Combining her studies in Ayurveda, Aromatherapy, and Organic Skincare Formulation, Alix Clo brings you an evolving collection of highly therapeutic, age-inclusive, natural skincare products, that not only work, but also feel amazing.
This new skin care line, specially formulated for the 40+ age group, is branded as Radiance at Any Age. As Alix says “I started Alix Clo out of a desire to represent different faces (more than 20 years old) in a beauty industry with an oppressive “anti aging” narrative.”
One of the top sellers in the Alix Clo line is Ceremony. This is an oil based serum that readily absorbs into your skin, contains zero toxins, improves your complexion, repairs your skin barrier, and boosts your collagen.Ceremony is made with a cell-renewing blend of Bakuchiol (a plant-based retinol alternative), Papaya, Orchid, Black Raspberry and Australian Sandalwood..in other words, it is packed with antioxidants and Vitamins C & E.
Designed with menopause in mind, Alix Clo’s Ceremony promises to deliver a dewey glow in 30 seconds.
All of that sounds pretty fantastic, doesn’t it? So when I received my sample in the mail, I was super excited to try it. Who doesn’t want a skincare product that promises cell turnover, skin rejuvenation, and healthy glowing skin? I know I do.
I have to be a little careful with what I put on my face as I tend to have rosacea flare ups. This light-weight oil was not a problem for my sensitive skin at all, plus, it feels simply delicious. Your skin is instantly soft, moisturized, and the promise of dewey skin is real.
After a few weeks, I could absolutely feel the difference in moisture retention and I only used Ceremony once a day– (you can use it twice a day if you like).
I further received a powerful little jar of Wonder. This serum delivers deep hydration and improves elasticity.
It’s enriched with ashwagandha extract, cold-pressed tamanu seed oil, amla seed oil, and anise. Wonder is a solid serum, gentle cleanser and a repairing face mask all in one. One again, I was thrilled with the results of this skincare product.
In an industry that markets youth as the ultimate version of beauty, it is Alix Clo’s hope to transform our relationship with aging. As Alix likes to say “Age Beautiful“.
Being of a certain age, I support this philosophy. We may not all be young but we do all deserve to be included. My skin has different needs than it did 20 years ago, and I appreciate a company that gives older women a seat at the table.
Behind the “Seams” with Pageant of the Masters Costume Director Reagan Foy
Costume Director Reagan Foy with one of the over 100 costumes created for this summer’s production “Á La Mode: The Art of Fashion.” Photo Credit Christopher Allwine .
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — With performances nightly through August 30, 2024, the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, CA, continues to captivate audiences from around the world with its dazzling theme “A La Mode: The Art of Fashion.” Critics and audiences alike have raved about the show’s stunning artwork re-creations and live action spectacle, making it summer’s must-see event. With a focus on fashion, the Pageant’s costume director, Reagan Foy, has played a pivotal role in bringing these masterpieces and influential fashion trends to life. To offer a glimpse behind-the-scenes and the intricacies of costume design for the Pageant, Foy shares her insights in this exclusive Q&A.
Q: Could you share a bit about your journey to becoming a costume director, and what initially sparked your interest in costume design?
A: I started making clothes at a young age, taught by my grandmother. Fast forward to high school and college, when I got involved in theater, I found myself more in love with the costumes and how they were made than with performing. I had a mentor who saw something in me and really pushed for me to obtain a degree in Costume Design for Theatre.
I was fortunate enough to begin working at South Coast Repertory and Opera Pacific right after grad school, which then led me to the Pageant of the Masters in 2008. I found my true calling in costume crafts and loved starting at the Pageant as the Headpiece Maker. It was a unique form of craft that challenged me, and my love for sculpting made it come pretty easily after learning the “Pageant Way,” which is distinct from other approaches used in traditional theater productions.
When the Costume Director position became available in 2016, I was happy to take on the challenge. The great thing is that Pageant gives me the opportunity to continue to practice and create costumes from so many eras that I am continuing to gain knowledge of costume construction, which I just love.
Q: Can you describe the costume creation process from initial concept to the final product? What materials and techniques are used? How much time is typically invested in each costume?
A: The Pageant costuming process starts with selecting two volunteer cast members for a single role, typically of similar size. I take their measurements to figure out the best way to pattern their costume. Next, I cut the pattern from muslin, a 100% unbleached cotton used for almost all our living pictures. My stitchers then sew the costumes, incorporating Velcro closures to accommodate varying sizes.
After the initial sewing, I have a fitting with the volunteer to make any alterations needed. We place them in the set to determine if further adjustments are needed based on how they are posed and the best way to flatten the fabric. Once all adjustments are made, the costume goes to the paint shop, where our costume painter uses textile paint to achieve the correct color and add details like bows, ruffles, and buttons.
Then the costume is ready for its rehearsal and the summer shows. The entire process can take anywhere between one to two weeks per piece.
Q: How does the costume department collaborate with other departments, such as makeup, headpiece, and set design, to create a cohesive visual experience?
A: The costume department works closely with the headpiece and construction foreman to achieve a cohesive look for each piece. This sometimes means adding Velcro in areas to make sure fabric is connecting with the headpiece or the set in the manner that it does in the painting. Or our foreman may create skirt armatures instead of the cast member actually wearing a skirt, so that we can ensure that the skirt will look consistent every night.
Q: What was the most challenging aspect of creating costumes for this year’s theme?
A: The biggest challenge this year was the number of costumes we needed to create. This year’s production required almost double the number of costumes our shop normally produces for a show. This meant hiring additional stitchers and a few freelance costumers. We also had the Pageant’s makeup director help us with shopping for the live actors who played spectators during the fashion runway show. In total, we created 83 costumes for the tableaux, and costumed 104 different looks for performers.
Q: Is there a particular costume or tableau from this year’s show that you’re especially proud of? What makes it stand out?
A: My favorite tableau this year was Edith Head’s sketch of Tippi Hendren’s costume from the Alfred Hitchcock film “The Birds” because it presented the biggest challenge. I always love the challenging ones, especially when we get it right. I initially thought of it as being a dress and jacket, like her costume in the movie, but during rehearsal, I realized it wasn’t going to work. I had to take a moment and think of it in the “Pageant Way.” In creating costumes for the Pageant, we sometimes need to think beyond real-world garment construction to achieve the visual effect onstage. I quickly realized the costume needed to be capri pants and a bodice, with separate fabric pieces attached to the set. Once the cast member was in the set piece, these flat pieces would be Velcroed to her to create the illusion of the jacket and skirt. It worked! I love seeing it every night.
And, of course, there is the gold dress Grace Kelly wears in the movie “To Catch a Thief” for our runway model. I requested that it be one of the costumes we did a real version of. I knew it was going to have our audience gasping in amazement every night, so I was happy to re-create it.
Reagan Foy’s passion for costume design is evident in every stitch of the Pageant of the Masters production “Á La Mode: The Art of Fashion.” With just weeks remaining in the Pageant’s season, audiences have a limited opportunity to experience the magic of “Á La Mode: The Art of Fashion.” The Pageant of the Masters runs from July 6 to August 30, 2024 at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased at www.foapom.com. A ticket to the Pageant of the Masters is also a season pass to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show.
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ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
The Festival of Arts, a non-profit 501(c)(3), has long been a local leader that has helped with the growth and development of the community and the arts in Laguna Beach. Established in 1932, the Festival of Arts’ mission is to promote, produce and sponsor events and activities that encourage the appreciation, study and performance of the arts. The Festival of Arts produces two world-class events: The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the Pageant of the Masters. Together both shows attract over 200,000 visitors each year.
New York, NY – In a world where aging is often feared, award-nominated author, poet and psychotherapist Jane Seskin takes readers on an emotional road trip where they can celebrate the joys and challenges of aging . In “Older, Wiser, Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65” (Tallfellow Press, August 21, 2024), Jane Seskin reflects on how resilience and self-discovery helped her combat life’s trials and tribulations, especially as she grew older. Through a collection of 89 poems, Seskin redefines the narrative of aging and offers readers a positive take on what is often perceived as a negative.
“Older, Wiser, Shorter” is an insightful collection of poetry; authentic, funny, quirky and heartfelt that acknowledge the physical vulnerabilities, emotional losses, and surprises people encounter in their senior years. Seskin pays tribute to the sense of power, resilience and new-found joys people discover as they acknowledge and accept their aging. Seskin’s talent for finding the universal connecting tissue of even our most intimate moments will resonate with readers seeking to discover new ways to honor the past, celebrate the present, and welcome the future.
Growing old is a gift. Believe in it. Respect it. Embrace it. From varicose veins to doctors’ appointments to forgetting why you walked into the kitchen, “Older Wiser Shorter” illuminates the ups and downs of growing older, one poem at a time. Not to be feared but welcomed, aging is natural, exciting, and it’s better than the alternative!
Available for preorder: Release date: Aug 21st, 2024
“I sat down to read one poem last night and I ended up reading half the book. I feel as though I know you. You have definitely captured the experience of aging.” —Mary Pipher, author of Women Rowing North and My Life in Light
An Interview with Jane Seskin
What inspired you to write about aging through poetry?
I’ve been poeming for more than 40 years. It’s a natural way for me to quickly put a feeling or experience on paper to think about, reflect and expand upon in the days that follow.
What do you hope readers will take away from your collection of poetry?
I hope readers will identify with the stories I tell and know they’re not alone in this process of growing older. That all of us age differently. And to some degree we still have the choice to create a full rich life.
What is the biggest challenge of navigating life trials, tribulations and vulnerabilities, especially when you begin to age? How can one be resilient to this challenge?
Vulnerability is shareable. When you tell another person of your feelings you make connections and that is the beginning of community. I’ve included Vows in this book that are affirmations to build on. When you affirm yourself, give yourself validation through the Vows, you build self-esteem and that is a pretty powerful feeling!
What is the most important lesson that your self-discovery journey has taught you?
That I am okay. That life is different at different ages. I’ve learned I can adapt to change. That friendship is extraordinary and necessary.
What does your poetry writing process look like? Where do you seek out inspiration for your poems?
I am alive and that is my inspiration. Days are both difficult and soaring with joy and I let myself be open to all. As a therapist I am acutely aware of people’s behavior, the landscape around me and what goes unsaid. I also am very curious and eager to hear the stories of others and create my own.
Advance Praise for “Older, Wiser, Shorter”
“Even though I’m not a fan of poetry, I found Jane Seskin’s poems to be a delight. They hit home.” —Jane Brody, former personal health columnist, New York Times
“Your words jump and laugh and rest and reach…it’s an activity reading those poems! I love them.” — Elizabeth Lesser, cofounder Omega Institute and author of the New York Times Bestseller Broken Open, and other books including Cassandra Speaks
“You don’t need to be at a late stage of life to appreciate and learn from Seskin’s energetic collection of poems…We are blessed to have work such as this to help us see our way gracefully.” —Justen Ahren, Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate and author of Devotion to Writing
“Jane Seskin writes with keen insight and eyes open to the inadvertent miracles in our everyday life.” —Arthur Sze, author of Glass Constellation
“She’s lost height, years, love, and youthful abandon but in doing so, has gained a deep understanding of what it really means to be alive. Her poetry is honest, heartbreaking, witty and uplifting, a gift she wraps in gratitude.” —Carol Waldman, MS, Gerontology, former Executive Director, Glen Cove Senior Center
“Jane Seskin’s poems take us into her world and shed new light on our own. An important book for older women and those who care for and about them.” —Ann Burack-Weiss, PH.D, LCSW, author of The Lioness in Winter: Writing an Old Woman’s Life
More about the Author
Jane Seskin is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the author of 13 books (most recently the poetry collection “Older, Wiser, Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65”.) She’s also written nonfiction articles and poetry online and for national magazines and journals (20 poems published in Cosmopolitan Magazine, five poems in Woman’s Day. Eighteen of her posts have been published in the Metropolitan Diary column in the New York Times.) Jane has been a writer-in-residence at the Vermont Studio Center and Noepe Center for Literary Arts. She has also been nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
Ms. Seskin is a practicing psychotherapist, who counseled survivors in individual and group treatment at the Crime Victims Treatment Center in New York for 20 years.
In her free time, she enjoys the theater, walking by the Hudson River, visiting with friends, reading poetry and mysteries (Louise Penny, David Baldacci, Donna Leon) and listening to jazz (Keith Jarrett, Houston Person, Chris Botti). Give her a piece of bread and butter and she’s a happy camper! Jane wrote therapeutic sound-bites on Twitter under the title: “Emotional Band-Aid. Small Steps for Change.” Find out more about Jane at her website.
Dinner and a Movie with Elvis Returns to Catalina Museum for Art & History
Saturday, August 17 at 6 p.m.
James Kruck as Elvis. Photo courtesy of Catalina Museum for Art & History.
WHAT:
The Catalina Museum for Art & History has announcedthe return of the beloved tradition, Dinner and a Movie with Elvis. This exceptional event guarantees an evening of entertainment, music and cinematic delight on Saturday, August 17, from 6 – 10 p.m.
The evening begins in the Schreiner Family Plaza, where guests will indulge in a delectable buffet dinner inspired by Elvis’ favorite foods. While enjoying the sumptuous spread guests will be serenaded by the incredible James Kruk, one of Southern California’s finest Elvis Presley impersonators. With his mesmerizing talent, James will captivate the audience, performing timeless Elvis hits and channeling the spirit of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
After dinner and live entertainment, attendees will proceed to the Ackerman Family Amphitheater for a special screening of the 1969 movie, Change of Habit, starring Elvis. In this rare dramatic role, Elvis portrays Dr. John Carpenter, an inner-city doctor working at a free clinic.
Don’t miss out on this remarkable opportunity to celebrate the incomparable legacy of Elvis Presley in the heart of Catalina Island, a destination steeped in Old Hollywood history. Secure your tickets now, as early reservations are highly recommended and seating is limited
WHEN:
Saturday, August 17, 2024
6 – 10 p.m.
WHERE:
Catalina Museum for Art & History
217 Metropole Avenue, Avalon, CA 90704
MORE INFORMATION:
Tickets are $35 for members, $45 for not-yet-members and $15 for children ages 3-15. Dinner is included with your ticket. A specialty cocktail, wine, beer and other refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, visit catalinamuseum.org/calendar.
About Catalina Museum for Art & History
The Catalina Museum for Art & History offers the best in art and history exhibitions, music and dance performances, lectures by guest speakers from all over the world and the finest in silent, documentary and international film. The museum is located in the heart of Avalon at 217 Metropole Avenue. For more information, the museum may be reached by phone at 310-510-2414 or at its website: CatalinaMuseum.org.
Ciera Rogers is known for being an “Outsider”—and she is okay with that. As the founder and CEO of a multi-million-dollar brand that caters to curvy women, she has carved her own path as a founder and fashion entrepreneur, becoming a beacon of body positivity and a symbol of a non-linear career path. Her story is not just about success, but about creating a space for herself and others who often find themselves on the ‘outside’ of our society’s norms
Based in Los Angeles, Ciera is the fashion designer.
behind the women’s fashion wear line “Babes”. As a social media influencer, she uses her reach of 2+ million to spread her message of body positivity, self-acceptance, and empowerment to women worldwide. She and her work have been featured in Fox, Mashable, The New York Post, The New York
Journal, among many other publications. Now Ciera has penned a memoir about her remarkable journey about her literal rags to riches story. At one point, Ciera could only afford clothes from thrift stores and Goodwill—still, she learned to style the clothes that she could get her hands on, into amazing looking outfits. Creative and determined, Ciera is now sponsored by Goodwill, and Kim Kardashian and Beyonce wear her designs.
“THE OUTSIDER ADVANTAGE: Because You Don’t Need to Fit in to Win” is an empowering memoir about turning what makes you different into the foundation of your success. It is bound to inspire the outsiders like Ciera— the dreamers, doers, and go-getters that society continuously overlooks and underestimates. Ciera cheers you on to achieve glass-shattering success.
Book Launch Discussion & Book Signing with Ciera Rogers
Join Ciera Rogers on June 17, 2024 @ 7:00 PM for her book launch at Malik Books: (Westfield Culver City Mall) 6000 Sepulveda Blvd Ste 2470, Culver City, Ca 90230
Take Advantage of the Outsider Advantage 🙂
Step 1. Pre-Order The Outsider Advantage
Step 2. Share your receipt to imababe@shopbabes.com
TOAD THE WET SPROCKET TALK TO PEOPLE MAGAZINE ABOUT 30th ANNIVERSARY OF SEMINAL ALBUM DULCINEA
2024 U.S. TOUR BEGINS JULY 17th
SANTA BARBARA, CA – Toad The Wet Sprocket – the trio of founding members Glen Phillips, Todd Nichols, and Dean Dinning – is still making new music and touring with the same spirit of unwavering independence that started it all over three decades ago. This year marks a new milestone in their journey with the 30th anniversary of the 1994 platinum selling album Dulcinea. Limited edition merchandise to celebrate the release is available at the Toad The Wet Sprocket online store.
The band recently spoke with People Magazine about the significance of Dulcinea, their fourth studio album, and upcoming plans to celebrate throughout 2024 on tour headlining, co-headlining with the Gin Blossoms and opening for Barenaked Ladies throughout the summer and fall.
“The band has been in such a better head space,” Glen Phillips tells People Magazine. “I think we have grown and are enjoying each other’s company more. And so, that translates a lot better to the audience. They can feel that.”
He continues, “I learned a lot from Barenaked Ladies on just how to be in a band and how to be with each other and how to lift people up. They are really good role models on just how to be on the road.”
Many of the songs from Dulcinea are featured in the band’s live and limited edition Dulcinea merchandise and Greatest Hits vinyl is available exclusively at the Toad The Wet Sprocket online store. The Dulcinea vinyl reissue sold-out in two weeks. Fans can also join the band ahead of the show as part of the VIP programs at shows.
Band (L-R): Todd Nichols, Glen Phillips, Dean Dinning Credit: Chris Orwig
ABOUT DULCINEA | After the success of fear (1991) the band re-teamed with producer Gavin MacKillop to record an album inspired by the sound that they had developed from their recent touring. Released in 1994, Dulcinea was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album features the single “Fall Down” (with a video directed by Samuel Bayer of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” fame) that spent 6 weeks at number one on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and “Something’s Always Wrong” that was featured in the movie “Fear” and had a groundbreaking music video that put the band on the Home Shopping Network selling themselves to the lowest bidder (WATCH). More recently, in 2023, “Fall Down” was featured on the Showtime series “Billions”, with the song showing up on the Shazam charts the following week.
TTWS 2024 TOUR DATES
JUL 17 / DEL MAR, CA @ The Sound at Del Mar^
JUL 18 / MONTEREY, CA @ Golden State Theatre^
JUL 19-20 / NOVATO, CA @ HopMonk Tavern^
JUL 22 / PORTLAND, OR @ Revolution Hall^
JUL 23 / SEATTLE, WA @ Neptune Theatre^
JUL 25 / KALISPELL, MT @ Wachholz College Center^
JUL 26 / GREAT FALLS, MT @ The Newberry^
JUL 28 / FORT COLLINS, CO @ Washington’s^
JUL 30 / SPRINGFIELD, MO @ Gillioz Theatre^
AUG 1 / OSHKOSH, WI @ Waterfest at Riverside Park#
AUG 2 / OMAHA, NE @ The Astro Theater#
AUG 3 / MANKATO, MN @ Vetter Stone Amphitheater#
AUG 5 / GRAND RAPIDS, MI @ Meijer Gardens#
AUG 7 / CLEVELAND, OH @ Cain Park#
AUG 8 / TARRYTOWN, NY @ Tarrytown Music Hall^
AUG 10 / PORTLAND, ME @ Thompson’s Point&
AUG 11 / LEWISTON, NY @ ARTPARK#
AUG 12 / DEERFIELD, MA @ Tree House Brewing^
AUG 13 / MEDFORD, MA @ Chevalier Theatre#
AUG 15 / BETHLEHEM, PA @ Wind Creek Event Center#
AUG 16 / CARY, NC @ Koka Booth Amphitheater#
AUG 17 / SUGAR HILL, GA @ The Bowl at Sugar Hill#
AUG 18 / HUBER HEIGHTS, OH @ Rose Music Center#
AUG 20 / RED BANK, NJ @ Count Basie Center for the Arts#
AUG 22 / SELBYVILLE, DE @ Freeman Arts Pavilion#
AUG 23 / MIDDLEFIELD, CT @ Powder Ridge Mountain Park#
AUG 24 / ESSEX JUNCTION, VT @ Champlain Valley Exposition# AUG 29 / SANTA BARBARA, CA @ Lobero Theatre^
AUG 30 / TEMECULA, CA @ South Coast Winery Resort & Spa^ AUG 31 / COSTA MESA, CA @ The Pacific Amphitheater!
SEPT 16 / CEDAR RAPIDS, IA @ McGrath Amphitheatre*
SEPT 17 / MOORHEAD, MN @ Bluestem Center for the Arts Amphitheater* SEPT 18 / LINCOLN, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Theater*
SEPT 20 / ALBUQUERQUE, NM @ Revel*
SEPT 21 / COLORADO SPRINGS, CO @ Sunset Amphitheater* SEPT 22 / VAIL, CO @ Gerald Ford Amphitheater*
SEPT 24 / TULSA, OK @ Tulsa Theater*
SEPT 25 / CHESTERFIELD, MO @ The Factory at The District* SEPT 27 / PITTSBURGH, PA @ Rivers Casino Event Center* SEPT 28 / CHARLESTON, WV @ Hollywood Casino Event Center* SEPT 29 / PHOENIXVILLE, PA @ The Colonial Theatre^
OCT 1 / BROOKVILLE, NY @ Tilles Center*
OCT 2/ ROCHESTER, NY @ Kodak Center*
OCT 4 / FRENCH LICK, IN @ French Lick Resort*
OCT 5 / EVANSTON, IL @ Cahn Auditorium^
OCT 17 / COLUMBIA, SC @ Township Auditorium*
OCT 18 / ASHEVILLE, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium* OCT 19 / AUGUSTA, GA @ Bell Auditorium*
OCT 21 / POMPANO BEACH, FL @ Pompano Beach Amphitheater* OCT 22 / FT. MYERS, FL @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall* OCT 23 / CLEARWATER, FL @ The Sound at Coachman Park* OCT 25 / MACON, GA @ Macon City Auditorium*
OCT 26 / BILOXI, MS @ Beau Rivage Resort & Casino*
OCT 27 / NASHVILLE, TN @ Ryman Auditorium*
OCT 29 / AMES, IA @ Stephens Auditorium*
OCT 30 / ROCHESTER, MN @ Mayo Civic Center*
NOV 1 / PEORIA, IL @ Peoria Civic Center Theater*
NOV 2 / SALINA, KS @ The Stiefel Theatre*
NOV 3 / SIOUX FALLS, SD @ Washington Pavilion*
NOV 6 / DULUTH, MN @ Symphony Hall*
NOV 7 / MADISON, WI @ Overture Center for the Arts*
NOV 8 / MT. PLEASANT, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino*
^TTWS Headlining date
#TTWS co-headlining with Gin Blossoms &TTWS @ Guster’s On The Ocean Festival !TTWS opening for Counting Crows *TTWS opening for Barenaked Ladies
ABOUT TOAD THE WET SPROCKET
Toad The Wet Sprocket share in the kind of musical chemistry that can only come from meeting in high school and writing, recording, and touring on albums over the course of time. After Bread & Circus, they followed with Pale in 1990, fear in ’91, Dulcinea in 1994, and Coil in 1997, as well as some compilations along the way. Their most recent releases are Starting Now (2021), New Constellation (2013), and EP The Architect of Ruin (2015). In 2023, they released the remastered greatest hits album All You Want.
Netflix’s latest docu-series “The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping” is making a huge splash. It hit #1 in USA and the UK the day after release, and currently holds the Top 5 spot on the global chart (3 days after release).
CAA screening with Q&A – Photo credit: Samantha Smart
It’s no surprise that so many viewers are captivated by this three-part docuseries because it’s shocking, disturbing, and utterly outrageous. Director, Katherine Kubler quickly pulls you deeper and deeper in as she attempts to make sense of what happened to her at 16 years of age. Armed with an inextinguishable sense of humor, Kubler examines and exposes the madness of the youth residential program at Ivy Ridge where she spent 15 months of her young life. This disciplinary boarding institution marketed itself at “helping troubled teenagers” but instead exploited desperate parents while unconscionably damaging the teens. No smiling, no looking out the window, no going outside, no talking, and even no farting without permission——these were just some of the near impossible rules that the kids were meant to follow in order to complete the program and be released. With the daily enforcement of brainwashing, abuse and all around mind-f*ckery, Kubler describes the Ivy Ridge staff as “trying to murder children’s souls”. Kubler knew she had to make this docu-series “because there really was nothing out there to help explain what had happened to me, to my friends and family, and to warn them about these places.”
As Kubler and other survivors relate their stories, the depth of cruelty is revealed, and we are confronted with the fact that similar programs are currently still in operation. It’s the responsibility of anyone who knows child abuse is happening to take action to stop it…and as Kubler tells you at the end of the final episode: “Now you know!”
Sunday, April 14 will be the last day to view “Peace is Radical,” a solo exhibition by renowned street artist and activist Shepard Fairey, presented by Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and ReflectSpace Gallery at the ReflectSpace Gallery, inside Glendale Central Library.”
Peace is Radical” addresses creative empowerment, the importance of democracy, race and gender equality, environmental justice and peace and harmony through artwork. This limited time exhibition offers over 20 pieces of work through the medium of screen printing, a style used to produce high-end art or multitudes of prints that can be disseminated liberally allowing access to all audiences. Well recognized founder of OBEY Clothing, Shepard Fairey has worked as a contemporary street artist, graphic designer and activist, changing the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape. Fairey has also designed a limited-edition library card for Glendale Library, Arts & Culture that will be available at all Glendale Library branches through the run of the exhibit, while supplies last.
Shepard Fairey holds up his limited edition library card for Glendale library.
As a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency, Fairey gained notoriety with the creation of the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker that later evolved into the OBEY GIANT art campaign. In 2008, his portrait of then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama became an internationally recognized emblem of hope. He is known for the “We the People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Fairey has painted more than 135 public murals, becoming one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, changing the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape.
“Peace is Radical” will be on view from January 20, 2024, through April 14, 2024, at the ReflectSpace Gallery, inside Glendale Central Library located at 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, January 20, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. ReflectSpace and PassageWay Galleries are curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan. Free parking with validation is available at the Marketplace parking structure located directly across from the Harvard entrance of Central Library.
About the Artist
Shepard Fairey was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Fairey became passionate about art at an early age and went on to receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1989 he created the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker that transformed into the OBEY GIANT art campaign, with imagery that has changed how people see art and the urban landscape.
Fairey’s stickers, guerilla street art presence, and public murals are recognizable globally. His works are in the permanent collections of the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and many others.
Shepard Fairey has painted nearly 135 large-scale murals across six continents worldwide. More information from his career can be found at obeygiant.com.
Getting to the Glendale Central Library: 222 E Harvard St, Glendale, CA 91205
If you are a resident who is 65 years or older or a disabled resident who is registered with Dial-A-Ride, you can register to be dropped off at the library. For more information, visit GlendaleTransit.com.
Visitors can receive 3 hours of free parking across Harvard street at the Marketplace parking structure with validation at the service desk. Accessible parking is available on the east side of the building.
About ReflectSpace
ReflectSpace is curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan and is an inclusive exhibition gallery designed to explore and reflect on social justice issues, human rights violations and genocides through the arts. Immersive in conception, ReflectSpace is a hybrid space that is both experiential and informative, employing art, technology, and interactive media to reflect on the past and present of Glendale’s communal fabric and interrogate current-day global human rights issues. ReflectSpace is housed in Glendale Central Library and online at ReflectSpace.org.
About Library, Arts & Culture
Founded in 1907, the Glendale Library, Arts & Culture Department includes eight neighborhood libraries including the Brand Library & Art Center, a regional visual arts and music library and performance venue housed in the historic 1904 mansion of Glendale pioneer Leslie C. Brand, and the Central Library, a 93,000 square foot center for individuals and groups to convene, collaborate and create. The department also serves as the chief liaison to the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission which works to continually transform Glendale into an ever-evolving arts destination. Glendale Library Arts & Culture is supported in part through the efforts of the Glendale Library Arts & Culture Trust (GLACT). For more information visit GlendaleLAC.org, or contact Library, Arts & Culture at 818-548-2021 or via email at LibraryInfo@GlendaleCA.gov.
“When Happily Ever After Fails” – a debut rom-com by Courtney Deane
San Diego, California – For anyone who has ever felt “dead-ended” in life, work, and love, Courtney Deane has penned a delightfully funny debut rom-com that proves all tragedies can be rewritten, and happiness can bloom where you least expect it: “When Happily Ever After Fails” (SparkPress, April 9, 2023).
About the novel: Abigail Gardner’s life is circling the drain. Her parents are dead, her “like a brother” BFF is in love with her, and her career as an art teacher has been squashed by an unfortunate viral incident involving sophomores and Spanx. But just as that whirlpool feels poised to suck her under, she’s granted a second chance: she lands a teaching job at Excelsior Primm, one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most prestigious preparatory academies. Only problem is, instead of teaching art she’ll be stuck teaching her least favorite subject — literature — and her least favorite theme: tragedy.
Tired of being stuck in her own tragic tale, Abigail starts rewriting every sad ending she can get her hands on, in and out of the classroom. To her surprise, her life soon begins to resemble the fairy tales she adores—great job, hot guy, a career gaining recognition. But when an unexpected plot twist threatens to derail her happy ending, Abigail starts to realize why these outcomes are so hard to come by.
COURTNEY DEANE has been a writer and pursuer of happily-ever-afters since she can remember. As a full-time freelance writer, her days are spent working for print, digital, and broadcast entities, as well as for a variety of PR and marketing clients.
She continues her craft by dedicating some space each day to work on her fiction books. After both of her parents died, Deane worked to turn those tragedies into something beautiful—an effort that inspired her debut novel, When Happily Ever After Fails.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in English and sociology from UC Irvine and a master’s in journalism from USC. Deane lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, daughter, and rescue dog—her very own happily-ever-after. Visit her website to sign up for a newsletter, or find out about book store appearances and more http://www.courtneydeane.com/.
“An entertaining read that will keep you turning pages. The reader is taken on a ride with Abigail as she grows into herself and finds her voice. Deane makes it easy to root for Abigail along with the other quirky characters who have distinct and interesting personalities. When Happily Ever After Fails is a fun debut.”
— Leslie A. Rasmussen, award-winning author of “After Happily Ever After” and “The Stories We Cannot Tell”
“Courtney Deane offers up a radiant debut in When Happily Ever After Fails. Whip-smart and relatable, Abigail’s search for her own happy ending will have you on the edge of your pool chair. An absolute must read this Spring!” – Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, authors of “Forever Hold Your Peace”
Interview with Courtney Deane
First, can you briefly introduce us to the characters we meet in “When Happily Ever After Fails?”
Of course! We’ve got Abigail, the lovable, fallible protagonist who is dead set on righting (and writing) wrongs and ensuring everyone gets a positive outcome. You’ve got to love her for it. She tries!
Then there’s Quinn, the not-as-lovable, but-we-love-him-because-he-loves-her BFF who is Abigail’s No. 1 fan. Yes, he’s head over heels for her and just waiting for the day when she realizes it, too.
And no one could forget about Mathilda. She’s our “tell it like it is” North Star, who doesn’t mince words. She’s got advice for everyone but herself! Abigail’s second BFF is funny and factual with the right amount of spunk.
Lastly, we have Nate. Abigail can’t figure out if this fellow teacher is initially a friend or foe, but his presence and advice is solid enough for her to keep him around and find out.
Why did you choose your title? What happens “when happily ever after fails?”
Honestly, I took the inspiration from a Don Henley song I’ve always loved, “The End of the Innocence.” This song always reminded me of my family’s situation, particularly the line “let me take a long last look before we say goodbye.” Part of the song’s chorus is “But happily ever after fails.” I don’t love the “but,” because HEA doesn’t always fail permanently; it just changes. It morphs – as do our expectations of life – as we collect different experiences and encounter various situations. So, our notion of happily ever after will likely fail and falter at some point (thus, the “when”), but we can recover, pick ourselves back up and continue working toward a modified version of whatever “happily ever after” is for us.
Fun sidenote: There’s a few Easter egg references to this inspo in the book!
You started writing this book after your mom passed away. How did the writing process impact your grief process, and vice versa? And how did both evolve as time went on?
I would love to slap an Abigail-style happy ending on this and say writing the book allowed me to work through the grief process and – wow – I’m GREAT now! It wouldn’t be true. I think it was a nice thought and an admirable effort to try to get some resolution on these two pivotal deaths through writing.
While I didn’t necessarily get the “resolution” I was looking for, writing this novel DID help me express some of my thoughts and feelings on the grief process, my parents’ loss and how many well-meaning individuals can actually make the situation worse. I very much hope that comes through in the book.
This might not be the answer anyone’s looking for, but what truly helped me move on from these deaths and this situation was having a family of my own. I don’t say that in an advice-driven, “go out and find you a man and have a baby” way, but chasing my dream and my happily ever after of starting my own family did make a huge impact. Suddenly, phrases like “mom” and “dad” weren’t dirty words anymore. And they were words that were back in my vocabulary. You have no idea how foreign those phrases seemed for a very long time!
Now, having a child certainly brings up my parents in different ways, especially where grandparents are concerned, so this issue isn’t entirely put to bed, but THAT is what has truly brought me closure.
What did you enjoy most about writing “When Happily Ever After Fails”? What did you find the most challenging?
I loved most everything about it! This was so much fun. I loved developing the characters and losing myself in their world. As I wrote, I would find that I wasn’t sitting on my mom’s former bed with my laptop, but was IN Abigail’s apartment as her and Quinn blasted the Beatles, etc.
This being my first foray into fiction, I found the opening to be the most challenging. I wrote and rewrote and consulted, then rewrote again and again. I’m very happy with the final result, but, man, did we go through a lot of changes! I learned a ton about the book-writing process, and have made sure this next book has the opening it deserves from the get go!
Rom-coms have always been wildly popular. What are you bringing to this genre as a writer?
I’d like to think I’m bringing a fresh spin – though I’m sure every author would like to think that! I appreciate that tropes and formulas exist for a reason, but I’m not a fan of predictability or sticking to “what works.” Yes, this is a rom-com and some of the expected elements are there, but I believe this book has a modern, unique take on these traditions. Because, as we know, happily ever after IS possible…but it may look different than you pictured! 😉
Do you see yourself in any of the characters?
It would be weird if I didn’t say Abigail, right? LOL. There are certainly elements of myself in Abigail, though we are two VERY different people. Like Abigail, my father died of ALS and my mother kind of didn’t recover after his death and failed to take care of herself, which was ultimately her demise. Many (okay, all) of Abigail’s thoughts and perspectives on the subjects of death and parents are from my own experience, but the way she processes them is different from my own.
In thinking about this, though, I guess I kind of did what Abigail did in that I went out and wrote a book hoping that would give this situation a “happily ever after.” That’s not all that different from Abigail changing a play’s ending in the hopes of dodging tragedy for herself and her class. Interesting…
What is your favorite romance movie of all time, and why?
I’m kind of an irreverent person (if we’re not laughing, what’s the point?), so I lean toward the love stories that have some heart AND humor. On that note, you can’t beat “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Always Be My Maybe,” and “Chasing Amy.”
Stories that tug at you and make you feel the longing really resonate with me as well. With that in mind, I love “The Notebook” and the “Before” trilogy (Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight).
Finally, you have to hand it to “Love Actually” for capturing so many different types of loves – and bonus points that not every plot has a happy ending!
What do you hope readers take away from “When Happily Ever After Fails?”
Two things.
One, I hope it gives them a glimpse into what grief and survival can look like for someone who has seemingly “lost it all” (or, at least, a BIG part of who they were and how we identify – our families).
Two, I really wrote this book for anyone who’s ever felt alone in a crowded room. Your grief, feelings, and circumstances don’t have to reflect mine to understand what it’s like to feel marooned on an island where no one else is around and help doesn’t seem like it can be found. Please, please know that THESE are the people I wrote this book for.
Pageant of the Masters Announces Open Casting Call for Volunteers of All Ages, January 5 – 7, 2024
Sign up as a Volunteer and Be Entered into Drawing for Two Tickets to Disneyland®
Volunteers get measured and photographed at the Pageant of the Masters Open Casting Call
LAGUNA BEACH, CA – Can you stand still for 90 seconds? Do you enjoy art, theater and music? Perfect – you could be a volunteer for the 2024 Pageant of the Masters!
The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, California, is hosting an Open Casting Call from January 5 to 7, 2024, in search of volunteers for next summer’s show, À La Mode: The Art of Fashion. Adding to the excitement of this year’s casting call, everyone that signs up to volunteer during the event will be entered into a special drawing for two tickets to Disneyland® Park. To learn more, visit www.foapom.com/volunteer.
Volunteers of all ages and sizes are needed to be cast members and strike a pose in the world’s most famous presentation of tableaux vivants. No prior theater experience necessary; individuals ages 5 and up are welcome. The only requirement is the ability to stand still and have fun. In addition to onstage roles, volunteers are needed for many crucial roles backstage including wardrobe, makeup, headdress, as well as cast area coordinators and refreshment servers.
The Open Casting Call will be held backstage at the Pageant of the Masters on the Festival of Arts grounds at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA during the following dates and times:
Friday, January 5 from 7 – 9pm
Saturday, January 6 from 7 – 9pm
Sunday, January 7 from 2 – 5pm
It takes over 500 volunteers, both onstage and behind-the-scenes, to put on the Pageant production each summer. “Volunteers are the heart and soul of our show,” said Sharbie Higuchi, Festival of Arts Marketing/PR Director. “Their dedication and passion are the driving forces behind the magic we create, turning each production into a masterpiece. Without our volunteers, the Pageant would not be possible.”
During the Casting Call, individuals can expect to have their measurements taken as well as their photo, while enjoying refreshments and light bites. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet the Pageant’s creative and technical staff, as well as get a sneak peek at the artwork that will be re-created in this summer’s show.
Higuchi added, “Volunteer at the Pageant and be part of something extraordinary. Not only is it a great way to spend your summer with family and friends, but also, by volunteering for the Pageant, students can earn credit towards community service requirements.”
The 2024 Pageant of the Masters production À La Mode: The Art of Fashion will run nightly July 6 through August 30, 2024. Tickets start at $45 per person. To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, follow the Festival on social media at @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM, Inc.) brings the holiday spirit to the downtown district with an array of festive events featuring Ice at Santa Monica presented by Netflix and produced in partnership with Los Angeles-based Willy Bietak Productions. The wintery wonderland nestled in the heart of Santa Monica promises a season filled with joy and entertainment for all ages, including weekly themed skate nights and holiday celebrations through January 15, 2024.
The rink is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays through Monday, January 15, 2024. The rink will offer extended hours from December 15 to December 30, open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Admission is $22 for a 60-minute session, which includes skate rental. Skate times are a minimum of one hour per ticket, though times may be extended depending on ticket availability and rink occupancy. This year’s ice rink offerings promise an even more enhanced experience with holiday treats and concessions provided by local favorites, Ugo Trattoria and Stefano’s Pizzeria, exclusive rink-side fire pit experiences with artisan s’mores kits by S’moreology and private party tent rentals.
Ice at Santa Monica is located at the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue. For more information, tickets and party rentals, visit iceatsantamonica.com.
Ice Rink Event Schedule
November 15 through January 10 | 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sessions
Nov. 22 | PRIDE Night
Commemorate the season with a festive celebration focused on inclusivity during PRIDE Night, an evening dedicated to recognizing and celebrating Santa Monica’s LGBTQ+ community.
Nov. 29 | Holiday Pet Pageant
Get your pup ready to sashay down the runway at the pet “paw-rade!” Participants are invited to dress their pets in festive attire and will be judged based on costume, strut and overall holiday spirit. Prizes will be awarded to the most stylishly dressed companions for first, second and third place.
Dec. 6 | Ugly Holiday Sweater
Embrace the holiday spirit by wearing your quirkiest holiday sweaters. Whether it’s a family heirloom or a thrift store find, patrons are invited to embrace sweater weather and skate in festive style.
Dec. 13 | Taylor’s Birthday
‘Tis the season to celebrate Taylor Swift’s birthday at Ice at Santa Monica! Guests are encouraged to dress in their favorite Eras style (or cardigan).
Dec. 20 | ¡Y soy Rebelde!
Don’t let your dad take you to Paris on your birthday. Come ice skate and channel your inner Mía Colucci. That is, I said R. You say B D.
Dec. 27 | SaMo Night
Get ready to make waves for SaMo Night as we celebrate everything Santa Monica! A community night dedicated to the people who make our city so special.
Jan. 3 | Beyhive Ball
Attention, BeyHive! Pay homage to the Queen during the BeyHive Ball. Bring back the glimmering ensembles from the Renaissance Tour for a refined and stylish night on the ice.
Jan. 10 | K-POP Party
Time to slip on your best Jungkook (convince us otherwise) t-shirt and get your K-POP 온 (ON!) with Ice at Santa Monica! Calling all ARMYs, BLINKs and K-Pop enthusiasts: don’t forget your light sticks because we’ll be keeping a close eye on which fanbase can own the ice rink and light up the night in style.
Ring in the New Year: East Coast Countdown Celebration
Sunday, December 31| 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Ring in the New Year with a family-friendly East Coast Countdown Celebration. The ice rink invites guests to join in a heartwarming and unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration tailored for families and kids of all ages. Experience ice skating under the stars, indulge in delicious food and drinks and join in the excitement of a countdown to midnight (East Coast time).
For more information on the Ice at Santa Monica skating rink, go to iceatsantamonica.com and a full schedule of holiday happenings in Downtown Santa Monica, visit downtownsm.com/holidays.
Zinc Café & Market recently opened a 2nd location in L.A. on Melrose in West Hollywood. SoCal Magazine caught up with restaurateur extraordinaire, John Secretan at his latest Zinc. I’ve known John for a long time and continue to be impressed with the effortless ease with which he expands his Zinc horizons. The Melrose location is Zinc number 4 (with 5 & 6 already in the pipeline).
The name, Zinc Café & Market, comes from the French colloquialism for a bistro/café/bar: “le zinc”. Le zinc was the omnipresent Parisienne neighborhood bar, named after the zinc countertops which were a standard feature of the cafés. “Le zinc” came to characterize the type of café/bar that typically served coffee, wine, beer and snacks.
Secretan opened the first Zinc Cafe in Laguna Beach in 1988, with the idea in mind that you could simply walk in and eat at the counter top like its namesake in France. The place grew in popularity and flourished into a sit down restaurant and since then, Zinc has replicated in Corona Del Mar, LA’s Arts District, and now, the Melrose area.
John is thrilled to be a part of the dynamic, vibrant, historic West Hollywood area. Community is important to him and John strives to support the neighborhoods of his Zinc cafes. For example: Zinc Café & Market in Laguna Beach supports School Power; Zinc in DTLA supports the arts; and now Melrose Zinc is looking to support the LGBTQ community that call West Hollywood home.
In the spirit of community building and to celebrate their new extended hours and dinner menu, the Melrose Zinc team is throwing a community party on Wednesday 12.14 from 4-7pm featuring tastings of Caroline Juen’s new “Best Coast Wines” and samples of the dinner menu.
New menu items at the Melrose location include the Middle Eastern Breakfast with fresh herbs, labneh, a jammy egg & sourdough, a Sugar Kiss Melon Salad with fennel & parmesan and a Fried Egg Sandwich with herb cream cheese, pickled onions & persian cucumber. Signature Zinc menu items from existing locations are also available. All in all, a menu that is healthy, nourishing and delicious. Melrose also serves beer and wine and offers light alcohol cocktails on their menu (ie- spritz). The price range for meals is on average $22-$26. Go and check it out. For more information please click here
The Melrose Zinc’s space includes an indoor dining room, a peaceful and expansive outdoor veranda, a retail market area and new private dining room. Street parking is best, and the Design Center has lots of available parking and is two short blocks away.
John Secretan holds up the latest trend…wine in a can. Photos credit: Zuke Oshiro
Combining her studies in Ayurveda, Aromatherapy, and Organic Skincare Formulation, Alix Clo brings you an evolving collection of highly therapeutic, age-inclusive, natural skincare products, that not only work, but also feel amazing.
I further received a powerful little jar of Wonder. This serum delivers deep hydration and improves elasticity.
Shorter: The Truth and Humor of Life After 65”.) She’s also written nonfiction articles and poetry online and for national magazines and journals (20 poems published in 
dvantage of the Outsider Advantage 🙂
Sunday, April 14 will be the last day to view “Peace is Radical,” a solo exhibition by renowned street artist and activist Shepard Fairey, presented by 
San Diego, California – For anyone who has ever felt “dead-ended” in life, work, and love, Courtney Deane has penned a delightfully funny debut rom-com that proves all tragedies can be rewritten, and happiness can bloom where you least expect it: “When Happily Ever After Fails” (SparkPress, April 9, 2023). 
oldest and most prestigious preparatory academies. Only 
problem is, instead of teaching art she’ll be stuck teaching her least favorite subject — literature — and her least favorite theme: tragedy.
Volunteers get measured and photographed at the Pageant of the Masters Open Casting Call
Zinc Café & Market recently opened a 2nd location in L.A. on Melrose in West Hollywood. SoCal Magazine caught up with restaurateur extraordinaire, John Secretan at his latest Zinc. I’ve known John for a long time and continue to be impressed with the effortless ease with which he expands his Zinc horizons. The Melrose location is Zinc number 4 (with 5 & 6 already in the pipeline).
John is thrilled to be a part of the dynamic, vibrant, historic West Hollywood area. Community is important to him and John strives to support the neighborhoods of his Zinc cafes. For example: Zinc Café & Market in Laguna Beach supports School Power; Zinc in DTLA supports the arts; and now Melrose Zinc is looking to support the LGBTQ community that call West Hollywood home.
John Secretan holds up the latest trend…wine in a can. Photos credit: Zuke Oshiro