FROM HOLLYWOOD – ALL BLACKS HAKA, WHANGAREI BOYS HIGH SCHOOL HAKA FOR SONNY BILL WILLIAMS, SAMUEL WHITELOCK AND RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011
“Tatou – Honor Role.”
Rugby News, Hollywood Calif – Ko nga mea katoa e kitea e tou ringa kia mahia, kia puta tou uaua ki te mahi; kahore hoki he mahi, kahore he tikanga, kahore he matauranga, kahore he whakaaro nui i te reinga, i te wahi ka haere atu na koe ki reira. Whatever you set your hands to do, do it with all your might –King Solomon.
We see fideliter. It anchors us consistently. We hold to our school ideal, of serving faithfully–WBHS Fideliter Moniker, School Song.
We are waiting on prophecy–Moana Maniapoto, song: Prophecy
Surrender to the sky. Over snow-mountain shine, upon the upland road, ride easy–James K. Baxter — poet-seer.
With rugby football and haka in hand, we carve our narrative across green of paddock. Our spirit’s dream expressed as talented physicality driving us forward as relentless sporting passion, forming “our rough-hewn story”.–filmmaker Rudall Hayward, The Te Kooti Trail
Kimihia te kahurangi;. ki te piko tōu matenga, ki te maunga teitei. If you bow your head. Let it be only. To a great mountain–Maori proverb of the ancients, a favorite of Ta Witi Ihimaera, author of Pounamu, Pounamu, a literary collection taught at WBHS when I was in high school.
“We have a good story to tell”–Prime Minister John Key
In Hollywood tonight, the City of Angels, (namely me, oh- and Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon rugby fans of Invictus the rugby leadership movie, maybe just a little bit too, & Ye Old King’s Head Tavern rugby supporters in Santa Monica too!) we celebrate the sporting selection of Sonny Bill Williams joining Samuel and George Whitelock in the announced new team of the New Zealand All Blacks for 2010/11.
New Zealand is the host nation in 2011, of the fiercely contested, gladiatorial sporting world’s, elite Rugby World Cup.
Get to it if you can. Awesomery sporting action. Gladiatorial sporting action. The supporters of the sport are one of the most fun aspects of the game of rugby football. Another reason to get there, just be a part of them all. Bloody good people.
As culturally correct, in sending these lads on their haerenga (journey) towards greatness, we celebrate this with the haka of Te Rauparaha, a Chief who overcame death from enemies in hot pursuit of his life. Te Rauparaha took refuge in a kumara (sweet potato) pit, beneath a Chiefly and noble woman who sat above him wearing chiefly woven cloaks that covered her and him. When he arose from the pit unscathed - he celebrated with these words of the haka (Maori warrior’s war dance), an artform of masculine ferocity and cool, an expression of strength of a man’s inner spirit, distinct and indigenous to Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Centuries later, this same haka, is the offiical haka of New Zealand rugby lads.
Two hakas go up to be beamed out today from L.A. The first a haka from All Blacks rugby football sporting history performed before a match against South Africa, the current holders of The William Webb Ellis Cup.
The second haka, is the haka of Ngapuhi school boys in one high school - from the entire school of Whangarei Boys High School, brown and white lads (and fellow awesome redheaded like fire et al Kiwis too) performing in unison in the Maori language, in a city that is in the tribal region of NgapuhiTonuNui, one of my two Maori tribes by blood.
In doing so, WBHS send a challenge throughout all high schools in their nation, to match them and do the same with their ferocity – in unity as a collective school expressing Maori culture, language and heritage arts together with pride as a norm and forefront expression of their identity.
Back in my day, the school haka we wrote and performed under Wiki Harding‘s tutelege when I was the High School Maori Cultural captain, when performed – went on to win that year at the Te Taitokerau High Schools Maori Cultural (Kapa Haka) Festival - A haka that won the cup. Which is why, I’m posting this school’s haka in Hollywood today. It is like prophesy that “the best is yet to come.” This haka featured is a new and updated version. Ka pai. It is good to see culture strong and evolving.
Ngapuhi is the largest Maori tribe by population, in the world. A good effort of leadership from WBHS! Interwoven community strength of participators actively creating and performing culture (like Hollywood movie stars do in film), being the star. Of course WBHS, you’re doing this today. 120+ years of being together as a school, looks good. Mauri Ora from Hollywood. :)
What a fine effort. A reminder that in sport and culture we are all united and are black too in New Zealand. And because we are, I acknowledge, see, affirm, give expression to and visibility to: your ihi, wehi, mana as young men of importance and value as leaders of the modern world in your own right, already. Btw: I am adding all of you lads to Hollywood’s Maori (& Kool Kiwis) Honor Role today. We are on a roll. :)
This image of Horiwood aka Sam Cruickshank (yawn! me – sorry), graduate of Whangarei Boys High School, CR Theology College (woooot!), Te Whare Waanaga a Aotearoa and Auckland University, with Oscar winner Dustin Lance Black to encourage both sporting achievement, entertainment excellence and academic achievement of all young people in New Zealand, on the rugby field and in lecture theater rooms and science labs too and on cultural/ theater stages, on sets and in cinemas. If you endure, dream, find strength within, always look up not down, and believe and give expression to your belief, your voice can be heard in the world too. Even against great odds, as you and Sonny Bill Williams and Samuel W, show as a rugby and haka nation of men who love to perform and entertain.
Good stuff fellahs! Louder - I still can’t quite hear you. :) And – go Rugby World cup players, supporters, followers and entourage of rugby mad babes too, like the smart and sporty Yale Women’s Rugby Team here in the US - for 2011. Kia Kaha Koutou- May great strength be yours.
[Top image - Samuel Whitelock scores a try breaking the tackle from Richard Buckman via Zimbio. All Blacks Rugby Football Team coach Graham Henry rolls out with his latest football appointment, Sonny B Williams, today. Image via Zimbio. Dustin Lance Black and Horiwood appear for Robert Ellis, an author for World Peace in the Middle East. Box office star and Oscar winning Maori-Kiwi-Aussie, Russell Crowe's Hollywood star, Hollywood Walk of Fame, California - The Te-Ika-A-Maui version.]
This post also dedicated to Ngapuhi rugby sporting greats, Zinzan Brooke and brother Robin Brooke of Warkworth; to my family’s childhood friend, world rugby great, Michael Jones and family and extended family of friends and allied Oak Ridge whanau a Whale Pasifika, along with youngsters and entertainers and sporting greats in the making Freedom Kahanui, Oscar Brooke, Louis Henry III, Taylor Thomas Thorp and Bailey Reign.
Universal of California are broadcasting The Rugby World Cup within America, 2011. Go Universal Sports and Warner Bros Studios for promoting rugby football as sporting entertainment in the USA.
When visiting California, Universal CityWalk Theme Park is a great place to visit when in Hollywood.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.18.10~
COURAGE TO LOVE, A NOVEL, MOVES HEARTS AT BORDERS BOOKSTORE EVENT
(L.to R.) Director Bill Birrell, Author Robert Ellis, Mideast scholar Adib Nono, at Borders, Westwood, Ca., event
Calif- Beverly hills author Robert Ellis, joined by Film Director Bill Birrell, and Mid-East Scholar Adib Nono, lead a discussion about the new novel ‘Courage to Love’ at a recent Borders Bookstore event in Westwood Village.
Borders Events Manager Robert Varian described the event as “the single most successful local event by attendance and sales in my experience.”
Birrell, Santa Monica resident and narrator of the audio book, read moving love scenes. Granada Hills dweller Adib Nono commented on the author’s message and what it meant to him as a Coptic Christian fleeing the Mideast with his parents during his youth.
“Courage to Love,” available on the internet and at bookstores, is a love story that involves an American Israeli lieutenant from South Carolina and a teenage Palestinian freedom fighter living in the Gaza Strip. Under the spell of music during a Mideast hospital attack, they are thrown together and attracted to each other. As their budding love grows, the youngsters are forced to contend with their serious wounds, their different religious upbringings, and the stern commands of their families.
On his website, Couragetolovetheblog.com, Ellis states, “To arrest the leakage of war, money and lives spreading from the Middle East onto the shores of the entire world, all of us need to consider three truths. One, that science tells us the blood in peoples’ bodies can be interchanged to heal, each with each other. Two, that the Bible tells us men and women in all their beliefs, are descended of one spiritual family. Three, we must act like one family, drop our prejudices and speak the language of love.”
Robert Ellis can be seen today at Borders Bookstore in San Diego.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.13.10 – with thanks to Andrew Winters, Hollywood publicist and Arrowhead H20~
ASHTON AND DEMI TWEET MATCHING ROSE COLORED SPECTACLES OF LOVE IN TEL AVIV
Ashton Kutcher said to reporters in Tel Aviv:
“A lot of times my wife and I sit across from each other and tweet, it’s a little bizarre. It’s the same reason why you send roses to a woman at work. Sometimes people like to be adored in public.”
Romeo & Juliet of the twittersphere look great in their matching Jonathan Franzen spectacles in Tel Aviv Israel as they tweet this pic to the world.
To buy a modern love story set in Tel Aviv by author Robert Ellis, click here to buy. Cover artwork Rosa Meditativa by Salvador Dali.
Book Synopsis:
UM, HAVE YOU BOUGHT MY FRIENDS BOOK YET? AND MORE BASHAR MURAD LIVE!
Watching Bashar Murad, a Palestinian kid, singing his own original music recently, reminded me of how important artists who cross-over from Palestine into the Western World, and vice versa are in the world.
They’re unique and much needed to facilitate Peace. They are the bridge, for us and our thinking beyond ourselves.
Which reminded me too to ask this question: have you fullas and fulla-esses brought my friend Bob’s book yet?. Hope so. If you haven’t. Here’s the blurb (back sleeve intro/ synopsis) of Courage to Love by author Robert Ellis. Click on book’s cover by artist Salvador Dali – to buy and gift for Christmas, or friendship gifting too? Hey! Here’s the skinny:
“It is an unthinkable match— Josh, a 21-year-old American lieutenant and Haja, a teenage Palestinian freedom fighter. Both wounded in war and sent to Tel Aviv-Yafo’s Rose of Sharon hospital, they are brought together during a hospital attack by the beauty of music and its ability to transcend each other’s language. Despite different religious upbringings, and the stern commands of their families, Josh and Haja fall in love.
Tensions rise to the breaking point as they fight two battles: against the wounds destroying their own bodies, and against the centuries old traditions concerning Muslim women, and the dictates of an Orthodox Jewish heritage.
In a haunting reminder of Romeo and Juliet, author Robert Ellis takes us on a journey through the turbulent struggle of young love in today’s wars. Facing the threat of a new terrorist attack, can Haja and Josh overcome the odds against them, and give themselves, their families and the world, the Courage to Love?”
Awesomery. If we all read book’s like Bob’s book here, then kids like Bashar Murad will have a better chance of being understand, less at risk, and a real voice of Peace and forgiveness in this world, along with their Jewish sisters and brothers of Palestine and Israel also. Thanks Bob for writing this novel for Bashar’s generation. Um, and how’s novel number two doing?
You can facebook Bashar Murad here. If you do, can you send the link to this post too, so he knows about it. (I can’t do that too. Shesh! :)
As Bashar sings here, the Arabic language projected on a screen behind him, is so profound viewing this performance from Hollywood. It’s kinda groundbreaking entertainment. Exciting.
Bashar has like, a mouth full of steel right now (major teen braces happening) in his ‘star trajectory planning,’ and I’m sure he’ll get better with time. Find out about this kid, and again, buy Bobby Mac’s book! :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.7.10~
A RECORD BREAKING MAORI BLOG IN HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA USA -10.4.10
[Song Choice: Man of the Month Justin Gaston's Rose song, for humorous purposes, although the song isn't all that funny, it defines coping with cravings you still have, after the golden years have gone, and you're left with processing and distilling what's most important. I love it. A mellow recession country song. Rose by Justin Gaston: press play]
Horiwood.Com has reached the 2.5 million benchmark as the first celebrity and entertainment website in the U.S created by a Maori, New Zealander from Hollywood, California. We did it together.
There are many people I could thank, over the last three months, but all of them I know would rather celebrate what’s been learned and achieved, with others together.
So what follows is a list, of what we’ve learned and achieved together as a community of readers and contributors. Some of you, also very generously feature in this blog, thanks for allowing yourselves to become interwoven into it. My most favorite posts.
So, together – we learned that:
- Despite a big quake, Christchurch City has a great purpose for the world. Life is still standing.
- That 89 year-old authors can play tennis, cause havoc on the court, love their family, write novels, dare to believe in the power of peace, for the Middle East. And still have big American dreams.
- That Pakistan was a country you found love for, when it got hit by a flood, displacing 17 million people, you’d never met. You donated.
- That Justin Gaston is the person you most love and admire in Hollywood, via this blog the last 2 or so months.
- That Beyonce turning up in heels and dancing in the hood, is what being American is all about. Neighborhood. Community. The block. Humilty.
- That Angelina Jolie fascinates with Brad Pitt and children. Especially in India.
- That BP with oil rigs can affect the environment so easily.
- That aetheists have a purpose towards World Peace and its process, irrespective of religious, spiritual belief or difference to mainstream religions. Peace is still an aestheist’s gift in the world by leading with good actions. Their gift is to think and to do.
- That teenagers, including gay teenagers are some of the most at risk people in America currently in this recession, or, post-recession moment in world history. (more…)
COURAGE TO LOVE PEACE IN A RHYTHM NATION
Today, tennis playing author, Robert Ellis had a book signing event at Borders in Westwood, according to Westside Today.
A report on the event, coming soon, as updates arrive. And if Peace is a song, it’s also a dance all can enter into in a rhythm nation.
Here’s some retro Janet Jackson as a reminder to the fact.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 10.2.10~
A PROTEST FOR GROUND ZERO MOSQUE 9-11 AS OBAMA CLARIFIES AMERICA IS NOT AT WAR WITH ISLAM
“A wise man, saves lives”–King Solomon
This report as ‘Guest Commentary’ from MSNBC: “NEW YORK — Tensions flared Saturday over plans to build a mosque near ground zero as rival demonstrations took place after family members of Sept. 11 victims recited loved one’s names through tears at a somber ceremony marking the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S.
After the official ceremony, around 2,000 activists rallied about five blocks from the site of the 2001 attacks to support the proposed Islamic community center. About 1,500 mosque opponents gathered nearby, chanting “USA, USA” and “No mosque here.”
Center supporters carried signs with such slogans as “The attack on Islam is racism” and “Tea Party Bigots.”
“They may seek to exploit our freedoms, but we will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust. They may wish to drive us apart, but we will not give in to their hatred and prejudice,” Obama said.
A ROYAL HAIR DESIGNER IN LA – MEET GRAHAM HOLMES, ENGLISH GENTLEMAN AND HAIR STYLIST OF HOLLYWOOD’S ELITE STARS
Graham Holmes is a wittily funny artist and gentleman. He’s also one of the best hair stylists Los Angeles is lucky to have acquired as a resident in the last year. Here’s Graham paying a British pop cultural homage to Andy Warhol.
Graham believes that “Maori Angels” as he says, are ‘special’ in Hollywood. I am the first Maori Graham has met. “Mischievous British Angels” are always welcome in L.A too. Especially ones that make you look better. Holmes spotted me blogging in a cafe, and kindly put his hand up to suggest being my hair stylist, because apparently, I had “a really bad Maori hair do.” Lol!
As Graham cuts my hair, he asks whether my last hair stylist used to cut my hair with a fork n\’ knife… “How could they have butchered such good Maori hair?” says Graham. “Because, we like Maoris, especially ones with a touch of Scottish.”
He’s very funny, in a Brit way.
In the UK, although Graham styled every uber-celebrity there was (as time would allow him in a day), Graham Holmes is best known as a hair designer and style master hair colorist for the late Princess Dianna.
For the last three and a half years before her tragic and unexpected passing, Graham was Dianna’s comedic friend and confidente who the Princess used to love rocking out for pizza with at 9pm at night after her hair appointments on a daily basis. Today Holmes carries her empathy and zest for life in his spirit and humanitarian depth of personality, to gift celebrities (and nobodies too, like me! :) who he cares to style here in The City of Angels.
Holmes is proudly of Jewish-German fusion descent and his partner in Los Angeles is an Indian-Muslim entertainment producer in LA. Cross-cultural romance is a reality for Holmes each day.
On that note, Graham poses here with his copy of the timely Mid-East love story, Courage to Love set in Palestine and Israel. Holmes lives this love story, in his personal life.
His knowledge of the celebrity world is interesting. He looks at people’s hearts, which is why Holmes is interesting to listen to share his life experiences while he works. I am very thankful that Graham has made my hori head a ‘work in progress.’ Thank you Mr Cool.
Graham Holmes styles for the Emmys, Music Awards Shows and The Oscars here in Hollywood.
Graham Holmes poses with a vintage photograph of Dame Elizabeth Taylor, when Liz used to be a skinny b*tch working her ponytails and a bikini, while keeping the wheels of Hollywood spinning hot. Priceless.
Stage one of Graham’s hair styling above in a six-month style-design project is worn above. Pictured here is Jocelyn Jones, renowned acting coach of Los Angeles outside of the Macha Theater where Valentino Valentina is now playing.
Graham Holmes of Taboo Haircare can be found at 8446 West Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048. For being an Angel (‘messenger’ of style) to many, including me today, many thanks Graham! New friend.
Copies of Courage to Love by the author Robert Ellis and the audio book of this novel of peace can be purchased with Graham too, when you drop by for a hair appointment with him and treat yourself to feel like a million dollars in his skilled hands.
[Image of Princess Dianna courtesy of Media Now Public.Com]
THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – THU 8.26.10
President Bill Clinton poses in this vintage photograph with author Robert Ellis (Right) and friends. Ellis is author of the new novel, Courage to Love, a love story set in The Middle East. Photograph courtesy of P.R and Business strategist of Los Angeles, Andrew Winters.
Fine and helpful books are celebrities in Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and California on this blog today. As California has expert taste, we even like to share our best books with the good folks of Oklahoma too. We’re presidentially generous like that in sunny California.
You all voted and brought in our top ten celebrity and entertainment news posts. Thanks everyone. Like a good book, let’s share the love this Summer towards Peace in the world’s best interests. Music today, from the movie and cast of The Commitments.
1. About Horiwood–>Mustang Selly book marketing tips with Jim Miller of OK
2. Christina Hendricks brings the starring cast of Mad Men to Oscars 2010
3. Elin Nordegrin is always under scrutiny as an ex-sports wife of a legend
4. Redheads rule II by model Nicole Fox
5. Justin Gaston delivers Psalmist-King‘s ink for all who dare to dream
6. New Moon marketing: Kristen Stewart & Taylor Lautner pictorial reprisal
7. Yellow bikini blitz with Britney Spears & Jason Trawicke in Hawaii
8. LeBron James seeks spiritual biz guidance from a Celeb Rabbi to sports stars
9. Teeth by Hollywood’s George Clooney
10. Quick Riser: Red carpet paparazzi – 30 Seconds to Mars have star glow app-eal
And in books that are hot at the Beverly Hills library’s Quick Picks section, brought to you by the gregariously quircke and sharing & caring marketing team of the new novel Courage to Love by Hollywood fit author Robert Ellis, we feature today the books:
Be Your Own Life Coach: How to Take Control of Your Life and Achieve Your Wildest Dreams by Fiona Harold, The College Grad Job Hunter: Inside Tips by Dr. Brian Krueger, Rebound by H.R Specialist Martha Finney, author of Unlock The Hidden Job Market, Ask for a Convertible by author Danit Brown, A Better Angel by Chris Adrian, Random House’s star author, Walter Kirn (author of adapted Hollywood novel to the screen Up in The Air) with Mission to America, and . . . I Sold Andy Warhol Too Soon by Richard Polsky.
Delve into good Summer reading with these titles, if you can. :)
To order a book with a good message of peace from Jim Miller‘s tip-helpful and committed marketing efforts, go here. Thanks Mustang! You’re the best. And, go Jim Miller!!!
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.26.10~
NEED FOR MIDDLE EASTERN MEN TO BE PROTECTED AS TRIPLE MURDER OCCURS, KINGS RD, WEST HOLLYWOOD
[Photo: Deputies of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, David Cusiter, left, and John Hatfield address assembled media outside the Kings Road Arms Apartments where three men were found shot to death in West Hollywood. Photog credit: Allen J. Schaben for Los Angeles Times]
Quote: “To arrest the leakage of war, money and lives spreading from the Middle East onto the shores of the entire world — we need to consider three facts. One, that science tells us the blood in our bodies can be interchanged to heal, each with each other. Two, that the Bible tells us men and women in all their faiths, are descended of one spiritual family. Three, we must learn to suspend our own prejudices and attempt to walk the walk and talk the talk of life on earth for all of us.”–Robert Ellis, author.
This story breaks my heart. For a while, I’ve had the sickening feeling that Middle Eastern young people are not safe in Hollywood. More often then not, Middle Eastern people look a little weary, scared of being misunderstood, that I’ve observed in the neighborhood. As someone who often feels foreign with a weird accent in L.A, I want to be a part of changing that situation and making residents of the Middle East feel apart of Los Angeles vibrantly diverse culture.
Reports the LA Times: “There was no sign of forced entry and no drugs or weapons found at the West Hollywood apartment where three men were found shot to death, L.A. Sheriff’s Department officials said.
“The shooting occurred Thursday evening in the 600 block of North Kings Road, south of Melrose Avenue, authorities said. Deputies responded to the Kings Road Arms apartment building about 9:15 p.m., shortly after neighbors reported hearing a series of gunshots. Inside the apartment, detectives found three men dead of gunshot wounds, according to investigators.
Speaking to reporters at the crime scene, Sgt. Bill Marsh said the victims, who have not been identified, were found in various parts of one apartment in the modest three-story building.
The victims were in their 20s and 30s but little else is known about them, Lt. Pat Nelson said. It was also unknown if the victims were tenants.
“We believe they are of Middle Eastern descent,” Nelson said. “Basically, this is a triple murder. We don’t have any suspects at this time.”
I used to live on N. Kings Rd, it’s a very good street of the City and West Hollywoood is cross-culturally versant, so this story is not typical to the City’s cultural life, being a city that was formed in the interests of human rights for all. I last met Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis at Hugo’s cafe on this street for dinner. Perhaps this triple murder is a call to act on doing something for the Middle Eastern community of Los Angeles.
In the interim, read a book that Andrew Winters and I are marketing across L.A and America. It’s the timely story of understanding a Middle Eastern point-of-view fairly regarding Jewish and Arab cultures being in healthy dialogue towards love, tolerance and peace. Go here to read more.
Sending out condolences from West Hollywood to the families of the slain. ICU and iCare about your loss. Let’s make a difference, so this doesn’t happen again. We need to build peace in community with our hands, to preserve lives.
[below image: cf this post]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.26.10~
BEVERLY HILLS TENNIS-PLAYING AUTHOR, ROBERT ELLIS, WILL APPEAR AT BORDERS, WESTWOOD OCT 2 FOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT
Westside Today reports: “Does the rigors of good parenting get in the way of your “A” tennis game, in these times? Find out when Robert Ellis signs his new book Courage to Love at Borders Bookstore for book signings, 1360 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
“Have you ever wanted a book to give your children who might be asking the question “Dad, mum why are some people getting upset about a mosque being built as a symbol of tolerance on site Ground Zero?” Well . . . tennis playing author, Robert Ellis’ new novel, Courage to Love provides that very timely book for avid tennis players and our culturally-conscious California families.”
America is changing. Even on the tennis court. Go here to read more about R.E and his wise and timely book. The slender novel can be ordered here from Tate Publishing or Borders website. Ironically, this is a book about transcending all borders, in order to “grow up in love” as the U.S President Barack Obama urged when he took his oaths to be President in his inaugural day speech.
I do believe, this agenda is what Borders Bookstores take pride in providing their customers with in their very intelligent book selections. Westwood is one such community blessed with books relevant to the times. Oct 2nd at 3pm is when Robert Ellis, will appear in store. For more details about the event, Andrew Winters, Mr Ellis’ no. 1 publicist can be contacted here.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.25.10~
STEPHANIE SALDANA’S THE BREAD OF ANGELS WRITES OF SPIRIT AND LOVE IN WAR TODAY
Stephanie Saldana‘s The Bread of Angels speaks of where the world is at today, when discussing cross-cultural and different faiths of the world at this time in our history. Dialogue has always been about having the humility to learn from others.
“Above all, a love story . . . a page-turner that keeps you up nights.”–Geraldine Brooks said of Saldanas book.
The inside cover notes say: “In 2004, twenty-seven-year-old Stephanie Saldana arrives in Damascus with a broken heart and a haunted family history that she has crossed the world to escape. She has come on a fellowship to study the role of Jesus in Islam, but speaks very little Arabic, has no friends in the city, and has no place to live. Nor is it an ideal time to be in their region–the united States has recently invaded neighboring Iraq, and refugees are flooding into the streets of Damascus. Still, Stephanie does the only thing she can think of: she begins knocking on doors in the Christian Quarter, asking strangers if they have a room to rent. So begins The Bread of Angels, the unforgettable memoir of one woman’s search for faith, love, and the meaning of her life in the place she leasts expects to find it.
Before long, Stephanie is offered an airy room in a glorious, dilapitated house. She begins to stumble through Arabic and to make the Old City her home. But after a series of disheartening developments, she leaves to spend a month in an ancient Christian monastery carved into the Syrian desert cliffs. (more…)
BEVERLY HILLS WEEKLY REPORTS BEVERLY HILLS RESIDENT USES MILITARY AND LIFE EXPERIENCE TO WRITE BOOK ON LOVE
Sam Nazarian owner of L.A’s best clubs, restaurants and leading hospitality, real estate lifestyle brands is resigning from his Airports Commissioners position to focus on growing his company SBE; New science programs start up at Horace Mann, the Beverly Hills library has a push to offer fun as well as books, and, Robert Ellis uses military and life experience to write a book on love. (go here, click on pics to read in full). It’s all here in the Beverly Hills Weekly, issue no. 568, this week. Read it while it’s hot off the press.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.23.10. Press placement by Publicist & P.R, Business Strategist, Andrew Winters.~
TEN AUTHORS WE LOVE ACCORDING TO FORBES WITH A GLANCE BACK AT WILLIAM FAULKNER for TONI MORRISON
Authors write characters we want to, or don’t want to be like –that they set in worlds that are either ordinary or extraordinary. Both work. A hero is only a hero of an author’s tale unless they overcome great odds or equally as great villains in an author’s tale.
According to Forbes latest line up of authors who not only write good narratives but that have good marketing too, here’s the top ten authors and what they’ve raked up in monetarily value and notoriety, in parentheses, that Forbes knows about:
A. James Patterson ($70M)
B. Stephenie Meyer ($40M)
C. Stephen King ($34M)
D. Danielle Steel ($32M)
E. Ken Follett ($20M)
F. Dean Koontz ($18M)
G. Janet Evanovich ($16M)
H. John Grisham ($15M)
I. Nicholas Sparks ($14M)
J. J. K. Rowling ($10M)
What a stellar effort. Meanwhile Oprah‘s book club in non-Forbes news, touts a guide to reading the works of Nobel prize winning, William Faulkner (an American writer who greatly influenced Toni Morrison‘s work, who is Oprah’s favorite author). To read about some of Faulkner’s writing techniques via Oprah’s team, go here.
To read the top ten authors best-selling genres, and secrets of money trail literary success, go here to Forbes.Com to read. Hollywood teaches us in film that genre-fusions become ‘the next best thing.’ So there’s some food for thought for all potential novelists to imagine.
[Above is a timely book for our political times regarding Washington and the Middle East, in this Romeo & Juliet story simply titled Courage to Love, set in Israel and Gaza by Robert Ellis. Clink on book cover to learn more. Images of William Faulkner and vintage Chloe Wofford (Toni Morrison) courtesy of blogs 1 & 2]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California, USA. 8.20.10~
PRESIDENT OBAMA ON THE MOSQUE GROUND ZERO SITUATION
Here’s President Barack Obama on the Mosque Ground Zero situation. It’s been quite a week of debate on this issue here in the U.S.
To read a great book, that opens up a Jewish (Judaic-Christian) view point as well as what Muslim’s believe also, go here to read Courage to Love by Robert Ellis.
The timely novel provides a good response for the American in relation to the many questions that the President is facing, with the Mosque at Ground Zero and the debate of what does religious freedom mean here in America? Big issues affecting spirituality and how we respond with love to those different to ourselves and our own views (and viz-a-viz).
Here’s what a UCLA screenwriting professor, V.C.R says about the Ellis’ novel: “Good writing, for me, makes the strange familiar and the familiar strange. Robert Ellis has managed to do both in his bold, courageous novel, COURAGE TO LOVE. Setting a star crossed romance in the turmoil and terror of present day Israel, the author spins a taut, suspenseful tale that builds to an unexpected and illuminating climax. I was moved and informed by this book. It gives one hope. And in today’s world, we need more of such nourishment.” In terms of the Middle East and the future peace of it, Ellis book is sweet like cake to an often bitter problem. The novel speaks of equality between the descendants of the two sons of Abraham (Jews and Arabs) in the Middle East.
Obama’s video footage above poses fascinating questions for us all to talk with others about. Especially all people of the Middle East. It’s a great opportunity to meet diverse people. In most cases when you do–you learn so much that a college could never teach you about someone of another faith, ethnicity, culture, language and worldview. It’s not easy being Barack Obama, but if we are all him, than what does this mean?
I am not Muslim. I like many of their hadiths. They are very spiritually compelling. I think women, need a bit of a booster in the Muslim faith, but the Muslim’s I have had as bosses in Los Angeles, are beautiful people. Intelligent and spiritually conscious people too. In New Zealand, I’d never had opportunity to meet any. I still don’t want to convert to being a Muslim but my life is richer for having worked alongside Muslim citizens of America. Anyway, read Bob’s book to learn more.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.19.10~
MAORI FOREIGN PRESS HOT MEDIA PICKS: CHRIS NOLAN FILMMAKING AND THE ARAB PERSPECTIVE – 8.19.10
As a foreign press journalist living in Los Angeles, here’s some important media being produced within America that floats my boat today–both making a statement about worthy Hollywood filmmaking innovation and providing balanced journalistic perspective–on an Arab and Palestinian perspective concerning the world and USA’s diplomatic relations concerning Peace:
1. Film Comment Magazine spotlights Chris Nolan‘s latest attempt at innovative dream storytelling.
2. Journal of Democracy goes with the lead story: Afghanistan & Iraq, Taking Stock with verbage intelligently provided by Zalmay Khalizad, Scott Worden and Adeed Dawisha.
3. Bill from Creative Screenwriting Magazine gets in on the Chris Nolan writers act, running a cover story that posits: The Architect of Dreams: Invading Christopher Nolan’s Mind to Steal the Secrets of Inception. I have news for you Bill–there’s always plenty more, where that came from, from a true creative writer! ;)
4. The Journal of Palestine Studies perhaps provides the gutsiest humanitarian Middle East commentary this month with these stories: The New Ethical Code of the Israeli Military and the War on Gaza by Muhammad Ali Khalidi; The Polarization of the Palestinian Political Field by Jamil Halal; Special Document by Colonel Philip J. Dermer – Report on US Peacemaking and the West Bank US Security Mission; Interview: Mohammad Mustafa –The Head of The Palestinian Investment Fund Talks about the Palestinian Economy; U.S Congressional Monitor: 111th Congress: January to December 2009.
5. Madeleine Allbright is the center-piece of American Style Magazine‘s focus on jewelry tastes of American leaders who matter. Alluding that Madeline is culturally nuanced by choosing to run with a Beyonce/ Michelle Obama Queen Bee reference tribute. Madeline has fine tastes and is just so cute.
6. Courage to Love, a novel by the author Robert Ellis, with a glowing review by Mouhammad Mustafa inside its distinguished book cover, for tolerance towards difference, transcending the disease of war’s hatred in the Middle East and in furthering love’s ability to further World Peace.
~ICU. Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.19.10~
TOSCA LABOY, TIME MAGAZINE, RICK STENGEL AND COURAGE TO LOVE THE GREAT AMERICAN NOVELIST AGAIN
True Hollywood fact: Your phone goes off this morning in California. You awake from your Hollywood dream, that two homeless people are floating with you in Noah’s ark to hear the conscientious, soothing tone of Time Magazine‘s Tosca Laboy purring down the phone line.
It’s a weird reoccurring surreal dream you’ve been having lately. Quite humanitarian really. But Tosca is a new starring character of the reoccurring dream. She’s new information.
Tosca is the E.A of New York’s Rick Stengel. She tells me that Rick would like a copy of tennis playing author, Robert Ellis (88) new book, Courage to Love sent immediately to Andrea Fachs at 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020-1393.
“Have a beautiful afternoon and evening” I say in a half smile, half asleep mumble, as I reach for my wallet and step outside the door over Hollywood miraged human shadows, for my morning ritual of getting fresh coffee. This day is already off to a stellar start.
Thanks Rick Stengel. And thanks Tosca Laboy. You’re the coolest E.A in NYC ever. :)
To find out more about the book Rick Stengel and Time Magazine wants, go here.
[Top Image: First in a Decade - Novelist On Time Cover: " The issue of Time magazine on sale Friday will feature Jonathan Franzen on the cover, below, the first time that a living American novelist has garnered that honor since Stephen King, in 2000. The accompanying article, by Lev Grossman, is a profile of Mr. Franzen on the occasion of his fourth novel, “Freedom,” the story of an American family that is due to be published this month. In the past Time has featured Tom Wolfe, Toni Morrison, George Orwell,John Updike, John Le Carré, Norman Mailer and other writers.To read this story, go here.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 8.12.10~
THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – SAT JULY 31st 2010
As Chelsea Clinton swanned down the aisle with beau Marc Mezvinsky, Elvira Kanim, the late baby sister of legendary fashion designer, Miss Elliette had the most beautiful, touching, heart-felt private family send off. Special. Kim Bryan did a sweet service, Bruce Bryan M.D was on iphone sermon interjections and humor, Aunt Elaine‘s story never had a punch line but nobody cared she added effervescence, and fly-girl Lea Kanim was the hostest with the mostest on the day. Superwoman. Suzie added a smile of Hollywood, military glamor. More on that event, when the family have decided which photographs, can be shared with you. What a sweet lady Elvira Kanim was. She was both a gorgeous Aunty and a fun chiffon minx. RIP honey. :)
Celebrities. Hollywood news topics. Entertainment news hot potatoes from here in Hollywood. Here’s our top ten entertainment posts for Saturday July 31st 2010. Thanks everyone. Life is peachy.
1. Sweet heirloom tomatoes at Miss Elliette‘s American Cafe
2. Christopher Nolan reshuffles Inception script’s timeline for a #1 film
3. Leonardo DiCaprio on cerebral thinkers & Angelina Jolie triumphs in Salt!
4. Justin Gatson and friends get naked for PETA
5. Kimora Lee Simmons joins Tyra Banks
6. Fairuz on being a voice of hope for world peace
7. Land of Milk and Honey - Kings of Leon
8. Quintessential recipe book reading for breast cancer survivors
9. Abraham Lincoln on democracy
10. Eva Longoria‘s tortilla soup recipe is Hollywood tasty
Bonus Post: Allyn Bryan Aspergers Advocate is one popular lady
Bonus Post: Suzanne Hinn‘s divorce drams are such a spotlight stealer :)
Bonus Post: Zoe Saldana stars in Columbiana with Cliff Curtis
Bonus Post: Bradley James is joining the New Zealand army
Bonus Post: Liam Neeson‘s beloved Natasha Richardson
Bonus Post: Beam us up Scotty, with Karl Urban as Star Trek‘s Dr McCoy
Hollywood dental star: Show me your teeth by Oprah Winfrey and Lady Gaga
And to tidy things up a little with some ‘overwhelming emotion’ like a Presidential family ocean: Here’s what the Clinton family said about their special family occasion: “Today, we watched with great pride and overwhelming emotion as Chelsea and Marc wed in a beautiful ceremony at Astor Courts, surrounded by family and their close friends. We could not have asked for a more perfect day to celebrate the beginning of their life together, and we are so happy to welcome Marc into our family. On behalf of the newlyweds, we want to give special thanks to the people of Rhinebeck for welcoming us and to everyone for their well-wishes on this special day.”
A sweet day of family across America. Oh… and go here to buy Bob’s new romance novel of young love, set in Israel and Palestine. Author Robert Ellis is pictured here with Rev. Dan Brown –the young Pastor, at the Wayfarers Chapel in Palos Verdes, a picturesque town that means ‘a canopy of green trees.’ Bob’s book links: Books-A-Million & Amazon.com.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 7.31.2010~
CARRIE UNDERWOOD GETS A #1 HIT WITH UNDO IT, FROM NEW ALBUM PLAY ON. COURAGE TO ACE!
Beautiful and spirited, Carrie Underwood, is doing all sorts of un-country sounding things, to garner herself another big hit. Here’s the newlywed’s new single, titled Undo It, denoting that the power of a good romance, will get you everywhere. In wartime especially, the world needs Love. The song rose to #10 on Billboard’s Country Music Charts, giving Carrie her tenth #1 hit song. Wow!
In California news, here’s our favorite tennis playing author, Robert Ellis, ex West Coast editor of Ebony Magazine before tennis today with a good romance story, that has a powerful message, in the form of his new novel, Courage to Love. The book is all the rage on the cover of the Beverly Hills Courier Newspaper. Bob has the best sense of humor in real life.
Congrats Carrie and Bobbey Mac on producing two fiesty American sagas of love. A star, Bob rocks.
Let’s support these two artists new works, go here to do that: iTunes, Amazon.com, MP3 Downloads Amazon, Books-A-Million, Carrie Underwood Official, Barnes&Noble.com & Tate Publishing.
This post going up for Ellis-Underwood fans and also for Hara Marano of Psychology Today Magazine, and Courage to Live Life with a Psychology of Peace. Let’s go girl! No whimps allowed on this court of Love. Courage to return a serve. :)
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 7.30.2010~
HOLLYWOOD ACTOR CLIFF CURTIS HAS COURAGE TO LOVE, A NOVEL BY ROBERT ELLIS
Hollywood Actor Cliff Curtis has Courage To Love the Middle East
Hollywood actor and film producer, Cliff Curtis holds his early edition copy of Courage To Love, the new Romeo & Juliet novel by author Robert Ellis. The modern story of forbidden love that is set in Israel and the Gaza strip, is getting good early buzz in Hollywood. Curtis describes the book as being “beautiful.”
Of this pivotal novel, Curtis features here in his hand, filmmaker Bill Birrell says: “I have been looking for a human scale story about the Middle East: but one that will both entertain and provoke. In short I believe Courage to Love is it. Not since Elie Wiesel, the Nobel prize-winning writer, has an author distilled these conflicts into such human terms. Put another way, while the story touches on significant issues, it is really a tale of two young people and their struggle to be allowed to love each other.”
Cliff, a newly wed himself, is all about love these days and furthering love’s potential in a world wind epic romance he finds himself caught up in, in his real life. His Hollywood career also has elevation. Curtis currently stars as Firelord Orzai in M. Night Shyamalan‘s 3D film franchise, The Last Airbender and has just signed on to two films starring opposite, Zoe Saldana (of Star Trek and Avatar film franchises fame) where he’s cast as Zoe’s closest family member. Coming up, Curtis will also star with Sigourney Weaver and Bruce Willis.
PEACE MUSICALITY IS PINK AND SEAL FOR HERBIE HANCOCK WITH THE IMAGINE PROJECT – COURAGE TO LOVE :)
Beautiful are the words “We are all the same people” in an “orchestra of life.”–Herbie Hancock.
If we believe in peace; our breath, rhythm, heart, soul languages, bodies, dreams will unite like a river to give voice to it. Hot musicality is Mr Herbie Hancock recording his new album, The Imagine Project around the world. Herbie’s vision transcends differences in the earth’s languages, religions and tongues spoken, to join hearts and minds in a common purpose, that will outlive us all. Smart. The rest, is the small stuff–and let’s not sweat that.
Here’s the project’s electronic press kit for meaningful entertainment today. And, my favorite book, at the minute speaks of the same themes: Courage To Love by author Robert Ellis, also available as a Peace audio book.
With Herbie’s new album–what a fine coordination effort around the world for a great cause.
Vocal courage is popstar Pink and crooner Seal at the 4.30 mark of EPK – Part II, in this video clip. Wow! Harmony for Africa. Love it.
This album has Grammy Winner written all over it.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 7.16.2010~
SHAKIRA SINGS FOR SOCCER AND THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – SUN 10.11.2010
“We are all Africa”–Shakira. “We are all the Middle East”–author Robert Ellis
Shakira sings Waka Waka at the closing ceremony of Soccer World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Go here to see. Since the Colombian-Lebanese diva first performed the song live at the opening ceremony, she has already amassed 17,427,000 video clip watches on YouTube, two weeks later. She amazin!
Here’s how our top ten news posts on celebrities and entertainment topics you found of interest look today. Spanky. Thanks for being such a rivetingly exciting and eclectic bunch. Every twist and turn, is a roller coaster of life shared freely in the moment. It’s all about shared smiles, the world over, in the dance of precious life. Enjoy your news.
1. Supermodel Kate Moss has courage to love Palestine
3. About Horiwood–> Anne Franks graphic diary is taught in schools
4. Tax Breaks and New Orleans for Twilight
5. Lindsay Lohan‘s new attorney is kinda orange
6. Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough romance anyway
7. Spain wins Soccer World Cup 2010
8. Robert Pattinson @ Twilight
10. Bad daddy! Angelina Jolie‘s father bites bad
Humor: Lady Gaga and latex gloves are rather spanky
Hot Post this week: Adventurous Love: Miss Elliette is a Queen of Peace at Malibu. Let’s wurq America! We’ve been told! :)
[Image: "Glistening on Peace Roses" as grown by Miss Elliette, as living art from her garden.]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 7.11.2010~
ACTION STAR ANGELINA JOLIE AND AUTHOR ROBERT ELLIS TAKE THE FRONT COVER OF THE BEVERLY HILLS COURIER
Whose on the front page of the Beverly Hills Courier this week? Author Robert Ellis of the new novel Courage To Love and Angelina Jolie of the movie Salt.
Let’s go 90210 kids of L.A. Courage to love the world with Peace and transcend all cultural and language differences. This is how American leaders roll.
Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14, Amazon.com, ArcLight Hollywood, Books-A-Million, Pacific’s The Grove Stadium 14, Barnes&Noble.com, Pacific Commerce, Tate Publishing.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 7.24.2010, with thanks to America’s Chiffon Angel: Miss Elliette, living legend of Fashion, Business, The Arts & Heirloom Tomatoes, Brenton Garen, entertainment journalist and A.Winters, Publicist~
July 24, 2010 | Categories: America, Angelina Jolie, Art, artist, Authors, beverly hills, Box Office Stars, Boxing, Brad Pitt, Entertainment Celebrity News, Entertainment News, Hollywood Entertainment News, Leadership, Miss Elliette, Robert Ellis | Tags: America, Andrew Winters, Angelina Jolie, Art, artist, Authors, beverly hills, Bobby Mac, Box Office Stars, Boxing, Brad Pitt, Brenton Garen, Entertainment News, Hollywood Entertainment News, Hollywood Today, Hollywood True Facts, Humanitarian Angels on Horiwood.Com, Leadership, Miss Elliette, Peace Books, Pop Culture Commentary, Robert Ellis | 13 Comments »