Mental Health with Psychotherapist Michelle Lopez Clark

Bringing awareness to mental health is something of utmost importance to me. There are a many number of reasons; one of which probably stemmed from my childhood. Growing up, I noticed that this was not something our Filipino community openly talked about and many times, there was a stigma associated with it. If you talked about "your feelings" - being overwhelmed, stressed, lonely, depressed - basically anything other than happy, it was a sign of weakness, or there was something wrong with you. Now that I'm older, I see the extreme danger in keeping your feelings locked deep down inside only to eventually burst out of you, causing harm to not only yourself but to everyone around you. I have also known too many people whose lives have ended way before their prime because of their battle with depression and it breaks my heart.

So, whenever I get a chance, I like to reach out to professionals who can share tips on how to cope, or just to show support for others who are struggling. 2020 has been an unbelievable journey for most of us and many are struggling just to make ends meet or get through the day. If you are one of these people, please know that you are not alone. There is help everywhere - whether professionally or by reaching out to your friends and family. Someone is there, you just have to reach out.

Last week, I chatted with Newport Beach Psychotherapist Michelle Lopez Clark who talked about the stigma of Mental Health in the Filipino Community. @MichelleLopezClark also shares tips on how to cope during the holidays and amidst the pandemic. For parents who have teens also dealing with loneliness or depression, Michelle expresses the different ways you can help support them. In addition, for parents with young kids, Michelle gives tips on how to talk to them about the pandemic. Here is the youtube link to our interview:

Special thanks to @michellelopezclark for taking the time to share her thoughts. Michelle is also a Children's book author who will be debuting her book, "With You" March 2021. For more information on Michelle, you can head to www.michellelopezclark.com

Palms Casino Resort Art

Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort takes a bite out of art with their own display of contemporary pieces from artists including Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Kaws and Takashi Murakami

The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded) by Damien Hirst

For most people, nothing says Vegas more than craps, poker and black jack. But for me, I’m not much of a gambler. Heck, I don’t know a thing about craps and I somehow always manage to lose my money in 5 minutes on the slot machines. So gambling? No thank you. 

When I go to Vegas, it's usually to meet up with family (who love to gamble) to do a little bit of catching up, dine on some delicious food, and of course a stop to the outlets for some retail therapy. This time though, we headed to the Palms Casino Resort to check out, of all things…ART.

Back in 2016, the new owners of Palms Casino Resort announced that they were doing a major renovation and boy, they weren’t kidding. The huge makeover will mark the largest resort renovation in Vegas history, clocking in at $620 million.

With several phases in the works, the first debuted this past May and included the unveiling of the Bar, “Unknown”, APEX Social Club, Scotch 80 Prime Steakhouse, and Pearl Concert Theater, which hosts Blink 182’s residency.

But what truly drew me to the Palms was the contemporary art currently displayed throughout the venue. The eye-catching pieces included works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Takashi Murakami, Kaws and Richard Prince. Here's just a few of the pieces you can catch throughout the resort - thanks to graffiti artist Tal Cooperman, the casino's art curator..

The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded) by Damien Hirst

Right smack in the middle of Palms Casino is Damien Hirst’s 1999 striking sculpture “The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded)” a 13 foot tiger shark divided and placed into three shark tanks. Hirst also designed the bar’s coasters, matchbooks and swizzle sticks.

Beautiful Artemis Thor Neptune Odin delusional sapphic inspirational hypnosis painting, by Damien Hirst

Also by Damien Hirst, is the 96 x 240 in. Beautiful Artemis Thor Neptune Odin delusional sapphic inspirational hypnosis painting, 2007 (Household Gloss on Canvas)

Wish You Were Here neon sign located at the front desk – collaboration between Los Angeles artist Keegan Gibbs and Berlin-based American light artist Olivia Steele

Olivia Steele

Small Lies by Kaws - located outside Scotch 80

I Wear My Money On My Face by Timothy Curtis (aka Agua)

photo credit - Kimberly Iniba

Open Your Hands Wide by Takashi Murakami

photo credit - Kimberly Iniba

James Jean piece located at Send Noodles

There were many other pieces placed throughout the casino for everyone to admire. But the ones above were just a few that were in plain sight. A pit stop to Palms Casino Resort is definitely a must if you're into art or just want to take some time off from gambling. 

The renovation at the Palms Casino Resort is no way near finished. Coming in Spring 2019 is a 29,000 square foot nightclub and 73,000 square foot pool club. 

Also in development will be several celebrity chef restaurants including Bobby Flay's seafood and sushi eatery, ABC's "The Chew" host Michael Symon's barbecue restaurant as well as Hong Kong Chef Tim Ho Wan's most affordable Michelin starred restaurant. 

If you want to beat the rush just to enjoy the talented artists' work, I would recommend you go now, before the makeover is complete and scores of people start flocking to the resort.

The American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Los Angeles Event & Kickoff

This past weekend, I emceed the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Los Angeles Event and Kickoff which was held at the Gene Autry Museum.  I've attended their kickoff event for the past several years and to be an emcee this year, was a a huge honor. It was a little more casual, this time around, since it was held outdoors at the museum, and the theme was cowboy/western...fitting for the venue - and of course, to wear pink.

As always, it was a morning filled with honoring inspiring women who have battled, been diagnosed, or are fighting breast cancer To hear their amazing stories was bittersweet.  Listening to their stories of survival was beautiful, touching, and heartwarming.  But the fact that they had to fight this nasty disease made me so angry, at the same time.  I hope that we will find a cure to fight breast cancer.  This is exactly what part of the kickoff event was all about - to support the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk which is happening on October 21st.  To be a team leader, start your own team or group, and to help raise money.  

There is so much that the American Cancer Society is doing in terms of research, support and patient programs.  But they can't do it without us.  For more information, on the American Cancer Society, you can head to:

https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/california.html

Fore more information on the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk happening on October 21st, the website is:

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCCY17CA?pg=entry&fr_id=84622