Frank Zanca. He is the visionary of PopconLa, at the LA Convention Center, July 5th through July 8th, 2012.

The Extravaganza, which will take place July 5th through July 8th will highlight elements of Pop Culture

By Buddy Sampson

Frank Zanca has a vision of an event spotlighting music, art, film, fashion, comic book aficionados and celebrities wrapped into one splendid extravaganza. Well, his vision is about to come to fruition. Zanca, the Co-Executive Director of the International Television Festival (www.ITVfest.org) will be debuting the 1st Annual Popular Culture Convention, PopCon LA July 5th through 8th, 2012 at the LA Convention Center. The event will be tent-poled by the 7th Annual ITVfest. 

Speaking of comics, Zanca comes from a comic book background, having written his first comic book in 1995, entitled Shadow Raven, which morphed into a game he designed called, “Shadow Raven: the Combat Card Game.” Shadow Raven later developed into a well-received novel and audio book. Additionally, he penned a Holocaust biography named “Escape from Berlin: The Diane Jacobs Story,” which garnered coverage from CBS, amongst others. A marketing whiz, Zanca served as CFO and later, President of two independent marketing firms. He is currently president of Destiny Horizons, Inc., which is the production company behind the Supernatural Western Six Gun Savior, starring Martin Kove, Kaleo Griffith and Matthew Ziff. Eric Roberts is currently in talks for the role of the Devil. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Six-Gun-Savior/147236725345612 and a femme fatale spy show that is currently being pitched to BET starring Tim Russ (Star Trek Voyager). http://www.facebook.com/pages/CATs/243626105696821.

The event in July will feature a variety of amusements, shows and seminars, including a Q&A with some of the cast members of Superman II, who haven’t been together in over 30 years, including Margot Kidder, Jack O’ Halloran and Valerie Perrine. Other celebrities slated to appear are Billy Dee Williams, Sean Young and Michael Biehn, and James Hong just to name a few. A celebrity fashion show, which will be coordinated by fashion guru Parris Harris will be one of the highlights of the event. “He’s been a trooper for us,” said Zanca of Harris.”He’s gone above and beyond to make this event a great success.”

With the vision of Frank Zanca’s dream on the horizon, it promises to be an event to remember and with his lofty accomplishments, who would bet against it? Attend PopCon LA and be part of a unique event that is the first of its kind.

For more information, visit www.popconla.com or www.facebook.com/popconla.

Readers get a 15% discount utilizing the promotional code: “scoopla.”

"Enhance your own personal and professional image for success, "says Claudia Cooley. Photo by Becky Abell.

By Claudia Cooley

The journey to enhance your own personal and professional image for success really is simple. To embrace four basic areas to enrich not only how you feel about yourself, but also how you communicate who you really are to the world… can take you on an adventure. Here are some things you can explore and give a thoughtful eye to.

Determine your own personal style. Photo by Bartekwardziak.

Determine what your best colors are and how the colors you wear not only influence how you feel about yourself, but also, how others relate to you. Did you know that you have colors that empower you and your image and colors that relax you and support a peaceful state? Others allow you to look wonderful while exuding vitality and energy. Then giving consideration to the non-colors, yes there are non-colors, the ones we call neutrals and basic colors i.e., black, brown, navy, taupe, camel, beige; you will want to pick these to enhance the “colors you are wearing.” You don’t want to create an icky clash.

Create a wardrobe you love. Photo by Fred Goldstein.

Another area to consider is going on a discovery to determine what your figure needs and considerations are and then dressing to look as tall and thin as possible, while always keeping proportion in mind. Dressing with this knowledge will give you the chance to always look good in what you wear.

Next, will be determining your own personal style. For years I dressed how my mother taught me. I was about 32 years old before I realized my mom was dressing me in styles and colors that looked amazing on her. My clue should have been when she was telling me my eyes were blue… my eyes are green. Wear your personal style like a badge of honor… in expressing who you are on the inside, people will compliment you right and left.

Lastly, it’s taking these tools and creating a wardrobe you love. My clothes fit in 27″ of closet space and I have too many clothes. I’ve done this for years and I have so much fun picking what I’m going to wear each day and never get bored. Yay!

I’m so excited for you as you start to explore your possibilities. Soon, I will be interviewing a New York Fashion Celebrity and sharing that story with you. Off to New York. Have a great week.

Claudia Cooley, Contributing Editor for The Scoop L.A.

Some colors enrich not only how you feel about yourself, but also how you communicate who you really are to the world. Photo by Fred Goldstein.

Your identity can be projected by your own personal sense of style. Photo by Gary Pepper Vintage.

Whether it's a funky look or a conservative look, what you wear conveys your image to the world. Photo by Gary Pepper Vintage.

Casual Business Fashion. Photo by Becky Abell.

Claudia Cooley. Photo by Raul Lozano.

Claudia Cooley is the Fashion Editor of The Scoop LA, where she will interview highly successful, leading experts in the fashion field to give a close and personal look at their attitudes about image, success, and living a uniquely expressed life. For more information about Claudia Cooley and ways her programs can impact your success, vibrancy and life, visit: www.ClaudiaCooley.com.

Cover Photo- Faux Pas Bistro's vintage sign. Inside photo- Faux Pas Bistro's simple, but effective interior design.

Restaurant Review

By Greg Thompson

April 30, 2012- Upon approaching the Faux Pas Bistro, one can’t help noticing the very well done ‘faux vintage’ sign. Manager Jessica Davis met us at the door and pointed out more faux retro touches inside. But there’s nothing faux about the full bistro length aprons on the snappy wait staff. Nor is there any faux food.

Lately we’ve been to a lot of events where plates appear with something that looks like sliders (mini-burgers) or mini-pizzas. Invariably they’re lukewarm at best and flavorless, the results of freezer and microwave technology? So forgive us for .subconsciously anticipating the same at the press event introducing Faux Pas Bistro on Third Street.

What a nice surprise- the sliders were juicy, hot and bursting with medium rare flavor of a blend of premium ground meats. The medium-well patty was also juicy. Chef Oz Ramuco even made a special plate of medium-well sliders for the guests that were coveting mine.

The Margherita Pizzette Sous Chef Ramses Walker brought from the kitchen was a surprising burst of flavor: Marinara Pesto on a flavorful crust. Several of us remarked that we don’t even like olives but the lone olive on the Magherita was divine. The Blanc was equally tasty, topped with artichokes and white truffle oil

I had expected a lot from our first taste. Mercedes Barba served bites of sashimi grade tuna tartare with fennel roasted bell peppers, shallots and chives on a Belgian endive. It delivered !

So did the Croque Monsieur lollipop (savory lollipops seem to be the rage these past few years). I’ve enjoyed traditional Croque Monsieur from Paris to Toronto to Tokyo (kuroku misuru). Like the best of them this breaded lolli filled with ham (Black Forest) and melted Gruyere Cheese brought out by Kenya was perfected by the addition of Creme Béchamel.

The finale was Tiramisu tasters for dessert, which was an Italian classic with a twist.

Faux Pas has a very well chosen wine and beer list. It also features a full bar.

Faux Pas Bistro also has a very well chosen wine and beer list, mimosas, rum punch and a full bar. From the start, our very knowledgeable bartender Don was on it. He said they didn’t want to have the ‘same old’ as he poured a crisp, clean St Supery Napa Sauvignon Blanc. Great nose and fruit and citrus notes that contributed to the good acid balance and finish.

Another rarity these days, a spicy fruity off dry Alsatian Gewurtzraminer. Alsace is a part of France that has often been a controlled by Germanic peoples. So the wines are German style like Gewurtz and Riesling with brand names like Hugel and Trimbach.

The house red is unique as well, a very approachable velvety cabernet/merlot blend made by Gerard. Full bodied with great fruit, it’s called Flirt and has an abstract artsy image of a flirtatious lady on the label.

A few very well chosen tap beers include a very hoppy IPA (India Pale Ale), the popular Blue Moon and, rarely seen this far from the Bay area, Anderson Valley’s Boont Amber Ale!

The bar definitely has a fine match for any of the many great dishes on their menu!!! We recommend Faux Pas- they had very little, if any missteps as an eatery.

Faux Pas' private area- great for business meeting or gatherings.

Faux Pas Bistro

7910 W. 3rd Street

Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 951-9959 

Monday, April 30, 2012 – Vol. II, Number 55

• Plus: Live It Again – Clippers Classic Comeback To Re-Air On Prime Ticket

• Reggie And Reserves Nick Young, Eric Bledsoe and Kenyon Martin Come Up Big

• Caron Butler Suffers Hand Fracture

• Clippers.com Provides Exclusive NBA Playoff Coverage From Memphis

• Pinwheels For Playoffs

• Ford Trade Up

 • Clippers This Week:

Western Conference Playoffs – First Round

Game 1: Clippers 99, Memphis 98

WHAT: Clippers vs. Grizzlies, Game 2

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2

WHERE: Fed Ex Forum

TIME: 6:30 p.m. PT

T.V: TNT/Prime Ticket

Clippers Live Pre-Game Show: 6:00 p.m. PT

RADIO: 980 AM/1330 AM (Spanish)

WHAT: Clippers vs. Grizzlies, Game 3

WHEN: Saturday, May 5

WHERE: STAPLES Center

TIME: 1:30 p.m. PT

T.V: ESPN/FS West

Clippers Live Pre-Game Show: 12:30 p.m. PT

RADIO: 980 AM/1330 AM Spanish

• CLIPPERS COMPLETE HISTORIC COMEBACK IN GAME 1

MEMPHIS–It was so hard to quantify that after Blake Griffin snagged his seventh and final rebound as the buzzer sounded he said he didn’t know what to do.

“I just walked around and hugged like three people,” he said after the game.

The Clippers’ 99-98 come-from-behind victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of their opening round series Sunday was stunning, baffling, and historic.

Griffin’s reaction explained it all.

The Clippers trailed by 27 points in the second half, and by 22 points entering the final quarter. They looked out of sorts for much of the first three quarters before the largest comeback win in the playoffs in the last decade. They led just twice, once after a Reggie Evans layup with 50.3 seconds to go and then again for good after Chris Paul converted two free throws at 22.7 seconds to go.

“We felt good going into the fourth quarter,” Evans said. “We started chipping away, chipping away. Then all of a sudden you could feel it. You just kind of could see it in their [the Grizzlies’] eyes. You could feel that heartbeat, it started changing, and we took advantage of that.”

To read the rest of this article, click here http://www.nba.com/clippers/games/postgame-LACMEM-120429.html

***###***

• LIVE IT AGAIN – CLIPPERS COMEBACK TO RE-AIR ON PRIME TICKET

It was the greatest 4^th quarter comeback in NBA Playoff History, and now you can watch it again on Prime Ticket.

Check it out (All times PT):

Monday. April 30 – 9:00 p.m.  – Prime Ticket

Tuesday, May 1 – 1:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 2:00 a.m. – Prime Ticket (4^th Quarter Replay)

Wednesday, May 2 – 10:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. – Prime Ticket (4^th Quarter Replay)

***###***

• REGGIE AND RESERVES POWER CLIPPERS IN GAME 1

If the final nine minutes of the game needed an individual on either side of the ball to explain how the Clippers got back in the game, it’s likely you could choose Nick Young’s shooting and Reggie Evans’ defense on Zach Randolph.

Of course, that would be over simplifying things. But either way, Young and Evans played significant roles in the comeback.

Take Young. Playing the first meaningful playoff minutes of his career (he was a member of the Wizards in a four-game sweep his rookie year), Young scored a team-high 19 points and kept the Clippers barely afloat with 10 points in the first half.

But when the Clippers needed it most, Young struck. He nailed a 3-pointer in transition off a dish form Paul in the left corner in front of the Memphis bench. Then after O.J. Mayo missed, Paul snared a rebound and pushed it ahead to Young for another three in the opposite corner. Knowing Young was hot, Paul found him again on the next possession for his third 3-pointer in a minute.

“It felt good being out there and the coaches having confidence in me in the fourth quarter,” Young said. “And C.P. [Paul] being the point guard that he is, he just found me in my spots out there.”

Click here to read the rest of this article: 

http://www.nba.com/clippers/features/game-1-notebook-patten-120429.html

***###***

• BUTLER FRACTURES HAND

Clippers small forward Caron Butler stood in front of the training room doors in the locker room after the game with a large bandage around his fractured left hand.

He sustained the injury in the third quarter when his hand got stuck in Rudy Gay’s jersey, but he remained in the game for a short period. His status for the remainder of the Clippers’ first round series with the Grizzlies is not immediately known.

“It popped back a little bit and I continued to play throughout the third quarter and was able to be a little effective, made some shots,” said Butler, who finished with 12 points in 23 minutes. “When I got subbed out, I felt it throbbing a little bit, so I went and got an X-ray and noticed that I had a fracture.”

After the game, Butler was resigned to juggle his emotions between selfish and selfless. His teammates had just completed a triumphant comeback and as would always be the case with someone of Butler’s character; he chose the latter.

To read more about Caron Butler, click here: http://www.nba.com/clippers/features/butler-fractures-hand-in-win-patten-120429.html

***###***

• LAC TV AND CLIPPERS.COM IN MEMPHIS PROVIDING EXCLUSIVE PLAYOFF COVERAGE

LAC TV’s Madelyn Burke and Clippers.com Insider Eric Patten are in Memphis this week providing exclusive coverage of everything for the Clippers Playoff series vs. the Grizzlies. Click here:  http://www.nba.com/clippers/playoffs/schedule.html to check out the Clippers hub for extensive playoff coverage.

***###***

• PINWHEELS FOR PLAYOFFS

Join your Los Angeles Clippers as we support Pinwheels for Prevention®, Prevent Child Abuse America’s campaign to raise awareness and resources for healthy child development and child abuse prevention.

Show your support by purchasing a pinwheel. Blue pinwheels will be sold at Clippers Playoff games with all proceeds benefiting Prevent Child Abuse America. Pinwheels are $5 each. Purchase a single pinwheel or sponsor a row. Bring your pinwheels to playoff games and wave them in support of this great cause and your Los Angeles Clippers.

To find out more about Pinwheels For Playoffs, click here: http://www.nba.com/clippers/community/pinwheel-for-playoffs.html  

***###***

• FORD TRADE UP

Share a photo of yourself with your favorite Ford vehicle sporting Clippers gear for your chance to win a pair of the Ford Trade Up From Home Seats to a Clippers home playoff game.

For more information and to enter, click here: http://www.nba.com/clippers/promotions/trade-up-from-ford.html

***###***

Cover and Inside Photo-Kevin Hart stars in the box office smash "Think Like A Man." Photo and Story by Kim Webster.

By Kim Webster  

“Think like A Man” grossed $33 million at the box office during opening weekend beginning April 20. The movie is based on the New York Times #1 bestseller book “Act Like A Lady Think Like A Man” by Steve Harvey (who appears in the film as himself). Mya (Meagan Good), Candace (Regina Hall), Lauren (Taraji P. Henson), and Kristen (Gabrielle Union) decide to use Steve Harvey’s advice as a guide to better their relationship with men. Dominic (Michael Ealy), Jeremy (Jerry Ferrara), Michael (Terence Jenkins), and Zeke (Romany Malco) discover their strategy and declare “relationship war.” Cedric (Kevin Hart) is hilarious dealing with his love/hate relationship with ex-wife Gail (Wendy Williams). Bennett (Gary Owen) is the only happily married man in the crew. Jenifer Lewis plays Loretta, the controlling mother who has a surprise up her sleeve. 

Meagan Good. Photo by Kim Webster.

“Think like A Man” entertains and educates and the music soundtrack blends so well with the storyline. The first song you’ll hear is “It’s A Man’s World” (remember those prophetic words “but it wouldn’t be nothin’ without a woman or a girl”) by the Godfather of Soul James Brown. Al Green’s “Can’t Get Next to You,” “Never Too Much,” by Luther Vandross, and familiar songs from Barry White, Earth/Wind&Fire, Fazeo and Jodeci also enhance the movie. Check out appearances from Sherri Shepherd, Chris Brown, La La Anthony, Morris Chestnut, Arielle Kebbel, Nephew Tommy, Tocarra, Luenell, Jay Anthony Brown, Bruce Bruce, Kelly Rowland, Terri J Vaughn, and Tony Rock. “Think like A Man” is a must see for everyone…ENJOY!

In Theaters Now.  

Regina Hall. Photo by Kim Webster.

Taraji P. Henson. Photo by Kim Webster.

Gabrielle Union. Photo by Kim Webster.

Gary Owen and wife Kenya. Photo by Kim Webster.

Cover Photo-The Highest Pass. Inside Photo-Adam Schomer(L) with Anand Mehrotra. Opens on April 27, 2012.

LOS ANGELES-April 26, 2012 – Part heart-pounding adventure, part spiritual quest, THE HIGHEST PASS, a feature length documentary directed by Jon Fitzgerald, will premiere in Los Angeles at Laemmle theaters in Santa Monica and Pasadena starting April 27, 2012. The award-winning film shares the journey of seven seekers who follow a guru with a Vedic death prophecy on a motorcycle trip up to the highest pass of the Indian Himalayas. Jon Anderson, lead vocal for YES, wrote two original songs for the film including the title song, “The Highest Pass.”

A young guru, Anand Mehrotra, asks his followers to join him in India on a motorcycle journey that will begin in Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, and will end in the high mountain region of Ladakh. Adam Schomer accepts the challenge, even though he’s never ridden a motorcycle and joins Mehrotra, who at twenty-seven bears a prophecy that he will die in an accident before the age of thirty. They are joined by five men including: Paul Greene (entrepreneur), Mike Owen (stuntman), Eric Braff (graphic designer), Brooks Hale (Broadway producer), Rich Parkerson (technology entrepreneur) and one woman, Ariana de Bonvoisin (author). Their expedition will take them 2000 km over some of the most dangerous roads in the world where they ultimately climb over the highest motorable mountain pass on Earth meet a Tibetan oracle. Each rider will face his or her own form of ‘death.’ Says Schomer, “I don’t ride motorcycles, I think they are dangerous. So I just said ‘yes.’”

Schomer, who has his worst fears exposed in the film, is also the writer and producer. He has been a student of Mehrotra’s Sattva yoga for three years. This is his first feature documentary production with a second documentary, WHEN THE DUST SETTLES, which takes a deep look into the effects of nuclear testing on the children of Kazakhstan, currently in post-production.

This is the second documentary for Fitzgerald (THE BACK NINE/Magnolia), the former festival director of the American Film Institute, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Abu Dhabi Film Festival. He is also one of the original founders of the Slamdance Film Festival. Fitzgerald, who recently launched Cinecause.com, a web platform that connects socially relevant films to related causes, says of the experience, “I recognized how many obstacles we would face, challenges on every level, particularly from a production standpoint. Yet, I also knew, selfishly, that I would grow as a person through the experience of being led by a modern yogi in the most spiritual places of India.”

Anderson, leader singer of YES, wrote two songs for the film (“The Highest Pass” and “Waking Up”) with composer Michael Mollura. Mollura’s work has been heard in HBO’s HOT COFFEE and CLIMATE REFUGEES.

The film won the Spotlight Award at Topanga and has also received the Audience Award at San Diego Film Festival and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary at the Naples International Film Festival.

Adam Schomer meets a modern guru, Anand Mehrotra, and they plan a motorcycle expedition on some of the most dangerous roads in the world — the highest passes of the Himalayas in Northern India. They convince a team of seven intrepid souls to join them and share in what will surely become a journey of a lifetime. These riders are guided by the inspired teachings of Anand, who himself bears the burden of a Vedic prophecy that predicts he will die in his late twenties in an accident. He is that age when he leads the group with fearlessness and wisdom reminding them that, “Only the ones who dies, truly lives.” Over 21 days and up to an elevation of 18,000 feet along a winding road, they never let low oxygen, altitude sickness, river-flooded roads, icy edges, snow and loaded trucks dampen their spirits or, ultimately, their deeper selves. Official trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOtOdNeAwY8

www.thehighestpass.com | @thehighestpass | www.facebook.com/thehighestpass

Cover and Inside Photos-Deitrick Haddon stars in "A Beautiful Soul," in theaters May 4th. Photos by Donna Dymally.

By Donna Dymally

You don’t want to miss the debut of Deitrick Haddon’s movie,”A Beautiful Soul,” on May 4th. It is an urban American dramatic film directed by Jeffrey W. Byrd, which tells the story of R & B superstar Andre Stephens (Deitrick Haddon), on top of the world and at the top of his game. He has success, fame and fortune, but spiritually has lost his way. When his entourage is attacked, leaving his best friend Chris Johnson (Robert Ri’chard ) clinging to life, he is catapulted on a spiritual journey and given the opportunity to reevaluate his life, his faith and discover a beautiful soul.

Deitrick Haddon, who stars in the film, "A Beautiful Soul," also was one of the producers. Photo by Donna Dymally.

Haddon who hails from the “Motor City,” Detroit, Michigan is starring in his second film; “Blessed and Cursed” was his first. Haddon is already a stellar award-winning gospel superstar, writer and creative visionary with an energetic spirit that is not afraid to dream big and bring those dreams to fruition. He is not only starring in “A Beautiful Soul,” he also serves as one of the producers of the film. Haddon attributes his success to his strong spiritual foundation and good old fashion “love.”

“Lock in your vision,” said Haddon, when asked about advice for those in pursuit of their dreams. “Stay on the path.” Keep your eyes open for Deitrick Haddon appearing in “A Beautiful Soul” at AMC Theatres on May 4.

QUESTION; How can I stop feeling so insecure and insignificant and feel more confidence and power?

It is very common to have the feeling that you are not enough, you do not have enough important information or knowledge to share, or that you cannot do something as well as someone else. This often stems from something that happened in childhood, the way we were raised, what we have been told and other experiences that have “stuck” with us.

The key is to get those beliefs and feelings that just are not true, “unstuck.” Here are some powerful ways to gain confidence, self love and self esteem.

1. Honor, approve, like, support, recognize, endorse.

How much do you accept and appreciate you for who you are?

Accept you NOW and it will be easier to adjust, change, grow.

2. Practice awareness. Get into the habit of continuously asking yourself, “who am I with, what am I doing, am I making positive choices that are of my true heart’s desire?”

3. Discovering, learning, reading, attending events and seminars.

Are you always looking to grow?

4. Do your friends and family support, uplift and encourage you? Check if you have relationships that fuel you.

How do you rate your associations?

5. Be Authentic..genuine.

Do you feel that you are always authentic? (remember authenticity radiates out)

6. Celebrate your successes, your steps to greatness.

How often do you applaud your successes?

7. OWN..the courage, strength and nerve to truly be “YOU”

Do you feel that you are 100% yourself with everyone, everywhere?

8. Abilities-know what it takes/effectiveness, power, skill

Are you aware of your abilities, possibilities?

9.Accomplish/Action- DO!, fulfill, progress, advance, activity

Do you take action every day?

These tips, tools and questions help you to acknowledge and realize that your self love and confidence has always been there in it’s fullness This self love and acceptance becomes more powerful daily. You love yourself and others and this radiates from your being naturally from now on. Positive people and opportunities now flow to you easily and effortlessly constantly. You know and have certainty about your talents and abilities. You are able to help others more freely with this new power and confidence.

You look forward to every day because you now have your full positive power flowing forth from you, radiating, attracting positivity. You look, feel and are greatness! You look, feel and ARE greatness! Confidence! Power! Love!

You CAN do this!

Cover Photo-Norma Pastor. Inside photo- Norma Pastor (L) with Joe B. Owel.

By Chris Hlad

The beautiful thing about cinema is that there is such a variety of topics out there: drama, horror, comedy, romance and truly uplifting and inspirational movies. Take your pick; depending on your mood, you are going to find something that fulfills your immediate entertainment cravings. The important thing is that these films do their job, be it making you terrified for a short period of time, or being a voyeur into somebody else’s romantic fantasies. In the case of inspirational movies, this writer finds that the key component is this: a message. And so did Independent Movie Producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis, who has signed on to bring the novel to the big screen.

And that is exactly what I have found with Norma Pastor’s upcoming novel and film “The Young Alchemists”. It’s no secret (unless you are in complete denial) that our planet is having some serious issues, to say the least. Never mind the wars and genocide that we read about on a constant basis (not that this isn’t an issue of the utmost importance), but we are also effectively destroying the planet on which we live.

As Ms. Pastor says, “It is not a mystery that Planet Earth and us its inhabitants are going through a very difficult planetary situation that if not healed in time could force Mother Nature into a self-cleansing process that could end life in this planet. Through “The Young Alchemists”, I want to inspire and educate our children in a very entertaining way to become aware about the dangers of our planetary situation.”

Makes sense to me, but I am curious as to what this self-cleansing process is exactly. “If the human race does not change in every aspect, Mother Earth is going to do it. There are plenty of examples thought history, especially with all of the recent earthquakes, tsunamis, droughts and everything else. Mother Earth is essentially saying ‘Give me a break and stop this’. One way of making this happen is by teaching our next generation – our children.”

This is, without a doubt, a lofty concept that could only come about through real life experiences. “It’s all a compilation of travels and life experiences. When you really get in touch with your divine self, you can see things that others can’t. And that’s where the story came from.”

It revolves around six fifteen year old kids who enter the Golddigger Academy for training, and they need this training to become the Alchemists that they already are but are not aware of. Before they become members of the New Order, they have to go through training that is not only focused on the physical for self- preservation, but they also must know how to be able to be able to see things through their inner eyes. Oh, and aside from the inner aspects, they also have new technology at their disposal, all of which they will use to make the world a better place.

In a very real way, this is an exact reflection of Norma herself. “This project is so important to me because it’s a mission for me. I see our kids today who are exposed to negativity in films, so what I’m trying to do is to change and influence concepts that will help our kids to achieve a new level of consciousness. And this new level of consciousness is that we always have two choices: to do what is right or do what is wrong.”

But the question remains: What exactly is an Alchemist? Sure, you could do a Wiki Search and get some random definition, but why do that when you’re talking to a real life Alchemist? As she says, “An Alchemist is a person whose great ideal is to transform what is not good in this world to something better, be it the actual world or people in general. An alchemist has a purity of heart that is in harmony with your divine self – this becomes a perfect duality and it becomes your mission to help others reach this state.”

But her mission doesn’t stop there. “My plan is that in the near future, through The Young Alchemists Foundation, we will create programs and very entertaining educational documentaries that we will show at schools and other places where our younger generation can be exposed to the ideals of an Alchemist.”

The concept of good versus evil is not a new one, but the way Ms. Pastor is presenting it certainly is. I think the tentative description of the novel and upcoming movie states it better than I ever could: “THE YOUNG ALCHEMISTS ARE COMING TO SAVE THE PEOPLE OF EARTH.”　

Norma Pastor.