Ptnovember

PRIMETIME of your life FREE | VOLUME 5 • ISSUE NO. 11 | NOVEMBER 2016 Interesting features for our 50+ audience

Gary Berkson A world of music

By Lucinda Sue Crosby For PrimeTime of Your Life

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ~ Plato

THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH PAGE 2

W

hen it comes to the Coachella Valley, access to world class cultural experiences is one of the area’s most vigorous selling points. Opportunities to enjoy top notch music and theater fill our calendars and our souls. It is not an exaggeration to say that globally recognized talent contributes to our art-scape in any number of venues on a regular basis.

Take for example Maestro Gary Berkson, Music Director and Conductor of the Desert Symphony (DS). His far flung career was centered in Europe for years, where he conducted for princes, queens and prime ministers – and regular folk like you and me – taking the stage with legends of opera and ballet.

Closer to home, Gary has worked with Broadway luminaries like Tommy Tune and Jason Alexander and pop icons like Michael Bolton.

This gentleman’s resume is breathtaking for its length and depth … not bad for a kid from Los Angeles whose family had “zero musical inclination.” (His words.)

The man sipping coffee across from me is fast-tic, animated and rich with anecdotes about his travels that he punctuates with hands as expressive as his eyes. You can picture him with a baton. Considering

his accomplishments, he seems so much more about sharing his passion for the work than past laurels.

From his earliest years, Gary was able to recreate on the piano melodies he heard on radio and TV. At age four, Gary’s parents supplemented his obvious skill with piano lessons from Helene Mirich, who introduced him to a variety of genres from classical to pop to jazz, Broadway and the American Songbook. In high school, as he was called on to accompany soloists for school productions and concerts, Gary began to discern the process of bringing together performers and players and found the process both interesting and satisfying.

A gifted mathematician, Gary studied theoretical math at the

Claremont Colleges. However, the prospect of seven additional years for a doctorate didn’t appeal so he switched back to music, earning a Bachelors in Music Conducting from Pitzer.

After summering at the Aspen Music Festival, Garry interviewed for and was accepted to the Juilliard School of Performing Arts. “In those days,” Gary said, “you could watch the other people audition. Some people found the process nerve wracking. Out of 44 applicants, they accepted two.” (Incidentally, Gary is featured in “Dance, Drama, Music: 100 Years of the Julliard School” published in celebration of the university’s centenary.)

Continued on page 5

CHILI PEPPER TIDBITS PAGE 3

ALTERNATIVES TO DECLAWING CATS? PAGE 6

Palm Springs Veterans Day Parade. Friday, Nov. 11. Parade begins at Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Dr., heads northbound on Palm Canyon to Alejo Road.

Concludes with a post parade patriotic concert and fireworks finale. palmspringsca.gov.

PrimeTime of Your Life provides local editorial and advertising content for our active adults (50+).

We strive to educate and inform through lifestyle features and human interest profiles. PrimeTime is distributed throughout the Coachella Valley.

Deb Geissler - Publisher

dgeissler@desertentertainer.com

Jose De La Cruz – Editor

news@desertentertainer.com

Kimberly Brucks - Advertising Manager kbrucks@desertentertainer.com

Judy Telander - Marketing Specialist

jtelander@desertentertainer.com

Lucinda Sue Crosby Feature Writer

(760) 776-5181 | 41-995 Boardwalk, Suite L2 Palm Desert CA 92211 A Product of the Desert Mobile Home News.

Titles registered and all contents copyright 2016

by Hi-Desert Publishing Co. All Rights reserved.

2

|

PRIMETIME

|

Jacqueline Cochran Air Show. Saturday, Nov. 5. This show is sure to wow the crowd and is perfect for families with activities for all to enjoy including, vendor booths, and exciting aerobatics performances.

Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport, 56-850 Higgins Dr., Thermal. jcairshow.com.

The Rock of the ’80s. Saturday, Nov. 5. Featuring The Motels, Smithereens, and The Romantics. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. spotlight29.com/concerts.html.

NOVEMBER 2016

Italian Festival. Nov. 12 - 13.

Enjoy delicious food, Italian wine and beer, live music, energetic cultural dancing, and much more. Rancho Mirage Community Park,71-560 San Jacinto Dr., Rancho Mirage. desertarc.org/ italian-festival.

McCormick’s Classic Car Auction. Nov. 18 - 20. Over 500 classic and exotic cars, open to the general public and dealers alike. Friday is free all day. Palm Springs Convention Center, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs. classic-carauction.com.

Bill Engvall. Saturday, Nov. 19.

Part of the enormously successful Blue Collar Comedy Tour.

Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Har-

rison Place, Coachella. spotlight29. com/concerts.html.

Olive Newton-John. Nov. 18.

With a career spanning more than four decades she is still a vibrant, creative individual adored by fans across the world. McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Dr., Palm Desert. (760) 340-2787, mccallumtheatre.com.

Props & Hops Craft Beer Festival. Nov. 19. Taste dozens of craft beers and enjoy seeing warbirds taking off and landing on the tarmac. Festivities includes food vendors and live music. Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs. (760) 778-6262, palmspringsairmuseum.org.

For an up-to-date calendar of events and performances pick up an issue of the Desert Entertainer every Thursday. Visit desertentertainer.com to read the full issue online.

107 mg of the good stuff, compared to an orange’s 69 mg.

N

ovember is National Pepper month! Here are some fun and interesting facts about one of the spicies foods.

Chili pepper is a very broad term. The plant is capable of mutating very quickly, and as a result, there are a ton of varieties— there are over 140 different kinds growing in Mexico alone. The environment also impacts what the pepper will look and taste like: soil, temperature, and weather all need to be taken into account.

Peppers are believed to be one of the first plants to have been domesticated, and chili pepper seeds from over 6000 years ago have been found in Peru and

Mexico. Residue of the peppers has also been found on various ancient cooking tool.

If you’ve ever eaten a chili pepper, you might have noticed that the second bite is hotter than the first. Some people believe it’s because the seeds are the spiciest part, but it’s actually the flesh near them that sets your tongue on fire.

The part of the pepper closest to the stem is usually the hotter part because it has the highest concentration of capsaicin. These components of the pepper irritate the skin and cause your mouth to feel that distinct burning pain.

While capsaicin may burn and irritate the flesh of mammals,

birds are completely immune to its effects. As a result, birds are largely responsible for helping wild peppers spread by eating them and excreting the seeds.

Chipotle and jalapeño peppers are the same plant. The two spicy peppers are known for having their own distinct tastes, but that’s a result of how they’re treated after being harvested. Chipotle peppers are really just red jalapenos that have been smoke-dried.

Most people may think of oranges as the best source of vitamin C, but really there are a lot of foods that beat its supply. Chili peppers, for example, have about

NOVEMBER 2016

|

A popular natural remedy, when applied topically, cayenne pepper can help stop bleeding. The cayenne can either be sprinkled on the injury directly or diluted in water and soaked into a bandage. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the powder helps equalize blood pressure, meaning less blood will pump out of the wound and it will clot faster. Some even believe that the pepper will help alleviate pain—something normal bandages can’t do.

In Japan, there is a type of pepper called shishito. The unusual pepper is usually about as mild as a bell pepper—except for the rare case when it’s not. One out of every ten of these will be pretty spicy. Generally, these spicy outliers are still less hot than your runof-the-mill jalapeño, but they’re hot enough to make eating a batch a fun game of chance.

PRIMETIME

|

3

SCAM ALERT! Money making scheme targets older people and veterans

I

f you’re just getting by, and someone offers you the chance to earn more money through a business opportunity, you might be willing to listen, right?

Unfortunately, those offers often turn out to be just another scam.

The Federal Trade Commission announced charges against three people and multiple companies behind a telemarketing scheme that targeted older people and veterans, and took millions of dollars from people with promises they would multiply their investment.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS Doing business under names like “Titan Income,” “Wyze Money,” “Prime Cash,” and “Building Money,” telemarketers called people about an “opportunity” to participate or invest in e-commerce websites. The callers said people would earn a hefty income sharing in the revenue from the sites. They even said it was “risk-free” and promised a 100% money-back guarantee.

For a few months, the scammers made it seem like everything was going according to plan as people awaited their first earnings payment at the end of the quarter.

During that time, some people who initially paid hundreds of dollars

4

|

PRIMETIME

|

NOVEMBER 2016

were convinced to pay thousands of dollars more to increase their return. The company even helped people move their now-huge credit card balances to new accounts with temporarily low or zero-interest balance transfers.

But it was all a lie. As soon as it was time for people to get paid, all contact stopped. There were no e-commerce earnings or investments. Anyone trying to get a refund of their investment was out of luck. Many people lost as much as $20,000.

PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SCAM If you’re considering putting money into a business opportunity, do some research first. By law, business opportunity promoters must give you certain information before you hand over any money.

Many of the people Building Money called were on the Do Not Call Registry. If a company is ignoring the Registry, there’s a good chance it’s a scam. If you get calls like these, hang up and file a complaint with the FTC at donotcall. gov.

Continued from page 1 His first post-Juilliard position was Assistant Conductor for the Miami Opera Company, where he also assumed the posts of chorus master, principal pianist and librarian.

Subsequently, he was named Principal Conductor of the Gothenburg Opera in Sweden … a development that totally rearranged his life. “At the time, I’d never been out of the country – didn’t even have a passport,” Gary said. “It was quite the culture shock!”

He eventually became part of the conducting staff at Stockholm’s Royal Opera House and also began to receive invitations for guest performances, often in other countries, that included symphonic concerts, musical theater and ballet. It was during this time frame that he met and married Annika Löf Berkson, a dancer with the Royal Swedish Ballet.

On visits with family back in the USA, Annika and Gary discovered Palm Springs. “We loved it,” Gary said, “especially me. After years of bitter winters, I could finally relax and enjoy the heat. I like heat.”

In 2008 Gary and Annika moved to the Coachella Valley permanently. They met and became friends with Ben and Marilyn Benachowski, founders of the Desert Symphony. Ben, who was also the DS Musical Director, died in 2009 and was replaced by Tom Hartley “who guided the company through a very difficult time,” Gary explained.

In the fall of 2010, Gary was offered his present position, one he considers “a fantastic opportunity.”

“The DS musicians are professional and highly qualified,” Gary said. “They’re studio players who record for films and television when they’re not working with us, meaning they can attack difficult music with little rehearsal and still render an excellent performance.”

In semi-retirement (hah!), Gary is also the Music Director for the Peninsula Symphony in Redondo Beach, currently in its 50th season.

He and Annika have four rescued cats, spend leisure time gardening and swimming and particularly enjoy visiting Joshua Tree or the Top of the Tram as well as meandering through the Mojave Desert.

Of course, they still trek across Planet Earth, now preferring to embrace the countryside of exotic destinations like Africa, India and China. Even so, music will always be his greatest adventure.

“Musical scores don’t change as much as the people interpreting them change,” Gary told me.

“I firmly believe you can’t do justice to Mahler or Wagner or Beethoven’s Ninth until your 40th

NOVEMBER 2016

|

birthday. Life experience, age, maturity, angst or the bitter sweet – all these enhance exploration.”

For more information about this interesting and talented man and/or the upcoming Desert Symphony 2016-17 season, contact the Desert Symphony at (760) 773-5988 or visit thedesertsymphony.org or the McCallum Box Office at (760) 340-2787.

PRIMETIME

|

5

Are there any alternatives to declawing cats?

T

here are two effective ways to protect your furniture, curtains and children from your cat’s claws without having to declaw it. After all, declawing is a major operation. The solution?

Scratching posts and nail caps.

Scratching posts are covered in materials that cats love to dig their claws into, such as cardboard, wood, carpet or jute. A post gives your pet a perfect place to scratch as much as it wants, but the challenge is to get your cat interested in doing so. If your cat ignores its scratching post, it’s probably because the post isn’t located in the right place. Typically, it should be where your pet wants to scratch to mark its territory. To solve this problem, move the post around until your cat shows interest; try placing it near the corner of a sofa, for instance. You can also make the post more attractive by hanging a toy on it or by sprin-

6

|

PRIMETIME

kling it with catnip.

Nail caps are protective membranes attached directly to trimmed claws with non-toxic glue. These guards are painless, last about six weeks and are available in various colors. Talk to your veterinarian to learn more about nail caps or declawing.

|

NOVEMBER 2016

?

KNOW DID YOU In Fairbanks, Alaska it is illegal for a moose to enter a saloon (via the sidewalk). This law was created to try to stop a local tavern owner from getting his pet moose drunk and prevent the moose’s frequent drunken rampages.

A Florida-based beer company created fully edible six-pack rings from brewing byproducts such as wheat and barley; the rings are just as strong as the plastic variety, yet completely digestible and biodegradable.

Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Hammer was purchased for $30,802,500 in 1994 by Bill Gates; three years later he released a digital version of the historic diary for all the world to enjoy.

In July 1945, Kodak accidentally discovered that the United States was testing atomic bombs after customers complained of “foggy” film.

Treadmills used to be used as punishment for prisoners in the 1800’s.

The treadmills powered grain mills (hence the name treadmills) and pump water.

There’s a Burger King in the town of Mattoon, Illinois which actually opened before the giant chain and registered as a statewide trademark in 1959. The Burger King chain isn’t allowed to operate within 20 miles of the original restaurant.

W

hen you don’t want to wrestle a big bird, make turkey breast instead.

Pick up two boneless turkey breast halves (with the skin on), cut pockets into them, and pile in the stuffing.

You’ll still get plenty of servings—as with this recipe that serves 16. If you have a smaller crowd for Thanksgiving, make just one and bake the remaining stuffing in a pan.

To make the pocket for the stuffing, use a thin, sharp knife to cut a slit into the thickest part of the turkey breast. Stuff the spinach-

sausage mixture inside and press gently. Then tie with kitchen twine and you’re ready to bake.

Turkey Breast Stuffed with Sausage, Garlic and Spinach

A savory stuffing mix—sausage, onion and spinach—is baked right side the turkey breast, where it soaks up the meat juices.

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from casings • 1 medium onion, chopped

• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 3 cups 1/2-inch bread cubes • 1 (10-ounce) box frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed dry • 1/2 to 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth • 1 egg • 2 boneless turkey breast halves, about 2 pounds each • Olive oil • 1 teaspoon salt • Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. 2. In a large skillet, cook sausage, onion, fennel seeds and garlic until sausage is no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Combine sausage mixture with bread cubes, spinach, broth and egg, mixing well. Let cool.

3. Make a large pocket-like slit in turkey breast half.

NOVEMBER 2016

|

4. Spoon in about half the spinach mixture. Tie with kitchen twine. Brush with oil.

Sprinkle with half the salt and pepper. Place in a roasting pan. Repeat with remaining turkey, stuffing, salt and pepper or if roasting only one breast, place remaining spinach mixture in a greased baking dish.

4. Bake turkey breasts (and extra stuffing) 35 to 45 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 160F. Let stand 10 minutes. Remove twine, slice turkey and serve hot or room temperature. Spoon pan juices over sliced turkey. Serve extra stuffing on the side.

Serves 16.

PRIMETIME

|

7