Coachella Valley Weekly - April 24 to April 30, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 5

News Community NEWS MUSIC Music ART EVENTSMovies MOVIES DININGDining SPORTS HEALTH &BEAUTY BUSINESSEvents COMMUNITY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • April 24 to April 30, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 5

Holly Williams

pg 3

Shelby Lynne

pg 5

Katey Sagal

pg 5

United Way

pg 11

Jesika Von Rabbit

pg 13

April 24 to April 30, 2014

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Holly Williams

Coachella Valley Weekly

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Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Raymond Bill, Brian Michaelz, Lisa Morgan Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Marissa Willman, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons, Lisa Morgan Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Lola Rossi, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Heidi Simmons, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Amanda Dorta, Eleni P. Austin, Curtis Hendricks, Noe Gutierrez, Jill Coleman, Jennifer Tan, Sunny Simon, Richard Weiss, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dr. Maria Lombardo, Bruce Cathcart, Patte Purcell, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, John Paul Valdez, Laura Hunt Little, Eric Robertson, Scott Pam, Brian Michaelz, Robin Linn, Rebecca Pikus,, Richard Noble, Karen Creasy, Trooper Ramsey Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

Contents

Holly Williams................................... 3 Shelby Lynne..................................5 Katey Sagal....................................5 Stagecoach Songwriter’s Picks.....6 Eric Church.....................................7 Sports Scene ..................................8 Sports ............................................9 Community / News........................9 News - Indio Mall.........................10 United Way Gala..........................11 Clydesdales at Stagecoach.........11 Desert DJs / Comedy.....................12 DR - Jesika Von Rabbit..................13 Consider This................................14 Art...................................................15 Coachella Roundup.......................16 Club Crawler Nightlife.................18 The Vino Voice .............................20 Screeners......................................22 Book Review ................................23 News / SELMA Grows...................25 Its Your Nickel...............................26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.........27 Dale Gribow.................................27 Safety Tips....................................28 ShareKitchen................................28 Gaemer Girl..................................28 Don’t Be Clueless in the CV.........29 Pet Place.......................................30 Free Will Astrology......................31 Mind, Body, & Spirit.....................31 Life & Career Coach......................32 Ask The Doctor.............................32 Comics - Weiss Cracks..................34

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

by Lisa Morgan

Third Generation Country Music Standing on Her Own Two Feet

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er grandfather’s name is carved into the very foundations of country genre and culture. Her father’s reputation for rebellion is as widely known and celebrated across the globe as his unique brand of music. One might assume that the granddaughter and daughter of these great American icons would have been handed a recording contract along simultaneously with her birth certificate. Not the case with the beautiful, talented and very down to earth, Holly Williams. Instead, she cut her own path. She learned to play guitar and piano, purchased her domain name and launched a website. She recorded an EP and booked herself in clubs around Nashville. She soon toured Europe with a backpack full of EPs and a charm that cultivated a loyal fan base.

Williams’ music shows no signs of celebrity nor the weight of living up to family legacy.

It is infused with the beautiful, gracefully told stories of growing up in the South with the lesser known members of her family, and the influential singer-songwriters of her childhood era. Williams took time away from her many “passion projects” to talk to me about her music and plans for the future, including her upcoming show at Stagecoach 2014, in Indio, CA. “Dad didn’t talk about or play music or even play the radio around us when he was home,” shared Williams. ‘I’m not Bocephus here. I’m Daddy,” he would say.” Ultimately, on her own, she discovered Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Jackson Brown, Bruce Springsteen and the music of many other 1970s singer-songwriters within her youthful grasp. “John Prine is one of my heroes. I get to tour with him a lot. I’ve just always wanted to hear the stories, without them getting lost in the band. Don’t get me wrong; It’s not that I don’t like big, rock band music - I listen to everything from Cold Play

to Jay-Z. I just love hearing every lyric. As cliche as it sounds, songwriting was always in my blood. Since I was young, I had ‘Holly’s Song Folders’. I’d enter poetry contests. I wanted to be a poet or a writer, so I’d play and sing my songs just to get them heard and maybe land a publishing deal or have an artist pick them up. But then the stories became so personal, I started to think that it didn’t really make sense for someone else to sing them. And aside from being a loving, supportive dad, I don’t think he’s made one phone call for me. I wanted to be respected as a songwriter. It took me a long time to find my voice. Some people find their voice very young, but honestly, I was not 100% comfortable as a writer/performer until this last album (The Highway).”

In 2003, Williams signed with Universal South and toured with Billy Bob Thornton, Jewel, Train and Keith Urban, among others.

Her debut album, The Ones We Never Knew released in 2004, gained critical acclaim.

Her second album under Mercury Records, Here With Me, released in 2009, received even greater recognition. People Magazine named it “one of the best top ten albums of the year”. Billboard called it “one of the best singer/songwriter albums to come out of Nashville”. And USA Today said, “there’s purity and potency in her milk and whiskey kissed singing”. Williams contributed along with Jack White, Norah Jones, Merle Haggard and Lucinda Williams to “The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams” released in 2011.

Her most recent work, The Highway, which she co-produced with Charlie Peacock (The Civil Wars) was released early this year, once again to the praises of the critics. American Songwriter Magazine said, “Williams has recorded her most accomplished, mature and world weary album. Even Hank Sr. would be proud.” The New York Times stated, “Williams is often closer to songwriters like John Prine or Bruce Springsteen than the smiley Nashville mainstream.” And People Magazine predicts

that “it is sure to go down as one of the year’s best country albums.” This labor of love was done with the help of her husband and fellow musician, Chris Coleman (who co-wrote on two of the albums songs).

Artists Dierks Bentley, Jakob Dylan, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jackson Browne contributed with background vocals on the album as well.

“I’m an artist that has sold 30,000 records independently, driving around in a van,” she shared. “I probably could have taken bigger deals along the way, but I knew it didn’t really make sense. Although, at the time,.. it seemed like the easy road...I still struggle with that. I’ve had major labels offer tour buses and stylists and hair dressers. But a lot of the time, you end up having to give up 100% of your control. For the music I’m doing, it’s just easier to do it independently.

I’m 33 now. I’ve been doing what I love for 15 years. I’m not in a tour bus yet, but I play for 200 people in really beautiful rooms. I’m a long way from where I started out with people in the audience shouting, ‘I want to hear Hank’s song.’ “ In March of 2006, between the release of her first and second albums, Williams and her sister were in a life threatening automobile accident. William’s sister suffered the brunt of it. “She actually died and went to heaven, was pronounced dead and then revived. I couldn’t think of anything other than that, and I went into medical mode. I had a broken arm, wrist and shoulder and I didn’t know if the feeling in my fingers would come back and I’d be able to play guitar again, so I had to come up with a ‘Plan B’. I didn’t go to college for this, but I put together a business plan, found investors who believed in it, and opened H. Audry (a higher end women’s retail store).

We’ve been through some hard years with the recession, and it’s a lot of hard work, but I love it. We opened a new store in December. It’s another passion project. I always felt that if music was the only thing I did, I’d get way too much into my own head, and start thinking that the world revolves around me. It’s such a nice break to stare at denim inventory numbers and buy candles.

Today’s Friday, and I probably won’t pick up a guitar until Monday. It’s a really nice balance to be passionate about different things, and I have the most amazing employees.”

Williams will finish up her tour in Europe and hopes to slow down sometime in August to begin working on a new album. In regards to what we can expect from her on this next album, she explained, “It is kind of a blessing. Radio hasn’t played me because I’m too left of center, so I don’t have any rules. I can play the music I want to, and just try to write the best songs I can. I would have never dreamed that a 7 minute folk song, ‘Waiting on June’, would be the most requested song I do live! I’ll be keeping that in mind as I write for the new album.” www.hollywilliams.com

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

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stagecoach

Shelby Lynne

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by Lisa Morgan

Tougher than Others

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remember the first time I heard Shelby Lynne’s effortlessly controlled, rich in range and depth, velvet voice floating over the airwaves of my radio. It was a song about two people calmly dividing up their belongings on the brink of their separation, only to ask the question, “What About the Love We Made? She’s upstairs in her room, cryin’ over me and you...” I was frozen, riveted to the piece of floor I happened to be standing on. I think I stopped breathing as I listened to the song, tears streaming down my face. The typical, reach down in your chest and tear your heart out through your throat country ballad might not have had the same effect on me if it wasn’t for the vessel that delivered it.

There was something in her tone, underneath the notes that made me believe she knew this kind of pain. It wasn’t overdramatized. In fact, it was laced with that dull ache that most singers don’t dare reach for, nor could they if they wanted to.

I, myself, at that very moment in time, was the woman in this story, having recently made the decision to leave the father of my three very young daughters. There is nothing more painful or important than the truth in those moments. The song could not inspire me to make amends with their father, but it forced me to see what I otherwise would have glossed over to avoid my own feelings of guilt: That these three innocents were bearing the scars of their first broken heart. I became a better mother because of it. It was also this song, along with a few select others, that inspired a burning desire to sing powerful songs like this in such a way that it could move people.

You could say that I trained my voice to the songs on Lynne’s sophomore album, Tough All Over. The other songs on the album

by Skip Ewing, Duke Ellington and Johnny Cash (before Cash was cross-genre cool), exposed me to classic music I would have otherwise gone without ever appreciating.

And now they were my emotional therapy and vocal exercises. I did manage to use that voice, singing my way from Fresno, CA to the Vegas Strip. It wasn’t until later that I learned exactly what I was sensing in her voice that I so identified with.

Lynne’s biography on her website and Facebook pages talk of Lynne and her sister Allison singing harmonies in the car with their mother, a gifted singer and musical mentor to her daughters. It was her father’s guitar Lynne began to learn to play at the age of 7. He was an English teacher, Juvenile Corrections Officer and a weekend guitar player who lit his daughter’s troubadour fire when he taught her a few simple chords.

She took it and ran with it. But at age 17, an inconceivable tragedy displaced Lynne and her sister from their home. They lost both their parents to a murder-suicide,

orchestrated by their father. This event is NOT part of the bio nor should it be as it is not an event that should or could define this artist. I, myself, the daughter of a murdered mother...well, it was just one more thing that deepened my appreciation and my imagined understanding of this unique and under praised artist.

Shelby Lynne consistently produced and found chart placement with her music, but never reached top 20 or platinum sales status. After two more record releases on two different labels, Lynne seemed to disappear for a while. Upon moving to Palm Springs in ‘98, Lynne connected with producer, Bill Bottrell resulting in her breakthrough alternative country album, This is Shelby Lynne. It was a turning point and a victory. She was awarded the 2001 Grammy for Best New Artist.

In her acceptance speech, Shelby Lynne commented, “Thirteen years and six albums to get here...”.

Lynne has not ceased to produce, write and collaborate, though it continues to be a frustrating fact that her releases have never quite broken whatever invisible barriers keep her flying below the commercial success radar. Her last album, Revelation Road did manage to peak at number 6 in the US Billboard Top Folk Albums. In my humble opinion, Shelby Lynne continues to bravely tap into that creative well that life has carved so deeply in her. All I can say to music fans attending Stagecoach this weekend is this: DO NOT LET THIS ARTIST FLY UNDER YOUR RADAR. She is one of ours now, Coachella Valley. Shelby Lynne is truly tougher than most, and you can bet that decades of fighting to find her own voice and overcoming obstacles is guaranteed to bear witness to a performance no other artist is or could ever be qualified to give. www.shelbylynne.com

stagecoach

Katey Sagal

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

by Bryan Mckinney

So Much More Than People Have Her “Pegged” As

he first thing that popped into my mind when I heard that Katey Sagal was bringing her band “The Forest Rangers” to sing at the Stagecoach music festival last year was a picture of Peg Bundy wailing in her nasally voice while gyrating up on stage in a too tight skirt. Who could blame me? The name Katey Sagal has become virtually synonymous with the iconic character she portrayed. Brother, I couldn’t have been further from the truth.

Katherine Louise “Katey” Sagal has created some memorable television characters, from Al Bundy’s shrill voiced wife on “Married With Children” to the sexy badass matriarch of the “Sons of Anarchy” motorcycle club. As an avid television watcher, I was more than familiar with this aspect of Katey’s talent. However, at Stagecoach, I got my first taste of her equally talented ability as a singer/songwriter.

What I didn’t know at the time was that Katey had actually been a backup singer for the likes of Olivia Newton John, Gene Simmons, Bob Dylan and Bette Midler before her big break came in television. I went into her performance at Stagecoach not really knowing what to expect, but I was

pleasantly surprised by the melodic power of her voice, from the husky quality of her lower register to the clear purity of her high notes. It turned out that I had heard Katey sing before without knowing it on the soundtrack of the “Sons of Anarchy” television show. I particularly loved two of those songs, “Bird on a Wire”, which had a down home old time country sound that reminded me of the country artists my parents had listened to as I was growing up, and “Strange Fruit”, which is an eerily haunting melody about a horrific chapter in American history, which Katey sings beautifully.

I was lucky enough to actually meet Katey in the press area of Stagecoach. I almost didn’t recognize her at first as she looked nothing like either of her two famous television roles. After doing a double take, I steeled up my nerve to ask her if she would take a picture with me, just like the star struck fan that I was. Not only did she not look like her television counterparts, but her personality was completely different as well. There was no trace of Peg Bundy’s sarcastic persona, or of Gemma Teller’s cool calculating aloofness. She was gracious and down to earth and made me feel that she sincerely cared about her fans. I was left with a wonderful memory and a great story that I will never forget.

Katey has recently released a new album titled Covered, which includes a duet with Jackson Browne and takes on songs by Bryan Adams, Joni Mitchell and Tom Petty’s classic “Free Fallin”. It is her third album overall and first since 2004. It differs from her earlier albums, which contained self written songs, but does showcase her versatility as an artist. I look forward to renewing my acquaintance with Katey Sagal and the Forest Rangers at this year’s Stagecoach Festival, because Katey Sagal is someone who owns her reputation as a woman to be reckoned with, and as an actress and singer; she has still “Got It”. Peg Bundy can really belt out a tune!

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

stagecoach

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stagecoach

by Lisa Morgan

Nashville Songwriters Stagecoach Picks

Travis Meadows: Singer/Songwriter with cuts on albums

by Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, LeAnne Womack, Blackberry Smoke, Lynyrd Skynyrd (to name a few) as well as three incredible albums of his own, chose the following: Eric Church: “I’ve never seen him live, but I love his records.”

Jason Isbell: “I really respect his writing.”

John Prine: “Because he is the stuff legends are made of.”

Skynyrd: “Well, ‘cause they’re Skynyrd.”

Shovels & Rope: “They are really cool. I love their energy and style.”

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W

Levi Lowery: Singer/Songwriter on Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Label with his new selftitled release Levi Lowery available on iTunes. Lowery has songs cut on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s God & Guns, has been nominated for CMA Song of the Year for “Colder Weather” co-written with Zac Brown, is the winner of the BMI Top 50 Songs of the Year for Zac Brown co-writes “Colder Weather”, “The Wind” and “Day for the Dead”. Lowery is a seriously epic fiddle player as well (reference: his cover of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs and Flywheel on the above referenced album). www.levilowery.com John Prine: “Everyone should see this living legend.”

Jason Isbell: “He made the best record of 2013 (all genres included).”

Shovels & Rope: “Because my wife would kill me if we missed it.”

Holly Williams: “A wonderfully talented singer/songwriter that doesn’t need a coattail ride.”

Sarah Jarosz: “Beautiful songs, that are beautifully played and sung.”

Granville Automatic: The Associated Press describes their songs as “haunting tales of sorrow and perseverance.” Songwriters Elizabeth Elkins and Vanessa Olivarez have over 100 songs, beautifully painting and encapsulating the stories and spirit of the South. Melodic historians of the otherwise undocumented stories of the men, women, ghosts and horses that through ugliness, greatness, dust, struggle and strength built the foundation for the proud and the free. Their video for “Never on a Sunday” as premiered on CMT, delicately exposes a familiar story with charming and graceful penmanship, iced with the creamy frosting of Miss Olivarez’s otherworldly, angelic vocals.

Elizabeth Elkins’ picks are: Holly Williams: “The last time I listened to ‘Waiting on June’, I didn’t stop crying for about an hour. It is perfectly written.”

Jason Isbell: “He has set a new standard of songwriting that makes me cuss at the stereo when I’m listening.”

Radney Fosters Bluegrass Trio: “Radney is both dreamy and an amazing songsmith.

He is absolutely inspiring.”

The Wild Feathers: “Several lead singers, great songs, killer harmony. I’m in.”

Calico the Band: “Our good friend and producer, Ted Russell Kamp, sits in on bass, and new fiddle player Aubrey Richmond is amazing.”

As it would turn out, every single one

of my own “must see” picks is listed above, with two exceptions. My Stagecoach experience would not be complete without seeing our resident songbird who cannot be contained in the genre cage ~ Miss Shelby Lynne. I plan on being present as she was for our local bands when Goldenvoice called on her to give her time, judging for the Tachevah: Palm Springs Block Party. But all courtesy aside, I would be doing myself a huge disfavor if I allowed myself to miss the voice and the music that first inspired me 20 years ago.

Speaking of decades of inspiration, it would be an absolute sin to not take the opportunity to experience live, the music and essence of the Queen of Rock, Wanda Jackson. She was the first female rockabilly artist in the 1950’s-1960’s to make a noise and be heard, and boy was she. Also known as the First Lady of Rockabilly, Jackson was the original Original, blazing a trail like no woman before her. She combined country music with the fast paced rockabilly beat to create her own sonic signature that sent ripples across music history still felt today.

Shower this 2009, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with your thanks and praise.

We don’t get to keep these great ones forever.

With temperatures predicted to be in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s, barring any extreme wind, it should be a fantastic day to soak up the music and get introduced to some soulful new and familiar artists. I’ll see you there!

e’ve all heard the admirable term “a Man’s Man”. Eric Church’s reputation goes beyond that in Nashville. There, in the city that represents the best of the best, Eric Church has made himself known as a “Songwriter’s Songwriter”. That was the message I heard loud and clear as I spoke to co-writers on the single “Dark Side” off the newest Church album The Outsiders.

Church describes this album saying, “I really see this album as a game changer for us. I want people to understand that we’re here, and that we will be reckoned with. It was time to up our game. This record is what we’ve been trying to do all along. We’ve gotten close before, but this is the first one where we’ve really been able to just go for it and take it to the next level.” (Note the artist’s use of the word “we” as opposed to “me”) That goal in mind, it makes perfect sense why Church would reel in two of Nashville’s most honest and soulful writers: Jeremy Spillman and Travis Meadows.

Jeremy Spillman: Currently the owner of Brave Music, an artist development/publishing company in Nashville, Spillman has had cuts on previous Church albums as well as on albums by Josh Turner, Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Brantley Gilbert, Trace Adkins, Charlie Worsham, Frankie Ballard, LeeAnn Womack and John Pardi. That is the short list. “Travis and I first met when we were both signed to Universal Publishing here in Nashville. You know I pretty much taught Travis everything he knows. He’d be lost without me,” Spillman laughed. “No. Honestly, Travis is one of the true poets of our generation. The man is brilliant. When you’re in the writing room with him, you’d better be on your game. He brings a cannon and he only aims for the kill shot. It’s an honor to get to be a part of a few of his songs.”

In regards to Church, Spillman shared, “I’ve known Eric for more than a decade.

We got together shortly after we’d both

April 24 to April 30, 2014

by Lisa Morgan

Eric Church, An “Outsider” With a “Dark Side”, But Not With Nashville Songwriters

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s with Coachella, I have my “Top 5 Must See” artists at this annual buffet of diverse American music.

The selections vary from commercial, cross-genre, radio-pop (i.e. the fast food and dessert items) to traditional roots Americana (the meat and potatoes). Just as there was some heated debate at Coachella regarding EDM vs Rock, and DJ vs Musician, arguments can be heard throughout Nashville, country music’s capitol city, about traditional vs new or “bro” country.

I, having a strong bias toward the roots versions of any genre, so I thought it would be interesting to hear from the heart and soul of Music City, her songwriters, and see who their picks would be.

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been in town (Nashville) and started writing.

Writing with Eric is one of the easiest things I do. He KNOWS exactly what he wants to say and honestly, he’s one of the best at saying it. I think he enjoys the process of co-writing and that’s why he does it. But in reality, he doesn’t need much help. He’s just damn good with a song. He’s a force to be reckoned with. He commands excellence on every front, and I think that shows in his artistry. ‘Dark Side’ was Eric’s title, and he came in with a chunk of it done. There are parts of Travis and me in there, but Eric knew where he wanted to go with it. We were just fortunate enough to help him get there.”

Our first song didn’t get recorded. The second time they contacted me to write with Eric, it was like getting contacted by the CIA; telling me to meet here at such and such a time. But then he showed up in a baseball cap and sneakers. It was just a Southern boy and two dudes hanging out.

It started with a greeting, a little catching up and then we got down to business. I’d been told by Jeremy that he usually has an idea in mind, but I made some preparations the

Travis Meadows: I was introduced to Travis Meadows through a friend and fellow Nashville, singer-song writer, Jon Eben, who accurately described him as an artist “so hot, people in Nashville gather around him just to keep their hands warm.” He was not wrong. Meadows has been making music for 30 years, 10 of them in Nashville. He has an ASCAP Christian Music Award, 8 top 20 singles in the Contemporary Christian genre and landed a staff writer deal with Scott Gunter at Universal Music Pulbishing where he met Spillman. His songs garnered cuts with artists Lynyrd Skynyrd (God & Guns), Blackberry Smoke, LeeAnn Womack and Jake Owens, not to mention the title song, ‘Riser’ on Dierks Bentley’s newest number one album (co-written with Steve Moakler). Meadows also earned several #1 singles and five RIAA Gold Records with Australian artist, Adam Brand. His own records, My Life 101, Killin’ Uncle Buzzy and Old Ghosts & Unfinished Business, journal a life that has frequented the road to hell and back. Meadows does nothing short of bleed his story into well-crafted tributes to courageous, yet painful pieces of truth, leaving no listener unmoved or unchanged.

Meanwhile, songs like Nice Girl and Good Country People reflect another side to this artist reflecting a wel- placed, easy going sense of humor and acutely sharp wit.

“I’ve written with Eric Church twice,” shared Meadows. “They contacted me through a Facebook message of all things.

night before so I’d be ready. Jeremy put out an idea, then I did. Then there was this long pause. Eric said, ‘Well, I do have this one thing. It may not be anything’...and then he starts singing, ‘Over there in the shadow...’.

His talent was just beyond freaking amazing.

And Jeremy...he’s only the best writer on the planet. All the elements were there, and we were all on fire, which is a very rare thing. We finished the song in an hour and a half. I think we all left feeling pretty excited.”

Out of 365 days, Travis Meadows will write around 200 songs. For every one song that gets heard, there’s still 30-40 out there waiting. It is no small thing to be behind a song on an album that is predicted to set Eric Church apart as an artist and potentially secure his name among the record halls. As it stands, The Outsiders, Church’s fourth album, is his second to reach #1 on the Billboard Charts, selling 288,000 in the first week. You can bet an $11 beer that you will be hearing this “game changer” live above the sound of thousands of screaming fans at Stagecoach 2014. But sometime, somewhere, away from the noise of the crowd, take a minute to discover what the heart and soul has always been in country music: America’s story tellers who have lived and bled the songs they produce, the best of which you may never hear on the radio. www.travismeadows.com www.ericchurch.com

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

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sports scene

by Julie Buehler

Details Getting Puiggy Scary

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arrowing voyages across deadly waters. Bullet-filled bodies laying face down on dirt roads. Thicknecked assailants willing to exchange innocent blood for a payday.

These aren’t the fictitious elements of a spy novel, but the realities of Dodger superstar Yasiel Puig’s journey out of Cuba and into the mainstream consciousness of MLB fans as its been reported after at 5-month long investigation by ESPN The Magazine.

The article, “No One Walks Off The Island” takes readers through a detailed account of Puig’s defection from communist Cuba into a $42 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers thanks to his incredible talent on the baseball diamond.

When Puig began lighting up the scoreboard last June and doing so at a rate that rivaled greats like Joe DiMaggio, baseball fans knew this kids was coming and had talent, but no one really knew exactly how he got to the Dodgers.

We knew about his Cuban roots, his exciting personality and some understood the cultural barriers that came with his heritage, but the details of his background were blurry.

But according to this report, which Puig has acknowledged, but not corroborated, the multiple steps and elements required to transform him from Cuban refugee to Dodger star has left multiple lives in danger and potentially ended others.

In no shortage of detail, the report tells the account of one of Puig’s smugglers, who now lives outside Miami, looking for the money he thought he’d make helping Puig land his payday.

It outlines the 30-hour hike through crocodile and mosquito-infested waters to rendezvous with his smugglers away from the Cuban coast guard and all civilization.

They tell of Puig and his companions ditching their original smugglers for others who had more financial backings and outlined the potential repercussions as one of the smuggler’s bodies was found, bullets in his head, face down. Apparently turf wars gone awry.

The report tells of those who were sent to jail because Puig accused them of having plans to defect from Cuba in order to take focus off him.

And an assortment of other details collected through sources that feared for their life if they were exposed.

The story is fascinating, heartbreaking and revealing into Puig’s personality and in some ways, his missteps.

But the larger question remains, exactly what difference does it make to baseball fans if one of their most electrifying players earned his citizenship through illegal means?

Any? Does the average fan devouring a Dodger

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Dog think about the lives permanently impacted for Puig’s #66 Dodger jersey? Is there any level of consciousness concerning the illegal trade of talented baseball bodies potentially spilling into violence in America?

Puig has reportedly been receiving death threats because his original smugglers were not paid in full. This same group of men have connections to serious Mexican drug lords that are known for inconceivable violence and disturbingly creative ways.

We are just now coming to learn the Dodgers employed a full security detail on the road and through Spring Training, suggesting they understood there were heighted dangers.

I’m a huge fan of Puig’s raw exuberance and freedom with which he plays the game and it’s my sincere hope those who are threatening violence are quelled, but I also know ruthless men don’t often go away quietly. This could be a long-standing issue Puig must deal with. And the Dodgers must certainly deal with.

Puig isn’t the first Cuban national to defect and his story, not likely to be entirely unique as escaping oppressive governments abroad usually comes with a heavy price of innocent lives, but what responsibility should the Dodgers take in protecting their prize star and what roll can MLB play preventing the violence?

I’m not sure these questions will be answered any time soon. MLB says it is very strict in ensuring those playing baseball for its teams are legal citizens and how they get here is not something scouts want to know about.

But next time there’s a critical play in the Dodgers’ outfield and Puig guns a runner out at third base, or next time he launches a home run into another country, just consider the international borders that were crossed and lives forever changed for our entertainment.

Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 3-6 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station.

She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners.

Tune in M-F 3-6 pst at www.team1010.com or watch the show on Ustream.

California Woman 411 with your host Dee Jae Cox

‘Talking to women who lead and inspire’ Saturday’s from 10 – 11 a.m.

KPTR 1450 AM Palm Springs, CA California

CA-WMN-411 www.CaliforniaWoman411.com

Produced by The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project:

www.lawtp.org www.californiawoman411.com

sports

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Flint Wheeler

Founder of Silex Strategies L.L.C. providing sales and consulting in Insurance, Retirement, Real Estate and Taxes through New York Life and NY Life Securities.

PGA Class A Member and T.P.I. Certified Golf Trainer. Host of “The Tilted Sports Radio Show” and “The Odds on Favorite Podcast” on Team 1010 KXPS. Contact at 760-409-4612 www.flintwheeler.com

Stop already! Boxing and UFC are not comparable.

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ere Jon Jones a boxer, he would compete at the heavyweight level. That would seem to be a pretty minor statement, except that for some reason, people feel the need to ask this man who cuts weight to make 205 if he would go to boxing and fight Floyd Mayweather “for like, the biggest payout.”

Listening to Jon Jones on ESPN Radio this morning, I was taken aback…

Host 1: Would you ever do anything crazy like get into boxing and fight Floyd Mayweather for like the biggest payout?

Jones: To be honest with you, if it was all hands, it would probably be a pretty competitive match. But that’s not fighting, either. You can’t be at the bar and be like, alright, no kicking, no taking me down, don’t stretch my shirt out. It’s not like that. What I do, I consider it to be the true art of fighting.

To do everything. Fighting Floyd Mayweather wouldn’t even be right. Nobody would want to see that.

Host 2: Some boxers have tried to make that transition into MMA...

Jones: James Toney did it about two years ago. He lost in the first round. Do not mess with an MMA fighter. You don’t want to do that. It’s a bad look.

Floyd Mayweather fights at 147 pounds.

He has gone up as high as 154 for a few fights in his career. To put that in context, flip it and think about asking a heavyweight in boxing (or even a cruiserweight) if he would fight Jose Aldo or Ben Henderson.

This was letter-for-letter the dumbest question I’ve heard a fighter asked in at least five years.

But Jones’ answer also spoke to this dopey thing that MMA fans still cling to. While the fires of MMA vs. Boxing have died down since the bad ol’ days, there’s still this “in a real fight” defense of one as superior.

And let’s all stop doing that.

The point of MMA is not to be a representation of a street fight or a bar fight.

It’s a sport. While Jones was slyly pointing out things you can’t do in boxing that you can in a bar, he left out things like: having your eyes poked, having your balls grabbed and twisted, hair pulling, being punched in the back of the head, worrying about friends jumping in, the use of weapons..etc. I don’t remember watching a bar fight where an observer stood nearby repeatedly yelling “No poking of the eye, No groin shots, and let me check your gloves for suitability at your weightclass!”

Neither sport is “better,” nor is neither sport a representation of “true fighting.” Yes, MMA involves more aspects of “fighting” but unless you’re willing to accept that the next logical step of the argument is that the UFC had better rules in the first few “no-rules” shows because they were -- and there’s no

way to argue against this -- more like a real fight, then you have to drop the “that’s not how fighting is on the streets” argument to denigrate the sport of boxing.

If I were to name my ten best fights in MMA and boxing of the last two years, I’m pretty sure that the list would be 100% boxing.

Personally, there’s nothing in MMA that can hold a candle to something like the two Rios vs. Alvarado fights or Bradley vs. Provodnikov or Pacquiao vs. Marquez..etc.

Similarly, there’s no boxing event that holds a candle in top-to-bottom action like a show like this last UFC on Fox provided. Even a good undercard with legitimate and well-matched fights such as given on the Mayweather vs. Guerrero PPV comes anywhere close to what the UFC can provide for a “full night’s entertainment.”

But media have to stop feeding into this garbage. Sure, the guys who asked Jon Jones if he’d fight Floyd Mayweather despite a sixty pound weight advantage weren’t “MMA media” but it says something about the quality of questions asked by a large segment of MMA media that it’s entirely too easy to imagine that question coming at a UFC press conference or media call.

When someone like Jones feeds into the “this is real fighting, like in the streets” mentality, feel free to call it idiotic. Because it is. The goal of either sport is to not be a street fight.

When a fan does the “x is better than y, fact” thing, blow it off as idiotic. Because it is. Personal preference doesn’t make a sport “better.” I can’t stand watching soccer, I find it ungodly boring. But that hardly makes it “worse” than football, which I could watch until my eyes bleed. But don’t take that as meaning that you shouldn’t engage in a spirited debate about the merits of either sport. If you can help open eyes to the good of one of the two sports, that’s a good thing. But one sport’s success doesn’t have to be seen as entwined with the failure of the other.

And, for the love of god, if you’re in the media...don’t feed it by asking these unbelievable waste of time questions of “would you go to the other sport and fight their champion?” Be better than that. And if you can’t be better than that, find another job.

POWER ON WHEELS:

HPE WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH PALM SPRINGS OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR “NEGLECTED BIKE PROGRAM”

April 24 to April 30, 2014

Community

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ot Purple Energy – with a focus on the “Energy”— is accepting bicycles at its headquarters, Studio E on Farrell Road in Palm Springs, for the City of Palm Springs Office of Sustainability’s “Neglected Bike Program.” Running through the month of May, the bicycles will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs.

“Recycling can apply to numerous items, not just cans, bottles and plastics,” said Vice President David Herrlinger of Hot Purple Energy. “At Hot Purple Energy we have implemented recycling on numerous levels, from our remodeled walls within our building which were created from recycled wood pallets, to using recycled vegetable oil from Las Casuelas and El Marisol to run our trucks.

The Neglected Bike Program is a wonderful opportunity for folks to donate their unused bicycles, while at the same time giving an incredible gift to a child or teen who otherwise may not be able to experience the fun and freedom of bike riding.”

Working and non-working bicycles of any size or condition will be accepted. Palm Springs Cyclery is supporting the program to provide tune-ups and repairs to the donated bikes.

Throughout Bike Month various bicycle events are taking place in Palm Springs. Hot Purple Energy is providing a solar powered photo booth and music for the Saturday May 10th Bike Festival at Sunrise Park and the Boys

& Girls Club parking lot from 8AM to Noon.

Other events include a Bike Clean-Up Day on May 4th; Bike to School Day on May 7th; Bike to Work Week May 12th to the 16th; and a Full Moon Bike Ride on May 15th.

HPE has created a niche in the marketplace with its eclectic company persona, and has become known for raising energy use awareness in new, exciting, and different ways. They were recently recognized by the City of Palm Springs for a commitment to sustainability efforts in the community. HPE is consistently involved in powering, sponsoring, and participating in valley events, while also supporting philanthropy on an ongoing basis.

As a comprehensive energy solutions company, HPE is available for complimentary consultations for an energy efficiency overview, providing recommendations and solutions for short- and long-term energy use.

The company is revered for designing tailored solutions to meet the needs cost effectively for homes and businesses. For more info about HPE, please visit www.hotpurpleenergy. com or call (760) 322-4433. HPE Studio E, is located at 810 N. Farrell Drive in Palm Springs.

“Minutes That Matter” NEWS Calling Card Program Prime Time International Donates Sixty-Six “Gently Used” Cell Phones and Accessories for Soldiers

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rime Time International, the country’s largest year-round grower, packer and shipper of multi-colored peppers in the United States recently helped out the United States military by donating sixty-six used cell phones and accessories including; car and wall chargers, covers and clips to Cell Phones for Soldiers. This national organization raises funds from the recycling of cellular phones and accessories and then purchases prepaid international calling cards for its Minutes That Matters calling card program.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004.

The charity has since provided more than 204 million minutes of free talk time to servicemen and women stationed around the world. On average, Cell Phones for Soldiers distributes 7,500 calling cards each week to bases around the world, care package programs, deployment ceremonies and VA hospitals.

All branches of the military around the world use the calling cards, Cell Phones for Soldiers is able to provide through recycling the phones

and accessories donated. “Prime Time is glad to turn our phones and other electronics over to this wonderful program. As a strong proponent of sustainable agriculture, we strongly believe that we should help maximize the long term benefit on everything we use and touch,” says Mike Aiton, Prime Time’s Director of Marketing.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a national non-profit dedicated to providing costfree communication services to active-duty military members and veterans. For additional information visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers. com. “Thank you helping out our soldiers overseas connect with their loved ones here at home. Please know that you’re making a difference in our troops’ lives to stay connected with their friends and families here at home,” says Bernard Macatangay, Customer Care Team Member, Cell Phones for Soldiers.

In its ongoing efforts to operate as a “green” company, Prime Time recycles paper, cardboard, batteries, light bulbs, computers, printers, company cell phones and accessories.

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Indio Fashion Mall’s Rebirth Begins!

Part two: FUture & funding

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his is the year for Coachella Valley malls. Palm Springs’ Desert Fashion Plaza has been reduced to rubble and will soon rise anew; the languishing Palm Springs Mall is on its way to becoming College of the Desert’s West Campus; and Palm Desert’s Westfield Mall has finally filled its large empty spaces with a new entrance and shops.

Last week, phase one was to begin on the rapidly declining Indio Fashion Mall, also known as Fiesta Mall. With only nine businesses still open and no anchors, no national retailers or popular chain stores, its resurrection may be just in the nick of time to save those dedicated occupants barely hanging on.

The anticipation of any change and construction for mall tenants is tangible and desperate. Seeing is believing and hope wanes.

Nothing happened on site over the last week.

“With the holiday came delays. Even the delivery of the dumpsters for demo was put off by a week,” said John Liddell, Chief Operating Officer of Velocity Regional Center.

Velocity has partnered with the mall’s owner, Reo Group Properties, LLC, to finance the transformation. “We are getting ready for the face lift to the interior and exterior. We’ll start the process this week,” said Liddell. But for tenants, the financing is something you only hear about. They patiently wait to see if any change or action will actually take place.

“The initial funding for the façade and cleanup work is in the bank,” assured Kenny Dickerson, Design, Pre-leasing and Construction Consultant for the project.

“Structural engineers are working on the plans for the new façade and new entrances to submit to the city for approval. A 4,000 square foot space will be renovated and updated for an incoming tenant who plans to sell cosmetics opening in June. And the building of a new food court, a construction design center and convenience store hopefully will open this fall.”

Dickerson is an enthusiastic and confident guy who clearly loves a challenge. The money may be in the bank, but he eagerly waits its release from Reo owners.

According to Dickerson, for phase one, the budget is $2,900,000 -- a fraction of what will be spent to revitalize and expand the mall if all goes as planned. Liddell confirmed that an anticipated $40 million will ultimately be spent to convert the mall into an exciting destination.

A brief recap of the mall’s past: The Indio Fashion Mall was built in 1974. It did a thriving business with Sears and Harris at its ends, serving as anchors to national retailers like Miller’s Outpost, Foot Locker and GNC. As the valley’s population grew and area demographics changed, the mall failed to expand and keep up with the competition.

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Sold in 2003, a new owner changed the name to Fiesta Mall hoping to draw the Hispanic clientele and rebuild a family environment but nothing came to fruition. In 2004, Sears left for Westfield’s larger space and in 2009 Gottschalks, once Harris, closed its doors for good.

Reo Group Properties bought the Indio Mall property in 2010. Reo is an ambitious Chinese company with a plan to create a new gathering place, jobs and interestingly, a pathway to citizenship.

“This is a very exciting project for the local community,” said Dickerson. He has lived in the valley for 12 years. He and his wife raised their two daughters in the CV. Dickerson is a sustainable general engineering contractor who owns commercial property in Indio one block from the site and is President of a 501(c)3 he started, called “River of Hope,” whose mission is to “Visit the fatherless, widows and those less fortunate in their affliction.” He is energetic and a visionary which is likely why Reo has given him the hands-on responsibility to bring new life to the mall.

The Future “Indio is the City of Festivals and we want to reflect that energy,” said Dickerson. “It will be a gathering place for locals, college students and festival attendees. We have plans to build a 2,000 seat covered indoor-outdoor amphitheater at the back-end, south side of the existing mall property. We are exploring more complimentary uses to make the mall a dynamic place. We want to have fashion shows, concerts, plays, auto shows. We are considering everything that will serve the community and bring people to the mall.” A 4D movie theater is also being considered.

A potential wider vision of the mall property and surrounding area includes a park and hotel.

As a sustainable contractor, Dickerson is ensuring the building plans are drafted using a net-zero approach. That means the energy consumed by the mall on an annual basis will be equal to the energy created on the site.

“We understand the impact high traffic malls have on our local environment and hope to minimize that to the best of our ability.”

“We [Reo and the Indio Mall] are headed for real positive changes,” said Dickerson.

“This is a great opportunity for businesses.”

For Dickerson, this project is more than just a remodel. As a pre-leasing consultant, he sees it as an innovative way to not only rebuild a once favorite community shopping center and gathering place, but to encourage new business and create jobs. “It’s an investment in people, jobs and the community. Everybody wins with this program.”

The Funding Velocity Regional Center provides funding and capital from the United States Citizen and Immigrant Services (USCIS) program called EB5 Green Card or EB-5 Investment Visa, Permanent Residence in the United States. EB stands for Employment Based and the number five refers to “fifth preference visa.” Velocity collects and reinvests immigrant investor capitol from foreigners to stimulate US employment.

by heidi simmons

The way the USCIS program works is: a foreigner must make a new commercial enterprise and invest $1 million or $500,000, depending on the area (The CV is $500,000 territory), that leads to the creation of employment for at least 10 full-time U.S. workers. The applicant must take some minimal active role in the business, which can be direct or indirect.

After five years of maintaining the business and full-time employees, the applicant earns permanent residency in the United States for themselves and immediate family (spouse and any children under the age of 21).

Reo’s purchase and improvements of the Indio Mall is the invested capital in a commercial enterprise affiliated with a regional center -Velocity -- by EB-5 investors. This allows Reo to make improvements to the mall and create as many as 380 full-time mall jobs!

Here is what makes this set-up such an opportunity.

The advantage for local businesses is: Velocity pays for the full-time employees and their benefits for the five-year duration! Yes, it’s true. Velocity pays for employees! The USCIS program regulates, monitors and audits Velocity and Reo. “This is a huge advantage for business! If you have a business with enough capital to pay the mall rent -- your employees salaries and their benefits are paid for by Reo for five years,” said Dickerson. “This takes away the tremendous burden of the high cost of having full-time employees.” The EB-5 program allows a company to expand or start with lower risk and uncertainties.

“It’s an incentive program for economically challenged areas. The main purpose is to create full-time employment,” said Liddell. “The funds are used for employment and construction.”

Before Velocity, Liddell worked 20 years with

NEWS

minority businesses and is currently a member of the Minority Business Roundtable.

One example of how the program works: If a west valley business wanted to expand to the east valley, but can’t afford to employ more people due to the high cost of full-time wages and benefits, it can with Reo and their Velocity Regional Center investment EB-5 program. The west valley company can now have a location in the east valley with minimum investment and risk.

The only requirement is the business and jobs must be newly created and be a part of the Indio Mall. Reo must have a percentage or stake of the business in order to pay for the full-time help. At the end of the five years, the Reo investment is returned to the business.

“We have to be the employer,” said Liddell. “We are not only providing space and employees, but a partnership. Each business is considered case by case. We look at their business plan, the kind of service they provide, marketing strategy, etcetera and customize a business relationship.”

Velocity’s goal is to help each businesses succeed. They even assist with building a web site and Internet sales. “As a mall, retail is our key focus. It’s about selling products or services -- furniture, clothing, accessories.” A business does not have to participate with the HB-5 program to have a location in the mall.

Tenants who already occupy space can take advantage of the opportunity if they like, but may have to open a new business or restructure the company with Reo. “We are very happy with our tenants and eager to work with them,” said Liddell. “We’ll work together as a family -- individual owners, the mall and the community to make it a destination for locals and tourists.”

“Tenants don’t have to worry. If they can survive the current state and stick it out, they’ll kick-butt and take names. The mall is going to be revitalized in a powerful way,” promises Dickerson.

Just as other valley malls have found creative and innovative ways to rebuild, if the new Indio Mall comes to fruition, it too will be an example of community building and resourcefulness. If it actually works this time, it’s not a minute to soon.

CVW will continue to monitor the progress of the Indio Mall.

events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By Denise Ortuno Neil

United Way of the Desert to hold Fundraising Gala at Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage

April 24 to April 30, 2014

stagecoach

Clydesdales at Stagecoach

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elping those in need in the Coachella Valley through health and human care needs has been the focus of United Way of the Desert for over 70 years. This year, the organization will hold their 24th Annual VIP Fundraising Gala to coincide with the opening of the newly remodeled and highly anticipated Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage.

The United Way of the Desert is 501c3 organization that helps residents in need in the Coachella Valley and in the Morongo Basin by supporting many different programs, “We focus on programming that really help families in our area stabilize their income, educate their children as well as providing access to healthcare and encouraging healthy lifestyles,” explains United Way of the Desert Executive Director, Kristal Granados. The UWD gives programming support to 19 different local non-profit partners in the Coachella Valley that help families in need. UWD partners such as FIND Food Bank, CASA, Desert Cancer Foundation, Martha’s Village and Kitchen are among the many non-profits that receive assistance through UWD. The annual gala is their biggest fundraising event of the year. This year’s event is titled “Build a Pathway out of Poverty”. The gala will take place at the freshly renovated Ritz Carlton in Rancho Mirage. The regal hotel opened its doors initially in the late 80’s. Perched high up on a 650 ft. bluff above Rancho Mirage in the Santa Rosa Mountains, it was one of the most beautiful hotels in the Coachella Valley, with décor harkening back to aristocratic England with dark wood paneling in the lounge dutifully appointed with painting of fox hunts and other purposeful antique visuals. They would even offer high tea on occasion, with traditional fare of cucumber sandwiches and other appropriate accompaniments. The hotel did change hands as time progressed and was closed in 2006. Soon after its closure, new ownership was in place and the hotel was on point to become the Ritz Carlton once again,

unfortunately those plans fell victim to the financial crisis of 2008.

But the hotel was destined to come back to its former home and with new investment and after much renovation; it is finally ready to open its doors on May 15, 2014. The modern styled hotel will boast 244 guest rooms with 16 suites, new styled restaurants and a full scale spa, and most likely, not one Fox Hunt painting, although they will be missed.

The UWD gala will serve as the kickoff event for the hotel as it takes place on Friday, May 16th. The elegant event will be hosted by Honorary Chair Richard Kite and will begin with cocktails on the Terrace at 5:30pm and then sit-down dinner with cuisine by top Ritz Carlton Chefs. Dinner is then proceeded by a “Best of the Valley” gift raffle and a “Fund a Pathway” live auction. Entertainment will be provided by the eclectic musical ensemble Hot Purple Energy. Tickets to the event are $250 per person, with table sponsorship seating 10 available for $2500 which includes sponsorship mention in the events program. Other tier sponsorship is available. All proceeds from the event go directly in support of programs within the Coachella Valley.

With the needs of the Coachella Valley constantly growing, support for programs that help families get the services that they need is vital. The UWD organization is in focus with making these programs flourish, and indeed helping those in need, “Build a Pathway out of Poverty”.

For tickets and more information visit www.unitedwayofthedesert.org For information about the Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage visit www.ritzcarlton.com

T

he iconic Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to Indio, CA, this Friday, April 25, through April 27.

To celebrate their 81st anniversary with Anheuser-Busch this year, the Clydesdales will appear at multiple community events while in Indio. This week, the world-famous red wagon and team of eight Budweiser Clydesdales will appear at events such as the Stagecoach Music Festival on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, where consumers are welcome to interact and take pictures with them. In addition, the hitch team will visit the Eldorado 1 RV Camping area on Friday, April 25.

The Budweiser Clydesdales first appeared on behalf of Anheuser-Busch on April 7, 1933, when they delivered a case of Budweiser to the White House in celebration of the repeal of prohibition of beer. Since then, the Budweiser Clydesdales have been an enduring symbol of Budweiser’s heritage, tradition and commitment to quality.

To qualify for one of the traveling hitches, a Budweiser Clydesdale must match a list of specific requirements. A Budweiser Clydesdale must be a gelding at least four

years of age, stand 72 inches at the shoulder when fully mature, weigh between 1,800 and 2,300 pounds and have a bay coat with four white legs, a white blaze, and a black mane and tail. In addition to these Clydesdale requirements, Anheuser-Busch’s hitch drivers also go through an extensive training process before they earn the title of “Budweiser Clydesdale Hitch Driver.”

Each of these gentle giants will consume as much as 20 to 25 quarts of whole grains, minerals and vitamins, 50 to 60 pounds of hay, and 30 gallons of water per day. They need their strength to carry the harness and collar that weighs approximately 130 pounds and is handcrafted with solid brass, patent leather and stitched with pure linen thread.

Anheuser-Busch’s Budweiser Clydesdales make hundreds of appearances each year.

The hitch team’s upcoming visit to Indio is just one of the appearances it will make in 2014, never failing to draw a crowd wherever they go.

For more information on the Budweiser Clydesdales visit: www.budweiser.com.

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

desert djs

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By craig michaels

Eagle 106.9 Mid-day personality Niki vee, is happy to be back in So. Cal.

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rowing up in Los Angeles County, Niki Vee has many fond memories and family in the Southern California area. She remembers moving quite a bit as a child and would eventually move out of state to Corpus Cristi, Texas, where she graduated from high school. Niki

was encouraged by her film maker uncle who told her she had a good speaking voice and should look for voice over work. Niki recalls getting her first gig; “I called all of the radio stations in the nearest city looking for voice over work. After being laughed at by most of them, an AM Christian station asked if I could run a board. I had no idea what a board was but replied “I’m sure I can learn yours” and they brought me on to do a weekend air shift.”

Three short months later, Nicki was hired away by a larger FM station and began the long and winding road down her broadcasting career path. Niki describes herself as a hippie girl. It only takes a few minutes with her to realize she marches to the beat of her own drum. When asked what sets her apart from other radio personalities, she replied; some people approach being on the air as something that sets them apart from listeners, I approach being on the air as something that allows me to connect more with people. There are a lot of great personalities in Southern California and I’m lucky to be one of them.”

After working at stations in Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas, Niki would come back to Southern California to be closer to her family and would pick up work on the air

for Inland Empire stations KCAL and KCXX. Feeling like she needed to re-organize and prioritize her life, the roaming radio personality left her family and took a gig at a station in Oregon. Although she had moved around frequently and encountered her share of ups and downs, Niki always kept her sense of humor which is evident when I asked her what was the most challenging part of doing a radio show? “Holding the antenna at the right angle” she replies.

Last July, Niki applied to a posting for a radio show on Eagle 106.9, owned by the Desert Radio Group in Palm Springs. She was given the Mid-day show which allowed her the opportunity to get closer to her family and her Southern California roots.

Besides her air shift, Niki is also the music director and assistant program director helping to ensure the polished on air sound

of the station.

Her soft and sexy voice is very easy to listen to and has led to a successful voice over business providing voices for television, radio and internet advertising as well as narrating audiobooks. Besides her radio show and voice over business, Niki recently announced some else very important in her life; “I have recently become engaged for the first time and my fiancé and I are making plans to move our daughters into a home together and start our happily ever after.” We wish her the best of luck!

If you would like to reach Niki you can email her at: niki@thatvoiceworks.com.

Written by: Craig Michaels Musical Affair Entertainment www.musiclaaffir.com

comedy

THE PURPLE ROOM ANNOUNCES MAY LINEUP FOR “COMEDY NIGHT PALM SPRINGS ™”

Monthly Dinner Show to Feature Top Comedy Stars from Stage and Screen

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omedy Night Palm Springs™ will bring an evening of hilarity to the legendary Purple Room on Saturday, May 17, 2014, with a dinner show featuring top comic stars Shawn Pelofsky of NBC’s “Community” and Marie DelPrete of CBS’s “King of Queens.”

“Comedy Night Palm Springs™ has already become a hit,” exclaimed Tony Marchese, Purple Room co-owner with Mark Van Laanen.

“Our customers are excited to see comedians from TV and film perform live on our stage, and to be able to meet and talk with them in person is icing on the cake.”

The monthly comedy show features the latest stand-up comics from top comedy venues in Los Angeles and New York, including the Hollywood Improv, Laugh Factory, Caroline’s on Broadway, and more.

Shawn Pelofsky, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Atlantis Cruises,” has also appeared on E!’s “Chelsea Lately,” and on Showtime. Marie DelPrete, an accomplished actress, writer and standup comedienne, performed in Nickelodeon’s “NickMom Night Out,” and has a weekly show on Sirius Extreme XM called “Bad Advice.”

Comedy Night Palm Springs™ previously sold out 49 monthly shows in a row, so reservations are highly encouraged. Seating begins at 5:30 pm and the show starts at 7:00

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pm. The dinner-and-a-show package is $50 per person and includes a delicious three-course meal, comedy show, and complimentary valet parking.

The legendary Purple Room is open for dinner from 3 pm to 11 pm Tuesday through Sunday, offering an array of selections from small plates to fresh seafood and USDA Steaks, and a late night menu is served from 11 pm until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hour in the bar from 3 pm - 7 pm features $3 well, $5 call, and $8 premium drinks, and half price small plates. A $19 three-course prix fixe dinner is available from 3pm – 6pm.

For reservations and more information call 760-322-4422 or visit purpleroompalmsprings. com.

SHAWN PELOFSKY Shawn Pelofsky can currently be seen on LOGO’s “The Gossip Queens.”

Additional television and film credits include “Community”(NBC), “Lip Service”(Showtime), “Chelsea Lately”(E!), “Pretty Hurts”(LOGO), “Comics Unleashed”(ABC), “The Tonight Show”(NBC), Pauly Shore’s “Minding the Store”(TBS), “Last Comic Standing”(NBC), Playboy Channel and “Free Enterprise” starring William Shatner.

Pelofsky wrote and stars in the worldwide YouTube sensation, “Lady HaHa,” and has a new comedy album by the same name. She

has opened for greats such as Bill Maher, Margaret Cho, Richard Lewis, and Huey Lewis and The News, and was also a finalist for “The Comedy Central Laugh Riots” and “The Funniest Woman in Orange County.”

Pelofsky performs regularly at The World Famous Comedy Store in LA and La Jolla, The Hollywood Improv, Akbar, Downtown Comedy Club, and other top comedy venues around the country. She has been featured in Montreal’s Just For Laughs Comedy Festival and in the all-female hit comedy tours, “Pretty Funny Women,” “Nice Jewish Girls Gone Bad,” and “The Hot Tamales” produced by Eva Longoria.

MARIE DELPRETE Marie DelPrete won FameCast’s top $10,000 prize as season four’s Comedy Fenom, the first female standup to win the prestigious award. Marie’s offbeat, highly original act has become a fixture at comedy clubs in the

Los Angeles area, including The Hollywood Improv, The World Famous Comedy Store, Ice House and many others. She’s been described as “the love-child of Andy Kaufman and Gilda Radner” by actress Nichole Hiltz (“Smallville,” The Riches) and hailed by industry pros as a bright star to watch.

Her television appearances include a guest-starring role in CBS’s hit comedy, “The King of Queens.” She’s a familiar face on Nickelodeon’s new comedy network, NickMom, both as a standup on “NickMom Night Out,” and in her own original “Mom Confessions” spots airing on “Parental Discretion.” Marie was also seen on NBCʼs “Last Comic Standing,” and in regional and national commercial campaigns, such as the popular spots for KFC with Jason Alexander.

Marie recently completed photography on an independent feature film, “Commander and Chief.”

ROBIN LINN’S DESERT RHYTHMs

JESIKA VON RABBIT L A Weekly’s Band of the Year, Jesika Von Rabbit has known what she was after in life since she was a young girl in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Part of her musical upbringing was provided by her mom, who was in a rock cover band. Jesika remembers her mom covering vocalists like Pat Benetar and Joan Jett. Jesika was a part of the MTV counterculture who found punk in her youth and through it an urge to find her own true voice. She studied and practiced piano from the first grade on through high school and once she discovered punk rock, she felt she had to leave the Midwest if she was to ever live out her dream to find success as a singer-songwriter.

“I knew from a young age I needed to escape Wisconsin (that’s actually a bumper sticker) as soon as I could. There was an amazing punk rock scene in Green Bay. I was in high school and all of the sudden I started seeing all these skinheads and guys with Mohawks outside of this Polish dance hall in my little suburb. I wondered what is this? So I fell in love with punk rock and my parents of course hated it. I went from pop to punk and how could you blame me? I am this creative person into music and it was so fresh and different and I discovered it all at a very impressionable age. Compared to the boring music that was available to me via the radio….this new punk scene I discovered was cooler than hell.”

After high school she left Green Bay and moved to Minneapolis to start her first original band, and all girl punk group called the Porn Flakes. Jesika remembers, “I bought a knock off SG bass and auditioned for my first band. They didn’t even know I could sing…I could barely play, but I got the gig.

It was an indie-electronic pop band. A few rehearsals in….they put a mic in front of me.

I didn’t even know if I could play and sing at the same time. So now I was the vocalist and the bassist. But, the band lacked motivation.

They didn’t know if they wanted to tour. I knew I was going for it. We were doing well as a band, developed a following. But, I was ready to take it to the next level.”

After five years in Minneapolis, Jesika made the bold move to Los Angeles. Dreams

April 24 to April 30, 2014

by Robin Linn

ENDING A 12 YEAR CHAPTER WITH GRAM RABBIT AND TODD RUTHEFORD AS SHE WRITES THE NEXT CHAPTER INTO EXISTENCE AS A SOLO ARTIST

of a music career in Hollywood pushed her forward and she accepted a friend’s offer to move in with him. After a couple of years struggling to find like-minded musicians in LA, Jesika felt as if her dreams were slipping from her grasp and knew it was time to make another geographical change. It was in 2002 she came to Joshua Tree to stay with a friend and fell in love with the vast desert landscape and it’s surreal atmosphere. “It was kind of scary and bizarre. There was no real music scene to speak of. I had been coming to stay with a friend and decided to make the move.

I left my dirty little neighborhood on Sunset and Normandy and moved to North Joshua Tree.”

Here Jesika found few distractions once she settled into her new desert home. This allowed her to take up reading books on the occult, listening to Art Bell on Coast To Coast AM, and reconnect with herself as a woman and an artist. “I began recording my own music using a four-track. I had worked in the studio with producers, but never attempted to record my own music by myself. For the first time, I was making my own music.”

It was at this time that Jesika met Todd Rutherford who was then living in

San Francisco. He fell in love with Jesika’s voice, and with a strong desire to work and create with her, made the decision to move before anything had really been solidified.

Jesika remembers, “He up and moved his entire life to be near me and create with me. He happened to be a Gram Parsons connoisseur. We both had a bunch of demos we hadn’t even played for each other yet, and he begins teaching me all of these Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris duets. At night we were going at it, learning all these songs. I had never really been into country.

I was punk rock and 80’s pop. But, my mind was open to everything. So, we are working out these duets and our voices just melted together, we sounded beautiful together.

I began loving what we were doing. It was very magical. Crossroads Café began doing this event to honor the anniversary of Gram Parsons death. We knew all these Gram Parsons songs and Todd said we should perform there. That meant we needed a name. Todd came up with The Gram Rabbit Experience. So that is how we came into existence.”

A small but intense music scene sprouted here in the high desert from that one annual event and this one band which brought

international attention to our tiny corner of the world. Gram Rabbit would now evolve into a national act, recording albums, touring, building a fan base known as the Royal Order of Rabbits, and gaining critical acclaim from the press. Gram Rabbit was off and running!

“It was very desolate when Todd and I first began. There was the Beatnik and we kind of started there singing these Gram Parson songs, but I had all of these Jesika songs I had been recording that were electronic continue to page 25

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

I

NEIL FINN

f your only knowledge of Crowded House (and Neil Finn) is their gorgeous 1986 chart-topper, “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” then you have missed out on a plethora of excellent music.

Neil Finn, the youngest of four siblings, grew up in Te Awamutu, New Zealand. He idolized and emulated his older brother Tim. Neil learned piano and guitar with Tim and at age 12, he decided he wanted to be a musician. He worked his way through high school and college playing solo shows at prisons, schools and hospitals, basically, any place that would have him.

Tim Finn had started the band Split Enz with Phil Judd in the early ‘70s. The band incorporated myriad styles, from Swing to Music Hall to Punk. They really achieved world-wide success when Judd quit the band and Neil Finn stepped in in 1977.

Neil penned the band’s biggest hits like “I Got You,” “History Repeats” and “One Step Ahead.

Tim Finn embarked on a solo career before leaving Split Enz. Once he officially quit, Neil took charge. But Split Enz’ days were numbered. The band broke up in 1984.

Neil Finn hooked up with Split Enz drummer, Paul Hester and bassist, Nick Seymour. They recorded their self-titled debut with producer Mitchell Froom in 1986. Temple Of Low Men followed in 1988.

Neil Finn’s music combined smart lyrics and gorgeous hooks. His concise songcraft

“Dizzy Heights” (Lester Records)

echoed pop masters like Lennon & McCartney of the Beatles, as well as Difford & Tilbrook (the brilliant blokes behind Squeeze).

Neil and Tim Finn began collaborating on a fraternal effort, but their songs were so good, Neil asked if they could be used on the next Crowded House album. Tim acquiesced, and actually ended up joining Crowded House for their third album, 1991’s Woodface.

It was their most assured effort to date and included sparkling gems like “Weather With You,” “Fall At Your Feet” and “Four Seasons In One Day.” They released one more album, Together Alone, before the band called it quits in 1996.

Neil and Tim reconnected and finished their brotherly debut, Finn, in 1995. A feat they would repeat 10 years later with the album Everyone Is Here. Each record was awash in the sweet and sour harmonies only siblings can create.

When Neil Finn began his solo career, he really came in to his own. Try Whistling This arrived in 1998 and was followed by One

Consider This

All, in 2002. He also staged all-star concerts under the “7 Worlds Collide” banner.

Featuring artists like Eddie Vedder, Smiths gunslinger Johnny Marr, Jeff Tweedy, and Lisa Germano plus Phil Selway and Ed O’Brien from Radiohead, the shows produced two live CD-DVDs in 2002 and 2009.

Now Neil Finn has returned with his third solo album, Dizzy Heights. Ideally, it should be business as usual for Finn, crafting a subtle mix of economical lyrics and nimble melodies. But this time he has upped the ante, stepping out of his comfort zone.

The opening track, “Impressions,” feels like a lost Barry White/Love Unlimited Orchestra song. Lush and atmospheric, with cryptic lyrics and instrumentation that is all swelling strings and plucky chicken scratch guitar. The results are hypnotic.

The title track and “Flying In The Face Of Love” are even more expansive. The former offers veiled details of a carnal assignation.

Shimmery synths propel the action, Finn’s falsetto vocals land comfortably between Smokey Robinson and the Brothers Gibb. “If you don’t like the groove, “Finn warns, “call the cops.”

The latter is sleek and sensuous, accented by squiggly guitar riffs that dart through the mix. Here Finn strips his emotions to the bone…”You must reveal your infinite sorrow, show what you’re made of and what you’re afraid of/You’ll have to leave the comfort of the shadows.” It is kind of a mission statement for the album.

Two songs, “Recluse” and “In My Blood,” explore new textures but retain Finn’s gift for lean, economical story-telling. Anchored by a propulsive waltz melody, “Recluse,” logically points out, “it’s people that you lose when you become a recluse.” Then he goes a step further, name-checking a list of infamous social hermits, Howard Hughes, Greta Garbo, Bobby Fisher and J.D. Salinger as cautionary tales.

“In My Blood” is fluttery and tentative cri du Coeur.Literally a visceral love song,

art

April 24 to April 30, 2014

By rebecca pikus

DIMITRI HALKIDIS

D

underscored by mesmerizing backing vocals. Finn somberly intones, “Melancholy beats my heart, but you’re in my blood.”

Other stand-out tracks include the chugging Cha-Cha-Cha of “Better Than TV.” “Pony Ride” moves at a galloping gait. The equine motif is a metaphor for life…”There’s no way I’m leaving this pony ride/Somedays I’d rather be mystified then understanding part of it, and have you try to explain again.”

Finally, “Strangest Friends feels like an opaque homage to alien invaders swathed in candy-coated synths.

Not every aural experiment is successful, “Divebomber”kind of crashes and burns.

“White Lies And Alibis” is a weirdly robotic mini-Rock Opera that seems too ambitious.

The album closes with the spartan “Lights Of New York.” Sinatra-esque in execution, the arrangement is bare-bones, just Finn and a tinkling piano. The lyrics are equally urbane, offering a toast to the city that never sleeps.

This solo album is something of a family affair. Neil’s wife Sharon provides supple bass lines and backing vocals. His sons Liam and Elroy also contribute vocals, guitars and drums, respectively. The album was produced by Mercury Rev bassist, Dave Fridmann (He has also produced albums for eccentric Oklahoma weirdos, the Flaming Lips, MGMT and Tame Impala).

Dizzy Heights is a noble experiment that mostly works. But hopefully, Finn’s next outing will be a return to the meticulous and melodic songcraft he is known for.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

imitri Halkidis has achieved the nearly impossible: is not only a successful Photographer/Artist, but he is also the Owner of a successful, cuttingedge Gallery in Palm Springs, GALLERY 446!

We know the competition in the number of Palm Springs galleries, rivaled only by the number of El Paseo galleries, would make the faint of heart have second thoughts. But not Dimitri. He has succeeded in creating the hottest Gallery in the Desert with the most exciting exhibitions & artists!

Dimitri himself is an exuberant whirlwind of energy. Handsome, boyish-looking with his baseball cap & wide & warm smile, he makes all his visitors & patrons alike feel welcome.

He has a fun-loving personality, a great sense of humor and best of all, for the art world, a great eye for young emerging artists’ work.

A visit to Gallery 446 is indeed a unique experience. Shoot some pool at the Pool Table which sits in the middle of the Gallery, enjoy a shot of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, or a glass of wine or champagne at the friendly Bar, listen to Hip Hop, and grab a Swag Bag with incredible goodies inside. Stroll through both of the galleries where Dimitri has created a laid-back, hang-out kind of place to meet fascinating artists & celebrities!

Born in Greece and later based in Los Angeles, Dimitri quickly rose to the top of his game in the Photography world. With a professional background in graphic design, he went on to create a photographic portfolio that includes Jack Nicholson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rachel Hunter, Kiefer Sutherland, George Clooney, Sharon Stone, & Grace Jones, to name a few. Dimitri covered film premieres, political events, & Sundance Film Festival. His images have appeared on the cover of New York Daily News, Us Magazine, People Magazine, Hello Magazine, Australian & Spanish Cosmopolitan, Zoom, & American Photographer.

Although he is a world traveler, after first visiting Palm Springs in 1986, he fell in love with the scenery & peacefulness and in 2009 left the big city to settle permanently

GALLERY 446

in Palm Springs. In August 2010, Gallery 446 was opened as a Contemporary Art Gallery.

It is nestled in a row of spaces in a building designed by famous Palm Springs architect, Donald Wexler. The rest is history! It is the place to see & be seen!

Gallery 446’s current & amazingly well attended exhibit is “Art and Sound” -- the show runs through May 4, 2014. It includes works of musicians & artists: Moby, Deborah Harry, James Brown, Grace Jones, Beastie Boys, Joe Strummer, Jose Pasillas, Jim Evans (TAZ), Emek, Brandon Boyd, Ricky Powell, Risk, Willie T, Cesario “Block” Montano, The Blakhat, Patrick Hoelck, Dimitri Halkidis, Fishbone, Danny Boy O’Connor, Blunt Graffix, Estevan Oriol, Serf, Aaron LaCrate, Mike Miller, Chali 2na, Phobik, Sarah Sandin, Cisco Adler, Bobby Alt, DJ Poet, Danny Warsnop, Fred Wreck, Batt, Janette Beckman, Gregory Siff, Slick, Septerhed, Chris Sanchez, Piper Ferguson, Bryden Lando, Lee Scratch Perry, Lauren Over, Frankie Chan, Mickey Avalon, Tom Gilmour, Stephen Malbon, Dirty Doktor Dax, & Dan Regan.

Upcoming Exhibition: “Wet & Dry” -Wink -- a Photo Collective -- Featuring Aline Smithson, Alison Turner, Bootsy Holler, Claire Mallett, Jamie Johnson, J.K. Lavin, Lisa McCord, Marian Crostic, Marjorie Salvaterra, Nancy Baron, Robert Bright, & Sarah Hadley -- Artists’ Reception - Sun. April 27, 6-10pm -- through May 25, 2014 -- (at 444 S. Indian Canyon Rd) GALLERY 446, 446 S. Indian Canyon Rd, Palm Springs, Ca 92262, (760) 459-3142, info@gallery446.com, www.gallery446.com

WESTFIELD MALL 72840 Hwy 111 #171 Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-2017 www.recordalley.com

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

Coachella

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Gregg Little All Photos by Laura Hunt Little

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 24 to April 30, 2014

“Of Fire and Ice” Traversing Coachella with a production pro A lways over the top, the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lived up to its reputation in 2014.

Effects to accompany world-class music ranged from snow falling on the crowd in the Sahara tent to pyro cannons setting an already hot night ablaze. Easy to appreciate and hard to forget, the festival presented so many offerings that even attending both weekends, it would be impossible to see everything.

We started our Coachella experience on Friday evening, arriving as AFI played on the main stage: Pretty tight band with great sound.

Then on to the Mojave tent to see the Afghan Whigs. Good as ever and touring in support of the new record.

This year’s Sahara tent did not disappoint.

More lights than you would need for a small town combined with a full PA and ample sub woofers plus sticks of articulation-truss blanketed with mesh LED technology, made the tent come alive. During Martin Garrix we could literally feel the ground shake under our feet as 20,000 people jumped up and down with the beat.

A few songs from Brian Ferry were next.

Outkast on the main stage did not disappoint. They had a great center scrim that used front and rear projection lighting to highlight members from within and from outside. The controlled low end was enough to shake your core but you could still understand every word - making the entire experience much more enjoyable.

Ellie Goulding was one of the featured performances on the main stage on Friday and she put on a great show.

Saturday started with checking out the Do Lab and the dancing crowd being hosed

16

off from the stage.

Next, we checked out MGMT. They were fantastic, energizing the crowd with loud and clear sound quality.

Over to see Lorde - She did a great job and did not seem as nervous as she was at the Grammys. Her sound was great and she held the crown.

We headed to see Fatboy Slim. He was set in the Sahara and within a few songs he played Star 69 to get the crowd moving.

Then he mixed in Sinatra and a classic carol and literally made it snow indoors! Great tech and crowd energy.

After a few songs we headed over to see the Pixies in the Mojave tent. I was sorry to have missed last week’s show at Pappy and Harriet’s. The band was great and the crowd was into it.

Local favorites, Queens of the Stone Age, hit the main stage with incredible energy and seemed genuinely happy to be performing at Coachella. They sounded strong as ever and gave a great visual show as well.

After a few songs we headed to see Pharrell Williams on the Outdoor Stage. His AV package was well produced and he pulled out his current hits as well as Lapdance from N.E.R.D. Then came appearances by T.I., Busta Rhymes, Usher and more.

We had been looking forward to Muse as the headliner on Saturday. Muse was delayed slightly to coordinate all the LED curtains hung around and behind the band.

Muse’s show was a barrage of great mix and stunning visuals that made you step back and go WOW!!! The finale included firing propane cannons from top of main stage that could be felt in the audience in front of mix position.

We started our musical experience on Sunday with The Naked and The Famous: Melodic and great energy. From there we moved over to the Mojave tent for Flosstradamus and lots of dancing.

Before the sunset we took some time to enjoy the artwork and ride the Ferris wheel.

When you look down from 130 ft, you start to appreciate why the ticket price costs as much as it does. Goldenvoice has employed a small army in order to coordinate all of the great entertainment and manage the 85,000 plus crowd.

After the Ferris wheel ride, we caught the beginning of the performance by Calvin Harris on the main stage, which was very energetic.

We had heard great reviews of Lana Del Rey and opted to go to the outdoor stage instead of the Big Gigantic performance in Sahara, who we also wanted to see. (Props to Big Gigantic for involving local student

musicians in their set!)

Lana Del Rey was a great choice. Her ethereal voice over a smooth electronica band compelled me to hit iTunes for downloads Beck put on a great show on the main stage. His sound was so well done you could hear all his lyrics and tight vocal harmonies.

Beck played at the very first Coachella festival in 1999. He reminisced, telling the crowd that the organizers gave them a tour and described their vision of what Coachella would grow into and 15 years later that vision had become a reality.

As an attendee with media access and a photographer in tow, we had the opportunity to get a closer look at a few performances, and were, as always, made aware of new music. Next stop...iTunes to download my own Coachella 2014 playlist to keep the music going.

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Club Crawler Nightlife

340 N PALM CANYON DR. PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262

Scan the QR Code to get the Club Crawler Nightlife on your Mobile Device via the Smartphone Phone Book!

THUR APRIL 24 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer & Bobby 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Paul Elia 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 Spotlight hosted by Symara Stone 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Lola Rossi, Rob Carter and Denise Motto 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 Rob Martinez & Todd Ashley 8:30pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 Industry Night w/ Karaoke in the Lobby 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Nina Coyote and Chico Tornado, Waxy and Gilded Flicker 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Country Nation 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE RESORT; IW; 760-341-7200 “Sassy & Sultry” featuring Gina Carey 5-8pm

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NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 RFJT Presents Ted Quinn’s Best Of 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Steve Ditullio’s Rat Pack 7pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm, Cash’d Out 7pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Carolyn Martinez & The Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Casey 5:30pm, Slim Man Solo Show 7-10pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta & Friends 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

FRI APRIL 25 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Almond Brothers w/ DJ Mitra 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke w/ AJ The KJ 8-12am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Nash 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm

CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 DJ 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Lassie Jo’s Best Damn Karaoke 7pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 T.B.A. 8:30pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision 9pm Lobby, DJ Shasta & MC Esjay 11pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Machin’ Militia, Giselle Woo & The Night Owls and Mikey Reyes Acoustic Movement 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 7:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 New Breed 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Pop Vinyl 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 T.B.A. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Mark Gregg 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Moonalice 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 6pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 212 Band 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm, Dawn Nier and Bad Penny & The Pistols Sidebar Patio 7pm, Hugh Gaskin & The G String Daddy’s Sidebar Patio 10pm, DJ Sweet Brush Starlite Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 DJ JF// Discord 9pm

SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@ Night 10pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm, John McCormick & The Mac Band w/ DJ Randy Johnson 9:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Johnny Richter, Spankshaft and DJ B-Eazy 9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Rob & jb 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT APRIL 26 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Stronghold Reggae presents Reggae Sol noon poolside, Highlife w/ DJ Day 10pm amigo room AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green w/ Les Michaels & Joel Baker 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 T.B.A. 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Nicky Vallee 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-864-4119 House Party w/ The House Whores 9pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 T.B.A. 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro

6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 The Refills 8:45pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision w/ DJ Kid Wonder, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Tribe-O and Mosaic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 6pm, Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 New Breed 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Pop Vinyl 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 T.B.A. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Radio 60 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, FYF & KCRW Presents Simian Mobile Disc w/ Earth 7pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 9pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 6pm, Hugh Gaskin & The G String Daddy’s, Sidebar Patio 7pm, Dawn Nier and Bad Penny & The Pistols Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Shasta, Starlite Lounge 10pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; Steel Rod and Bonfire ( Tribute to AC/DC ) 7:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Free Jukebox and free pool 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929

April 24 to April 30, 2014

Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@ Night 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Jeff 5:30pm, Slim Man 9:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Walt Young 6pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 George Erwin 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Band 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ PJ 9pm

COME JOIN US FOR THE FUN!!

• 14 flat screen televisions • NTN Trivia and poker with QB1

While you are here you can try one of our ten tap beer selections from a frosty cold glass or choose one of our 30 tequilas or vodkas to make your favorite cocktail.

PLAYOFFS I THE PLAC S E TO BE

OPEN MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 4PM - 2AM SUNDAY 6PM - 2AM

12105 PALM DRIVE DESERT HOT SPRINGS

(760) 251-2644

SUN APRIL 27 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Intoxica Radio Live w/ Howie Pyro 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision w/ Kid Wonder 11am poolside INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band w/ Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm

continue to page 24

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 24 to April 30, 2014

by Rick Riozza

VUE of the Desert: Wine Tasting & Dinner

W

e’ve got a couple of major wine events coming up this month over at the newly renovated and re-named VUE Grille & Bar, at the Indian Well’s Golf Resort.

Celebrate the 1st Annual “Wine” Down of the Season, Friday April 25th from 5 to 7pm where over 35 well-known, celebrated, and prominent wineries from all over the wine map will be pouring their premium wines. Look for complimentary appetizers provided, along with a carving station.

The entire event will be held at the “Pavilion”, the new 5,700 square foot event space that offers an unequaled view of the luxurious grounds with the comfort of a temperature controlled room in the open air, making it the perfect spot for this illustrious wine tasting event!

This is the type of wine affair that our wine community waits for: A stylish wine party at a beautiful venue. What a great springtime treat. If you’ve not yet been over to the VUE nor seen the new Pavilion, then you are in store for some exciting sights & sounds along with great wine & food.

Not to be a name-dropper—but, here are some of the wineries that will be pouring: Robert Mondavi, Pensfold, Stags Leap Wine Cellars, Erath, Chateau St. Jean, Franciscan Estate, Mount Veeder, Coppola, Estancia, and Ravenswood, just to name-drop a few.

Further, I’ve been told that patrons will have the opportunity to purchase wines at drastically reduced prices. Wow—that sounds drastic, considering these high-end wine producers This wonderful event is only $39 and reservations can be made on-line at store. indianwellsgolfresort.com/wine-down-ofseason.item The next spectacular wine event at VUE to be held on Tuesday, April 29th is “The Art of Wine” a Five Course wine-pairing dinner featuring three “Artists”: Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Maker, Bob Bertheau; Artist and Creator of 2010 “Artist Series” Label, Ben Darby; and, Menu Creator, Executive Chef Cale Falk.

Enjoy this one of a kind event at VUE Grille & Bar while sitting outside on their enclosed temperature controlled patio.

20

Chef Cale’s fresh and seasonal, farmto-table inspired menu will match-up with some outstanding Chateau Ste. Michelle wines from their portfolio. Head Winemaker Bertheau says, “I am amazed at the difference in grape growing in Eastern Washington. “We have such unique growing conditions here: low rainfall, extra sunshine during the growing season, cooler days at the end of harvest for longer hang time, and a pioneer spirit of the local growers and winemakers. These conditions help us grow world-class fruit and make wines of character, complexity and quality.”

Speaking with Chef Cale, he gave us a run-down on his haut-cuisine and delightfulsounding menu and the wines to be enjoyed with each course: 1st Course: Maine Lobster, Sea Urchin, and Burrata. Chef says these rich tasting items will sit on a bed of Celery and Toasted Almonds along with the citrusy Yuzu sauce for a great balanced seafood salad.

This course will be paired with the 2012 Eroica Riesling, Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen. The wine carries sweet lime and peach aromas with subtle mineral notes.

The mouth-watering acidity is beautifully balanced by flavorful Washington Riesling fruit. As the name suggests, this is a collaboration with famed Mosel winemaker Ernst Loosen.

2nd Course: Chef calls this an appetizer, serving King Crab with an Asparagus Flan along with a Passion Fruit Emulsion. Paired with a 2012 Indian Wells Chardonnay, from the Washington State Indian Wells Vineyard. A fun Chard that delivers an appealing tropical fruit character with ripe pineapple flavors and rich creamy texture.

3rd Course : Featuring Berkshire pork, Chef tells us that he slow cooks and pulls the pork then presses and sears, and roasts it. Served along with Kumquat Marmalade, Spring Squash & Ricotta.

This course is paired with the Artist Series 2006 Meritage, from the Columbia Valley, which is a Bordeaux Blend sourced from the best vineyards in the famed Horse Heaven Hills. A very luxurious wine—where can you find such an elegant wine with such great bottle age?

4th Course: A Leg of Lamb prepared sous-vide for 14 hours which the chef says will cook it to a perfect medium-rare. It’s served with a Sour Cherry Reduction with Black Quinoa and Beet Purée.

The course is to be paired with another Bordeaux Blend, this time, the Artist Series 2010 Meritage, Columbia Valley, This wine delivers black cherry aromas and spice notes with velvety tannins. 85% of the blend was sourced from their Cold Creek Vineyard, providing power and elegance.

The remaining percentage is from their Canoe Ridge Estate vineyard which rounds out the wine with harmonious and complex layers.

Dessert Course: Goat Cheese and Apple Tart with Honey Gelato paired with ETHOS Late Harvest Riesling 2011 Dessert Wine, a

MIRA CVWkly Spa Pamper Me 4.87x5.62 021314.indd 1

Wine Spectator 92 pointer!

The wine is a rich, decadent wine with intense aromas of orange marmalade, dried apricots and honey. Layers of concentrated flavors are wonderfully balanced with natural acidity and a pure, luscious finish.

Sweet Dreams!

The Cocktail Reception will begin at 6:30pm, and the Wine Dinner will commence at 7:00pm. $125 per person includes tax and gratuity. Seating is extremely limited for this intimate evening.

Reservations: 760.834.3800.

44-500 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells Ca. 92210, North of Hwy 111. www.vuegrilleandbar.com Rick is your sommelier-about-town hosting & entertaining at wine tastings & events.

Contact winespectrum@aol.com

2/13/14 12:50 PM

21

April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

SORCERER

WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly four decades since director William Friedkin’s commercially disappointing follow-up to his blockbuster hits THE FRENCH CONNECTION and THE EXORCIST. It’s equally hard to believe there’s never been a properly formatted home theater release of this intense reboot of Henri-Georges Clouzot’s undisputedly great, and magnificently titled, 1953 film THE WAGES OF FEAR based on the novel by George Arnaud. (Friedkin’s film is dedicated to Clouzot, who died shortly before the film was released.)

The desperate story about four outcasts, led by Roy Scheider, who must transport two trucks carrying six crates of decaying, volatile dynamite across 200 miles of treacherous mountain and jungle roads in order to stop a South American oil fire is probably more visceral and memorable in Clouzot’s stark, black and white, original.

But the jungle action sequences, especially crossing a rope bridge over a flooding river during a storm, remain a standout, nailbiting set piece in Friedkin’s film. Even more so when we recognize it was created

22

without the help of computer graphics!

The film also stars Francisco Rabal, Bruno Cremer, Ramon Bieri and Joe Spinell. The once fresh sound of Tangerine Dream’s terrific score seems at times a tad dated today, but is still highly effective.

The two-hour film takes more than half its time in setting up the drama and introducing us to the protagonists who are trapped by the whims of existential fate into a collective act of redemption and an opportunity to buy their way out of the hellish place in which they find themselves But they must first survive and the odds of not getting blown up in the process are not on their side.

Much time is spent getting to know the four men who will soon be thrown together in a squalid SA oil company town. Cremer, the most relatable of the four, is a French banker fleeing the collapse of his dirty business dealings; Amadou is a Palestinian terrorist, not a generic Muslim, running from the Mossad after a Jerusalem bombing; Scheider is the sole surviving New Jersey mobster hiding out after a church robbery in a powerful gangster’s parish; and then there’s Francisco Rabal’s hit man whom we assume is in this Latin American hell-hole to knock off one of the other three. But

Screeners No.109

Rabal kills a fourth man, a German, in order to make himself a part of the truck driving team. But it is this elaborate conceit that lessens the emotional impact of the drama it is supposed to enhance.

The long delay in getting this restored print to home video has been blamed on “complicated licensing” issues as well as finding the best source material.

On it’s initial Hollywood release, the film followed a two-week run of STAR WARS at Grauman’s Chinese Theater (as it was then called). But after a week or so of poor attendance and weak reviews, STAR WARS was brought back for it’s historic, mostly sold-out, tenure.

Most people who saw the posters and ads for Friedkin’s film naturally assumed it was some kind of follow-up or sequel to the supernatural hit THE EXORCIST. The poorly conceived and misunderstood title (it’s one of the dilapidated truck’s names) was probably the main reason the film failed to find traction with the movie-going public.

The often sparse audiences who sat through the film generally liked it and there grew a kind of cult following in spite of the cropped and bad looking VHS transfer. So the new, vivid Blu-ray release is hugely anticipated and welcome. Once again, the evocative production design by the brilliant John Box can be fully appreciated.

The restoration is sometimes ultra vivid and very controlled -- the sunlight in Jerusalem burns bright and the lush jungle greens quiver with a neon glow. There’s a strong grainy feel to the texture of the canvas that does not detract from the coarse, noir story of men fighting their dark destiny in a doomed, meaningless existential wasteland. The last image of Scheider stumbling into a raging inferno carrying a box of unstable nitro is not the most upbeat of endings but is somehow satisfying in this fatalistic fable.

For interested technophiles, the surprisingly low bit rate for this long anticipated film averages 17.99. But I saw no compression problems on a 60” screen.

I was startled to find the disc to be bare bones. It’s devoid of the most basic extras including a Friedkin commentary. (Perhaps a response to the harsh criticism of his initial THE EXORCIST commentary that is merely a description of the action on screen as if intended for the blind!) To make up for this loss, the disc is a 40-page book that is well written and revealing. SORCERER is a visually rich and often thrilling adventure that deserves to be seen anew. Fighting fate is a dangerous business. Warner Home Video. Blu-ray.

THE STRANGE WOMAN Edward G. Ulmer’s lurid melodrama, in many ways a movie ahead of its time, is all about cheating and its consequences.

Beautiful Hedy Lamarr, her Viennese accent intact, plays a native of Bangor, Maine, personally picked Ulmer to direct this bigger

Book Review

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By Heidi Simmons

Gabriel García Márquez, 1927 - 2014

L

budget thriller in an attempt to change her image from sexy starlet to legitimate actor.

Set in the logging and timber world.

Hedy plays Jenny Hager, who has grown up in Bangor. She has long attracted the eye of wealthy Isaiah Poster (Gene Lockhart), at least 20 years her senior. Finally out of her teens, the superficially sweet but cunning and shrewd Jenny accepts Poster’s proposal. While she makes a cushy lifer for herself, she obviously does not like Poster.

However, when Ephraim, Poster’s college age son, visits from university, Jenny is immediately attracted to him. However, unknown to naïve Ephraim, Jenny is also scheming to seduce businessman John Evered (a terrific George Sanders), even though he’s already engaged to her best friend Meg (Hillary Brooke)! Well, without going any further and revealing any spoilers, you can see the delicious complications.

With this film, Hedy Lamarr’s acting chops were widely acknowledged, even though he best known performance was in 1933’s ECSTASY, mainly due to her notorious on screen nude swim -- mild by any of today’s standards (I use “standards” loosely).

By the way, Hedy Lamarr (born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler) was not just a pretty face, but also an inventor whose co-patented electronic jamming signal device was used during the Cuban missile crisis and currently applied to cell phones. Her first marriage in 1937 was to an Austrian Fascist weapons manufacturer. Film Chest Media Group.

DVD

robinesimmons@aol.com

April 24 to April 30, 2014

atin literary giant Gabriel García Márquez has passed from this world.

It would be apropos that his final resting place, where ever it is in this world or the next, be a place of beauty, magic and solitude.

Márquez was 87. His most famous work, One Hundred Years of Solitude, (Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 448 pages), published in 1967 has sold over 20 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages.

A work of fiction, One Hundred Years of Solitude is a generational tale of a Latin American family and the changing conditions of their lives and village over 100 years. Macondo begins as a small piece of paradise secluded from the outside world with only the occasional gypsy passing through with goods and trinkets to sell and trade.

Macondo’s patriarch is Jose Arcadio Buendía. He has a thirst for knowledge and curiosity that eventually leads the community away from its magical, mythical past and drives it into the future. He ultimately goes mad believing he has discovered a way to create perpetual motion. He realizes he can only exist outside of time.

The Buendía family continues to evolve with the death and birth of succeeding generations. As the outside world is invited in, Macondo’s remote jungle setting is destined to lose its innocence. There is civil war, intense violence and family conflict, but they remain together. Macondo becomes “modernized.” A US banana company takes

residence and further changes the nature of the village and the people. Finally, Macondo is devastated and the village returns to its isolation.

The last of the Buendía family line finds an ancient prophesy that predicted that Macondo and its inhabitants were living out a preordained existence.

One Hundred Years of Solitude is not an easy book to read. It is equal parts history, mythos and magic. It is about our human nature. It is about want and desire. It is beautiful and sad, funny and horrible. But there are moments of transcendence. And this is what makes the book compelling and such a favorite.

Like a magical child, Márquez saw the world filled with incredible life and characters. The edges of reality are sometimes dark and scary. At other times there are things fantastical and beautiful.

Reading Márquez, it is best to let go and experience it -- believe. Márquez’s writing

is considered magical realism, but his magic seemed tangible and not far out or beyond comprehension, rooted perhaps in something very real, however dream-like.

Born in Columbia, as a young man Márquez wrote short stories and worked as a journalist. He became politicized in Columbia after a 1948 assassination in Bogota. He was a good friend with Fidel Castro – who jailed dissidents that included political writers, many who held similar views as Márquez.

Because of his outspoken opinions of US imperialism in Latin American countries, he was labeled a subversive and was denied US visas by immigration. When Bill Clinton became President, he lifted the travel ban and has reportedly said One Hundred Years of Solitude was his favorite book.

In 1982, Márquez received the Nobel Prize in literature for the way “the fantastic and the realistic are combined in a richly composed world of imagination, reflecting a continent’s life and conflict.”

Another popular book by Márquez is Love in the Time of Cholera (Vintage, 368 pages), written in 1985. The book was made into a movie staring Javier Bardem in 2007.

Márquez wrote six novels, four novellas, seven non-fiction works and there are five collections of his short stories. He allowed his writing style to vary depending on the subject. Márquez could be very serious or very humorous.

Márquez was a significant literary contributor to our global community.

Whether you like his politics or not, his stories introduced the world to his country and culture. He gave us an important picture of Latin life -- its beauty, struggle and magic -- a very special gift. Rest in peace, Gabo.

23

April 24 to April 30, 2014 continued from page 19

PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm, Judy After Dark 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Will Donato’s Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Ben 11am, The Carmens 6:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 6pm

MON APRIL 28 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com 345-6466 Ron Kalina’s World Class Jazz Trio 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, lounge, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Hot as Hell Pool Party w/ Tribe-O 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 T.B.A. 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 8-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm

TUE APRIL 29 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Karr’s Jazz Quartet 6pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm

CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 John Stanley King 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6-9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana Larson 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45 PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327-4080 Eclectic Tuesdays. Singer/ songwriter night. All acts welcome. Hosted

by JB, Sign up 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The David Ring Trio 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Open Mic 8pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 4pm, Michael Dees & Trio 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Einstein 5:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley 6pm

WED APRIL 30 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dan Horn 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Carr AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 T.B.A. 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLINIC BAR & LOUNGE; PS; 760-8644119 T.B.A. 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Rose Mallet 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm HAMILTON’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL; LQ; 760-698-8303 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8:3012:30am THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic 8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-

2794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm1:15am Singles Night !!!

THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Michael Holmes Trio 6:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 5pm, Open Mic w/ Esjay Jones, Sidebar 7pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 D Phillips Band 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Ben 5:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Brian Nova Trio Jazz 6pm

continued from page 13

and psychedelic, and Todd had been writing and recording these songs that were like cowboys and aliens, music that had nothing to do with Gram Parsons that made up our first two records. It became electronicpsychedelic-new wave desert music. We bonded on the Gram Parsons thing, but it evolved into our own unique thing. We fell in love with each other’s demos and then we up and moved again. We left Joshua Tree and moved to Carterville where Todd is from, just south of Fresno. Todd’s grandparents were there living on a cattle ranch and they were dying. They needed us to be their caretakers.

So now we were living across the street from his grandparents. We cared for them till they passed away. That is when we recorded our first record. We were able to save a little nest egg, buy more gear, sent the demos off and began booking shows in LA. After they passed away, we moved back here to JT and things really started taking off for us.”

Their 12 year relationship gave birth to 6 full length records, commissioned over 30 songs for TV, film and commercials, and brought them to the main-stages of some of the most prestigious music festivals in the country including Coachella Music and Arts Festival and Austin’s SXSW. The breakup was peaceful and mutually agreed upon. Jesika recalls that they had been together for so long and since they were so young, she felt it was time to experience life and music on their own.

“Todd and I didn’t end things on any negative terms whatsoever. We were

together for 12 years and we grew apart, even musically. But at the same time, he is such a great songwriter. Even though it can get a bit lonely, and you become so dependent on that other person….I have a whole new band, a new record, my shows are being well attended, it’s an exciting new chapter. It can be liberating but it can also be really hard. You don’t realize how much someone else does for you until they are gone. Being a woman, hauling around your own gear, setting it all up, booking the shows, it’s all on me now, and that is difficult. I am glad I haven’t met anyone to distract me from my path.”

Jesika is now as independent as a woman in music can get. She produces and records all of her music herself and refers to herself as Journey Mitchell. She incorporates preprogrammed electronic grooves with gorgeous melodic vocals. Lyrically, the woman is a never ending pool of creative concepts! There are strong, bold, vocal rhythms over a psychedelic framework, and it is all backed by a strong and unique voice that is rooted in the pop of the eighties. Her tongue-and-cheek approach to lyrics about subject matter ranging from bisexuality to broken hearts is both clever and poetic. Her rap style and sense of rhythm are combined with an imagination that knows no bounds.

When it comes to her live set, the music is all her along with three dancers. Two are gorgeous, young, sexy eye candy, while the other one is Larry Van Horn, a very tall elderly gentlemen, an author she met in her gym in a Zumba class. “I met him last

Janet Zappala Joins KMIR & KPSE NEWS as Health and Wellness Reporter

K

MIR and KPSE are proud to welcome Janet Zappala to their ever-growing stable of experienced journalists.

Beginning Monday, April 21, Zappala will report and produce health and wellness stories for KMIR News.

Zappala brings a wealth of broadcast news experience including reporting and anchoring at stations in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and most recently, San Diego.

She has won numerous Emmy awards including Best Host and Best Reporter, and a Golden Mike Award for Best Feature.

Zappala received her Master of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies from Villanova University, and her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from CSUN. She is also a Certified Nutritional Consultant earning her certificate from Global College of Natural Medicine and American Association of Drugless Practitioners.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to live and work in the Coachella Valley, and to be a part of the stellar team at KMIR,” Zappala says. “Sharing information that will enlighten and inform our viewers about their health and wellness is a privilege.”

David Reese, News Director of KMIR and KPSE, is looking forward to working with Zappala. “We’re excited to bring on board someone with Janet’s breadth

of experience,” Reese says. “Her health reporting is another example for KMIR to help make the Coachella Valley a better place to live.”

Zappala has family in the Coachella Valley and is excited to be making the desert her home.

June, I saw him dancing in the Zumba class and he was beautiful. I was kind of nervous to just go up to a stranger, but I knew I had to have him dance in a video or something.

I couldn’t leave the gym till I talked to him.

I asked if he would be willing to dance in a video….and he talked my ear off. He is highly intelligent and such a great writer. He shares his life experiences, and in such an eloquent way. He will be dancing at the Mickey Avalon show (at The Hood in Palm Desert) and again at the sold out show at The Casbah with Bear Hands, a band that is performing at Coachella Fest this year.”

On stage during the live show, the visual presentation is stunning with all of the gorgeous young bodies on stage moving, Larry dances to the tempos with great enthusiasm. It’s is such an artistic contrast to witness. Jesika has a real appreciation for a million kinds of beautiful. Her ability

April 24 to April 30, 2014

to craft a song, construct complex rhythms, and create infectious lyrics are only topped by her originality and prowess on stage.

“I don’t ever want to take what I do TOO seriously. I mean, I am serious about my music and my career, but I try to remember I am out there to entertain people.”

Jesika’s latest record demo is a selfproduced psycho-pop collection that draws from R&B, hip-hop, pop, country and combines her wild imagination, and wonderful sense of humor with melody.

Her full warm voice is soulful as is her songwriting. Jesika crafts rhythms, vibes, and lyrics to create a dance party. Jesika draws from some of her earliest inspirations with her take on “You Drive Me Ape” by the 80’s punk band, The Dickies. She covers Cindy Lauper’s “She Bop” slowing the tempo, turning the bubble-gum pop tune into a sultry ballad. JVR’s version of Garth Brooks’ “Friends in Low Places” is a psychopop masterpiece. “Sugar Waterman” an autobiographical song about a girl who snorts Catamine believing it is cocaine prove her sense of melody and rhythm are only topped by her outrageous sense of humor and imaginative strong songwriting skills. In 2013, Jesika reinvented herself on her own terms. She is a real part of our desert music history and she is the crowned queen of desert psych-pop. You can find JVR’s show schedule, links to music and learn more at the following link.

Learn more about JVR at her artist site: http://artistecard.com/jesikavonrabbit

s.e.l.m.a.grows

“DHS GOT TALENT” SHOW

Open Audition Friday, May 2nd, 2014 from 5:30PM - 7:30 PM at the Health and Wellness Center 11-750 Cholla Drive, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240.

M

ayor Adam Sanchez and Futurenomic Resources founders, Adon Icon and Sarahyah Yisrael (SELMA Grows President) hosted the first round of auditions for the much anticipated “DHS Got Talent” show.

It was tons of fun and a huge success for all. The next round will be held May 2nd at the DHS Health & Wellness Center. The main event will be held on the 5th of July at 6:00PM. DHS is looking for more talent for this event to audition from 5 years to 19 years old.

Mayor Adam Sanchez and the city council are very pleased and excited to ask

local Elementary, Middle School, and highschool students to audition to showcase their talents.

Sanchez said that he needs 16 Acts including; Dancers, Rappers, Singers Comedians, and all kinds of talents.

Coordinating the event is Universal Producer Adon Icon & Sarahyah Yisrael.

Adon said, “This is a unique opportunity to be seen by Universal Records and Rolling Stones Magazine… So Bring On Your A Game.”

Contact: Desert Hot Springs-Mayor Sanchez Sr. (760) 288-6085 or Futurenomic Resources (760) 609-7876.

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

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events

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Haddon Libby:It’s alllocal

Zombie Brands

I

n business, brands rise and fall.

Woolworths, once a dominant name in retailing, no longer exists with the remaining fragments of their company remaining as Footlocker. When the affluent invested, EF Hutton listened. After an unfortunate money laundering and fraud event, they were acquired by Shearson Lehman Brothers which is now part of Citibank. Enron, Adelphia, Arthur Anderson and MCI/Worldcom are four other names gone from the business landscape due to illegal business activities. Airlines that dominated the skies like TWA and PanAm have also ceased to be.

it’s your nickel

Shared Asset Economy and Apps

T

he recent boom in shared asset applications has been born out of the new economy and good old American innovation.

AirBnB originated because the renters of whole separate properties seemed to already have a number of sites on which to list rentals. AirBnB went after a niche market of rooms within homes or Bed and Breakfast type listings. Interestingly, this led to rentals that were lower priced than their rivals, albeit not as private in some cases and not necessarily luxury rentals.

The economy demanded an option to those very expensive options. This was it.

The application met with enormous success, and unfortunately the company went after business on rival sites like VRBO and even Craigslist. This has attracted a whole different set of problems that the firm has not managed well given its movement away from its core business model. There have been reports of some of these rentals turned into nefarious business practices and some of these have resulted in national bad PR for the firm. In the media I have read, has been sloppy in its journalistic function, not bothering to mention that these horrible experiences have occurred

26

in the whole separate property rentals and not in those Bed and Breakfast properties, owner on site, or room rentals that made the company into the success it is today.

That needs to be debunked.

One can only hope the firm will make the distinction of the type of rentals more noticeable on their site, as the kind of renter looking for that lower rent with bad intentions ends up on their site otherwise, and that’s bad for hosts and travelers alike.

Because of the tourist industry here, it’s important to explain what’s out there and how to know the difference. An informed consumer is always the best one.

This column has also covered ride sharing systems of which UBER is the only example in the valley for now. Other columns have bad mouthed the company for price gouging and aggressive or even unfair competitive practices. As an occasional UBER driver myself, I can speak from direct experience.

month versus Nook’s 6 million visitors. It is thought that Google that wants to enter this market will service for Barnes & Noble upon Nook’s demise.

With the advance of digital content, most printed word publications are struggling.

It is thought that Hearst Publishing will consolidate Road & Track into their betterread sister publication, Car & Driver.

Another publication, Martha Stewart’s Living Magazine, is also thought to be verging on the cessation of their publication due to their difficulties in sourcing advertisers.

Among carmakers, Volvo is at risk of going the way of Saab. This Swedish car was once the benchmark for safety. With more and better products flooding their price points, Volvo sales are heavily reliant on the Chinese market these days as their brand is failing in the US and European markets.

Another carmaker, Mitsubishi, has left the US market with sales representing only 3 out of every 1,000 new cars purchased with customer satisfaction ratings among the worst in the industry.

Quizno’s declared bankruptcy earlier this year. When other chains like Subway started toasting their bread, the combination of their higher prices and the recession doomed this franchise. With 60% less franchisees now than at their peak and a debt load of $600 million, Quizno’s itself may soon be mmm, toasted. Sbarro is

another brand struggling for survival after a recent bankruptcy.

With over $8 billion in debt and declining sales, things at JC Penney do not look too good. Let’s not forget K-Mart or their sister company, Sears either. Best Buy, Toys “R” Us and Abercrombie & Fitch are other brands struggling to compete in the constantly evolving and highly competitive retail market.

In business like life, you are either growing or dying. Nothing stays the same.

Each of these companies knows that so well.

Dale Gribow On The Law

By john Paul Valdez Both regular taxicab companies and UBER called many out of town cars into the area for Coachella as huge spikes in need do occur from like events. Rates for UBER are always competitive or better than cabs.

That is possible because individuals own their own cars and pay their own insurance making UBER an asset sharing system that is more efficient and less structured than traditional cabs.

Both types of travel presented enormous difficulty over Coachella. The police made all cabs and UBER cars wait in the streets surrounding the grounds and only allowed thirty cars into the parking lots at a time for client pick-ups. I waited two hours to pick up a client for a fare of 17$. Another media outlet stated that they had seen receipts for

Looking at the current business landscape, what other iconic brands are at risk of meeting the same future as these former brand stalwarts?

The most obvious is Blackberry. Their stock that once topped $140 a share is now worth $7. After posting a breathtaking loss of nearly $6 billion for its last fiscal year on sales of $6.8 billion, they are having trouble finding a company to acquire them.

Nokia has seen a similar crash in their sales. At their peak, Nokia sold 450 million cell phones. Today, sales are under 15 million. While Nokia still makes one of the best cell phones on the market, consumers want smartphones. Given that Nokia went with the sub-par Windows operating system, Nokia, like Blackberry, found it difficult to compete against Apple and Samsung/Google.

Remember Dell, the personal computer maker? In 2000, they were the largest maker of computers in the world. As they moved away from customer service and focused on cheap computers, consumers who had liked their cheap computers moved toward tablets.

The Nook by Barnes & Noble is another brand that is destined to leave the market.

Starting late in 2009, it has been tough for them to compete against the likes of Amazon’s Kindle or Apple’s iPad. As an example, Amazon gets 130 million visitors a

April 24 to April 30, 2014

Have a safe Stagecoach weekend everybody!

554$ a ride in an UBER car. That was not my experience.

When I contacted UBER about the government and authority based needs facing the extra number of vehicles in town for these events, UBER was receptive and listened carefully, and they even offered specific driving plans to help drivers avoid the worst of these issues, while still allowing for as many cars as possible to be available for festival goers. The events have all been well served, and it is only getting better.

Please email questions and comments to: JohnPaulValdez@gmail.com

S

hould I Let My Grandkids Use Our Empty P.S. Home For Stagecoach?

I am asked What Could Go Wrong?

They usually deal with their college age grandkids coming to Stagecoach. Should they let the grandkids use their home when they are not going to be home?

I am honored to be the sole attorney member appointed to CVAG’s Public Safety Committee and the Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters Initiative and both are discussing DUI’s and Social Host liability. At CVAG on April 14, 2014 we reviewed that initiative used by Redlands and presented it to the Indio City Council for adoption. It would place liability and damages on the owner of a home where underage drinkers are consuming alcohol and then leave and cause an accident or death.

The bottom line is that kids will be kids.

The peer pressure is immense to PARTY. When you have a lot of kids in one place partying and drinking and probably getting high, it is inevitable that someone will be arrested for possession of drugs and some will be involved in an auto accident or be arrested for false ID. You know your kids and grandkids better than anyone and either way you should share the information below with them so they know What Could Happen.

What Should They Do in Case of an Auto

Accident at Stagecoach?

Tell them not to talk to anyone without consulting with an attorney and to shut down their social media & not post anything about their accident. Adjusters now look at Facebook pages to see posts about tennis or golf you are playing with a smile or a trip you are taking AFTER the accident and after you have told your doctor that you hurt and cannot do anything without pain. A post bragging about how you were racing the car next to you cannot help your case.

They should gather the facts and prepare a summary with names, addresses, phones, emails of all parties and witnesses. They use their CELL PHONES to take picture of both cars, the scene, injuries to tape what parties and witnesses say.

Tell them to be careful what they say. They should not discuss the accident with anyone, except to provide info to officers at the scene.

They should not discuss fault or causation with ANYONE….it is evidence that can come back to bite them in the fanny!

If injured tell them to go to the ER/ Urgent Care, and of course going by ambulance is better than their driving. The injury may be more serious than they realize. On a February accident case our client maintained he was ok and on April 24, 2014 he is having a surgery.

A good attorney will help a client FIND A

DOCTOR that will accept their case on a LIEN so they do not have to come out of pocket for medical treatment. We also help get their car repaired at a quality body shop and not use an insurance company’s shop.

Tell them NOT TO SIGN anything…it could be a release or authorization to get their medical records….and they should NOT talk to either insurance company without an ok from a lawyer who they should call WITHIN 24 hours.

Another common Stagecoach issue is underage drinking and using a false ID. The Indio police department brings in officers from other jurisdictions to help monitor the concerts. They check and arrest for phony ID’s.

Though it is a somewhat less serious arrest than most it is a CRIME OF MORAL TURPITUDE. This means it will be difficult to get jobs for the summer and in the future…let alone get into universities for advanced degrees.

Last summer I had two 20 year old roomies from USC who were both arrested

for possessing a phony Commercial DL. They had not even used it yet. One had a job in aerospace for the summer and the other with a law firm. Both told their potential employers and both were not able to keep their summer jobs. The bottom line is that it is just not worth the risk.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI…IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HIRING ME! Dale Gribow has been “Rated” TOP LAWYER

by Palm Springs Life Magazine from 2011-2015 and has a Superb AVVO Legal Rating by his fellow attorneys. Dale Gribow has been Man of the Year 7 times including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day has been declared 4 times. Dale is also one of the founders of Shutdown Drunk Driving, formed upon the death of his client who was killed by a drunk driver while jogging in October 2013.

Gribow has been a legal commentator, analyst, expert, newspaper columnist and radio talk show host. He currently writes for the CV Weekly and the Desert Sun. If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760 837 7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Got Stress? April is Stress Awareness Month!

S

tress, like water, seems to seep into every level of our life. “What makes it worse, it’s very unhealthy says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. In fact it’s so dangerous stress needs to be addressed and reduced.” No worries here as April is “National Stress Awareness month.” You may be surprised by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate!

First, learn how to say “no.” Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress. Avoid people who stress you out. If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship.

If traffic gets you uptight, give yourself more time.

If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. Be open-minded and compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. You can practice breathing, yoga or other relaxation techniques. Treat yourself and get away. I personally like

W

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Gaemer Girl

by Jennifer Tan aka mrs. fett

XBOX ONE’s Facelift

Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

April 24 to April 30, 2014

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

EVENT CALENDAR

I

The Chateau at Lake La Quinta. It truly is a relaxing sanctuary where you can enjoy a lake in the desert and feel removed from it all.

I wish I could cover all your stressors and provide remedies, but I’m actually better at putting fires out. So for additional stress reduction information visit: http:// www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/17/ reduce-stress-research_n_2884876.html or contact a licensed qualified therapist.

Remember, relax… life is short - Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

ShareKitchen COUNTRY MUSIC AND BBQ ith nearly seventy musical acts in town for the Stagecoach Musical Festival, we thought you might find it interesting to understand a little bit about the music fans in town for the greatest country music festival in the United States.

The Country Music Association did a study of 25,000 country music fans and found that the ‘average’ fan earns $75,000 a year. Nearly 75% own a home with half of the families earning over $100,000 a year. One-third have children and a net worth of over $300,000 while approximately 25% have college degrees.

Of all Americans, 42% or 95 million consider themselves as country music fans who collectively spend $16 billion a year dining out.

One of the foods that country music fans rejoice in is barbeque. Then again, who doesn’t?

When it comes to barbeque, there are a number of cooking techniques. Smoking is where the meat is cooked at 240-280 degrees for hours. Baking is done in a brick or convection oven while braising combines the dry heat of a charbroiler with the moisture of a broth-filled pot.

The most common style is grilling over

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

a hot fire. While some barbecuers use electricity, gas or charcoals, many skilled barbecue aficionados use different types of wood. Some of the woods preferred include cherry, hickory, mesquite, maple, oak, peach, pear and walnut.

Sean Smith of local caterer CV BBQ uses a regional style of barbecuing from the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County that finds its roots in the 1800’s.

After seasoning the beef tri-tip with his signature rub, he lets the meat marinate for a few days before cooking on an iron grill over the coals of red oak wood.

To taste CV BBQ’s Santa Maria styled barbecued tri-tip, you can find them at the Stagecoach Musical Festival or visit them any Thursday at Palm Springs VillageFest.

n the interest of a Public Service Announcement, we want to inform you that last Tuesday, April 22, was Earth Day. On this day, wafting over the Ether-net, came the news that “over a billion people in 190 countries take action…from San Francisco to San Juan, Beijing to Brussels, Moscow to Marrakesh, cleaning up their communities…all on behalf of the environment.” This is a good thing, as Martha would say. In my community, homeowners had a clean out your garage day, teaming up with neighbors, attracting buyers and a good friend was thrilled over cleaning up with $120 on a vase that she had been given and despised for years. (The gifter, an aunt, had passed over the holidays.) In California, we’re just happy that on Earth Day, the Earth was quiet and not dancing the Macarena, tossing collectibles off shelves, and messing with our calendar of fundraisers from ballet to Disco to quaffing a beer or wine at a Carnival or at the Zoo and enjoying a new circle of 4-legged friends. Read on.

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hen Microsoft announced their next big console at E3 last year, the response was a roar of anger and confusion. Always on Kinect, mandatory internet, and the inability to share a used game with friends sent Microsoft into a PR nightmare.

Luckily, with some damage control, and an aggressive marketing strategy for their midnight launches, they gained consumer faith back.

Their most recent massive update attacked not only software issues, but hardware as well.

The biggest news on this update is that you can now SEE when your friends are online. This might just be me, but I would have thought that would have been the First feature they released with their console. There’s now a silent reboot feature added for auto on consoles, and progress bars to keep up on the status of pending downloads and uploads.

Kinect also got its own reboot. Better voice and gesture response, and an Xbox

One sound bar running at $300. Not necessarily the best, but a good starting point. The design is a little bulky, but the quality is great, sounds good, and is light enough for easy mounting.

Xbox One controllers and headset adaptors are now more responsive, a sigh of relief for those of us forced to use the headphone adaptor for third party headsets.

The techs will enjoy improved GameDVR video quality through compression algorithm improvements.

And last but certainly not least is the Bluray player supports 50 Hz video output for content recorded at 50 Hz. We’ll also be updating the Bluray Player app in the coming days to round out these improvements.

These steps are going to help Microsoft in their next gen battle, but the real test will always lie in the games that they own as exclusives. What’s the point of having the best console, with the worst games?

Hopefully Destiny and Evil Within will keep them contending.

talented young dancers in the Coachella Valley. In addition to their own programs, they are often asked to perform for both charity and local civic events across the Coachella Valley. Members of the DYB have also performed with the Moscow Ballet in The Nutcracker at the McCallum Theatre for the past several years. Come see this talented and well-trained troupe perform the plié and more with style! Event at 71711 San Jacinto Drive in Rancho Mirage.

For more info, call 760-341-0122. Or go to www.desertyouthballet.org.

Saturday, April 26, 1pm. Loving All Animals presents the “Carnival of the Animals” Benefit Tea with a musical performance by the Desert Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christian Chalifour, music director, with a special appearance

by New York Metropolitan Opera Diva Janet Hopkins, recognized as one of the most vocally-gifted artists of today and an avid supporter of animal rescue. This magical, musical program will take place in the enchantment of BG Bird Gardens, Meet and greet Ms Hopkins between 1:00 to 1:45pm by purchasing a seat at a table for $125 per person. General Admission, $65 per person with performance at 2:15pm.

Limited seating. RSVP no later than April 19, if not sold out sooner. Call 760-8347003. Or purchase tickets online, www. lovingallanimals.org. BG Bird Gardens, 73179 Joshua Tree St., Palm Desert.

Saturday, April 26, 5pm. Live! Love! Dance!

Fundraiser benefiting Desert Youth Ballet.

Remember your first plié? The Desert Youth Ballet offers performance opportunities for

Saturday, April 26, 6pm. The Girlfriend Factor presents Club Cabana, Unleashed & Uncorked Ready for Launch again as the Annual Fundraiser for the non-profit group whose mission ensures that women have access to higher education and occupational training to improve their self-sufficiency, economic and personal goals. Unleashed and Uncorked! is a festive beachcomber style evening of good food, drinks and fun, culminating in the Uncorked Auction run by renowned local boy Brian Harnik. Taking place at Toscana Country Club, the event is open to the public and stars a steamy hunk-o-rama dream team of Cabana Boys-- this year to be paired with spectacular live auction packages including out-of-town hotel stays, local restaurant dining, beauty packages, wine and golf. Tickets are just $85 and can be purchased on the Event page of GFF’s website www.thegirlfriendfactor.org.

For more information about Club Cabana, Unleashed & Uncorked! or the Girlfriend Factor call (760) 772-9594.

Saturday, May 3, 5:30pm. “The First Ladies of Disco” is the hot entertainment that will tear up the stage at this year’s Evening Under the Stars annual fundraiser benefiting the AIDS Assistance Program.

Linda Clifford, France Joli, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Maxine Nightingale, Pamala Stanley, Anita Ward, Martha Wash, and the ladies formerly of Chic: Alfa Anderson, Luci Martin, and Norma Jean, will all take the stage at this star-studded affair, considered by many to be the unofficial finale of the desert event season.

Gala festivities will include cocktails served by an abundance of bartenders, fabulous live and silent auctions, inspiring honorees, delectable cuisine, divine entertainment, and dancing. Tickets for the benefit are $395 and $500 per person, and individual VIP seats are also available. Tickets may be purchased by contacting AIDS Assistance Program at 760-325-8481. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Don’t miss this show. It will bring back memories, and inspire new ones! O’Donnell Golf Course, 301 N. Belardo Road, Palm Springs

Saturday, May 3, 6:30-9:30pm. The annual “Brew at the Zoo!” also goes by a user-friendly label-ready moniker on a mission, namely “Saving Wildlife One Beer at a Time!” Bring on the suds and do your duty to support the Living Desert and its outdoor, free-ranging savannas, noisy (and quiet) with animals usually only seen in parts of the world which require a passport!

Trust us, it’s a trip!. The Living Desert, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. Ticket, $40 to $125. For more info, call 760-346-5694, or go to LivingDesert.org.

Monday – Friday, July 7 – 11; July 28 – August 1. 8am – 1 pm. Save the Date! Be an early bird whether you want the worm or not! Critter Camp Returns for kids ages 6 through 11 years old and they don’t want to miss a minute of this week-long day camp. Why? Listen up, scout. Right now, Animal Samaritans is accepting sign-ups for its popular, fun-filled, learning-inspired Summer Critter Camps. Our humane proactive educators will hold two camps for up to 20 children each. These week-long camps fill up quickly, so sign up your kids today! Camp location is at Thousand Palms Chamber of Commerce, 72-715 La Canada Way, Thousand Palms. Activities include hands on animal encounters with therapy dogs, reptiles, birds, and rodents, Animalthemed games, Animal-themed arts & crafts. This is a terrific time to get a wellrounded education about caring for pets, and getting a whole new outlook filled with animal fun facts. Snacks and bottled water are provided, but campers must bring sack lunch. Cost per camper: $85. To register, call 760-601-3761 or email dmartinez@ animalsamaritans.org .

“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event!

Thanks!

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Janet McAfee

Kali’s Journey Home V

icki and Don Melvin were still heartbroken over the loss of their precious 14-yr-old terrier, Salsa, when a neighbor told them about a rescue dog adoption event at the Shadow Mountain golf club. The Melvins were open to the idea of fostering another pup, and soon I delivered a cute little terrier to their lovely home, rescued by Loving All Animals from the San Bernardino City Shelter. Another friend mailed them a touching poem about “A Dog’s Last Will and Testament”, an excerpt from which is below: “So when I die, please do not say, ‘I will never have a pet again, for the loss and pain is more than I can stand.’ Instead, go find an unloved dog, one whose life has held no joy or hope and give MY place to him. This is the only thing I can give, the love I left behind.”

The Melvins were no strangers to the world of rescue dogs. Fourteen years earlier, Don, a pilot for The Flying Samaritans Physicians, came across a tiny abandoned puppy in a Mexican village and he could not

calico cat

Gorgeous 2-yr-old Calico beauty will entertain you with her antics! She’s cat ID#1099252 at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, located at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, call (760) 343-3644 for hours and directions. Special adoption rate $15 for cats, includes spaying & shots.

Beautiful Bonny This sweet angel faced dog dreams of a home with you!

Bonny is a terrier just 2 yrs old & weighs 9 lbs. Her foster mom says, “Bonny is the most LOVING, gentle companion you could ever have! She loves other dogs and all humans”. Loving All Animals rescued her from the county shelter. Adoption donation requested. Call (760) 834-7000.

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leave her behind. When Don met the US Customs agents at the San Diego airport, the little pup was hidden inside his windbreaker.

In a moment of bad timing, the dog poked her head out from under the windbreaker at same time Don told the agent, “I have nothing to declare!” Don was informed that documentation was required to fly a dog into the United States. However, the agent recognized Don from prior flights, and realizing the dog was under 6 weeks old, he ushered them through with a gruff, “Get going!” Tiny Salsa had her “green card” to freedom and a new life.

Salsa proved to be the most angelic animal you could imagine. She was perfectly trained without any training, and she basked in the love of the Melvins for 14 wonderful years. Now her lovely photograph adorns their wall, and tears come to their eyes when the Melvins talk about this cherished pet that left this world August 3, 2013.

The new terrier was as loving as Salsa, but posed some challenges. Kali’s past is largely a mystery. We suspect she was

kept in a backyard in San Bernardino, a low income community with many abandoned animals. Kali was picked up as a stray dog by animal control. We don’t know how long she roamed the streets. Kali arrived at the Melvins’ home skittish and afraid, reluctant to let them touch her. She appeared to have no prior house training, peeing on their floor promptly after her arrival. Vicki recalls, “Kali was hyperactive for the first two days, and we could not get near her. She can jump up 5 feet, and she was all over our furniture including the kitchen island. It took three days for her to warm up to us, and then she became very affectionate.”

The Melvins enjoyed going out on the nearby golf course in their golf cart and socializing with the neighbors and their dogs.

It was a happy routine with happy pooches who love canine companionship. The couple headed out on the golf cart to show off their new pup to the group and were shocked when Kali began snarling aggressively at the other dogs. The Melvins have many friends with dogs, and were disappointed that Kali seemed unable to carry on their tradition of “pooch and people” gatherings.

Things got worse when the Melvins went out to dinner one evening. They returned to find that Kali, perhaps becoming anxious in their absence, chewed on their window shutters. Don sadly told Vickie that night, “It looks like we are not going to be able

Sweet Sedona This adorable 1-yr-old female terrier is waiting for a home, maybe with you! Sedona is dog ID#A1100118 at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, call (760) 343-3644 for information & shelter hours.

to do this.” Vickie tearfully telephoned me the next day, and Loving All Animals began searching for a new foster home that could address the dog’s issues.

Then Kali took things into her own “paws”, intervening in her fate. The Melvins woke up the following morning to find Kali wedged between them, staring straight into their eyes with the most pleading look imaginable. Dogs sense the moods of humans, and Kali was aware of the Melvins’ distress and her own precarious future.

When they saw her beautiful pleading eyes, the Melvins knew they could never give her up. Everyone told them they would fall in love with a dog they fostered. Don explains, “It’s about falling in love, and love is forgiving. Kali wants to be with us all the time. She’s like Velcro and loves hanging out with us.” Love triumphed in Kali’s story.

With some advice from trainer Sandy Miller, and a lot of patience from the Melvins, Kali’s demeanor towards other dogs improved. She no longer feels the need to fiercely guard the Melvins. She is now part of the happy group of golf carters and their dogs, a little ringleader in the joyful playgroup. All her behavior problems improved over time once she realized she was in her “furever” home.

Kali officially became a “Melvin” with her adoption this week. Her expression and demeanor reflect a happy security, knowing she’s home at last. Vickie explains, “She brought so much love into our home.

Kali is so dear. Although we said we would never get another dog after losing Salsa, we both needed another dog. She gives us something to think about besides ourselves”.

Don adds, “Kali was terrified when she first arrived. She now feels comfort and love, and that’s what she’s going to get for the rest of her life.”

To experience your own happy ending with a rescue dog, contact Loving All Animals in Palm Desert at 760-834-7000.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of April 24

ARIES (March 21-April 19): If for some inexplicable reason you are not simmering with new ideas about how you could drum up more money, I don’t know what to tell you -- except that maybe your mother lied to you about exactly when you were born. The astrological omens are virtually unequivocal: If you are a true Aries, you are now being invited, teased, and even tugged to increase your cash flow and bolster your financial knowhow. If you can’t ferret out at least one opportunity to get richer quicker, you might really be a Pisces or Taurus. And my name is Jay Z. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You remind me of a garden plot that has recently been plowed and rained on. Now the sun is out. The air is warm. Your dirt is wet and fertile. The feeling is a bit unsettled because the stuff that was below ground got churned up to the top. Instead of a flat surface, you’ve got furrows. But the overall mood is expectant. Blithe magic is in the air. Soon it will be time to grow new life. Oh, but just one thing is missing: The seeds have yet to be sewn. That’s going to happen very soon. Right?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Here’s an excerpt from “Celestial Music,” a poem by Louise Gluck: “I’m like the child who buries / her head in the pillow / so as not to see, the child who tells herself / that light causes sadness.” One of your main assignments in the coming weeks, Gemini, is not to be like that child. It’s true that gazing at what the light reveals may shatter an illusion or two, but the illumination you will be blessed with will ultimately be more valuable than gold.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Would you like to forge new alliances and expand your web of connections and get more of the support you need to fulfill your dreams? You are entering the Season of Networking, so now would indeed be an excellent time to gather clues on how best to accomplish all that good stuff. To get you started in your quest, here’s advice from Dale Carnegie: “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Does Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt run faster than any person alive? As far as we know, yes. He holds three world records and has won six Olympic gold medals. Even when he’s a bit off his game, he’s the best. At the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, he set the all-time mark for the 100-meter race -- 9.69 seconds -- despite the fact that one of his shoelaces was untied and he slowed down to celebrate before reaching the finish line.

Like you, Bolt is a Leo. I’m making him both your role model and your anti-role model for the foreseeable future. You have the power to achieve something approaching his levels of excellence in your own field -- especially if you double-check to make sure your shoelace is never untied and especially if you don’t celebrate victory before it’s won.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In his unpublished book The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, John Koenig coins new words that convey experiences our language has not previously accounted for.

One that may apply to you sometime soon is “trumspringa,” which he defines as “the temptation to step off your career track and become a shepherd in the mountains, following your flock between pastures with a sheepdog and a rifle, watching storms at dusk from the doorway of a small cabin.”

To be overtaken by trumspringa doesn’t necessarily mean you will literally run away and be a shepherd.

In fact, giving yourself the luxury of considering such wild possibilities may be a healing release that allows you to be at peace with the life you are actually living.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “The supreme pleasure we can know, Freud said, and the model for all pleasure, orgasmic pleasure, comes when an excess tension built up, confined, compacted, is abruptly released.” That’s an observation by philosopher Alphonso Lingis. I bring it to your attention, Libra, because I expect that you will soon be able to harvest a psychospiritual version of that

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

supreme pleasure. You have been gathering and storing up raw materials for soul-making, and now the time has come to express them with a creative splash. Are you ready to purge your emotional backlog? Are you brave enough to go in search of cathartic epiphanies? What has been dark will yield light.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The potential turning points that might possibly erupt in the coming days will not become actual turning points unless you work hard to activate them. They will be subtle and brief, so you will have to be very alert to notice them at all, and you will have to move quickly before they fade away. Here’s another complication: These incipient turning points probably won’t resemble any turning points you’ve seen before.

They may come in the form of a lucky accident, a blessed mistake, a happy breakdown, a strange healing, a wicked gift, or a perfect weakness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If you happen to be an athlete, the coming week will not be a good time to headbutt a referee or take performanceenhancing drugs. If you hate to drive your car anywhere but in the fast lane, you will be wise to try the slower lanes for a while. If you are habitually inclined to skip steps, take short cuts, and look for loopholes, I advise you to instead try being thorough, methodical, and by-the-book. Catch my drift? In this phase of your astrological cycle, you will have a better chance at producing successful results if you are more prudent than usual. What?!

A careful, discreet, strategic, judicious Sagittarius?

Sure! Why not?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): My interpretation of this week’s astrological data might sound eccentric, even weird. But you know what? Sometimes life is -- or at least should be -downright unpredictable. After much meditation, I’ve concluded that the most important message you can send to the universe is to fly a pair of underpants from the top of a flagpole. You heard me. Take down the flag that’s up there, and run the skivvies right up to the top. Whose underpants should you use? Those belonging to someone you adore, of course. And what is the deeper meaning behind this apparently irrational act? What exactly is life asking from you? Just this: Stop making so much sense all the time -- especially when it comes to cultivating your love and expressing your passion.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You need to take some time out to explore the deeper mysteries of snuggling, cuddling, and nuzzling. In my opinion, that is your sacred duty. It’s your raison d’etre, your ne plus ultra, your sine qua non. You’ve got to nurture your somatic wisdom with what we in the consciousness industry refer to as yummy warm fuzzy wonder love. At the very least, you should engage in some prolonged hugging with a creature you feel close to. Tender physical touch isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Your body contains about four octillion atoms. That’s four with 27 zeroes after it. Believe it or not, 200 billion of that total were once inside the body of Martin Luther King, Jr. For that matter, an average of 200 billion atoms of everyone who has ever lived and died is part of you. I am not making this up. (See the mathematical analysis here: http://tinyurl.com/ AtomsFromEveryone.) As far as your immediate future is concerned, Pisces, I’m particularly interested in that legacy from King. If any of his skills as a great communicator are alive within you, you will be smart to call on them. Now is a time for you to express high-minded truths in ways that heal schisms, bridge gaps, and promote unity. Just proceed on the assumption that it is your job to express the truth with extra clarity, candor, and grace.

Homework: Some people ask, “What would Jesus do?” Others prefer, “What would Buddha do?” Who’s your ultimate authority? Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

April 24 to April 30, 2014

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

YOGA FOR YOUR HEADACHES

M

ore than 45 million Americans suffer from chronic headaches annually. That is approximately one in six people. If we venture into migraines, 18% of woman suffer this malaise and approximately 6% of men. It is one of the country’s biggest healthcare challenges, costing 50 billion per year.

Research indicates yoga may be helpful in relieving or eliminating headaches.

Headaches and migraines are entirely different. The difference between migraines and headaches is more than just the severity of the symptoms that accompany a migraine. It is believed that migraines are a central nervous system disorder whereas a headache is pain you feel in your head temporarily. Stress can be a culprit to your headache. Sitting for long periods of time and straining your eyes to look at a computer screen may be the cause for your headache as well. Plus, retaining tension in your neck can result in a headache. Hence, tension-related headaches.

Yoga in almost any form is going to be helpful in reducing or eliminating your headaches. One focus in yoga is to breathe and relax. Incorporating a regular yoga practice with meditation – may change your outlook. It may help you relate to certain circumstances, situations and people in a less stressful manor. Yoga may also help relieve muscle tension in your back, neck and head and this can preclude headaches.

With yoga you will learn how to relax those muscles. When you release you can increase your blood flow and this can help your mind relax. In tandem while releasing tension, you are also building strength in specific muscles through your yoga practice.

You can be cognizant of these muscles and learn not to tense them and help to prevent a future headache. You may notice that you tense your neck or shrug your shoulders after sitting at your desk after several hours.

Early awareness as to what you are doing with your body may really help you.

Here are a couple of postures to consider

while you are at work. They are simple and require little effort.

Try a simple seated twist. Stay seated in your chair. You may choose to cross one leg over the other. Plant one foot or both onto the floor. Press down through your buttocks. Take your right arm behind you on the chair and your left hand over your knee ~ twist. Turn your belly to the right on the exhale. Keep your shoulders down and chest open. Relax your jaw and eyes.

Hold for 10-15 seconds and breathe evenly.

Repeat on the other side.

Grab opposite elbows. Stand with your feet firmly on the earth and hip distance apart. Clasp your elbows behind your back. Stand tall and release your shoulders downward. Turn your head from side to side. Breathe evenly for 10-15 seconds.

The above are two postures that may help you. If you suffer from headaches you should give yoga a chance. If you suffer from chronic stress or have other challenges in your physical or mental life, yoga can be a beautiful venture.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. For more information, www.e-volveyoga.com or (760) 564YOGA (9642)

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

Life & career Coach

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Sunny Simon

Silence is Not Golden.

Make Some Noise!

T

he other day I met with a client regarding her job search. Debbie told me she interviewed with a firm and felt it went very well. Two weeks had passed and she had heard nothing. I quizzed her. Did you send a well-crafted thank you note? She nodded to the affirmative. My advice: never sit and stew when you can do something about it. At the very least, the employer owes you some kind of an answer.

Call, or email them reiterating your interest in the position and ask where they are in the decision making process.

In this case, one possible scenario is Debbie may find the company hired another candidate. Although this may be a temporary disappointment, knowing the status enables her to move on and continue to search for that perfect position.

In his book, “The Last Lecture,” the late Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon offers up an important life lesson.

As a senior in high school, he set his sights on attending Brown University. Randy did not make the cut and ended up being waitlisted. Relegation to a wait list puts you in the same purgatory plight as the unknown job interview outcome. Gutsy Pausch was having none of that. He continued to call the admissions office until in his words,

“they eventually decided they may as well accept me.”

Obviously tenacity worked for Randy.

Let’s explore another scenario for our job seeker. Perhaps the employer was on the fence, undecided on who to hire and busy with a myriad of other issues. Contacting the company and reminding the employer that she is extremely interested in the position and ready to report for work, could tip the scale in her favor. It should be clear that my client had nothing to lose and everything to gain by letting her voice be heard.

My husband has a saying that goes like this, “do it for the next time.” Through the years I’ve learned the wisdom in this.

Here’s a third possible scenario. My client finds out the job is filled, however, the employer appreciates her interest and takes the time to give her resume a second look.

Coincidently, another job is opening up in the very near future. Debbie is invited back in to interview and lands the job. Trust me, it happens. Next time you face a barrier, muster up a little chutzpah and don’t take silence for an answer.

Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at ww.raisethebarhigh.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Ask The Doctor

April 24 to April 30, 2014

by dr peter kadile

Dr. Peter M. Kadile is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He has an integrative, osteopathic medical practice and is also known as the local, house call doctor; Desert House Call Physician. He is on staff at Eisenhower Medical Center and medical director for Serenity Hospice. His office is located in beautiful Old Town La Quinta, 78-100 Main Street, Suite 207, La Quinta, CA 92253. (760) 777-7439. DesertHouseCalls@aol.com. www.deserthousecalldoc.com.

Dr. Kadile will be writing a regular column for CV Weekly. Please send any medical questions you have to editor@coachellavalleyweekly.com for him to answer.

Hey Dr. Kadile, my son frequently gets ear infections after being in the pool for awhile. Will he have to get tubes for his ears?

Kathy, Desert Hot Springs Kathy, your son most likely has frequent outer ear infections (otitis externa), commonly know as “swimmers ear”. The outer ear is the area from the eardrum to the outside of the head. The infection is caused by water that stays in the ear commonly after swimming. The water contains bacteria that invade the skin of the ear canal. Most cases of swimmers ear can be treated with antibiotic ear drops. An important part of the treatment is to keep the affected ears dry, so no more swimming until the infection has fully cleared. Plugging the ear canal with a cotton ball coated in vaseline will help keep the ear dry when bathing. The placement of tubes in the ear is a form of treatment for chronic middle ear infections (otitis media), NOT treatment for outer ear infections.

Dr. Kadile, The recent winds have really flared up my allergies. What is the best medication you recommend for allergies?

Linda, Desert Hot Springs Linda, the high winds kick up all sorts of nasty allergens, dust, sand and irritants which can cause the itchy, watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, cough, sore throat and sneezing associated with allergic rhinitis.

Staying well hydrated, supplementing with vitamin C, vitamin D and omega 3 fish oils can help boost your immune system and

help reduce allergy flare ups. Irrigation of the nasal passages with an over the counter neti pot can help reduce the congestion and runny nose associated with allergy symptoms. Over the counter (OTC) medications, usually antihistamines, can be effective in the prevention and treatment of symptoms, but can have side effects, commonly drowsiness. Make sure you read the labels of the various OTC allergy medications to educate yourself on the possible side effects.

Dr. Kadile, can chicken soup really help with a cold or flu?

Steve, Indio Steve, the old fashioned remedy of chicken soup may actually be better than over the counter cold and flu medications.

There have been several scientific studies that show that chicken soup may have some medical benefits. Ingredients in chicken soup can help reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory cold/flu symptoms. Hot chicken soup has been shown to be more effective than hot water in increasing the movement of nasal mucus and the soup also improves function of cilia, the protective projections in the nose that prevent germs from entering the body. Chicken soup is also a good source of nutrition and hydration when you’re sick.

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April 24 to April 30, 2014

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S U N D A Y ,

M A Y

1 8

T H

COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AWARDS

MA

S

Winners Announced in 24 Categories Performances By: Se7en4 Bridger Blasting Echo Remnants of Man Perishment

Machin’ Long Duk Dong Inner Planetary Monks Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera Sean Wheeler & Zander Schloss

Mighty Delta-Tones John Stanley King The Hive Minds

Tickets to the Award Show are $25 in advance $35 at the door V.I.P. After Party 9pm-midnight (Only 50 tickets are available to the public to purchase for the V.I.P. Party. $25 in advance and will include Hosted Bar, Food and Entertainment otherwise you must be a nominee or on the list to enter as V.I.P.) Several Celebrity presenters will appear.

To purchase tickets call 760-501-6228 Sponsors: Crater Lake/ BAR/ Smoketree Supper Club/ Giuseppe’s/ Desert Wraps/ Babes Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse/ Loving All Animals www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

5-9PM

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