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STEVEN DREW AUERBACH

Steven Drew Auerbach is a recognized International Business Consultant specializing in Brand Marketing/Management for over 30 years. His work has taken him around the world, and he has brought numerous luxury brands to the U.S. market.  Steven has been featured as both “A Retail Guru” and “A Top Designer to Watch” by LDB Magazine. He has also been a guest on National Public Radio due to his work in social entrepreneurship. 

Raised on the east coast by a fashion model/clothing designer mother and legal scholar/entrepreneur father, provided him with the foundation to be both a designer and business executive. Auerbach earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business/Consumer Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He also holds certificates in International Negotiation, Importation and Harmonized Scheduling. Additionally, he earned a Writer’s Certificate from UCLA and is a published journalist and public speaker.

In 2017 Auerbach shifted his career from private business to non-profit. He has served on the advisory boards of two non-profits that focus on the health and welfare of the LGBTQ+ community, is the COO and Director of Business Development for the HIV+ Aging Research Project and is a Founding Partner of The Chosen Family Project.

Residing in Palm Springs, CA Auerbach lives with his two dogs, Rocco and Teddi, (which he declares are “full of so much love it should be illegal”).   Auerbach enjoys yoga, is an ardent reader, news junkie and makes a mean kugel. 

Web:
http://www.TheChosenFamilyProject.org
http://www.HARP-PS.org

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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In Matt Irby's own words:

When the pandemic hit, I was working a corporate job in Seattle and was given the opportunity to work from home and live where I pleased. My first thought? Palm Springs! I moved here in late 2020, made a great group of friends and started doing "game nights" every week.

As game nights went on and the group got larger, it became a true source of happiness and connection in an otherwise chaotic work life I had.

Then it hit me!

If I could feel this great connecting with new and old friends playing games, aren’t there others out there wanting the same thing? I was sitting at my desk in another corporate drone meeting, and it came to me: “Play”. I wanted a cool hangout spot that I could go to and meet new people that centered around games. Then more came to my mind... why not extend it and have a café in the morning where people can work from and grab some food throughout the day, then flip it to a lounge in the evening with fun board games, outdoor games, pool tables, darts, etc. with a different selection of beer and wine?

Play was officially born and opened in September 2023.

I love sharing my passion with you and making a lot of new friends along the way! See you at Play!

Matt Irby

web site: https://www.playloungeps.com

Matt's email:  [email protected]

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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IN ANGELA'S OWN WORDS:

I was in the 3rd grade at an elementary school in rural Oregon, when my teacher Mrs. Peterson gave me the lead role of Little Red Riding Hood in the school play to help me overcome my paralyzing shyness. It worked. If she saw me now, she’d ask me to stand down and let someone else take a turn.

Following my 9-year-old acting debut, I auditioned for a nearby musical theatre company with my mom & brother.  They were both cast in the chorus of ‘The Music Man,’ and I was asked to stay off-stage and run the spotlight. My lack of singing ability stalled my career as quickly as it started.

The acting bug didn’t strike again until a modeling gig for a cheerleading uniform company helped me land an agent in Portland. From there came a handful of commercials and lots of dinner theatre.

I didn’t exactly sprint out of the gate, but I did count my blessings early with a fun role in a Robin Williams movie and a guest-star role on ER, …oooh, maybe I’ll meet Clooney!

Then there was a big writer’s strike. It went on so long my agency shut down and I was, as they say on set, ‘back to one.’ (Disclosure-I was and am in full support of my fellow union workers!)

Waiting for the phone to ring sucks, so I took matters into my own hands and produced a staged play at a small black box theatre. Surely, if I spent all my hard-earned waitressing dollars on theatrical rights, stage rentals, and hard-to-find props, I’d be discovered.

When that didn’t work, I decided to by a camcorder and take a film class at the community college. I wrote a short film about the perils of being a struggling actress and managed to convince some friends to help me make it. My mom was even in town and worked as a free cinematographer.

The countless short films and web series may not have been seen by Spielberg, but they sure were a blast. And learning about every stage of production and every job on set paid off in ways I’m still benefitting from.  Both in working knowledge & connections.

I won best comedy writing awards, best comedy actress awards, and best indie film awards. I got to play all three Kartrashian sisters, Elizabeth Taylor and even dropped my first single complete with a music video. If only auto-tune had been around for that early musical audition!

The skills behind the scenes have helped me find a ‘day job’ that allows me to share my talents with the local non-profit, Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, where I develop and create edutainment that raises awareness and makes a difference in people’s lives. Some of the scripted works have received multiple boundary-breaking and innovation awards.

Along my journey I met the uber-talented Laura Lee Bahr, who wrote and directed a feature for me to produce and star in alongside the cutest dog in the world, who happens to be mine. It was truly an art-imitating-life story about an actress, moonlighting as a dog-walker who must save an adorable Maltese from some crazy Hollywood characters. We overcame the typical odds of an indie film and secured both national and worldwide distribution.  #humblebrag

I’ve schmoozed as a TV Academy member, performed my set on famous comedy stages and finally got to go to the Emmys.

I should probably add some more celebrity name dropping and list the high-profile credits, but this bio has gotten a little too long so you will have to click on the resume button on my website if you want to see those.

I’m grateful to be able to pursue the things I love and build fabulous relationships along the way. While I may not have my series regular role…YET, I’m certainly living my dream.

More info and to contact Angela:  http://www.angelalandis.com

Photo credit:  Danette Mitchell

Music courtesy  Zakhar Valaha/Pixabay.

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Freddy Rodriguez, also known as @freddynotfred, established his digital footprint with his blog on Tumblr called Blue Perk in 2011 in New York City. Over the years, Freddy has evolved Blue Perk into a dynamic lifestyle brand that has worked with various clients such as  H&M, Kenneth Cole, Samsung, Toyota, Pottery Barn, Visit Berlin, Visit Puerto Vallarta, Jet Blue, and more. 

Freddy curates content that resonates with digitally savvy, LGBTQ+, fashion-forward urbanites, offering a kaleidoscope of happy, uplifting moments. Freddy dedicates himself fully to managing his brand, dividing his time between Los Angeles, New York City, and various vibrant cultural hubs globally, perpetuating his mission of spreading joy, fashion, and LGBTQ+ acceptance through colorful experiences.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freddynotfred/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freddy.notfred 

Website: https://blueperkmoment.com/ 

Tumblr: https://blueperk.tumblr.com/

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Joe Boss is a Certified Addiction Counselor II, (CADC ll) and Internationally Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ICADC), registered with the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP). He has actively worked as an addiction and co-dependency professional in the field for over 16 years at The Betty Ford Center, ABC Recovery Center, and with renowned addiction specialist and author, Dr. Harry Haroutunian. Joe owns and operates Boss Counseling Services, focusing on co-dependence, relationship, and addiction counseling. He has also been dedicated to his own recovery from addiction and codependency for over 22 years. Additionally, he is the author of the book, Take Your Power Back, A Journal To Self-Discovery.

Website:  bosscounselingservices.net

Email:  [email protected]

Link to book:  https://a.co/d/4IlyFhe

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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In Joseph's own words:
"I grew up in a large Catholic Family in the 60s and 70s.  My family has a long history of depression, suicide and addiction and I not only navigated my parent’s battles, but as an adult lived with my own.  I started singing as a child and at the age of 13 sang with the MN Orchestra in the nationally known Metropolitan Boy’s Choir.  I met my husband during my 40th birthday weekend and married him on my 43rd Birthday.  He told me the first night we met that he had a mental illness, but he was managing it successfully.  I was profoundly and deeply in love with him throughout our marriage and I think he felt the same about me.  Two weeks after we took our 16th  Anniversary roadtrip vacation, he was murdered by our mentally ill neighbor.  My life exploded and I almost killed myself with alcohol.  Luckily, with mass amounts of support I sobered up and dealt with my grief by helping to pass historic mental health legislation in the state of MN.  I formed a foundation in my husband’s name (ThePaulJamesPfeiferFoundation.org) to advocate for those suffering with a mental illness and use my lifelong passion for singing and story telling to raise $ for that foundation.  I continue to live in MN, but also own a home in Palm Springs (paradise) California".

More info:  http://www.thepauljamespfeiferfoundation.org

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

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John Corr is very active on the Coachella Valley/Palm Springs theatre scene. 

He has some very interesting thoughts and stories to tell...

John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacorrjr

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

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I met JJ many years ago in Seattle.  He's an adventure seeker who just quit his corporate banking job in order to travel around the world for at least two years...  hear the why and how of his adventure.  So many of us dream about doing something like this- but he's actually doing it! 

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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Steve Milliken 

Steve Milliken is the proud gay author of LATE BLOOMER BABY BOOMER—A Collection of Humorous Essays About Being Gay Back in the Day and Finally Finding My Way. Born and raised in Southern California, his literary escapade takes you on a journey through the decades, chronicling his adventures as a gay baby boomer  and his lifelong pursuit of the perfect coming-out story—spoiler alert: it's a comedy of errors…..

While the primary focus of these essays is to bring laughter to the hearts of readers, LATE BLOOMER BABY BOOMER offers more than just entertainment. While drawing comparisons to David Sedaris, it also helps bridge the gay generation gap between the younger and older gay men’s communities through its humor and historical perspective on the challenges gay men have faced through the years. His unique blend of laughter and nostalgia with sprinkles of wisdom will captivate readers as a certified remedy for those pesky "I need a good laugh and some enlightenment" moments…. 

LBBB back cover text:

What happens when the class clown becomes the teacher?

Whether teaching in the urban ghetto or navigating the gay ghetto, Steve Milliken bridges the gay generation gap as he finds the funny about the lifelong coming out process. 

This book is for anyone who is gay, knows someone who is gay, or even a “straight” guy who’s had a gay experience, like wearing a belt that matches his shoes.

"Steve Milliken's writing style is reminiscent of David Sedaris's quirky humor, but with own his unique spin. He has the true humorist's ability to find the hilariousness in all of life's awkward and sometimes painful moments. Treat yourself to this book if you love writing that will make you laugh out loud!" ANDI MATHENY, actress, acting coach, and author of Act ALIVE: The Essential Guide to Igniting and Sustaining Your Working Actor Career

Author Steve Milliken reveals, “While teaching in the inner-city with an implicit ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, I led a double life, somewhere between Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde and Hannah Montana. While intelligent and insightful, I counter this by being incredibly gullible and naïve. Strong, yet timid, caring but sarcastic, I’m all about the balance, as any self-respecting oxymoron should be….” 

A Southern California native, his wide-ranging essays include concealing your inner sissy in the 60s, a guide for piloting the proper parameters of profanity in the workplace, tapping into your potential for prank calls, and looking behind the scenes at catering to the temperamental stars of the ’70s at the famed Brown Derby Restaurant. 

Steve Milliken’s experiential essay titles include “My Rocky Horror Virginity Show,” “Sober Porn,” “My Colonoscopy Eve,” and “Bitch Ass Snitch” to name just a few….

 https://linktr.ee//stevemilliken

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]

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STAN ZIMMERMAN is a man of many mediums (TV, film and theatre). He’s been nominated for two WGA Awards for Best Comedy Writing – The Golden Girls and Roseanne. Stan’s also written and produced on Gilmore Girls, co-created the Lifetime sitcom, Rita Rocks, wrote on both Brady Bunch movies and rewrote the ABC-TV movie of Annie. Stan has a BFA-Drama from NYU/Circle-in-the-Square and has directed such LA productions as The Diary of Anne Frank-Latinx (eight iterations since 2018), Entertaining Mr. Sloane, A Tuna Christmas, Gemini, Spike Heels, Pledge, Heartbreak Help and his original plays -- Meet & Greet, Knife to the Heart, Yes Virginia and Have a Good One. Stan directed Off-Broadway’s Hyprov (Daryl Roth Theatre). TRWplays has published and licensed four of his works -- Yes Virginia, Silver Foxes and his suicide awareness play, right before I go, including a School Edition. Stan has appeared in the play across the U.S. Zimmerman & Berg wrote the recent Lifetime Christmas movie, Ladies of the 80’s: A Divas Christmas. Stan’s book, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore is available from Indigo River Publishing. Stan’s next directing gig is the World Premiere of Peter Ritt’s High Maintenance (Road Theatre Company, North Hollywood, April ‘24).

Web:  https://www.zimmermanstan.com

IMDb:  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0956785/

Buy the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Girls-Golden-Gilmore-Stan-Zimmerman/dp/1954676603/

Photo: Copyright Wilkinson/2024

Opening and closing music courtesy the very talented Zakhar Valaha via Pixabay.

To contact Wilkinson- email him at [email protected]