Mary Helen of "Hotter Than Hollywood" and designer Tami Lyn. 2 June 2005 Style Lounge, Chaz Dean Studios

Oh So Hot

One of the most popular destinations at the Style Lounge at Chaz Dean Studios was Hotter Than Hollywood. Owner Mary Helen (seen in photo above) shows how you can fill out a Hotter Than Hollywood tank. There was a tremendous bottleneck getting to the area, promoting the site, which features uber-fresh designers and products, available at the same time the celebs are snapping them up. For those who don't live in Los Angeles or New York, this is a super opportunity to check out the latest and greatest trends. You may not see the over-exposed Juicy or Frankie B., but you'll be able to check out the designers just as they're being handed to your favorite hot Hollywood starlet. One of Mary Helen's featured designers, was Tami Lyn (seen in photo), whose handbags and accessories are not only stylish, but make a statement. They're also very serviceable. We have our eye on one of those suede Peace hobos!

Here are the designers featured today:

Designers

2 B Free
A and G (Womens)
A and G (Mens)
Alice & Trixie
Ankh
Cali
Citrine by the Stones
Crimes and Misdemenors
Cuffz by Linz
Deborah Lindquist
Ecoganik
Ed Hardy
Fake Bake
Gigi
H Starlet
J and Company
J J Winters
Johnny Was
Julie Brown
Kay Celine
Komorov
Lily McNeal
Lotta Stenson
Love this Life
Nikka New York
Oligo Tissew
Park Vogel
Petro Zillia
Playgroup
Queue
Ratna
Raw 7
Shana Lee
Sherry Nikka
Spring and Clifton
Sweet Pea
T Bag
Tail Bait
Tali Leather
Tammi Lyn
Tatu
Tiffany Alana
Yana K

Tami Lyn's "Love Bag" ($210)

Earrings by Marjorie Baer www.mbaer.com

You Can Baer to Wear These

Yes, there were some amazing artists and products at the Kari Feinstein-organized Style Lounge yesterday. One of those was the affable Marjorie Baer, who had on a pair of must-be-noticed earrings (not the ones in the photograph, but similar) and a table full of unique pieces (earrings, necklaces, bracelets, belts).

The Bay Area-based designer's career began on the steps of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in the late 60's. The recent Berkeley grad displayed her first group of hand-crafted necklaces, bracelets and earrings-the pioneering pieces that would lay the groundwork for 18 years of collections. Although her style has evolved with the changing times, it's always maintained its original design concept: each earring, ring, bracelet is unique.

Baer says she strives " for meaning in the pieces and for a feeling of cultural connection. The forms and look cannot be random; they have to make sense in cultural terms, connecting us with the symbolic heritage of our ancient societies and indigenous people. Each piece is made to last and resonate the enduring values that inspire me."

You can find information about Baer on her aforementioned website. Her jewelry (surprisingly reasonably priced -- those in the image above, sterling, mind you, are only $45) is available at Nordstroms and www.nordstrom.com. (We liked her stuff so much, we've already bid on a necklace on Ebay.)

Cyril Helnwein and Andy Warhol, 1983 (Talk about your watershed moments!)

Artist Cyril Helnwein Follows In His Father's Footsteps

Photographer/Artist Cyril Helnwein introduced (at least to BeansTalk) some of his photographs at the Style Lounge at Chaz Dean Studios. The image below caught our attention because at a quick glance we thought it was Phil Spector! At any rate, the images are very cool and have already been discovered by young Hollywood. Check out his website at www.cyrilhelnwein.com and you'll see why.

The Vienna-born Helnwein (1977) became interested in photography at age 10 and started shooting with his first camera - a Yamashica, which allowed two photos per frame. At 16 he quit school and moved to England where he lived for almost six years. A winter in Scotland with out heating, followed by a five-week trip to Africa gave the artist a lesson in extremes (and no doubt helped shaped his vision).

In 1998, he moved to Ireland and began working for his father, Gottfried Helnwein (www.helnwein.com), as a art production assistant. In 2002, he helped set up his father's Los Angeles studio and after contacting Marilyn Manson, Helnwein instigated an artistic collaboration and friendship between Gottfried Helnwein and Marilyn Manson.

Nutrimentum Spiritus [lat. Food For The Soul] by Cyril Helnwein

Helnwein’s first photography show was in Los Angeles in October 2003, hosted by actor Christopher Masterson (“Malcolm in the Middle”). More than 400 people attended. His most recent show, exhibiting his latest photography series "The Ethereal,” was in March 2005. More 800 people attended the show hosted by actors Christopher and Danny Masterson in Los Angeles.

Helnwein also displayed artwork by his sister, Mercedes Helnwein (www.mercedeshelnwein.com)

Don't You Want Them, Baby?

Human League, circa 2003

Human League in Concert on DVD

Music Video Distributors and Secret Films will release Human League – Live at the Dome on DVD August 23, 2005. The concert was filmed in Brighton in December 2003, as part of their 2003 tour. “Listening to the Human League, is like listening to 1980!” These words came from David Bowie in 1979. The Human League that Bowie referred to was a futuristic synth, vocals and slide-show experience, not a band in the normal sense.

Formed in Sheffield in 1977 by Martyn Ware, Ian Craig-Marsh and singer Adi Newton (and called The Future), former hospital porter Phil Oakey (he was the one with "the hair") was invited to join, he says, just because he was tall. Adi left (eventually to join Clockdva) and Adrian Wright joined (on visuals and synth) shortly after their debut single ‘Being Boiled’ was voted NME’s single of the week in summer 1978. It didn’t chart then, but got to No. 6 when reissued in 1982. But it did help to get them a tie-in with Virgin Records.

Their EP ‘Holiday ‘80’ got them on Top Of the Pops, and the next single ‘Empire State Human’ remains in their set and is featured on this DVD. In 1981 their first single, ‘Boys and Girls’ was released, with the band addition Ian Burden, on bass and synth – it scraped into the charts at 48 in February. A couple of months later ‘The Sound Of The Crowd’ went to 12 shortly after that guitarist Jo Callis joined from the Rezillos. Then ‘Love Action’ went to No. 3 in July. ‘Open Your Heart’ reached No. 6 in October. It also marks the debut of the chart-topper ‘Don’t You Want Me Baby.’ The album, Dare, sold more than five million copies and introduced Human League to the U.S. as well.

Human League, 1981

Tracklist from The Dome in Brighton UK on December 19, 2003:

Medley: Hard Times/Love Action, Mirror Man, Louise, Snake, Heart Like A Wheel, Darkness, All I Ever Wanted, Open Your Heart, The Lebanon, One Man In My Heart, Human, Things That Dreams Are Made Of, Love Me Madly, Fascination, Tell Me When, Don't You Want Me, Empire State Human, Together In Electric Dreams, and Sound Of The Crowd.

Bonus Features include interviews, road film of the US Tour, and photo gallery. Retail:$19.95 Run Time:180 Minutes Audio: 5.1 Digital Surround Sound

Finds! Style Lounge at Chaz Dean Studios

Rings Eclectic

Rings Eclectic

BeansTalk has seen a lot (and we're talking a whole bunch) of unique and intriguing jewelry. Yesterday (3 June 2005), at the Style Lounge at Chez Dean in Hollywood (we'll be rolling out new finds so keep checking back for the latest new trends), we met Bay Area-based desinger Melanie Macy. Macy, keeping company in the front of the lounge, along with her sister, Michelle, was showing off some of the most gorgeous and genuinely unique new rings. Her website features her collections (www.ringseclectic.com), but there's nothing like seeing these in person to truly appreciate them. Macy patented the mold, based on designs she admired created in early Bakelite. The result are a contemporary-with-a-vintage-twist cocktail rings that'll definitely turn attention to your hands. BeansTalk got one that's super cool, but not on the site to show off. Nevertheless, check out the rings in the above photo, as well as the rings on their site. Big, beautiful bling. Rings start at around $50 and are priced according to materials/design.

Demeter Cocktail Party to Go

Scents of the Century

The absolutely amazing, sensational, yummy fresh scents of Demeter were also featured at the Style Lounge at Chez Dean. We got a candle in our all-time favorite Honeysuckle, but we got a whiff of the Grapefruit Tea, which was delightful. We recently read that a study proved that the aromatherapy benefits of grapefruit include a sense of uplifting. Meaning, if you're low in yourself, it'll make you feel better. Part of that study showed that reviewers were apt to give more positive reviews when the scent of grapefruit was sprayed in the room.

That said, there are numerous scents available, and they displayed the new packaging and scents from the above collection, Cocktail Party to Go. Take a whiff of "Sex on the Beach" and no, you're not smelling the Sunday dawn scent on the sands near the firepits in Playa del Rey, but the fruity headiness of the popular cocktail.

Their newest scents include: Chocolate Chip Cookie, Mojito, Pink Lemonade, Cotton Candy, Pomegrante (that sounds particularly good to us), Banana Flambe and Bubble Gum.

Visit their site, www.demeterfragrance.com for the comprehensive list of everything that's available, and the different formulations they have, like soaps, lotions, candles, and more. Of course, their signature fragrances (available in two sizes) are available, too.

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kristen k.

One of several appropos t-shirts from "Apprentice" star kristen k. Here's the front...

We Get the Irony

During L.A. Fashion Week, BeansTalk befriended and sympathized with a be-crutched Kristen Kirchner (The Apprentice 3) as she was patiently teetering outside the Petra Zilla show waiting to be let in.

Determined fashionistas pushed their way to the front (there was assigned seating, for heaven's sake!) un-mindful of Kirchner and her injured foot. Still, kristen k. (as she's now known in the fashion universe) bore it all good naturedly.

With that same sly sense of humor, she's fashioned three styles of t-shirts in her new apparel line kristen k.: Ringer T-Shirts, Baggy Short Sleeves and Tank Tops. They feature verbiage to "empower women," and include such eye-brow raising sayings as "Narcissist" and on the back, "Why me?," as well as the giant dollar sign with the quip, "Ho With Her Own Dough," and "Gold Digger" (front) and "I dug and found my own gold!" (back), as well as "Goodbye 20s, Hello 30s" (unfortunately, BeansTalk was way over the hill for that one, but we found the comedy in the "Narcissist" one). The shirts, tanks and baggy t retail for $40 each. www.kristenkirchner.com

and the back... to buy: www.kristenkirchner.com

Corseted Tanks by Leana

Leana tank top, $70. www.leanatanktops.com

BeansTalk friend Leana was at Chez Dean with her collection of very cute tanks, dresses and shirts. In addition to her signature Criss Cross Tank (seen in photo above and a favorite of Ashlee Simpson and Nicole Richie), she also featured the Ruffle Tank, the Chain Tank, the Chain Tank Dress with Racer Back.

Spa On Location

Blissful Respite

The upstairs of the Style Lounge at Chez Dean was transformed into a heavenly spa by Spa on Location (www.spaonlocation.com). As drop-ins, BeansTalk was treated to a wonderful chair massage by Les, and our associate (new mother, toting seven-week-old Sophia Lynn) received an impromptu foot massage. A former work colleague (we're talking 20 years), Kat, was getting a facial nearby and there were two stations for full-body massages.

Spa on Location offers a tricked-out RV that arrives at any location, with two trained spa therapists for treatments of your choice. $1250 for four hours. Spa parties start at $150. Treatments offered are Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Warm Stone Massage (each $150 for 60 mins.; $225 for 90 mins.). Three types of facials, ranging from 30 mins to 90 mins range in price from $95 to $225. Manicures, Pedicures and combos range from $95 to $150. An ambiance package, set up at your home features candles, music, flowers, carpets, and cashmere throws is $150 extra. The luxury package features comfy bathrobes, slippers, iced-eucalyptus infused towels, fresh fruit and cucumber water for $45 per person.

Kama Sutra

The Kama Sutra Bedside Box

Kama Sutra’s Bedside Box is designed to celebrate passion. A decorated and painted wooden box holds tools of a lover’s trade: Bedside portions of Kama Sutra’s potions and powders. A satin pouch unties to reveal Honeysuckle Honey Dust, a golden powder with a hint of natural honey sweetness; the hand-made feather applicator is for tickling and teasing. Oil of Love provides a sensually warm welcome. Vanilla Crème Massage Cream -- with pure vanilla essence – can be consumed, while Love Liquid Lubricant is water-based and contains no sugars. An ideal wedding shower, bachelor or bachelorette or engagement party gift – or an anniversary present. $45.00. For more than 35 years, The Kama Sutra Company has been creating products that encourage harmony and well-being in romance. Kama Sutra products are available at www.kamasutra.com and at gift, boutique, and specialty outlets.

Nicky Hilton, beau Kevin Connolly

Entourage star Kevin Connolly arrived at Live with Regis and Kelly wearing jeans by Kenneth Cole New York, Cole’s dark antiqued denim bootleg jean, paired with his own plain white t-shirt. Connolly, Nicky Hilton’s boyfriend, also wore accessories by Kenneth Cole when he arrived at the Los Angeles' Entourage premiere last week (seen in photo above; date Hilton is carrying the ubiquitous Balenciaga Motorcycle bag). Connolly completed his red carpet look with Kenneth Cole's black and blue diagonal striped tie and black leather loafers with a tapered toe.

In Other Kenneth Cole News:

Jessica Alba appeared at the Italian photocall for Sin City wearing a skirt by Kenneth Cole New York, a knee-length navy skirt, accented with grosgrain ribbon trim in various shades of blue.

Victor Rasuk hit the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of Lords of Dogtown in a suit by Kenneth Cole New York. Rasuk, who plays Tony Alva, one of the founders of the "Z-Boys" who revolutionized the sport of skateboarding, wore a grey and white pinstripe suit, paired with an ice blue cotton t-shirt and a black leather belt, also by Kenneth Cole New York.

Carmen Electra appeared on the red carpet at the 1st annual Life & Style Weekly Stylemakers of 2005 party with an evening bag by Daniel Swarovski, a gray embroidered Lazuli clutch.

Freddie Prinze, Jr. of 'Freddie' and his wife Sarah Michelle Gellar arrive at ABC's upfront party, in New York, May 17, 2005. REUTERS/Bill Davila

Sarah Michelle Gellar (nearly unrecognizable with her dark, dark hair) sat in a cozy booth for two at Westwood, Calif.'s Napa Valley Grill Wednesday night (1 June 2005). She and her companion (a suited agent-type) shared a bottle of bubbly water, white wine, appetizers, a green salad, had their own entrees, and shared a dessert. Gellar wore a pair of casual jeans, a gauzy ivory-colored peasant top and a brown suede jacket. She wore dangly turquoise and silver earrings. Gellar seemed animated and happy as they undoubtedly plotted out future projects.

China Glaze's Down Under collection

Plunder Colors From Down Under

Inspired by the diverse landscape of Australia’s “Sydney Sand” and “Down Under Dusk” China Glaze® presents Down Under™, a collection of essential everyday neutral colors. Six shades ranging from “Australian Alabaster” to “Queensland Clay” are featured upside down in a clear acetate box, for a fresh perspective of down under earthly hues. Also available in a 12-piece display featuring Ayres Rock (Uluru to the natives), it’s a sacred spot known for the kaleidoscope of colors ranging from fiery red, delicate mauve, blues, pinks and browns - depending on the time of day. Australian Alabaster: Sydney Sand Great Barrier Beige Crème Shell Light Mocha Shimmer Nude Crème; Down Under: Dusk Melbourne Mauve Queensland Clay Dusty Rose Shimmer Terracotta Crème Red Adobe Crème. www.chinaglaze.com

Serfontaine Cruiser Crash Jean with Purple Ropestitch cute with wide cuff at the bottom; casual denim capri. The stitching is pronounced and purple. 25" Long. 99% Cotton, 1% Lycra. These run a little big, go down one size. $188

Serfontaine Jeans

Serfontaine, the LA-based denim company that originated the rope stitch, takes an eco-friendly stance with its trademark "organic wash" denim.While other denim companies spray their jeans with Potassium Permanganate, an abrasive oxidizing agent, Serfontaine makes use of hot and cold rinses and various hand-grinding techniques to create the lived-in look sought after by denim couturiers.

Organic (vs. engineered) enzymes take the place of stone washing – a process utilizing pumice stones often strip-mined in third world countries and devastating the environment -- to help speed up the desizing process, both conserving energy and neutralizing run-off into the ocean. The different color intensities are obtained by meticulously hand-sanding the denim. By eliminating the presence of man-made chemicals, Serfontaine denim effectively retains its shape and hue without sacrificing an authentic vintage look.

The company adopted these techniques as a matter of policy to help preserve the environment and, as designer Mik Serfontaine has put it "to reclaim the soul of denim". "Our customers are not rabid consumers," he insists. "They prefer to support those brands that are conscientious about their methods. The end doesn't always justify the means."

Mik Serfontaine

Nurturing Force

New Product To Donate to Breast Cancer Foundation

Nurturing Force, a new beauty product launching this fall, will donate 20% of all its sales for the month of October to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Nurturing Force offers a unique way to keep skin and décolleté shine-free and dry with Refreshment for Your Face aromatherapy facial blotting tissues. Made of natural fibers with essential oils to remove dirt, grime, shine, oil, and sweat, these two-in-one facial tissues deliver an on-the-spot aromatherapy treatment as well. The result is a more polished, confident complexion and renewed sense of well-being -- the perfect synergy for a company looking to support breast cancer awareness.

Refreshment for Your Face is available in two fragrances, Aromatic Rose and Fragrant Lavender. The natural warmth of the skin spreads the aromatherapy properties of the rose and lavender oils, dispersing healing properties to the sensory system.

Nurturing Force on-line store: www.nurturingforce.com. The Refreshment For Your Face Duo Pack contains one of each scent and retails for $25. Each fragrance is also sold separately for $14.00.

Singer-songwriter Jessi Alexander

Alexander's Inspiration

In the June issue of Harp Magazine (on stands now), Jessi Alexander explains how the 1980 GMC Sierra Classic pickup she inherited from her late grandfather inspired the first line for the vivacious tune "The Long Way" from her debut album 'Honeysuckle Sweet' (Columbia, March 1, 2005).

"That’s me on the pickup truck waiting for some old boy to pick me up,” she says. “He wants to change my zip code and change my luck with warm beer and stale cigarettes. [It] came to me when I was thinking about being 16 on the back of that truck." Alexander says the best thing about the car is the smell of old leather, cigarettes, and beer adding that "it doesn’t have air conditioning, so the console has been baked by the Tennessee sun for over 20 years."

Next up for this southern singer/songwriter is a performance at the Bluebird Café in Nashville with Gary Nicholson (co-producer of 'Honeysuckle Sweet') and Matraca Berg (co-writer of "Strawberry Wine") and Friends followed by the Riverfront Stage at the CMA Fan Festival in Nashville, TN on June 10, 2005.

http://www.jessialexander.com

http://www.shorefire.com/artists/jalexander

Jessi Alexander and the inspirational truck

Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney: The Wedding Date

Wedding Date on DVD

The Wedding Date will be available on DVD August 16, 2005. Starring Debra Messing of NBC’s "Will & Grace" and Dermot Mulroney (My Best Friend's Wedding), the DVD features ten minutes of deleted scenes. The DVD and VHS are priced at $29.98; pre-order date is July 12, 2005.

The Wedding Date is a look at love, weddings, family and the surprises life can throw your way. Directed by Clare Kilner (How to Deal), the film also stars Amy Adams (Catch Me If You Can), Jack Davenport (Pirates of the Caribbean), Sarah Parish (Parting Shots), Jeremy Sheffield (Anna Karenina), Peter Egan (Bean) and Holland Taylor (Legally Blonde).

The Wedding Date DVD features bonus materials, including:

· Deleted Scenes – More than 10 minutes of deleted scenes.

· A Date with Debra - Debra Messing shares stories and her favorite memories from working on the film.

· Feature Commentary with Debra Messing

Synopsis

Debra Messing (TV's "Will & Grace") stars in this romantic comedy about the surprising road to finding true love.

Kat Ellis (Messing) is determined to attend her younger sister's wedding with a date. Rather than face the ridicule of her family and in order to show up her ex-fiancé, she resorts to the Yellow Pages to find a last-minute escort, Nick (Dermot Mulroney, My Best Friend's Wedding). His dashing good looks and quick-witted charm may win over her family. But will they win over Kat?

For more information please visit: www.theweddingdate.net

CAST & FILMMAKERS
Cast: Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney, Amy Adams, Jack Davenport, Sarah Parish, Jeremy Sheffield, Peter Egan, Holland Taylor

Director: Clare Kilner
Screenplay By: Dana Fox
Based on the Book Asking for Trouble By: Elizabeth Young
Producers: Nathalie Marciano, Michelle Chydzik Sowa, Jessica Bendinger, Paul Brooks
Executive Producers: Norm Waitt, Scott Niemeyer, Steve Robbins, Jim Reeve
Director of Photography: Oliver Curtis, BSC
Editor: Mary Finlay
Production Designer: Tom Burton
Music By: Blake Neely
Music Supervisor: Randy Gerston
Costume Designer: Louise Page
Make-up & Hair Designer: Kristin Chalnmers
Co-Producer: Jeff Levine
Line Producer: Mairi Bett
Casting Director: Carl Proctor

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: August 16, 2005
Pre-Order Date: July 12, 2005
Copyright: 2005 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98
Selection Numbers: 27220 Anamorphic Widescreen/27221 Full Frame
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Layers: Dual
Aspect Ratio: Full Frame (1:33:1); Widescreen (1:85:1)
Rating: PG-13 (For thematic elements and sexual content including dialogue)
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1/Captioned; Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1/Subtitled

VHS
Street Date: August 16, 2005
Pre-Order Date: July 12, 2005
Copyright: 2005 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98
Selection Number: 63196
Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (For thematic elements and sexual content including dialogue)
Picture: Full Frame
Audio: Hi-Fi Stereo Surround

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Little Black Dress Returns to Los Angeles

West Coast Fashion Designers Showcase Creativity for a Cause at W Hotel Los Angeles

WHO: Expected- Carmen Electra, Dave Navarro, Selma Blair, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzie Osbourne, MixMaster Mike, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Heidi Klum, Eric Sczmanda, Christopher Knight, Kara Saun (Project Runway)- additional names expected

WHAT: Tuesday evening, June 7, 2005 at the W Hotel Los Angeles in Westwood for the 4th annual Little Black Dress gala. The event returns to Los Angeles home after last year’s New York event. Featured lines include Eduardo Lucero, Kevan Hall, Suss Design, Grass, Sue Wong, Tinc, Daenamom, Colleen Quen Couture, martinMARTIN, Single, Billabong, Shakti by Jacquelyn Love, Jaime Lee ,jose angel, Juan Carlos Obando, A Friend of Mine, Kevan Hall, Maggie Barry, Meghan Fabulous, Monah Li, nick(it), Petro Zillia, NAQADA by Octavio Carlin, Ella Moss, Rachel Pally, babystyle, Jelessy, Urieal Saenz, Saja and more. Special Guests from London include Temperly London, Vicki Martin, and Gorgeous Couture.

Special Guest DJ’s: Tim Burgess (Charltans UK), Spinderella, Dimitri

WHEN: Tuesday, June 7, 2005

6 p.m. to 7 p.m. VIP reception

7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Event

WHERE: W Los Angeles

930 Hilgard Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Tickets are available for $150 each on Ticketweb.com

Postman Pat comes to HBO.

HBO has acquired the U.S. pay television rights to Postman Pat, the hit U.K. family series from Entertainment Rights PLC ("ER"), it was announced jointly today by both companies. To be presented daily on HBO Family beginning in fall 2005, the 26 half-hour installments of the series will be available in both English and Spanish. Postman Pat is an animated children's series that follows the activities of the neighborhood postman, depicting life in a close-knit, unhurried rural community.

A national hit in the U.K., Postman Pat has been running continuously on the BBC since its 1981 debut, despite the fact that only 52 15-minute episodes were originally produced. The latest episodes of Postman Pat launched on the BBC in September 2004, attracting 25 million viewers in just six weeks. The show's website draws more than a million hits per month, while 15 million Postman Pat books have been sold worldwide to date and more than 2.5 million videos have been sold in the U.K. alone. Internationally, Postman Pat is viewed in more than 100 countries.

Firefighter Tony Comes

For nearly two decades, Ohio firefighter Tony Comes carried a dark secret -- beginning at age 14, he had been sexually abused by a trusted priest. As the recent sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic Church became headline news, he decided to confront his demons, first talking to his Bishop, and then going public with a lawsuit. But Comes was unprepared for the devastating effect his accusation would have on his family, his faith and his community. Nominated for an Oscar(r) in the Documentary Feature category earlier this year, Twist Of Faith tells Tony Comes' story when it debuts Tuesday, June 28, 2005 at 10 p.m. on HBO. A 2005 official Sundance Film Festival Selection, the America Undercover special was directed by Kirby Dick, whose credits include the Cinemax Reel Life documentary "Chain Camera" (a 2001 Sundance Film Festival Selection for Documentary Competition).

While Twist of Faith unravels the damage resulting from sexual abuse, it also focuses on Toledo, a close-knit Catholic town that is reluctant to let the truth come out. Comes does everything he can to hang on to a lifetime of Catholic traditions, despite his ongoing pain and the resistance of Church leaders to admitting abuse. The result is a gripping drama of one man's struggle to overcome a profound trauma in the face of intense family, community and religious pressures.

Tony Comes grew up in a large Catholic family, the middle of seven children. They attended Mass regularly, and he became an altar boy. Comes attended Toledo's parochial schools, including Central Catholic High School, where he struck up a friendship with Dennis Gray, a charismatic religion teacher and priest. For Comes' family, the boy's strong relationship with a priest was cause for great pride.

But Gray would take a number of boys up to his cabin in Michigan, where, according to Comes, they would shoot pool, swim, go skinny-dipping, drink alcohol and be subjected to sexual abuse. Comes said nothing for nearly 20 years, confiding only in his wife Wendy. But as the widespread sexual abuse scandal became public, and Comes discovered that Gray lived just a few houses down from the new home he had just purchased with his wife Wendy and their two children, he decided to face the past. Comes reported the abuse to his Bishop, who denied that others had made the same allegations against Gray - a denial that Comes subsequently found out was untrue.

He went on to file a lawsuit against the diocese, first as a John Doe, then putting his own name on the suit and going public. Comes became a public figure as local newscasts reported his allegations, prompting others to come forward with similar accusations against Gray. But as the case against the diocese dragged on, Tony found his friends divided, his health suffering, and his marriage crumbling as he and Wendy considered filing for divorce.

Ultimately, all lawsuits against the diocese and Dennis Gray were settled, including Tony's for $55,000. Gray has publicly denied the allegations against him, and now lives ten miles from Tony and Wendy, who are still together.

Twist Of Faith includes footage shot by Tony and Wendy Comes, who were given cameras by the producers so that they could provide private insights. In addition, the film features harrowing video shot during a deposition of Dennis Gray.

In making the documentary, director Kirby Dick was struck by how the Catholic Church plays such a supportive and meaningful role in communities like Toledo. "One of the many tragedies of this story is that so many of the priests and Bishops that were complicit in these crimes have also devoted their lives to helping the poor, promoting justice locally and internationally, and helping to build this strongly knit community," he comments.

Twist Of Faith was directed by Kirby Dick; produced by Eddie Schmidt; edited by Matthew Clarke; music supervisor, Blake Leyh; executive producer for Chain Camera Pictures, Kirby Dick; associate producer, Jane Fitzgerald. For HBO: associate producer, Danielle Schleif; supervising producer, Nancy Abraham; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

Journey's Star on Hollywood Blvd.

Journey Gives Fans "Journeyville"

Journey’s 30th anniversary U.S. tour is dubbed “The concert that takes you back…and into the future.” Each show features an evening of music spanning Journey’s entire history, as well as “Journeyville,” a festive area located near the front entrance at most of the venues. Fans will be treated to continuous video playback on large outdoor screens showing various moments throughout Journey’s history such as classic music videos, behind-the-scenes clips and much more. They can also learn more about Journey’s history and sign up for the Journey Fan Club to get all the latest news, special merchandise offers and tour updates. The centerpiece of “Journeyville” will be a “30th Anniversary Journey Motorcycle,” created and built by Arlen Ness Motorcycles and featuring artwork from Journey’s albums. Fans will have a chance of winning this motorcycle by making a contribution to Journey’s favorite children’s charities at the exhibit. One fan will ride away on this one-of-a-kind motorcycle at the end of the tour, For the latest tour dates, which commence June 26, 2005 in Irvine, CA, log onto www.journeymusic.com.

Tanning Tips

The St. Tropez tan

Eight Secrets to a Perfect Tan

Robin Gibson spent three years creating St. Tropez, which is used by celebrity make-up artists. St. Tropez aces the self-tanner’s S.O.S.: No Streaks, No Orange, No Stink. But the secret lies in the application.

Secrets to a Perfect Tan, All Year Long

1. Essential: Tan at night. The self-tanner takes three hours to oxidize, and day-time perspiration interferes with this process.

2. Use a urethane bead exfoliant only, never a loofah! Loofahs give you the zebra effect. Walnut and apricot shells fray the skin surface, giving you that lizard look. Bead exfoliants resurface the outer layer only, resulting in a smooth fresh skin surface.

3. Shower, rinse, and then moisturize the dry spots (elbows, knees, hands, and feet) to equalize skin porosity. The more you moisturize, the deeper your tan.

4. Apply the tanner. Wait 15 minutes before going to bed. Use a tanner made with aloe vera, not water. Aloe vera lasts longer, doesn’t streak, doesn’t look orange, and you don’t have to wait three hours to see the parts you missed.

5. Wear a cotton T-shirt to bed. Don’t wear elastic around the waist or ankles.

6. Shower in the morning. This sets the tan and washes off any excess. Apply a sun block after your morning shower, after the tan has set.

7. For a deeper, richer tan, reapply the tanner for the next two nights, but don’t exfoliate.

8. For a perfect tan year-round, tan twice a week. Tuesday and Fridays are best. In summer, if you shave your legs, tan your legs three times a week.

Visit www.sttropeztan.com. St.Tropez is available at Sephora stores worldwide, as well as Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret on-line.

The Dan Band

the dan band
@
avalon hollywood
(1735 n. vine)

THIS FRIDAY
June 3, 2005

8:30 show
7:30 doors

for tickets email: thedanband@avalonhollywood.com or go to: www.groovetickets.com

and don't miss:

THE DAN BAND SPECIAL ON TV THIS WEEK...

"THE DAN BAND: I AM WOMAN"

A one-hour concert special

Directed by McG
&
Executive Produced by Steven Spielberg

Airing on BRAVO

THURSDAY JUNE 2nd @ 11PM
SUNDAY JUNE 5TH @ 11PM


also, tell your friends...

THE DAN BAND SUMMER TOUR

the dan band is going on the road this SUMMER...
check out the dates on the website in the news section and tell your friends ...
thedanband

COMING TO ......
dallas
austin
new orleans
atlanta
myrtle beach
virginia beach
atlantic city
philadelphia
new york city
boston
toronto
cleveland
chicago
minneapolis
vancouver
seattle
portland

THE DAN BAND LIVE cd
available in stores and online ....

Kyra Sedgwick: The Closer

TNT’s new original series The Closer, starring two-time Golden Globe nominee Kyra Sedgwick (The Woodsman, Something To Talk About, TNT’s Door to Door) as an Atlanta detective transferred to Los Angeles to head the Priority Murder Squad, will premiere Monday, June 13, 2005 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT), in a special commercial-free presentation. Gil Garcetti, Los Angeles district attorney from 1992 to 2000, is a consulting producer on the series.

The Closer co-stars Corey Reynolds (The Terminal, Tony nominee for Hairspray) as Sgt. David Gabriel, Johnson’s right-hand man; Robert Gossett (Arlington Road, The Net) as Captain Taylor, head of the robbery homicide division; G.W. Bailey (M*A*S*H, St. Elsewhere) as Detective Lt. Provenza; Jon Tenney (You Can Count on Me, Get Real) as FBI Agent Fritz Howard, a close friend of Johnson’s now living in Los Angeles.; Tony Denison (Melrose Place, The Amy Fisher Story) as Detective Andy Flynn; Raymond Cruz (Collateral Damage, Training Day) as Detective Julio Sanchez; Michael Paul Chan (Robbery Homicide Division, The Insider) as Detective Mike Tao; and Gina Ravera (The Temptations, Soul Food) as Detective Irene Daniels.

t-bags sequined tank

t-bags t-bags t-bags

SAMPLE SALE: SUMMER Clothing, handbags, jewelry

Saturday, June 11, 2005 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

10am – 4pm

351 South Cliffwood Ave

323-225 9525

btwn San Vicente Blvd & Sunset Blvd

in Brentwood, Calif.

CASH ONLY

Memorial Day

Crosses are seen on the beach Sunday, May 19, 2005, in Santa Monica, Calif., in honor of soldiers who died in Iraq. The blue crosses signify the soldiers who were killed in the pass week. Veterans for Peace creates the Arlington West memorial every Sunday. (AP Photo/Ric Francis)

What Memorial Day Means Today


From CNN: There have been 1,831 coalition troop deaths, 1,652 Americans, 88 Britons, 10 Bulgarians, one Dane, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Hungarian, 21 Italians, one Kazakh, one Latvian, 17 Poles, one Salvadoran, three Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians in the war in Iraq as of May 27, 2005. At least 12,630 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. The Pentagon does not report the number of non-hostile wounded. CNN's website features the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose families have been notified of their deaths by each country's government. There are photos, name, age, unit and details: http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/


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