Jimi Hendrix Featured in Hollywood Weekly

Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry

®

Charley Pride country Music LegenD

ORSON WELLES

HIS HISTORIC VISIT TO RIO

Jimi Hendrix Foundation Photo credit: ©Ken Davidoff, South Florida Rock and Roll Museum COLLECTOR’S EDITION Prather Jackson Publisher

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Welcome readers to a truly amazing issue of Hollywood Weekly Magazine. We are blessed to have the incredible Jimi Hendrix on our cover. The marvelous, glorious Jimi Hendrix. What many people don’t unless you’re a true Jimi fan and have seen him in documentaries and on interviews, is that he was an incredibly humble man at his core. I’ll never forget seeing Jimi Hendrix on the Dick Cavett Show. Dick Cavett told it’s been said he’s the greatest guitarist in the world. Jimi repeated “The world?” He then laughed shyly and said, “How about the greatest in this chair.” That was Jimi Hendrix.

Thankfully the President of The Jimi Hendrix Foundation, Joseph Rosignolo, is carrying on the spirit of goodwill, compassion and love that infused the dynamic music of Jimi Hendrix, and it’s the reason for his international appeal.

Joe Rosignolo story is one of fate and destiny: he was meant to end up as the President of The Jimi Hendrix Foundation. He has the love and the heart. You will love his story and the fantastic images of the great Jimi Hendrix.

I’m personally lucky enough to have the name “Orson Welles” on the cover of a magazine I work for. I’m ecstatic. My mother introduced me to Orson Welles and his masterpiece “Citizen Kane” while I was stallion elementary school. I was spellbound by it all. The fast dialogue. The acting -- the acting! Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton, are you kidding. My visual aesthetics for cinema were born that day. I was also introduced to the rich, atmospheric music of legendary film composer Bernard Herrmann. I’ve followed his career ever since.

Welles’ trip to Rio is itself legendary and historic and we capture it for you here.

Finally we have our final installment of our original “HW Tiger King Series” (2013-2018). In this installment Joe was running for Governor. People still loved him. The storm hadn’t come yet.

As always, readers, we thank you. We are who we are because of you.

Celebrating Diversity In The Entertainment Industry

®

Charley Pride country Music LegenD

Anthony Ewart

ORSON WELLES

Associate Editor

HIS HISTORIC VISIT TO RIO

Jimi Hendrix Foundation Photo credit: ©Ken Davidoff, South Florida Rock and Roll Museum COLLECTOR’S EDITION Prather Jackson Publisher

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4 CHARLEY PRIDE 10 HITHA 12 KAROLINA GEITS 16 LAKERS 20 ORSON WELLES 22 24 TIGER KING SERIES (2016) SOUL VISION MAGAZINE 24 BEDSIDE READING 36 JIMMY HENDRIX Foundation

54th Annual CMA Awards

Singer/ Songwriter Teen Sensation Fashion Constraints Kobe and Ginna

His Historic Visit to Rio

Part 4 of 4 (Make Oklahoma Exotic Again) Love Dot Soundtrack

HW’s Favorite Authors

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY IS A PUBLICATION WHOLLY OWNED BY PRATHER JACKSON HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY MAGAZINE LLC. © 2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION OF ANY CONTENT WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSSION OF THE PUBLISHER IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR MAY BE SENT TO: PRATHER@HOLLYWOODWEEKLYMAGAZINE.COM. 8345 RESEDA BLVD #117, NORTHRIDGE, CA 91324. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CALL: (424) 371-9900 HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 3

Mu sic 4 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

JOE ROSIGNOLO & theJIMI HENDRIX n o i t a ound F

by Anthony Ewart The world mourns the loss of Eddie Van Halen. A Guitar God has left us. I can only hope that a Foundation is set up to honor his legacy. The blueprint for such a wonderful Foundation exists now in honor of another magnificent Guitar God: Jimi Hendrix.

Martino, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Vale and Louis Prima. Joe's dad loved the guitar music Chet Atkins, Duane Eddy, Al Caiola, Vinnie Bell and Los Indios.

Jimi Hendrix was an Artist who has left his fantastic musical impression upon the world. He joined the old world of blues with the emerging sound of rock and united the world in his discovery. Like Gustav Mahler or Claude Debussy he believed the music he heard in his mind. And like any great Artist, he helped us hear this music and love it as much as he did.

“

We begin with Joe Rosignolo, the President-CEO of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation. As a 7 year old growing up in Rochester NY in 1960 he was surrounded by music, culture and history. Rochester NY is the home of George Eastman, Susan B Anthony, Jay Silverheels (Tonto) Rochester Philharmonic, Cab Calloway, Mitch Miller and Chuck Mangione. Joe used to walk to Mangione’s bakery quite often.

Joe Sr. was a Rock and Roller. He had a Pompadour and listened to all the greats of the day: Elvis, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley. Little Joe had access to every record imaginable in every style and genre of artists. Of course because of Joe's Sicilian ancestry he listened to all the Italian greats: Dean Martin, Al

The sound of their guitar struck the proverbial chord within my being. I actually felt the notes in my chest. I immediately picked up my mothers “Spanish “ guitar, a blonde Gibson with F holes and was glued to the record player practicing for hours and hours a day. I realized then that a guitar had a voice, larger than life and yet very personal. I’VE ALWAYS SAID THAT THE VENTURES’ INSTRUMENTS SOUNDED LIKE BEAUTIFUL VOICES AND THE BEATLES VOICES SOUNDED LIKE BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTS.

“

The music of Jimi Hendrix is with us forever...but only because it is cared for and looked after. This is the story of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation, which owns the rights to the "Name, Likeness and Signature of Jimi Hendrix."

This is the story of the unsung Heroes making sure that we never forget Jimi Hendrix and the glorious music he shared with the world. Why was it so important for Jimi Hendrix to "share his music" with the world? Because Jimi Hendrix honestly and earnestly cared about people. Helping better their lives. Jimi Hendrix was as compassionate and generous to those in need as he was talented. The Jimi Hendrix Foundation, at its core, carries on this spirit of "giving back" that was so important to Jimi.

One life changing day in 1960 Joe's mom brought home a record by The Ventures called "Walk Don't Run" and when Joe heard that guitar sound, in his own words, this is what followed:

The reason Joe dwells on the Ventures so much is because they helped shape his appreciation for the quality and tone of Rock and Roll, music production and professionalism, and the confidence and ability to share and teach songs to friends.

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 5

During the same time a young Jimmy Hendrix (before Jimi) would hang around at the Spanish Castle with a guitar and amp ready to sit in which Pat O’Day let him do on a few occasions. They worked together again when Pat promoted the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Bob Reisdorff was the Ventures’ first producer and after selling his Dolton Record label to Liberty went on to setup Liberty Records UK. The dedication party was a who’s who of rock with everyone there from the Beatles to the Stones and of course sitting next to him --Jimi Hendrix.

Bob told Joe that he and Jimi were trying to out order each other buying champagne for everyone.

After taking over the Jimi Hendrix Foundation Joe began to see how many of the people he knew were associated with Jimi and how much of their lives eclipsed in some way or another. “There wasn’t ‘six degrees of separation’ between us,” Joe is known for saying, “It was more like two.” Call it serendipity.

After Jimi Hendrix’s death in 1970, Al Hendrix, the father of Jimi Hendrix, rekindled his friendship with Jimmy Williams, a close friend of his son. The two became very close friends. Because Al was extremely heart-broken over the loss of his son he turned to Jimmy Williams and in one sense lived vicariously through him as the son he had lost. Jimmy made a promise to Al that he would help protect the name and legacy of Jimi Hendrix.

Joe Rosignolo, President-CEO Jimi Hendrix Foundation Joe used to sit on his front porch on Portland Avenue playing guitar and older guys would come from all over the neighborhood and ask him how to play a song. He was 10 they were 18. He was one of those crazy kids who could pick out similarities in songs. “If you know one,” Joe says, “You know several dozen. I can tell of at least 10 Beatle songs that borrowed influential elements from the Ventures.”

Little did Joe know at the time that all this was a prelude to him “Managing” the Ventures and running the Jimi Hendrix Foundation. During the years following Joe met and became friends with many artists who not only knew and worked with the Ventures but also knew and worked with Jimi Hendrix.

Pat O’Day was an Broadcaster and concert promoter in Seattle who was responsible for really “breaking the Ventures in” who were from there. He played “Walk Don’t Run” as a news kicker on his program which became so popular it was picked-up by Liberty Records and the rest is Ventures history.

6 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

In the 2000s Jimmy Williams was brought in to the Foundation to help “clean it up.” He became President and CEO. The Foundation had just won a legal case against the Estate regarding the Lanham Act trademark, common law trademark and publicity rights, but the Foundation was vexed and troubled by outsiders as well as insiders who absconded with funds and made commercial business deals inside the Foundation for personal gain outside the rules of IRS guidelines for tax exemption.

Being a non-profit, as you know, contrary to popular understanding doesn’t mean you can’t make a profit and accumulate revenues. So Jimmy cleaned house getting rid of everyone and brought in new board members he could trust. People like Charles Hernandez, Gordon Shoji and Dr. David Harris who headed up the University of Arizona Medicine Dept. Other board members were Ian Miller, Stefan Isaac and David Kramer. These members were set in place to help keep out infiltrators and there were several.

Jimmy went on to bolster and add to the initiatives of the Foundation in 2005. He created the Music For Life program, UN Blue Key affiliation and other community related initiatives and sponsorships and held several benefits, but all of this was taking a toll on Jimmy.

A community center leased by the Foundation was vandalized for $30,000 which Jimmy paid for out of his own pocket. Joe knew for a fact that through his years at the Foundation legitimizing it Jimmy paid out a couple hundred thousand of his own money. He was getting tired and was searching for someone to take over. As he told Joe, he couldn’t find anyone honest to run it. He made Joe promise that someday he would find an honest Hendrix.At the time Joe was blending his own brand of Rosignolo Guitar Polish with his son David and eventually he approached Fender and they loved the stuff and soon Joe supplied them with 4 step Fender Custom Shop Polish kits up until they were bought by another business group. That lasted into the first year Joe was at the Foundation. Jimmy brought Joe in first as a Contractor because of his music and business connections and ability to source products and help bring in sponsorships. He also knew that Joe had passion for integrity and honesty and was a stickler for protocol. The board at Jimmy’s request voted Joe in as CEO and then a few months later Jimmy transitioned out because of health issues and he felt that he did all he could to protect and preserve the

name of Jimi Hendrix as a charity as he promised his good friend Al Hendrix.

As Jimmy Williams said, “I’m a military man not a business man.” Shortly after Joe was voted in as President.

It seems that lightning struck three times in Joe Rosignolo’s life ….Road managing for the number one Rock and Roll instrumental group in the world-The Ventures…

Suppling Custom Shop guitar polish to the number one Rock and Roll guitar company in the world-Fender… And now President and CEO of the Jimi Hendrix Foundation the number one rock and roll guitarist of all time.

Realizing the significance of his position and what an honor and privilege it is to be in charge of a Foundation that has such a great worldwide impact, the first task at hand was to bring in a few people that Joe could trust.

He asked Tom Hagan to come on as COO. Tom and Joe were good friends and he was a big fan of Rosignolo Guitar Polish.

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 7

In October of last year Joe contacted Freddie Mac and they were very helpful and accommodating and gave the Foundation several houses around the country as part of the Foundation’s neighborhood renovation program.

The idea is to fix up these homes and create affordable housing for mom’s with special needs children, veterans with disabilities or the displaced and homeless. Joe’s focus is still on the Foundation’s music programs and mission statement, but helping the community in ways that also generates revenue to fund the many Jimi Hendrix Foundation programs helps greatly in addition to their donations.

“Obviously we need funds to renovate these houses, “ Joe told me emphatically, “So the call to action goes out to anyone that would like to donate, grant or otherwise contribute. Because of my background in carpentry and general construction I will begin the process and stay at one of the houses in South Dakota to get it ready and livable. We know that Jimi gave his all in every performance and that has been our goal as well as helping others. We are not afraid to roll up our sleeves as they say. The Jimi Hendrix Foundation is looking forward to working with real legitimate philanthropic people who want to help make a difference.We can’t make it happen without funds and donations.”

Terri Haynes, Joe’s Executive Assistant Terri Haynes, Joe’s Executive Assistant, made the transition from the guitar polish business to the Foundation very easily. Joe is on record saying: “If anyone deserves a paycheck Terri Haynes does. Her dedication and unwavering passion is extremely valuable to the Foundation.

The Foundation has through the years been plagued with people attempting to use us it as a stepping stone for their own personal agendas, advancements and causes and to circumvent the Jimi Hendrix Estate. Joe has had to finally sift out those people. “Our goal,” Joe told me by phone, “And intention has always been to promote our causes in the giving spirit of Jimi as he would have wanted and as his father set out to do.”

8 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

With a name as great and well known as Jimi Hendrix the Jimi Hendrix Foundation can help those in need to teach them how to discover and become themselves. Everyone needs a chance to interact and experience life and music is a great healer. As Jimi Hendrix sang, “I got my own world to look through and I ain’t gonna copy you.”

Joe’s other passion with the Jimi Hendrix Foundation is his focus is on autism, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and how music therapy can help. Giving instruments to kids, young adults and schools helps. $5,000.00 buys 100 guitars to give away to kids, $5,000.00 buys 1000 sweaters or jackets to give to the homeless. The Foundation is making a difference and communities are feeling it.

If you would like to help the Jimi Hendrix Foundation you can contact them at 877-IF6WAS9 or contact Joe personally at HeyJoe@JimiHendrixFoundation.org

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HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 9

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND

CHARLEY PRIDE

TO RECEIVE THE 2020 WILLIE NELSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT 'THE 54TH ANNUAL CMA AWARDS'

Charley Pride • Photo Credit: Joseph Llanes

Country Music's Biggest Night™ to Broadcast Live from Nashville Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 8 PM EST on ABC

The Country Music Association has revealed its 2020 Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award recipient—trailblazing country music star Charley Pride.

classics like “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’” (1971), and “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me)” (1969).

Pride will accept the honor during 'The 54th Annual CMA Awards,' broadcasting live from Nashville’s Music City Center Wednesday, Nov. 11 on ABC. Further details will be revealed in the coming weeks.

In 1971, he was named CMA Entertainer of the Year as well as Male Vocalist of the Year in both 1971 and 1972. Pride was also the first black man to co-host the CMA Awards, taking the reins in 1975 alongside Glen Campbell. He became a Grand Ole Opry member in 1993 and in 2000, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He holds three Grammy Awards and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Recording Academy in 2017.

“Charley Pride is the epitome of a trailblazer,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Few other artists have grown country music’s rich heritage and led to the advancement of country music around the world like Charley. His distinctive voice has created a timeless legacy that continues to echo through the country community today.

We could not be more excited to honor Charley with one of CMA’s highest accolades.”

The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is for an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music. The Award was established to recognize an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this Award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.

Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), Johnny Cash (2015), Dolly Parton (2016), and Kris Kristofferson (2019).

Through a mix of courage, determination, and extraordinary talent, Pride made country music history by becoming the genre’s first black superstar. The country legend has seen remarkable longevity in his career, which spans more than five decades. His distinctive baritone voice allowed him to take almost every song he touched into the Top 10, if not the No. 1 position, typically spending multiple weeks there. Between his chart debut in 1966, and 1989, Pride had 29 No. 1 country hits and over 50 Top 10 tracks, including enduring 10 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

About the CMA Awards: The first “CMA Awards Banquet and Show” was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest-running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, “CMA Fest” and “CMA Country Christmas.”

About Charley Pride: Charley Pride is celebrating more than 50 years as a recording artist. He has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of country music and is credited with helping to break color barriers by becoming the first black superstar within the genre. A true living legend, he has sold tens of millions of records worldwide with his large repertoire of hits.

A three-time GRAMMY® award and Recording Academy “Lifetime Achievement Award” winner, Pride has garnered no less than 36 chart-topping country hits, including “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” a massive #1 crossover hit that sold over a million singles and helped Pride land the Country Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” award in 1971 and the “Top Male Vocalist” awards of 1971 and 1972.

A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry, Pride continues to perform concerts worldwide and has toured the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand over the last several years. Pride received the Crossroads Of American Music Award At the 2019 GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi Gala in November of 2019 and has plans to release a new album soon.

Follow Charley Pride on Facebook and at CharleyPride.com.

Photo Credit: CMA/ABC HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 11

HITHA Singer/Songwriter Teen Sensation

12 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

SHINES HER LIGHT FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE AROUND THE WORLD

BY ANTHONY EWART A light-year does not indicate “time,” it indicates “distance,” as in the distance it takes to travel to a star or planet. But in describing the wisdom of 15-year-old Singer/Songwriter HITHA, you can’t help but imagine that she has grown in “Light Years,” light as in extreme enlightenment and awareness.

Her new album is entitled “We Are Who We Are,” one of the many tracks on this album that become instant classics upon “experiencing.” One doesn’t listen to Hitha’s music as much as you feel and experience it. Hitha’s music and her thoughts and lyrics engulf you. She pulls you into the world she sees.

Her voice is a guide, the beats are steps that take you to the beautiful melodious world she lives in.

The cover of Hitha’s album was created by Hitha herself. She adds a collage of faces to her own to drive home the point that “We Are One.” Track three is her album’s title and as with everything in Hitha’s life it was inspired by her family.

In this case, it was her mother who told her one day in trying to explain the sometimes difficult task of accepting ourselves: “We are who we are.”

Once again, all great things begin at home. It was on her long drives with her father to her music lessons that Hitha began finding her voice. Through conversations with her father, who challenged her to voice her opinions, their “loving debates” on every topic imaginable began and continues to this day.

These wonderful talks with her father allowed Hitha’s confidence to grow. She learned she could trust her instincts and she had valid points. How important is it for teens to know adults accept their viewpoints as valid. It’s everything…

“We Are Who We Are” is Hitha’s favorite song on her 11 track album. I can honestly say it’s mine, too. Along with “We Will Last,” “Future” and the seven other amazing tracks on this inspiring album. Congratulations to you, Hitha, on your incredible human and artistic accomplishments.

At the seasoned age of 15, Hitha will be embarking on an 8-city tour of India from January 15th, 2021 to March 21st, 2021. Hitha will be spreading her loving message of self-empowerment to teens in schools throughout Pune, Jaipur, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and more. 15-years-old. Light Years.

Making sense now…?

Hitha has a magnificent, refreshing viewpoint about our future, which is teens are the future. If we can help teenagers focus their lives on positivity we are ensuring our own happy future. In a sense, teenagers are Kings and Queens who don’t know they’re Princesses and Princes right now in waiting for greater things… Hitha is sparking this awareness in teens around the world through her music and her inspiring articles in both Hollywood Weekly and Hollywood Monthly Magazine. Hitha is enlightening her generation.

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 13

HW: When did you realize you could use music for social change and to bring social awareness or was that always how you viewed music?

HITHA: I always knew music was important from when I was young, but I didn’t know just how influential it was. When I was little, I used music to express my emotions. Singing Indian Classical music allowed me to add feelings to a song even if I didn’t completely understand what the song was saying.

As I learned more about music, I made more and more discoveries like this. I was only 11 years old when I realized that music could change the world. Like the Beatles, I wanted to unite everybody around me through music. I understood that music comes from every part of the world and that someone did not need to understand the words to understand the music and emotions. Adding feelings to a song and writing valuable lyrics can pierce anybody’s heart. Everyone loves music, so you can really spread a positive message through it.

HW: Who were the singers who inspired you to want to pursue a career in music?

HITHA: To be honest, when I first started making my own music, I did not have any inspirations. There was the occasional song that motivated me, but there was not one artist who I wanted to be like. Now I understand why. Every music artist has their own story on how they reached their goal, but as an American with an Indian origin, I didn’t identify with any of the popular singers. But when I first started singing at the ripe age of 4, I wanted to be just like my grandma, who introduced me to the art.

HW: Are there musical instruments that you play now or would like to learn to play?

HITHA: I am learning how to play the piano. I’m not too shabby if I do say so myself.

HW: Do you enjoy writing your own songs or singing songs written by others that embody your message?

HITHA: I love writing my own songs and singing songs written by others. I write my own songs when there is something I want to say. I like thinking about how I could inspire people.

Even if it is just one person who benefits from the words and music I create, I would be happy. I like singing songs written by other people when I want to learn. Everybody makes music differently and being able to learn from others is a skill that is very useful.

HW: Have you ever wanted to create music based on existing lyrics?

HITHA: Yes! I like listening to older songs and thinking about how it could be remade into something that people would want to listen to today. There were great quality songs that should not disappear. Music comes back in the same way fashion trends do.

14 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

WE ARE

HW: Were you ever bullied in school and how did you handle it?

HITHA: I was bullied in school. In 7th grade, I was cyberbullied by people I considered my best friends. I will be completely honest. I was miserable, but I was able to channel those emotions into my songwriting. It was a way and still is a way I get rid of pent up emotions and stress. And as for my friends, I moved on. Every relationship should be cherished while it lasts, but afterward, you need to let it go.

HW: Was it easy for you to find kindred spirits in school or did you feel like an outsider?

HITHA: Luckily, at my school, everybody is an overachiever. I fit right in. There are many people who love music like me. Last year, I was in my school choir. Thankfully, I do not feel like an outsider anymore.

society, even if you don’t have the funding for the project, do you see a way for younger people to handle their problems in a healthier way?

HITHA: The good thing is that the pressures of our current society are being acknowledged. Issues such as body shaming and the discrimination of people based on their gender, race, and/or sexuality is finally being fought against. But these problems have not disappeared. Sadly, there is nothing one person can do to deal with the pressures of our current society.

It requires a group effort to lift the taboo of talking about mental illness, discrimination, and other problems our societies face. Our societies and governments need to work together to revoke the pressure and allow younger people to feel loved no matter who they are. I personally plan on visiting many schools to talk to the youth and show them their power. Just talking to one person might change the course of the world.

HW: Have you ever experienced any discrimination and how did you handle it?

HITHA: Yes, my family and I have experienced discrimination for being people of color. There have been multiple cases where we were traveling, and we received weird looks from the people around us. In one instance, my family and I were stopped at an airport in Germany and rechecked for anything harmful because of the color of our skin. Thankfully, my neighborhood is culturally diverse, so we mostly don’t experience discrimination at our home. Although I get angry when I am discriminated against because of the color of my skin, I stay calm.

WHO WE ARE HW: How do your friends see you now that you are an accomplished singer and writer?

HITHA: My friends will always look at me as just a friend.

Nothing special, but I want our relationships to be that way.

I am still the same person I was before, just doing something different!

HW: Would you ever consider writing a book of poetry?

HITHA: Although I am fond of writing song lyrics, poetry is not really my thing. I like writing music so I can add my own melodies and play around with the composition. However, I might in the future...

HW: Have you ever thought of a long-term plan to help younger people deal with their pressures of our current

Right now, people are acknowledging the discrimination that many others face, whether that be in the department of gender, race, and/or sexuality. I am proud to say that I take part in these conversations and fight for the rights of those who don’t experience equality. I’ve touched on many of these topics in my upcoming album “We Are Who We Are.” HW: In addition to your daily breathing exercises do you practice traditional meditation?

HITHA: No, I don’t practice traditional meditation because I can’t sit still for more than 15 minutes unless I’m reading something. However, I picked up a skill that is similar, which I realized was not very common. When I feel extremely stressed out, or am being overwhelmed with emotion, I can blank out.

I go into a state in which I don’t think or feel anything. I just exist. It gives me a sense of bliss and completely calms me down. Sometimes, I listen to music to go into this state. Focusing on the sound only and letting it go in one ear and out the other helps me enter and exit this state. I learned later that this state was in fact the ultimate goal of meditation.

Social (FB/IG/Twitter): @officialhitha website: www.officialhitha.com email: hithamusic@gmail.com HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 15

Fa sh ion

Undercover

New York City fashion constraints Revelations

by famous model Karolina Geits

16 • HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

mpty gray streets, lonely sunbeams scraping

Ethrough the majestic skyscrapers and silence ...

New York has never been like this! The most popular city in the world with its raging pace of life is empty. About how life is going in NYC now, what restrictions are in place and how the fashion industry survives in quarantine, we decided to learn from the famous American model Karolina Geits.

Author: Karolina, please, tell us how your life changed during the quarantine period and what habits did you have to break?

Karolina: You know if initially quarantine, revolution and all sorts of restrictions were horrified, now you are getting used to it. It was unbearable for me to break sports, but I found an alternative for myself in outdoor activities and tennis. Meetings with friends in a cozy cafe have switched to conversations in zoom, trips to shops - to online shopping. Life for New Yorkers has never been home - people here do not bake pies without a special occasion and would rather have dinner in a cafe or bar room than cook at home.

With the quarantine, this has changed a lot. I always try to look for the positive in everything, for example, due to the fact that many have left Manhattan - the real estate market has sagged and apartment rental prices have become slightly lower. For New York, with its ever-rising house prices, this is nonsense.

I could not help but take advantage of the situation

and move into a luxurious apartment on the Upper East Side with panoramic low windows sills, now I can shoot for brands with a view of the city from the comfort of my home (laughs - author).

Author: By the way, Fashion Week ended recently, what has changed and how was it like this year? And in general, how are things with the fashion industry and shooting?

Karolina: Most of the official parades this year took place online, some did take place, but were private - only for photographers and the press. The world of fashion went online. Nowadays, many people have gone digital, prints work mostly either by subscription or with pre-order delivery. Brands have increased online sales, they also close offline stores, save on rent and salaries. For example, Massimo Dutti has completely closed its stores in the United States, and Karen Millen almost went bankrupt and is represented only in London. People began to consume more consciously, the demand goes for home and comfortable clothes. Also famous in New York City, Century21, a chain of branded clothing outlets that has been successfully developing since 1961 and was represented by 13 retail stores across the state, went bankrupt. The queues were kilometer long, more than near Apple on the day of sales! But with so many going online, there is more work for the models, as everyone wants beautiful content.

Photos & Copyright Holder: Evgeny Milkovich @emilkovich • Model: Karolina Geits @karolinageits HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 17

Author: But how is shooting going now, what locations are available and what are the limitations?

Karolina: Of course, large-scale campaigns are impossible now, so the shooting has lost its scale. But there is a great virtue in the absence of a crowd of people on the streets - you can safely shoot street-style. New York is a city of inspiration and here every corner can become a unique photo zone. Now I mainly work in tandem with a photographer, often we travel by taxi from one location to another, so as not to contact anyone. If the shooting involves a lot of images, a stylist can come with us. Now is a very interesting and certainly challenging time for brands and not all of them will stand the test. But those who can adapt after the quarantine will rise up! If earlier it was necessary to have a good budget in order to be sold in showrooms or large stores, now there is one competition for everyone, since everyone buys online, then it does not matter where this brand comes from and where it is manufactured. I always try to support not only large and well-known brands, but also young designers.

Next week I will shoot a campaign for two Ukrainian designers, but I’ll tell you about it next time.

Author: Thank you Karolina for your time and success in your future endeavors!

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Photos & Copyright Holder: Evgeny Milkovich @emilkovich • Model: Karolina Geits @karolinageits HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 19

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KOBE &

GIANNA HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY MAGAZINE SALUTES AND CONGRATULATES THE NBA ON THEIR PHENOMENAL "WIN" FOR KOBE AND GIANNA

This has been a difficult year, no doubt. Perhaps the worst many of us have seen in our lifetime. You'd have to read history (which you should do anyway) to find a year as painful as this one has been. But an amazing thing happened. In the midst of racial conflicts and disease and raw emotions, the NBA decided to take a stand and "listen to their Players." They heard what they were saying. They heard what they were feeling. And, in some ways, they "felt" what the Players were feeling.

Their have been many critics of the NBA for taking "listening to their Players" and taking action to "show the Players" that they really were listening. Our country is divided. We know that. Most of it is just misinformation -- which is the basis for racism, sexism and bigotry. Misinformation. Because of the NBA deciding to "respect their Players" there has been some fallout. COVID-19, f course, rating have dropped, but critics want to falsely lay all the blame on the NBA's decision to "BE HUMAN." Hollywood Weekly Magazine commends the NBA for being "Human and showing real compassion." They stood behind their Players in the "Eye of The Storm." They held on together...

The Lakers, in addition to the social climate bearing down on them, had a hole in their heart. The loss of Kobe and Gianna Bryant was so incredibly sad it passed into the realm of "surreal." Tell me you didn't walk around in a COMPLETE DAZE after hearing the news that Kobe and Gianna had died. This is not the same world, I'm sorry to say that. As LeBron James said "We'll never get over this." He's right. This is something we must live with, not something we get over. That's how much Kobe and Gianna meant to this world.

We should never question whether the NBA cares about their Players -- they do. And received sufficient backlash for doing that.

But at the end of the day we prevailed. The Lakers WON!! The NBA showed fans around the world that Basketball Players are Human Beings with feelings and thoughts and emotions and when you hire a Player you get all that along with their athletic talent.

Lebron James is the MVP for the FOURTH time in his career.

The Lakers are Champions, as they ALWAYS truly are. Kobe and Gianna Bryant are looking down on all of us right now with their Halos.

Hollywood Weekly salutes Lakers Owners: Jeanie Buss, Johnny Buss, Jim Buss, Janie Buss, Jesse Buss, Edward P. Roski, Philip Anschutz, Patrick Soon-Shiong and the Buss Family Trusts.

Hollywood Weekly salutes Lakers Head Coach Frank Vogel and his Top Assistant Coaches Lionel Hollins and Jason Kidd.

And Hollywood Weekly Salutes the Incredible, Unstoppable Los Angels Lakers!!! We Love You & THANK YOU!!

HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY • 21

m F il

ORSON WELLES Came To Rio in 1942, Ambassador Frederico Lapenda is bringing him Back to Brazil Again.

BY FABIO GLINGANI

Frederico Lapenda

F

rederico Lapenda, international producer of Worldwide Motion Pictures is also the president of the Beverly Hills Film Festival, and the Tourism Ambassador of Brazil. Mr. Lapenda believes in something radical. He has carefully researched the matter and now believes that instead of producing TV, Internet and various Magazine ads to promote Tourism, the relevant Bureaus should produce “Actual Motion Pictures” to promote their culture, food and places of interest. In this manner, instead of spending money on ads, people could actually see the wonders of their country, around the world. This would promote tourism, especially in these days when people, the world over…dream about magnificent locations to visit.

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At the same time, while promoting tourism, Bureaus could make significant profits from the films they actually produce. They could quickly recoup their investments. For example, GAME OF THRONES being produced in Australia, was a huge profit machine for tourism… because all the filmed locations encouraged an explosion in new tourists.

Films also have an incredible mystique of their own. And great movies are im-

mortal. Who will ever forget the ending to the great Romantic Thriller, CASABLANCA, when Humphrey Bogart said: “We will always have Paris!” That incredible movie actually sold Two Locations, at the same time. Casablanca, because of its mystery and adventure… and Paris, because of its Romance and Beauty. Both locations opened their doors to a new, huge explosion of Tourism, after the war ended.

There are endless examples of other Motion Pictures that successfully promoted towns, cities, and different country’s. THE BEACH, starring Leonardo de Caprio, was a huge success.

According to O Jornal O Sul, the Maya Bay Beach location on the island of Koh Phi Phi in Thailand, increased by more than 2000% the number of visitors after the film was shown around the world.

Since filming in 1999, the average num-

ber of visits was 171 people per day.

But, after the film shown, globally…the average on visiting tourists was over 250 boats a day, and over 4000 visitors who came ashore.

Thailand was visited by more than 35 million tourists in the year 2015, but there was a significant increase in 2016, because in that year there were 10 million tourists, thanks to the premiere of THE BEACH. BRAVEHEART, tells us the story of the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero, William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) came out in 1995 and the next year the amount of people visiting Scotland increased by a massive 300 percent.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 2 the second movie in the franchise starring Tom Cruise was shot in Sydney. It has been proven that the movie itself, increased tourism to Australia by over 200 percent.

Even FROZEN, the famous Disney musical in 2013, has not only won the heart of every child, but also fired up the tourism in Norway. Although the movie takes place in the mythical kingdom of Arendelle, it is loosely based on the Scandinavian country of Norway. According to recent Government Reports, travel to Norway from the United States jumped over 37 percent after the movie was released.

That is one more reason why Producer Frederico Lapenda is determined to produce a movie that is indigenous to the history of Brazil. A story that cries out to be made, in the place where it happened. A story filled with glamour, the beauty of Rio, and the drama of espionage in wartime from the sands of Copacabana Beach, to the marble halls of the Presidential Palace. This is the story of the legendary actor, director and writer Orson Welles, who left Hollywood and came to Rio in 1942 … to ride a float in our Mardis Gras…and to be a spy.

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The Mission Liberating Oklahoma

By Barbara Burke ‟We had to process 574 emergency teacher licenses last year”

Cover Photo: Joe Exotic Governor Parade 2017.

J

oseph Maldonado Passage, known to Oklahomans’ as Joe Exotic, because he is an exotic animal zookeeper, & an Oklahoma gubernatorial Libertarian candidate.

Hollywood Weekly sat down for a talk with Exotic, a former Presidential candidate, and chatted about what he thinks matters most for “Sooners” and this country.

“We have three Libertarians running for Governor this year.” Exotic said. “There are a total of eleven candidates for governor this year, including those representing all parties.” Exotic said.

“What is your campaign platform?” Hollywood Weekly asked “I am pro-choice, Pro-LGBT, anti-gun reform generally.” Exotic said. “However, HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY MONTHLY• •925

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the thrust of my campaign is focused on the pitiful state of education in Oklahoma.

We are ranked 49 out of the 50 states and our educational system is a mess. We had to process 574 emergency teacher licenses last year - that’s for a state with a population of only 3.5 million and it is almost double last year’s rate.”

Exotic’s figures were corroborated - and lamented - by national and local media.

According to a June 23, 2017, U.S. News and World Report, Oklahoma’s usage of emergency certified teachers has risen meteorically in recent years amidst an escalating statewide shortage of educators.

In 2017, Oklahoma’s state Board of Education approved more than 220 emergency certificates, whereas in 2016, the Board considered approximately 80 such emergency certificates, citing The Tulsa World.

The provisional licenses let individuals work as teachers before they complete the education or training requirements for regular or alternative certification. Teachers can use the licenses to teach for two academic years.

“This year, the use of emergency teacher certifications almost doubled and it’s because we are not allocating our budgets properly.” Exotic said. “Years ago, we approved a lottery and were supposed to dedicate money from the gambling systems to education.. More than $30 million of such, have been misappropriated by the health department. Indeed, most of Oklahoma’s problems are because of the politicians. For example, Gavin County, which has approximately 5,400 students has eight school supervisors and their wages cost Oklahoma $3.5 million. Compare that to the District where Oklahoma City is which has only one supervisor for more than ten times the number of students in Gavin County.”

Oklahoma’s government should be run like an efficient business. Exotic said.

“If we can just allocate our funds correctly and reorganize our superintendent

Photo 1 (left): Oklahoma, Joe Exotic Fan.

Photo 2 (lbottom): One of many Joe Exotic Fans who dressed up like him for Halloween, excited for his run..

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • •1127 HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

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‟I built my exotic zoo from an empty field with only $1,000 in my pocket to the largest private exotic animal zoo in the nation”

Photo 3 (left): Joe Exotic delivering gifts to kids. whos families who need help.

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • •1329 HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

system, that alone could save us a half billion dollars.” He said. “There’s a very good reason the teachers are walking out - we are not funding our schools right and we’re not supporting our teachers. It’s that simple.”

Many teachers’ unions in Oklahoma participated in an organized walk out in early April.

“The teachers are right - the schools need to be improved right away.” Exotic said. “Our Senate just increased the gas tax, diesel tax, gross production tax and increased the tax assessed on cigarettes by another dollar.” He said. “Instead of working smart and running this state like a business, we’re taxing the people to death and using cities’ funds as sludge funds.”

In addition to supporting a massive overhaul for educational reform, Exotic also supports legalizing medicinal marijuana, noting the amount of tax revenues states can garner from such legislation.

“Oklahoma and Nebraska both sued Colorado once Colorado legalized marPhoto 4 (top): Joe Exotic with broken neck & back earlier this year, 2018 Photo 5 (right): Joe Exotic with his husband Dillon Passage

• HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 30 •14 HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

ijuana.” Exotic said. “This decision was made when Scott Pruitt was our Attorney General here in Oklahoma before being chosen by President Trump to lead up the EPA. There’s no basis for such a suit that’s how smart our politicians are here in Oklahoma.”

Pruitt, the scandal-ridden EPA administrator is facing mounting calls to resign, which could make things most interesting for the Oklahoma gubernatorial election should he resign and declare his candidacy for governor before the state’s primary election on June 26.

Exotic also is concerned about onerous restrictions Imposed on farming and meat producers in Oklahoma. “There are so many restrictions on farming and meat producers that the small farms and ranches cannot compete with the factory ranchers.” Exotic said. “I want to lift some of those restrictions so that they can compete and my plan is to allow them to allow them to sell to the School Districts so that we can provide healthier food at a much

more competitive price for our school children. I want to buy meat just as I do for my own exotic animal zoo at good prices. If we did that, we could provide school children with a quarter chicken, bread, veggies, a dessert and milk for $1.28 each plate. However, if we were buying on volume for the whole state’s school children, I could get that down to approximately 68 cents per student and provide the children with a good meal and save money for the state.”

Exotic returns to his central theme money in the public fisc in Oklahoma is being misallocated and the State should be run as a viable, profitable, efficient business.

“We could move some of the wasted money from our Agricultural Department - which is enormously overfunded - to our education system to pay our teachers a decent salary and properly fund our schools.” He said.

“I built my exotic zoo from an empty field with only $1,000 in my pocket to the largest private exotic animal zoo in the nation in 20 years. “ He said. “I am qualified and experienced when it comes to budgeting money. I have nearly 400 exotic animals in my care and nearly 200 are big cats. I have every species of tigers alive and have hybrids such as ligers and tilligers as well. The challenge is that the animal rights groups are lying to our politicians and are donating political money to change laws. They want to change the laws about people having exotic pets when in fact the very sanctuaries that they send them to have become non-profits and get the public to fund the same hobby - owning exotic pets - tax free. Our lawmakers must wake up to this reality as it is costing use millions in tax dollars and those with the non-profits are making millions by frauding the public as they take donations for their hobby.”Exotic feels he is qualified to reform Oklahoma’s economic policies because he has an extensive business background.

HOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY MONTHLY• •1531

“I have grown my business, and an exotic pet store I once owned in Texas, even though I faced major obstacles. I have lost two husbands unfortunately and sustained organ failure in 2014. Moreover, I injured my neck, back and leg this January but I am still as strong as ever.”

Exotic is a libertarian at heart based on his philosophy that property rights are the fundamental basis for the American dream.

“I believe that once you work for the American dream to own property and build a house, you just not have to pay the Government taxes on that property.” He said. “Under the current taxation system, you never really own anything - they tax you forever and if you don’t pay the tax, they put a lien on your property and take it away - that in my mind is not right.”

Exotic feels equally strongly about the Second Amendment.“I stand firm for the Second Amendment and I don’t believe a citizen should have to pay the government for the right to bear arms.” He said. “I advocate mandatory background checks however. In this state, you can get a hunter’s safety card when you are age 16. Therefore, I do not advocate raising the legal age to possess a gun to 21 years old in Oklahoma. We will not stop crazy people from killing others by raising the legal age to acquire a gun. Rather, we have to get mental health, social media and bullying under control before we can

• HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY 32 • 16 HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

stop gun violence. The media plays news about gun violence incidents too long, in my opinion, because their doing so can give other crazy persons the idea to go out and repeat gun violence.”

Should Exotic become Governor of Oklahoma, he will be the first gay governor.“This is also the first time that Oklahoma has allowed a Libertarian on the ballot and I intend to put my husband Dillon Passage in there to be the First Man of Oklahoma. He said. ”I believe being gay further qualifies me to serve as Oklahoma’s governor because I went through challenges as a gay man in the 1980s - I was bullied, stalked and harassed. Because of those experiences, I have better empathy for others. Because of my business experience, I have a better understanding of how to fix Oklahoma’s problems than do the other candidates. I am who I am. I refuse to wear a suit because it makes me look fake. I won’t cut my hair and I’m not taking out my earring. I won’t change to anyone’s fake standards to win this election or to run this state.”

Joe Exotic is a straightforward person who feels he has a straightforward plan for betting Oklahoma as its Governor.

“I post a video each day and it is well received because I am being genuine and I am being truthful.” He said. “That’s exactly what Oklahoma needs.”

HOLLYWOOD WEEKLY • •1733 HOLLYWOOD MONTHLY

FEATURES FROM

Love Dot Com Soundtrack The soundtrack is a love letter to fans.

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For the past few months, Robbie Celeste, the versatile self-described “celestial-being turned musician” has been creating the soundtrack for the upcoming romantic-comedy, Love Dot Com (LDC).

The film Love Dot Com is a fresh look into the difficulties of modern dating and figuring out what we want in our relationships. Mix love in with commentary on gentrification, financial literacy, and healthy eating, and LDC is a film cut right for the times we live in today. The soundtrack is no different. In fact, it may be one of the best since Boomerang. Why make that comparison? The soundtrack for Boomerang highlighted the sound of early 90s R&B and Hip-Hop while introducing new players to the game. The Love Dot Com Soundtrack not only captures the feel of today’s R&B and Hip-Hop but introduces the world to Robbie Celeste’s futuristic sound. His music has the potential to influence the playlist of the next decade.

Robbie’s creative process is unique. He is a self-trained musician, performer and sound engineer. He can play five instruments and work on all the standard mixing systems.

SoulVision Magazine had an opportunity to watch his creative process in a small studio in Richmond, VA. Robbie started by looking at the sound and mix monitors. Scenes from the film Love Dot Com are playing on a monitor.

Robbie is watching everything intently. You can see the gears turning in his head as he starts to bob and sway. He smiles and heads into the booth to sing some lyrics, “. . .

I’m not thinking about you baby tonight.” The lyrics are coming to him; some of it sounds like another language.

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“I’ve been hearing your text/ curving my ex . . . for you . . . just for you, you.” This song would later be titled, “Pick It Up.” He takes a break and starts to play around on a drum pad. The electronic bleeps are reminiscent of Kanye West’s 808s and Heartbreak. The dreamy guitar and atmospheric synth pads create a sense of a euphoric romance budding between the two leads. Robbie compiled a hit song out of thin air! All of us are amazed as we nod our heads to the hypnotic composition. That’s his process. He might just be celestial.

Another song he prepared for the soundtrack, “High Speed,” is what happens when the two protagonists from the film first meet each other. She’s not feeling him, but he’s feeling her. We all have been in that situation at one time or another. The record is fast paced, replicating the urgency that one feels when they want to be with someone but can’t find a match.

“Glow Mission” has a classic, four-to-the-floor beat. The two protagonists get loose. There is no letting up now. The funky bass is infectious. There’s a slinky feel to it all.

“Titanic” is likely going to be the lead song. It could become one of those records that defines a career. It eases up on you with a hook that is both cool and poetic: “You jump, I jump, that’s Titanic.” The lyrics in the hook are a play on the tragic ship we learn of in life while flipping it into the leap of faith that one takes with any genuine romance. It could be tragic or it could be great? You won’t know unless you try. That’s Romance. That’s Robbie Celeste.

The soundtrack, releasing sometime in February or March, is a love letter to fans. It’s modern, fresh and futuristic. It has the power to immerse and captivate its audience to get into their feelings or just dance the night away. The soundtrack is a great companion piece to the theme of the film: be yourself and you will find true love.

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Hollywood Weekly - Page Turners As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book. Bedside Reading is welcoming the new season with another selection of bestsellers available through our novel amenity, on the download at luxury hotels. Whether you’re traveling or staying cozy at home, keep up to date with our 5-star authors and book recommendations by following us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn @BedsideReading BedsideReading.com

The Birth Mother by Seymour Ubell (an Audiobook) On a business trip, a high-powered fifty-six-year-old American entrepreneur visits his partners in China. After their meeting, his Asian mentor invites him to an orphanage, a trip that will change the course of his family’s life forever.

Without hesitation, he and his wife fall in love with Anglo/Asian twin girls and become their adoptive parents. The children grow up in a world of twists and turns with multiple coincidences and synchronicity. Their journey takes them from China to Europe to America and back to China where their unusual birth mother enters their lives. This powerful story is filled with drama at every turn as the daughters face internal and external challenges. The Birth Mother is a story filled with love, pathos, tragedy, and triumph. Read, laugh, cry, and learn. It’s a tale you will never forget.

Dead Ball: A Novel of Murder and Passion by G.P. Hutchinson Hutchinson’s engrossing historical baseball thriller, “Dead Ball,” begins in 1912 when young St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hal Gerecke unleashes a throw he’ll regret as long as he lives. Popular Boston Braves hitter Rube Wannamaker evidently never catches sight of the incoming fastball, and the next thing Hal knows, Rube is on the ground, unconscious and bleeding. As succeeding weeks pass, it becomes apparent that the errant pitch has left Rube in a permanent vegetative state. Gutted by the incident, Hal abandons baseball for married life with spunky Gracie Matthews, but recruiters for the newly formed and supposedly safer Mutual League of Professional Baseball soon pull him out of retirement. Certain folks, meanwhile—including mysterious baseball newcomer Johnny Wagner—haven’t forgotten Hal’s fateful fastball. Believing he purposely maimed Rube, they’re out for blood, and Hal’s life is in serious danger.

Under Lock and Key by Betty Bolte Giles Fairhope reluctantly journeys to the Fury Falls Inn in the wilderness of 1821 Alabama for one reason: his beloved sister Cassie needs him after their mother was murdered. He plans to find his mother’s killers, ensure Cassie’s safety, and then go home. When Cassie tells him their mother’s ghost haunts the inn, he suddenly faces his dead mother amidst shocking memories from his past, unexpected changes in himself, and dangerous family secrets. The revelations change everything he thought he knew about his family and threaten his sister’s safety and perhaps even her life...

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White Out by Danielle Girard After surviving a car accident on an icy road in Hagen, North Dakota, Lily Baker regains consciousness with no idea where or who she is. Scattered Bible verses and the image of a man lying in a pool of blood haunt her memory. The same night of the accident, a young woman is murdered and tossed in a dumpster. Kylie Milliard, Hagen’s only detective, doesn’t immediately recognize the victim, but Kylie soon discovers that Lily and the dead woman share a dark past…if only Lily could remember what it was. Lily and Kylie both want answers. But Kylie has to play by the book.

Lily has to play it safe. And the more Lily learns about her identity, the more she fears the truth.

Limerick Comics by Robert Hoyman Limerick Comics offers lighthearted original limericks on a wide range of history and science topics, each with an informational panel of surprising facts, presented in entertaining comics. Kids of all ages are invited to linger on each page to enjoy the humor, ponder inferences, and view the evocative details of each illustrated panel. This innovative blend of verse and fun facts is crafted to appeal to reluctant and advanced readers alike. Limerick Comics is a cross-curricular deep-dive sure to provide a springboard for discussion between kids and parents, or teachers and students.

Colloquium by Charles D’Amico Colloquium—an international detective thriller—is book 3 of 4 in the Neil Baggio series. Neil Baggio sits down for a conversation with Frank Cappelano, an FCI Milan inmate and Neil’s former boss and adversary who’s been put away for multiple murders. But as always, Cappelano’s insights are invaluable. Neil discovers a dubious connection between a missing girl—an activist who was protesting Gaines Chemical—and the head of Gaines himself. All signs indicate a cover-up, but which part? There are so many skeletons in the closet of this powerful chemical company. Once a staple in the community, built by the CEO’s parents, he has turned his family company into an enterprise. Leaning on unlikely support, Neil will work with convicted felons, inmates, and dirty guards to survive this case. But will he survive it, will he uncover all that lies below?

Colloquium is book 3 of a series with many spinoffs coming

Eye of the Moon by Ivan Obolensky Percy, the narrator, begins as someone raised on the fringes of the elite, quasi-abandoned by his traveling parents. He is abruptly reunited with his pseudo-brother and pulled into his hijinks. They stumble upon the artifacts of the legendary socialite Alice, who had died mysteriously twenty years prior. Her letters and journals bring a darker world to light and the two men dive headlong into the shadows. This inadvertently involves everyone at the estate, including the butler, Stanley, who was the only confidante of Alice with hidden knowledge of what happened behind closed doors before her death. She still lives in the places lit with magic, her narrative woven tightly with Percy’s. What will be the cost of revealing the truth? Where does Percy ultimately belong?

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this unforgettable historical novel from the bestselling author of the “epic and heart-wrenching” The Winemaker’s Wife. When Eva Traube flees Paris during the Nazi Occupation, she finds herself working for the Resistance near the Swiss border. As she prepares false traveling papers for children being smuggled to safety, she realizes that they may never be reunited with their parents--unless someone can preserve and protect their true names. A heartrending story perfect for book clubs.

Ball Gowns to Yoga Pants by Dr. Shellie Hipsky Ballgowns to Yoga Pants reveals the hush-hush details that every business owner of a startup wishes they knew before they jumped into owning their own business. Ballgowns to Yoga Pants is infused with powerful stories from Dr. Shellie Hipsky, the CEO of the motivational media company Inspiring Lives International, as she describes her rise from tenured professor to becoming an award-winning “Best Business Woman” and “Entrepreneur of the Year” whose company has grown massively in impact and revenue. Based on research and interviews, Ballgowns to Yoga Pants shows what multi-millionaire entrepreneurs have done, step-by-step as they climbed the ladder of success.

A Borrowed Life by Kerry Anne King From the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Whisper Me This comes an emotional and sharply witty novel about how life’s unexpected detours can ultimately bring you home. When her controlling husband of 30 years dies suddenly, Liz risks everything to explore a wider life and a new love despite the efforts of her daughter to hold her back. “Earthy, unpredictable, and wildly enjoyable.” —Barbara O’Neal, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestselling author of When We Believed in Mermaids

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Just Feel: How to Be Stronger, Happier, Healthier, and More by Mallika Chopra From the author of Just Breathe, Mallika Chopra, daughter of Deepak Chopra, comes a full-color guide empowering kids ages 8-12 to problem solve, harness inner strength, and gain grit and emotional awareness. Featuring full-color illustrations, Just Feel is an engaging and easy-to-read guide that introduces kids to the building blocks of resilience and grit.

On With the Butter! Spread More Living onto Everyday Life by Heidi Herman An upbeat and sincere primer on living one’s best life.” -Kirkus Review.

A motivational gift book filled with stories, encouragement, and ideas to add more vitality and activity into your everyday life. Carry on, keep doing what you’re doing, forge ahead and keep moving. Icelanders have a saying for it: Áfram með Smjörið - on with the butter!

Ave Maria by Charles D’Amico An international thriller investigating the “suicide” of a young teen with ambiguous ties to the Catholic Church. Neil Baggio, fresh off ending the Cappelano serial killer case, is called in the middle of the night by his old high school. The headmaster, formerly his teacher, asks Neil to investigate a student’s mysterious death. What looks to be a suicide will have Neil chasing down the Catholic Church, causing scene after scene and flying to Europe to chase one last lead that will live up to the Baggio name. Neil struggles as he tries to get information out of one of the oldest institutions in history, the Catholic Church. Neil can’t find the connection, can’t find the trail—all he knows is they are sweeping up the tracks, but why? Follow Neil as he causes a stir, riles up the church, and rises to the occasion. The truth is there, but will it be found before it’s finally hidden away for good?

The Summer Sand Pact by Jessie Newton These five best friends made a Summer Sand Pact as teens and have only kept it once or twice—until they reunite decades later and renew their agreement to meet in Five Island Cove every summer.

The Moments Between by Natalie Banks Tragedy strikes the life of Claire DuPont when her husband of nine years is killed in a train accident on his way home from work, leaving her alone with two small children. One morning, six months later, she awakes to find him alive and there with her in the house, like he had never been gone. With her head spinning she picks up her phone only to see the date is actually three months before the accident ever occurred. Bewildered but grateful, she writes it off as a very vivid, bad dream. But as time goes on, she realizes that events are unfolding exactly the way they did in her dream. Racing against time, she desperately tries to change the inevitable but finds herself helpless to change anything. Unwilling to give up, she vows to stop at nothing to save her husband before it’s too late.

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A Suitable Necklace by Kim Akhtar Sabine Kumar, a conartist and cat burglar, returns to Delhi with a scheme to exact revenge on JJ Singh, her ex-partner and lover, who, five years prior, gave her up to the Indian police and cut a deal to save himself, sending her on the run.

The Lighthouse by Jessie Newton When Joel Shields dies, Robin Grover’s only goal is to get her four best friends back to Five Island Cove to celebrate the life of Kristen’s husband. She alone has stayed in the cove while everyone else couldn’t wait to get away. Alice Keller comes instantly, because her mansion in the Hamptons and her husband’s infidelity is smothering her. Not only that, but Kristen has always been like a mother to her, and she wants to support her. Eloise Hall comes quickly too, because she’s not teaching at the university this summer, and she might as well visit her mother—and the house she secretly bought years ago.

Her first night on the island, she runs into an old high school crush, and a flame ignites that hasn’t been there before. But Kelli Thompson and AJ Proctor are more resistant, and as Robin, Alice, and Eloise uncover secret after secret in the books, journals, and files in Joel’s office, Robin becomes more determined to reunite them all. When Kelli and AJ finally arrive in the cove, the women are embroiled in secrets the lighthouse has hidden for decades. Robin tries to hold them all together, but she too breaks down and admits that her perfect-on-the-outside life isn’t so perfect.

As these 5 best friends work together to find the truth, they must learn to let go of what doesn’t matter and cling to what does: faith, family, and most of all, friendship.

Hook Point by Brendan Kane

Hook Point: How to Stand Out in a 3-Second World, by out of the box thinker Brendan Kane, breaks down the most effective strategies to generate new opportunities, innovate and scale your business, and create a compelling brand—both online and off—so you can thrive in the new micro-attention world in which we live.

THE MIRACLE BALL METHOD FROM ELAINE PETRONE With over 1.5 million copies in print, the first edition of Elaine Petrone’s The Miracle Ball Method was a revelation.

Developed by the professional dancer to treat her own injuries and using nothing more than two small, squishy exercise balls and a combination of gravity and breathing, the revolutionary method has helped millions of people manage and reduce pain and stress for almost two decades. Practitioners rave about the life-changing benefits of Petrone’s routines and their ability to heal a range of ailments.

With over 1.5 million copies in print, the first edition of Elaine Petrone’s The Miracle Ball Method was a revelation.

But when the book first came out in 2003, smartphones and computers were not the ubiquitous items they are now—nor were the aches and pains that go along with their use. Enter The

Miracle Ball Method, Revised Edition: Relieve Your Pain, Reshape Your Body, Reduce Your Stress. Using the beloved and proven techniques from the first edition—get on the ball, breathe deeply, and let the weight of your body do the rest—Petrone has added new combinations in this revised edition to target contemporary, widespread ailments such as the physical problems that arise from spending hours sitting in front of a screen, as well as the pervasive 2020 issues of sleeplessness, anxiety, and stress. In fact, as work from home becomes the new normal, with makeshift home offices causing new pain points, the need for Petrone’s method is only growing. (Several of Elaine’s clients have shared how helpful the method has been for feeling more connected with their bodies while being in quarantine and more sedentary.)

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