In the recent Finding Neverland documentary, the long term effects of childhood trauma are clearly demonstrated. The two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck (who tell of the chronic sexual abuse they suffered at the the hands of Michael Jackson), only started to deal with what had happened to them almost 20 years later. Sometimes it takes that amount of distance from the pain to be able to deal with it, but the awful things that happen to you as a child do not simply go away. No, instead those experiences fester within and influence you in multiple ways, playing out in poor choices, addictions, ill health and a possible host of health and behavioral problems. Why does that happen? How does it happen? What does it look like? And how does one make it better?
Well, Rita Ciolek and Marianna Mankowska, both survivors of child abuse, have teamed up to do an in depth feature-length documentary film entitled Child Not Releasedto find those answers. The film will explore long-term consequences of child abuse and neglect by examining diverse survivor stories. The emphasis is on the effects of trauma on early childhood brain development including developing susceptibility to addictions, problems related to building healthy relationships with oneself and others, and repeating cycles of abuse in the context of intergenerational trauma. The film will also offer innovative approaches to healing, cutting-edge treatments, and experimental programs to help survivors re-wire their brains and overcome trauma. Rita and Marianna share a vision for this film to be a conversation starter on the difficult and often stigmatized issues related to childhood trauma. They want the survivors to know that they are not alone, that resources are available, and that any trauma can be healed.
Due to its hot topic issues, the project is gaining momentum and attracting top experts in the field of childhood trauma including Dr. Ramani Durvasula (psychologist), Dr. Regina Pally (psychiatrist), and Jenica Morin-Pascual (domestic violence expert). The project is also in talks with Dr. Gabor Maté (renowned speaker and bestselling author with expertise on addiction, stress and childhood development), and Dr. James Doty (Clinical Professor of neurosurgery at Stanford).
Interviews with these experts will discuss:
Re-wiring of brain circuits to overcome trauma Recovery from addictions
Learning to give language to emotions
Forming healthy relationships
Effective parenting
The third stage of self-esteem development – evolution
The producers are currently looking for collaborators and survivor stories in the local communities. Correspondence can be send to rita@kaziaproductions.com.
Kazia Productions is a Santa Monica media production company, founded by Rita Ciolek, MFA, CPA,
Rita Ciolek (Founder & Creative Director) is known for collaborations with prominent figures in the entertainment, business and humanitarian worlds including Barbra Streisand, Linda Cruse, Keith Merrill, and David Rudd.
Marianna Mankowska (Co-producer and Lead Animator/Graphic Artist) is a multi-award winning animator and illustrator. (Scenes from the film demonstrating physical, psychological and emotional abuse and neglect will be depicted with animations).
It’s warming up, convertibles have their tops down, and birds are singing. Wouldn’t you be glad to know that they’re not the only ones cooing tunes in the Spring breeze? To kick off the world tour celebrating his new self-titled album, Waterhouse, Nick Waterhouse will be performing a live DJ set poolside at Viceroy Santa Monica as part of the hotel brand’s A Canvas For Discovery artist series.
Waterhouse, a Santa Ana native, is known for his classic rhythm and blues, jazz and soul. He’s been praised for his ability to connect late 1950s rock ability, 1960s R&B and contemporary garage rock.
Waterhouse will be putting on the intimate show at Viceroy Santa Monica, one of LA’s premier coastal hotel properties, next Wednesday, April 24th from 7:00-10:00 p.m. As if it couldn’t get any better, the event is free to the public!
About Viceroy Santa Monica
Located on iconic Ocean Avenue, Viceroy Santa Monica embodies luxury California living at its finest. The property boasts 162 meticulously appointed guestrooms originally designed by internationally acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler. Expansive executive suites updated by Dawson Design Associates offer sweeping ocean views. Enhanced by unique décor elements that blend hints of British colonial and lavish Regency style with modern materials and a bold color palette, as well as first-class amenities and unparalleled guest service, Viceroy Santa Monica, part of Viceroy Hotel Group’s Lifestyle Series, provides visitors with a refined beachside experience unlike any other. On-site amenities include access to two plunge pools surrounded by chic cabanas offering privacy in style; CAST Lounge, an upscale and stylish nightlife destination with curated specialty cocktails in the hotel lobby; and a one-of-a-kind dining experience at CAST Restaurant, an acclaimed restaurant with a locally influenced menu utilizing seasonal and authentic flavors with distinct Los Angeles flare.
Viceroy Santa Monica is located at:
1819 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
For more information and to make a reservation, please visit
Easter is right around the corner, and if you’re in need of plans, we’ve got you covered. Perhaps breakfast is boring, and lunch is too late, but in L.A., brunch is everyone’s favorite meal of the day. Read on for two amazing options to consider for a luxury Easter brunch with your family — kids included!
VICEROY L’ERMITAGE
Celebrate Easter in style at the Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills’ restaurant, Avec Nous, by indulging in an elegant, holiday brunch menu. On Sunday, April 21st from 9am – 3pm, Avec Nous will offer an impressive buffet in the historic pavilion room alongside luxe a la carte additions.
Priced at $75 per adult and $58 for children under 12, the lavish brunch spread includes seasonal salads like dandelion greens with blueberries, mint leaves and toasted hazelnuts, an heirloom tomato salad with burrata and balsamic pearls as well as smoked salmon crostini with chive cream cheese, red onions and capers and an impressive selection of charcuterie and cheeses. For a decadent finish, guests can enjoy a variety of hand-crafted French delicacies including assorted petits fours, macarons, lemon meringue tartlets and more.
To complement the buffet, a la carte specials, each priced at $28, include market-driven dishes such as an antelope chop with yellow sweet corn, charred pearl onion and sweet pea as well as a sweet pea and black truffle risotto.
Reservations are recommended and can be made online here or by calling 310-860-8660.
Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills is located at: 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210.
VICEROY SANTA MONICA
Celebrate Easter in coastal sophistication at Viceroy Santa Monica’s Cast Restaurant with a special buffet brunch this Sunday from 11am – 3pm. Priced at $65 per person, the impressive spread will include cinnamon cardamom brioche french toast, seared barramundi with saffron ratatouille and Alaskan king crab Benedict along with three carving stations serving herb-crusted Colorado leg of lamb, Maldon salt crusted beef tenderloin and cold poached salmon. A generous custom-order omelet station will accompany the selection of assorted pastries, seasonal fresh fruit, applewood smoked bacon and chicken apple sausage. Children can also enjoy all of the buffet offerings for $28 per child (aged 5-12) and children under five years old are complimentary, exclusive of tax and gratuity.
The full menu can be viewed here and guests can reserve their table here.
Viceroy Santa Monica is located at: 1819 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401.
Premier Stadium Standouts Offered From All 30 MLB Franchises
WHO: Major League Baseball (MLB) – the professional baseball organization overseeing and marketing 30 U.S. based franchised teams.
WHAT: The 2019 MLB FoodFest presented by Budweiser hosts its first Los Angeles based food festival highlighting the best concession items of each of the 30 MLB Stadiums. The selection ranges from ballpark classics to stadium-exclusive fan favorites and new items debuting this season at a number of ballparks.
Each MLB stadium will be represented with fan favorites like the World Series-winning Boston Red Sox’s Hot Lobster Roll, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Sisig Fries, the Diamond-Backs’ Churro Dogs as well as the Mariners’ Toasted Grasshoppers. International favorites will include: Fish and Chips with Mushy Peas from London, the Sultanes de Monterrey “Monster Dog” from Monterrey, Mexico and Japanese Curry from Tokyo. To review all offerings, click on to the MLB FoodFest full menu.
WHEN: Friday, April 26 through Sunday, April 28 Friday: 4pm-11pm Saturday: 11am – 11pm Sunday: 11am – 8:30pm
WHERE: Magic Box at The Reef 1933 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90007
MORE INFO: Various ticket packagesare available including 21 and over packages – offering beer samplings and beer pairings. This is a community wide, all ages event bringing the culture of the MLB franchises to life through an extraordinary food experience.
Homeward LA is a 10-day citywide event from April 26 to May 5 where multiple productions of monologues, based on stories from people who have experienced homelessness, will be performed by hundreds of actors all around the city, inspiring the community to address the homeless crisis.
Last year, over 10 days, nearly 300 actors performed in 26 productions of monologues, based on stories from people who have been homeless.
The productions were seen by nearly 2,000 people in venues all around Los Angeles, raising approximately $55,000 for The Midnight Mission.
This year, from April 26 to May 5, Homeward LA will be staging new stories from those who strive to find their way home in 50 productions across the city.
Join us as we inspire the community to come together and end homelessness.
Tickets are $20 and all proceeds go to The Midnight Mission, a nonprofit on Skid Row that provides shelter, food, education and more to LA’s homeless population. If you cannot attend, please consider donating to the cause via the donate button below.
To learn more or to find other Homeward LA productions, go to Homeward LA
To learn more about The Midnight Mission, go to Midnight Mission
SweetFlower, a luxury cannabis lifestyle brand committed to modernizing the retail customer experience, opened its first retail concept on April 8th, on Melrose — directly across from LA landmarks “The Improv” comedy club and Fred Segal. Headquartered in Culver City, CA, SweetFlower’s second location opens on April 15th in Studio City, in a space formerly occupied by famed cannabis retailer, Perennial.
The hallmarks of the SweetFlower experience are unparalleled customer service, the highest quality, locally-sourced products, and retail environments distinguished by their design and inviting ambiance. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Culver City, Calif. and has filed an application for a Cannabis Business Permit in Culver City. SweetFlower is committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer and to addressing the needs of the communities it serves. In a warm Spring welcome, SweetFlower has created four fun in-store activations to celebrate their official brand launch. For more details on how you can take part in the fun, read the full breakdown of each themed moment below.
Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 at the Melrose Store:
Who: Sunday Goods, Original Pot Cookie, and Cool Haus
What: Join us for an evening of Creativity with Sunday Goods brand ambassadors educating guests on key products and use. Cool Haus serving their famous non-cannabis ice-cream cookie sandwiches, and Original Pot Cookie will hand out non-medicated cookies
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 8163 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA
Instagrammable Moment: Large mural of wildflowers with artist painting in store.
Tuesday, April 16th at the Studio City Store:
Who: Lowell Smokes and Think BIG by CJ Wallace
What: Join us for an evening of Connection with Lowell Smokes and CJ Wallace’s Think BIG brand. Son of Notorious BIG and Faith Evans, CJ Wallace created the Think BIG limited edition pre-rolled pack being sold exclusively on April 16th and 17th at SweetFlower stores and at Think BIG’s website on April 20th.
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 11705 Ventura Blvd. – Studio City, CA
Instagrammable Moment: “Get Lit” lounge and “Your Royal High-Ness” Photo opportunity.
Wednesday, April 17th, 2019 at the Melrose Store:
Who: Lowell Smokes and Think BIG by CJ Wallace
What: Join us for an event of Connection with Lowell Smokes and CJ Wallace’s Think BIG brand. Son of Notorious BIG and Faith Evans, CJ Wallace created the Think BIG limited edition pre-rolled pack being sold exclusively on April 16th and 17th at SweetFlower stores and at Think BIG’s website on April 20th.
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 8163 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA
Instagrammable Moment: “Get Lit” lounge and “Your Royal High-Ness” Photo opportunity
Wednesday, April 17th, 2019 at the Studio City Store:
Who: Sunday Goods, Original Pot Cookie, and Cool Haus
What: Join us for an evening of Creativity with Sunday Goods brand ambassadors educating guests on key products and use. Cool Haus serving their famous non-cannabis ice-cream cookie sandwiches, and Original Pot Cookie will hand out non-medicated cookies.
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 11705 Ventura Blvd. – Studio City, CA
Instagrammable Moment: Large mural of wildflowers with artist painting in store.
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 at the Melrose Store:
Who: Beboe, Mary’s Medicinals, and Dosist
What: Join us for an evening of Wellness, Dosist founder, Jeremy, will speak on the science of proper dosage for wellness and sleep use at 6 pm, Mary’s Medicinals to demonstrate use of and benefits of creams for beauty and health purposes. Beboe brand ambassador will discuss the use of their products. Enjoy hand and neck massages using non-cannabis products.
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 8163 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA
Instagrammable Moment: Stop & Smell the Flowers photo wall
Thursday, April 18th, 2019 at the Studio City Store:
Who: Hot Nife, Quim Rock, and Dosist
What: Join us for a night of Adventure with Hot Nife and Quim Rock. Brand ambassador and pro snowboarder Circe Wallace will be on site to discuss key products and vision behind Hot Nife. Dosist founder, Jeremy, will speak on the science of proper dosage for wellness and sleep use at 6 pm
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 11705 Ventura Blvd. – Studio City, CA
Instagrammable Moment: “Ride the High” photo op with a 3D wave and Hot Nife branded surfboard.
Friday, April 19th, 2019 at the Melrose Store:
Who: Hot Nife and Quim Rock
What: Join us for a night of Adventure with Hot Nife and Quim Rock. Brand ambassador and pro snowboarder Circe Wallace will be on site to discuss key products and vision behind Hot Nife. Lead educator for Quim Rock will discuss sexual health and product benefits with guests.
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 8163 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA
Instagrammable Moment: “Ride the High” photo op with a 3D wave and Hot Nife branded surfboard.
Friday, April 19th, 2019 at the Studio City Store:
Who: Beboe and Mary’s Medicinals
What: Join us for an evening of Wellness. Mary’s Medicinals to demonstrate use of and benefits of creams for beauty and health purposes. Beboe brand ambassador will discuss the use of their products. Enjoy hand and neck massages using non-cannabis products.
When: 4 pm to 8 pm
Where: 11705 Ventura Blvd. – Studio City, CA
Instagrammable Moment: Stop & Smell the Flowers photo wall
OWYN — a 100% plant-based nutrition and protein brand that stands for ‘Only What You Need‘ — and is the fastest selling RTD at Erewhon markets — has reinvented your morning coffee! OWYN’s expectation-defying beverage is dairy free and vegan, gluten free, non-GMO, nutrient and superfood dense, plus tested for the top 8 allergens. As if that weren’t enough, the catch you’re waiting for is nonexistent — this coffee is absolutely delicious! The Cold Brew is so delicious you’ll actually want to start swapping your normal coffee for it!
With OWYN you’re getting a complete profile of all 9 essential amino acids which help in maintenance and development of muscle, hair, skin, and nails. The drink features 20 grams of plant-based protein — the perfect amount to fuel you on-the-go while traveling, and without compromising on taste… And the added caffeine is a nice bonus, too.
OWYN’s Cold Brew features all of the below:
Provides Only What You Need: good source of fiber, high source of vegan omega 3, and a superfoods greens blend of kale, spinach, and broccoli
POPS Creamery, formerly Helados POPS, is re-launching their concept with new flavors and desserts! If you have yet to learn about the mind-blowing experience you’re missing, check out our in-depth coverage of their famous ice cream and the story behind the incredible people who make POPS Creamery who they are. Located in San Fernando, CA, the popular family-run SoCal ice cream shop isn’t changing their formula despite the rebranding. Guests can continue to look forward to POPS’ famous, wide variety of ice cream flavors in freshly hollowed coconuts, and also an additional array of waffle cones, hollowed pineapples and a new take on creme brûlée.
The owner, Marthin Ken, creates different flavors of ice cream and sorbets daily, using organic and fresh ingredients such as nutmeg, ginger, caramel, and of course coconut. With an exotic assortment of flavors you couldn’t dream of, it’s no wonder people travel from near and far just for a taste of the “frozen gold”. Marthin’s recipes have been in his family for 6 generations and are strongly rooted in his Belizean culture.
To ring in the new name, POPS Creamery is hosting a grand re-launch party on Saturday, April 27th, from noon to 9 pm. As the weather warms up and spring makes way for summer, it’s really the perfect kickoff for everyone. Kids and adults can indulge in their curiosities while enjoying everyone’s favorite cold treat.
POPS Creamery Re-launch Party
Date & Time: Saturday, April 27th from noon to 9 pm.
The second season of YouTube RED’s critically acclaimed series, “Step Up: High Water” has officially launched and the cast gathered for a private screening event to kick off the newest serving of episodes. Actor, Terrence Green, who plays “Rigo” on the show partnered with streetwear brand, Popular Demand, to host the screening at their screen room facility in Burbank, CA.
Additional cast members in attendance included, Jeremy Copeland, Marcus Emanuel Mitchell, Jade Chynoweth, Kendra Oyesanya, & Carlito Olivero. Season 2 is available now for streaming on YouTube RED Here.
Additionally, Terrence Green premiered his first musical offering to this season’s soundtrack with the track “Take the Thrown” Check out the music video below:
Viceroy Santa Monica is pulling out all the stops to make it easy for LA locals and visitors to get desert-ready. It’s all part of an increased effort by the property to start a new wave of hotel programming for both guests and visitors alike.
On Sunday, April 7th from noon to 4:00 p.m. they’ll be hosting a pop-up event allowing attendees to browse all the latest trends poolside while sipping champagne from Veuve Clicquot and a variety of other cocktails. In addition, guests will be enjoying bites from the property’s Cast Lounge, with music by Duchess.
Makeup artists from MAC Cosmetics will also be on-hand to provide complimentary festival looks for shoppers, and Beachwaver will be styling hair. Other featured brands include 12th Tribe, Tom’s, Style Firm activewear, and Bijou Indochine jewelry.
Shoppers who RSVP will be automatically considered to win a pre or post Coachella one-night stay at Viceroy Santa Monica in their premium Ocean View King room, with breakfast included, and a selection of prizes from the event’s partners.
In the recent Finding Neverland documentary, the long term effects of childhood trauma are clearly demonstrated. The two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck (who tell of the chronic sexual abuse they suffered at the the hands of Michael Jackson), only started to deal with what had happened to them almost 20 years later. Sometimes it takes that amount of distance from the pain to be able to deal with it, but the awful things that happen to you as a child do not simply go away. No, instead those experiences fester within and influence you in multiple ways, playing out in poor choices, addictions, ill health and a possible host of health and behavioral problems. Why does that happen? How does it happen? What does it look like? And how does one make it better?
