![\"A](\"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_7954-e1720919405683.jpg\")
<\/a>A beautiful view from one of the residential floors. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of this page.<\/p><\/div>\n
As we pulled-up to the beautiful edifice, I realized that, back in the day, the ground floor corner had housed the iconic classy restaurant, Jimmy\u2019s. So this<\/em> day brought back great memories for me. Jimmy\u2019s was the site of my first media interview, which had been agreed to by my then-manager in exchange for the media\u2019s promise to stop following Mr. X and me around to get scoops on our relationship that we were trying to keep quiet at first, as to spare our exes\u2019 feelings. And just a couple of years later, owner Jimmy Murphy and I ran on the same team in the celebrity division of the Jimmy Stewart Marathon. Despite having an Olympic runner with us, we failed to win, though. However, generous Murphy threw our team a celebration in his eatery, anyway, which was tons of fun.<\/p>\n Willie Gault and Karen Salkin. Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n Back to the present, for this<\/em> GBK event, Roz, and I looked at the location with new eyes, with her noting, \u201cThe apartments are very classy.\u201d We enjoyed that we got to see several<\/em> of them because, for once, a gifting \u201csuite\u201d was held in, well, suites<\/em>! It was like opening gifts, walking into one residence and room at a time, to discover all the various sponsors.<\/p>\n Of course, because it was for the ESPYs, many of the guests were athletes, a couple of whom I know personally, so it was great to see them again. I absolutely adored hanging with my old bud, former Chicago Bear and L.A. Raider, Willie Gault<\/strong> again. (I think I may have more pix of us together in this e-zine than I do with Mr. X!)<\/p>\n A.C. Green and Karen Salkin. Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n AC And I had not seen former Laker, A. C. Green<\/strong> in a zillion years. When I was doing my TV show way back then, A.C. and I were two of the celebrities at the Special Olympics annual meet at UCLA in the summer. I always enjoyed when we were assigned to give-out the medals or sign autographs for the kids together because he was so popular and kind to everyone. And LA native Roz said, \u201cBasketball legend A.C. Green was a big plus for the ESPY-focused atmosphere. Good to see him and his brand doing so well.\u201d (More on him and his new company in a minute.)<\/p>\n Now let\u2019s get to the highlights of the gifts the athletes received, this time in categories:<\/p>\n PETS<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Glow Pups<\/strong>\u2014This company\u2019s display was even more mouthwatering than usual because they had an entire room in which to spread-out their gorgeous dog toys. Guests still had their own choice of item, but the featured one was the most adorbs, designed in honor of the occasion. It\u2019s a little \u201csports bag\u201d with different soft balls! The dogs get the balls out of the ends to play with them. And we also got a preview of an even more<\/em> adorable item that is going to be gifted at a celebrity ladies luncheon in the Hamptons next month. It\u2019s a pink \u201cpurse\u201d with stuffed \u201clipstick\u201d and a \u201cmirror.\u201d Both of these gifts almost make me want to be a dog! www.glowpups.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Dr. Croom<\/strong>\u2014I enjoyed meeting this double vet\u2014she\u2019s both an Army vet, (I, of course, thank her for her service,) and a veterinarian. If she lived in LA rather than Michigan, I\u2019d buy another dog just so she could take care of him! I really appreciated that she was amazed that Mr. X and I had kept our precious toy poodle, Clarence, alive for just about sixteen years, which is unheard of for that breed. To help other<\/em> animals, I was happy to learn about Dr. Croom\u2019s line of holistic and herbal pet remedies and treatments, which are packaged attractively, as well. www.drcroom.com<\/a><\/p>\n FOOD AND BEVERAGES<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Ike\u2019s Love & Sandwiches<\/strong>\u2014All GBK events are elevated by Ike\u2019s delicious sandwiches. He always surprises us with a new variety of them out of the dozens of choices at his shops. This time he featured a trio of ones he\u2019s named after athletes, which was so appropriate. One was even named for Willy Gault, who had the biggest grin on his face when I asked if he had seen that little tribute. This time there was one with turkey, one with fried chicken, and even a vegan choice, which was so thoughtful of Ike to include. Vegan Roz was especially appreciative that they had that option, and said it was \u201cmost tasty.\u201d She told me she now understands why I\u2019m always raving about their sandwiches, and deemed them to be \u201ccrowd pleasers.\u201d\u00a0 www.ikessandwich.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n Fog Crest Vineyard<\/strong>\u2014This was the very first display we saw after we checked-in. We chatted with their rep, Rosalind, for a while, and we all got a kick out of Roz meeting a \u201csimilarly-named lady.\u201d Our<\/em> Roz said that theirs<\/em> was \u201cvery knowledgeable on what wine to choose.\u201d She also sampled one of the suggested choices, and said that Rosalind was \u201cspot-on with the 2018 Chardonnay, Estate Bottled, Russian River Valley.\u201d www.fogcrestvineyard.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Warrior Beverages<\/strong>\u2014This is the sponsor where I re-met A.C. Green, who has partnered with founder Cory Lewis on this water and energy drink company. While A.C. and I were re-hashing old times, Roz spent a long time chatting with Coy, and gushes, \u201cI loved his energy! He\u2019s so positive. I noticed how both men poured that positive thinking into the various levels of energy in each of their water varieties. Rather than adding to hyper-activity, they\u2019ve included less caffeine but more vitamins and nutrients that our bodies really need. Great company and delicious drink.\u201d www.warriorbeverages.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Jane Foodie<\/strong>\u2014I had met Jane at GBK\u2019s previous event, and recognized her colorful labels the second we entered that room she was set-up in. This time we sampled a quartet of her wares. Roz said, \u201cJane\u2019s vegetarian choices were most welcome for the\u00a0vegetarians among us. And they were delicious.\u201d www.janefoodie.com<\/a><\/p>\n ATTIRE<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by INAM staff.<\/p><\/div>\n Good Quality Human<\/strong>\u2014We both loved this group. The trio of reps were the nicest, happiest sponsors at the event, their display of attractive and clever caps was perfect, and I adore their wonderful moniker. Out of all the caps they were offering, I\u2019m sure that many of the guests wanted the ones with the company\u2019s name on it, so I can only hope that everyone who rocks one really is<\/em> a \u201cGood Quality Human.\u201d It\u2019s a great message to wear to remind others to be that themselves. www.goodqualityhuman.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Shari Henry<\/strong>\u2014We really enjoyed meeting this clothing designer and her associate. Not only were they fun and accommodating, but we both loved, as Roz put it, \u201cthe way her clothing sparkles.\u201d She added, \u201cShari\u2019s style is fabulous, and she dresses-up like a Barbie doll with those amazing styles.\u201d Of course, she could not gift jackets and such, so each guest received a choice of caps, many of which featured mirrors! Of course. www.sharihenry.com<\/a><\/p>\n HEALTH AND BEAUTY<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n LA Bodywork<\/strong>\u2014This local business was gifting certificates for an hour-long body work session. (What else<\/em> would it be for?) I was told its purpose is to \u201creduce tension,\u201d so I have a feeling all the guests will take advantage of it over the next few months. www.labodywork.com<\/a><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Motiv Matcha<\/strong>\u2014 I\u2019m always looking for ways to get more energy without caffeine, (I detest<\/em> the taste of coffee!,) so I was interetesed to learn about these gummies that are infused with \u201cadaptogen\u201d herbs. Roz looked into them and told me, \u201cMatcha is more natural than coffee, and all the ingredients are part of a healthy trend.\u201d I<\/em> just admired the little sea-foam-colored containers they were gifted in! www.motivmatcha.com<\/a><\/p>\n CHARITIES<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n Foundation for a Drug-Free World<\/strong>\u2014Roz said, \u201cThis charity that fights drug abuse has a winning message for this time in our lives. So many people have no idea how many ways recreational drugs can ruin your life. The booklet they handed-out is perfect to help parents and teens who are suffering from anxiety and stress over what the daily news does to our sense of wellbeing, and therefore, might turn to drugs.\u201d www.drugfreeworld.org\/mf<\/a><\/p>\n Animal Foster Network<\/strong>\u2014This kind organization tells us they \u201cbelieve in a world where there are no unwanted animals.\u201d They help farm animals and wildlife in addition to the usual cats and dogs, which seems like a gargantuan effort, so I applaud them for it all. www.animalfosternet.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" GBK BRAND BAR PRE-ESPYS LUXURY LOUNGE 2024 Right in the middle of the summer came this event that combined several things I love\u2014sports, gifts, and GBK! And, on top of all that, my co-writer, Roz, and I got to discover a fabulous new locale right in the Century City area. This year\u2019s GBK Brand Bar\u2019s<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>