Samar Obagi ( Mrs. Obagi) is becoming a Lady

Westsider, Lady Samar Obagi, Tells Her Inspirational Story. A MUST read!

By Adrienne Papp

On a prominent corner of Canon Drive stands one of the most impressive properties in all of Beverly Hills, a gleaming white complex that serves as the world headquarters of Dr. Zein Obagi, the centerpiece of his dermatological and cosmetic empire.

Samar Obagi is the guiding organizational force behind the empire that now includes international distribution of the new ZO line of dermatological products and managing the extensive research and ongoing seminars that have carried the Obagi name to the forefront in the science of healthy skin.

Samar came to the United States as a young girl in search of opportunities in higher education.  Born in Damascus, Syria and married at the age of 17, she had relatives in the U.S. and began her education at California State University Long Beach where she obtained degrees in engineering and computer science, and got a Master of Science Degree in electrical engineering, – even though medicine was her original inspiration. With her strong scientific background in engineering she began her career as a flight test engineer for McDonnell Douglas, the first woman to ever hold the position at the company! “ I was the only woman in the field at the time,” she recalls.

Lady Samar Obagi

Her meeting with Dr. Zein Obagi came about through her sister, who was good friends with the doctor.  While married to her first husband with whom she had a baby, when Samar developed some hereditary skin issues, she decided to pay Dr. Obagi a professional visit for advice and was taken by surprise when the noted dermatologist expressed an interest in her in the highest of ethical ways, staying modestly in the background. (We only wish gentlemen like this existed today!)   The timing happened to be good, as Samar was in the process of ending her first marriage.  “Having that bad experience, I thought that I would never get married again, but somehow I thought that if he asked me to marry him I would say yes,” Samar recalls.

Never one to hesitate when he decides that something is right for him, Dr. Obagi expressed his intentions in a few honest and very straight forward words to Samar, (just like he does his practice that I have witnessed over and over again: always upfront, direct, and to the point,) – and the result was that they ended up getting married in a large ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 1991.

Today Samar manages the large Obagi business empire, and supports his every effort as the Director of Operations in research and education for his procedures, which are based on his unique philosophy and a comprehensive system of treatments that are used around the world by millions of dermatologists, plastic surgeons and anyone who has to do with the concept of healthy skin, which all by itself is a NEW DISCOVERY of the 21^st Century by Dr. Obagi.   Samar also handles all of the marketing and public relations functions, and is the Chairwoman of the Company for the new line of ZO Skin Health products.

“He is really a revolutionary in terms of promoting healthy skin,” Samar says.  “Before he came along dermatology was only concerned with treating diseased skin.  He originated procedures like very precise peels that are based on serious research and his own unique artistry, and the results have been astonishing.”

Although Dr. Obagi has achieved great success, he originally got a lot of resistance from the profession due to ignorance and envy. Today his work is so well recognized there are some places like the Philippines where to promote healthy skin is to “Obagi,” it, meaning that his name is being used now as a verb, not as a product label!  That’s all a result of Samar’s dedication to brand-building efforts and her marketing savvy, building the Obagi name as the world’s foremost dermatologist into an international icon.

Recently Samar herself was recognized for her contributions in support of her husband’s dedication to skin health and beauty, receiving the honor of knighthood, as presented by the Imperial and Charitable Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen at a recent Investiture ceremony held on October 22, 2011 in Pasadena, California where Dukes, Princes and Dignitaries attended the medieval-type of ceremony.   On hand for the ceremonial honors where the Obagi’s friends from Norway, Jarl Bunaes, Unn Bunaes, Bjorn Bunaes, Anne Bunaes, as well as some of the Obagi’s children Serene Obagi, Sandra Obagi, and Zein Obagi Jr. (It must be noted that a naturally striking beauty like Serene in her late teens now, can be found maybe once every ten years if we are lucky! She certainly follows the footsteps of her mother, but has such a stunning appearance that the room went breathless. All of the Obagi’s off-springs are to remember, but Serene being in her young adult age is too unique for anyone to EVER forget! In medical school with a supermodel appearance! I wonder how many times in a century that happens!)

Lady Samar

Now, Lady Samar Obagi’s induction into the oldest and original knighthood makes her part of a world-wide organization that has historic roots going back to the year 312 A.D. (thus being the first Order even in the World and invited by the Pope himself for its 1,700 year anniversary next year!) The current order of modern Knights and Ladies, such as those honored by the Order of Constantine the Great and Saint Helen, who is considered the Mother of Christianity, are people selected from all walks of life and professions who have demonstrated a dedication to exceptional chivalric values, including dedication, ethics, commitment, education, the need to contribute to a greater good, and even the arts and medicine, which is what Dr. Obagi does with the human skin and which Lady Samar has been promoting in the world. Mrs. Obagi’s becoming a Lady, or as more commonly referred to in America, Dame Samar Obagi, not only recognizes her for her unparalleled abilities all by herself as an independent and very intelligent woman, but all the while it’s maintaining a sense of those great traditional noble values that have become more necessary today that ever. Samar’s husband Dr. Zein Obagi has been given the title “Sir,” while Mrs. Samar Obagi received the title of “Lady.”

For Sir Dr. Zein Obagi and his wife, Lady Samar, the honor of Knighthood is an appreciation and recognition of their ongoing commitment to making the world a better place to live.  Their efforts in promoting the science of healthy skin has tremendously improved the self-esteem and enhanced the physical appearance of appreciative clients around the world. One of those people who got their “brand new skin” is me and although I am passed the age of “no return” (as they would say without Dr. Obagi,) I am now required to show my identification card just about wherever I go. When people see that I am indeed 46 years old, they almost faint taken that they did not even want to serve me a glass of wine. To achieve such dramatic results is ART by Dr. Obagi! And, to achieve the worldwide recognition is ART by Lady Samar!

As Dr. Zein Obagi continues his mission to revolutionize the science of promoting healthy skin, wife Dame Samar is a stunning example of how successful his methods can be. With a lovely, youthful face that doesn’t require any makeup, Samar is a classically beautiful woman who proves that healthy skin is really the most beautiful cosmetic of all. “I’m just delighted that things turned out the way they did,” she says, barely looking 25 while almost twice that age with NO makeup whatsoever!

And now that the children are raised, she is in the process of pursuing her real passion of becoming a doctor herself and is enrolled in medical school at UCLA in Los Angeles.  It’s a lifelong dream she is now in the process of fulfilling. “My father always wanted this for me, and I wanted it for myself. I feel like I can finally do that for him and for me as if we were one.” As I listen to her my eyes dwell up with tears. Here is a stunningly gorgeous woman with such drive, ambition, and true dedication that one just wants to hug her for the inspiration she gives to others!  A ravishing woman of her own, with a beautiful soul dedicated to the well being of all those around her is something that touches all of us to our very core! If only SOME would be like her, we ALREADY would have achieved half of what the world needs: compassion!

At the age of 49 not looking any older than 25, being probably the “oldest” medical student, Lady Samar Obagi is an inspiration to women everywhere for her inherent intelligence, dedication and beauty, a shining example of what the word “Lady” truly means!

Dr. Obagi and Mrs. Obagi

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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A Humanitarian Movement coming to the States from Europe!

“To be an entrepreneur means you can take your ideas and, with a vision and hard work, you can make a difference.” Les Meszaros

By Adrienne Papp

Since the very first settlers arrived to this country, America has always been a land of opportunities, a place where the most humble immigrants could become successful beyond their wildest dreams by sheer determination and hard work.

There is no shortage of these stories, but at this point in our nation’s history maybe no story is more significant than that of Laszlo J. Meszaros (who briefs his name as “Les”) and the work he is doing to promote young entrepreneurs in this country and his native Hungary with an organization called Meszaros International Center of Entrepreneurship, or abbreviated as MICE.  It’s a business mentoring program that helps young high- school students develop ethical entrepreneurial skills.  And even though it’s only been in operation in the United States since 2007, his organization is already creating a new wave of young entrepreneurs in this country at a time when they’re desperately needed.  With a steep downturn in the world economy and a generation who has become accustomed to taking the easiest route when it comes to choices, the principles taught by Les Meszaros are needed in America now more than ever.

A good example of the results of the program at MICE is the work of St. Francis High School student Peter Calabrese Smith, who always wanted to be an entrepreneur. He had watched his parents operate successful businesses and saw firsthand the benefits of hard work. Coupled with his desire to make his mark on the world, Peter signed up to participate in the Entrepreneurship Training Program. After the 20 weeks of training with MICE he now has the necessary skills needed to start and operate a successful business.

Professor Joseph Salamone

“The MICE Entrepreneurship  Training Program has showed me the steps to becoming an entrepreneur. I know that I was born with an entrepreneurial spirit, but I needed training to translate my energy into a workable business model” says Calabrese Smith. “Thanks to the program, I now know how to approach investors and to write a business plan.” Calabrese Smith has put his new training into action by creating his own E-Bay Musical Instrument business and he knows that there is plenty of opportunity for growth.

Other great student testimonials can be watched in the following MICE videos:

Student testimonial filmed in Hungary both in English and Hungarian.

Student testimonials filmed in the USA.

These live and unscripted testimonials truly touch the heart and souls of all of us understanding how these young, talented people have gained a meaning to their lives through MICE thanks to the brilliant thinker who founded it.

The MICE foundation would not exist without the youthful bravery and steely determination of its founder, Les Meszaros.  His story really begins when, as a teenager living in communist Hungary, he risked his life for the freedom and opportunities in the post-war Western World. Deciding to escape the harsh regime, Meszaros and a friend braved the barbed wire fences and machine gun towers to cross the border into Austria, where he found a job and eventually, through the sponsorship of Catholic Charities, came to the United States.

He arrived in the United States on October 23, 1956, the day of the Hungarian revolution broke out, with a single dollar to his name. As his ship pulled into New York harbor, young Meszaros was stunned to hear his name being paged, and he was called up on deck where he was met by a group of photographers and had his picture taken under an American flag and holding a newspaper.  The breaking news in the headline told the story of the Hungarian revolution, and young Meszaros had suddenly become a symbol of the quest for freedom in America.

Graduate Students of the MICE Program

With further help from Catholic charities and the local Hungarian community, Meszaros, who didn’t speak a word of English, was offered a job in Buffalo, NY, where he worked sweeping floors and washing dishes, did hard labor work at places like Bethlehem Steel and J H Williams corp. painted houses etc. before gaining employment at Roswell Park Cancer Institute taking care of research animals. He eventually became an influential experimental surgeon in the department despite his lack of training and formal education.  “I had good hands, good perception and learned quickly which resulted doing things like kidney transplants in monkeys and dogs, and doing it just as well if not better than some of the physicians,” he says. “I really wanted to go to medical school and become a surgeon, but didn’t have the resources and couldn’t afford it.” Meszaros instead took on to digitizing Roswell Park’s medical records.  “I worked for a doctor at Roswell Park, and he gave me the opportunity to learn about computers, and I decided to learn everything there is to know about computer technology.” Intent on expanding his business knowledge, he also earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the School of Management at the University of Buffalo.

Meszaros’ computer skills and enthusiasm led to him being appointed the Director of Data Systems Manager for Roswell Park, and he also served as a Sales and Marketing executive for Computer Task Group and as Director of Management Information Systems for Erie County Central Police Services.  In 1980 he started  COM PRO ( Computer Professionals) a nationally recognized, privately-held systems software and professional services company where he served as President, Chairman and CEO until 1989 when he sold the company.  The same year he founded Voice Technology Group (VTG) and served as President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of VTG prior to its acquisition. In June of 2000 Intel Corp. acquired VTG and Meszaros was appointed Vice President of Business Development with Intel, and he served in that capacity for one year.  The sale of VTG to Intel gave him a financial comfort level after his many years of hard work. Today he is “semiretired,” though he says “he is busier than ever with his MICE program for high school students. The secret to a long life is not to retire, but to simply change jobs. “

Laszlo Les Meszaros

MICE came about after Meszaros was selected to serve as a member on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the School of Management at State University of New York at Buffalo. There he met a lot of academic people and kept thinking about how he could give something back to his native country Hungary, and to the country in which he prospered, America.  He knew both needed true revolution so badly in terms of schooling. “As an immigrant to the United States from Hungary in the 1950s, I was inspired by the promise of this great country to build a new life and pursue success,” Meszaros says. That promise is something he wanted others to take advantage of.

Professor Joseph Salamone’s earlier informal efforts to provide visiting Hungarian students with educational challenges attracted Meszaros’ interest to financially support entrepreneurship training in support of  Hungary’s economic growth and membership in the European Union.  MICE was therefore launched to formalize and deliver The Entrepreneurship Training Program in Budapest Hungary.

Professor  Salamone, who had been teaching Entrepreneurship at SUNY-Buffalo since 1976 knew immediately that they might be on to something important and truly life changing.  Salamone developed a formal course syllabus/outline and created a business plan workshop as the capstone component that precedes the formal Business Plan Competition, an event that showcases the student teams’ efforts to design and defend their business plan.

“We took the idea back to Hungary in 2003 and announced it to 4 or 5 high schools and explained all the benefits it offered,” explains Meszaros. “Professor Salamone trained the teachers on the curriculum.  Nobody had ever done anything like this in Hungary, and it became an overnight success. We really produced some super kids with that program.  After a few years the need for a practical yet academically correct book to standardize the program became evident.  Based on his experiences, Salamone researched and collaborated with co-authors (Pirrone and Anderson) to publish a book (Entrepreneurship: Foundations) – the program just took off.” The program is now in its fourth year in Hungary and a grant from the European Union for the past two years has allowed the course in Budapest to be expanded from 40 to 120 students for each year.  The text has since been translated and exists as a dual English-Hungarian work making it a valuable English tutorial for Hungarian students.

MICE Graduates

“We knew that we were doing something that was important, that was making a difference not only in Hungary, but also in the States, and so when I was in Buffalo, many of my business friends began asking me ‘Why aren’t you doing something like that here?’” Meszaros says.  “They told me we needed the same thing in this country. So we got started in Buffalo in 2007, taking on diverse groups of kids from all over western New York  – everything from country club girls to tough inner city kids – and put them all together in the program and we saw an amazing transformation with them.  We took these kids who at the beginning of the course could barely introduce themselves, to kids who were the equivalent of polished businesspeople doing Power Point presentations in just 20 weeks.”

“Our goal is to give young people an early opportunity to learn to evaluate business opportunities, ethical decision making, and development of their business skills in terms of self-employment,” Meszaros says. “After all, the youth of civilization represents the greatest asset we have. It is the young who will inherit our society and the responsibility to perpetuate our civilization.”

MICE, which is a registered 501(C) non-profit organization, works on many levels, with Professor Salamone’s textbook as the core curriculum, and also brings in guest speakers from successful companies and schedules field trips to interesting local businesses.  Where the classroom work may teach them about the concepts of brainstorming, evaluating market opportunities and developing teamwork and communications skills, it’s the practical applications that really make the program effective.  Professor Salamone says, “when these kids realize the potential they have and what their capabilities are, and thus are able to convince themselves that they can be leaders, can take risks, and are willing to work hard, then the light bulb goes off and they realize that the sky is the limit.  We assign them something that deals with a real life situation and they are able to create just as well as if they were presenting a business plan thus they really start owning it.”

An example of the progressive thinking encouraged by MICE is what Laeticia Mbukapindu has planned for her future.  Although just a junior at Leonardo da Vinci High School, Laeticia isn’t wasting any time starting her own salon business. A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who came to Buffalo when she was 10, Mbukapindu is already braiding and styling hair for friends and family. She’s also honing her business skills as a participant in the Entrepreneurship Training Program run by MICE.

“I wanted to know more about facts regarding how to maintain and have a big business,” she says. “I’ve learned how to address people in the business world and how to choose locations. This was a beautiful opportunity.”

MICE Students

“We also encourage these kids to do a lot of things that most high schools discourage,” Professor Salamone says.  “We want them to have fun, since we think that you will learn something much more quickly if you’re enjoying yourself, and we also encourage them to question, to think, to challenge the status quo, and to speak up! I decided at the beginning that this curriculum was not going to be watered down, and as a result this program has been approved for full college credit in SUNY-Buffalo”s Advanced College Credit Program.”

The graduation process at MICE is really more like a competition, where kids develop competitive plans and present them.  As an example: the winning Hungarian team was invited to the U.S., where they took an advanced class with Professor Salamone, and enjoyed visiting with American students, barbeques and other recreational opportunities in the area.

“It’s always amazing to see the transformation that takes place in these sometimes disadvantaged children, from the beginning to the end of the program,” Meszaros says.  Salamone adds, “We have parents come up and tell us ‘You have made such a big change in my child’s life, we see them being thoughtful and considerate and mature and we wonder what you have done to make this change.”

“When we set out, the goal was to help students pursue ownership and operation of their own business,” Professor Salamone says, “but where we saw the quickest change was in the development of their soft skills.  They readily developed a greater sense of market diversity, as they came from diverse backgrounds, and also quickly developed leadership, negotiation and presentation skills.  These are qualities that are not only key to success in business but also easily transferrable to any single thing you do in life.”

As successful as MICE has been in Hungary and in the States, Meszaros feels that they are only beginning to scratch the surface of what can be done on a national level in America. “These are the principles this country was founded on,” he says. “To be a self-starter and self-reliant is how so many businesses got started.  I see so many kids with a first class college education who end up working in a cubicle for a large corporation that doesn’t even know who they are.  To be an entrepreneur means you can take your ideas and, with a vision and hard work, you can make a difference.  This kind of thing isn’t being taught in our schools now, and it is more critical than ever that youth have these options explained to them.”

“When I began teaching Entrepreneurship back in 1976 I believed that these skills were important in any student’s development,” Professor Salamone says. “Now, in the current economic climate, everyone is suddenly talking about entrepreneurs and how critical they are to our economy.  My feeling is that this is a program whose time has really come and should be integrated into every high school curriculum.  I have begun working on a model that would be a supplement to a traditional 4 year high school curriculum and benefit each student regardless of their immediate interest in entrepreneurship”

With the ongoing commitment of Les Meszaros and Professor Salamone, the good news is that they intend to make this program available as widely as possible.  “The course is transferrable to any school anywhere,” says Professor Salamone.  “The core concepts and principles lend themselves to any geographical area, even though the market opportunities differ widely from Buffalo to California to Alaska.”  As with any service program, which is limited only by the amount of their funding, MICE depends on people who understand how important the values they offer are, and support it both academically and financially.  MICE also is exploring a strategy to deliver this valuable training through online tutorials, a program now being contemplated by Professor Salamone, based on his course textbook and interactive course components. “It must be a very interactive program, since we’ve found that getting the students to participate is key to their success,” he says.

One of the sayings you hear frequently in discussing the MICE program is this: “The greatest good you can do for another is to reveal to them their own unique inner value,” says Les.

It’s exactly the kind of education that we as individuals and this country desperately needs at this point in our history, and with the continued success of the MICE program it’s a message that will be carried far and wide to ensure the success of our young people, and our country. And, of course the best example of how one can become a successful entrepreneur stating with nothing at first is Les Meszaros itself as his own story speaks for itself.

The importance of this program is too paramount to describe. We are asking banks, investment firms, venture capitalists and private citizens who understand the importance of entrepreneurship and education, through which our great country, the United States of America can survive, to take a closer look at the good work being done through this organization.

Given that some of the students pay only a nominal tuition, about half of them are in the disadvantaged status and cannot afford to pay anything.  Please consider a respectable participation, which will serve to benefit humanity in a highly ethical manner. Education is the basis for any country’s future. As we fight for America, let’s recognize our children as the cornerstones of what we treasure most: our freedom, our lives, and the successive generations of this great land that will benefit so many! It’s time we open our hearts and minds to return the biggest gift of all: Life itself, – the quality of the American dream!

For more information visit: The MICE FOUNDATION or ATLANTIC PUBLISHER, or just call 716.830.6039 or 917.678.4017.

For an easy pledge go directly to Pledge Form.

or visit  the webpage of MICE where you can find a physical address, contact the founder, as well as find other methods of donation opportunities, and participation in this most crucial mission!

Buffalo News;

Endless Possibilities M.I.C.E;

Laszlo Les Meszaros of the M.I.C.E. Foundation;

Business First ;

Buffalo Public Schools  ;  University of Buffalo 

UB School of Management

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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Justin Burgess, Director of Siren

By Adrienne Papp

NOTE: ( The reproduction of this material is strictly prohibited without publisher’s consent as per copyright laws)

Maybe nothing in the history of human creativity has had the enduring dramatic power of the classic stories told in Greek mythology.  The characters and themes in these immortal tales have informed and entertained humanity for centuries, and have provided the story structures that have become a part of our life experiences ever since.

It’s no surprise then that much of our enduring entertainment, including fiction, poetry, dance and film, is based on classic Greek mythology.  Those heroic stories are the foundation for virtually every form of artistic expression, a connection that has lasted for many hundreds, if not thousands of years.

Which brings us to an exciting new incarnation of classic Greek storytelling, a filmmaking venture called Siren, which incorporates the classic mythological elements of the Iliad and the Odyssey in a contemporary setting, and humanizes the stories in a way that everyone can relate to.

Siren tells the story of a young woman, Kira, who has a rocky relationship with her mother, Claire, and whose world is turned upside down by tragedy.  Kira, played by Dina Cataldi, loses her mother and only then finds out she is a Siren. The Sirens, a group which included her mother and now includes Kira, have the duty of protecting the goddess Persephone, played by Eileen Alana.

Eileen Alana, Actress

At Claire’s funeral, Kira meets her estranged uncle and is informed about a world that is invisible to mortals.  Kira rejects this news, but is then thrown into a scenario of challenging dramatic events, where she begins to discover more about her identity and her new role as a Siren.  The events have been instigated by Persephone after she decides to leave the bondage that her husband Hades (Mark Tallman) and mother Demeter (Maria Di Angelis) have imposed on her for the past 2,000 years.

It is through the help of Leslie that Persephone is able to escape both the Sect, a dangerous and possessed group of demons who are loyal to her father Hades, and the Scopuli, the powerful army controlled by her mother.  Upon Persephone’s escape, Hades and Demeter violently reignite their rivalry, which jeopardizes the fate of the world.  Hades coerces the Greek hero Odysseus (Anthony St. James), to help track Persephone down and bring her back. But Hades intent is treacherous, as he decides to kill his wife, usurp her power and use an ancient power to resurrect all of the Gods.

Jaeme Griffin, Producer

Siren contains dramatic themes of self-discovery and a longing for freedom that everyone can relate to, and combines the powerful elements of Greek drama with a humanity that brings all the characters to life as fully realized beings, a connection extending from antiquity to the modern day. Never before have the classic elements of tragedy and redemption been told in such a beautiful and emotionally touching way. Siren is the story of a woman finding her freedom and empowering herself.  In breaking through, Kira also is able to free her parents from the eternal mythological cycle, as she finally bridges the gap between immortals and normal human beings.

Siren tries to bring these life lessons to its audience, portraying the feeling and emotions that are common to everyone, but with all the action and passion that are found in a heroic movie.  “Siren combines the sweetness of self-realization and freedom with an action story.  There is literally something in this story for everyone,” says Director Justin Burgess.

Though the story is classic and the actors all highly talented and committed to the project, it’s never easy getting a production like Siren to its intended audience. Intended to be a trilogy, this high concept film is projected as the first installment in a 3-part series that would put it in the same high profile category as films like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or The Matrix.  “This material is so strong that it will not only change the way that people look at Greek mythology, it will also change the way they look at the current day and the way that films are made,” say Burgess. “There really hasn’t been anything done like this before, something that captures the full spectrum and spectacle of action films, including intense drama, and yet also has the sweetness of a chick flick.  Siren seamlessly incorporates all of those elements.”

Dina Cataldi, Actress, Characters Creator

The characters of Siren were created by Dina Cataldi, who was inspired by the idea of projecting the stories of classic Greeks myths into the modern day.  Working with assistance from director Justin Burgess, who got involved to fulfill a promise to direct her, they have been able to create a world of action and drama that also includes many emotional human elements. It’s a project whose time has come, and judging from the dedication involved in the production, the final result will be something unlike any other film project. “We had to approach this effort fearlessly,” says Burgess. “I told the team before we started that we can’t be involved in this as just friends, we have to become family.  That means in the sense that you wouldn’t do anything to hurt your family or let your family down, we will not disappoint each other in the realization of this film. We are all committed to putting this story out as a first rate viewing experience, something that you will be talking about long after you leave the theater.”

There are countless stories in the filmmaking business about success through perseverance, actors like Jeremy Piven and a stream of projects that were unsuccessful until they were able to find exactly the right role or combination of elements that allowed them to break through and become successful. Siren is a project that intends to overcome all obstacles, an inspired concept that has been buoyed up by the sheer enthusiasm and talent of its actors and production staff, and it continues to gain momentum. Jaeme Griffin, the executive producer, considered by director Burgess as a “parachute of all times”  has been demonstrating to overcome insurmountable obstacles almost daily. She is the dream of all production team. “ I never think in terms of problems, but rather solutions. Everything can be talked about and everything has a solution to it with the proper communication” says Jaeme. (Listening to her, it feels like there is no one who would not need her!)

Siren Production

With a strong premise in terms of the film’s theme, a robust script that involves five lead characters and fifteen supporting actors in the cast, and the exotic-but-familiar context of Greek mythology, Siren has a lot going for it. “We’re actually taking mythological characters and continuing their story in the modern world,” Burgess explains. “This film features heroic female lead characters who are involved in a typical underdog story; it’s the person who you least expect to win the day that comes through in the end.  This is based on textbook Iliad and Odyssey themes, and is also an action film with enough female-oriented human drama to play on the Lifetime Channel after the big screen.”

Sirenis slated to run about 2 hours and 17 minutes, and a teaser with some of the film’s action elements has just been finished. In the teaser, we see a version of how Hades is brought to life (on a reduced scale) and the longing of an imprisoned Persephone looking for freedom.  We also see a pivotal character and sub-plot between Castor (Martin Harvey) and Sophia, as well as some of the action elements that will be fully developed in the feature version of the film.  “Creating the feeling of the immense power of Hades was the best way to get some of the feel of the film across, and this short piece is visually striking due in no small part to the production efforts of Mitchell Lipsiner and Wilmar Luna,” says Director Burgess.

Maria Di Angelis, Actress

The first installment in the Siren trilogy is budgeted at approximately $40-58M, with a projected worldwide gross somewhere north of $600 million. “That’s not a bad return on investment,” Burgess says.  “We’re very committed to making sure the vision we have makes it intact to our audience and it’s almost like this project has become its own force of nature, where people just show up out of nowhere when needed and it just continues to gather momentum.  I’ve never been involved in a filmmaking experience like this before; the commitment and energy with this group is completely unique.”

With its universal themes and epic scope, Siren is conceived as a film that will stand the test of time, classic themes being told in a classic film style fully mounted in a contemporary setting.  Its humanized mythology projected into a modern context offers the broadest possible appeal, and the film is certain to resonate with a broad spectrum of movie lovers everywhere.

There are a number of Westsiders in this movie, including Adrienne Papp of Spotlight and Atlantic Publicity, the number one firm on the Westside of Los Angeles.

“ We are all here to make this movie known to all who look for class, experience, and a real touchable charm that is so hard to find these days. Something you can hang onto and think about after you immersed yourself in this classic yet modern drama,” says Adrienne who lives in Santa Monica.

Siren Teaser

Martin Harvey, Actor

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

Mark Tallman, Actor

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Dr. Zein Obagi is being knighted into Sir Dr. Zein Obagi

By Adrienne Papp

Dr. Zein Obagi, MD, a world-renowned dermatologist and true visionary in the science of skin care, has received many honors in his life, but has also been recently recognized for the greatest honors of all: Knighthood!  He is now part of a historic regal tradition that goes back 1700 years in recognition for his ongoing contributions to the science of medicine in skin health, and also to mankind.

Since creating the dermatological concept of improving skin health in 1983, where before the emphasis had simply been on treating diseased skin, Dr. Obagi’s innovative skincare solutions and techniques have fundamentally changed the way people now think about skin and its health. Instead of only treating damaged skin, or using superficial creams, Dr. Obagi has focused on creating and maintaining healthy skin continuously with a complete portfolio of a skincare concept and solutions called ZO Skin Health.  These new scientifically accurate solutions, combined with Dr. Obagi’s techniques, now offer real answers for skin that will remain continually youthful, – a contribution that has earned him Knighthood and the title of Sir Zein Obagi, MD!  His products are not commercialized, or full of empty “promises,” but ones that truly work and what MOST well known doctors offer in their offices simply because they know these are the BEST they can find anywhere.  You can see the results on your skin and how it wakes up the cells! Your skin actually reacts visibly, while department-store-sold cosmetics, even though brilliantly marketed, are not allowed to stimulate the cells enough for them to actually react and start working!

Sir Dr. Zein Obagi has received Knighthood

Some of the revelation of Dr. Obagi’s success can be attributed to his breakthrough discoveries in what was once referred to as a “blue peel,” and which he now calls the ZO Controlled Depth Peel.  This is a very intensive and never before procedure that is designed to go under the epidermis to remedy any unhealthy skin condition, such as a rough texture or severe wrinkling.  Although the concept of this process has ancient origins, going back to the Egyptian Pharaohs in a very primitive form, it was Dr. Obagi who made the peel process a very precise and scientific one, resulting in a perfect, beautiful, glowing complexion customized for each individual patient.

However, the word, “peel” is widely misconceived today, not only by the wrong use of not only the expression itself, but also of the true meaning of the procedure.   For “scrubbing” just the surface of the skin is not a peel, and it is certainly not what Dr. Obagi is talking about!  That surface “peel” as they call it is nothing more than a microdermabrasion, if even that! One can do such “scrubbing” at home with the ZO skin care line. The blue peel however goes much, much deeper.

Sir Dr. Zein Obagi, a Certified and Official Knight

The key ingredient in the ZO Controlled Depth Peel is trichloracetic acid (or TCA). It has previously been used in dermatology for removing unwanted skin conditions, but in a very uncontrolled way. Dr. Zein Obagi took this ingredient and used it in a highly scientific approach to get down below the epidermis, using precisely measured concentrations of TCA and application times.  “Depth of the application was the key,” Dr. Obagi says, “and through much research we were able to control the use of the treatment to many different levels of the skin. What amount, what duration, to what depth? All of these questions were crucial, yet none of them were answered at the time. Nobody knew. I then added some color, the color blue as in the blue peel, so that we could see very clearly where it was working.  I myself was the first patient, so I knew exactly what was happening, and how the skin would react.”  And, this very fact is indicative of just who Dr. Obagi is, both as a doctor and a person. It is not another patient Dr. Obagi wants, it is his continuous quest and commitment to new heights and discoveries in science, which drives mankind further ahead: out with the old paradigm and in with the new! Better solutions and resolutions that actually work! That is why people come and visit him from around the world! 

But just doing a very precise peel directed at a specific skin level isn’t enough to guarantee beautiful results.  Before the treatment, Dr. Obagi’s patients also undergo a full one-month TAILORED treatment to prepare the patient for the peel procedure,-  taken that we are all different. Dr. Obagi does not have a “one fits for all”, nor he would want to.  This is partially why he is more successful than anyone else. As a footnote: I have worked with Dr. Obagi for years and just had the blue peel for the first time. After the peel I saw my physician unrelated to the matter, but who sees me at least once a year! Unbeknownst to him about the blue peel, he said: “your skin does not even look like you are 21 years of age. It looks better than 21. Much better! What happened?”   This statement coming from a doctor I highly respect, and who has known me for 18 years not only made my day, but when they would not allow me into a red carpet event I was invited to, and refused to serve me wine at the age of 46, it was a blessing I cannot describe!

Selena Obagi, Lady Adrienne Papp and Sir Dr. Obagi

There are several layers of the ZO blue peel process, namely five. Dr. Obagi decides based on each person what depth is needed. Mine was depth number four. A ZO Controlled Depth Peel process is followed up with stimulation, which encourages the skin cells to regenerate themselves and replace the older cells that have been removed during the treatment. “We provide treatment both before the peel and afterwards to ensure maximum effectiveness,” Dr. Obagi says.  “This is very different from others offering a peel with a very superficial and unscientific approach.  Only the ZO Controlled Depth Peel is a precise process that offers maximum effectiveness.  I would say that if a patient was to have one of my peels every 4 to 5 years, and take care of their skin otherwise, their skin would never age.”  (This is statement I know to be true looking at my own face. Dr. Obagi’s Controlled Depth Peel actually saved me from an eyelid surgery.)

Dr. Obagi is the only doctor in Beverly Hills who has received the honor of Knighthoodat an Investiture ceremony in Pasadena, California.  His Knighthood makes him part of the oldest original Order in the World going back to the year 312 A.D originating from the Roman Empire!

Classic tales of knights have long been used in movies using George Lucas’ version of Jedi Knights in the movieStar Wars, or the movie First Knight starring Richard Gere, which retells the timeless tale of King Arthur and the legend of Camelot starring Sir Sean Connery as King Arthur, Richard Gere as Sir Lancelot (knighted by the King, just as today) and Julia Ormond as the king’s young wife, Guinevere. In the film Arthur is reluctant to hand the crown to Lancelot (that is the power of a Knight carried through history,) and Guinevere is torn between her loyalty to her husband and her growing love for his rival, the young Knight, Lancelot.  Lancelot must balance his loyalty to the throne with the rewards of true love. A very humane story, yet a very applicable one. A knight, who becomes a “Sir” balances his contribution to the world, while adding to it his commitment to those who look up to him for guidance and answers! Just like we do to Dr. Obagi. I trust him with my life and so does every one of his patience. There will be no artificial look with Dr. Obagi, nor some quick fix that lasts for a week. It will be young, fresh, healthy skin that will glow till the rest of your life if you take care of it!

The Investiture Dinner on October 22, 2011 in Los Angeles

Classic knighthood ideals always aspire to courage, loyalty and honor, and traditionally noble titles come from heads of royal families, called a “royal house,” a dynastic family holding hereditary royal titles and privileges usually based upon modern or ancient geographical rulership, even if that royal dynastic family does not currently rule a nation in modern times.

In America our fascination with knighthood can be seen in colloquial titles bestowed upon celebrities like Elvis, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Michael Jackson, and the naming of mononymic star, Prince, although not in an official and REAL ROYAL WAY! This type of “royalty” here is a mere matter of speech.  When movie actress Grace Kelly became Princes Grace of Monaco, America celebrated. An example of the most recent royal sensation, our infatuation with Kate Middleton, a commoner who became a Princess, only adds to the ongoing enchantment of the role of royalty in the modern day. But, what Sir Dr. Obagi achieved is the same as Sir Richard Branson, a brilliant adventurer, as he calls himself, and of course a great entrepreneur; Sir Ben Kinsley, Sir Paul McCartney and the list goes to those the World knows by heart! 

Although the USA has no formal association with knighthood or royalty due to its short history (the country being only about 300 years old) while Europe has thousands of years of history with monarchs, it has been decided that private citizens in this country who are exemplary can be honored with knighthood for their chivalric contributions to the betterment of mankind.  Other examples of this include the honorary knighthoods granted by Queen Elizabeth II to former Presidents Reagan and Bush and to retired/retiring Generals Norman Schwartzkopf and Colin Powell. A legitimate noble title always has a legitimate royal source called a Fonhonorum (Latin: “source of honor,” the “fountainhead” from which the legitimate title is issued).

The current order of modern Knights and Ladies are people selected from various professions who have demonstrated a dedication to traditional chivalric values, including dignity; honesty; ethical conduct; education; in cases, military service; discoveries; contribution to the world at large; and in general goals that are noble in nature – all the while maintaining a sense of those great traditional values that have become more necessary today than ever before. These honorees, like Sir Dr. Zein Obagi, have been given the title “Sir,” or for women “Dame,” as with Dame Elizabeth Taylor, or Dame Barbara Walters, as more popularly expressed in Europe: “Lady” expressly for these noble values.

Regardless to which Order one belongs to, the modern Knights and Ladies of the 21st Century are by sworn oath required to uphold certain traditional and historic values, which however they have already demonstrated during their whole life. That is why they qualified to this most exceptional honor. During the ceremonies of investiture, the members pledge themselves to the Duke, Grand Master, and to the Constitution of the Order to follow its ideals of personal honor and courage thus setting examples in the world.

Sir Dr. Zein Obagi Lecturing to thousands of doctors worldwide

Though based in old world values, forward-thinking technologies are also part of the heritage of royal orders. A recent example is the work of England’s Prince Charles not needing to be knighted, as he was born into privilege thus carrying the royal title already, is strongly committed to historic projects like restoring old castles in Europe while at the same time promoting the most recent green technologies like solar energy, organic farming, hydrogen energy sources and other self-sustaining principles. He is currently developing a high concept eco-friendly model village for poor people in India that will include schools, shops, and 3,000 homes, allegedly inspired after seeing the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire. This multi-million-dollar venture will be placed on a 25-acre wasteland on the outskirts of either Kolkata or Bangalore. Features of the town will include oversized roofs with overhanging palm trees to collect rainwater to use for showering, shade and natural ventilation systems to combat the high temperatures. 

For Sir Dr. Zein Obagi, Knighthood is an appreciation and recognition of his ongoing commitment to making the world a better place to live in, and helping countless amount of individuals around the World through his work!  His vision has been resulting in millions of people now having access to treatments that allow healthy, beautiful skin they only dreamt about.  By offering this innovative advancement in the science of healthy skin, he has tremendously improved the self-esteem and enhanced the physical appearance to the gratefulness of his clients internationally!

As Sir Dr. Obagi continues to explore the scientific possibilities of improving the appearance and health of skin, the Order of which he is now a part also remains actively committed to making the world a better place to live. Since 2005, the Order of Knighthood has raised and donated many hundreds of thousands of dollars and will continue to do so to help the less fortunate, which was the original idea already at conception. The Order now has a growing presence in 13 countries and has been publicized in the press  around the world. Next year the Order will visit the Vatican to celebrate the seventeenth-hundred anniversary of its founding in 312 A.D. While no longer required to maintain a “battle-trained horse, three lances and armor in good repair,” the Ladies and Knights of this Imperial and Sovereign Order will continue to grow and prosper expanding their influence and chivalric values everywhere. 

I had the honor and great privilege to be appointed in January of 2011 as the exclusive worldwide publicist (or as in the old language, Public Officer) to the Order. Only through personal recommendation can an extraordinary person be invested into the Order as a Knight or a Lady. And after my 15 years of knowing and understanding the work of Sir Dr. Obagi and his lovely and dedicated wife, Lady Samar, I am proud to announce their honorable recognition as extraordinary citizens of the World!

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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…And Changed the World!

Steve Jobs

By Adrienne Papp

In 1976, two young college dropouts with a vision, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, created the first consumer-oriented personal computer in a garage in Mountain View, Calif.  They had sold a van and two calculators to raise $1300 to start the business, which they called Apple.  Like a lot of other entrepreneurial stories, this one had less than a modest beginning, yet Apple, through Wozniak’s genius for computer design and Jobs’ product vision ended up becoming the single most valuable company in the world in many sense of the word. But the legacy of Steven Paul Jobs of Apple can’t be measured strictly in terms of just dollars and cents. Not only he was a Buddhist, which made him see the larger picture and not just the daily tasks, but also he lived with a goal and mission in mind every day.  The legacy he leaves behind is more about the vision and inextinguishable flame of the creative spirit, which all by itself is genius that drove him on a narrow path hardly understood by many. The determination and commitment that this very narrow path calls for is not for everyone.  But this very depth of consciousness, which made him reevaluate his course continuously and live up to his own, rather than other’s expectations, is what made Steve Jobs the single biggest genius of our time changing not only the course of technology but mankind.

When Steve Jobs died on October 5, it was a reminder that true greatness can often come from the most unexpected places. He was born on February 24, 1955 in San Francisco and was given up for adoption by graduate student Joanne Schieble. Insisting that her son be raised by college graduates, the baby boy was to be adopted by an attorney, but when the couple decided they wanted a girl, her son was adopted by the family of Paul and Clara Jobs of Mountain View, a working class couple with no college background.

Committed to sending their son to college, as mandated by the birthmother, the Jobs devoted their life saving to sending Steve to Reed College in Oregon.  That didn’t make sense to Jobs, as he noted in a famous commencement speech given at Stanford University in 2005:

“I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn’t see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.”

Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak

One of the classes he took was calligraphy, which had a direct influence on the interface we now see on our personal computers:

“Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can’t capture, and I found it fascinating. Ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do.”

If Steve Wozniak was a true computer genius in terms of circuit board design, it was Jobs who had the vision to see how that could be translated into products that were easy to use and able to transform our personal lives.  Jobs could take an idea and run with it and create something that would be, in his words, “insanely great.”

The creative legend of Steve Jobs, Apple, and the personal computer began in 1979, when the 24-year old entrepreneur visited Xerox PARC, the research arm of Xerox Corporation and experimental laboratory of technology concepts in the Silicon Valley. There he observed new concept that was the forerunner of the modern mouse. At Xerox PARC, the mouse was a clunky device in a primitive format. But Jobs realized its potential and transformed it into something elegant and functional. Now it’s impossible to think of operating a personal computer without one.

Steve Jobs has been called the Edison of our time, and while Apple may not have been the first company to come up with a breakthrough concept, it was Jobs who had the vision to craft the technology into something with an almost mystical sense of cool. Apple didn’t invent the mp3 player, a company called Audio Highway did. But when Steve Jobs said during a product introduction in 2001 that “to have your whole music library with you at all times is a quantum leap in listening to music” and then pulled the iPod out of his jeans pocket, it became obvious that this was a defining moment in technology, that in creating the iPod Jobs had transcended all existing technology. It first occurred to me about 16 years ago when I was buying a million CDs just to be able to combine a library of music I liked by recording one or two songs of each CD to a cassette tape at the time. I thought to myself: am I the only one who does not want to listen to a whole CD and needs to keep on changing CDs to get the music she wants?

Likewise, Apple didn’t invent the online music store, someone named Ivan J. Parron did. But it was Jobs who brokered the deals with record companies to allow iTunes to become the number one music retailer in the world after its introduction in 2003, eventually selling more than 10 billion songs.

And then there is the iPhone. Apple didn’t invent the first smartphone. IBM, Nokia and other companies had the technology first. But under Job’s direction Apple’s iPhone redefined what a phone should be, a touch screen device that allows you to carry your “life in your pocket,” as he said when he introduced it in 2007. Personally, although I consider myself very lucky and blessed in life with a tremendous amount of joy, trials, triumphs and tribulations, I still say that the best thing that has ever happened to me was the IPhone.

Jobs and Wozniak

The lesson we can take from Steve Jobs’ visit to Xerox PARC and the products he created based on formative technology is that being first isn’t nearly as important as being great. It’s always better to be the best and Jobs’ defining genius came from taking ideas in their initial, primitive formats and transforming them into unique products of elegant functionality.

As he continued to refine the technology and products that would change our lives, he came up against an adversary that he couldn’t outthink or transform. Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent surgery in 2004, and eventually needed a liver transplant. Those encounters with his own mortality helped shape his views of life and death, a perspective he shared in a remarkable 2005 commencement speech at Stanford University.  It wasn’t a rousing speech full of encouragement and rah-rah spirit.  Instead it was serious and philosophical, as Jobs urged the graduates to remember that the future is uncertain and that death could be just around the corner, and that life should be a journey of following your heart. In the speech he said “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

His burning desire for greatness began early as Jobs told the students “When I was 17 I read a quote that went something like, ‘If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you will most certainly be right.’ It made an impression on me. And since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself, ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And whenever the answer has been ‘No’ for too many days in a row, I know I needed to change something.”

Adrienne Papp, Jennifer C, Stephen Wozniak, Bob O and Mrs. Wozniak

Parts of this speech are as important as any of the consumer products that Steve Jobs gifted us with during his brilliant career. He will be remembered for words like these long after the life of his creations: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose!  You are already naked; there is no reason not to follow your heart. No one wants to die … and yet, death is the destination we all share. Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent.”

He added:  “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice.”

Steve Jobs parting words to Stanford’s graduating class of 2005 were “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

I believe that Jobs’ biggest contribution yet to the world were these words: “Death is very likely the single best invention of life. It’s life’s change agent.”  I believe that living with this simple axiom every day would make every single person bring out the best she/he can be on Earth. With this one sentence Steve Jobs summarized what I am trying to convey in my writings, what Oprah Winfrey is talking about every day, what quantum physics teach us, what the chaos theory, which we still just starting to understand explains, and what every working man and woman in whichever profession is trying to do every day IF they are conscious enough: become the best they can be! That is the biggest contribution to mankind a human can achieve! Stay hungry for it! Or, as Jobs put it: Stay hungry! Period!

Every Day Counts

The great test of genius is its longevity, and as some of the most famous people in the world offer words that celebrate the life of Steve Jobs, from Presidents to Bill Gates to Mark Zuckerberg to George Lucas, the people who have helped define our modern world, it is the message that Jobs himself left that rings out the loudest and will be remembered longest:

“Most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition,” he said to those Stanford grads, “they somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  And, if these metaphysical words (also wrongly used at times as “spirituality”) do not ring a bell with you from a straight out scientist with world changing technology inventions then nothing will ever do!

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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Drugs, Money, Power and Drama: Is it worth a life or two? 

By Adrienne Papp

In what is shaping up to be one of the most sensational trials in U.S. history, Michael Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial for the death of the iconic pop star.

The trail began on Tuesday in a courtroom in downtown Los Angeles on September 27.  Fans from all over the world convened at the site and even held a vigil in a prayer circle. Jackson’s family was also in attendance and images of the King of Pop were seen all around the courthouse grounds — including posters that Jackson fans waved for a throng of news crews.  There was even a Jackson impersonator prowling halls of the courthouse.

As the trial began the audience was narrowed down to an audience of 12 Jurors who heard and watched clips of Jackson singing and dancing in rehearsals two days before his death.

It was the audio recording of Jackson’s voice that seemed to have the most emotional impact and brought Jackson’s presence back to those in attendance.  Both Murray and Jackson’s mother broke down and were seen weeping during the playback of the performer’s voice and other materials as various performances and audio tapes were introduced by the defense, who had not previously disclosed that the recordings were to be used in their opening statements.  Jackson’s voice echoed hauntingly through the packed courtroom in a low mumbling voice: “I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. He’s the greatest entertainer of all time.’” As Jackson’s mother, Katherine, looked on tearfully, the prosecutor said the recording showed the doctor knew “Michael’s state” and continued procuring drugs for him. “Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray,” Deputy Dist. Atty. David Walgren said. “That misplaced trust cost Michael Jackson his life.” 

Jackson died from an overdose of propofol on June 25, 2009. Midazolam and several other sedatives were also found in his system.

Dr. Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, is on trial for manslaughter and accused of killing Jackson by providing him with the dangerous anesthetics. Walgren told jurors that Dr. Murray “acted as an employee. He did not act as a medical professional using sound medical judgment.”

As the second day of the trial got underway on Wednesday new witnesses including Jackson’s personal assistant Amir Williams and paramedics are expected to provide fresh details on what is sure to be one of the most riveting trials to be held in Los Angeles.  In addition to the ongoing procedures, Jackson’s fans and family have an acute interest in finding out more details about the death of one of the most exciting and popular performers in pop music history.

I anticipate that this trial will be very controversial.

On one end we are dealing with an icon, who admittedly and sadly enough was addicted to various sedatives and painkillers, which of course brought him to a point where almost nothing was enough to make him go to sleep. Why is that so unusual? It is a medical fact.

On the other hand, he was facing a huge tour, and knowing Michael’s perfectionist approach to his art, he did want to do his best, which he himself expressed even under sedation. Therefore, he badly needed the sleep to be able to perform, which justified clearly that it was not the time to start withdrawal and face his addiction. Everyone who has sleep problems, even if not as serious as Jackson’s was, knows that once all options for sleep aids have been exhausted, there is very little left any doctor can do in the ordinary way. The body starts tolerating all types of sleep aids and you simply cannot go to sleep unless some miraculous cocktail of pills do the trick. But even that is usually just temporary and of course can be dangerous.

Was the job of Dr. Murray to get Michael off of these sleep aids, or was his job to get him THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF THE ADMITTEDLY LARGE TOUR? It’s the latter. That is why he was hired. I would not be surprised if the plan would have been that which it seemed: “This is it,” said Jackson, knowing and announcing that he will NOT perform more. At which time (after the tour) Dr. Murray or someone else could have started withdrawing him? Which I am sure was his intention too somewhere down the line. Nobody can go on living sleepless. That is pure torture!  Just looking at his history, he did realize he had a problem as he was in rehab before. Yet, he needed to get through the tour! It is really a catch 22! I do not know if this very fact is being looked at at all. But, in my opinion it should, – because this is the reality of the story! 

Now, could have Michael Jackson afforded rehab BEFORE the tour? A lengthy series of concerts of a lifetime (in the sense that he was saying goodbye), which concert however mainly was put on to ease his financial burdens?  No, obviously not. Otherwise, they would have done just that! Michael’s financial pressure alone may have contributed to a great degree, if not to the largest degree, to his insomnia. So, he almost had no choice but do the tour! Couple that with other factors and you are looking at a performer who is watched by the whole world in anticipation of a miraculous tour, and the performance of a legend that has sold out in “minutes” way ahead of time! Under these circumstances he simply MUST perform! If any of us cannot sleep for a few nights here and there it is painful enough all by itself, but we do not need to stand up in front of billions to look perfect and give the performance of a lifetime, which is what Michael wanted! How could he have achieved that without medical help in his fragile condition?

This trial is a very, very sad necessity in the sense that yes, we need to know what happened! But, everyone was up against the wall in a situation that could be best described as:  could have, should have, would have… And, the question still remains:  what would have been the right thing to do? Cancel the tour due to Jackson’s frail health and go to rehab? Or, give it his last best and resolve his constant financial burden so that he can finally gain peace of mind and somewhat get to go to sleep through some serious rehab? Only Michael Jackson could answer that!  I do not believe that this tragic situation will produce answers in a courtroom because Michael is not among us any longer to tell us what he felt and what he needed! And, none of us can decide that for him!

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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By Adrienne Papp

But, what we did not know about Michael Jackson or care to understand, was that he was deeply hurt by the world. He lived a very isolated and lonely life despite outside appearances. His soul struggled daily to overcome the pain that was constant throughout his life in one form or another. First, as a child with no childhood at all, then as a grown up attacked by the public and media equally, calling him “Wacko Jacko” and many other derogatory adjectives.
As was later proved, he was irrevocably broken by the false child molestation accusations, his spirit and mental state ruined forever. There seemed to have been no understanding that he only meant to do good and support those who were just as unfortunate as he was when a child. He not only deeply identified with the need for love in these children, but also wanted to “repair” the missing elements in his own soul by giving. A beautiful way to support the world and those in need. Yet, he was grossly misunderstood and obviously taken advantage of. Jackson ended up paying huge amounts of money just to rid himself of yet another painful incident, which these lawsuits exploited. The events in his life should shed a light on the less evolved side of human nature: greed, speculation and underhandedness from those who attach themselves to successful and unsuspecting kindred spirits only to advance themselves by twisting the truth any which way their interest dictates.
Jackson is not the only victim to such behavior in polite society by those with a lesser God. This is a phenomenon that happens not only in Hollywood but most everywhere successful people try to lend a helping hand. And, then comes the media with its sensationalism. The combination of the two is enough to break the toughest of spirits.
I myself was skeptical at first about the allegations against Jackson due to the media coverage, but soon the truth became clear: He was not guilty Folks! But, because of Jackson’s inherent eagerness to create love and peace, settling was more congruent with his beliefs than getting into long drawn public arguments where ignorance dictates all judgments shadowing any attempt to understanding the human spirit, or even the obvious truth.

Genius is often accompanied by an elusive and quirky nature. That combined with the shyness and sensitivity Jackson had made him an enigma that the average mind had a hard time understanding.
Topping all this was the endless speculation about Jackson changing his appearance frequently, as if it was anybody’s business but his own. Constant dissatisfaction is a trait of a perfectionist and a habit of an artist ever wanting to express himself. The constant reinvention of himself and his perfectionist tendencies are the very same traits that made him the single most creative artist of our time. His mere presence on stage defined a new era in entertainment and influenced the entire world. Ironically, just as his fans made him successful by their support, the very same outside world devastated him to the degree that he was close to a nervous breakdown more often than not, becoming a fragile man with a broken spirit and frequently lonely existence.
Even Michael Jackson’s legendary wealth was in sharp decline. There was speculation that he only decided to do the 50-concert comeback in order to save himself from bankruptcy and due to the pressure from his own people. He found himself in a huge financial hole which only was getting bigger and bigger, but was able to maintain some financial stability based on his half ownership of the copyrights to The Beatles catalogue. That joint venture with record company Sony technically kept him from bankruptcy.
A source close to Jackson says that he predicted his own death just a week before he died: “I am better off dead. I do not have anywhere left to turn. I am done.” The source also added, “He said he was worried that he was going to end up like Elvis. He was always comparing himself to Elvis, but there was something in his tone that made me think that he wanted to die, he was tired of life. He gave up. His voice and dance moves weren’t there any more. I think maybe he wanted to die rather than embarrass himself on stage. The most obvious comparison between the King of Pop and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was their prescription drug habits, which in Jackson’s case had significantly intensified in his final months.”

Jackson’s tragic death made me compassionate and upset at the same time. Two questions are definitely raised by his sudden passing and the way he was forced to live. First, when will the medical community realize that the solution does not lie in prescription drugs? Hanging around celebrities for recognition and giving them drugs in order to get into their good graces is not helping their heath but rather hastening their death.
Secondly, when will the media finally back off ? Why is it necessary to delve into the very private lives of celebrities and not only dig until they hit the kidneys, but cover a story (whether true or not) until the audience gets sick of it? Then, move onto yet another one, again, until we all get sick of it? In the meantime, the world is falling apart and there is more than enough to talk about besides gossip and one celebrity or another without a break. I sometimes wonder how one topic can be talked about for days or weeks from so many angles yet with one meaning.

Michael Jackson was undoubtedly the most talented performer of his generation and will be remembered forever. But his music and talent may be overshadowed by the grotesque caricature of him that was perpetuated in the media.
Now that he is gone, it is time to appreciate him and his talents for what they really are, and not what fashionable and sensational interpretations describe them to be.

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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Surviving an Abusive Mother and Getting a Life Abundant

Debra Pauli

By Adrienne Papp

Life, even under the best of conditions, is often extremely harsh.  Even those who live a charmed one suffer their share of pain, disappointment and loss as life takes its toll on even the most privileged among us. As if there was always something to “pay for.”

But imagine what it would be like to start out a life in an atmosphere of total fear, humiliation and hopelessness, to be deprived of the joys of childhood, to be brutalized and taunted from birth and treated as evil by the people who were responsible  to love and nurture you — your parents? That was the torture inflicted on Debra Pauli from birth, a case of parental brutalization so severe that it has been documented as one of the worst child abuse cases in U.S. history, which puzzles the mind even more: an innocent baby is “made to pay” for something that she does not even know about. Instead of unconditional love, she receives unconditional hate.

“My Mother  had no time or tolerance for her daughters, me or my sister Danielle, who was born eleven months after I was in 1962. Both of us were kept isolated in separate small closets as infants and in the basement as toddlers. The meager food we received was placed in a bowl on the stairs, as if we were pets.”

Physical torture was continual and included cigarette burns and the use of pharmaceutical drugs (four doses of valium per day) to keep Debra quiet.  “I was fed an assortment of pills beginning when I was about two years old.  My mother had convinced a doctor that she needed adult prescription drugs for her stress, which then she used these drugs to keep me sedated,” Debra says.

Debra Pauli lived every day of her childhood being demonized by her mother and was psychologically and physically tortured well into adolescence.  Yet through sheer willpower she was able to survive the horrendous abuse.  It’s a story that has drawn a lot of national attention, a childhood drama worthy of an uplifting Lifetime Channel biography.  And the best part is that there is no tragic ending.  Instead, Debra Pauli was able to triumph over her nightmares and become recognized as an inspiration and champion for victims everywhere, an author, motivational speaker and role model for us all.

Debra at Her 50th Birthday

How is this possible? How can someone with such a horrific history become such a guiding light for abused and downtrodden souls everywhere?

Debra’s early life has been published in a series of candid autobiographical books, searing personal memoirs that reveal a life of unspeakably sadistic treatments as a child.  Hers was a nightmare that began at birth as Debra was branded “The Devil’s Daughter” by her paranoid schizophrenic mother.

But that’s all behind her.  The most important part of her life is what’s happening now.  She has been able to share her survival story and healing process as she has become recognized by the public as a respected and truly extraordinary woman who has the strength that is almost impossible to obtain and yet maintain, especially at her age, and on top of it all, she was able to rely upon this higher calling her entire life! Against all odds, Debra Pauli faced daily torture, along with numerous near death experiences  from birth, yet somehow survived to be able to share her message of hope with us all!

“One day I heard a tiny but powerful voice inside me say that things would be all right, a voice telling me that ‘It’s not you, it’s her, your mother” Debra recalls.  “If it hadn’t been for that message, I don’t know if I could have survived my crazed mother. Something deep inside me told me that there was something better for me, that my mother’s hatred would not destroy me. My mother could physically and emotionally torment me, but she would NEVER take away my will to survive, but only make it stronger.”

When she finally gained freedom from her horrendous home life, Debra ran into a new set of problems, getting pregnant in her freshman year of high school. “My first husband was also physically abusive,” Debra says. “In my ninth month of pregnancy, he pushed me out of a moving car. During an argument, he leaned over while driving and opened the passenger door and shoved  me out. I rolled down into a ditch while desperately trying to protect the life of my unborn child.”

With an indomitable will to succeed, Debra finally got her GED and, though busy raising four sons and taking care of her family, still found time to pursue a higher education, earning a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA and degrees for Graphic Arts/Word Processing and Psychology/Sociology thru a State University.  She was finally on track to a healthier, more productive life.  There were still numerous pitfalls to be overcome, however, and, after a divorce from her first husband, Debra was to suffer through two more disastrous relationships, including a sham marriage to a man who turned out to be a closet homosexual.

Tormented by the memories of daily childhood terror, torture and near-death experiences, Debra began exorcising the demons of her early life in a series of books, including A Survivor’s Closet, And Then There Was Light – My Spiritual Cleansing, and Why We Cry for a Soul Set Free.  The books are brutally honest accounts of Debra’s childhood, and were part of the process of liberating herself from her horrors.

The unlikely ending to this horrific story of torment and abuse is that today Debra has become one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in the country. Through her cathartic presentation of raw passion and brutal honesty, she is a living example of perseverance as the key to survival. Her searing life story is testimony to the incredible amount of courage needed to survive even catastrophic child abuse cases. Triumphing over her imposed demons, instead of escaping into drugs or alcohol, she has become the successful role model who now inspires others to overcome life’s harshest realities.

Against all odds, Debra Pauli is now a highly successful businesswoman, best-selling author and life coach who can teach others, as individuals or in groups, not only how to survive harsh realities, but also how to become successful, decent, passionate and loving humans. Her story is one for the ages, and is now attracting the attention of Hollywood for development as a feature film or television mini-series.

Through her efforts to honestly expose her life in books, speaking performances and seminars for small, medium and large corporations, Debra Pauli has become an inspiration to us all,  a legend who can show us that, no matter how big our life problems are, we can not only survive, but also make our dreams come true.

Debra Pauli’s story gives us hope and courage. Her triumph over horrific adversities is a message that she now shares with people in desperate need of a voice of encouragement or better known as “One Survivor’s Voice for Millions of Silent Victims”. Through her books, speaking tours and a feature film in the making, we can all be grateful that Debra Pauli is not only a survivor, but also is able to share a personal message that can make the world a much better place for us all.

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society,Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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Natural Mind, Beauty & Beyond

The misconception about what is organic and what is not revealed.

By Adrienne Papp

Los Angeles is known for a lot of things, including some of the most famous modernist architecture in North America, as an example architect Richard Neutra’s home on Silver Lake Boulevard.  Los Angeles is a trendy, creative area, which makes it an ideal location for truly the most unique and completely Organic hair salon and spa in the entire country, a stylish, modern space and oasis of beauty called NaturalMind Beauty and Beyond, which also operates as a Gallery and is furnished with unique Italian pieces making the place a piece of art beyond unparalleled comfort.

NaturalMind Beauty & Beyond is the creation of Arnaud Ozharun, who began his career as a young boy apprentice in Turkey and eventually ended up in Paris.  There he created a salon that became the fulfillment of his personal vision, a modern, spacious  paradise of beauty using lustrous natural wood, clay, metal and concrete in an 11^th century building that had previously been a candy factory.  In his visionary creation, Arnaud also pioneered the use of stations that moved on wheels, allowing complete flexibility in managing his patrons and the interior space for a variety of functions and events. So, right from the beginning we have a talented man with a vision and the ability to make it a reality and create a salon that is “into the future.” But, how did the 100% natural idea come about? We will talk about that once I have a chance to show you what an amazing and truly futuristic the salon is to start with. We will then see why this salon is the only one that is 100% organic in terms of hair treatment and what a HUGE difference that makes for the quality of your hair.

“My vision was to transport the concept of my salon in Paris to Los Angeles, and we have finally accomplished that,” Arnaud says.

And what a concept it is!  His NaturalMind salon and spa is a beautifully stylish space in a 7,000 square foot building with a 15-foot ceiling that is distinguished by its vertical garden walls, a purposefully conceived piece of living architecture that also aids in air purification.

Inside, the NatualMind concept is an exact duplicate of Arnaud’s salon in Paris, where he spent 38 years.  “When I do something, I like it to be permanent, so I make sure anything I design is built to last,” he says.  The mobile “flexible furniture” concept that Arnaud pioneered with Parisian designer Peter Steltzer allows the individual station layout to shift and adjust according to the needs of the stylists, usually 6 or 7 at any given time.  For those who prefer a more personalized treatment, Arnaud also has a custom-designed mobile workspace that can be enclosed for complete privacy.  Completing the layout is an array of unique shampoo chairs made specifically for Arnaud in Italy and Germany. These cushiony lounge chairs give you the most relaxing massage hidden deep inside the design, which is so modern and exquisite you just want to take them home with you.

Arnaud Ozharun, owner of Natural Mind, Beaty & Beyond

Another creative component of Arnaud’s salon is evident on the interior walls, where a changing selection of modern art adds a sense of flair to the space.  A recent example is the showing of the art of Claire Feuillet, a mixed media visual artist from Orleans, France.  Claire majored in philosophy, and then moved into a career in photography and graphic arts, finally settling on painting as her ultimate form of expression.  She has had many international exhibits, including shows in the Grand Palais in Paris and galleries and museums in Marseilles, Brussels, Berlin, Seoul, Dallas and New York City.  After 10 years of teaching a the Orleans School of Fine Art, she will soon retire to continue her artistic work, with her favorite themes and symbolism concerning the rise and fall of man, in many forms of mixed media. This very idea to bring gallery level exhibit to a hair salon is unique all by itself.

“I love art of all types, and we sponsor many events here at the salon,” Arnaud says. “We change the art we display on our walls every seven weeks, so the salon is always interesting in its appearance, a living work of art.”

In addition to the highly creative work done in hair styling here, NatualMind also provides full spa services, including the most up-to-date massage and relaxation therapies like Shirodhara (a form of Indian Ayurveda medicine that involves gently pouring liquids over the forehead), as well as full service pedicures, manicures and facials.

The most outstanding creative strength of Arnaud’s salon is his insistence on the use of the highest quality hair and beauty products.  “All my customers are like guests in my house, and I would never do anything that might be harmful to them,” he says. The salon features a very unique line of supplies produced by an exclusive Italian company in Tuscany called Naturalmente.  These products are 100 % all-natural organic creations, the purest beauty products in the industry.  Naturalmente products are based on pure natural oils and essences and are certified as organic worldwide.  And, although they are not inexpensive, their formulas are highly concentrated and a small application often produces dynamic and dramatic, lasting results.  Because of their effectiveness they are highly cost effective.  There is a general misconception in America as well as around the World that when something is called “organic” it is 100% organic. The case is not like that at all. All products claiming “organic” still contain anywhere from 50%, give or take, amount of chemicals, yet due to SOME percentage of organic ingredients, we call it “organic.” Arnaud made it his mission to change this concept and came up with the ONLY salon that can truly be said is Organic!

“Once a client is exposed to these products, they never go back to their old brand, and they are also perfect for anyone with allergies,” Arnaud says. “For example, we are now bringing in a line of mascara that doesn’t use tar. All other mascaras on the market use tar, but these will not.  All of these products only use the finest natural oils and ingredients, and since they don’t have any strong chemicals in them you will never get the strong aromas here that you will get in other beauty salons.  It always smells more like aromatherapy here.”

Since its opening in February of 2010, the concept that Arnaud has brought to this part of Los Angeles has been working beautifully.  “We went from having zero clients to now having an e-mail customer list of more than 2,000. We have developed such a strong following that we now have clients showing up from Orange County, Ventura and the Westside of course, and they are usually bringing in 3-4 people with them.”

NaturalMind has also become a vibrant social center for the community, hosting many types of artistic events in addition to the wall art exhibits. “We enjoy hosting things like books signings, live music and DJ events and jewelry shows,” Arnaud says.  “We have also become involved with the local Chamber of Commerce, and opened our doors to many community events.”

This kind of hospitality also extends to his clients, who are regularly offered specialty teas and beverages, and every Friday Arnaud provides fine wine and  ’Hors d’oeuvres to his guests, along with some live music or DJ sounds.

The incredible growth and popularity of Naturalmind in Los Angeles has Arnaud dreaming about the next stage in the evolution of his brand. “We are now planning to put salons in Beverly Hills and Brentwood,” Arnaud says.  “I love those areas, and I also love San Francisco, which is also a place we have future plans for.  After that, maybe New York.”

Natural Mind, Beauty & Beyond

“ We are also looking for skillful hairstylist to train and expand our staff to keep up with the demand. Investment opportunities are also welcome due to the high demand from our customers, which calls for a faster than usual expansion,” Arnaud explains who has a lot of celebrity clients. More and more celebrities are discovering Arnaud’s classy and unique style. You will never leave the salon without turning heads or people wondering  about where you had your hair done. I myself cannot spend a day without ladies  asking me about my healthy and full body hair that everyone wants. I know that I will have a friend and an exceptionally talented stylist for a lifetime. The lasting and tasteful results prove it, not to mention Arnaud’s commitment.

As a life-time recognition for Arnaud exquisite vision, business skills, determination and mind-set of serving others before himself he will be bestowed the very rare Title of Nobility, bearing the highest honor prefix, Sir Arnaud Ozharun, which is given to a select few in the World who have achieved the unachievable and has been serving the world in the most unselfish and positive way.  This very exceptional ceremony will be held on October 22 in Los Angeles by Dukes and Dignitaries from a Sovereign Order that goes back to seventeen hundred years and carrying on history to future generation by example of service and commitment through their knights, one of them being Arnaud himself. This charitable Order will also honor Arnaud’s two most valued members of his family, who both readily land their helping hands daily at his salon, the very hard working and beautiful Alin Gozukara, and her husband Jack Gozukara. The members of the Order are also invited by the Pope himself to Rome next year in recognition to their unparalleled contribution and success in their respective fields, and were also recognized by the White House in a letter signed by the President himself.  There is no question that Arnaud is destined to become the most recognized stylist of our time with a vision that no other has ever had, much less was able to make it a reality.

Natural Mind is located on Sunset Boulevard

In the meantime, if you are looking of a highly personalized salon or spa experience, then you owe it to yourself to pay a visit to the original Natural Mind Beauty & Beyond. It promises a very transformational, and actually life changing experience, and if you can get an appointment on a Friday, you can enjoy the additional satisfaction of a glass of wine, some tasty appetizers and live music, all in a beautifully designed space that is quickly becoming a significant creative social center in the community.  One thing is for sure: You will leave happy, uplifted, relaxed and joyful as that very transformation you have been looking for just finally caught up with you!

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

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Beautiful, Healthy Skin by Dr. Obagi

 By Adrienne Papp 

In any culture where image and beauty are of considerable importance, maybe nothing reveals so much about a person’s health, self-confidence and wellbeing as the condition of their skin.  Nothing, not the type of car we drive, or the kind of clothes we wear, or the part of town we live in says as much about us as the appearance of the radiant and youthful glow of a healthy skin. A healthy skin that has never been defined before the same as it is today.

Skin care has been made into a trillion dollar fancy industry that’s been created by the enormous cosmetic giants through the sales of millions of expensive luxury products that are largely just superficial topical solutions giving temporary improvement, if even that, but in truth, they worsen the skin on the long run.  In the vast majority of cases, these skin conditioners, and other treatments, no matter how expensive, have really offered inconsequential results.

But there is an alternative to the slogans and claims promoted by the cosmetic industry, a new and very real science that has been developed by world renowned Dr. Obagi, to offer solutions to those who suffer from wrinkled, sagging, discolored and otherwise unhealthy skin, but also to those who simply want to achieve and maintain a healthy and glowing appearance at ANY age!  Dr. Zein Obagi of Beverly Hills, and doctor to many of our famous dignitaries and movie stars, is the creator of a new approach to not only treating the many unhealthy conditions that can affect skin, but also a visionary who has created never seen before brand new product lines, therapies, and a pioneering proven science and healthy skin concept thus mastering a way for the skin to be rejuvenated in every human being regardless of color and race.   His concept is a revolutionary discovery that may change the textbooks of dermatology forever.  What is healthy skin? Nobody has ever answered it before Dr. Obagi developed his now recognized and worldwide-adopted concept! Scientists and doctors had been too preoccupied with disease and never defined healthy skin before.  Somehow we used to get it backwards, like with most everything: let’s treat or mask the symptoms, but not really look at the cause and dig deeper to look at the real culprit and stop focusing on the superficiality.

Dr. Zein Obagi in his Beverly Hills Clinic

Dr. Obagi’s quest for healthy skin really began at the age of fifteen, when his 16-year old sister was badly burned with scalding water and suffered months of recovery in the hospital. “I noticed the doctors were not able to do very much for her. They were resigned to just letting the body heal itself, and then maybe they would be able to do some grafts,” says Dr. Obagi.  “It seemed like they really had nothing to use in helping her skin heal. That gave me a lot to think about.”

As he completed his medical education, Dr. Obagi became a pathologist (studying the causes and treatment of disease) and then moved into the field of dermatology while he was serving in the U.S. Navy.  At that point in his career, dermatology was solely devoted to the treatment of skin diseases and other conditions that have created unhealthy skin.  “I had a way of thinking that was novel in the field,” he says. “I’ve never accepted conventional thinking, and I started to approach skin from the perspective of creating the healthy skin concept, when there is no disease present. This was unheard of at the time. There was simply no definition of what a healthy skin was. All textbooks were only talking about various diseases. Nobody cared about healthy skin. I felt it was odd. ”

There were certain accepted old-school paradigms back in those days that limited the approach to treating various skin types too, including the treatment of non-Caucasian skin.  “ Back then the thinking was that you couldn’t safely correct certain diseases-affects skin, using peels or laser in black, or Asian skin; everything was oriented primarily to treating Caucasian skin. Nobody even knew what healthy skin was. “

That changed when Dr. Obagi took on the famous case of a middle-age brunette in 1983, who had been given a chemical peel treatment that turned her face black.  She had exhausted every resource and her story was picked up on TV, where Dr. Obagi’s daughter saw her and wished that she would come to see her father so that he can treat her.  Within weeks her skin had been repaired, and Dr. Obagi suddenly became the one who was making TV news.

Dr. Obagi Lectures Worldwide

“I saw then that most skin treatments addressed only the surface and the symptoms with limited benefits, ” he says, “and I began studying and analyzing all types of human skin, from light to dark, thick and thin, oily and dry, strong or sensitive, and created a new standard of analysis through histology and pathology that defined the wide variety of skin types in humans, and more studies on what should be used, and the amount needed to achieve the best results for various skin types.  The “how much is enough” factor was unknown at the time.”

That new standard of skin analysis became the beginning of a new science in the treatment and revitalization of skin based on a definition of what healthy skin should be, a comprehensive standard for skin classification and the consideration of color (melanin), thickness and sensitivity as part of its condition. Through his research, Dr. Obagi was able to determine that after just the age of 10, skin begins to weaken and change, as it is affected by the sun, diet, hormonal changes, stress and other environment issues. Hence the cells under the surface become lazy or dysfunctional. How do we regulate these cells below the surface?

Now that he had created a new standard that defined skin in its wide variety of conditions, Dr. Obagi determined that the first step in the restorative process involved removing surface damage and then stimulating the skin to renew its natural health.  One of many of his first experiences was that he began treating his first patients for conditions that included excessive oil. In order to achieve a state that complies with his definition of healthy skin, which is based on measurements of smoothness, thickness or thinness, evenness of color (melanin), looseness or firmness, sensitivity or tolerance and freedom from discharge.  “The oil in skin is an irritant, something left over from the days when we had fur,” he says, “and when we regulate and normalize oil secretion, the skin becomes healthy again much faster, and can prevent acne at its early stage.”

Through tireless research and experimentation, Dr. Obagi began to develop a group of products and series of treatments that would produce the condition of healthy skin in all of its natural beauty.  “After we remove the damaged skin, we have to use a treatment that goes beneath the surface to stimulate the skin’s ability to reproduce itself at the cellular level. And that took some time, since the treatment had to be very very precise, depending on an individual’s skin thickness and other factors.”

Mrs. Obagi Runs the Obagi Clinic in Beverly Hills

What Dr. Obagi has also found is that by the age of 25 the skin cells have a tendency to go to sleep and stop producing more collagen or elastin.  “The cosmetic industry thought the answer was to put trace amounts of certain skin products in a cream, but that has no effect because no cream that sells commercially can include enough active ingredients for fear of skin reaction, despite the fact that what we have to do is wake up the cells themselves so that they make more collagen and elastin naturally, which requires a certain amount of active ingredients and not just trace elements” Dr. Obagi says.

The discovery of an active ingredient that actually caused the skin to wake up and start rejuvenating itself came almost as a surprise.  “We discovered that when we used active Vitamin A a month or two before doing a laser or peel treatment to shed damaged skin the results were superior to treatments opposing to not using the right amount of active Vitamin A.  And over time, with repeated experimentation, we found out that active Vitamin A is the very essence of life for human skin cells.”

A veritable fountain of youth for your skin, this new process had irrefutable results, and became an essential part of a tailored treatment program that was now creating beautiful, healthy, youthful skin in Dr. Obagi’s many patients.  He never uses a “one fits all” approach like the cosmetic companies on the department stores’ expensive shelves. He sees every patient individually and prescribes a custom tailored skin regimen including the appropriate amount of solutions and for the appropriate length of time.

Russel Armstrong, Taylor Armstrong, Samar Obagi, Dr. Zein Obagi

But even as he announced his results, this new paradigm for skin rejuvenation also caused a stir in the field of dermatology.  “When I first started introducing the concept of healthy skin and the new therapies to the medical community, some resistance started to surface at early stages.”

In 1992 Dr. Obagi’s presentation to the Academy of Dermatology was a historic moment in the practice of dermatology in the United States, with the field of doctors splitting off into two camps, one that refuted Dr. Obagi’s research, and the other group who saw great promise in it.

“The doctors who were impressed with my results began to show up in numbers in my clinic for learning of training on the concept of skin health. As the results became more evident to everyone, the criticism began to quiet down.  Eventually I was invited to speak in various national and international meetings.”

Dr. Obagi’s new discoveries and techniques had now become a revolution, with 18 symposiums and thousands of dermatologists and plastic surgeons becoming educated in the technologies that Dr. Obagi had developed. “I wanted to show that everyone could get these results, and I created very specific parameters in the treatments that defined proper technique, especially in terms of the depth for safe peels.  Everything had to be very precise.”

As he developed a comprehensive line of treatments for availability throughout the industry, Dr. Obagi also wrote a book, which became a defining standard among dermatologist and plastic surgeons around the world, Obagi’s Skin Health, Restoration, Treatment and Rejuvenation. With his revolution in skin care now taking off, Dr. Obagi continued to lecture, published his ongoing research while also training the doctors who were to become the new vanguard in dermatology science.

Eventually Dr. Obagi’s also started an even more revolutionary newer product line what will be the next generation in skin care products, a line of therapies that he calls ZO Skin Health.  

ZO Skin Health (the name comes from his initials,) is the future of skin care products, a complete resource for the therapeutic and aesthetic treatment of skin.  “We have a comprehensive program, based on a new generation of products that is the result of our constant research and progressive thinking about how to create healthy skin.  We use these products in a very thorough 5-part process: cleanse, activate, stimulate, calm, nourish, and protect. There are a variety of products that raise the bar for skin therapy, including many that offer the prescriptive use of active Vitamin A.  The old school, as represented by the cosmetic industry, bases its therapy on one single premise: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.  But when you add these treatments topically, the skin cells that naturally hydrate stop working completely.  They sense the addition of the product, and stop creating it naturally.  My process is much more thorough, much more therapeutic and designed to stimulate the natural creation of new skin cells.”

With his recently introduced new product line and his now universal acceptance as a true visionary in the field of skin care, Dr. Obagi continues to make major strides in making the world a more beautiful place to live in by creating radiant, healthy skin.  As an alternative to the multi-billion dollar industry that promises so much and yet does so little, Dr. Obagi and his very own ZO Skin Health products are offering real science, real therapy and real hope.

In addition to his triumphs in the field of skin care, and due to his revolutionary discoveries, Dr. Obagi will be recognized in the Fall of this year as the result of his humanitarian and scientific contribution to the World with the greatest honor obtainable: a passage into the Knighthood of the oldest Imperial, Charitable and Chivalric Order that goes back all the way to 312 AD and involves European Royalty, Dignitaries and Nobility. He will be known to the World as Sir Dr. Zein Obagi after the Investiture when his supportive, beautiful wife, and right hand in his practice, will also be bestowed the title Lady Samar Obagi. Interviewing Dr. Obagi does not leave a hint of doubt in my mind as the Public Officer of the Order that there is nobody more deserving of this highest of honors and lifetime achievement recognition than him.

Dr. Obagi Opening Offices Worldwide

The Order is a direct descendant of the Byzantine Knights who were appointed by their leaders in recognition of their valiant deeds in battles, protecting their emperor or other high-ranking nobleman and were appointed to help the less fortunate. This chivalric title requires the highest of ethical and moral conduct and stays with the person till the rest of their lives.  The earliest of knights were proclaimed the defenders of the empire well before the crusades from 312 AD after the battle of the Melvin Bridge. The Order is set to visit the Melvin Bridge next year along with a visit in the Vatican on the 1700 th anniversary of this most Regal and Supreme Order.

Modern Knights and Ladies are not going into the battlefields anymore in the literal sense, but are selected from all professions in recognition of their unique contribution to the betterment of mankind.  The Order has evolved into groups around Europe and due to its exquisite existence, there only 72 knights in the entire United States who are dedicated to a return to the chivalric values of old traditions carrying history into the new millennium.  Charity, education, scientific discoveries, military and navy service (a young Dr. Obagi served in the US Navy as well,) and even the arts are part of the Order’s mission, maintaining these great traditional noble values that are needed today perhaps more than ever in the history of mankind.

Dr. Obagi has dedicated his life to making others happy, changing their destiny by helping them regaining confidence and self-esteem; he has been helping those from around the World with birth defects or other hopeless skin diseases, in certain cases even if they could not afford it!  His humanitarian contribution is not only exemplary, but also forward-looking, and is the expression of a noble man who is rare to find, but who has the ability and willingness to change the world for those who ask him!  Dr. Obagi’s heroic pledge is to be followed by those who share in his passion.  He is a decisive leader, a visionary and a fighter for the truth, a better and healthier world! He will go down in history as a Knight of the modern crusader of chivalry for his fellow men while remaining a humble advocate for the most needed change in our lives!

Mrs. Samar Obagi

About the Author of This Article:  Lady Adrienne Papp is a recognized journalist who has written for many publications including Savoir, Beverly Hills 90210, Malibu Beach, Santa Monica Sun, The Beverly Hills Times, Brentwood News, Bel-Air View,Celebrity Society, Celeb Staff, It Magazine, Chic Today, LA2DAY, West Side Todayamong many others. She is the President and CEO of Los Angeles / New York-based publicity company, Atlantic Publicityand publishing house, Atlantic Publisher. Adrienne writes about world trends, Quantum Physics, entertainment and interviews celebrities, world leaders, inventors, philanthropists and entrepreneurs. She also owns Atlantic United Films that produces and finances true stories made for theatrical release or the silver screen. Spotlight News Magazineis owned by Atlantic United, Incwith Adrienne Pappbeing the majority shareholder.

Dr. Zein Obagi

By Adrienne Papp

Skin Care will never be the same! Dr. Obagi discovers what we never knew about healthy skin and changes the new Millennium for all of us!

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