Beverly Hills Times Magazine - Michael J. Krupin

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/16/12 3:02 PM Page 1

News

Entertainment Business Nightlife

TIMES BEV ERLY H I LLS

Magic Johnson’s L.A. Premier of his HIV/AIDS docu-drama “The Announcement”

Supermodel Amber Valletta Emcees for Big Brothers Big Sisters Fashion Show

Financial Guru

MICHAEL J. KRUPIN Offers One Easy Step to protect your cash and assets

Artist Extraordinaire Jack Armstrong unveils his $3 million Cosmic Harley

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 4:57 PM Page 4

the magic continues...“The Announcement” Magic Johnson’s Film Premier in LA not a dry eye in the theater with Johnson’s heartfelt HIV/AIDS docu-drama

By Dennis J. Freeman Films’ docu-drama, “The Announcement,” as we see he didn’t crumple up and wither away. Instead of a woe-is-me mentality wrapped in a state of depression, Johnson clung to his faith in God, his support from Cookie and his family, and stepped his game up against the deadly disease much like he did on the basketball court.

“I think Cookie and I got strength from our church family of West Angeles (Church of God in Christ), and Bishop Blake,” Johnson said at “The Announcement” film premiere at L.A. Live Stadium 14 in Los Angeles.

“Cookie is a prayer warrior, so she was praying every day. God has blessed me, no question about it. So he played a part-as powerful as or more powerful than the medicine. They go hand in hand.” The film, produced

by Nelson George, is must-see television. Bring handkerchiefs, towels or something to keep your eyes dry because they won’t be while watch this NBA Entertainment Production. The film brilliantly captures the essence of Johnson as a basketball showman, a corporate pitchman, and perhaps the most vocal and visible spokesperson on HIV/AIDS. And in the same manner he assisted teammates into being better basketball players, he has found a way to encourage and uplift others afflicted with HIV/AIDS. Whether it’s from public speaking engagements or getting folks educated through his Magic Johnson Foundation.

“I had a positive attitude,” Johnson said.

“And I had a great support system; my Earvin "Magic" Johnson and actor/producer Bill Duke wife, my mom, dad, at the premiere of "The Announcement" in Los Angeles. brothers and sisters, Johnson’s dreams were lived out in glorious fashion close friends and the Lakers family as well. And then —then a nightmarish medical finding turned his perfect you got to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to be here.’ And world into one of fear, chaos and uncertainty. A routine every day, I said I was going to be here. I’ve had life insurance physical brought the Johnson Express to a positive attitude through it all.’” a crashing halt with the diagnosis that the NBA star had Everyone knows Johnson’s flash and dash leadcontracted the HIV/AIDS virus. Because there was so ership skills that turned the Los Angeles Lakers into little medical information about HIV/AIDS other than it the most talked about team in the NBA. And just like produced flu-like symptoms and killed people, Johnson his highlight reels, “The Announcement” is revved with was forced to retire from the sport he loved. When he the same high energy and raw emotion. In fact, it’s announced his retirement the world watched. Good, the meat and potatoes of a film that showcases his illustrious basketball career while capturing the tidal bad or indifferent, it also unmercifully judged him. From wave of emotions of an icon who watched his world the outside looking in, to his basketball peers and others, go from a mountaintop view to that of an ordinary Johnson was dealt a death sentence. But in ESPN Twenty years ago, Earvin “Magic” Johnson seemingly could do no wrong. He had that Midas touch so many either adored or envied. Everything the Lansing, Michigan native touched turned to gold. He had it all.

He had a fame that so famously comes with being a worldwide megastar...ringleader of the Los Angeles Lakers’ “Showtime” championship teams. And along with the glory came untold wealth, access and a free flowing lifestyle off the court that screamed of recklessness and lack of caution. To Johnson, life was one big party. That unmistakable and charismatic smile the 6-foot-9 Johnson always wore on his face seemed to illustrate that he was having fun. And he was. But after a decade of running solo in the land of the stars, Johnson decided to ring in another type of joy: he tied the knot with college sweetheart, Cookie. He was settling down. And with a young son already in tow, Johnson and Cookie were thrilled to learn they had a baby on the way. Life was good.

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individual who had to address his human failings with a relentless commitment not to allow others to follow in his path. Few of us will forget November 7, 1991.

The world stood still for a few moments as Johnson shared his shocking revelation of contracting HIV/AIDS and his subsequent forced retirement. Millions felt as if a dagger had struck their hearts. But what appeared to be a curse turned into a blessing for thousands who have benefitted from Johnson’s desire to educate as many people as he can—worldwide—about HIV/AIDS. And through it all Johnson has never lost his ability to

I went public because I wanted to educate people and save people’s lives.

Sometimes when you make a mistake, it hurts people.

And those who love you, it hurts them. smile as he went through his own personal struggle.

Cookie says she and her husband clung to their faith in God to get them through the whole ordeal. It also helped that Magic kept a bright outlook on life.

“He’s a very positive person,” Cookie said. “Earvin is always up for a good fight and a good challenge as you have seen on the court. It did not take him long to decide that, ‘I’m not going to let this thing beat me. I’m going to fight it to the end. I’m going to do everything I need to do to fight this thing.’ “He actually encouraged me at the beginning. The most important thing for me is that I have God in my life, and I know that when I prayed and God said he was going to take care of us, I knew he was going to take care of us. When you put God first and foremost, all other things fall into place.” Johnson is the most visible spokesman on HIV/AIDS awareness. Due to his business success and philanthropic endeavors, many assume he either no longer has the disease or is doing so well that the abrupt attention once given to HIV/AIDS has become somewhat of an afterthought. But as we see in “The Announcement” Johnson reminds us that HIV/AIDS is here and every day people lose their lives because of it. He doesn’t want anyone to forget it.

“I want people to take away that I never gave up.

I went public because I wanted to educate people and save people’s lives,” Johnson stated. “Sometimes when you make a mistake, it hurts people. And those who love you, it hurts them. I want people to take away that when you are in a position to help others...that’s what we should do.” l

Photo Credit: Dennis J. Freeman

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RESTORE s INVIGORATE s REINVENT YOUR BEAUTY

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The Guild of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles Annual Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show

Big Brother & Guest Speaker Entertainer Jeremy Weinglass

The Guild of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles presented its annual Accessories for Success Spring Luncheon and Fashion Show at the Beverly Hills Hotel with fashions from Neiman Marcus. Amber Valletta served as Emcee; Jeffrey Katzenberg and Jeri Ryan presented. Honorees were Anne Globe-CMO, DreamWorks Animation SKG and Sharon Harroun Peirce, Board Director BritWeek and LA’s BEST. Guild members Sandy Bilson, Laura Lizer and Vicki Martin Co-Chaired; Joni Berry, Jackie Collins, Nancy Jane Goldston & Joanna Poitier were the Honorary Co-Chairs. For 57 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles has served children and families facing adversity providing one-to-one youth mentoring Supermodel Amber Valletta services, and ongoing support for volunteers, mentees, served as the Emcee for families, schools, businesses and community partners. the evening’s events and fashion show.

Visit www.BBBSLA.org. l

Jeri Ryan presented to Sharon Harroun Peirce, Board Director BritWeek & LA’s BEST

Jeffrey Katzenberg, Anne Globe, Globe’s sister Daisy (center).

Honorees Sharon Harroun Peirce, Anne Globe, Mary Willard Guild President

Guild member/luncheon chairs Sandy Bilson & Vicki Martin, member Sarah Purcell (center)

chan Guild Member Pam Dawber with guest Jamie Lee Curtis

Rachelle Begley, Allie Mac Kay

Photo Credit: Vince Bucci— Fashions Neiman Marcus 6 // bhtmag.com //

Lu Parker, Vicki Robles

Jackie Joseph, Joanne Worley

Guild VP of Mentoring Programs Ara Arzumanian with Director of Development John Wadas

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 5:56 PM Page 8

CHILDREN UNITING NATIONS

2012 Awards Celebration Children Uniting Nations is a proactive organization focusing on the plight of at-risk and foster youth.

They reach children in out-of-home care and offer role-model support, guidance and a sense of community promoting the importance of education. Each year they acknowledge stars who take the stage of life to help the less fortunate. This year the organization honored L.A. Lakers Metta World Peace with the Global Humanitarian Award at its annual party fund-raiser.

Presenting the NBA star his award was actor Quinton Aaron who starred alongside Sandra Bullock in the Oscar-Winning film The Blind Side.

Metta World Peace, formerly Ron Artest, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various organizations nationwide which provide mental health services to people in their communities. Children Uniting Nations Founder and CEO, Daphna Edwards Ziman had this to say; "Metta dedicated the proceeds from the online raffle of his World Championship ring from the 2010 NBA playoffs to fund those noble efforts, and he is a role model to us as well as to the foster children CUN seeks to assist.” The campaign to expose the realities of youth in

LA Laker Metta World Peace receiving the Global Humanitarian Award; Maria Conchita Alonso, Daphna Edwards Ziman thefoster care system was the earnings of Ms. Edwards-Ziman’s New York Times best-seller novel, “The Gray Zone,” which earned her honors and accolades worldwide.

The red carpet gala was held at a glamorous location of Hollywood history, becoming the first such affair held at one of Hollywood’s most fabled MMMs (Movie Mogul Mansions), Harry Warner’s Beverly Hills Estate constructed in the glorious Hollywood star-sprinkled decades of the 1920s & 30s. The estate, served as the western White House during the Clinton Administration; both President Clinton and Vice President Gore resided there during West Coast visits. Performances by Colby O'Donis and Nia Peeples, plus a five star five diamond hors d’oeuvres menu by Chef Jack Lee kept party spirits in full form. Celebrity guests included, Rosanna Arquette, Louis Gossett Jr., Radha Mitchell, Maria Conchita Alonso, Beverly Todd, Children Uniting Nations Founder/CEO and best-selling novelist Daphna Edwards Ziman, Nia Peeples, U.S. Representative Karen Bass, Bruce Davison, Oliver Litondo, Eric Benet, Quinton Aaron and Nia Long. The evening was sponsored by Patron, Lorimar Winery, The Ziegler Family Trust, Avi Lerner and Nu Image, Helena Cho and Good Work(s) Make a Difference, Patty Glaser and Glaser Weil, Chernick Family Foundation, Brevet Capital, Asif Satchu and MRC Studios. l

(top left) Los Angeles Laker Metta World Peace and Children Uniting Nation’s Founder, (lower) Metta World Peace, U.S. Representative Karen Bass, Daphna Ziman, Rod Sherwood; Musician Colby O’ Donis; Actress Rosanna Arquette, Daphna Ziman, Rod Sherwood; Actress Nia Long with Daphna Ziman; Actress Radha Mitchell; Musician Eric Benet; Actor Bruce Davison and wife Michele Correy; Actors Louis Gossett Jr., Oliver Litondo, Metta World Peace.

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Are You Sick & Tired of Being Sick & Tired?

The Real Triggers of Disease and Aging

By Suzanne Takowsky

Nationally Recognized Medical & Anti-Aging Expert

Dr. Richard Linchitz has treated approximately 10,000 patients and helped them overcome pain, beat chronic illness and live longer, healthier lives.

For 33 years, Dr. Richard Linchitz has dedicated his life to medicine, health and patient care. Founder and Director of the renowned Linchitz Medical Wellness clinic in Glen Cove, New York, he and his colleagues are leaders in Integrative Medicine, combining conventional and alternative methods focused on health care NOT sick care. A graduate from Cornell University Medical College, Dr. Linchitz completed a residency at the famed University of California, San Francisco, Moffit Hospital.

Author, lecturer and outspoken advocate on health, his medical practice encompasses all phases of wellness as he promotes a pro-active healthy lifestyle. Translation: “Make your health a priority always—not just when you get sick,” he says.

Millions world wide have seen Dr. Linchitz on TV (Oprah among others), radio and in print media, but the buzz he generates is not just book learned. A critical health issue years ago almost took his life (incurable lung cancer and he didn’t smoke!). It prompted him to take a look at healthy lifestyle options that make the difference between life or death. His upcoming book on health and vitality delves into the seriousness of how a poor diet, lack of proper exercise and a blind acceptance of what western medicine promotes, can wreak health havoc. Dr. Linchitz’s unconventional, non-invasive, powerful healing techniques are based in natural vitamins, sunshine, vegetable juice, yoga and holistic alternative therapies; many are dismissed or ignored by western medicine. Nevertheless, they work. In 2003, he began to develop a cutting-edge cancer program which includes Insulin Potentiation Therapy and currently, he only works with cancer patients, while his associates care for the health concerns of other patients.

disease shows up. But when a disease appears, it’s years after the underlying process started that created it. Those “regular” check-ups people get do nothing to achieve vibrant health. Doctors look for whether your body is functioning NORMAL. Most doctors don’t get involved with your lifestyle choices unless they find a problem. A check-up only reveals a problem. But by then a disease caused by lifestyle choices has already set in.

ST: What is the most advanced, regenerative product you can recommend?

RL: Research and evidence on marine nutrition is so overwhelming that NASA scientists have taken notice. MarineD3 is a mighty army that stops enemy attacks no matter where they come from or how fierce they are. Marine-D3 was developed to attack causes of disease and aging. The only way to fight free-radicals and toxins is to neutralize them with antioxidants. Marine-D3 floods your body with up to 100 times more antioxidant power than land-based antioxidants by penetrating and protecting all three layers of the cells including DNA! Marine-D3 feeds cells the most vital type of omega-3 in existence, along with a life-saving form of vitamin D. Marine-D3 STOPS cell starvation; cell poisoning and cell inflammation from your heart to your brain. The National Cancer Institute predicts 65% of cancer drugs will have their origin in marine animals and plants.

6 PILLARS OF HEALTH Change Your Health, Your Future, Your Life...

ST: If natural cures exist for illness and disease, why does western medicine continue to fight the findings?

RL: Many believe disease comes from aging or family history. This conventional thinking is wrong. Normally when you go to a doctor’s office you have a health complaint and are hoping to have your symptoms treated—that usually means drugs. We focus on helping patients achieve vibrant health: more energy, increase athletic ability and concentration. We aren’t interested in feeding the drug companies. Drug companies don’t make money advising people how to get and stay healthy. As callous as it sounds, they make money as long as people stay sick.

ST: With our busy schedules it seems we don’t think about our health until something goes wrong.

RL: It’s accepted in our society that physicians don’t get involved until there is a health problem. Everyone talks about health care, but no one addresses that “health care” is not a preventative system; it’s a system of disease care.

It’s always about who is going to pay for treatment when a

DIET: As hunter/gathers for millions of years of evolution genetics has selected our diet. This diet does not include lots of grains as they are too high in carbohydrates for our bodies to handle. A true hunter/gather diet is vegetables, fruits, basket seeds, grass fed animal protein, free range fowl and wild salmon. Some people disagree with this concept, but what we want and what is best for our bodies are too different things.

SUPPLEMENTS: Your body needs food to survive and your cells need nutrition to live. 75% of Americans don’t get enough Vitamin D. The benefits of Vitamin D are huge ...the dangers of taking too little can be deadly! When cells don’t get vital nutrients such as Omega-3s or vitamin D they starve, shrink and virtually die. We live in a toxic environment. Supplements help aide in the detoxification process. Evidence points straight to inflammation as the most insidious cause of premature aging, and an underlying factor in every major disease.

EXERCISE: Does more good than any drug we can make.

We’ve found that people achieve better fitness by doing BURST activity than doing LONG DISTANCE. Intense activity, then rest, intense activity, then rest. This routine increases fitness, health and all cardio vascular areas.

STRESS MANAGEMENT: Stress is part of life. It’s how we handle it that makes the difference. Meditation, yoga, a warm bath; take time to truly relax. What we find causing stress is the things people love to do are being squeezed out of their lives. When that happens people become angry, resentful and irritable. I work with cancer patients and we have what is known as a cancer prone personality; a type “C” personality: responsible, self-sacrificing, works for others, wants and needs to be loved by all, and can’t say NO! DETOXIFICATION: It’s crucial. Detoxification is needed to cleanse ourselves. Pathways to accomplish this are through the lungs, liver, kidneys, intestines and skin. Exercise, the elimination of drugs, eating organic, the avoidance of heavy metals and liquid fasts help detoxify our bodies and organs.

BIOIDENTICAL HORMONE BALANCE: A balanced, lifestyle ensures your hormones will last longer, organs function better and you’ll have less age related symptoms and illnesses. Low thyroid causes several organ and body imbalances; exhaustion, stress, moodiness, forgetfulness and irritability are related to hormone imbalance.

Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, American Board of Pain Medicine and American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, Dr. Linchitz serves on the Board of Directors of the International College of Integrative Medicine and the Advisory Board of the International Organization of IPT Physicians. l

Dr. Richard Linchitz OFFICE: 516-759-4200 daureen@gmail.com www.linchitzwellness.com marined3.com.

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:06 PM Page 10

From the Editor Suzanne Takowsky editor@bhtmag.com The MUSIC CENTER hosted the BRAVO awards to salute Los Angeles County Public, Private & Charter Schools for Excellence in Arts Education.

What an amazing feat for these kids—all ages to know that hard work and years of determination have put their talents in the spotlight. Former BRAVO winners led performances of student groups by the Agoura High School Jazz Band, a choral performance by the Millikan Middle School & Performing Arts Magnet, and a dance performance by Gabriella Charter School students. “We salute all the amazing educators that participated in the BRAVO program.

They inspire all of us at the Music Center to continue to speak out for the essential importance of arts education for all students,” said Mark Slavkin, Vice President for Education at the Music Center.

This was the 30th Music Center BRAVO awards event, honoring educators and schools committed to delivering the highest standards of visual and performing arts education. Winners received a cash award to help supplement their arts programs; all made possible by generous gifts from Club 100 members.

HONORS—First Supervisorial District Winners: Supervisor Gloria Molina; Sarri Sanchez, Arts Specialist Award Renaissance Arts Academy; Helen Papadopoulos, Generalist Award; Suzanne Middle School—Second Supervisorial District Candidates: Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; Wendy Morrison, Arts Specialist Award Westside Neighborhood School; Vincent Womack, Arts Specialist Award; James A. Foshay Learning Center—Third Supervisorial District Candidates;

Fo u n d e r SUZANNE TAKOWSKY

e x e c u t iv e Ac c o u n t d ir e c t o r STEPHEN TAKOWSKY

e d it o r /We e k l y n e Ws l e t t e r

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky; Genein Letford, Arts Specialist Award NEW Academy Canoga Park; Robin Paul, Generalist Award Lindero Canyon Middle School; Jeffe Huls, Arts Specialist Award Santa Monica High School; John Plevak, School & School Program Award Millikan Middle School— Fourth Supervisorial District Candidates: Supervisor Don Knabe; Dennis McGonagle, Generalist Award Longfellow Elementary School—Fifth Supervisorial District Candidates; Supervisor Michael Antonovich; Shahe Mankerian, Generalist Award St. Gregory Hovsepian School.

Each of these educators deserves a heartfelt show of gratitude. All too often we parents forget about those people who serve as our children’s “home-away-from-home parents” for YEARS—while our kids are in their care at school.

Especially now with all of the headlines blaring the horrific behavior of BAD teachers who used their “teacher” status to abuse trusting children who look to them for protection and guidance—we need to bring to light all of the incredible educators who do GOOD; who have dedicated their lives to helping our children through the most important and formative years of their lives. Once again the BRAVO awards was hosted by industry great Garry Marshall; making it his 29th year. He says that his special connection to arts education comes from his mother who “...taught dance for 50 years in the basement of our home in the Bronx. She inspired so many people.” In honor of Marshall’s commitment, Music Center President and CEO Stephen D. Rountree presented a special plaque that was dedicated to the memory of Marshall’s mother, Marjorie Ward Marshall which will be displayed in the Music Center. l

MICHAEL NAUGHTON MNAUGHTONZ 13@ YAHOO . COM

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BRUCE EDWIN—ENTERTAINMENT ROB FENN—MUSIC ADELA GREGORY—COMMUNITY EVENTS ELLEN LAVINTHAL—ANIMAL RESCUE NATALIYA JOY PRIETO—FASHION MANDARA TAKOWSKY—ART

MAr k e t in G & s pe c iAl e v e n t s NATASHA ALExANDROVNA DORA COHEN LAUREL DESSER DAWN FURDIGA DANICA HACKING MIKAELLA KHISAMOVA MICHAEL NAUGHTON

c o n t r ib u t o r s qUYEN DO DR . SHEILA FORMAN DENNIS FREEMAN RICHARD GREENE ELIZABETH KUCHINICH ELLEN LAVINTHAL CAROLE LIEBERMAN , MD BARRIE LYNN HARVEY MACKAY MILES MELLOR MICHAEL MOONEY DOUG MOSS RALPH NADER DR . NANAZ PIRNIA NOMI PRINS DION RABOUIN CHRISTINA ROHR CONGRESSMAN RON PAUL JACqUELINE SAINT ANNE ELIZABETH TENHOUTEN SHARON WYNTERS ZANE VERDE

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c o py /Gr Aph ic s We b Ac c o u n t s u ppo r t NIKO TAKOWSKY

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AL KHOSRAVI: GOLDENCOLOR . COM PAT KRAUSE EDWARD SIMMS

Agoura High School Jazz Band

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PHOTOS: Alex Pitt for the Music Center

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OOPS...

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In the February 2012 issue on the article of USA Track and Field Super Star Carmelita Jeter “The Jet” by staff writer Dennis Freeman, we forgot to credit the talented photographer who took those fabulous shots of Carmelita— the USA’s darling top sprinter who soon will be headed off to the London Summer Olympics to stake her claim as... the World’s Fastest Woman.

Photographer Corey Cofield owner of i60studios www.i60studios.com was the master mind behind those beautiful shots we featured and we want to say thank you Corey.

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/16/12 2:49 PM Page 12

CORNO Strokes Her Way Into Main Stream Hearts & Homes Canadian Artist Emerges as the ONE to Watch "Believe in yourself.

Listen to your inner voice.

Follow your dream.” — Corno Heads turn and hearts pound for the bold, raw beauty of artist CORNO’s larger than life paintings.

A long-time provocative sensation in her native Canada, the New York City-based artist—whose career spans 30 years—continues her success as a highly-acclaimed international, commercial artist, but it is her fast emerging cross-over talent in design and merchandising that makes her the One-to-Watch.

A sensational colorist and extraordinary, contemporary artist, CORNO (born Joanne Corneau in Quebec, Canada) is renowned for the movement and energy that resonates from her bold palettes, sweeping, textured brush strokes, and emotive depiction of faces and muscular, sensual bodies.

CORNO’s work comes to life channeling the vitality —the life, death, love, and passion—of New York City from which she draws endless inspiration for her emboldened colors and the uninhibited subjects celebrating the human form.

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/16/12 2:48 PM Page 13

CORNO’s undeniable appeal is far-reaching in art enthusiast circles with a chic, pop culture draw and haute-life, jet-setter following. From coast to coast, continent to continent, her vibrant, multi-panel canvases grace the most discriminated galleries and invoke private commissioned pieces and corporate installments.

Her work often sells prior to completion and entire collections can sell out in just one gallery exhibition. In fact her collection of paintings created exclusively for her second, one-woman show in Dubai this past January sold out entirely.

This intense demand, her vibrant, trend-setting color aesthetic, and pulse on the undercurrent of pop life create the perfect backdrop to evolve off the walls and into the merchandising space for exclusive projects in haute fashion, beauty, design and décor – she just collaborated with Lancôme Canada on a limited edition color cosmetic collection, painting the liberated, beautiful, female face that dons the packaging.

Represented internationally by Opera Gallery and by AKA Gallery in Canada, her worldwide acclaim boasts permanent displays in Montreal, Toronto, New York, Miami, Paris, London, Monaco, Venice, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Dubai. She has celebrated major one-woman exhibitions in London, Singapore, and Dubai and recently caught up with Hollywood’s elite

when she showcased her Marilyn Monroe collection at the exclusive TMG Oscars Suite in celebration of Simon Curtis’ My Week with Marilyn Academy Award nominations.

CORNO’s success seems as limitless as her insatiable passion to move people through her art. It is this passion that has spawned a desire within her to go bigger and reach farther, creating a hunger to touch a wider audience far beyond canvas paintings. As the One-to-Watch, be sure to see more CORNO in bigger, bolder ways griping your heart and home with her kaleidoscope of color and dynamic style.

CORNO invites you to view her paintings and learn more about her background, work, and exhibits by visiting www.cornostudio.com.

Inquiries about purchasing CORNO art or initiating private commissions, corporate installments, licensing opportunities, or collaborating on exclusive merchandising projects can be directed to info@cornostudio.com. l

// bhtmag.com // 13

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/16/12 1:57 PM Page 14

P.S. I LOVE YOU FOUNDATION

Patricia Jones

“Best of L.A. Women’s Business Award”

Event Host Dana Wilkey shows art on display at the silent auction

1736 FAMILY CRISIS CENTER

40th ANNIVERSARY

From Left: Melissa Pollard (Comerica Bank, Senior Vice President— Western Market), Award Recipient Patricia Jones, and Samira Asemanfar (recipient in the Entrepreneurial category).

Comerica Bank and the Los Angeles Lakers awarded Patricia Jones, founder of the P.S. I Love You Foundation its 2012 “BEST OF L.A. WOMEN’S BUSINESS AWARD.” The P.S. I Love You Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing at-risk children through educational and inspirational enrichment programs and community outreach events. Jones received the award in the category of “Woman of Philanthropy.” A senior Comerica Bank representative presented Ms. Jones the award center court prior to a L.A. Lakers home game at the STAPLES Center. This is the third year the L.A. Lakers has teamed with Comerica Bank to present the business awards and recognize women in leadership in Los Angeles.

“I am truly humbled by this award especially coming from these two big organizations,” said Ms. Jones. “It was a bigger than life experience,” she added about being center court at the STAPLES Center. “I don’t carry the foundation on my shoulders alone, we have awesome volunteers and sponsors and this award is for them. Without their continued support the foundation wouldn’t exist,” she said while acknowledging the organizations that 14 // bhtmag.com //

supported the award opportunity, “This awards program is amazing and I hope it continues to celebrate business women in the community... I honor what Comerica and the Lakers are doing for women.” Jones is also a full-time realtor, mother of two, and she resides in Redondo Beach, California.

The vision of the P.S. I Love You Foundation is to ensure all children have a healthy sense of self, feel loved and believe that they can accomplish great things. The Foundation provides educational enrichment and one-onone mentor programs that influence positive attitudes, health and well being, social development and HOPE that support their development and healthy sense of self. Creating positive and personal differences in the lives of at-risk children encourages them onto productive lives, healthy habits and peaceful attitudes toward themselves and others. The outcome to be celebrated.

P.S. I Love You Foundation 1408 Goodman Ave. Redondo Beach, CA 90278 310.420.4717 Patricia Jones Email: patriciajones11@verizon.net Telephone: 310-374-4717

Dana Wilkey and Taylor Armstrong Since 1972, 1736 Family Crisis of BRAVO'S The Real Housewives Center has supported the urgent needs of Beverly Hills hosted a fabulous of victims of domestic violence, runbenefit at Dana’s fabuaway and homelous Hollywood Hills less youth, homehome in support of 1736 less families, unemFamily Crisis Center. ployed adults and The title sponsor of youth, and other the event was Toyota low-income comFinancial Services, who munity members has been one of 1736 who are in need Family Crisis Center’s of assistance. The top private donors for 1736 Family Crisis many years.

Center provides Other sponsors professional, cutincluded Phillipe Chow, Dana Wilkey, Taylor Armstrong, ting-edge, compreAdrienne Maloof, Kyle Richards hensive programs Diageo, Anheuser Busch and Coca Cola. that are managed Numerous celebrities attended to by licensed therapists, attorneys and support this important cause: Kyle experienced staff for men, women, Richards, Adrienne Maloof, Dr. Paul children 24 hours a day through five Nassif, Bai Ling, Dr. Estella Sneider, shelters, three community service Peggy Tanous, Chef Bernie, Adam centers and five crisis hot lines.

Gaynor from Matchbox 20, Deidra “The shelters of 1736 Family Crisis Whitt, Cindy Rocker, Ian Ziering, Brian Center are happy, safe places Herskowitz, Gina Hecht. Ace Young, where families rebuild Diana Degarmo and Drew Ryniewicz their broken lives, create safe among many others. and healthy futures and The evening included speeches release the pain of the past.” from Tobi Quintiliani, Senior Director of —Taylor Armstrong 1736 Family Crisis Center and Taylor Armstrong. There were sensational Each year, the Center benefits gift bags for everyone donated by approximately 25,000 people of all the generosity of Milena’s Boutique backgrounds and cultures through who also donated more than $10,000 far-reaching shelter and community worth of candles to light the night service center-based programs. and provide a most beautiful scent VISIT: www.1736fcc.org to the heartfelt evening.

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:17 PM Page 15

A decades old family-owned business building monumental fountains, pools and waterfalls for the rich & famous

Crystal Pools Owner Jim Goldsmith

takes backyard environments to the sublime!

It started in Beverly Hills, California, back in 1931 with one of the most photographed fountains in the world—the Electric Fountain located on the corner of Santa Monica and Wilshire Boulevards; the famous illumination of light that rainbows across the water captivates all who pass by. And, as fate would have it...it’s the fountain Jim Goldsmith’s grandfather William McNulty helped construct. From there...a legendary family business was born! For more than 81 years, a mind set for the brilliant, exotic, and above all an appreciation for the beauty, look and feel of natural rock and mountain landscaping has kept Crystal Pools— the world leader in creating back yard bliss; a literal one-stop-shop for outdoor entertaining. Outrageous pools, breathtaking waterfalls, and back yard environmental wonderlands offering all the amenities of an island get-away—just feet from your door keep the lifestyles of A-listers very comfy. And, Jim’s passion in life, artistic eye for detail and hands-on talent for creating the dynamic (no doubt inherited from his grandfather) keep him a very happy man.

“For me it was always about a desire to build.

Growing up I was always building something in some form. I just like to create. I feel my artistic ability is an

in-born quality. When I walk into someone’s back yard, I can tell within the first five minutes what I’m going to do. The minute I see the yard it just comes to me...what it will look like when the project is completed.”

Although the magnificent environmental settings Jim creates are splashed across architectural and design magazines world wide and featured regularly on TV shows that profile the rich and famous and their homes—Crystal Pools’ claim to fame goes far beyond what we see. Jim is so intent on perfection that he took his company to a level unknown to other pool builders and built a manufacturing plant in Camarillo, California that makes the rock he uses.

Fake-looking rock was not an option for him “Nothing looks worse than fake rock. I have seen mega-million dollar homes and they hired the wrong rock guy and ended up with something that looks like the faux rock you see in a gas station. I redo these kinds of pools all the time. Our custom pools are made

out of custom man-made rock. We’ve spent 30 years and a lot of money perfecting the art and technology that provides our clients with a true and natural setting.

Our rock is taken from molds of an actual mountain rock; the look, feel, color and longevity of what we design, construct and create lasts a lifetime.”

Design • Engineering • Permits • Excavation Demolition • Patios • Gardens • Masonry Landscape • Waterfalls • Ponds • Infinity Pools Remodels • Spas • Remote Control Lighting “We do everything outdoors. If somebody wants a home amusement park we do it for them. I went into the art of pool building to make what I create look convincing. Even after all these years the yards we create still take my breath away. My only competition is mother nature herself.” l 805.987.5445 www.crystalpoolsandrock.com

// bhtmag.com // 15

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:31 PM Page 16

COSMIC JACK

By Suzanne Takowsky

Photography Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Francoise Rhodes

LOOK—UP ON THE HARLEY! It’s Superman? It’s Elvis? NO! It’s cosmic super artist extraordinaire Jack Armstrong. His entrances are definitely over-the-top and his Hollywood swagger is beyond jaw-dropping, but there is more to this 6 foot-big muscle-cool hair-sweet talking dude than just his flamboyant wardrobe and designer sunglasses. Andy Warhol referred to him as the “Last Wizard” and as it turns out...millions of his fans throughout the world agree that NOBODY does it better than Jack!

It began in a small town on the Arkansas River in Wichita, Kansas where Jack Armstrong was born and raised. He recalls a passion for bright colors and a brush in his hand by age three. In first grade, at age six, he took home his first art award for a brilliantly multi-colored painting he titled, Camelot Castle. And while most kids his age were playing in the back yard, Jack was intently studying with growing passion the works of the greatest artists the world has known, and says the critical influence on his own art was the work of Van Gogh. He headed to New York in 1979, and as fate would have it during an outing at Bloomingdales one afternoon, he bumped smack into one of his idols—Andy Warhol. He says about meeting Warhol..."It was just neat to be a young artist accepted by the most famous artist of his time. Back then I was doing stuff that was way more splashy than I am now. But Warhol liked my painting and he liked me.” By the time the 90s rolled around Jack had perfected a style all his own—one that is hard to overlook. He christened it—Cosmic Extensionalism and he vowed that during his career he would only execute 100 works on canvas.

Along with his paintings (collectors pieces that range in price from $300,000.00 to $3 million dollars), in 2009 and 2012 Jack published three art books containing the full library of his 100 paintings. His brush style casts an infinite prism of extreme light and color that offers a good presentation of why he chose the word “cosmic” to describe his life’s passion. Warhol told him, “It is more alchemy than art.” Jack travels the world showcasing his brush stroke genius and these days his paint strokes target more than canvas. His latest artistic venture is by all standards in keeping with his bigger than life need to take the world by surprise. It’s a million dollar, one-of-a-kind Harley that fans and critics throughout the world agree just might be his biggest Cosmic expression to date. But choosing a motorcycle to paint was no accident.

“I’ve raced off-road motorcycles since I was 13-years-old and I rode my first Harley Davidson in Chicago when I was 16,” he says. “I felt like a Rock Star when I rode a Harley...I felt like I was Steve McQueen. I love the chrome, the paint and especially the sound. I decided years ago to paint and create my own cosmic brand and after telling Warhol about my idea (mid 80s) he was intrigued enough to proclaim that after he was no longer painting I would become in his words, “the last wizard” of art. I told him if I had a chance to paint a really expensive motorcycle it had to be a Harley.

He loved the idea when I said someday...I would paint a million dollar BIKE!

Artist Jack Armstrong unveils his million dollar Cosmic Harley in LA. 16 // bhtmag.com //

Lorenzo Lamas & Jack at the Harley-Davidson unveiling of the Cosmic Starship in LA

Standing in front of one of Jack’ s paintings, he and Tony Suarez celebrate the Chinese New Year 2012: Year of the Dragon

In 2010, Harley Davidson asked me to create a unique motorcycle. I said I would, but it had to be priced at a million or more. They agreed. I spent six months creating something that looked like it had traveled from the stars to earth. I could only name it, "The Cosmic Starship Harley-Davidson!"

Jack has not only traveled the world for his art, but has lived in London, Paris and Switzerland.

He says that painting in the South of France was one of his most inspiring experiences because it’s where Van Gogh and Gauguin painted. “That was a mythical time in my life where the paintings and light brought magic to my work. I believe that clear, bright light brings something special to the artist who paints outdoors. I’ve never painted any cosmic paintings inside—EVER!” Jack says he will always maintain a residence in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, but in the works he will open the Armstrong Gallery for American Artists in Fayettville Arkansas this summer. Located a 30-minute drive south of Bentonvillle Arkansas, the hometown of Alice Walton, where in 1962 her father Sam Walton started the Walton 5-10 Cent store that later became Walmart. Jack says that Ms. Walton recently put the final touches on the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art—a $1.2 billion dollar/nine year project that has garnered rave reviews around the world. Like Ms. Walton, he believes NW Arkansas will become a future artist Mecca; it is already a major stop on the international museum scene.

“Opening a gallery where I exhibit the most cutting-edge, contemporary art in the world will not only be a sensation, but encourage undiscovered, talented artists to submit their work. Leo Castelli and Ivan Karp, the two most famous U.S. dealers of the 60s, 70s and early 80s discovered most of the big names of that period, and loved to meet and critique artists for possible exhibits. That no longer exists in big name galleries, offering NO hope to young artists. I will help change that current situation, and as a successful artist I will help future stars of the art world get a break. In the last year and a half I do see a change in major collectors like Victor Pinchuk, who created a museum in Russia and buys directly from artists, instead of dealers; exactly what Ms. Walton is doing. This a major shift in how high-end art is sold and collected. Finally, extremely talented artists rising to the top will be able to make a living while they are still alive— rather than after they have passed on.”

Jack’s reputation for the marvelous has grown internationally to the extent that his “Rock Star” status in the world of splashy art is legendary.

He is the first American artist to be featured by FineArtsTV-Europe.com.

Renowned collectors including Alice Walton, Michel Polnareff and Narendra Patel among others have acquired pieces from Jack. And indeed, his just released third coffee table art book—Cosmic Star Trip—is proving to be an international hit. The soft bound, 46 page, 18×12 laminated front and back covers display Jack’s full range of spectacular color. The Limited Edition 3-book collection retails for $1000.

THE LAST WIZARD With all of his success I had to ask...WHY STOP AT 100 PAINTINGS? He said, "100 is a mystical thing. Everyone wants to live to be 100. And, only 100 people on this planet will own a Jack Armstrong painting. The fact that there are only 100 of my paintings allows me to say truthfully that I never repeated myself and I never will." AND WHAT ABOUT THIS SUPER SONIC-SUPER STEALTH HARLEY? “This Harley-Davidson was the most exciting painting I've ever done. Even though the canvas was metal, it was a canvas and this is a painting. I love the fact people all over the world who have never heard of me or of Cosmic Extensionalism have heard of Harley-Davidson.” And the legend continues.........l

THE LAST WIZARD

Media inquiries: Ellen Sterling—ellendianesterling@mac.com Jack Armstrong’s Cosmic Art: jack@jackarmstrongartist.com 310-990-7332 Orders: sells@JackArmstrongArtist.comhttp://jackarmstrongartist.com

Jack is Guest of Honor at the Dragon New Year Celebration Party in Anaheim, California; with the Dragon Dancer Group

Jack & songwriter Oksana Grigorieva at the taping of Skip E. Lowe Remembers Hollywood Show; PBS Channel 6

Jack, Tony Suarez, Robert Star, Pauline Suarez at Year of the Dragon

From Jack’s Cosmic Art Collection. Visit the Cosmic Dream Museum Exhibit for more paintings: www.JackArmstrongArtist.com // bhtmag.com // 17

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:31 PM Page 16

COSMIC JACK

By Suzanne Takowsky

Photography Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Francoise Rhodes

LOOK—UP ON THE HARLEY! It’s Superman? It’s Elvis? NO! It’s cosmic super artist extraordinaire Jack Armstrong. His entrances are definitely over-the-top and his Hollywood swagger is beyond jaw-dropping, but there is more to this 6 foot-big muscle-cool hair-sweet talking dude than just his flamboyant wardrobe and designer sunglasses. Andy Warhol referred to him as the “Last Wizard” and as it turns out...millions of his fans throughout the world agree that NOBODY does it better than Jack!

It began in a small town on the Arkansas River in Wichita, Kansas where Jack Armstrong was born and raised. He recalls a passion for bright colors and a brush in his hand by age three. In first grade, at age six, he took home his first art award for a brilliantly multi-colored painting he titled, Camelot Castle. And while most kids his age were playing in the back yard, Jack was intently studying with growing passion the works of the greatest artists the world has known, and says the critical influence on his own art was the work of Van Gogh. He headed to New York in 1979, and as fate would have it during an outing at Bloomingdales one afternoon, he bumped smack into one of his idols—Andy Warhol. He says about meeting Warhol..."It was just neat to be a young artist accepted by the most famous artist of his time. Back then I was doing stuff that was way more splashy than I am now. But Warhol liked my painting and he liked me.” By the time the 90s rolled around Jack had perfected a style all his own—one that is hard to overlook. He christened it—Cosmic Extensionalism and he vowed that during his career he would only execute 100 works on canvas.

Along with his paintings (collectors pieces that range in price from $300,000.00 to $3 million dollars), in 2009 and 2012 Jack published three art books containing the full library of his 100 paintings. His brush style casts an infinite prism of extreme light and color that offers a good presentation of why he chose the word “cosmic” to describe his life’s passion. Warhol told him, “It is more alchemy than art.” Jack travels the world showcasing his brush stroke genius and these days his paint strokes target more than canvas. His latest artistic venture is by all standards in keeping with his bigger than life need to take the world by surprise. It’s a million dollar, one-of-a-kind Harley that fans and critics throughout the world agree just might be his biggest Cosmic expression to date. But choosing a motorcycle to paint was no accident.

“I’ve raced off-road motorcycles since I was 13-years-old and I rode my first Harley Davidson in Chicago when I was 16,” he says. “I felt like a Rock Star when I rode a Harley...I felt like I was Steve McQueen. I love the chrome, the paint and especially the sound. I decided years ago to paint and create my own cosmic brand and after telling Warhol about my idea (mid 80s) he was intrigued enough to proclaim that after he was no longer painting I would become in his words, “the last wizard” of art. I told him if I had a chance to paint a really expensive motorcycle it had to be a Harley.

He loved the idea when I said someday...I would paint a million dollar BIKE!

Artist Jack Armstrong unveils his million dollar Cosmic Harley in LA. 16 // bhtmag.com //

Lorenzo Lamas & Jack at the Harley-Davidson unveiling of the Cosmic Starship in LA

Standing in front of one of Jack’ s paintings, he and Tony Suarez celebrate the Chinese New Year 2012: Year of the Dragon

In 2010, Harley Davidson asked me to create a unique motorcycle. I said I would, but it had to be priced at a million or more. They agreed. I spent six months creating something that looked like it had traveled from the stars to earth. I could only name it, "The Cosmic Starship Harley-Davidson!"

Jack has not only traveled the world for his art, but has lived in London, Paris and Switzerland.

He says that painting in the South of France was one of his most inspiring experiences because it’s where Van Gogh and Gauguin painted. “That was a mythical time in my life where the paintings and light brought magic to my work. I believe that clear, bright light brings something special to the artist who paints outdoors. I’ve never painted any cosmic paintings inside—EVER!” Jack says he will always maintain a residence in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, but in the works he will open the Armstrong Gallery for American Artists in Fayettville Arkansas this summer. Located a 30-minute drive south of Bentonvillle Arkansas, the hometown of Alice Walton, where in 1962 her father Sam Walton started the Walton 5-10 Cent store that later became Walmart. Jack says that Ms. Walton recently put the final touches on the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art—a $1.2 billion dollar/nine year project that has garnered rave reviews around the world. Like Ms. Walton, he believes NW Arkansas will become a future artist Mecca; it is already a major stop on the international museum scene.

“Opening a gallery where I exhibit the most cutting-edge, contemporary art in the world will not only be a sensation, but encourage undiscovered, talented artists to submit their work. Leo Castelli and Ivan Karp, the two most famous U.S. dealers of the 60s, 70s and early 80s discovered most of the big names of that period, and loved to meet and critique artists for possible exhibits. That no longer exists in big name galleries, offering NO hope to young artists. I will help change that current situation, and as a successful artist I will help future stars of the art world get a break. In the last year and a half I do see a change in major collectors like Victor Pinchuk, who created a museum in Russia and buys directly from artists, instead of dealers; exactly what Ms. Walton is doing. This a major shift in how high-end art is sold and collected. Finally, extremely talented artists rising to the top will be able to make a living while they are still alive— rather than after they have passed on.”

Jack’s reputation for the marvelous has grown internationally to the extent that his “Rock Star” status in the world of splashy art is legendary.

He is the first American artist to be featured by FineArtsTV-Europe.com.

Renowned collectors including Alice Walton, Michel Polnareff and Narendra Patel among others have acquired pieces from Jack. And indeed, his just released third coffee table art book—Cosmic Star Trip—is proving to be an international hit. The soft bound, 46 page, 18×12 laminated front and back covers display Jack’s full range of spectacular color. The Limited Edition 3-book collection retails for $1000.

THE LAST WIZARD With all of his success I had to ask...WHY STOP AT 100 PAINTINGS? He said, "100 is a mystical thing. Everyone wants to live to be 100. And, only 100 people on this planet will own a Jack Armstrong painting. The fact that there are only 100 of my paintings allows me to say truthfully that I never repeated myself and I never will." AND WHAT ABOUT THIS SUPER SONIC-SUPER STEALTH HARLEY? “This Harley-Davidson was the most exciting painting I've ever done. Even though the canvas was metal, it was a canvas and this is a painting. I love the fact people all over the world who have never heard of me or of Cosmic Extensionalism have heard of Harley-Davidson.” And the legend continues.........l

THE LAST WIZARD

Media inquiries: Ellen Sterling—ellendianesterling@mac.com Jack Armstrong’s Cosmic Art: jack@jackarmstrongartist.com 310-990-7332 Orders: sells@JackArmstrongArtist.comhttp://jackarmstrongartist.com

Jack is Guest of Honor at the Dragon New Year Celebration Party in Anaheim, California; with the Dragon Dancer Group

Jack & songwriter Oksana Grigorieva at the taping of Skip E. Lowe Remembers Hollywood Show; PBS Channel 6

Jack, Tony Suarez, Robert Star, Pauline Suarez at Year of the Dragon

From Jack’s Cosmic Art Collection. Visit the Cosmic Dream Museum Exhibit for more paintings: www.JackArmstrongArtist.com // bhtmag.com // 17

Jilda ask

Ask Jilda Hi, I am really in a lot of emotional pain and I hope you can give me some insight. I recently met a potential boyfriend on the phone. A mutual friend said we would absolutely have a love connection so I told her to give him my number. From the moment we spoke I was in love! He was sweet, funny, smart and witty. We began to speak every day and night.We texted pictures as well. He was very handsome and sexy in the pictures. I thought for sure this was THE ONE. Our daily connecting went on for 2 weeks while we worked out our schedules and planned to meet. Finally the day had come.

It was love at first site. We had sex the following week. The problem is he was on the small side and just couldn’t satisfy my needs. We tried different positions and styles but nothing worked. Is there any hope? Everything else is a dream come true. Help Belinda, Newport Beach, Ca Hi Belinda, Wow girl I feel your pain. There are many artificial alternatives on the market. Do you really want to go there? I feel the sexual elements in a relationship

Jilda Shernoff is the founder and creative visionary for the international cosmetics company, Jilda Beverly Hills. Jilda is a former fitness model turned Beverly Hills image consultant.

She is now a reality TV personality and has been featured on networks such as E! Entertainment, the Food Network among many others. As a prominent Beverly Hills socialite, Jilda has chosen to use her voice to make a global difference. Jilda’s passion for philanthropy and charitable causes brought her to the place where she is currently writing and producing a documentary entitled, “Why Women Stay”. The documentary is based on her soon-to-be released book of the same name. Known for her endless contributions to many local and national charities, Jilda is also an avid supporter and spokeswoman for the House of Ruth, a charity against domestic violence.

If you have a question for Jilda, go to http://www.askJilda.com

are as important as all the others. Ok, I’m sure he is a great friend, but the person you get intimate and emotionally involved with must be the total package baby. I’m sorry, but I think you have little or no options in this situation.

Living with being unfulfilled sexually will eventually cause serious resentment and future heartache. So sorry I can’t say something you want to hear. I think your Prince Charming, Knight in Shiny Armor, love of your life is still out there looking for YOU! Good luck Jilda ---- • ---Ask Jilda, I am a 23 year old girl. My father is 46. My parents have been divorced for some time now. Believe me I am over it. I recently met my father for a short lunch date and he brought a new girlfriend. The issue is she was younger than me. What could they possibly have in common? She barely talked the whole time. I just don’t get it? What is your take on this.

Elle Hi Elle, I don’t want to generalize the male population, but there is a specific type of man who seeks this dynamic. Men

by nature are very visual creatures.

Of course, they can admire a smart, educated, successful woman, but is that the deal breaker or the way to this man’s heart or head. NO!!! They have to like what they see more so than what they hear. These men need to feel admired not admire. They need to feel lust not like, brilliant not belittled. This proves my point. A younger more innocent woman tends to be more easily influenced, infatuated and impressed. These are feelings that make that type of man feel empowered, sexy and confident.

Wouldn’t you want to be with someone who makes you feel that way? Especially if you can’t achieve that feeling independently. Like I said I can’t generalize, but the type of man who seeks a much younger woman usually values these qualities.

Jilda

J www.facebook.com/jilda.shernoff http://www.askjilda.blogspot.com/ http://www.JildaShernoff.com/ @Jilda90210

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:40 PM Page 19

// bhtmag.com // 19

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:45 PM Page 20

Beverly Hills Financial Heavy Weight

Michael J. Krupin

a big player on the chess board of life....

LITERALLY!

By Suzanne Takowsky Photography by David Sobel 20 // bhtmag.com //

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:52 PM Page 21

H

aving spent my life perfecting my craft— write interesting stories AND have people read them—I found it shocking weeks ago when someone brought to my attention that I was in the entertainment business.

ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS? I protested that I do not write entertainment; that my goal as a journalist is to offer interestingly, informative articles. WHAT? Mission NOT accomplished?

Reluctantly, I re-examined what my power with the pen brings forth and found myself considering three things: #1. Out of all the places I could have lived and worked I chose LA; specifically Beverly Hills. Not exactly a political mecca or hard news arena like Washington.

And I write for the Beverly Hills Times magazine— not the Wall Street Journal. Translation: So almost “by accident” I live and work in the “entertainment” capitol of the world. BIG DEAL! #2. I ABSOLUTELY DO bring cutting-edge, newsworthy stories to my readers. BUT according to my staff, my stories gravitate toward how to stay looking young and skinny and live a fabulous life forever. WHO in Beverly Hills doesn’t think this is VITAL news? #3. That I avoid writing stories that might bring readers “down”—SO NOT TRUE. I’m a staunch animal rights activist and include stories about rescuing animals and bettering their lives (stories and photos can be shocking!). Although my staff admits this to be true, they “alerted” me to the fact I preach more on how people can better the lives of animals, than on how people can better their own lives—that doesn’t revolve around beauty, health and fitness, or how to spring clean your brain and avoid a trip to rehab. OMG! So here we go people. A serious, interesting, hardhitting, eye-opening look into how to better your life that doesn’t revolve around how you look, but how to achieve peace of mind. The topic will NOT bring you down, but will change your perspective on two things NONE of us can run or hide from: life and death. And this article will shock you from the “deep sleep” of hoping to secure your financial future (and that of your family) by winning the lottery, buying a big house or stashing cash in a savings account for a rainy day.

And who better for me to profile for this story, than a man whose business is educating adults on HOW to become responsible, independent grown-ups.

Michael J. Krupin rose from the depths of poverty with a fire in his belly to change his life. He was 17years-old when he left the backwoods of a tiny town —Salem, Virginia to make something of his life that he could be proud of. He never went back. Home had been a two-room, small house where he lived with his sister, mother, father, grandmother and grandfather; all crowded in together. Although Mike took with him unresolved memories of a childhood filled with hardship and emotional void brought on by parents who were not supportive or nurturing in his life; he left behind the negative tapes that so often play in our heads telling us what we CAN’T do.

He was on a mission to find out what he COULD do.

Mike also took one more thing with him on his journey: the guts to not only survive, but thrive and succeed in a world that rarely gives a second chance at a new beginning.

Mike Krupin is legendary in the wealth distribution, financial advisory, insurance industry. With 41-years in the business world in his back pocket, there isn’t much he doesn’t know, or can’t do. He is a serious guy who does serious business, and he has built an empire

educating people on how to “reorganize” their thought process to make their lives work for them.

AS OPPOSED to continuing to run on a rat wheel that can and does dead end in financial disaster.

I had to admit to him that winning the BIG LOTTO definitely has a place in my retirement/estate planning package. Smirk if you want to, but you’ve all thought about it, and bought Lotto tickets too!!!!

Could this be the most serious, interesting and life-preserving journalistic article I’ve ever written?

Yes indeed, it just might be! Especially now in these uncertain times when everything we’ve worked for is riding on the decisions we make today, I don’t know one person who won’t go for some FREE financial “reorganization” tips from an expert whose business is to protect what we have built, and keep our hard earned dollars in our pockets. But what about the “wealth distribution” part? I considered if that would also appeal to readers. I know that whenever I hear Suzy Orman or some CNN expert talk about wealth building/distribution it sounds interesting, but I’m forced to contemplate the relevancy of “wealth distribution” in my own life (maybe you’ve felt the same way). I mean how many of us have wealth to redistribute? And on the topic of life and disability insurance; are people up for that right now? Well, after you read this article you probably will be.

As a single, working mother of three, I’ve spent years building a business that I hope continues to provide for my kids after I’m gone. Not that I plan to “check out” anytime soon because although my life is hectic and my work stressful, I’m as healthy as a work horse. Oye Vey what a glamorous comparison!

But true. Nevertheless, because this is how I’ve always thought—that nothing is going to happen to me—maybe there are a few things I need to reconsider; maybe there are a few things we all should reconsider. Occasionally, we need to step out of “our world” and let someone with a new and educated perspective give us a qualified and unbiased view of ways to make our lives better; ways we never considered. Or maybe ways we considered, but never thought we could do.

The day I walked into Mike’s Beverly Hills office for our interview (he also has offices in Richmond, Virginia and New York) the first thing that caught my eye was the array of exotic fish having a blast in a large, high tech tank they call “home.” Next...all of the “Thank you for your help and guidance” notes splashed across photos of superstars, athletes and tons of recognizable faces from every field you can imagine. Mike is extremely successful at what he does because he is working with an unbeatable team: his intelligence and his compassion for others.

He is no-nonsense when it comes to business, but easy to talk to and non-judgmental. These are incredibly important when you’re detailing a laundry list of the hits and misses in your life, and need a sympathetic ear to evaluate your next move. I asked straight forward questions I thought everyone would want answers to, and even spilled the beans on personal concerns regarding my business, and how to best help my kids down the road. As a single parent, paying the bills and helping my kids launch into lives and careers of their own, these things are always on my mind. I’m sure many of you are in the same boat.

Mike’s first sentence set the tone for the interview: “The ONLY thing I require from clients is they are truthful with me about their health, finances and intention with their families; I take care of the rest.”

DAMN—one minute into the interview and I was already stuck between a rock and a hard place. So in keeping with his honesty-request-business-mantra,

FIRST QUESTION ST: HELP? MK: Each person has specific needs and desires for their money and assets. What are yours?

ST: To have money for retirement and leave every penny and asset I have to my kids if something happens to me. Do you help regular people or are your clients only the wealthy?

MK: Although I have a reputation for helping high net worth individuals and families reorganize life insurance options for estate planning, I help 99% of everyone who walks through my door regardless of whether they are a doctor, actor, business owner, attorney, politician, school teacher, senior citizen or individual from another country who lives in the United States.

If you want financial independence into retirement and to protect your assets for yourself and loved ones —you need a plan to accomplish these goals. We spend our lives working to take care of ourselves and our families. But with all the fine print that gets glossed over in financial/retirement/insurance/estate protection solutions, people often discover that what they thought would take care of them when they retire, or take care of their heirs when they pass on—isn’t there. Without a financial plan for your life and, one in place in case of your death, every day is a crap shoot with you dreading what’s around the corner.

Without a financial plan for your life and one in place in case of your death, everyday is a crap shoot with you dreading what’s around the corner. People don’t realize they have it within their power to live—rather than fear life. But hindsight is always better than NOWsight.

Why live in fear hoping the unthinkable won’t happen?

Then, face disaster if it does.

People don’t understand they have it in their power to live, rather than fear life. But hindsight is always better than NOWsight. Why live in fear hoping the unthinkable won’t happen, or that things will fall into place when the time comes? Put in place NOW a retirement plan to accommodate your lifestyle later.

Protect yourself NOW in case a disability appears later. Act NOW when you have a voice to protect those you love when you pass on. Prepare as best you can for what could happen; if it doesn’t terrific.

But if it does...you have in place what you need to make any transition an effective one for all involved.

Not one of us knows what tomorrow might bring. continued page 22

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"In this economic climate people know that liquidity is not to be taken for granted. Estate planning relies on longevity and market performanceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; neither of which we have any control over.

High net worth clients use life insurance to replace or supplement liquid assets that plummeted in value during the recent downturn such as real estate properties, stocks, mutual funds, business holdings... as well as to provide the cash needed to pay estate tax and cover other wealth transfer costs. New and more efficient policies benefit clients in achieving these objectives at a greatly reduced cost.

Some people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand the leverage life insurance offers, but once it is explained to them a light goes off.

Life insurance is the only financial instrument that comes with guarantees: a secured retirement, leverage with wealth transfer, it preserves assets and, it is tax free cash!â&#x20AC;?

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 6:58 PM Page 23

It’s true what Mike says. People are running on FEAR. Fear from what happened or could happen.

Fear of not being able to make money. People everywhere are worried; some are traumatized because due to financial mismanagement and bad estate planning have lost everything. After listening to Mike, I know that I’m not fully prepared. My excuse is always I’m “too busy” to sit down with an advisor, go over my options and make a workable plan that fits my life. That has to change!

Because If I don’t make it a priority to take care of myself and my family with good planning now, then regardless of how hard I work, it won’t mean anything if something happens I’m not prepared for. This whole “prepared” thing seems to be less about net worth and more about common sense.

ST: You led a sheltered life in a small town. What and who prepared you to go out into the big world of business? How did you get so smart?

MK: (Smiles). My father hardly said a word to me or anyone. Thelma, my mother talked a lot, but we didn’t discuss school, my future or what I wanted to do. What taught me about life was sports: football, baseball and wrestling, especially wrestling.

Sports taught me about bonding and today, my dearest friends are still the 10 guys I went to high school with, played sports with and graduated with.

We talk every day. Sports made me a disciplined person. My daily routine hasn’t changed in years.

I get up at 5:00 a.m; work out, and I’m in the office by 7:00-7:30; seven days a week—I don't need an alarm clock to get up. This might sound funny, but I'm afraid if I change anything it could all fall apart.

I mean I know it's not going to fall apart, but still I feel I have to stick with a routine that’s been good for me. I feel as long as I stay disciplined and, continue to do the things that got me here, then it's all going to be good. It's all going to be great.

And great it is! Ranked among the 1% of life insurance advisors in the wealth redistribution industry, Mike’s clients are the Who’s Who of the rich and famous. Incredibly, his breakneck work schedule realizes his firm more than $2 billion dollars a year in life insurance/estate planning policies. A distinguished member and recipient of numerous awards from organizations including, National Association of Life Underwriters, Million Dollar Roundtable, National Association of Financial Advisors and International Association of Registered Financial Planners among others, have bestowed on him an enviable edge in his industry. Mike works with some of the most recognized law firms, business managers and financial advisors in the world to protect the interests of their super sonic, haut monde clients. A highly-sought after speaker, his career has expanded internationally into teaching seminars that instruct next generation professionals not just the value of writing a policy, but how to foster relationships that span decades with trustworthy, skilled and ingenious know-how—keeping clients happy, protected and in the black.

ST: It’s incredible what you’ve accomplished in such a competitive business, and in Beverly Hills!

Some say it’s luck or fate… what do you think?

MK: Absolutely, I’m fortunate to be here, and I’ve found that a southern gentleman in Beverly Hills does very well. But I came with the same traits I

had in Virginia. Yes, ma'am. No, ma'am. Thank you notes. Follow up. Do what you say you'll do. Be available. Be accessible. Be polite and build a relationship. People notice that I'm a nice person.

Because of where I came from, I’m humble and I go out of my way to help people and I do whatever it takes to accomplish whatever my clients need.

They see it and they appreciate it. And they like me for it. I’m a good guy, and I’ve been that way my whole life. I don't like confrontation; I'll address it and try to find a solution that's fair to everybody and then move forward. I don't spend time fighting off problems or postponing a complication. If there is an obstacle…what is it? I want to address it and move on. Another thing I don't dwell on is the past.

Bad things happen in the past. But they happen.

When the economy collapsed in 2008, it affected everyone. It happened, but let's go forward. That's all that counts. The future. The next day. I'm still here. I tell my staff and people I train in seminars; be nice to people. Be truthful and always put their best interests first. That's the key. Put their best interests first. And it works. Word gets around and the next thing you know—you have clients.

ST: Let’s talk about ‘those clients’. It’s your job to help them avoid mistakes that could be disastrous. Does everyone listen to what you tell them?

What mistakes do people make with life insurance?

MK: With regard to the first part of your question; no not everyone listens to what I tell them. But those with the most to lose…they almost always listen.

About the common mistakes people make with life insurance. Well, a big one is that they apply to one carrier, unaware that one company underwrites a person completely differently than another. For a client that means the difference between getting accepted, or not if a medical condition is involved.

Once a person is declined by a company, it deters other companies from accepting them because medical information stays on the MIB (Medical Insurance Board) for five years. Also a “decline” might force a client to pay considerably more for a policy they could have secured for much less with another carrier. Because I have access to 50 different insurance and financial companies, and have relationships with these people that span 40 years—I don’t let my clients get declined. Problem solved. Another mistake I see is people don’t have their insurance set up correctly and don’t realize how ownership, beneficiary designations and product selection of their policy can dramatically impact the benefit and value of their policy. The most damaging to any estate planning program is improper disposition of assets. There are other mistakes but these create disastrous circumstances.

ST: Poor and from the mountains of Virginia; did you ever think you would end up a millionaire?

MK: Never. I slept on a rollaway bed and my sister had a rollaway bed with mom and dad. We didn't have a shower; we had to heat water on the stove if we wanted to take a bath. It was my job everyday to bring coal in from an alley to put in the stove. My parents and grandparents worked in a foundry— everybody worked in that foundry—but we never had any money. Sports scholarships not academics gave me a way out because I was a C-student in school. No one in my family ever read a book, so there wasn’t a book in the house to read. I am the

only one who graduated from high school. In my senior year I had about 15 sports scholarships to places like Miami, but couldn’t get accepted because I needed 800 on my SAT scores...when I took the test I got 790; no college would take me. My high school coach called St. Christopher’s Prep School in Richmond, Virginia and said…“We have a great student. If you give him a chance to get in I think it would benefit everybody.” I had an interview at the school the next day. I went home and told Thelma…

“Mama I’m leaving,” she said “Mike where are you going?” I replied, “I’m going to Richmond, Virginia to see if I can get in this boarding school so I can go to college.” She asked, “How are you getting there?”

I said, “I’m going to hitch hike.” I put on a clip-on tie, a blue blazer, the only one I ever had, got on the freeway and hitch hiked. A guy in the army on his way to Norfolk, Virginia picked me up. I still don't know where he dropped me off, but I asked about 100 people how to get to St. Christopher's Prep School. The headmaster, football director, athletic director all came to greet me. Everything was, “Mr. Krupin”; I took the entrance exam and waited in the library. Finally, they walked in and looked at me and said, “Mr. Krupin, we must tell you that's the worst entrance exam we have ever seen. That being said, we feel if we do not accept you... you would never make it to any college, son.” I said, “Excuse me sir does that mean I'm in?” The football coach said, “Yes. Football practice starts Monday.”

Incredibly, I discovered 45-years later at a football reunion something I never knew. By then the headmaster was in his 80s, and also at the reunion. I was retelling the story of how I got into the school to my buddies when the headmaster got up from the table and said, “Mr. Krupin” and I said, “Yes sir,” and he says in front of everyone…“I graded that paper and I must tell you, you didn't know a lot.

And all you wrote the essay on was football, but the last sentence is what got you into college.”

Everybody is looking at him and at me because I never knew anything about what he was saying.

Then he says, ”The last thing you said on that essay was, "I've learned one thing about football.

If you get knocked on the ground, you better get up."

Then he said... “That’s what got you in.”

ST: After you left home you never looked back; what about your family; you never went back?

MK: Never. I didn't see any reason to go back. It's funny. I don't know. My parents never came to visit me the whole year I was in boarding school at St. Christopher's or when I was in college. My sister, Donnabell got married when she was 17; about a year before I left for school and moved away. I remember the funeral when Thelma died, my sister came and we were talking; I hadn't seen my sister in 20 years. She said, ‘Michael, wasn't it so sad we grew up so poor?’ I looked at her and said, “I didn't know we were poor." This was a moment when two siblings are together looking at life in a different way. She said, "Well, why do you think I got married so young?” I said…"How do I know? All I knew was that I had more room in the house when you left and right after you left—I left.”

Then Mike says something quite interesting…

“But I had a good childhood,” and he says it with a quiet, humble, unspoken sadness as if he needs to continued page 24

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say it out loud to convince himself that maybe it wasn’t as bad as he remembers. And in that moment he also has a need to comfort me, and let me know without saying it that...”Hey...I’m OK”... that I shouldn’t feel bad—because he made it! He made it through his past and found a way to reconcile what happened in his childhood. There is no doubt Mike Krupin is a self-made man in every way; business the least of it. Even in the midst of obvious sadness and what I imagine are painful memories of being denied the emotional connection that we are told parents and familes should have...he is offering his own resolution to keep him connected to his roots.

Bryan and Ashley Krupin at the office in Beverly Hills, California

ST: You were independent so early and wanted out of your “old” life badly; almost for survival.

MK: Salem, Virginia is such a small town. No one ever leaves; grandparents are there, parents, kids —everyone stays. The foundry where my grandparents and parents worked no longer exists, so I’m not sure what people there do for work, but they are still there. I just remember something telling me: Look Mike, if you stay in Salem you’re going to be just like your parents. You’re going to be just like everybody else. You've got to figure a way out. There's got to be more to life than what's in Salem, Virginia. After I got out of St. Christopher's I went to Hampden-Sydney college, a private allmale institution established in 1776, and after about a year, the headmaster came and said, "You know, Mike, you have been here for a year and no tuition has been paid for you." And I go...

"I know." He said, "Well, we are going to let you pay us back after you graduate from college.”

I said, “I like that.” And, I signed my very first promissory note. I didn’t even know what it meant. But when I was able...I paid it back.

Mike has been married 36-years to his wife Marti and they have two children—adults now.

Bryan is 38, and the managing partner at their Beverly Hills firm. Daughter, Ashley, 32, also works with her father and brother as director of business development and chief marketing strategist in their New York office. Bryan lives in Manhattan Beach, California with his wife Zena and their two children, 5-year-old son Harrison and 3-year-old daughter Tatum. The day we did their photo shoot in the Beverly Hills office, it was apparent that Bryan and Ashley are very proud of their father, and both feel fortunate to work along side of him. "My dad and I are best friends," Bryan said. “There's no better experience you can have than working with your mentor or your idol, or in my case, my dad—all the above.

We went out on sales appointments together.

He taught me everything I know. You can't replicate that...you can't pay for that kind of training and that kind of mentorship.”

Mike with Bryan in their New York office; one of their favorite photos together with the Twin Towers backdrop.

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ST: Looking back at your own childhood and now at the relationship you have with your children, how does that make you feel?

MK: I'm so very lucky. I have both my children in the family business, and we are very close. The great thing is they grew up watching me. My work is my passion and I love what I do. All my friends come as a result of that. Bryan and Ashley grew up in that environment and that's why they are

very successful in this business. I believe if you follow your passion, positive energy will lead to success in the workplace and strong relationships in and outside of the office. Fortunately, I have found my passion in business, and it’s even better than I imagined because I am working with my two children to make it a success.”

Possibly because of the non-existent amenities throughout his own childhood, Mike makes it a priority to help others achieve a better life.

For years he has supported integral health organizations such as the American Diabetes Association where he was named, "Father of the Year," and in 2006, he and Marti, along with Ashley and Bryan, formed the Krupin Family Foundation to support programs for education, children’s cancer and healthcare. Among its many other gifts, the Foundation contributed $1 million for a new gymnasium at Mike’s Alma Mater, Hampden-Sydney college. Mike and Marti split their time between residences in Beverly Hills, Richmond, Virginia and New York where they visit family and friends, and Mike oversees his businesses.

ST: It’s easy to see how you, Ashley, Bryan and all those in the insurance industry have the scoop on the ins and outs and what we should do and what works and what needs to be re-organized. But how does a regular person keep up on what they need to do?

MK: Buying life insurance and how much you buy depends on your age, when you buy it, and why you buy it. Many people still don’t know you can buy life insurance in a pension plan, and it is income tax free! Take disability insurance. This is a huge topic and one people tend to avoid because the thought of being disabled is terrifying. But what’s our greatest asset? Cash flow.

How do we get cash flow? We work. But what happens if we become disabled and can’t work?

Then what? The chances of becoming disabled are three times greater than dying. If you become disabled everything stops in your life. Your 401(k) stops. Your pension fund stops. Your stock options stop. Yet...everything else in your life continues like the need to pay living expenses: rent, food, medical bills; they continue no matter what. Is it worth it to make certain your cash flow is uninterrupted in case you can no longer work? You tell me. There is only instrument that compensates for this—life insurance. A new tax law came into effect in January specific for a foreign national who comes into California and buys a house. Let’s say he/she buys a $10 million‑dollar house. Well, that person is not a United States citizen so there is no tax exemption upon death. Say the house was paid for in cash and he/she dies. Well the federal government wants a 35% tax—$3.5 million. When the dust settles the house will be worth less than half of what it was purchased for; half of what the purchaser thought his/her heirs would receive.

There is only one instrument that bypasses this; life insurance. Life insurance offers the taxdeferred tax growth of a policy’s cash value, multiple tax benefits, income-tax free distribution of death benefit proceeds—and it offers tax-free, immediate cash.

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ST: I’ve learned so much from this interview. But I have to bring the dragon out of the closet and ask: Why choose a business that...well you know some think has a reputation that it just takes their money and they get nothing out of it, so why get it? And I hate to say it...but I used to think that way.

MK: Life insurance has that reputation? (laughs) I didn’t know. Thanks for keeping me in the loop. When people ask me to describe life insurance I say: let me tell you about an investment that the moment you buy it—it's guaranteed; the rate of return you make on this investment at your life expectancy is 8% tax free; money from this investment will arrive at the exact moment it's needed—in cash. Interested? They say, “There's no such investment, right?” I go—you're wrong. It's called life insurance. The moment you buy it...it starts earning you money. Life insurance is one of the greatest financial instruments invented by man. It’s a guaranteed contract not correlated to financial markets. During the financial crisis major companies didn't make it. They were taken over or went broke. Not one life insurance company went under. Not one. There has never been a claim made to a life insurance company that wasn't paid.

ST: Never?

MK: Never.

ST: Why the bad rap then?

MK: Because at one time life insurance was solely equated with death. Who wants to think about dying?

High net worth people, however, see the new and varied insurance options as financial investments. Just because you buy disability insurance doesn’t mean you plan on being unable to work. Because you purchase life insurance doesn’t mean your days are numbered.

We don’t know what we need until we need it! It’s never a good time to die. Sometimes you die with your assets up and sometimes you die with them down. Only one cash instrument arrives upon the death of the policy owner—life insurance. What pays death expenses, estate taxes, deficits of money mismanagement and the lifestyle obligations of those left behind? If someone loves their family, loves their wife, loves their kids ...they buy life insurance to protect them. I can tell immediately if a man loves a woman. We’re talking and he says, “I don't need life insurance; if anything happens to me—my wife can remarry.” I go well, she's 40+years old. You have three kids. You live in Beverly Hills. You really think there's a chance? Or I see a man who is not in love with his family and he says to me, “I came into the world with nothing...I've given them a good education; it's up to them.” I go okay. You don't need me. And he is out of my life. Not just for

business, but because that is not the kind of man I want to hang around with. My family means everything to me, and I wouldn’t know how to be around a man who doesn’t feel the same way.

ST: I see the whole planA—life and planB—death scenario. But anticipating the best (we live forever) or facing the worst (someone dies) how do you put a dollar amount of the head of someone you love?

MK: That’s a very difficult and emotional question for the person taking out the policy because we’re talking about his/her possible death. The general theory is survivors are entitled to the economic value of what the deceased would have produced or accumulated during a lifetime. There is no cookie-cutter approach to the individual requirements we have. Life insurance is a strategic plan of action. It’s a very, very powerful instrument. I tell people when you die, you go into the ground. You don't want to take your assets with you.

ST: Well, how do you feel about this interview?

MK: Great. How do you feel I did; I’m not used to this?

ST: Great, but because this is Beverly Hills...I want to title this article; how to REALLY tell if your man loves you? What do you think? (Mike smiles).

What no response????? l

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 7:08 PM Page 26

UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability Hosts “An Evening of Environmental Excellence” honoring Dan A. Emmett & Southern California Edison

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block (left), UCLA Law School Dean Rachel Moran (right) present the Emerald Award for Visionary Leadership to Dan A. Emmett, Chairman of Douglas Emmett, Inc. (center).

UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability (IoES), an organization dedicated to generating knowledge and solving regional and global environmental problems, presented An Evening of Environmental Excellence, honoring Dan A. Emmett, Chairman of Douglas Emmett, Inc. with the Emerald Award for Visionary Leadership. Also receiving an award was Southern California Edison who was presented with the Emerald Award for Corporate Leadership. The event took place at the Beverly Hills home of Jeanne and Tony Pritzker. Tony Pritzker and Tina Quinn co-chaired the evening of a formal dinner with a steller performance by singer and songwriter Vicci Martinez.

Emmy award-winning actor and Extra correspondent Jerry Penacoli emceed and attending celebrity guests included: Quincy Jones, Owen Wilson, Jared Leto and Lana Del Rey. The inaugural fundraiser raised more than $500,000 to support the Institute’s academic offerings, scientific efforts and public programs.

The mission of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability is to generate knowledge and solve regional and global environment problems. The IoES educates the next generation of professional and scientific leaders committed to the health of the planet and drives interdisciplinary environment and sustainability initiatives on campus while informing and encouraging community discussion about critical environmental issues.

Visit www.Environment.UCLA.edu.l

Oscar-winning producer Lawrence Bender (Inconvenient Truth) and Owen Wilson

Quincy Jones & Lana Del Rey

Southern California Edison one the largest energy companies receives the Emerald Award for Corporate Leadership by UCLA IoES Director Glen McDonald (left). SCE President Ronald Litzinger (right) accepted on behalf of the company.

Event co-chair Anthony Pritzker with his wife Jeanne Pritzker 26 // bhtmag.com //

Actor and singer Jared Leto

Performer Vicci Martinez Photo Credit: Vince Bucci

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:03 PM Page 27

P O L I T I C S RICHARD GREENE

The 0.0001% How 2012 CAN CHANGE THE WORLD FOREVER 2012 CAN destroy the old world.

2012 CAN bring in a whole new world.

Nirvana in fact.

On November 6, 2012 the American people can elect a Congress that will, immediately upon induction, solve every significant political, economic, environmental and social challenge facing the country. A Congress that will, for example, on its very first day, solve deep, organic, problems and create entirely new paradigms. A "Nirvana Congress" composed of 218 Dennis Kuciniches in The House of Representative and 60 Filibuster Proof Senators like Bernie Sanders in the Senate, can . . .

Take Money Out of Politics and stand up to the special interests, including the broadcasters, and mandate that television companies and radio companies donate massive amounts of air time to all future candidates to set forth their ideas and tell their personal stories without any attacks on opponents . . . as their contribution to the country, in the public interest, for the privilege of using the public's airwaves and cable municipal monopolies. No other political ads. Starting in 2014, elections, and Democracy, will no longer be a profit center for major corporations.

A "Nirvana Congress" of 218 Dennis Kuciniches and 60 Bernie Sanders would also, immediately END CORPORATE SOCIALISM in Energy and stand up to the oil, coal, natural gas and nuclear power industries and mandate that ALL of the costs of producing the non-renewable, dirty products they produce will be paid BY those industries, instead of being put onto the American people as a kind of "Silent Taxation".

This will allow free market forces, finally emancipated from the "Subsidy of Corporate Socialism", to naturally choose energy sources that do not inflict such silent taxes on the taxpayers, including . . . a) The silent taxation of having American taxpayers pay Trillions to have The United States Military invade oil rich nations and protect key oil shipping lines will end. b) The silent taxation of having mothers and fathers and children pay money to doctors for the health damages caused by breathing in oil fumes near refineries, drink ground water poisoned by leaking petrochemicals, destroy ground water through the process of "fraking" to get the natural gas, breath air that is filled with the byproducts of the combustion of fossil fuels, eat fish that ate other fish that consumed the by-products of oil spills or eat fish that lived in streams that absorbed the heavy mercury from coal fired power plants.

c) Silent taxation on the property values of neighborhoods from the invasion of fumes from nonrenewable energy sources from automobiles, trucks and factories. d) The silent taxation of paying for increased weather damage from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and other fluctuating weather patterns caused, in part, from avoidable, man-made climate change. And, END CORPORATE SOCIALISM That Destroys Our Health and The Health of our Children by standing up to the pharmaceutical industry, the factory farm industry, the fast food industry, the packaged foods industry, the Monsantos of the world that grow GMO food, the high fructose corn syrup consuming companies like Coke and Pepsi and all other industries and companies that threaten our health because it is "cheaper" to make unhealthy products instead of healthier ones that do not inflict the "Silent Taxation" of monstrous side effects, obesity, illness, loss of productivity, cruelty to animals and virtual poisoning of our bodies and environment.

ALL OF THE ABOVE, and much more, CAN HAPPEN ON NOVEMBER 6, 2012.

All that is needed is to elect 279 people.

•

No more Pre-Emptive Military Action against countries that do not threaten us.

• No more unfair tax cuts to insulate the super wealthy from paying their fair share.

ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, other networks and Republicans in the House and Senate would be furious, but could do nothing to keep money as the primary determinant of power in politics if the American people elect a "Nirvana Congress" that creates true and total public financing for America...

—NO Billionaires can buy elections —NO politicians have to prostitute themselves to special interests.

• No more subsidies to Big Oil and Big Agriculture.

• No more free ride to the abuses of Wall Street.

• No more laws punishing gay people for who they are, or preventing women from making choices about their own bodies.

• Immediate "Single Payer" health care for everyone.

• Immediate laws making it possible for us to be Energy Independent and Energy Secure and off our reliance on Arab and other foreign oil.

• Immediate laws to help stop global Climate Change.

We can have it all in 2012, just by electing 279 individuals out of 308,000,000.

That's 1/10,000th of 1%... And we're probably already about 20% there with incumbents that will likely be re-elected, so that means we are down to about 223. Out of 308,000,000. I say this because there are already about 56 Members of Congress who are 100% dedicated to The Nirvana Plan. I know this is true because I have had dinner with some of them, spoken to many of them, interviewed many of them, followed the careers of many of them for enough years to know that they are, indeed—"Nirvana Candidates".

Congressman Dennis Kucinich is the leader of this group. His 100% integrity and commitment to principle and the best interests of the country with NO regard for special economic or political interests is stunning and inspiring. With a little more awareness of this extraordinary public servant, it might well become contagious.

There are others. Senator Bernie Sanders. Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Former Congressman Alan Grayson, Senators Barbara Boxer, Debbie Stabenow, Carl Levin, Sheldon Whitehouse ... are 100% dedicated to the best interests of the country.

Both parties aren't the same and all politicians are NOT the same. With a little awareness between now and November 6th we, the 99% can actually change poli tics, change America and change the world in 2012 in ways that the Mayans could have never imagined!

Richard Greene is an attorney, political, communication strategist and author. For over 25 years he has taught Presidents, Prime Ministers, U.S. Senators, Governors, CEOs, Royalty and others, in 31 countries to give presentations and speeches with “Authentic Passion.” His video, “The 5 Communication Secrets that Swept Obama to The Presidency” is distributed in schools around the world.

Contact: Richard@WordsThatShookTheWorld.com Visit: www.RichardGreene.org l

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:10 PM Page 28

Photo Credit: Burt Harris HGStAR1News & Dennis J. Freeman

Los Angeles Lakers star forward Metta World Peace formerly known as Ron Artest, attacks mental illness with the same velocity and tenacity he plays with on the basketball court.

By Dennis J. Freeman Raymond Mikhael with his wife & sons World Peace is front and center educating people about mental illness in his unique way by explaining how it is a serious social and health issue often overlooked by the public. When he’s not throwing down a tomahawk dunk over Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce (as he did in the Lakers’ 97-94 win at Staples Center) or putting the clamps on Miami’s LeBron James in Los Angeles’ (93-83 victory against the Heat), World Peace goes about helping to find viable organizations that combat mental illness. He is as much of a fighter on winning the war on bi-polar disease as he on the court, trying to shut down Oklahoma Thunder’s

Kevin Durant. The 6-foot-7, 260 pound NBA player is as mental condition became too out of control for the family much an irritant to schizophrenia as he is to Los Angeles to handle. “It can have a very negative effect on your surClippers star Blake Griffin. Everyday he battles to win his roundings, environment, your wife, children, work and fight against mental disease. In 2010, World Peace aucyourself. Many things that happened I can’t talk about in tioned off the one Championship ring he won with the detail, [but] you have to be supportive and loving, then Lakers to raise much needed money for mental illness push it aside and do what you have to do. The hardest awareness.This past September, World Peace and Xcel was calling authorities to have my mother taken away; University, a non-profit he started, donated $285,000 taken out of the living room in the home she and my from the proceeds of his Championship ring to six dad built.” More difficult for him was going to and then charitable organizations involved in mental health. leaving the mental institution where his mother would Hawthorne resident Raymond Mikhael knows first-hand stay for a year and a half. “Going to visit, then leaving; how mental health can affect a family. Mikhael’s seeing her beautiful face behind that glass when I walked mother suffers from schizophrenia and the illness out…was very disheartening,” he said. “But when she progressed to such an extent he brought her to came out she was much better.” World Peace and actor his home to live. Eventually he was forced to comGeorge Lopez presented Mikhael and his family on mit her to a mental institution. So when World stage at the Conga Room shortly after the Lakers 2010 Peace announced he was selling Christmas Day match-up his Championship ring to benefit with the Miami Heat. By the cause of supporting people discussing the plight of afflicted with mental health, Mikhael those with mental health, decided to bid on the ring. After purWorld Peace raised $651,000 chasing 100 tickets, Mikhael was through the public raffle.

The National Institute announced winner of the raffle of Mental Health says there drawing, giving him and his family are 2.4 million adults in the a Christmas Day to celebrate.

U.S. suffering from schizo“For me, it was an investment phrenia. Mikhael said what throughout my life, financially and Ron has done to bring emotionally,” Mikhael said. “The sitawareness to mental health uation was abnormal, but I knew I is nothing short of amazing. had to take care of the one person But says there is much more who brought me into this world. You work to do particularly in can’t forget. You can’t send them into urban communities. “We a home. It was challenging. It’s so must do more,” Mikhael ironic that Ron did this and I’m the said. “We must start by person to win this ring. I contributed educating our children.

Los Angeles Lakers star Metta World Peace and and here we are today. Maybe this What Ron is doing is a has meaning for me and my cause.”

Raymond Mikhael, who won the NBA star's wonderful thing and we Married with four children, the 39have to keep going.” l championship ring in a raffle drawing. year-old Mikhael said his mother’s Dennis Freeman: freelance sports, news & entertainment writer in LA. 28 // bhtmag.com // freeman.dennis7@gmail.com or (323) 503-9224.

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:11 PM Page 29

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www.cmwl.com // bhtmag.com // 29

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:13 PM Page 30

How To Make It In Business HARVEY MACKAY

New York Times Best Selling Author

“Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive” expected others to be responsible for them. Others understood that their sentences were justified, given their actions. They acknowledged their mistakes and learned their lessons the hard way. They were determined to change their lives. This is why taking responsibility for yourself and your actions is so powerfully important.

My buddy Denis Waitley, who writes and lectures on personal, professional and financial success, says, “A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make.”

BE RESPONSIBLE FOR...

YOURSELF!

We can learn a lot about responsibility from bugs.

The ant works hard in the sweltering heat all summer long, building its house and loading up on supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so it dies out in the cold.

THE LESSON: Accept responsibility for your actions. We’ve had it drilled into our heads that actions have consequences. So why are people surprised when the consequences are less desirable than they anticipated? Take it from Albert Einstein: “Man must cease attributing his problems to his environment and learn again to exercise his will—his personal responsibility.” When people fail to take responsibility for their own actions, the blame game begins.

There is always a scapegoat nearby, but that strategy doesn’t take long to unravel.

I recently watched a program about people in prison.

It was fascinating to hear so many deny responsibility for their actions. Nothing was their fault, especially the incidents that landed each of them in jail. They 30 // bhtmag.com //

Responsibility—like discipline—is one of those words that has been pounded into our heads so many times from authority figures that we often turn a deaf ear.

That is a big mistake. Accepting responsibility is

When people fail to take responsibility for their own actions, the blame game begins. There is always a scapegoat nearby, but that strategy doesn’t take long to unravel. an indication of good character. In your work life, it is certainly also a major asset. The boss or employee who says, “The buck stops here,” earns the trust and respect of managers and co-workers.

Another good friend Brian Tracy, a motivational speaker and life coach, said, “Peak performance begins with your taking complete responsibility for your life and everything that happens to you.”

Understand that responsibility is earned. It's not something you're entitled to. If someone is hesitant to give you additional responsibility, it might be

because you've been nonchalant with the responsibilities you already have. A responsible person does what they said they'd do, because they said they would. Period.

So if you want to be seen as more responsible, think about the responsibilities you already have, and take them more seriously, no matter how pointless they might seem. Consider it a way to pay your dues.

LIVESTRONG.COM The website associated with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, lists the behavior traits that need to be developed in order to accept personal responsibility.

• Seek out and accept help for yourself.

• Be open to new ideas or concepts about life and the human condition.

• Refute irrational beliefs and overcome fears.

• Affirm yourself positively.

• Recognize that you choose your responses to the people, actions and events in your life.

• Let go of anger, fear, blame, mistrust and insecurity.

• Take risks and become vulnerable to change and grow in your life.

• Reorganize your priorities and goals.

• Realize that you are the party in charge of the direction your life takes.

In ancient Rome, when the scaffolding was removed from a completed Roman arch, the law read that the Roman engineer who built the arch had to stand beneath it. The point was, if the arch came crashing down, he would experience the responsibility first hand. As a result, the Roman engineer knew that the quality of his work was crucial and would have a direct personal impact on his life.

You may never have to place yourself in such physical danger, but you may have to stick your neck out when you accept responsibility for your actions.

That means you are able to hold your head high!

Mackay's Moral: When you take responsibility you take control of your life.

www.harveymackay.com

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:13 PM Page 31

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/13/12 7:20 PM Page 32

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Why Ella’s Bubbles is Becoming a Household Name

by Michael P. Naughton From Beverly Hills in Illinois to Beverly Hills in California, the walk-in bathtub industry is booming. Not only because of an aging population, but also due to a solution that has been provided for young and old that thrives on promoting an independent lifestyle. I had the chance to interview entrepreneur, CEO and Founder, Laimonis Magone, of Ella’s Bubbles.

MN: Where did Ella’s Bubbles’ name come from?

LM: When I founded the company, I knew the brand name had to be fun, pure and innocent. The idea came to me when I saw my sweet little girl, Ella, poking bubbles, laughing and having fun in the water pool, and the name Ella’s Bubbles was born.

MN: Is it true that you were once a professional wrestler, and how did you get involved in the walk-in tub industry?

LM: Not exactly. Most of my youth I had been passionately practicing martial arts and self defense. I grew up in a communist system where street fights were reality and defending yourself or your friends came in handy. Same as many other young people back then, I was inspired by Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris or later by Van Damme movies. Eastern philosophy and perfecting physical and mental capabilities has always been fascinating to me. I have also been acting as a mime at Rigas Pantomima for 7 years and traveled around the USSR, Europe and also for the first time visited the USA in 1987 for the international theater festival. I’ve been searching for my career all my life and have tried many professions: from engineer mechanic, teacher, and construction worker to telecommunications general contractor then back to bathroom fixture distribution. I saw the demand for the walk-in baths and decided to develop my walk-in bathtub line. I admire the business concept and philosophy of the iPhone.

It’s all about quality, perfection, functionality and advancement. These are my priorities and everything else is falling in place. I want my walk-in tubs to be loved and enjoyed.

MN: What are some misconceptions about walk-in tubs and what should consumers look out for when purchasing?

LM: The walk-in bathtub industry is fairly new and it is challenging for the customers to make the right choice. Many companies advertise their walk-in baths as American made when they actually are not, or overpromise that they use only the best quality fixtures. As is the same in the auto industry, walk-in tubs have

different quality and price levels.

There are lower end and higher end products. We can see many lower end walk-in bathtub companies offering cheap fiberglass walk-in tubs with entry level fixtures and suspicious quality, while major brand names are offering better quality for outrageous prices. Ella’s Bubbles offers unique looking luxurious acrylic walk-in tubs with selected quality fixtures for a lesser price than well known brand names. Luxury at affordable prices – that’s where Ella’s walk-in tubs fit.

MN: I recently read in the Huffington Post that one of the main reasons seniors are forced into assisted living or nursing homes is the bathtub, of all things.

Would you tend to agree?

LM: Unfortunately we all are getting older and weaker after a certain age. The bathroom slip and fall accidents are an inevitable fact. The walk-in bath can be one of the solutions for such a problem. Independent bathing may be one of the main enjoyments the elderly may have, so a good quality walk-in bathtub could make a big difference in their lives when the time calls.

MN: What has changed in the walk-in tub industry?

LM: There are more competitors, more offerings, and also more confusion.

adjust and implement improvements quickly without adding cost to our customers. For example, we have designed a unique rotating removable tray which will make the bathing more convenient for our customers.

There are more innovations coming up soon.

“The walk-in bathtub industry is fairly new and it is challenging for the customers to make the right choice.”

— Laimonis Magone, CEO of Ella’s Bubbles

MN: When it comes down to it, Ella’s Bubbles is really about independent living and maintaining freedom, is that correct?

LM: Yes, that is the purpose of our business. Nothing makes me feel better then to hear back from our happy customers. It means a lot to me, and I intend to maintain that feeling. Earning your income by creating an excellent product which helps others is the best way of doing business.

MN: From Beverly Hills, Illinois to Beverly Hills, California your brand is becoming ubiquitous. What innovative tub are you working on next?

LM: We are always working on new product development, however, we take our time to make it right. Our primary goal is to perfect what we have before adding more new models. As a small business we can

Laimonis Magone with daughter, Ella.

Please visit: www.EllasBubbles.com or call 1-800- 480-6850 for more information.

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/16/12 2:39 PM Page 34

TIPS to HEALTH and FITNESS that will JUMP START your way into SUMMER Reducing Belly Fat We all know that BELLY FAT is a sign of significant health problems. People suffering with large stomachs put themselves at risks for many illnesses and diseases. Belly fat does not just affect the appearance of your body, it affects your organs and the way they work—or don’t work. Research now tells us that belly fat may be one of the most dangerous kinds of fat leading to diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high insulin, high triglycerides, high blood pressure stroke and different types of cancer. Certainly we all enjoy a little “comfort” food at times, but in general it’s best to avoid these Belly-Fat-Boosters.

Baked Goods Baked goods taste amazing because they are loaded with sugar and spice and everything that’s NOT nice like white flour! What we forget while indulging our taste buds is the HUGE amounts of trans fats we are eating with every

bite. Trans fats solidify at room temperature—and they pile hard to lose fat on our bodies—especially around our waistline. Think of eating store bought baked goods as eating poison. Bake your own delicious good ingredient goodies, or indulge in store items that are baked with a healthy heart in mind.

Snack Foods Who doesn’t like snack food? When you’re hungry…you want food NOW. And what better to toss into your mouth for an immediate starvation attack than a bag of potato chips, yummy bite sized candies, granola bars wrapped around peanut butter and M&M’s, how about some sugar-coated dried fruit, maybe a few handy handfuls of Doritos or some Hot Pockets? NONE are OK to eat even if you are starving. Carry healthy nuts, a piece of fruit, have a cup of tea or maybe splurge and get a ready-made salad to carry in your purse as a back up plan of action.

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34 // bhtmag.com //

Did you know that kids can have high cholesterol? Yes because of poor diet, our children are developing high cholesterol, high trigylcerides and type 2 diabetes. Let’s give our kids a fighting chance at a healthy life by steering them away from bad food. A recent Australian study stated that if our kids have a chance to make lifestyle and eating changes while they are still young—they can reduce the risks for heart disease later on in adulthood. Time to get our kids heads out of the refrigerator, move their bodies away from the TV and get them liking exercise. They will forever thank us for leading them into adulthood with their good health. l

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:17 PM Page 35

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805.501.9466 • Email: oseparmagan@ymail.com // bhtmag.com // 35

A N I MAL P LAN e t APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 1:23 PM Page 36

ANIMAL ALLIANCE Are Animal Activists Crazy?

By Ellen Lavinthal I went over statistics from a public opinion poll on the "dusting" of Kim Kardashian, while promoting her perfume on the red carpet at The London Hotel. Although a majority felt fur is morally wrong, and Kim should ”stop wearing fur"...a majority thought of animal activists as "crazys”— so I pondered the prevalent mind set that equates speaking up for the rights of living beings with being "crazy." A psychologist explained the phenomenon as this: “Departing from the status quo is a daunting concept for most, and the need to fit in for political or social reasons overrides all else. Many people admire the passion of activists, yet it scares them. It becomes easier to label activists “crazy” than understand what lies behind their passion.”

But in order to bring about change, we have always needed those willing to set themselves apart, speak out, protest or in contemporary times, post on Facebook, wear statement shirts or apply bumper stickers, so the message of the need for change spreads. It’s true a few tactics taken by a handful of animal activists may seem extreme or offend some sensibilities. Ghandi brought an overthrow of British Jennifer Lopez Kim Kardashian imperialism, never departing from pacifism as a means to his end.

Martin Luther King (and later Nelson Mandella) brought a socio-political movement without departing from peaceful means. But there have been just as many battles In the city in which we live during the Rihanna won by less then peaceful means.

McCarthy era, Hollywood directors, writers, One may judge the tactics of a minority of animal advocates, but perceptions producers and actors who of the actions should not detract from the message: animals are living sentient were unwilling to take the beings. Modern science continually reveals just how sentient they are: they feel "loyalty oath" were blackmany emotions we do such as fear, jealousy, close bonds and pain. Are what animal listed, in an attempt to intimactivists preach any different than the messages of those who’ve had the conviction idate those with a different to defend the powerless against those with the ability to repress or persecute them? ideology than the status quo.

Is not the determination to defend the powerless what motivated those who spoke out For centuries we’ve felt it’s where there existed a different or inhumane treatment of a particular group such as: been OK to treat different • In the Middle Ages where there existed different peasants then the upper classes. groups of sentient beings a • În Germany to the Jews (and other groups labeled undesirable), then to other citizens. certain way, and those who • Until the 60's in our country to whites then blacks. spoke out with a different • Before suffrage to men then women. opinion are labeled heretics, unpatriotic, radical or crazy.

One day, society will look back at those who laughed at animal activists and see Kid Rock them as the "crazys"—just as we perceive those who subjugated the rights of peasants, women, Blacks, Jews, and Hollywood free-thinkers in the past. An activist friend of mine said: "Yes I am crazy; crazy sick of seeing animals endure senseless atrocities." I invite reasoning humans to view undercover footage activists have seen of fur farms, the trainMary J. Blige ing of elephants for circus acts, factory farming prac& Patti Labelle tices and puppy mills; then decide who is crazy...the heartbroken animal advocates or those participating in these atrocities? Some may ridicule me for my beliefs, but I remember the words to a song, the title of which I no longer remember, "I am crazy for a reason." Or recall what Ghandi said: "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win. l

Celebrity designer J. Gerard with models wearing faux furs at a recent anti-fur demo, to illustrate how fabulous the imitation furs are these days.

36 // bhtmag.com //

Ellen Lavinthal, a resident of Beverly Hills, graduated from USC law school, and is president of an LA-based animal welfare organization, Animal Alliance, a position she’s had for 19 years. She joined with national advocacy groups to combat puppy mills, fur trade and elephants and primates in captivity. Ellen hosts a webshow Animal Alliance: www.animalalliance.net & Big TV website:www.bigisgood.tv/animal-alliance.

APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/16/12 9:43 AM Page 37

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APRIL TO GO_Beverly Hills Times Mag. 4/18/12 11:15 AM Page 38

NEWS WORTHY...

From the Editor Suzanne Takowsky

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

The documentary “BULLY” When news broke that the highly anticipated and much needed “BULLY” an anti-bullying documentary was about to enter our orbit with an “R” rating because it was considered TOO VIOLENT in LANGUAGE for kids under 18—it made us all step back and wonder: Who the HELL were the people doing the rating on this film? OH… it was the Motion Picture Association of America IMPAA. And what in the HELL were they thinking? Of course, the documentary might be violent in nature, violent in language and upsetting for kids under 18 to watch.

But a film is not as traumatizing for kids to watch as it is for the kids living a bullying nightmare.

THANK GOD filmmaker Harvey Weinstein (who did the movie) and some forward thinking celebrities hitched their butt’s to the wagon and made a headline stink asking for a rating revision. THANK YOU Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, Demi Lovato, New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees, and others who flat out said—hold the press. And the rating commission did.

But not until a massive 500,000+ signed petition made them feel like schmucks.

And the real STAR of the push for a ratings change is teenager Katy Butler, who for weeks lobbied every news and talk show, running from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., going up against the BIG GUNS in Congress (she got the support of a bipartisan group of 35 Members of Congress, led

by Republican Mike Honda). Then, she was off to rub TV talktime shoulders with Anderson Cooper one day, and Ellen DeGeneres the next. It was a break neck race against time to make certain this film was not 86ed from those who need to see it the most… kids under 18. Lending a huge hand of support was Gerry Lopez, CEO of AMC Theaters, one of the most prominent theater chains in the world. Lopez signed Butler’s petition, and issued a statement saying that giving “BULLY” an “R” rating was a mistake.

“We’ve got the MPAA’s attention, and with nearly 300,000 signatures and support from celebrities and politicians, there’s now a national movement 38 // bhtmag.com //

of people calling on the MPAA to drop the “R” rating for “BULLY.” As someone who lived through bullying day in and day out in school, including having my finger broken by bullies, this film is too important to silence with an “R” rating. Everyone should have a chance to see “Bully.”

I say Katy is the true STAR of getting the rating changed; what determination, perseverance and dedication for this young lady—still a teenager— to lay on the table. And in addition, she is also a WARRIOR lobbyist to push and push and not take NO for an answer in making sure justice was served for this film. Most important, Katy is a SURVIVOR, who for many years was the target of bullying.

She knows first hand the horrors of being bullied and what devastation it brought into her life and that of her family.

“BULLY” is a must-see for every kid and parent.

Kids are bullied at pre-school just as much as they are in elementary and high school. Bullying is an ugly act and it has to be stopped NOT ignored. Is your kid being bullied? What if your kid is the one doing the bullying? This is a topic we can’t hide our heads in the sand about. Bullying destroys lives—kids have committed suicide because of it; they couldn’t take the torture another minute. Those students caught engaging in it have to be pinpointed by other students, parents or onlookers.

They have to be called into the principals office at school along with their parents and suspended or throw out of school altogether depending on the extent of the bullying. And in some cases turned over to authorities.

As a parent, I am on fire about this topic even though my kids are now young adults.

I would go up against Godzilla if he was hurting one of my kids, and if I ever found out one of my kids was hurting another child there wouldn’t be a safe place on earth for them to hide from me. Parents have to wake up to what is really going on with their kids— at home, as well as when they walk out the front door. We have to teach our kids what is right and what is wrong. What we will tolerate as parents and what we won’t. By our own example we set

this course. Our kids have to feel confident of our love and support 24/7. With my own kids, if they have a problem—it’s my problem as well. And if I have a problem the whole world will know about it until it gets resolved. That has to be our stance as parents. We cannot allow anyone to harm our children regardless of their ages. And we cannot sit by and look the other way if our children disrespect, hurt or do anything that may harm another child.

• NO it is NOT AMUSING to make fun of another person.

• NO it is NOT COOL to point out another person’s flaws or vulnerabilities.

• NO you SHOULD NOT feel better about your own life by making fun, harassing, embarrassing, or making another person’s life HELL. Whether we are talking about kids in school or adults at work, there is always some jackass who tries to up his or her mojo by bothering someone else. Bullying in childhood carries over into adulthood. Nobody deserves to get bullied, made fun of, gossiped about or harassed.

I don’t care if it’s on a school ground or at a White House barbecue—if we see it we have to stop it.

We cannot participate in it as adults, we cannot condone it if we see our children doing it and we have to step up and hands-on STOP it when we come face to face with it.

Children learn from watching adults. It’s up to us to teach our children—and sometimes other people’s children as well—that hurting another person is not be tolerated.

The rating for “BULLY” is now “PG-13” —PLEASE take your kids and go see it. This is a life-changing film that needs our full support as adults for the health, well being and happiness of all our children. l

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For help with your online concerns email: niko@nikotakowsky.com

social networking • video games Social Networking sites are tools to connect and share with, but contain serious threats to you, your family, your business and even your employees.

800,000,000+members

250,000,000+members

150,000,000+members

60,000,000+members

Every minute on the Internet you expose yourself to a world wide band of thieves, hackers, stalkers, and scammers. These are NOT street criminals.

They are highly-advanced computer technicians; pros at stealing your money, destroying your livelihood and threatening the safety of you and your family. There are things you can do online and things you can never do online. Don’t be fooled by programs that promise to protect you. More than 20.4% of the world’s population is online. None are your new friend because you don’t KNOW WHO THEY REALLY ARE. Many are your worst nightmare.

Protecting yourself, family and business is a top priority with a quarter of the world’s population watching, listening and reading about your life.

Social sites breed fraud. Criminals create fake email notices that appear to come from your social media site. ONE click on a fake website and anything can be uploaded or downloaded via your computer.

THREE main points are work-based security related risks.

1. Employees log-on to social media sites from company computers and personal devices connected to a company’s networks or storing sensitive company data.

2. No one knows for certain who they are talking with online. Impersonation attacks come in the form of FAKE fan pages, FAKE websites and FAKE social media personas.

3. Company information leakage is guaranteed once a network is compromised by an employee tricked by a “friend” into downloading a posting/application infected with malware. Employees use of personal social media at work is risky. Most individuals use a preferred password/email address on many sites. These are the two biggest security problems Internet users have. Once a password is stolen or deciphered, criminals access personal networks and company systems inside your firewall.

• Keep personal emails, friend/work addresses, numbers account information and photos secure. DON’T accept “friend” requests from people you don’t know.

• WEAK pass codes spell trouble. Use different, multi-multiple numbers/letters and different email addresses for personal, social networking, and work.

• When checking email, don’t click links from people you dont know. Before clicking a link, copy and paste it into the browser to see if it’s the real thing. If you don’t recognize an email mark it as SPAM. • Email hijackers send bogus notices pretending to be your bank or other service.

A legitimate company DOES NOT contact you through email asking for personal information, passwords or account verification.

• If you use a public computer don’t save your password; be sure to LOG OUT. Never log into online banking or other personal information from any computer but your own as the computer could be infected with a PASSWORD TRACKER. • Don’t surf online unless you know how to protect yourself.

Niko Takowsky

THE VIDEO GAME EVOLUTION

Dota2

Something to look forward to; coming out in late 2012 —Dota2. Valve Software, based in Washington D.C., creators of the award winning games Half-Life, Team Fortress 2 and Counter-Strike Source are producing and releasing Dota2. Since 1998, Valve has been a world visionary leader creating the best games ever made. The original Dota was one of the most played online games on the planet with a world wide player/ fan community and foundation base in the millions.

Dota2 was featured at 2011's GAMECOM and won the 2011 IGN Peoples Choice Award. Under Valve Project manager Erik Johnson, the upcoming Dota2 is headed to the stratosphere with players already buzzed about its upcoming release. For those who didn’t play Dota—Dota2 is a competitive game with dynamic action, role playing and real time strategy.

The game is user friendly and players don’t have to rely on clutch reflexes—they can “out think” their opponents. There is a HUGE selection of HEROES to choose from and characters employ different attack strategies and offer outrageous off the chart abilities. In each Dota2 game everyone starts at LEVEL ONE so everybody gets a fair chance and matches last less than an hour. Steam is releasing beta keys for a limited amount of users. Every game is a new and different experience, and I have to rate it 10/10 because it’s just plain FUN. I’ve already had the pleasure of playing Dota2 so I offer a hands-on already-been-there view. For further information about Dota2 visit: Steamcommunity.com.

Counter-Strike Global Offensive

The most famous first-person shooter on the PC Counter-strike source is making a third game for the series called Counter Strike: Global Offensive. This game was the first of its kind starting back in 1998 with the release of Half-Life 1. In the beginning, CounterStrike was a mod (expansion) of Half-Life, then in 2001 it was officially released and blew up into the most played online shooter in the world. CS GO is being published by Valve Software and is currently in a beta stage being released to specific players. One element about this game that right off got my attention was that players on Ps3 and XBOX can also play the game. Great news for all players on the computer who can interact play with users on TV who are using playstation or Xbox. Counter-Strike has been and still is one of the most competitive games in the world with millions of players loving what Counter-Strike brings to the table of competition. In Counter-Strike Global offensive there are two teams of soldiers; terrorists and counter terrorists. In one game mode, terrorists plant the bomb, then counter terrorists have to locate and diffuse it. Another mode is concentrated on “rescue action” in a planned amount of time. This game is NEXT ISSUE: Techniques used by Facebook “LIKE” hijackers; 4 STEPS to reclaim fast paced and an addicting thrill ride. With the expansive gaming community it your account if it’s stolen, suspended or cancelled. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn; employs, great things are destined for this third game of the series. Lots to look forward what the upcoming proposed Data Protection Regulation plan really means. to if you enjoy the competition of strategic gaming survival. l

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3rd Annual Gala

provide an education for every child on the planet!

Founder Cynthia Kersey, Free The Children Founder Craig Kielburger

Jon Voight photographed at the event with Kenyan women

Grammy Winner Nelly Furtado generously matched dollar-for-dollar at the The Unstoppable Foundation’s Gala at LA’s historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The evening of inspiration demonstrated that it’s possible to provide an education to every child on our planet. The goal of the heartwarming event was to build an all girls secondary school in Kenya for 200 young girls; 100% of proceeds benefit Canada ’s Craig Kielburger’s organization—Free The Children. Craig gave an emotional opening

Author Jack Canfield

Dyan Canon

speech as he addressed the audience and shared Nelly Furtado’s inspiration behind her support. The evening was an overwhelming success, raising $250,000 with Nelly Furtado’s help. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing education and sustainability to people in developing nations and ensure that every child has access to an education thereby building a thriving and sustainable world. info@unstoppablefoundation.org. Photos: Jeff Fasano & Vivien Killilea

Vitamins Are Real Medicine

IV Vitamin Therapy

IV Nutrient Therapy Center of Beverly Hills “Why Take IV Vitamin Therapy instead of vitamin pills? Only IV vitamin therapy can deliver the highest concentrations of nutrients required by the body to acieve peak performance and optimal health. Vitamins are effectively delivered directly into the bloodstream and the cells. IV therapy avoids common side effects of high dose vitamins injection such upset stomach and diarrhea.”

—Founder & Director, Dr. Arash Bereliani, Clinical Instructor UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine Staff Cardiologist Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Los Angeles.

125 North Robertson Boulevard., Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310.550.8000 www.ivtherapycenter.com

• Prevents and treats a variety of diseases and conditions.

• Improves general health and overall emotioanl, mental & physical well-being.

• Advanced therapy distributes natural and organic compounds of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and amino acids specific to your individual needs.

• Treatments are administered by highlyskilled registered nurses.

IMPROVE Athletic Performance Pre/Post Surgery Healing Allergies & Asthma Fatigue, Colds, Flu Cardiovascular Conditions Gastrointestinal Problems High Blood Pressure Anxiety & Depression // bhtmag.com // 41

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RUNWAY RHYTHM

By Nataliya Joy Prieto Nataliya Joy Prieto is a fashion major, actress, print and runway model who appears regularly in movies, music videos and national commercials. www.nataliyajoyprieto.com

This year LA Fashion Week rocked with Project Ethos at Avalon Hollywood, sparkling with everything we could ever want to wear.

One fabulous design after the other hit the runway appealing to buyers, consumers and the dreamer in all of us. In the audience enjoying the thrill was Beverly Hills Times Editor, Suzanne Takowsky, Animal Alliance and BHT staff writer Ellen Lavinthal and BHT Art Director Mandara Takowsky. Project Ethos revolutionized the art of the show by merging a flashy display of fashion, music, a stellar party and hit a worldwide audience through via live web video.

The runway featured a dynamic group of designers including Danielle Pettee (Danielle the Dress Maker), Ermelinda Manos, Wen Guo (Boditecture), Melissa Velia (Melissa Velia), Janean Johnson (JaJo Couture), Regina Marie Woods (G. Marie), Edita Bandaryan (Edita Collection), Luis Mendoza & Yesica Medina (LUICA), Catherine Furio (Furio Apparel) and Johana Hernandez (GLAUDI by Johana Hernandez). Partnering with powerhouse event producers Jin & Quinn who have composed events for The Black Eyed Peas, Blackberry, Ducati and more. The thrill a minute event hosted more than 1,200 guests and by the time the show began there wasn’t an empty chair in the place; it was standing room ONLY! Keeping the crowd in party mode was the LA based group Hyper Crush who took over the stage with their electro pop vocals and hard hitting club beats.

Project Ethos partnering with Los Angeles based production studio United Motion Entertainment had cameras rolling for weeks so enjoy the behind the Beverly Hills Times Editor, Suzanne Takowsky, scenes footage on Animal Alliance and BHT staff writer Ellen Lavinthal ProjectEthos.TV. and BHT Staff Art Director Mandara Takowsky.

Momentum didn’t slow even after the main event; the after-party kicked in with Audi, Jin & Quinn, The Seems, an encore runway show and live art from James Haunt —whose energy emerged on stage as he painted the models into a canvas creating an optical illusion. Live art installations by LabArt Gallery’s SandOne, Jules Muck, and CYRCLE. Nobody was about to leave—so everyone stayed! l

ERMELINDA MANOS

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DANIELLE the Dressmaker FURIO

BODITECTURE

EDITA

MELISSA VELIA

GLAUDI

G. MARIE

JAJO

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L.A. Rocks with the Best Musical of the Decade...

All About The

BILLY’S...

Get ready L.A.! Broadway’s “Best Musical of the Decade” is coming or so says TIME magazine; The New York Post declares it the “Best Show You Will Ever See”— it received 10—2009 Tony Awards including “Best Musical.” It’s based on one boy’s journey to make his dreams come true, but since its 2005 debut in London, several “Billy’s” have made the character real for 7.5 million people worldwide who have seen it.

The Tony-award-winning creative team of director, Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling, writer Lee Hall and Elton John (who wrote the score) will leave you wanting a repeat performance.

THE BILLY’s Ty Forhan (13) is from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. He has won many song/ dance awards over the years and been in local theatre since he was five, playing the lead in Oliver!, Jo Jo in Seussical the Musical, Scarecrow in Wizard of Oz and revue Musical Mayhem. Most recently Ty played the role of Billy in Toronto, Canada.

Kylend Hetherington (14) was born in Auburn, Michigan, and played ‘Michael’ and ‘Tall Boy’ in the Broadway production, and participated in the 2009 ABT Young Dancer Summer Workshop under full scholarship. Kylend auditioned for ‘Billy’ for years, playing other roles in the play before landing his own ‘dream come true’.

Zach Manske (12) from Woodbury, MN was dancing by age 8, learning his newfound passion. He danced with the Woodbury Dance Center getting top scores and judges’ choice awards and picked up a junior national champion title at Starquest (2010) and Masquerade (2011) National dance competitions.

Zach is the youngest Billy, making his debut in D.C. in January.

J.P. Viernes (15) calls Half Moon Bay, California ‘home.’ During the national tour of Billy, he played the lead in Chicago and Toronto). JP began his dancing career at the tender age of seven and danced two years with the City Ballet SF. He received the CHRP JUBA award for Billy Elliot. l

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Art by Mandara Takowsky.

The Art Institute of California— Los Angeles Shines a Light on Community High School Teachers with a Gallery Show The Art Institute of California—Los Angeles in combination with The Art Institute’s grand system of schools across the United States, joined to celebrate the multi-talents of high school arts and media educators. Such a celebration calls for a national platform where their works can be displayed. Times and dates are different for each Art Institute around the country, but here in Los Angeles it all begins on April 25, 2012. The show —“What Those Who Teach Can Do” gets off to a fantastic start with an opening reception at the Art Institute—Los Angeles, in Santa Monica.

For information: mtakowsky @yahoo.com

The month-long exhibition marks the “We’re honoring what first nationwide effort by The Art Institute educators in our commuto highlight the artistic works of local nity do by hosting their teachers. More than 45 other, The Art work in our gallery” said Institute locations in the United States will Ryan Ball, the president play host to the, “What Those of The Art Institute of California—Los Angeles.

Who Teach Can Do” gallery “Teachers work tirelessly showcase experience. to cultivate the skills of From my years studying our area’s high school art, I’ve seen the dedication students. The show is it takes to be an art educator. our way to shine a light What’s so inspirational is you on the talents they use are teaching a student not every day to inspire.” simply a craft, but a legacy; Teachers from the one of dedication, inspiraTeacher/Artist Melony Bronder tion, hope, and the limitless following schools will Beverly Hills High School have their work on display: possibilities that come from • Bassett High School one’s imagination and creative spirit.

(La Puente).

Beverly Hills High School Teacher • Beverly Hills High School (Beverly Hills). and Artist Melony Bronder had this • Daily High School (Glendale). to say, “Art is what I love to do, so teaching just becomes an extension • El Camino High School (Whittier). of that. When I see something I like • Fairfax High School (Los Angeles). artistically, I want to share it.”

• John Marshall High School (Los Angeles).

As we are a Beverly Hills magazine, • King-Drew High School (Los Angeles). and Ms. Bronder is a Beverly Hills Art • Nogales High School (La Puente). teacher, I thought you would like to • Whitney High School (Cerritos). see what she is presenting at the show.

• El Monte Union High School District.

Ma

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Mandara Takowsky was born in Price, Utah and grew up in Los Angeles, California.

After graduating Beverly Hills High School she attended the Art institute in Chicago where she majored in Art Therapy. Returning to Los Angeles, she was accepted at Otis College of Art and Design where she furthered her studies.

In between classes, she taught art to pre-school children in both classroom settings and private lessons.

Mandara refers to herself as a “mixed media” artist and hosts L.A. art exhibits for up and coming talent to showcase their photography, sculptures, art, fashion and passion for visual exuberance.

Classes Available. .

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“WHAT THOSE WHO TEACH CAN DO” This exhibit is going to be an incredible journey for both the artists, and those who are fortunate enough to be able to attend and see all of the personal works of these teachers— many are the teachers who teach your children. I have always believed that teaching is about the inspiration, dedication, motivation, talent and affection of the person doing the teaching for what he/she is teaching. I can’t imagine this to be more appropriate than for those who teach art.

The dramatic range of talent with the teachers participating is broad; there is something for everyone to enjoy from painting, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics and video to design, digital media, film, photography, illustration

Seahorse Design from the Oceana Collection

Sea Monsters Series (Jellyfish) Medium: Oil by Melony Bronder

and fiber arts. There are plenty of avenues for these artists to showcase their own personal endeavors.

The Art Institute of California—Los Angeles has opened the doors for these fantastic exhibits, inviting not only the public...but the uniqueness is that family, friends, students and families of art students have the opportunity to meet the teachers and see the “art passion” of the person who teaches their children.The Art Institutes are a nationSea Monsters Series (Jellyfish) Medium: wide educational sysOil By Melony Bronder tem throughout North America. The schools provide an important source that prepares students for creative and challenging careers. Behind each class is a teacher dedicated to his/her work and striving to impart on students not only the fine line details of that particular career choice, but the importance of following their dreams in life.

Each day teachers in every city of the world get up and go to their jobs with the hope of inspiring the students who are in their classrooms to greater heights.

This is not easy to accomplish with all the cutbacks in on-campus education taking place, the ever downsizing of both staff and their paychecks, and the constant turmoil that world problems spill onto to the psyche of students who are trying to find their place in this world. Nevertheless, the teachers of this world continue on each day to teach and inspire. This is a perfect opportunity to show our teachers how much they mean to us by supporting this dynamic event. l The Art Institute of California—Los Angeles 2900 31st St., Santa Monica, CA 90405 Opening Exhibit Wednesday, April 25 from 5:00PM-7:00PM; NO CHARGE. For further information call the school at 310.752.4700. www.artinstitutes.edu ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. Why not jump start your child’s imagination?

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And I’m proud to say that right down to the last detail is constructed here in the United States. Made in America! Shouldn't we shop and support our artists and craftsmen here, instead of out-sourcing to other parts of the world, as so many do? I hope you enjoy wearing these exquisite pieces as much as we did making them. For the fashionista in all of us— all ages — my jewelry speaks to who you truly are!"

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www.koharbypearl.com • kp@koharbypearl.com • (310) 993-4978

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Make This Summer Unforgettable...

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