseases 7. Ensure environment sustainability (Global warming, etc.) and 8. Develop a global partnership tions and attitudes and in our societal priorities and policies. Peace Day TV was founded in 2009 by Light of Life for development. These 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Millennium Declaration call for glo- Society for the purpose of providing broadcasting for peace-building organizations, inter-faith projects and educa- tional charities. In 2011 Peace Day TV became recognized as a special project of the Culture of Peace Initiative, a UN-designated “Peace Messenger Initiative” with participants in all the world’s regions. Peace Day TVs common goal is to unite the strengths of organizations and individuals who are working to make peace a practical reality.

Some of the other campaigns that have great causes and honorable celebrity endorsements that we are proud to endorse and would like to mention are Keep A Child Alive (Alicia Keys), Show Me Campaign (John Legend), In My Name (Will.I.Am), People for Children (Ricky Martin), Raising Malawi (Madonna), Konfidence Foundation (Akon), Yo Amo America (Shakira) and the One Campaign (Bono and United Artists).

Before creating CAP2015, we were very fortunate to be blessed with great celebrity relationships and were en- dorsed by great entertainment networks through our parent company, IMI Productions. We always wanted to use our relationships and resources to find practical methods to serve humanity. With over 15 years of experi- ence in the entertainment industry, we know that information traveling over the entertainment network travels much faster and has greater impact than other methods. For this reason, we will use our relationship to spread the messages of humanity through our various entertainment networks in hopes of achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. We feel that the power of celebrity voices, if channeled and directed properly, can ultimately raise the voices of the people to a point where the world leaders will have to listen. That’s the only Ahmad Kamal way we can truly advocate global change. We are extremely grateful to many friends and partners at the United Nations who have welcomed our initiatives and have given us the opportunity to work with them to support the United Nations Millennium Campaign. Without their help, endorsement and support over the last couple of years, we would not have been able to accomplish what we have. It is a great honor and a privilege for us to work hand in hand with the United Nations humanitarian campaigns in a mutual effort to combat global poverty.

In 2008, realizing that there was a huge void in society, Ahmad Quazi Jr started giving lectures and speeches at various schools, organizations and centers on the importance of key Global Issues that affect our youth. He was also a guest speaker at the UNITED NATIONS International Youth Conference where he spoke about his cam- Arun Ghandi paign, Celebrities Citizens and Children Against Poverty. He also lectured and spoke with many youth advocates Continue p. 255 PopImpressKA 253 PopImpressKA 254 Charels Fisher, Akon and Ahmad Continue from p. 254 on International Youth Day on the significance of the 8 Millennium Development Goals.

Under the leadership and guidance of Dr. Elaine Valdov (Executive Director of The World Water Organization, President and Founder of The International Institute for a Culture of Peace and Acting Director of The World Energy Forum ) and Pat Sciarratta (Executive Director of Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, www.faf.org ) and with a key partnership with Charles Fisher (CEO, National Hip-Hop Summit Youth Council), Mr Quazi was able to deliver a very important message to the attendees of the UNITED NATIONS Youth Assembly that year. He was able to work with Mr. Ahmad Kamal (Founding President and CEO of The Ambassador’s Club at the United Nations and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute of Training and Re- search), Reverend Jessie Jackson (American Civil Rights Activist and a candidate for the Democratic Presidential Nomination in 1984 and 1988), Arun Gandhi (The grandson of Mohandas Gandhi, following the footsteps of his grandfather, he is also a socio-political activist) and many other notable individuals during that Conference.

Jim Jones Currently, he continues to speak at conferences and meet with humanitarian leaders and major celebrities to secure their voices and messages for a better world for all. His pas- sion is to raise the awareness of all relative humanitarian efforts through his campaign. His goal is to find practical solutions to support and implement the 8 Millennium Devel- opment Goals in an effort to eradicate extreme poverty by the year 2015.

For more information: CAP2015.org Busta Rhymes Yung Berg

Keri Hilson

Elaine Valdov and Arun Gandhi Red Cafe PopImpressKA 255 PopImpressKA 256 create an ever-expanding social change network essential for a The WE Campaign – A Global Initiative world that works for all. Become a WE Campaign Partner along with visionary leaders and endorsers of WE Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Immaculee Ilibagiza, Robert Thurman, for Social Change for a Better World That Riane Eisler, Bill McKibben and many others.

Works For All! WE Vision Imagine 1000’s of people, organizations and businesses around the world that work for peace and sustainability establishing such collaborative working relationships and being so well linked that a success in one region is soon modeled in dozens of others!

Imagine those people and organizations collaborating on periodic critical issue campaigns that culminate with major Global Events several times a year in which visionaries, activists, artists, celeb- rities, diplomats, socially responsible business leaders, forward thinking government officials, and the general public come to- WE - A global campaign of We, The World to unite and amplify the efforts gether to celebrate, share information and take action! Jane Goodall of people, organizations and movements working for the common good Now imagine after each Global Event thousands of new people get involved and, with expanding media coverage, millions join www.WE.net with peace, environmental groups and socially responsible busi- nesses worldwide, transforming society and themselves, con- The Challenge and the Opportunity sciously and collectively using their buying power, their voting power and their people power to move us visibly toward a world Never before in history have so many voices spoken out on behalf of changing humanity’s direction from one of that works for all! potential self-destruction to one of building a shared sustainable culture of peace, economic justice and environ- WE acknowledges, celebrates and enhances a dynamic, expan- mental stewardship. Connecting and coordinating these voices locally and globally so they can act collectively to sive experience of WE, setting in motion a new system of social create real and lasting change is the challenge of our time, and the mission of the WE Campaign. innovation and change.

The stakes are too high for us to fail The WE experience is a conscious movement from ‘I’ to ‘WE’ Even in the wealthiest country, the United States, 1 out of 5 children goes to sleep hungry. Air pollution kills that embodies a feeling of oneness and connectivity reflected in 65,000 people every year. And globally, every single minute the world spends about $2 million on weapons and one’s thoughts and actions. As the experience of WE expands and war, while 15 children die every minute of hunger and preventable disease. evolves in our thoughts, visions and behavior, the effect trans- forms the patterns currently damaging our lives and world. This WE is a Consciousness, a Campaign, and a Collaboration of people, organizations and social change movements experience involves a greater awareness and empathy toward the from around the world. entire human family, all species, organisms and resources that share, enjoy and sustain life on this precious, planet earth. WE Consciousness: WE promotes making a shift from “I” to “WE” in our individual actions and attitudes and in our societal priorities and policies. With this new thought there emerges possibility. Through the ex- WE Campaign: WE is an ongoing Awareness and Action Campaign; four WE Action Campaigns per year with perience of genuine connection, creativity is expanded and oppor- culminating Global Public Events every 3 months. WE will Inspire, Inform and Involve millions of people through tunities are realized. A shared consciousness of WE will create a WE.net in solutions to: synergy of awareness and action, a transformative movement for Ensure basic human needs and well being worldwide a new effect. WE will influence political will, reshape culture and Restore healthy eco-systems and environmental stewardship society and change the story. Jane Goodall Rick Ulfik Create a culture of peace and nonviolence - from individuals to nation-states. The unique offering of WE

WE Collaboration - The WE Network, WE.net, provides a vehicle for connection, interaction and opportunity for New Framework: unprecedented cooperation between people, organizations and movements. Utilizing advanced technology and The objectives of WE are to expand the consciousness of WE and Photography: Andrew Kaen intuitive web design, Partners of WE consisting of thousands of organizations and a mass movement of people Continue p. 260 PopImpressKA 257 PopImpressKA 258 Continue from p. 258 to expand the consciousness of WE and to catalyze social engagement through an expansive communications net- work and unprecedented collaboration of organizations and individuals worldwide. We, The World, its partners and friends, communities, networks, social change movements and individuals will co-create WE as a dynamic, interactive and open partnership. The ever-expanding numbers of partners and co-creators will meet through www.WE.net, the network for social change. WE will promote and publicize collaborative programs, projects We Campaign Art Salon with Rick Ulfik and activities as well as plan and manifest hub events in major cities worldwide to inspire, inform and engage a diverse, global community for a call to action.

Utilizing the model of 11 Days of Global Unity Campaign established by We, The World, the concept of local ac- tion, global participation will be channelled towards a broad theme representing significant social issues through four campaigns per year. With sensitivity to the earth’s natural rhythm, the ongoing WE Action Campaigns (Unity & Peace, Ecosystems & Biodiversity, Human Needs & Social Justice, Water, Transformation & Spirit, Media, Culture & the Arts) will focus energy and action on major social issues and culminate on the solstices and equi- noxes each year. Each campaign will have ‘tracks’ that are integrally linked, for instance, the Ecosystems & Bio- diversity initiative relates to Unity & Peace, Human Needs & Social Justice and Water. A web of social awareness/ action linked to major initiatives illustrates the interrelatedness of all living things and the interdependence of our common needs. New Activism: Springing from the intersection of an urgent need for a sustainable and peaceful planet, the genuine benefit derived from this compassionate, living connection – the experience of WE, and the technology available to interact on a global scale, the social movement, WE, is positioned as decentralized network and vehicle. Orga- nizations and individuals joining WE become co-creators in a meta-network that is dynamic and evolving. A synergy of awareness and action, the elements of this WE awareness and activism will expand organically and exponentially, inspiring imagination, generating a mass movement of empathic connection and effective action and focusing collective consciousness on creating a world that works for all. WE is a catalyst for the growth of the mass social movement towards awareness, compassion and sustainability that is already emerging. The network, www.WE.net, provides the structure to facilitate sharing innovative ideas and collaborating on a global scale. WE.net will grow as an expansive and intuitive vehicle for the thousands of organizations and millions of people to connect, interact and take action in every corner of the world. Through WE.net, WE Ac- tion Campaigns will be coordinated. In addition, We, The World, will organize and produce hub events in major cities worldwide in connection with the culmination of each Action Campaign. Opportunities for direct volun- teer participation through www.WE.net as well as accessible models for creating and registering new projects created in a school or community will be offered. This network serves as a mechanism to become active locally and participate in the greater global effort, enhancing the effect of every partner/co-creator organization.

New Reality: The collective efforts of all the social change agents coalesce into WE, the characteristics of which are authen- tic, experiential, altruistic and intrinsically powerful. Through the WE Action Campaigns and WE network, a mass movement of people connect, share ideas and organize to take action, expanding the WE consciousness and creating a new activism. WE inspires new innovative ideas, projects and initiatives through individual and group action, generating energy towards sustainability and a culture of peace ~ a new reality. The consciousness and activism of WE enabled by the We.net framework produce a tipping point of awareness and action neces- sary to affect current trends of cultural and societal individualism, creating the reality of WE.

About We, The World We, The World is a global coalition-building 501 (c)(3) organization based in New York City. Founded in 1998 by Rick Ulfik (who is also the Founder of the WE Campaign), WTW has annually connected and promoted thousands of socially conscious organizations, businesses and individuals to amplify their efforts and generate Photography: Andrew Kaen public awareness and action. Continue p. 262 PopImpressKA 259 PopImpressKA 260 Continue from p. 260

About We, The World We, The World is a global coalition-building 501 (c)(3) or- ganization based in New York City. Founded in 1998 by Rick Ulfik (who is also the Founder of the WE Campaign), WTW has annually connected and promoted thousands of socially conscious organizations, businesses and individu- als to amplify their efforts and generate public awareness and action.

Advisors and supporters include Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Dr. Jane Goodall, Deepak Cho- pra, Bill McKibben, Immaculee Ilibagiza, Daniel Ellsberg, Rabbi Michael Lerner, Hazel Henderson, Robert Thurman, Riane Eisler and 70 other visionary leaders from around the world. An overview of our Global Partners, Advisors and Outreach can be found at www.WE.net/partners-outreach From Top Left: Harry Merritt, We, The World has already impacted the lives of more than Benjamin Barber 5 million people through our Programs, Events, Websites, TV Shows, Newsletters, Video Festivals, Partner Collabora- Ahmad Armando tions, Tele-Forums, Broadcasts and Webcasts. We are reach- Quazi ing more than 850,000 people each year and our network of more than 44,000 leaders and members of socially con- scious organizations and businesses represents millions of Pete Seeger and Rick Ulfik constituents. Photography By Andrew Kaen In 2004 We, The World and global partners launched 11 Ahmad Armando Quazi Days of Global Unity linking local awareness and action and Rachel Cooper campaigns into an inspiring international movement. From empowering students and teachers in Zambia to Interfaith From Top Right: Dialogues in San Francisco, thousands of organizations Carole Hart Director around the world have taken part in 11 Days of Global Uni- “For The Next 7 Gen- ty, September 11 -21, a worldwide platform for the promo- erations and Rick Ulfik” tion of peace, justice, sustainability and transformation that annually includes as many as 700 associated events in over 60 countries around the world. It culminates on September 21st, the U.N. International Day of Peace. Participants in 11 Days have included: Amnesty International, Oxfam Amer- ica, Roots & Shoots, United Religions Initiative, The In- terdependence Movement, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, Deepak Chopra, Hazel Henderson, Ervin Laszlo, Bottom Left: Robert Thurman, and many others. Deepak Chopra , If you would like to find out how to get involved, become a Rick Ulfik partner, volunteer, or donate go to www.we.net. For more information you can also email them at [email protected]. PopImpressKA 261 PopImpressKA 262 WE Peace Vigil

We Teach The Children Festival

Above: 11 Days of Global Unity Team Photography: by Andrew Kaen

PopImpressKA 263 PopImpressKA 264 SANTOSH BIDARI

Santosh Bidari Peace for People by Diane King Got Entertainment

“When I first met Santosh he was on FaceBook through another person. When I saw what this amazing selfless young man was doing for the world and the children in his country Nepal, he won my support and friendship. He made this statement to me when I asked why did he start his foundation at such a young age? This is the exact statement he said: “We started in 2009 Peace For People in Nepal. The main reason is to work for peace and be a mediator for the people. There are lots of places we can see when peace and people have gaps then start conflicts, so we want to fulfill the gap between peace and people!” Santosh was only 22 years old when he formed Peace for People and now at 25 years old he has changed so many lives and touched the Hearts of All Humanity to remind us ALL of what it means to have Peace in our Lives and in our World! God Bless Santosh Bidari and all of his wisdom and selflessness He is trulyA Hero!” Diane King Got Entertainment Please enjoy the photos of Santosh’s work! PopImpressKA 265 PopImpressKA 266 Santosh and Kids In A Classroom

PopImpressKA 267 PopImpressKA 268 Santosh and Kids

PopImpressKA 269 PopImpressKA 270 Santosh and Nepal Dancing Girls

Santosh and Mountain People PopImpressKA 271 PopImpressKA 272 Macaw Love Mother Merlin Is Feeding Baby Ara Our Planet Parrots For Peace

PARROTS FOR PEACE http://parrotsorpeace.wordpress.com [email protected] [email protected] 845-688-3206 917-697-6916 Check Out the Parrots for Peace on You tube and Facebook

PopImpressKA 273 PopImpressKA 274 Parrots at their Phoenicia, PARROTS NY Environmental Education Sanctuary FOR PEACE

Gloria Waslyn

old mate of Mr. Baby, the big man, who is a 14 year old Gemini and their two sons. Peace-nik was three years old on October 6th at 9am when Gloria heard his first peep out of the egg. Ara is now three months old having hatched on March 20th at 8:30am with his first peep.

The Parrots for Peace are also the Rainforest Ambassadors and the Spokes-”Avians” for Wildlife and Nature as they share their motto: “May there be peace between all people, animals and nature as we live in harmony and balance with our one mother, Earth.” Their not for profit organization, Parrots for Peace, Inc. is dedicated to the proposition that we are all intricately involved in the whole of life with a creative energy that manifests in form and in spirit. The Peace Parrot family embrace everyone they encounter with a personal interaction and conversation involving sustainability and the simple practices we can all engage in to bring a more harmonious balance between nature and life-style. On the fateful morning of September 11, 2001 when a coaching client phoned to get feedback on whether to show up at his Wall Street banking job just as he witnessed a plane hit the WTC, Gloria Waslyn took her two bonded The Parrots for Peace organization is working to create an environmental and inner-peace studies sanctuary as a blue and gold macaw companions, Ms. Merlin and Mr. Baby to help out in the way they could by waiting with permanent habitat for the growing family. It will be a place to visit and learn about sustainable living and have families for loved ones to be rescued and spread the word that peace should prevail as we work in harmony to re- an encounter with the peace parrots. Live streaming video will enable people everywhere to observe the beauty build. The Parrots for Peace were thus named and their mission was born. For nearly nine months the avian peace of the family interaction. Their 120 year life and multiple generations require that they have an on-going home messengers were held by fire, police, EMS, first responders, workers of every manner and family and friends of base for them to continue their work throughout their lives. Generations will be able to visit them and learn about lost loved ones. They visited a mosque, synagogue, church, a Tibetian sand mandala impermance ritual, a spirit sustainability, ecology and the deep heart connection that unifies all life. Through this engagement, the Parrots for pow-wow, and Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist Temples (Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese, and Korean) and participated in Peace and their organization offer a delightful experience that opens the heart to possibilities which create a ripple countless vigils and fund-raisers for the families. effect of cross-species understanding and communication.

Soon, the avian peace ambassador missionary message spread through various NGOs at the United Nations to The Peace Parrots can be seen at pow-wows around the NY state area dancing with indigenous peoples, the Vigil water activism (for clean, free and available water as a human right and the UN designated International Day of for International Peace and Ecology in Central Park, EcoFest-NYC, Water Not Weapons, World Water Rescue Peace. They were invited to participate as representatives of the nature community to present their peace Foundation, New York City Friends of Clearwater, We The World, Drums Along the Hudson, message at the celebration of the UN Human Rights Day to call for an extention of the innate rights afforded to Earth Society, Woodstock International World Walk for Peace, World Prayer Society, and Beacon Sloop Club’s all humans to be inalienable to animals and nature. Strawberry, Corn, Pumpkin and Winter Festivals. They are also participants in environmental advocacy rallies calling for no hydro-fracking in NYS for Catskill Mountainkeeper and The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater where Gloria Waslyn can be seen with her avian companions, The Parrots for Peace, at countless peace and environmen- they also call for a closing of Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant and the green energy solutions we tal events in New York City, Woodstock, and Beacon (home of the Beacon Sloop Club started by Pete Seeger over can all create. 40 years ago). The blue and gold macaw family consist of Ms. Merlin, the Sagittarius 14-1/2 year Gloria can be contacted at [email protected] PopImpressKA 275 PopImpressKA 276 Children getting a first hand experience with the Peace Parrots to feel the connection of nature speaking to them in loving harmony. PopImpressKA 277 PopImpressKA 278 Above Left: Parrots for Peace with New Paltz anti-fracking activists at the Rosendale Center for Environmental Sustainability run by BABY ARA Manna Jo Green, Spook Handy, folk singer Educational Director of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater

Parrots at their indoor aviary Peace Parrot Sanctuary near Woodstock, NY

Volunteers for Clearwater Sailing Rick Nestor, Captain and Musician PopImpressKA 279 PopImpressKA 280 Russell Ashley JOURNEY TO AFRICA LIFE FOR ELEPHANTS THEIR WORLD

PopImpressKA 281 PopImpressKA 282 Photography By Russell Ashley

PopImpressKA 283 PopImpressKA 284 Photography By Russell Ashley

PopImpressKA 285 PopImpressKA 286 Photography By Russell Ashley

PopImpressKA 287 PopImpressKA 288 journey into the unknown journey into the unknown utmost moist textures where the unknown becomes known of the many dimensions throughout the universe that surround us as above so below always moving, fully thriving we all know vibrations of sound, color, and space “The Human Journey” that there is more to the eye than we can see journey into the unknown by so let us take a momentary stance where the unknown becomes known to glance at our True Calling throughout the universe and find the Energy of Love as above so below “ReAwakennd” within us to release outward we all know together we shall gather that there is more to the eye to embrace our human race than we can see Poet and re-member our True Divinity beneath the closed doors so we can finally realize are the answers that we all seek that Heaven on Earth can be felt now through prayer, meditation and silence can be seen now we have the opportunity to go within can be established now and re-discover our primal roots for it has always been here and connection to All That Is we just forgot who we were for we all know and where we came from that there is more than meets the eye and why we are really here yet the eyes are the mirror to our soul on this planet called Earth and true calling to our True Divinity and Oneness journey into the unknown for We Are All One where the unknown becomes known and it is time to remember throughout the universe and re-discover our primal roots as above so below and connection to All That Is we all know beneath the closed doors that there is more to the eye are the answers we all seek than we can see all we have to do now is open our third eye not just the two that are visible for it is in what we cannot see where all the answers are seen namiste.

2006 “ReAwakennd” Poet (Andrew Kaen)

Photography By Russell Ashley © 2006 PopImpressKA 289 PopImpressKA 290 CAN ONLY GOOD NEWS CONTENT AND PAUSING THE WORLD FOR PEACE SUCCEED!

Paul Sladkus and Good News Planet

Paul Sladkus, Founder and President of Milestone and www.goodnewsplanet.com believes so and had dedicated his life to support all doing good. First he wants to congratulate PoplmpressKA and Olga Papkavitch on her new magazine and his good friend Andrew Kaen, that is filled with GOOD NEWS. Paul’s career began in 1972 at CBS where his management expertise helped Award Winning Programs like; All in The Family, Carol Burnet, Love of Life and Sonny and Cher. Paul then moved to Channel 13/PBS helping to develop, General Support Announcements and The Nature and The Brain Series. Paul went on to build Mile- stone Broadcast Corporation (MBC), in 1985, a full service multicultural marketing organization with clients that include Citibank, Delta, IBM, Sprint, Western Union, US Postal Service. MBC helped to bring Alla Pugacheva to America many years ago. Paul founded Good News Planet in 1998, www.goodnewsplanet.com a division of MBC, to share the worlds Life Affirming, Thought Provoking Good News, Entertainment and Events. Positive News. Paul is an Interfaith Minister, environmentalist, humanitarian, piano and sax performer and proud Grandpa. Paul is focused on Peace and Ecology. For the past 11 years he has hosted the Vigil for International Peace in Central Park, New York. This year the event expaned on September 21, World Peace Day to Times Square for a moment of silence and a Peace Wave from New Zealand to Honolulu. There was a Peace One Day concert in England with Elton John. Paul States, “Next year on September 21, 2013 we plan a major concert in Central Park and to have the world PAUSE FOR PEACE AND DROM THEIR GUNS AND GLBAL CEASEFIRE. The Good News is that there are many working on this already and we need everyone in the world to become part of it, so go to our website www.goodnewsplanet.com and sign up as a free member and you will become part of the team.”

GOOD NEWS MOTTO: ALL WE ARE IS WHAT WE ARE FOR EACH OTHER. PopImpressKA 291 PopImpressKA 292 PERFECT PEACH EVENTS

As for Perfect Peach Events we are a full service Catering and Event CHRISTIAN NICOLAU Planning company that is truly a family owned and operated business. Our customers become a part of that family from the moment we meet and the impression we leave is lasting on thier guests as well. This is Christian Nicolau, a blogger and freelance pho- our passion, the best food, the best service, it’s what we do. We here at tographer in NYC has covered numerous events Perfect Peach Events have a wide variety of meals and options to choose ranging from magazine release parties to fashion from and well as different levels of presentation to satisfy both the cus- week and political events. tomer and their budget. “We had the pleasure of getting invited to the pres- tigious Gracie Mansion on October 2, 2012. It was Feel free to checkout our website at www.perfectpeachevents.com to celebrate Italian Heritage in NYC. This would be the second time I met Mayor Bloomberg for an art conference, that was held at City Hall a few years back. ”.

Christian Nicolau

Photography By Christian Nicolau

http://neonjunkyard.blogspot.com/

PopImpressKA 293 PopImpressKA 294 David Karges

DeepKut Entertainment As a writer, David recently optioned two screenplays he co-wrote with Tristan Leo- Writer / Director / Producer star Films’ President Dina Almeida. The Baseline Films/ Lileth Productions script Near Death is slated to go into pro- duction in 2013 and Fall River is in the early stages of development. David Karges studied film at Cleveland State University and went on to start his own production company, DeepKut Enter- Early this year, David forged a partner- tainment, under which he wrote, produced and directed several ship with Actor / Producer Rich Rossi and award-winning short films. As a writer, producer, director and the two are busy working on developing a actor, he has worked in television and film for the past ten years 3-picture deal which includes the big bud- while residing both in New York City and Los Angeles. get action comedy Saving Little Italy, the heist film The New School, and the horror David’s feature film directorial debut Knuckleheads starring thriller Bad Karma. Golden Globe Nominee Steven Bauer (Scarface, Traffic), Jaime Zevallos, Seregon O’Dassey, Yerania Del Orbe and Vinny Vella Contact: [email protected] (Casino, The Sopranos) met rave reviews at the World Premiere in Los Angeles this past year and was picked up for North Amer- ican / US distribution.

PopImpressKA 294 PopImpressKA 295 Simon Burrell Our Man On The Ground

London Eye PopImpressKA 296 PopImpressKA 297 What inspires people to start their own business and how do they make it into something success- ful? The challenge is coming up with that right idea. Some people just seem to have the knack and start at a very young age, other people find their entrepreneurial side later in life, but when- ever you do find it and decide it is the time to go out on your own that is when your life changes – forever. So what inspired me to set up my own business in a completely different industry and one I had not directly worked in before? I guess it really dates back to when I went to College in the United States and one of my ex-Deans I stayed in touch with suggesting I keep a travel diary when I landed my job with Newsweek Magazine in the UK. It was my first international role and it took me around the world. In those days, the magazine industry was doing well and we got to fly in business class and stay in some very nice hotels. This is where my taste for luxury travel started and why I now run a luxury global travel website. I would visit my local agents in cities such as Paris, Madrid, Copenhagen and Milan and when we went out to lunch or dinner we would go to those great little local places that they knew, you know, the kind of places that you wouldn’t necessarily find in the guide books. I distinctly re- member one place about an hour’s drive outside Milan that was seriously off the beaten track. If I liked the restaurant I would take their business card and do a little write up, more for my own use for the next time I was in that particular city. And as each month and year passed my frequent flyer points grew along with my travel diary, with not only those great hidden gems of restau- rants but also some more general hints on the best way to get in to and around the city and which taxis you should avoid in certain other cities. I also started adding some cultural and historical information and quite often extended my business trip to include a weekend so I could explore the place more in my own time. Continue p. 247

Paris Tour Eiffel

PopImpressKA 298 PopImpressKA 299 Increasingly colleagues and friends asked me to recommend places when they were going away on either business or pleasure, such as what hotel would I recommend in New York or what’s a great restaurant in Paris for an important business meeting. Very few people knew I was keeping this diary but one particular friend one lunchtime back in 2008 suggested I should perhaps con- sider writing a travel blog or guide as people would really value my travel knowledge and expe- rience. At the time I brushed it off as I was just too busy. One day I said, perhaps when I retire! Well one day came sooner than I expected. A year later in 2009 the print magazine business went from bad to worse and all corporate travel was suspended, which for me was a disaster as I was happiest when I was travelling. My colleagues in the US started to be let go over the summer and then we were told that they were going to close down our office at the end of the year. For me it was the push I needed as I had been ready to leave two years before but could not seem to find anything outside the industry, which was frustrating, as I had strong E-commerce and marketing skills that I felt were readily transferrable. It was time for me to leave the comfort and frustrations of corporate life and set up my own busi- ness – from nothing but a travel diary from the previous 10 years or so of travelling around the world and an idea for a travel website offering advice to others. But those 10 years gave me a wonderful foundation and network with many of the skills I picked up at Newsweek proving to be invaluable to me today. So here we are in 2012. “Our Man On The Ground” is becoming established in an industry I have come to love. The people are amazingly passionate about what they do, be it chefs, restaurant owners or the wonderful people I work with in the hotels. Many share the passion, drive and en- thusiasm I have, which makes each day so enjoyable and confirms in my mind that I have finally found my destiny. This is what I was meant to do in life. Simon Burrell is Founder and Editor-in-chief of “Our Man On The Ground” www.omotg.com a global travel and lifestyle website based in London, with a network of men and women on the ground in the major cities and towns around the world, who know those great hidden gems and share them with the website’s readers.

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