Coachella Valley Independent September 2025

Mailing address: 31855 Date Palm Drive, No. 3-263 Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760) 904-4208 www.cvindependent.com

Editor/Publisher

Jimmy Boegle

staff writerS

Haleemon Anderson

Kevin Fitzgerald

coveR and feature design

Maria Ratinova

Contributors

Melissa Daniels, Charles Drabkin, Katie Finn, Bill Frost, Bonnie Gilgallon, Bob Grimm, Terry Huber, Valerie-Jean (VJ) Hume, Clay Jones, Matt Jones, Matt King, Keith Knight, Cat Makino, Brett Newton, Greg Niemann, Dan Perkins, Theresa Sama, Jen Sorenson, Robert Victor, Eleanor Whitney

The Coachella Valley Independent print edition is published every month. All content is ©2025 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The Independent is available free of charge throughout the Coachella Valley, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $5 by calling (760) 904-4208. The Independent may be distributed only by the Independent’s authorized distributors.

The Independent is a proud member and/ or supporter of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, CalMatters, DAP Health, the Local Independent Online News Publishers, the Desert Business Association, and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

A recent story in The Orange County Register really upset me. The lede:

A father was briefly detained by federal immigration agents Tuesday morning, Aug. 19, after dropping off his child at a Garden Grove elementary school, district officials confirmed. The incident happened at about 7:50 a.m., before school started, when families alerted staff that a group of masked, unidentified individuals in unmarked cars had surrounded a man on the corner near campus. The man, who had just dropped off his child, was handcuffed and taken away in one of the vehicles, Garden Grove Unified spokesperson Abby Broyles said Wednesday morning.

“This incident understandably caused fear and confusion among the many students and families who witnessed this terrifying event,” Broyles said.

Broyles said the father returned to school later that day and told district officials he had been held inside an ICE vehicle parked at a lot near the school and released within the hour after showing documentation and confirming his identity. He asked that details not be shared to protect his family and the wider school community, Broyles said. Following safety protocols, the school went into a “Secure Building” alert—a precaution used when immigration enforcement is occurring near campus with the potential to impact students, she said. During this alert, students and staff go indoors, doors are locked and classes continue.

The specifics of this story are deeply troubling—as is the fact that we’ve heard numerous stories about similar incidents happening all across Southern California.

Why was this man stopped and detained? He had just taken his kid to school. Was it racial profiling? How is it that agents—masked, in unmarked vehicles, and unidentified—are plucking people off of the streets in the United States of America? Was the fear and confusion this caused the students and families at the school necessary?

Can you imagine how the detainee’s child felt, knowing their father had been detained?

Many of the people in President Donald Trump’s administration like to wax poetic about the United States Constitution, and the Bible. Let’s look at several passages from these two works.

The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution: “No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.” (Emphasis mine.)

The 14th Amendment of the Constitution: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. (Emphasis mine.)

Luke 10: 30-37, as Jesus responds to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”: “Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”

The people responsible for these actions aren’t following the Constitution. They’re not being Christians. I’ve said it before, and I fear I’ll say it again: They’re just being cruel.

—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com

COVER PHOTO BY CHRIS WHEELER

Presented by

Voting is now under way in the Coachella Valley Independent’s 12th annual Best of Coachella Valley readers’ poll!

Voting in this readers’ poll, to determine the best of the valley’s best, will take place in two rounds:

• The First Round (nomination round) of voting takes place online at CVIndependent.com through Friday, Aug. 29. This round consists of fill-in-theblank voting. The voting is up to our readers, and our readers alone—there are no pre-determined “finalists” or candidates.

• The top vote-getters in each category will move on to the Final Round of voting, which will take place at CVIndependent.com from Monday, Sept. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 19.

• The winners and other results will be announced at CVIndependent.com on Monday, Nov. 24; on News Channel 3; and in the special Best of Coachella Valley section in the Independent’s December 2025 print edition.

Arts

Best Art Gallery

Best Indoor Venue

Best Local Arts Group

Best Local Band

Best Local DJ

Best Local Musician (Individual)

Best Local Visual Artist

Best Movie Theater

Best Museum

Best Open Mic

Best Outdoor Venue

Best Producing Theater Company

Life in the Valley

Best Annual Charity Event

Best Bank

Best Bowling Alley

Best Car Wash

Best Comics/Games Shop

Best Credit Union

Best Gym (Specifc Location)

Best Hotel Pool

Best Indoor Fun/Activity

Best Local Activist/Advocacy Group/Charity

Best Local Radio Personality

Best Local Specialty Retail Shop

Best Marijuana Dispensary

Best Pet Daycare

Best Pet Supplies

Best Place to Gamble

Best Plant Nursery

Best Print Shop

Best Radio Station

Best Retail Music Store

Best Retirement Community/ Independent Living

Best Sex Toy Shop

Best Staycation Hotel

Best Yoga

Valley Professionals

Best Accountant/Bookkeeper

Best Air Conditioner Repair

Best Attorney

Best Auto Dealership

Best Auto Repair

Best Carpet/Floor Cleaning

Best Chiropractor

Best Cosmetic Surgery

Best Dentist/Orthodontist

Best Doctor

Best Eye Doctor

Best Flooring/Carpet Company

Best Insurance Agent

Best Local Home Improvement Company

Best Mortgage Company

Best Orthodontist

Best Personal Trainer

Best Pest Control Company

Best Plumber

Best Public Servant

Best Real Estate Agent

Best Solar Company

Best Veterinarian

Fashion and Style

Best Antiques/Collectibles Store

Best Bridal Store/Salon

Best Clothing Store (Locally Owned)

Best Day Spa (Non-Resort/ Hotel)

Best Eyeglass/Optical Retailer

Best Florist

Best Furniture Store

Best Hair Salon

Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store

Best Nail Salon

Best Resale/Vintage Clothing

Best Spa in a Resort/Hotel

Best Tattoo Parlor

Outside!

Best Bike Shop

Best Hike

Best Outdoor/Camping Gear Store

Best Park

Best Place for Bicycling

Best Public Garden

Best Public Golf Course

Best Recreation Area

Best Sporting Goods

For the Kids

Best Indoor Activity for Kids

Best Kids' Clothing Store

Best Place for a Birthday Party

Best Place for Family Fun

Best Playground

Best Restaurant for Kids

Food and Restaurants

Best Bagels

Best Bakery

Best Barbecue

Best Breakfast

Best Brunch

Best Buffet

Best Burger

Best Burrito

Best California Cuisine

Best Casual Eats

Best Caterer

Best Chinese

Best Coffee Shop

Best Custom Cakes

Best Date Shake

Best Delicatessen

Best Desserts

Best Diner

Best Doughnuts/Pastries

Best Food Truck

Best French

Best French Fries

Best Frozen Yogurt

Best Gluten-Free Dining

Best Greek

Best Ice Cream/Shakes

Best Indian

Best Italian

Best Japanese

Best Juice/Juice Bar

Best Korean

Best Late-Night Restaurant

Best Latin American

Best Local Coffee Roaster

Best Mexican

Best Organic Food Store

Best Outdoor Seating

Best Pizza

Best Salsa

Best Sandwich

Best Seafood

Best Smoothies

Best Steaks/Steakhouse

Best Sushi

Best Thai

Best Upscale Restaurant

Best Vegetarian/Vegan

Best Veggie Burger

Best Vietnamese

Best Wings

Spirits and Nightlife

Best Bar Ambiance

Best Beer Selection

Best Bloody Mary

Best Cocktail Menu

Best Craft Cocktails

Best Dive Bar

Best Gay/Lesbian Bar/Club

Best Happy Hour

Best Local Brewery

Best Margarita

Best Martini

Best Nightclub

Best Sports Bar

Best Whiskey/Bourbon/Scotch Selection

Best Wine Bar

Best Wine/Liquor Store

Rules:

• Only one vote per person, per round, please! We’re watching IP addresses, so be honest.

• Ballots without a full name AND a working email address will be thrown out

• If you do not have an opinion in a certain category, leave it blank!

• You must vote in at least 15 categories, and for at least FIVE different nominees.

• Stuffing the ballot box is a no-no. Interested parties can engage in simple campaigning— like putting up signs, linking to the ballot or using social media to encourage fans/customers to vote—but anything beyond simple campaigning is a no-no. Any businesses, groups or individuals suspected of stuffing the ballot box may be disqualified, at the discretion of the Independent publisher.

• If you have questions, call 760904-4208, or email jboegle@ cvindependent.com

VOTE AT vote.CVINDEPENDENT.COM

HIKING WITH T

BY THERESA SAMA

Join me on a scenic and spiritual adventure as we leave the Coachella Valley to explore San Diego County’s tallest peak, accessed through the private and sacred grounds of Los Coyotes Reservation.

The drive takes about an hour and a half from Palm Desert, depending on traffic. The scenic route via Highway 74 (Palms to Pines Highway) offers stunning mountain views. Turn left at the Highway 371 junction, toward Highway 79 south, and then go left at Highway 79 where Highway 371 ends. From there, it’s about 20 miles or so to your next turn. After traveling through Warner Springs, you’ll turn left onto Camino San Ignacio. There’s only one way in—and this is it—to the private and sacred grounds of Los Coyotes Reservation.

Los Coyotes Reservation is managed by the Los Coyotes Band of Cahuilla and Cupeño Indians, and was federally established in 1889. Located in northeastern San Diego County, and spanning more than 25,000 acres between Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and Cleveland National Forest, it is the largest reservation in the county and home of the highest point, Hot Springs Mountain. (The mountain is not to be confused with the actual hot springs located at Warner Springs Ranch.) The tribe grants public access for camping and hiking on their land. Dogs on leash are welcome. Permits may be purchased online (day use/hiking is $11; camping $26.50, including the fees) at www. loscoyotestribe.org, or without fees at the ranger station.

The pups and I recently took a road trip to check it out. We met up with a couple of friends, and it turned into an amazing overnight camping adventure. Once you enter the reservation, you may not want to leave. The beauty and solitude captivate you along the drive, even before you reach the reservation.

Along the way, we passed by the iconic Eagle Rock, a prominent and natural rock formation resembling an eagle, that can be seen from Camino San Ignacio. You can even see a part of the scenic section of the Pacific Crest Trail that is very close to Eagle Rock. However, trail access is not allowed from this point. To reach Eagle Rock via the PCT trailhead, begin at the cattle gate, next to the bridge, just off Highway 79 near the Warner Springs Fire Station (but do not park at the station; parking is allowed at the community resource center). It’s an easy and popular trail that’s a bit more than six miles long, with less than 900 feet of elevation gain. You’ll enjoy views of Mount Palomar and other notable landmarks. Dogs on leash are welcome. Parts can heat up quickly on warm days, so be sure to take at least one liter of water per hour, and wear proper hiking gear, a hat and sun protection. Allow yourself at least two to three hours to complete this one. Continuing on toward Los Coyotes Reservation, we suddenly found ourselves stopped in

the roadway mesmerized by a huge wild turkey, meandering across the road right in front of our eyes. It was a surreal and unforgettable moment.

At the ranger station, we checked in and paid the day-use fee; they accept cash or card. After another 2.5 miles or so, the paved road turned into a graded dirt road at the entrance gate/stop sign. The gate is open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., May through September, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., September through May. From there, it’s another mile or so to trailhead parking (you’ll see the sign) and the campground area.

We were fortunate enough to receive an invite and escort onto the reservation by a close friend who helps with trail and ground maintenance there. My friend took us on an open-air Jeep tour of the campgrounds and surrounding areas of the reservation. It was awesome!

At the base of Hot Springs Mountain, we picked our campsite and settled into the evening. As darkness fell, we were greeted with a canopy of stars shining bright among the tall trees. With the calming mix of sounds from the crickets, toads and other-night dwellers, the campground transformed into a tranquil haven—you truly feel the spiritual energy.

There are multiple, basic campsites, but there is little to no cellular service, and there are no electric hookups. Pit toilets are available. All water must be packed in, and glass bottles are not allowed. Check-in for camping is at 1 p.m.; check-out is at 11 a.m. You can have up to four people and one car per campsite booking. Guests must adhere to all tribal, state and federal laws, and be sure to adhere to all posted signs, and read the health and safety section posted on the website when purchasing your permit.

The area brings cooler temperatures after sunset. During summer months, nighttime lows are usually around 50-60 degrees, while in the winter, it can dip to 30 degrees or below. (It was a perfect 57 degrees overnight while we were there.) It can heat up during the day, into the 90s and possibly 100s during the summer.

An overnight trip to Los Coyotes Reservation, home to sacred, beautiful grounds and San Diego County’s tallest peak

We didn’t hike the Hot Springs Mountain Trail on this trip. It leads to the highest point in San Diego County, at just more than 6,500 feet, and is nearly 10 miles out and back with an elevation gain of more than 2,400 feet. We visited with a couple of women (one who happened to be a friend of my friend) after they finished the trail. They were in top shape and completed the trail in less than 4 1/2 hours. It was the first time on the trail for one of them, and she described it as a “super cool hike overall!” She went on to say that the final scramble to reach the top took her two tries, adding: “You’ve got to do it. The views are awesome. The fire tower lookout was awesome to see, but don’t be fooled; it is not the summit. You have to go around the fire tower and scramble to the top.”

They said the trail was a bit buggy and was heating up their way back down, around 10 a.m. The first 2.5 miles of this trail are the most difficult and are exposed to the sun, so you’ll want to get an early start (5:30 or 6 a.m.; you can get permission to start early) during

summer months. The peak is known for its diverse ecosystems, including chaparrals, oaks and pine forests.

Please be mindful and respectful of this most precious and sacred land. Keep your distance from wildlife, and don’t startle any animals. Always bring more water than you will need, and wear protective and proper hiking attire, sunscreen and a hat.

If you are a runner who’s up for a fun and adventurous team challenge, sign up for the Ragnar Trail SoCal, a long-distance team relay event that emphasizes camaraderie, endurance and adventure. It’s Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25 (two days, one night), on the Los Coyotes Reservation, and it’s known to be one of Ragnar’s most challenging trail races, with mountainous terrain, spectacular desert views and crisp mountain air. It’s about 113 miles, with a total elevation gain of 23,800 feet, or 14.1 miles and 2,975 feet for each runner on a typical team of eight. Register and get full details, including team pricing and a course map, at runragnar.com/pages/race-trail-socal.

Meet Merlei and Sam! Merlei was born and raised on the reservation, and Sam is a friend who was our trail steward and tour guide during our visit. Theresa Sama

OPINION KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

BY BONNIE GILGALLON

Mary Ann Halpin has become a go-to photographer in the desert, particularly for commercial head shots. Performers, real estate agents, CEOs of nonprofits and others with a public presence in the valley have been turning to her in recent years to make them look good in PR photos—but being behind the camera was not her first career choice.

Born in Chicago, she was a few weeks old when she was adopted by what she calls an “amazing” family, with four siblings. Halpin recently learned details about her birth parents, after her half-brother, who is a big-band singer, found her on 23andMe.

“My birth mother is in her 90s and doesn’t really want to have anything to do with me, which is fine,” Halpin said. “I found out my father, Sergio, was born outside of Mexico City, so I’m half-His-

panic. That’s why I tan so easily!”

Halpin’s family moved to Santa Barbara when she was 5. She began modeling in high school, working for couture designers like Luis Estévez and Helen Rose. At 16, Halpin was too young to model the topless bathing suits Rudi Gernreich designed, but she did get to work behind the scenes at fashion shows as a dresser.

Her mother was supportive of Halpin’s modeling career, but the thought of moving to New York after high school was too much for the teen. “I broke out in a rash and said, ‘Mom, I can’t go! I’m too nervous!’” she said. Instead, she made a much-less daunting move to Los Angeles, to pursue modeling and acting.

But making a living was challenging. “I did runway modeling, got some acting jobs, waitressed and even did singing telegrams to support myself,” Halpin said.

She got her headshots done by Susan Rothschild, one of the top photographers in Los Angeles at the time. “It was the ’80s, the Dynasty era, so everything was very glamorous,” she said. “She did her own hair and makeup for people. And I thought, ‘What a cool job this is!’”

Already an amateur photographer, Halpin took some classes at Los Angeles City College, and then asked Rothschild if she could intern with her to learn the ropes. After getting a yes, Halpin dove in and took copious notes. She credits Rothschild with changing her career— and her life.

“In the beginning, I copied everything she did,” Halpin said. “I just fell in love with it. I remember the first time I shot pictures of an actor, I got the same feeling I used to get when I was onstage.”

Not long after, Halpin was called in to meet with the vice president of the William Morris Agency’s television division, who was impressed with the photos she’d taken of one of their starlets. The man did not seem interested when Halpin mentioned that she was also an actress.

“Driving home, I said to myself, ‘Why am

I still beating this dead horse called acting, when there’s this beautiful, shiny, lovely horse called photography?’” she said. “So I got off one, got on the other, called my agent and said, “I’m done.’”

Halpin’s new career took off—and has been going strong for 35 years.

Halpin and her husband, jazz singer/pianist Joe Croyle, decided to buy a cabin in the mountains about 70 miles from L.A. called Pine Mountain Club. It was a place to escape from the intensity of the big city. For 26 years, they went back and forth. In 2019, they traded the cabin in for a desert townhome, after a friend encouraged Halpin and her husband to check out the creative work opportunities here.

When the pandemic hit, and work dried up, Halpin and her husband realized they could not afford two homes—so they chose to settle in Palm Springs full-time.

Halpin says having a background as an actress and model—knowing what it’s like to be in front of the camera—comes in handy when photographing people.

“I love working with creative people!” she said. “A lot of it is just intuiting people and their energy, and it’s important to get to know the person you’re shooting. If it’s someone I’m just meeting, I like to sit and talk, have coffee, make notes, etc. I want to know what they’re trying to say in these pictures.”

About seven years ago, Halpin’s career took another turn. After she stopped coloring her hair and let it go gray, a manager friend of her husband’s said, “I’ve seen all the pictures you two post on Facebook, and we could use an older couple like you.” They soon booked an online ad for Almond Breeze, and later a Big Lots ad. Within the last couple of years, Halpin also booked a Celebrity Cruise ad with a longtime actress friend. Their characters were feisty women “of a certain age” getting into a bit of trouble, and they became known on set as “the Bettys” (as in Betty White). The shoot was on a seven-day cruise out of Florida.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.” Halpin said. “I loved the clients, and they

Meet Mary Ann Halpin, a former runway model, a successful photographer and a commercial “granny”

loved us so much that they booked us for a second ad last March.”

Last November, Halpin booked a Super Bowl ad for WeatherTech—again as a naughty granny—which ended up winning several awards.

Halpin and her husband have been married for more than 40 years, but it was not love at first sight for her. The pair met in 1976 when Halpin was singing with a group called Alan and the Moonbeams, and Joe was singing with Ann-Margret in Las Vegas. “He was this tall, skinny guy with these platform shoes—and I thought he was very arrogant,” she said.

Halpin ended up meeting and marrying someone else. When she was ending that marriage, she and Joe ran into each other again in Reno. Following a one-night stand and Halpin’s divorce, the couple moved in together. They tied the knot in 1984.

“He’s such a sweet guy,” she said. “As much

as we make each other crazy, we also have so much fun together. I think the secret to a great relationship is laughter—and he’s an amazing cook. I used to be really skinny, but I think I’ve put on a pound for every year we’ve been together.”

Speaking of good food and wine, Halpin’s bucket list includes visiting the south of France and Tuscany.

Her philosophy on life is simple: “I’ll walk through depression, despair, whatever life throws at me. But I will NOT pitch a tent there.”

Learn more at maryannhalpin.com.

Bonnie Gilgallon has written theater reviews for the Independent since 2013. She hosts a digital interview show, The Desert Scene, which can be heard on www.thedesertscene.com and viewed on Mutual Broadcasting’s YouTube channel. Learn more at bonnie-g.com.

Mary Ann Halpin, on photography: “I just fell in love with it. remember the first time I shot pictures of an actor, I got the same feeling I used to get when I was onstage.”

OPINION

SACRED GROUND

Why California’s national monuments must be defended against federal rollbacks

by Gustavo Garza

From the rugged coastlines to desert wilderness and culturally sacred sites, national monuments preserve the stories, ecosystems and cultural legacies of California and the United States.

These lands are more than just scenic destinations—they are sacred, historically rich and ecologically vital spaces that help define who we are as Californians. Today, these treasures face unprecedented threats from federal rollbacks and budget cuts, despite strong public opposition. California, with its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage, is one of the states that would be most impacted by the rollback of national monuments. We are home to some of the most iconic national monuments, such as the Berryessa Snow Mountain, the San Gabriel Mountains and the

newly designated Chuckwalla National Monument. Located in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, Chuckwalla protects more than 624,000 acres of critical habitat and sacred cultural sites, but the designation may be rescinded. Its creation was the result of years of tireless advocacy by Latino, Indigenous and faith communities who understand the power of protecting public lands, not just for the environment, but for people, too. I advocated by leading several events at my church, organizing hikes and collecting signatures; my heart was filled with gratitude and joy when I read the news of its designation, only to be broken a few weeks later upon learning that its protection could be removed.

All of this progress—including California’s 20 national monuments, and more than 130 national monuments overall—are at risk. President Trump signed Executive Order 14154, which declares that it is United States policy “to encourage energy exploration and production on federal lands.” This was followed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s Secretarial Order 3418, which revokes critical conservation protections and opens the door to rollbacks; and the recently approved “Big Beautiful Bill,” which further weakens national-monument protections and fast-tracks fossil-fuel energy production on public lands.

For Latinos, national monuments hold a special significance; they represent spaces where ancestral practices, traditions and spiritual connections to the land are preserved. For people of faith like me, they represent God’s creation and a gift that reminds us of his glory. As stated in Psalm 24:1, “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it,” and it is something that must be safeguarded and well-managed.

Across the country, communities of color are three times more likely than white communities to live in nature-deprived places; two-thirds of Latinos live in nature-deprived areas, compared to just 23% of whites. National monuments help close this gap by creating accessible, safe and welcoming green spaces. According to the recent Conservation in the West Poll, 91%

THE EVENT ECONOMY

A revision to Palm Springs’ vacation-rental

ordinance will limit events at estates—and cost the city millions

by Ron Willison

Palm Springs has long been a magnet for design lovers, couples getting married, cultural organizations and companies seeking something more than just a ballroom. Historic estates, striking architecture and year-round sunshine have made the Coachella Valley an international destination. But a newly revised ordinance risks unraveling a critical piece of that identity—and the loss of millions of dollars in local economic activity.

The issue lies in a recent revision to the city of Palm Springs’ vacation-rental ordinance, specifically the inclusion of event permits within the 26-contract limit for vacation rentals. On paper, it might sound like a technical change. In practice, it’s a sweeping policy shift that threatens jobs,

of Latino voters support keeping existing national monuments in place; 77% prefer that Congress prioritize air quality, clean water and wildlife habitat over fossil-fuel extraction; and 78% want more emphasis on conserving wildlife than on oil and gas production. Rolling back protections won’t just harm the environment—it will widen the “nature gap” that disproportionately affects Latino communities.

Latinos constitute approximately 39.1% of California’s population and are the fastest growing demographic, yet Latinos hold only 18.4% of executive roles within the state government—they are still vastly underrepresented in the policymaking process. Fortunately, they are taking power and engaging in advocacy. They are organizing community events, speaking at public hearings, and leading conservation campaigns that reflect our values and vision for the future.

They’re showing what it means to be caretakers of creation. For many Latinos, a connection to the land is not just about preserving natural beauty—it’s about honoring God’s creations and ensuring that future generations can connect with the Earth in the same way. As stewards of our land, we have a responsibility to protect these spaces, not only for ourselves, but for the countless species, cultures and communities that depend on them.

The fight to protect national monuments from rollbacks is not easy, but it is necessary. Let’s raise our voices, take action, and continue fighting to protect the places that are dear to us. If we stand together, we can create the change we want to see, not just for ourselves—but for future generations. The lands we protect today will be the legacy we leave behind.

Gustavo Garza is an Indio resident, a pastor, and a member of the Hispanic Access Foundation’s Por La Creación Faith-Based Alliance.

small businesses and millions in tax revenue.

Estate-based events—from weddings and fundraisers to corporate retreats—contribute millions in transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenues to city coffers each year. Our company’s experience shows that the average estate event generates $150,000 to $200,000 in local spending—not for the estate owner, but for caterers, florists, DJs, shuttle companies, furniture-rental providers, AV teams and photographers. This spending supports more than 800 local jobs in Palm Springs alone.

The new ordinance lumps event permits into the same category as overnight vacation rentals. That means an estate is limited to hosting 26 events, or 26 overnight guests, or some combination, each year.

This is a mistake. Events and vacation rentals are completely different economic drivers. A three-day corporate retreat in June, with daytime meetings and local restaurant reservations, is not the same as a weekend bachelorette party. A nonprofit gala ending at 10 p.m. doesn’t have the same footprint as a poolside rental. By grouping them together, the city risks turning away high-value bookings in favor of less impactful ones.

This change won’t just affect homeowners or event managers; it will hit the vendors and working-class professionals who rely on events for their livelihoods. It will ripple through the supply chain, from the baker to the valet. It will cut revenue from slow-season bookings, hurt charitable partnerships, and erode the city’s ability to draw premium tourism dollars.

Palm Springs already has one of the most robust event-permitting systems in the state. Every event must comply with a checklist of city requirements: neighbor notifications, parking plans, insurance, curfews and onsite personnel. Guests must be out by 10 p.m., and all vendors are off property the same night. These events are compliant, community-conscious and well-managed.

If the concern is noise or behavior, it’s misplaced. These are not impromptu parties; they’re professional productions governed by

detailed city regulations.

No one is asking for a free pass. But there’s a smarter way to balance economic development with neighborhood concerns:

• Exclude event permits from the 26-contract cap; count them separately.

• Reduce the application period from 60 days to 30 days during off-peak months to support flexible bookings.

• Streamline permitting by consolidating the process into one city department.

• Include stakeholders in future revisions to create policy that works in practice, not just theory.

Palm Springs’ reputation as a world-class destination was carefully built—by designers, nonprofits, event producers, local businesses and the city itself. Estate events don’t just support the local economy; they amplify our brand, showcase our architecture and fuel our community spirit.

This one clause—counting events among the 26 annual contracts—may seem minor. But if it’s not reversed, it will have major consequences. It will dry up jobs, reduce tax revenue, limit philanthropy and drive event business to other cities with more forward-thinking policies.

We can—and must—do better. Before this ordinance quietly takes effect in January 2026, let’s revise it together. Let’s protect what makes Palm Springs exceptional.

Ron Willison is a veteran event strategist and hospitality executive. He serves as group sales and events manager for Natural Retreats–Palm Springs, leading destination events at iconic estates. He has helped produce major cultural events across the region and has raised millions in charitable support through his roles in events, philanthropy and tourism strategy.

Gustavo Garza.

Ron Willison.

Quality Health Care Counts.

Thank you, U.S. News & World Report, for listing us as one of the “Best Hospitals” in the region and California. We’re grateful to our exceptional care teams and hospital workers whose talent and dedication made this honor possible. We were also recognized for our high quality care in 18 specialties, surgeries and procedures.

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

• Aortic Valve Surgery

• Colon Cancer Surgery

• Gynecological Cancer Surgery

• Heart Bypass Surgery

• Hip Fracture

• Hip Replacement

• Knee Replacement

• Leukemia, Lymphoma & Myeloma

• Lung Cancer

• Orthopedics

• Pacemaker Implantation

• Pneumonia

• Prostate Cancer Surgery

• Spinal Fusion

• Stroke

• TAVR

• Urology

We look forward to building on and even surpassing this level of excellence in the coming year and delivering the best possible care to the people we serve.

Learn more about our accreditations and recognitions at EisenhowerHealth.org/Awards.

TIME TO RETIRE

by Kevin Fitzgerald

Cathedral City has endured some difficulties over the last decade, often caused by Mother Nature—first and foremost the 2019 Valentine’s Day flash flood and 2023’s Tropical Storm Hilary, both of which caused extensive infrastructure damage in the city.

On the other hand, there have been numerous community improvements, including the

development of the city’s downtown Festival Lawn, and the neighboring Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. These spaces now host some of Coachella Valley’s most popular annual traditions, including the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, and the annual Taste of Jalisco festival. In recent years, residents have enjoyed new open spaces and amenities in the Ocotillo and Esperanza parks, and increased public safety resulting from the new fire station at Date Palm Drive and Buddy Rogers Avenue.

The man who’s overseen all of these projects over the past 11 years is City Manager Charles (or Charlie, as he prefers to be called) McClendon. He recently announced his retirement, and his final day on the job will be Sept. 19.

During a recent interview with the Independent, we asked McClendon which accomplishments brought him the most satisfaction.

“In the area of public works, I would say the new park projects that we got built,” he said. “We built and opened Ocotillo Park and, most

recently, Esperanza Park. Also, we built and opened the community amphitheater, and being able to see people enjoy those facilities is very, very satisfying.”

Of course, he did not remember the aforementioned storms fondly—especially Tropical Storm Hilary, which brought a mud flow into the Panorama Park neighborhood.

“I felt like we had done a good job preparing for rain and the things that we normally experience when a rainstorm comes,” McClendon said. “We had sandbags available, and we put out barricades … but what actually occurred was unprecedented. I think our first responders did a great job getting out there quickly and making sure that people were safe. … Our fire department had to get creative and actually use equipment from (sanitation company) Burrtec to help. Then we had to deal with what the expectations were, in terms of what the appropriate city response should be.”

McClendon said the storm was a learning experience.

“There are still those who would say that we didn’t do a good enough job on that, and we’ve spent a lot of time over the last year revising our emergency operations plan to make sure we are adequately prepared,” McClendon said.

“But I feel like our departments, from top to bottom, dedicated themselves to solving that problem and addressing the issues that happened. All the streets are rebuilt now. We’re working with the feds on the final piece, which is rebuilding Date Palm Drive from Interstate 10 down to 30th Street.”

As for the most difficult deals to close, McClendon mentioned two: the restoration of bridges on Ramon Road, Date Palm Drive and Cathedral Canyon Drive; and the recently finalized agreement with the Desert Recreation District (DRD) to maintain six city parks and offer programming.

He said the bridge projects involved securing rights-of-way and arranging for Cathedral City’s portion of the funding for the projects.

“On the Ramon Road Bridge, we had to work with the city of Palm Springs,” he said. “It’s really their project. The Date Palm and Cathedral Canyon bridges were ours. But anytime you’re dealing with federal funding, you have to follow all the requirements that are necessary to get it. Now, fortunately, I had

Charlie McClendon reflects on 11 years as the city manager of Cathedral City

staff in public works who handled most of the detail on that.”

While it may have required a sizeable investment of time and energy to finalize the DRD parks deal, it is already adding value to the quality of life of Cathedral City’s residents, particularly families, McClendon said. According to the Desert Recreation District website, the agency “is the largest park and recreation district in California, covering 1,887 square miles and serving over 432,000 residents across the greater Coachella Valley. Our mission is to work closely with municipalities to ensure that every community, regardless of economic status, has access to quality recreation services. DRD manages and maintains more than 49 parks and recreation facilities, offering a wide range of programs, services and classes.”

McClendon called the partnership with DRD “really, really important and really valuable.”

“I’m really, really proud that we got that put in place,” he said. “We had no parks and recreation program. We had parks, and we maintained them the best we could with our crews, which were mainly people who worked on streets most of the time, but we had … recreation classes and no recreational events that we could offer to the community. Now we’re able to do that. Already, even over the summer, we’ve had two or three events that the DRD put on. There’s going to be a full slate of events and classes that our residents can take advan-

tage of starting this fall.”

McClendon said the advantages of the partnership for Cathedral City residents extend beyond the city limits.

“Being part of the DRD, our residents can take advantage of the DRD programs wherever they are within the district at the district resident rate, which is much less costly than having to pay the full freight,” he said.

The City Council in May 2017 voted 3-2 in favor of becoming a “sanctuary city.” Since then, McClendon has worked to support and protect the rights of undocumented residents living within its boundaries. Even today, with the federal administration’s opposition to sanctuary jurisdictions, McClendon said he believes strongly in Cathedral City’s ongoing responsibility to those undocumented residents.

“In practical terms, the 2017 resolution just formalized what our policies already were, and what state law requires cities’ policies to be,” McClendon said. “That is, we don’t assist federal officials in terms of immigration enforcement, but neither do we interfere … which we’re not allowed to do by law. … I don’t believe how we’re operating is inconsistent with the requirements of law.”

Cathedral City also has a long history of recognizing and embracing the contributions of its LGBTQ+ community. McClendon said the city should continue to value LGBTQ+ rights, despite the Trump administration’s opposition

Charles “Charlie” McClendon’s official city portrait. Courtesy of Cathedral City

Charlie McClendon (center, on the bed) participates in the 2021 Cathedral City Bed Race, as part of the city’s entry during the annual Cathedral City LGBT Days event. Courtesy of Cathedral City

to all things “woke.”

“A significant portion of our community identifies as LGBTQ+,” McClendon said, “and we have a number of events and other activities that help champion our commitment to equality in that regard. I certainly support that continuing, and I believe it will.”

As McClendon entered his final days on the job, he reflected on the issues facing Cathedral City and its 52,000-plus residents.

“I think the most serious issues for us, and really for any city, continue to be providing the services that the people of our community want and deserve, in a financially responsible manner,” McClendon said. “We’re not a wealthy city. We’re not awash in cash. Our residents look to neighboring cities, which often are wealthier than we are, and they expect the same type of services. It’s really a challenge for us to do that in a fiscally responsible manner. We have not, and we are not, going to mortgage the future (of the city) to do it.”

McClendon said the most personal impact the job has had on him is the fact that when he’s in the city, he’s never “off-duty.”

“That can be from small, simple things— like if I’m driving to the grocery store, and I notice that a traffic signal is on flash mode, and I’ve got to get somebody to go take care of that—to the much bigger things, like

worrying about whether we have our police positions filled adequately to where we can provide necessary protection,” he said. “It’s always thinking about those details and, to an extent, worrying that we need to do what the community expects us to do.”

What will stay with McClendon as he moves on to the next phase of his life?

“I think the fondest memories will be of the relationships that I’ve developed with people in the community,” he said. “That’s through our boards and commissions, through some ad-hoc study committees that I’ve worked with people on, and just regular day-to-day interactions. I expect I’ll continue to benefit from that, because I run into people almost everywhere I go that I’ve had some relationship with in the city. That’s very rewarding.”

McClendon said he plans to remain in the area during his retirement.

“Initially, I’m just going to take some time to relax and refresh,” he said. “I will, I’m sure, in the upcoming months and years, find places where I can apply my skills and abilities to benefit the community in a different way than as city manager.”

Will he still be calling Cathedral City’s traffic department when he sees blinking signals?

“I will,” he said with a laugh. “I have them on speed dial.”

WILDFIRE READY

by HALEEMON ANDERSON

The Palisades and Eaton fires were so devastating that they shocked a generation largely immune to the dangers of fire “season.”

Southern Californians were accustomed to the breaking-news alerts and the mild inconveniences. Air quality might have been compromised, but unless a fire was actually in

your neighborhood, ultimately, it was just the latest blaze.

But what the region experienced in January was different. High-profile communities were wiped out, and dozens of lives were lost. It was a wake-up call. Local emergency officials responded with urgency, clearing city-owned properties of brush and overgrowth, while educating home and business owners on clearing their lots according to best practices.

In this context, it was welcome news when Cal Fire issued updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps this spring, and most of the areas surrounding the Coachella Valley’s cities were rated as “moderate”—a better, safer rating than some of those areas had previously.

According to Palm Springs Fire Marshal Taylor Teeple, the Fire Department has been proactive regarding mitigation efforts.

“In the Greater Palm Springs area as a whole, everything along the mountainside last year was considered a very high (danger) fire zone,” Teeple said. “Our inspectors went out and did 1,299 inspections in accordance with our ordinance, Appendix S. We actually hired a brush-management company at the time. We wanted to set the example, and we went out and cleared 18 different lots that equated to 91 acres. We couldn’t ask our residents to clear brush if we weren’t clearing brush on our own city lots.”

Tim O’Bayley has lived in the city’s Little Tuscany neighborhood for more than 20 years. He didn’t want to take chances with fire hazards, so he got involved. The area is dry, he said, and with municipal land butting up against private homes, both entities needed to make sure brush was cleared from their property.

“I actually reached out to the city and the chief and Fire Marshal (Teeple), knowing that these maps were going to be coming out. I just said, ‘Hey, you know, I live up here, and I’m just concerned, because it’s dry already, and I’ve noticed some homeowners’ (lots) that back up against what is now city-owned land,’” O’Bayley said.

The state’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) map can be clumsy to navigate and misleading. It does not adjust for structures that have been “hardened” (for example, adjusting vents to block flying embers, or replacing wooden fences, roof shakes or shutters), or for areas where brush has been

cleared. Rather, it indicates where people should be taking measures to shore up their properties.

The maps may affect Local Responsibility Area (LRA) mandates, meaning new construction projects have to satisfy Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) building codes, and sellers have to disclose the FHSZ status of their properties.

O’Bayley made his own map, zeroing in on Little Tuscany. It made it easier for locals to target areas for cleanup. Soon, the city was there with a press conference and bulldozers. Weeks later, the overgrowth was gone.

“I did an overlay so you could see the street names, and people would then be able to tell better if they’re really, you know, in a moderate (area) or not,” O’Bayley said. “The uncontrolled brush is the problem. We all love nature, but we all know, and the chief re-emphasized, that they need to keep this brush down, because we get more wind out at that end (of the Coachella Valley). And it can be a deadly combination, just like we saw in Los Angeles.”

Cal Fire’s new designations added 3,626 square miles of orange and red zones—representing high and very high hazard areas. Still, in a state map awash with fire incidents, it’s important to keep scale in mind. Cal Fire’s 2025 Incident Archive, as of our press deadline, reported 5,543 wildfires this year, with 371,662 acres burned, and 16,344 structures destroyed. There are about 101.5 million acres in the state.

In Coachella Valley, areas of high and very high hazard on the FHSZ map have essentially disappeared. The blocks of red that had been near Tuscany and west of downtown Palm Springs are no more. Except for an orange patch (high hazard) between Indian Wells and La Quinta, and some pink/red (very high) areas in the mountains near Alpine Village, the entire Coachella Valley is surrounded by yellow (moderate) on the maps. (The middle swath of the valley is grey on the Cal Fire maps. That’s because those areas are not in areas where Cal Fire is responsible for fire prevention and suppression.)

‘Still Dangerous, but It’s Different’

At a One-PS (Organized Neighborhoods of Palm Springs) meeting earlier this year, Palm Springs

Palm Springs and the rest of the Coachella Valley are better prepared for blazes than before—but danger remains

Fire Chief Paul Alvarado told attendees that his department has been actively working to implement safety measures on multiple fronts. He said he was asked earlier this year, after the Los Angeles fires, if Palm Springs is safe.

“It’s the best question I’ve had since January,” Alvarado said. “Absolutely, you are. No. 1, you’ve got a fantastic fire department, and No. 2, we’re on top of things.”

Alvarado urged all residents to register for the city’s emergency notification system, Everbridge.

“When we issue an emergency notification to evacuate, you’re already dialed into that, and when you get the (order to) go, you’re out the door. These people waited too long, they waited until the last minute,” he said, pointing to a photo of a bulldozer pushing cars out of the way in Malibu.

“We talk about ready, set, go, meaning your home is ready,” Alvarado said. “You’ve created that defensible space; you’ve cleared the trees from hanging over your roof. You’ve got the go bag ready; you’re tuned in.”

Alvarado said he asked the city to pay to hire more firefighters in the coming fiscal year. He said each station needs to have a dedicated EMT crew. With enhanced training, he explained, his department can shave off life-saving seconds for emergency arrival times.

He’s also asked for an additional fire truck. With supply-chain issues these days, it can take five years to fulfill that order, he said.

An expansion at Fire Station 1 on Indian Canyon Drive is also in the works. It’s the oldest of the five Palm Springs stations.

Danny DeSelms, Palm Springs’ emergency management coordinator, joined Alvarado at the One-PS meeting to discuss the city’s newly revamped Emergency Operations Plan. The previous 300-page document was whittled down and revised in a cross-department collaboration, and includes lessons learned from the pandemic, Tropical Storm Hilary and the January fires. Deselms called the new 125-page document, which the City Council approved in May, a “30,000-foot view of how the city responds to disasters.”

Despite all of the preparation, the possible increased spending, and the encouraging FHSZ maps, the Coachella Valley is still prone to fires, Alvarado said. All the conditions are there—including dry habitats, extreme weather and human behavior.

“But it’s not what we saw in Palisades,” he said. “We get the winds here. … It’s still dangerous, but it’s different. … (Cal Fire) has brought everything that surrounds the core of Palm Springs into moderate, which makes complete sense. You fly an airplane over Palm Springs, and you can see the homes. You do that over Hollywood Hills or Malibu Canyon, (and you’ll see) they haven’t cleared their trees or their brush. When you look at the hills (in Palm Springs), you can actually see the hills. You can see the rocks. You can see the dirt.”

Palm Springs Fire Marshal Tyler Teeple, Capt. Ronald Skyberg and Emergency Management Coordinator Danny DeSelms speak at a ONE-PS meeting earlier this year. Courtesy of the Palm Springs Post

CLOSE TO ACCREDITATION

TThe funding boost was announced during a media event, as CINC administrators welcomed by HALEEMON ANDERSON

he California Indian Nations College is one step closer to becoming the first stand-alone, fully accredited tribal college in the state, thanks to $10 million in funding from the state of California.

legislators, local tribal members and leaders, students and guests to witness Native ceremonial rites and a presentation of the check. The site of the announcement—the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, itself a cultural touchstone of Native history—was a befitting backdrop for a day of looking forward.

Erica Muñoz, student government president at CINC, said it was important to let decision-makers know that many Native students are the first in their families to go to college.

“I met with leaders, and I asked them to see us, and to hear what tribal higher education really means for our community,” Muñoz said. “That effort was never just about policy; it was about presence and about being heard.”

Munoz thanked CINC’s founder Theresa Mike, who drafted the college’s original charter in 2017 with local educators and tribal leaders.

“Without her, none of us would’ve been here. She believed in something bigger, and because of that, we get to be here learning, leading and building something to be proud of—something for our ancestors to be proud of. … This funding is more than just a dollar. It’s dignity;

it’s belonging; and it’s hope for all.”

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) was recognized for his role in advocating for CINC funding in the state budget. He is the first and only Native American serving in the state Legislature. Ramos said a tribal college is long overdue in California.

“Other states (with smaller) Native American populations have as many as three tribal colleges,” Ramos said. “Here in the state of California, we have the most population; we don’t even have one. But with the state’s involvement and with the tribal communities, and your tenacity and the resiliency of our people, we’re going to see it become reality.”

There are more than 30 accredited tribal colleges with about 80 campuses in 13 states across the Southwest, Northwest and the Great Plains.

Ramos gave credit to CINC’s students and administrators for their perseverance in enduring the accreditation process. “Congratulations to each and every one of (you) for continuing to move forward, and to the board and those who have believed in the college and making it reality all these years,” he said at the ceremony.

Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez, a Republican who represents portions of the eastern Coachella Valley and Imperial County, talked about the teamwork it took to secure the $10 million.

“Many people said this couldn’t be done,” Gonzalez said. “But it’s because of the leadership of James Ramos; it’s because of the leadership of Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh. It’s because of the teamwork of not only CINC, but the tribes, from Torres Martinez (Desert Cahuilla Indians) and everyone in between, (that) we were able to make this possible. But let’s be clear: This is only the first step.”

Gonzalez said the work CINC does to preserve Native cultures and languages is important for all Californians.

“The fight for our culture is near and dear to my heart, because, unfortunately, our language is dying; our culture is dying,” Gonzalez said. “We must continue to secure funding, ongoing funding for California Indian Nations College, and we must continue to spread the word about what this institution can do for not only this community, but for all of California, and Californians for generations to come.”

A $10 million boost from the state will allow the California Indian Nations College to hire more faculty, offer more programs

Earning full accreditation is a lengthy process, with myriad tasks, benchmarks and quality controls that an institution must implement to achieve the designation. Students, staff and faculty participate in the various tasks, and outside consultants can be hired to make the process move seamlessly. Without accreditation, a school is not eligible for federal student financial aid loans or grants; student credits may not transfer to other institutions; and employment opportunities for students after graduation can be hampered.

Shawn Ragan, CINC’s executive vice president and chief operations officer, spoke to the Independent after the ceremony and explained how CINC is navigating the final steps in the process. CINC, which is based in Palm Desert, was awarded eligibility for accreditation, the first stage of a three-part process, in May 2023.

Staff submitted an Institutional Self-Evaluation Report to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) last summer. The ICER—a self-study that details what an institution is doing now, and what it plans to do once it is awarded candidacy—is available online.

A peer-review team from the ACCJC made a site visit to CINC in October 2024 and met with staff to review the ICER plan, before submitting its recommendations to the commission.

“They left very, very happy,” said Ragan. “The commission reviewed our ICER, reviewed the peer-review team report and awarded us candidacy for accreditation. At candidacy, you basically function as an accredited institution.”

With candidacy, the college is eligible to access several important benefits while working toward the next phase—the awarding of full accreditation.

“The federal Department of Education recognizes candidate institutions as accredited institutions,” Ragan said. “So all of our degrees are transferable; all our credits are now transferable. We’re eligible to start the process of applying for Title IV funding, Pell Grants, and then with that, Cal Grants. We are eligible to apply for all the types of grants that any other institution would be able to apply for.”

Ragan said commission members found two things they wanted CINC to implement to be awarded full institutional accreditation. Both are related to CINC’s Board of Trustees.

“One, the board needed to conduct an annual evaluation of our president,” Celeste Townsend, Ragan said. “We’d had more of an informal process, but our policies call for a formal annual evaluation, and we hadn’t done that. The other finding was that our board

needed to conduct their self-evaluation according to our policy. So, we did both of those things. The board did their self-evaluation in January of this year, and they finished the annual evaluation of the president in April.”

The peer-review team will return to CINC in September to interview the board about the evaluation process and discuss measures to keep ongoing evaluations happening. They will submit that report to the commission for review.

The Accrediting Commission holds review meetings in January and June, said Ragan. “So the next meeting that we could have is a January meeting, and at that point in time, unless something happens between now and then, we’ll have met all the requirements of the commission to have full institutional accreditation.”

Separate from ACCJC accreditation, CINC is also seeking federal recognition as a tribal college. “You can’t apply for that until after you get candidacy,” Ragan said.

Tribal colleges must be accredited in order to become a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). Once a member, tribal colleges can receive federal funding. The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, which holds the original charter for CINC, began that process earlier this year. As CINC awaits the final review process, the increased funding from the state will allow the campus to focus on growing programs and hiring more full-time teaching staff. CINC is also holding its third annual Fire Gala on Friday, Sept. 19, to raise funds.

“A typical tribal college of our size has around 10 to 11 full-time faculty,” Ragan said. “We have one full-time faculty member, so we are not operating at the level that we need to be operating at. This funding enables us to expand our faculty and increase our student-service programs.”

Ragan said CINC will help fill a big gap in California’s higher-education offerings.

“California has one-fifth of all federally recognized tribes and 1.4 million people who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, and so far, we’re the only college that is functionally accredited and operating independently as a tribal college,” he said. “There’s a huge demand there, so I think our student population is going to grow, and this funding enables us to support those students.”

The third annual Fire Gala, benefiting the California Indian Nations College, takes place at 6 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, in the Cahuilla Ballroom at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage. Tickets start at $161.90. For more information, visit cincollege.org/firegala.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) speaks at the funding announcement at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Milo Miller

PRICED OUT

DANIELS

INew statistics prove there’s not nearly enough affordable housing in the high desert

Out of the 891 homes (single-family and otherwise) permitted to be built in the Morongo Basin by MELISSA

many longtime residents can afford.

t’s not hard to find evidence of a building boom in Joshua Tree, where half-built houses are common sights along the unpaved roads—but many of these new homes are way out of the price range of most locals.

from 2018 to 2024, just 22% were allocated for lower-income households. A family of four in San Bernardino County with a household income of $89,500 or less is considered lowincome, according to 2025 state classifications.

For context, someone working full-time at a job for $20 per hour earns $41,600 a year.

The Morongo Basin includes the town of Yucca Valley, the city of Twentynine Palms, and nearby unincorporated communities that are governed by San Bernardino County. These include Morongo Valley, Pioneertown, Landers and Flamingo Heights, as well as Joshua Tree, a community known for being the gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, which has exploded in popularity as a shortterm rental and second-home destination.

Data from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) analyzed by the Independent shows that since 2018, 386 single-family home permits have been issued for Joshua Tree alone, which is 49% of the 789 single-family home permits issued for the whole basin.

From 2018 to 2024, 151 homes in the Morongo Basin received certificates of occupancy, and about 41% of those homes were designated for lower-income households. (It’s unknown how many projects that received permits stalled during construction, never got off the ground, or were completed without a certificate of occupancy.) Put together, it shows that while we’re building houses, we’re not building enough—especially at the levels

The median home price in Joshua Tree, according to Zillow, is $489,000 as of July. The Independent went to the local Facebook pages to get some responses to this data.

As one Morongo Basin mom put it, “I’ve just accepted that I’ll be renting for the rest of my life.”

Just 47% of San Bernardino County households could afford an entry-level singlefamily home, according to county data. Rental prices are also going up; Zillow data shows that in Joshua Tree, rent is an average of $2,020 a month, up from about $1,850 last summer and about $1,650 in 2023.

“Honestly, with my salary, I can barely afford rent. I’m flabbergasted by the current state of housing,” said a member of the Moms of Yucca Valley Facebook group.

One of the factors driving up costs is the popularity of the high desert as an investor’s market. San Bernardino County’s most recent Consolidated Plan, which outlines a five-

year roadmap for planning priorities, even identified “that short-term rental housing may be negatively impacting the Joshua Tree area.”

One Yucca Valley resident who moved to the area with her family nine years ago from Glendale said they’re living with roommates to shoulder rental costs. Homeowners, too, are seeing the changes.

“My family moved here five years ago because Yucca was the only place we could afford to buy a house,” another mom said. “But our house has gone up in value over $100,000 since we bought it. We would not be able to afford buying a house in Yucca now.”

Kome Ajise, executive director of SCAG, told the Independent what everyone already knows anecdotally: The biggest housing challenge in the region is the underproduction of housing units, especially affordable and workforce housing. SCAG helps guide policy and planning in the six-county region of Southern California, including tracking housing production. Ajise said housing production across the region hasn’t reached set targets—but there are still reasons to be hopeful.

“The state’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grants are supporting locally driven solutions to break down barriers and accelerate building, such as two grants totaling $5.7 million in San Bernardino County to form a regional housing trust that will create countywide funding for affordable housing, and a plan to identify and move suitable sites into housing development,” Ajise said in an email.

While it’s good news that there are plans in the works, many residents don’t have time to wait.

Another mom who shared her story with the Independent said her 20-year-old sons still live with her, because they can’t find a rental in their price range. While they’d like to move out, there’s simply no affordable first-time renter housing.

“We are all fighting over the same two rentals while high-priced homes sit empty,” she said. “We are literally stunting the growth and progress of this generation. They cannot take the next step into adulthood—because they can’t move out.”

This story was made possible in part by a grant from the IE Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund of the Inland Empire Community Foundation. To submit ideas, comments or questions to the Coachella Valley Independent about housing in the desert, head to tinyurl.com/ housinginthedesert.

CV HISTORY

PPioneertown has survived a fire and the Western TV/movie industry’s decline to remain a popular attraction

ioneertown is a unique Old West locale, just a short drive from the Coachella Valley. You can stroll the dusty streets of a vintage Western movie set, see a staged shoot-out—and escape the valley’s heat. Just 4 1/2 miles from Highway 62 in Yucca Valley, Pioneertown is at an elevation of 4,000 feet, and typically about 10 degrees cooler than it is in the Coachella Valley. by greg niemann

Pioneertown was established back in 1946, an idea fulfilled by actor Dick Curtis. Curtis shared his dream for a real Western town, not far away from the Hollywood studios, that could also serve as a movie set. Curtis initially signed up 17 investors, including top stars like “King of the Cowboys” Roy Rogers, and his actress/singer wife, Dale Evans; Rogers’ singing group, Sons of the Pioneers; and Russell Hayden, Frank McDonald, Bud Abbott, among others. Each investor contributed $500, and the group incorporated as a business, purchasing 32,000 acres of land in the desert northwest of Yucca Valley. The goal was not only to build a Western set where movies would be shot, but to also develop a real town where they would be among friends, family and co-workers.

According to the VisitPioneertown.com website, the group originally planned to call the town Rogersville, in honor of Roy Rogers. However, Tim Spencer, a Sons of the Pioneers member, wrote a catchy tune called “Out in Pioneertown” to help promote their investment. Once recorded, that tune gave birth to the name Pioneertown.

Construction began on Sept. 1, 1946. The San Bernardino County Sun included a fullpage ad on March 25, 1947, inviting people to invest in Pioneertown along with the famous actors and singers. The first buildings were functional businesses, including White’s Grocery, the Red Dog Saloon, Nell’s Ice Cream Palace, the Golden Stallion Restaurant, the Klip ’N’ Kurl Beauty Shop and Pioneertown Likker. Horses were tended to at Maggie’s Feed Barn, and for entertainment, there was the Pioneer Bowl and Trigger Bill’s Shooting Gallery. (Pioneer Bowl became a favorite filming location for cowboy star Gene Autry.) The Pioneertown Gazette began a long run, and visitors could stay at the Townhouse Motel. Ranch sites with utilities and road access were offered for as little as $900 for an acre-plus of land.

However, this community focus didn’t last. Dick Curtis stepped down as company president in 1948 after the corporation decided to strictly cater to production companies—and soon, both land sales and production slowed. However, Pioneertown received a life line when movie producer Philip N. Krasne, who

was producing The Cisco Kid TV series starring Duncan Renaldo and Leo Carrillo, arrived in Pioneertown. He liked the town so much that he signed a 25-year lease and installed $250,000 worth of sets, purchased from the defunct Enterprise Studios.

The Pioneertown production boom was soon in high gear. More than 50 films and TV shows were filmed there during the 1940s and 1950s, and Gene Autry’s half-hour television productions through the 1950s were shot there. In addition to The Cisco Kid, productions set in Pioneertown included The Range Rider, Annie Oakley, Cody of the Pony Express, Judge Roy Bean and Buffalo Bill Jr. The Pioneertown Post Office was reputed to be the most photographed post office in the United States due to its mid-set location.

While Pioneertown thrived in terms of movie and TV productions, the lack of an accessible, reliable water source ended earlier grandiose plans, including a 40-acre lake, a golf course and a shopping center.

As the popularity of Western films waned, the number of movies and shows filmed in Pioneertown decreased. The town, however, remains a fully functioning production set, where movies, films, music videos and commercials are filmed.

Today, there are numerous false fronts, the likes of which you’d find in Westerns, like the Bank, Bath House, Likker Barn, Jail, the Jack Cass Saloon and the Mining Company. There are also some functioning businesses. Pioneer Bowl is still an operating bowling alley, and the Red Dog Saloon gets crowded on weekends—which is when the town really comes to life. One recent weekend, I caught all sorts of activities, including a horse show, food and souvenir booths, and lots of folks in Western attire. You can even catch a staged gunfight on Mane Street.

I asked Curt Sautter, the Pioneertown historian who was emceeing a horse show in his trademark leather cowboy hat, about some of the performers. He said there are three groups of performers, all from the High Desert area, who perform the gunfights for the tourists.

“We have one main group on Sundays, and two others who alternate Saturday shows,” he said.

The most popular draw to the town is Pappy and Harriet’s, a restaurant, bar and concert venue. Musicians and bands from around the world come to play at the “Pioneertown Palace.” Music lovers pack the historic place while enjoying drinks and a barbecue-heavy menu.

Pappy and Harriet’s has also attracted movie and video producers. Cyndi Lauper’s “Funnel of Love” music video was shot there in 2016, as was the 2017 movie Ingrid Goes West, with Elizabeth Olsen and Aubrey Plaza. In 2006, parts of Pioneertown were burned in the Sawtooth Complex Fire, but firefighters were able to save the historic movie-set buildings. Today, Pioneertown still retains its charm and Old West vibe. Mane Street has

been designated by the State Department of Parks and Recreation as a historical resource, and in 2020, it was recognized as a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places. Only horse and foot traffic is allowed on downtown Mane Street, but there is plenty of parking at either end of town; leashed pets are welcome. Camp sites are available for campers, as are horses at the Pioneertown corrals. There is also the Pioneertown Motel adjacent to Mane Street.

Sources for this article include Pioneertown, US—The Definitive History of Pioneertown, CA: Where the Old West Lives Again by Kenneth B. Gentry (self-published, 2018); and VisitPioneertown.com.

The view down Mane Street. Greg Niemann

SEPTEMBER ASTRONOMY

Planets and Bright Stars in Evening Mid-Twilight

For September, 2025

This sky chart is drawn for latitude 34 degrees north, but may be used in southern U.S. and northern Mexico.

The month brings a harvest moon, a resurrected turtle, and a morning lineup

of five planets

TBy Robert Victor

he sky at dusk on Sept. 1 features the moon crossing just 27° above the southern horizon, 5° lower than the midday sun on the winter solstice, Dec. 21.

The brightest stars in September’s evening twilight are Arcturus, well up in the west, and Vega, nearly overhead. Altair and Deneb complete the Summer Triangle with Vega. Look for the first-magnitude zodiacal stars Antares in the south-southwest, 20° west of the moon on Sept. 1, and Spica in the west-southwest, 33° to the lower left of Arcturus. Fainter, 1.6-magnitude Mars on Sept. 1 is 8° to the lower right of Spica and closing the gap between them by 0.6° per day. On Sept. 12 and 13, use binoculars to watch Mars pass 2.2° above Spica in the twilight glow. At the start of September, you must wait until nightfall, when full darkness descends, to catch Sat-

urn a few degrees above the horizon, just south of due east. For an excellent view, wait another 4 1/2 hours until Saturn ascends to a position high in the south-southeast, about an hour before Saturn reaches its high point directly south. Aim binoculars at the 0.7-magnitude planet, and you will then notice, in the same field below it, four stars forming an approximate rectangle, just less than a degree wide, with its vertical, longer sides nearly 3 degrees tall. Both top stars of the rectangle are near magnitude 5.0, and the two lower stars shine near magnitude 4.5. These four stars mark the shell of now-obsolete asterism Testudo, the Turtle. Two additional stars extending in a straight line from the upper right corner of the rectangle, of magnitude 5.9 and 5.5, define the Turtle’s neck and head. In 1754, the British botanist and author John Hill selected these stars in Pisces to form a new constellation, Testudo (the Turtle). The proposal was largely ignored by astronomers.

It’s time to bring back the Turtle! You can easily notice the motion of Saturn against the background of the Turtle asterism. On morning of Sept. 7, Saturn passes within 0.5 north of 29 Piscium, marking the northeast (upper left) corner of the rectangle. On the morning of Sept. 14, Saturn forms an isosceles triangle with the top stars of the rectangle, and you can use these stars to find faint Neptune nearby, as described below. On the morning of Sept. 19, Saturn passes 0.6° north of 27 Psc at the northwest (upper right) corner of the rectangle.

On Sept. 7, the moon, full earlier that day, rises shortly after sunset, with Saturn following 8° or 9° to the moon’s lower left. The next evening, Saturn and the moon rise more or less together, with the moon about 7° to Saturn’s left. For several evenings, the moon comes up farther north and not much later each evening—the harvest moon effect! September’s morning planets: About one hour before sunrise, Venus, shining at magnitude -4 in the east, begins this month 17° up, and drops 5° lower by month’s end. Jupiter, of magnitude -2, is in the east to east-southeast,

to the upper right of Venus, by 20° on Sept. 1, increasing to 51° by Sept. 30. Venus in September moves east against background stars by about 1.2° per day, compared to Jupiter’s eastward crawl of 11’ (arcminutes) to 7’ (0.18° to 0.12°) per day. The other bright planet in the morning sky is Saturn, of magnitude +0.7 to +0.6, sinking through the west-southwest toward the western horizon. At opposition as Earth overtakes it on night of Sept. 20-21, Saturn sets 45 minutes before sunrise at month’s end. Saturn is also visible in the evening, rising within an hour after sunset on Sept. 1, and within a few minutes of sunset on the 20th.

On Sept. 14, one hour and 40 minutes before sunrise, the last quarter moon will be almost directly ahead of Starship Earth. Also on Sept. 14, we have a panoramic view of the four giant planets spread out in a 111° arc ahead of us.

Use binoculars before twilight to locate 5.7-magnitude Uranus, 4.4° south of 2.9-magnitude Alcyone, or Eta Tauri, the Pleiades’ brightest star. It’s helpful to first locate the pair of stars 13 and 14 Tauri (magnitude 5.7 and 6.1), 21’ (arcminutes) or 0.35° apart, 4.5° to 4.6° south and slightly west of Eta Tauri. On Sept. 14, Uranus is 2.9° to 3.2° east of the pair. At magnitude 5.7, 13 Tauri is a close match to Uranus in brightness.

Neptune on Sept. 14 is just 2.3° from Saturn. First note the two fifth-magnitude stars 27 and 29 in Pisces (the top of the Turtle’s shell), 0.95° apart and each about 0.7° from Saturn, forming an isosceles triangle. The star 29 Psc is the one farther east. The 6.3-magnitude star HIP 417, 2.65° north-northeast of 29 Psc, is a good stepping stone to Neptune. On Sept. 2, Neptune passes 0.4 south-southeast of HIP 417. On Sept. 29, magnitude 7.8 Neptune is 0.5° south and slightly west of HIP 417, almost on the line back toward 29 Psc.

Return your attention to Venus, and note the star Regulus 6° to its lower left on Sept. 14. With Venus included, the arc of five morning planets expands to 145°.

Follow the moon in the morning sky Sept.

Evening mid-twilight occurs when the Sun is 9° below the horizon. Sept.1: 40 minutes after sunset. 15: 39 " " " 30: 39 " " "

7-20. Catch the waning moon near Saturn on Sept. 8 and 9; near the Pleiades cluster Sept. 12; widely north of Aldebaran and the Hyades cluster on Sept. 13; and very near 1.7-magnitude Elnath or Beta Tauri, tip of the northern horn of the Bull, on Sept. 14. On the morning of the 16th, the waning crescent moon will appear near Jupiter, Pollux and Castor, and on the 17th, near the Beehive cluster (use binoculars). On Sept. 18, the moon will appear 11°-12° above the closing Venus-Regulus pair. Regulus will appear 0.5° to the lower right of Venus on Sept. 19, while the moon stands about one degree to the lower left of Venus. That’s a 6 percent waning crescent moon with earthshine, a brilliant planet, and a star all within a field less than 2° across—a spectacular sight!

The moon returns to the evening sky on Sept. 23, when the 5-percent crescent will be very low in bright twilight, within 3° to the lower left of Spica and 6° to the lower right of Mars. On the

next evening, the 10 percent crescent will be 8° to the left of Mars. On Sept. 26, the crescent will be 8° to the lower right of Antares, and on the next evening, the 32 percent crescent will be 4° left of Antares. On Sept. 28, this month’s second far southern moon appears 16° to the east (left) of Antares. On the last two evenings of September, the moon appears in the constellation Sagittarius—on the 29th within, and on the 30th east of, the asterism of the Teapot. The Astronomical Society of the Desert will host a star party on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Sawmill Trailhead, a site in the Santa Rosa Mountains at elevation 4,000 feet; and on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Learn more at astrorx.org.

Robert Victor originated the Abrams Planetarium monthly Sky Calendar in October 1968 and still helps produce an occasional issue.

Stereographic Projection Map by Robert D. Miller

evening sky chart.

ROBERT D. MILLER

By Kevin Fitzgerald

In October 2000, Congress established the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

This year, the Friends of the Desert Mountains (FODM) and their partners in the conservation of the national monument— including the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians—are planning a series of celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary.

However, those celebrations were temporarily jeopardized in early August, when the Rosa Fire broke out and burned a portion of the national monument. As of this writing, the cause of the fire is undetermined.

Karin Jaffie, the marketing and development associate at FODM, recently spoke to the Independent about the celebration plans, and the impacts of the Rosa Fire on the national monument.

“At the 25th anniversary, there will be a kickoff party, and then we’ll have (an event) for young people,” Jaffie said. “There will be hiking, and Palm Springs Life magazine will be highlighting a different hike each week for a year. … When people come back in October,

they’ll be able to enjoy the glory of this national monument.”

The Rosa Fire burned almost 1,700 acres and caused the evacuation of the Pinyon Pines, Alpine Crest and Ribbonwood communities, as well as the closure of Highway 74.

More than 1,000 personnel were engaged in battling it at one point.

Of the burn area, “422 acres of it was Friends of the Desert Mountains conserved lands around the trailhead of the Palm Canyon Trail, at the upper end of it,” Jaffie said. “Both sides of Pine View Drive in different parcels burned, plus a really big piece just above that. … We had some other parcels conserved in the Pinyon Pines neighborhood, and all of that burned.”

Jaffie explained that the national monument includes land owned by various organizations, including FODM, the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service.

“A lot of different entities come together to make up this National Monument,” Jaffie said. “When this fire was burning, it got into some Forest Service land; it burned some private land; and then it burned some conserved FODM land—but it’ll come back.”

A Time for Research, Recovery

An Aug. 18 news release from the Friends of the Desert Mountains expressed appreciation for the fire-suppression personnel who battled the Rosa Fire, and announced plans to work on re-opening the Palm Canyon Trail.

“While the damage is devastating to see, fire is a natural part of the forest ecosystem,” said Tammy Martin, the FODM executive director, in the news release. “Several species actually need fire to propagate, but there are others that don’t fare as well, like the singleleaf pinyon pine.”

The news release explained: “In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, to prevent the unintended consequence of a long (Palm Canyon) Trail closure, Friends will be helping rehabilitate the Palm Canyon Trail so it can re-open as soon as possible. Friends’

community science volunteers will document and record species recovery. Friends will install photo point stations as well, allowing visitors to take photos from the same vantage point, then share the image to a database.”

In the news release, Lee Beyer, a U.S. Department of Agriculture forestry technician, pointed out that the public has an important role to play in the recovery.

“The USDA San Bernardino National Forest will be closing other Forest Service lands within the fire perimeter for up to a year to allow plants and animals to recover,” said Beyer. “The trail itself will be affected by rain and erosion. Limiting hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking allows for the area to recover, so please respect the closures.”

Jaffie told the Independent that the organizations are still figuring out the extent of the fire’s effects on the animal and plant life.

“As far as the animals go, we’re going to try to work with UC-Riverside Professor (of biology) Dr. Lynn Sweet,” Jaffie said. “Her biology people really know this area pretty well, so they’ll be the ones who will advise us more about any animal species that might be severely impacted by this fire. … We actually were watching with binoculars to see if animals would come charging over the hills, like you see in movies when they’re moving ahead of fires. But desert animals are probably a little more discreet than that and just got out of the way. We didn’t see anything, and so far, I haven’t heard any reports of any sheep damage, because we do have the Peninsular Ranges’ desert bighorn sheep,” an endangered species, in the affected area.

Jaffie said climate change continues to be a big threat to the national monument.

“Obviously, that is partially why we had a big fire,” Jaffie said. “Everything got all dried out more than it normally would, and we’re

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument marks 25 years of existence as recovery from the Rosa Fire continues

A prickly resident of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Credit: Chris Wheeler

The Rosa Fire burned portions of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Credit: Karin Jaffie/FODM

not having our usual rain patterns. In the last couple of years … about 23% of our desert plants have burnt to the ground just from the sun. Now, those plants know how to come back. They know how to lay low, like those frogs that only come out every other year when it rains enough.

“The desert is alive. (Many plants) know how to hide underground and chill until everything’s cool, and then you come up again.”

A Special Place

As everyone involved with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument prepares to celebrate its 25th birthday, Jaffie explained what makes the national monument special—even among other public lands.

“Here in Coachella Valley, we have more conserved lands than any place else,” Jaffie

Our desert is so unique. We have over 25 different endangered or critically threatened species of plants and animals, not the least of which is the desert bighorn."

Karin Jaffie, marketing and development associate at Friends of the Desert Mountains

said. “These lands were conserved 25 years ago through an act of Congress, as opposed to the Antiquities Act. It was actually drawn out and made a law by Congress that this national monument should exist and be preserved, for the natural and the scenic (elements), but also due to its amazing cultural and scientific resources.

“Our desert is so unique. We have over 25 different endangered or critically threatened species of plants and animals, not the least of which is the desert bighorn ... but also, there are different kinds of milkweed that doesn’t grow anywhere else, but need to exist, because it’s all part of this big desert ecosystem. It’s a park where we don’t charge entrance fees. You want people to have access to nature, and the national monument we have preserved is 280,000 acres of unimaginable resources.”

While planning for the anniversary celebration has resumed after the fire, details are still being finalized.

“We’re going to be kicking it all off on Oct.

23 with an event up here at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center,” Jaffie said. “That will be for VIPs with presentations and proclamations.

… We’ll do a time capsule and some other cool stuff. A couple days later, it looks like we’re probably going to be doing a youth event at night up here. We want to get people on the land, so there will be an anniversary hike organized, that is probably going to be led by the (Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians).”

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument is more popular that ever. Jaffie said visitor numbers have skyrocketed since the COVID-19 shutdowns, with about 100,000 visitors each year—and now, the Friends of the Desert Mountains are dealing with significantly diminished support from their federal partners.

“They’ve done nothing but cut back the

includes Sand to Snow and Chuckwalla.

“The main thing that I would be concerned about here in Coachella Valley is the BLM land that is not actually in one of our units. It’s (land parcels) out in Sky Valley and that area, where there’s a lot of BLM land. That’s the kind of stuff that they would look to sell off first, if they could get to it—but hopefully, it would take way too much effort for them to do it.

Jaffie said the onslaught of executive orders and resulting court battles are intended “mostly just to exhaust us and antagonize us.”

“But in the fight for the land, you know, ‘The mills of the gods grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine,’” Jaffie said, quoting a phrase from ancient Greek philosophy. “There’s a reason that it took so long to (create) Chuckwalla and all of these national monuments. It’s because they wanted to make sure that we did it by the rule of law, and so it will not be easy to untie any of it.”

Meanwhile, the FODM team plans on doing everything they can to make sure as many people as possible are safely enjoying the national monument.

resources for the monument and for staffing and everything,” Jaffie said. “Our volunteers help out as much as they can, but we can only work in partnership with the BLM or the USFS, so right now, in the summer season, the visitor center is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But in season, it should be open all the time— especially with the anniversary coming up.”

How concerned is the FODM team about recent talk out of Washington, D.C., of rescinding national monument designations for protected monuments in our region?

“At the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, I don’t think we’re under any threat here,” Jaffie said. “It was established by an act of Congress, and what they seem to be most concerned about right now is (national monuments) that were established by the Antiquities Act, which

“We do nighttime hikes that are really popular,” Jaffie said. “Full moon hikes, people love, but we also do desert nighttime adventures when it’s not a full moon. We give people black lights, and we take them out in the desert, because scorpions glow in black light, and we have some plants and some rocks that fluoresce under that UV light as well, so we’re giving people a chance to see what the animals see, and to see the desert in a different way. Since we already have these nighttime adventures, I want to build on that and be able to bring some young people up here. We’re working on doing a little silent disco up here to teach them that you can go out into the desert, not tear it up, and have a good time.”

Learn more about the Friends of the Desert Mountains at www.desertmountains.org.

A night hike in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

Credit: David Garcia-Tlahuel/Arsvida

Karin Jaffie: “You want people to have access to nature, and the national monument we have preserved is 280,000 acres of unimaginable resources.”

Credit: Christine Gwinnup

ARTS & CULTURE

A SEASON OF CHANGE

By JIMMY BOEGLE

When Yvonne Bell moved to the desert to become the McCallum Theatre’s senior vice president of development in May 2021, she thought she was starting the final job of her career.

“I was thinking, ‘Wow, I’m getting close to retiring,’ she said during a recent interview. “I was very excited, like, ‘Yeah, this is my last gig, and I’ll then retire and play bridge and do whatever people do when they retire.’ Then this opportunity came up—and I couldn’t say no.”

That opportunity: In May, Bell was named the McCallum Theatre’s chief executive officer. She

took over for Robert McConnaughey, currently the McCallum’s president and chief financial officer, who became interim CEO following the retirement of longtime CEO Mitch Gershenfeld in 2024.

As the McCallum kicks off its 2025-2026 season with a performance by the Righteous Brothers on Wednesday, Sept. 10, Bell finds herself leading the organization at a time when a lot of things are changing—at the McCallum, in the Coachella Valley performing-arts world, and in the country as a whole. The first big change, as far as the McCallum is concerned: expanding on the theater’s traditional November-to-April season.

“We want to take the McCallum to the next level and have it be on par with performing arts centers across the nation,” Bell said. “A big piece of that is in the programming, and running the season from September all the way through June. … By having a diversity of performances and artists here, we’re really focused on building audiences. It’s going to take a while, but we’re bullish about it. … That November-through-April timeframe was based upon the country clubs’ (schedules), so if we want to serve the wider Coachella Valley community, we need to look at the full-time residents.”

The McCallum—and the Coachella Valley economy as a whole—have traditionally gotten a big boost from snowbirds and seasonal visitors, many from Canada. But heading into the 2025-2026 season, it appears many Canadians will be avoiding the United States, due to President Trump’s tariffs and rhetoric toward the country. Bell conceded that so far, ticket sales for the new season are “not as strong as they were” in previous years. However, she said she had confidence in the theater’s new marketing department—and in a big change the theater is making at the box office: For the first time, the McCallum is using a dynamic pricing model for ticketing. This means ticket prices will change, depending on various market factors. For example, if a show is not selling well, the theater can lower the ticket price to sell more seats, or if a show is selling quickly, it can raise the price on tickets not yet sold.

“An experience for an artist is as important as an experience for an audience member,” Bell said. “I’ve sat through shows that are a quarter full, and that changes the experience. The artists deserve better than that, too, so we’re going to make sure this house is full.”

In a time when many organizations are running away from DEI—diversity, equity and inclusion—Bell said the McCallum remains committed to diversity. She pointed to the theater’s programming for Hispanic Heritage Month (mid-September through mid-October), starting with a show by Camila Fernández on Sunday, Sept. 14, as well as a pre-Greater Palm Springs Pride show by drag artist Sasha Velour on Wednesday, Nov. 5, as proof the theater is not backing down.

If you take a quick look at the McCallum schedule, you’ll notice that among the newer shows and old favorites (including series like National Geographic Live!, and Jeffrey Siegel’s Keyboard Conversations), there is a two-week gap, in late October. Bell said the gap is evidence of the McCallum’s increasing profile in the Broadway/theater world.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (The Musical) is going on tour again, and they haven’t done it in a while, so the producers are doing a two-week tech rehearsal here to make sure all the pieces of the new tour come together, and then there’ll be three performances at the end of that tech rehearsal” (on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 2 and 3),” she said. “Hopefully, that’ll continue with other shows. … Every new show does that when they start on tour. It’s usually been on the East Coast, in godforsaken cities (in the winter) like Syracuse, Rochester and Elmira. … I think McCallum now has the opportunity to start a tour here with teching. Certainly, if I were an actor or producer, I’d rather be in Palm Springs teching.”

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Is the first of seven Broadway shows on the McCallum’s 2025-2026 schedule. In previous years, many of the Broadway tours came to Palm Desert for three-day, five-show weekend stops. This season, five of the six Broadway shows after Grinch—including Shucked (Nov. 25-30), Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Dec. 9-14) and Beetle-

A chat with Yvonne Bell, the McCallum Theatre’s new CEO, about the performing arts center’s longer schedule, the introduction of dynamic pricing, and more

juice (March 24-29, 2026)—will have longer McCallum runs.

“Now that we’re having musicals (come to town) for a week, we’re eligible to join the Broadway League, and so I think that’s going to be another big resource,” Bell said. (The Broadway League is the national trade association for the Broadway-show industry.)

The 2025-2026 McCallum season is the first in almost a quarter-century that does not primarily feature the work of Mitch Gershenfeld. Bell said this season’s programming was a “team effort.”

“A big muscle behind all of this is our chairman, Garry Kief, and he is a theater kid at heart,” Bell said. “I’m a theater kid at heart. We, together, we have a vision for what a wellrun sophisticated theater looks like. … We hired a vice president of programming, and then our president and CFO also worked on the programming. But I got my stuff in there. I was behind the dance. … Garry, I credit him in full for saying, ‘We need to have more current Broadway shows. We can’t be doing Waitress from 15 years ago.’”

Given Bell’s passion for dance performances—which she said started when she began her career in 1980 by helping open the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Los Angeles— it’s no surprise that she listed MOMIX’s Dec. 5 show, ALICE (inspired by Alice in Wonderland)

among those she is most eagerly anticipating. “I first saw (MOMIX) probably 30 years ago, and they’re very athletic, and extremely talented,” Bell said. “It’s very visual. They tell a story not only through dance, but with costumes, kind of in an illusionistic way.”

Bell also said she’s looking forward to a series of performances that will mark a McCallum first: In June, the McCallum will host a jazz festival, in partnership with the Pacific Jazz Orchestra.

“We’re going to be activating the entire McCallum Theatre,” she said. “We will have programming in the Founder’s Room; we’ll have programming in the lobby. We will have programming, of course, on the main stage. (Most people) think of a jazz festival as like, ‘Well, you’re outside, and you have a picnic and you can go from here to here.’ We’re trying to stretch that and say, ‘Well, what if we did that, and it was inside the McCallum Theatre?”

Bell said she, Kief and their team want to raise the bar across the board at the McCallum.

“I so enjoy moving the needle,” Bell said. “It’s so much fun.”

Tickets for the 2025-2026 season at the McCallum Theatre, located at 7300 Fred Waring Drive, in Palm Desert, are on sale now. For tickets or more information, call 760-340-2787, or visit www.mccallumtheatre.org.

McCallum Theatre CEO Yvonne Bell: “We want to take the McCallum to the next level and have it be on par with performing arts centers across the nation. A big piece of that is in the programming, and running the season from September all the way through June.” Paul Aphisit

ARTS & CULTURE

CULTURAL COMEDY

By Matt King

Eric Ochoa has been a consistent content creator since 2008, and became one of first viral social-media sensations with his YouTube channel SUPEReeeGO. The Mexican-American comic’s sketch series Cholo Adventures and You Know You’re Mexican If … took the internet by storm, garnering millions of views on YouTube thanks to their hilarious depictions of Mexican culture.

As the years went by, Ochoa adapted his cultural comedy to fit changing trends and algorithms.

The Cholo Adventures characters went on to do song parodies, food challenges and podcasts, and even explored the world of filmmaking. Recently, Ochoa jumped into standup comedy, trading the characters and sketches for stories and straightforward jokes.

You can catch Ochoa on Friday, Sept. 19, at Spotlight 29 Casino.

“It’s Eric Ochoa—not in character, but just raw,” Ochoa said during a recent Zoom chat.

A couple of years ago, Ochoa tried out standup comedy for the first time, after creating numerous characters that existed inside of YouTube videos and at a handful of live shows. Ochoa admitted that comedy primarily without the help of his characters is a bit difficult.

“It’s probably harder, to be honest, because whenever I do characters onstage, I’m able to kind of hide behind that a little bit,” Ochoa said. “Whenever it’s me up there, it challenges me to just rely solely on jokes and stories and connecting with the audience. I actually enjoy it more, to be honest.”

Sharing experiences from his culture is a priority for Ochoa in his standup, just as it is in his YouTube videos.

“If I see a lot of my peoples out there, I mix it up, but if not, then I go into explaining a little more, then doing the characters,” he said. “Sometimes it just blends in there. If it works, it works. It’s a good tool to have, especially whenever you just want to pop in with an impression.”

It’s been 17 years since Ochoa’s “How to Be a Cholo” video launched his career.

“Sometimes I do get a little tired of playing the characters I have on YouTube, but I do (the videos) with a good amount of friends,” Ochoa said. “Whenever we get back onscreen, it’s like, ‘All right, I love it.’ It’s fun to improvise, and a lot of the videos are improvisational with me and my buddies just acting like fools. All of that has prepared me to do more of the standup stuff, to be on the spot and crack some jokes.”

While Ochoa is enjoying standup comedy, he still loves creating comment, as his most recent YouTube series, Foo’s Got Talent, shows.

“Sometimes you need to tap into other things and continue to challenge yourself,” he

said. “You don’t want to stay too comfortable in something. I always want to try new things, and I always go toward things that scare me. Two and a half years ago—that’s when I tried standup, because it scared me. I finally did it the first time in front of a thousand people out in Pico Rivera. I kept working on it, met some other comics, and I was like, ‘Damn, I’ve got a lot of work to do,’ because these guys are pros. I don’t want to just come into their space and be like, ‘Oh, I could do that.’ It’s been a process so far, and it’s been a fun one.”

Ochoa said he’s grateful that he did not overwork himself as he started creating content.

“I wasn’t very consistent,” he said. “I wasn’t one of those channels with a weekly video. I just did it when I could, maybe every couple of weeks on YouTube. That kind of kept me on pace. I’ve had some moments where I was like, ‘Man, I should quit. What am I doing?’ There’s a lot of support from people, and I have a lot of joy doing it, so keeping up with it is fun. Learning the (YouTube) algorithm that changes constantly is dope, and that’s why I come up with other new things, like Foo’s Got Talent. … I thought, ‘OK, let me do a talent show with foos.’”

The comedian was dead-set on having his channel expand beyond Cholo Adventures

“You start turning into Jason (Friday the 13th) and Halloween,” Ochoa joked. “If that’s what people come to watch, you have to give them what they want, but at the same time, you’ve got to keep your own sanity. Luckily, I’ve been able to move things around and challenge my audience as well.”

Ochoa and I share a connection: We were both taught by the same drama teacher, Shaun Carlin. Years after teaching Ochoa in Compton, Carlin moved to the Coachella Valley and led the drama department at Coachella Valley High School, changing the lives of many students, myself included. Mr. Carlin, when I was a student, even invited Ochoa and the Cholo Adventures crew to speak at CVHS. Ochoa has talked in videos the extreme impact Mr. Carlin had on his life.

“I always say Mr. Carlin was the guy who gave me the confidence boost, like a father

Eric Ochoa brings friends from his SUPEReeeGO YouTube channel and beyond to perform standup with him at Spotlight 29

figure,” Ochoa said. “My dad was a little more on the absent side, and Carlin was such a hero to me. We would do musicals; we did Oklahoma!, and he gave me the leading antagonist role. It’s very rare to see or meet a teacher who would really look at you, and just have this belief in you. … Carlin helped me believe that I can do anything. It was really nice and such a pleasure getting to know Mr. Carlin, and even after high school, we would message each other on Facebook, or he had my number, and sometimes we would just go back and forth. He had such a huge impact. I’d say he gave me the confidence to get up onstage and do what I’m doing today.”

Eric Ochoa’s standup show in Coachella will feature sets from both his YouTube friends and his standup friends.

“My boy P-D-Flo, Pedro Flores, director

and writer of High School Sucks the musical, and Alex Arredondo, who plays Sleepy Brown in the Cholo Adventures videos, they also do standup as well,” Ochoa said. “I brought them in with me and started giving them more and more time. Chances are, they’re going to come out and do their own standup. My boy JValentino and Martin Rizo will be a part of the live show, too, and then probably a couple more. It’s always a good time. It’s good vibes, and we all learn from each other—but it’s almost like a kickback. When we get up onstage, it’s just us; we’re talking to people, and it’s a whole vibe.

Eric Ochoa will perform at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, in the Chairman’s Lounge at Spotlight 29 Casino, at 46200 Harrison Place, in Coachella. Tickets start at $33.84. For tickets and more information, visit spotlight29.com/entertainment.

Eric Ochoa, on doing standup for the first time: “I finally did it the first time in front of a thousand people out in Pico Rivera. I kept working on it, met some other comics, and I was like, ‘Damn, I’ve got a lot of work to do,’ because these guys are pros. I don’t want to just come into their space and be like, ‘Oh, I could do that.’”

LISTEN ANYWHERE: KGayPalmSprings.com

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CAESAR CERVISIA

By brett newton

Where do I go if I want to have a variety of craft-beer experiences without having to fling myself all across the Coachella Valley?

In the past, if I had answered that question with “the east valley,” you might’ve thought I was joking. I’ve long considered Indio and Coachella to be wildly under-served when it comes to craft beer—but that is changing quickly.

Indio Brewing is the valley’s newest ventures into craft beer. Like, very new: It just opened in late July. A slick taproom and brewhouse greeted me as I entered. I wanted to quietly go in and try their early brews, even though I generally like to give a

new brewery about six months to settle in, learn the equipment and its idiosyncrasies, and perhaps make a few lagers by which I can truly judge their ability. I sampled their American wheat ale, a mango version of the wheat, a milkshake IPA, and something they called an “American ale,” which I was told was just a cream ale named to limit customer confusion. Everything except the mango wheat represented a solid start for the new place. (The mango flavoring tasted very strange, almost like solvent.) They have a Mexican lager and Oktoberfest beer in the tanks, and I look forward to trying these. Since the owners I interacted with seemed very nice, I wish them success and sincerely hope the beer only improves.

My friend met up with me at Indio Brewing mid-visit, and we moved on to Spotlight 29’s Red Falcon Dispensary and Lounge to have a pint of 29 Brews’ Tipsy Tortoise IPA.

He had tried it recently on tap there—and I must say, it’s drinking better than ever. It’s much fruitier and less bitter than I remember, resembling more modern IPAs. It turned out that it was movie night there, and they were showing a film called The Package that is the type of comedy I didn’t think was still made (and I am relieved at least one was made as recently as 2018; from what we saw, it was stupid and fun).

We then moved to Indio Taphouse. While the Taphouse has been open for a while now, I had neglected to go—and when I arrived, I was impressed by how much work had been put into that part of downtown Indio. The Taphouse itself is a decent-sized bar with a spacious side patio and a cool mural painted on the side of the building. The thing I was least impressed by was the tap list. Don’t get me wrong; it’s not bad. There was Firestone’s California IPA, which is like a modernized

All of a sudden, the eastern Coachella Valley has a variety of great places to enjoy craft beer

version of their classic Union Jack IPA; and Super Slap, Brewery X’s double dry-hopped version of their Slap and Tickle IPA. They had one chalkboard at one end of the bar, and the rest of the list wasn’t very impressive. I probably wouldn’t even mention this if they weren’t called Indio Taphouse. This is a fullservice bar with some taps, bottles and cans, and overall, it is a great place. We shared a plate of their poké nachos (I am a sucker for wontons in place of tortillas chips as an idea), and they were delicious. I hope they improve their craft-beer game, if they really want to live up to their name.

If I’d had infinite time and resources that night, I might have wandered one block west and around the corner to Rosemary HiFi on Oasis Street. I’ve been there once before and was happy to see a pilsner by Palm Springs’ own Las Palmas Brewing on tap; I have been told that the owner is the brother of Rey Romero, co-owner of Las Palmas. Rosemary HiFi is a cool spot, and even though I’m not a fan of the sound of vinyl (and there’s a lot to unpack there as a musician—I definitely have opinions), the choices of music when I went in—on a night where patrons picked vinyl to play—were interesting and certainly more thoughtful than at your average bar.

I was still hungry, though. This is when I recalled a taco truck on Indio Boulevard called Taqueria Mazatlan that specializes in carne asada. I already knew the food there was excellent, and when I was there previously, I noticed someone being served a baked potato. So this time, I asked for the Papa Loca, a loaded potato topped with carne asada. I got it to go, replete with all the accompaniments I might want, but in the end, I didn’t need them, because the explosion of flavor was more than enough as is. I know there is a whole world of food trucks— even in the desert—and that I’m a relative ignoramus when it comes to them, but I can wholeheartedly give you my recommendation for Taqueria Mazatlan.

I should also mention that Desert Beer Company has been working for two long years on opening a restaurant/taproom in downtown Indio, and that it should be open this year. (I have that on good authority.) And there you have it. For craft beer, look no further than Indio and Coachella. I mean, do look further, but go and enjoy a night out in a place that is actually trying. I’m elated that there are easier and more varied options for beer than ever before in the eastern Coachella Valley—and that is something to celebrate.

The Indio Taphouse opened on Miles Avenue about a year and a half ago. Brett Newton

VINE SOCIAL

By Katie finn

For parents of school-age children, the real new year doesn’t begin in January. It arrives in September (or perhaps August, depending on your location), when the pool floaties sag sadly in the corner; the sunscreen bottles are half-empty and sticky; and the chaos of summer slowly gives way to alarm clocks, backpacks and forgotten lunchboxes. It’s a season of fresh starts—not just for kids, but for us adults, too.

Back-to-school season is about reclaiming a sliver of sanity, rediscovering the quiet of mid-morning, and finding a rhythm in the chaos. And what better way to celebrate this “new

year” than with a collection of wines that pair perfectly with every stage of the school season? Consider this is my syllabus for sipping, from homework helpers to Fridaynight rewards

The ritual begins at the kitchen counter, where fractions, spelling lists and sentence conjugations test our patience in ways we haven’t felt since our own middle school days. This is when you need something crisp, refreshing and focused—basically everything your child’s attention span is not. Enter the Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc from Sonoma County. Founded in the early 1970s, Dry Creek brought the term “Fumé Blanc” into the California wine lexicon as a stylish nod to sauvignon blanc’s French roots, and their version remains one of the freshest. With aromas of citrus, melon and herbs, this wine cuts through the fog of math problems with its lively acidity and bright character. If dinner ends up being emergency sushi takeout, its citrusy zip makes it a flawless match.

In the late afternoon, when the backpacks are dropped at the door, and the house exhales into that brief, golden lull before dinner, the mood shifts. This is rosé hour— the moment when parents can finally pause, look at each other across the kitchen, and agree they’ve survived another day. Few bottles capture this reset better than Domaine de Fontsainte’s Gris de Gris rosé, from the Corbières region in southern France. The estate, kissed by Mediterranean breezes and family-run for generations, produces a coppery pale-pink wine made primarily from grenache gris. It smells like strawberries and peaches, with a faint whisper of wild herbs, and its crisp, refreshing taste is the liquid equivalent of sliding into your favorite linen dress after a long, hot day: effortless, stylish and exactly what you needed.

Then there are the evenings that call for something fuller—something that grounds you after a day of juggling drop-offs, deadlines and dinner-time negotiations. For those nights, the Domaine Bousquet Reserve Malbec, from Argentina’s Tupungato region,

is the wine to grab. The Bousquet family, pioneers of organic farming in Mendoza, crafts a malbec that is both powerful and pure. Pouring inky purple, it fills the glass with aromas of blackberry, plum, violets and mocha. On the palate, it’s full-bodied yet smooth, with dark fruit balanced by elegant tannins and a long finish that lingers like a well-deserved sigh. Pair it with a grilled steak if you’re feeling ambitious, or simply let it keep you company as you sink into the couch once the kids are asleep.

Of course, the true finish line of the week is Friday night, when exhaustion mingles with relief, and the promise of a lazy morning hovers on the horizon. For that moment, a silky red like the Oregon Territory pinot noir from the Willamette Valley feels almost ceremonial. The Willamette’s cool climate and rich soils have made it one of the world’s great pinot noir regions, and this bottle captures why. With aromas of cherry and raspberry layered over earth and spice, it arrives like a well-timed deep breath. On the palate, it’s silky while having a depth and richness to it that even cabernet lovers will enjoy. Bonus: It’s incredibly versatile with food the kids might actually eat—perfect for pairing with simple pasta, roasted chicken or even fancy takeout pizza you pretend is “homemade.”

Just when you think you’ve got this whole routine down pat, life will throw you a pop quiz—and sometimes those quizzes arrive disguised as last-minute school projects. Every parent knows the terror of the “surprise” assignment. It’s 8:15 p.m.; the words “it’s due tomorrow” are uttered; and you’re suddenly knee-deep in poster board, glitter glue and a meltdown (yours or theirs; take your pick). In these moments, you don’t need calm—you need bubbles. The Lady of Spain cava, made in Spain’s Penedès region using the traditional Champagne method, delivers the kind of effervescence that makes crisis management just a little more glamorous. With bright citrus, green apple and brioche notes dancing over lively bubbles, it turns a night of hot glue guns and

Five wines you can enjoy as the kids go back to school (even if you don’t have kids)

last-minute poster boards into something you might just laugh about later. September may mark the kids’ new year, but it’s also a new year for us. It’s a chance to reset, recharge and rediscover little rituals of joy. Whether you’re sipping a bright Fumé Blanc during homework hour, celebrating a rare quiet moment with rosé, or rewarding yourself at the end of the week with a silky pinot noir, let

wine be part of your back-to-school survival kit—because behind many gold stars, smiley faces and “good job” stickers are parents with well-earned glasses of wine.

Katie Finn is a certified sommelier and certified specialist of wine with two decades in the wine industry. She can be reached at katiefinnwine@ gmail.com.

FOOD & DRINK INDY ENDORSEMENT

We have an amazing “Le Parisien” sandwich, and then a delicious carne asada huarache

By Jimmy Boegle

WHAT Le Parisien

WHERE Les Filles Café and More, 67730 E. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 103, Cathedral City HOW MUCH $14.95

CONTACT 760-895-7062; les-filles-cafe.com. WHY Four-ingredient perfection.

A while back, the hubby and I started a food diary. We kept having food-related conversations with questions we couldn’t answer, like: “Where did we have that French dip that was really good?” Or, while sitting at a restaurant we hadn’t been to in a while: “We’ve had the Caesar salad here before. Was it good?”

Our food diary is a shared Google document where, after each meal, we take a few moments to write down our thoughts—so when we’re wondering where we had that amazing French dip, or how the Caesar salad was at a particular restaurant, we have notes where we can get answers.

Here’s what I wrote in the food diary about the sandwich I had during a recent Friday lunch, with my colleague Kevin, at Les Filles Café and More: “Le Parisien (ham, butter, Gruyère on baguette) = OMG yum. Very bready but the butter and cheese, with salt from ham, was amazing.”

That amazing sandwich was so darned simple, with just four quality ingredients assembled into a perfect lunch. I have never been to Paris, but Kevin has spent some time there, and he vouched for the sandwich’s authenticity.

In addition to baguette/sandwich offerings, Les Filles also serves focaccia sandwiches, sweet and savory croissants, pastries, desserts and a number of coffee offerings. You’ll order at a counter, and while the restaurant’s space is small, the service is excellent. And if you want your mouth to start watering, head to Les Filles’ socials (@lesfillescafe).

Les Filles opened in June, in the space that previously housed short-lived cafés like Choco Churros USA, and From Mouth to Mouth Italian Bakery and Deli. Considering how excellent our lunch visit was, I am hopeful that Les Filles will have the staying power these other restaurants did not—and if Les Filles does stick around, trust me: It will be mentioned regularly in our food diary.

WHAT Huarache with carne asada

WHERE Low Desert Modern Mexican, 1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, No. 405, Palm Springs

HOW MUCH $18

CONTACT 760-656-0231; lowdesert.net

WHY The blend of complimentary ingredients.

“Huarache” has two meanings in Mexican Spanish. The word can refer to a type of sandal, or an open-faced sandwich, shaped like the sandal, with masa dough at the base.

Huaraches aren’t found on a lot of local Mexican-restaurant menus, but they’re available at Low Desert—and the Coachella Valley is all the better for it.

Low Desert has been serving up “Modern Mexican” fare at Palm Springs’ Smoke Tree Village shopping center since December 2022. If you’re looking for things like tacos, burritos and enchiladas, you’ll find them at Low Desert—along with tortas (sandwiches), ceviches, tostadas and soups, as well as a variety of unique starters and salads. Vegetarians, take note: There’s plenty for you to enjoy at Low Desert, with a concoction of mushrooms, squash, zucchini, chiles, tofu and other good stuff joining the meat options in various entrées.

On a recent Saturday night, I got a variety of food to-go—and all of it was delicious. An endorsement within an endorsement goes to the quesabirria tacos, with beef, Oaxaca cheese, picked onions and consommé.

But the dish my mind keeps going back to is the carne asada huarache. The masa dough was topped with refried beans, queso fresco, a bit of sour cream, cabbage, pico de gallo and, of course, carne asada—and it was perfect for a warm summer evening.

The carne asada was cooked to perfection, with a nice grilled flavor, and all of the veggie accompaniments offered oh-so-welcome crispness and freshness. The unheralded star of the dish, however, may have been the refried beans, which gave the huarache both salt and earthiness.

If you want great Mexican food that’s a bit different and elevated, give Low Desert a shot.

2 Restaurants Unlimited Flavors

Proudly Supporting and Serving Our Community

Restaurant NEWS BITES

By charles drabkin

YOUR YEARLY CHANCE TO EAT FOOD AND LEARN ABOUT BUSINESSES

The Annual Business Expo and Taste of Palm Springs is returning to the Indian Canyons Golf Resort, at 1100 E. Murray Canyon Drive, from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17. The $40 entrance fee gets you tastes from 40 valley restaurants, as well as wine, beer and tequila tastings, and a cocktail bar. Additionally, more than 100 local businesses showcase themselves. This year, your wristband also includes live entertainment, featuring Prince Again. Tickets can be purchased at pschamber.org/event/ business_expo_taste_of_palm_springs.

UPDATES

Around the first of the year, we told you that Toast’d in PS would be opening “soon” in the former home of I Heart Mac and Cheese, at 190 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Now nine months later, the owner informs me that the business has only two inspections left to complete before they can open. I’m told to expect American comfort food inspired by Mexican, Spanish and Asian flavors—and that they’ll be open late. Watch toastdinps.com for updates.

In the spring, we let you know that famed San Francisco Cookie company Hot Cookie was taking over the former Jus Chillin’ at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. That transformation is complete— and the cookies are delicious. Details at hotcookie.com.

Coffeeism Co., at 110 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in Palm Springs, is a beautiful new coffee and pastry shop that opened Aug. 20. See photos and get some info at instagram.com/coffeeismco and coffeeismcops.com.

IN BRIEF (SPECIAL INDIO EDITION)

Craft beer has come to Indio with the opening of Indio Brewing Company, at 82900 Avenue 42, Unit G111. You can bring your own food, as they only offer chips and salsa, plus snack mixes, although they do plan on partnering with local food trucks. See what’s happening at instagram.com/indio_brewing.

… If coffee is more your style, you’ll be happy to know that Saguaro Coffee, a roaster and coffee shop, is being built at 45151 Oasis St. in downtown Indio; follow along at instagram.com/saguarocoffee. … Also coming soon: an Indio edition of Chino-based gourmet doughnut shop Painted Dough. After a series of local pop-ups, the brick-and-mortar ship is coming soon to Oasis Street and Miles Avenue; watch instagram.com/painteddough.

IN BRIEF

If you love golf but don’t want to spend time outside, please know that The Golf Bar has opened at 79815 Highway 111, in La Quinta. Their simulators offer not only golf but more than a dozen other sports. The menu includes pizzas, bar-food fare and a full bar. Find out more and make reservations at thegolfbar.com. … Down the street, you will also soon be able to visit the new 7 Brew drive-through at Highway 111 and Jefferson Street. It’s a huge chain with more than 460 locations, although this appears to be their first California shop; 7brew.com. … Also opening soon in La Quinta: Angry Chickz. The Los Angeles-based hot chicken chain has announced it’s opening, but not the location. Our sources tell us it’ll be at Adams Street and Highway 111; angrychickz.com. … New York bagel chain H&H is opening its second California location at 73131 Country Club Drive, in Palm Desert. The building is still under construction, but their marketing department tells me they are scheduled to open by the end of 2025; hhbagels.com. … If you like pie—and who doesn’t?—you will be happy to know that Winston Pies, the L.A.-based pie chain, is opening a location at the Shops on El Paseo, in Palm Desert. They sell pie bites, hand pies, slices, mini pies and a regular-sized pies. They are targeting a fall opening; winstonpies.com. … Koffi is opening a fifth location at 67260 Ramon Road, in Cathedral City. This will be their first location with a drive-thru; kofficoffee.com. … Just up the street slightly, Daiso is now open at 5200 E. Ramon Road, No. B4, in Palm Springs. These stores carry everything you didn’t know you needed, including a wide array of snacks. This is the second location in the Coachella Valley; the first store opened in July at 78870 Highway 111, in La Quinta. These stores are something you have to experience to believe; daisous.com. … Ash and Vine is open at 19 La Plaza, in the former home of French Miso, in Palm Springs. The restaurant offers modern Californian cuisine, blending local ingredients with global inspirations from Spain, Thailand and the Middle East. With dishes like grilled cheese dumplings, scallop risotto and a vegan terrine, the menu is both adventurous and deeply rooted in comfort; ashandvinepalmsprings.com. … The Palm Canyon Roadhouse, at 535 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has closed its doors. The owners cite lease issues, and say the complex where it was housed is being demolished. Social media posts indicate they are looking to reopen elsewhere, so keep an eye on this space for updates. … Finally, I am sad to report that Brown’s BBQ and Soul Food, at 410 W. San Rafael Drive, in Palm Springs, has closed. Good luck to everyone involved.

Do you have any hot tips or news to share? Reach out: foodnews@cvindependent.com.

www.cvindependent.com/music

The Concert for Autism creates safe spaces for people on the spectrum

The Venue Report, September 2025: Billy idol, Cedric the entertainer, sandra Bernhard—and More!

Skip Heller brings ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’ to the stage

The Lucky 13: Get to know a tattoo artist/musician, and the vocalist/guitarist of Vs Self and Gayt

Credit: ToM Bronowski

MUSIC

SENSORY SUPPORT

By matt king

The Concert for Autism, a yearly series of shows benefiting the Desert Autism Foundation, will rock again this fall, with the 18th edition spanning four dates and three venues.

On Friday, Sept. 26, the kickoff event will occur at Coachella Valley Brewing Company; on Saturday, Oct. 11, is the lead-up event at The Hood Bar and Pizza. On Sunday, Oct. 19, is the Acoustic Afternoon for Autism at Coachella Valley Brewing Company; and the main event is on

Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Tack Room Tavern. (Full disclosure: I will be performing at the kickoff event.)

Not only does the concert series raise money for the Desert Autism Foundation; it provides sensory-friendly concert experiences for people on the spectrum. Local musician Josh Heinz, who runs the event, has autistic children of his own, and he makes it a priority to feature performers who raise awareness for autism, who have someone in their life on the spectrum, or who are on the spectrum themselves.

Local singer/songwriter Derek Jordan Gregg has performed at the Concert for Autism for many years. His brother Angus is on the spectrum.

“It started to become apparent that there was something (about Angus that was) a little different,” Gregg said during a recent phone interview. “He did not talk until he was about 4 or 5, not a word. … It was strange to not be able to get to know my own little brother. I always wanted a sibling who I was close to; my sister was a runaway, and that affected me a lot, so I wanted a chance to connect with a family member. His condition was rather drastic compared to what you see sometimes, and it took him quite a while, with the right amount of schooling, to get on the right track.”

Gregg has witnessed firsthand how autism awareness has changed over the years.

“Angus is at that perfect age that, when he was a kid, nobody knew shit, and nobody knew anything about autism,” Gregg said. “It was frustrating. People would be like, ‘God, I hope your brother gets cured.’ It’s not a disease; it’s a spectrum—and he is brilliant. There’s nothing to cure. What has to happen is the world needs to get awareness.”

Gregg is extremely thankful to Josh Heinz for what the Concert for Autism has accomplished in raising awareness.

“People know how to talk to autistic people because of things like the Concert for Autism,” he said. “I’ve done quite a few of them, and it’s crazy to watch it go from a single event at a brewery, to something takes over a month and goes through almost every city in the desert. … If you consider every -

body who’s working hands-on with that, and also watching the show, it raises the awareness of autism in every one of those people.”

Angus continues to inspire his brother, and the pair recently collaborated on a music video.

“He’s thriving now,” Gregg said. “He’s 23. He’s gotten really into editing. He’s going to … film school in Hollywood, and he’s a freaking little badass. I’m just inspired by him, and we’re just such good friends now. He directed the music video for ‘Blue,’ one of those songs from my most recent album. He and I collaborated, and he directed it; he edited and shot it, but he also storyboarded the entire script for the actual video itself, which is quite dark—and I found it to be very satisfying as another dark person.”

Gregg has witnessed how the Concert for Autism is a safe space for people on the spectrum.

“I see other people who are on the autistic spectrum get really passionate at these shows, listening to speeches by people who Josh has up, and also for the music,” he said.

Gregg appreciates the structure of the events, featuring soft rock and acoustic acts at most of the concerts, with the heavy and loud punk-rock bands—with music that can be difficult for some on the spectrum—performing at the kickoff event and toward the end of the night at the main event.

“It’s definitely not blast beats all day,” Gregg said. “When it’s heavier, it’s at the end of the night, when there are probably not as many people on the spectrum there.”

Alocal musician on the spectrum who has performed at the event in the past, is and performing again this year, agreed to speak to me about the experience. The Independent agreed not to use their name, as they’ve experienced discrimination based on their autism diagnosis.

“I got diagnosed as an adult, later in life,” they said. “I’ve always felt very different and alienated since as long as I could remember, in any social setting. It didn’t occur to me to potentially get diagnosed for autism until I was an adult, because of a lack of education surrounding what constitutes being on the

The Concert for Autism doesn’t just raise money and awareness; it also creates safe spaces for people on the spectrum

spectrum. I had this idea of what autism is that was based on misconceptions. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m certainly I’m not that’—but turns out, I was that.’”

The performer is thankful that awareness levels for autism have increased throughout their life.

“There’s a lot more talk online about what qualifies as autism, which is good,” they said.

“Some of that can kind of backfire a bit. Some people misdiagnose, but for the most part, (the online awareness is) a good thing, and I think people should continue to talk about the less-talked-about aspects of autism.

The local musician would like to see more discussion about the difficulties adults with autism face.

“It’s very difficult for an adult to get diagnosed with autism,” they said. “A lot of the institutions and things out there are meant for children with autism, but the unfortunate reality is that a lot of parents and people miss the subtle cues of what makes their child autistic, and a lot of people go undiagnosed for years, and they wonder what’s wrong with them. When the moment comes when they finally want to get diagnosed, it’s hard to

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Derek Jordan Gregg: “People know how to talk to autistic people because of things like the Concert for Autism. If you consider everybody who’s working hands-on with that, and also watching the show, it raises the awareness of autism in every one of those people.” LAURA HUNT LITTLE

MUSIC

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get that diagnosis, because it costs so much money, and it’s rare to find places that diagnose you, so you end up having to pay out of pocket for private institutions to get your diagnosis. It can be really difficult for people who suspect they’re autistic and don’t have access to those resources or the money.”

When the musician previously performed at the Concert for Autism, they shared their thoughts on the issues faced by adults on the spectrum.

“I really appreciated the concert, because it allowed me an opportunity to speak my mind on autism,” they said. “I got onstage, and I talked about ‘masking’ and being someone you’re not, which is something autistic people have to deal with all the time. I really appreciated that Josh put on that show to allow me to speak my mind, and allowed me to do this interview. … He’s providing people on the spectrum, like me, an opportunity to talk about (our) experience.”

Another difficulty, the musician explained, comes with entering the workforce as an autistic adult.

“The world is not really built for us,” he said. “We have a lot of sensitivities to sight, sounds, smells, people, and the average workspace is not really meant to accommodate people on the spectrum. As a result, a lot of us have a very hard time working, and a

very hard time making ends meet. Some jobs have accommodations—but if you don’t have that diagnosis, we can’t get those accommodations, and you end up having to mask and deal with all these sensory stimuli, and it’s exhausting. We deal with burnout much quicker than the neurotypical person would, and that leads to depression, anxiety and sometimes suicide. Sometimes they resort to drugs to cope with it. Our brains are hardwired to be very sensitive to things, and as a result, it’s very hard for us to function in this day-to-day life.”

Heinz has been working with Visit Greater Palm Springs to get local business trained and certified to better serve people on the spectrum. He also personally helped the local musician.

“Josh helped me find resources for autism and getting diagnosed and workplace accommodations,” they said. “He sent me a bunch of links, and I was really appreciative of that. He’s doing a great job.”

The local musician urged everyone to treat each other with kindness.

“Neurotypicals tend to not be able to empathize with people on the spectrum as much—and also vice versa, because there’s a huge communication difference,” they said. “People on the spectrum are a lot more direct. They don’t really follow social cues very well, and they don’t really understand those unspoken social rules. Neurotypicals live by these social rules, and as a result, there’s a lot of miscommunication, and people tend to think a lot of autistic people might be rude or have bad intentions when that’s not the case. … I would say for people to just not assume that autistic people, or anybody, is having bad intentions, if they’re coming off in a way that might not be polite.

“I just wish people would communicate better. Our symptoms get mistaken as character flaws or behavioral issues like anxiety. We’re told to just ‘push through’ and ‘get over’ discomfort and sensory triggers when our brains don’t work like that. Our environments need to be changed to suit us, and we need more recovery time than a neurotypical person would.”

The Concert for Autism kickoff event takes place at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, at Coachella Valley Brewing Company, at 30640 Gunther St., in Thousand Palms. The lead-up event will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at The Hood Bar and Pizza, at 74360 Highway 111, in Palm Desert. The Acoustic Afternoon for Autism will take place at 1 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19, at Coachella Valley Brewing Company. The main event will take place at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Big Rock Pub, at 79940 Westward Ho Drive, in Indio. A donation is requested at the events. For more information, visit concertforautism.com.

Local musician Josh Heinz, who started the Concert for Autism, makes it a priority to feature performers who are on the spectrum themselves. LAURA HUNT LITTLE

The Venue REPORT

September 2025

By matt king

Happy September! The summer slowdown is over, and our local venues are stacked with great entertainment. Here is a sampling of what the desert has to offer.

Acrisure Arena features a series of big names! At 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11, country star Jordan Davis moseys into town to play some twang-filled tunes. Tickets start at $54.70. Looking for “more, more, more?”

Check out Billy Idol, performing some great ’80s hits at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12. Tickets start at $40. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, Mexican songwriting legend Ana Gabriel will take the stage, sharing emotional, romantic and powerful songs. Tickets start at $90.85. More Mexicana jams will commence at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, when Latin music trailblazer Luis R. Conriquez heads to the desert. Tickets start at $53.40. At 8 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, catch a local appearance from arguably the most legendary figure in rock music, Sir Paul McCartney. Tickets start at $713. Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert; 888-695-8778; www.acrisurearena.com.

The McCallum Theatre’s season is about to get under way! At 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 10, welcome back the local venue, and say goodbye to iconic pop vocal duo The Righteous Brothers, as they make a stop in the desert on their farewell tour. Tickets start at $82.99. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, laugh the night away when comedian Jon Lovitz (who you may know from Saturday Night Live, various films or one of his hundreds of TV guest-spots) takes the stage. Tickets start at $57.99. Some sublime regional Mexican and mariachi will grace Palm Desert at 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14, when Camila Fernández arrives in town. Tickets start at $42.99. At 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, comedian Monique Marvez brings chuckles to the McCallum. Tick-

ets start at $33.99. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760-340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.

Fantasy Springs has big classic-rock show coming to the Special Events Center in September. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, the “Cold as Ice” classic-rock outfit Foreigner will perform in Indio. Tickets start at $92.50. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Spotlight 29 Casino has a great mix of entertainment. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, regional Mexican star Lupillo Rivera will head to Coachella. Tickets start at $38.80. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, ’80s rockers 38 Special will celebrate five decades of Southern-rock jams. Tickets start at $43.95. Regional Mexican duo Los Horoscopos de Durango, who have dominated the charts and TikTok, bring the banda hits at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26. Tickets start at $38.80. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, Latin pop star Yuri brings the Spanish bangers to town. Tickets start at $75.90. Honest Goodness Comedy Fridays continue in September, featuring Sara Weinshenk (Sept. 5), DJ Cooch (Sept. 12) and Richard Villa (Sept. 26). You must be 18+ to attend. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.

Morongo hosts music, comedy and more! At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, enjoy Mariachi Night. The evening will feature performances by Angeles Ochoa, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. Tickets start at $68.50. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6, country star Gavin DeGraw (the voice behind the One Tree Hill theme) is set to perform in Cabazon. Tickets start at $68.50. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, experience

Billy Idol

MUSIC

‘SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK!’ REVIVED

By MATT KING

Schoolhouse Rock!, the classic musical cartoon that taught lessons on history, multiplication and more is being presented in revue form in Palm Springs by musician and historian Skip Heller.

After performing with Bob Dorough, the composer of the Schoolhouse Rock! music, Heller received a blessing from Dorough’s family to present the iconic songs. With the backing of a full

band, songs like “Three Is a Magic Number,” “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill” will come to life onstage. You can catch Skip Heller’s School House Rock! on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Agua Caliente Palm Springs.

“I was born in 1965, so I was the target audience when (Schoolhouse Rock!) hit the air,” Heller said during a recent phone interview. “Like everybody else of my generation, that was a part of my Saturday morning cereal. I knew all the songs. They were beautiful little pieces of music and animation. I grew up in Philadelphia, so anything that was history or civics or whatever, I had a special interest in, because all our class trips were to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and Benjamin Franklin’s house. Plus, my mother was a school librarian, so I was interested in the things that would make you smarter.”

As Heller was cutting his teeth as a performer, he was reintroduced to his childhood soundtrack.

“Cut to 17 years old and making my way as a jazz musician: The guy who I apprenticed with in Philadelphia was Eric Spiegel. He was a singing piano player, and he was great at both things,” Heller said. “He did all the material that all the other singing piano players had done, (from) Tom Waits, David Frishberg and Bob Dorough. … When I went in search of Bob Dorough music, I recognized his voice immediately from “Three Is a Magic Number” and “Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here.”

Heller was shocked to find Dorough’s name credited to numerous facets of music, including connections with everyone from Dr. Demento to Scotty Moore, Elvis’ guitar player.

“He lived not far from Philadelphia in the Delaware Water Gap, and I called him up,” Heller said. “He said, ‘Hey, I’m going to be in Philadelphia next week, and I’m being interviewed on some radio show called Fresh Air Why don’t you come with me?’

“Here I am with the creator of Schoolhouse Rock!, who is also a guy who recorded with Miles Davis. The only group that Miles Davis ever led that had a vocalist in it, Bob Dorough was the vocalist. I got to know Bob over the years, and when he would come to the West Coast, we would hang out. … We recorded

an eight-song tribute to Eric Spiegel, because Bob got to know Eric.”

In 2014, Dorough was set to perform a Schoolhouse Rock! concert at an animation festival, but shortly before the performance, vocalist Jack Sheldon, behind songs like “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m Just a Bill,” suffered a stroke.

“Bob called me up and said, ‘Hey, man, I need somebody to have to come here and sing ‘Conjunction Junction’ and ‘I’m Just a Bill’ because of Jack’s health,’” Heller said. “I met him at the hotel where he was staying up on the Sunset Strip. There was a piano in the cocktail lounge, and Bob hands me the sheet music and says, ‘Let’s just go over it here.’ Well, we started doing it, and all of a sudden it was like we were doing this mini-concert, because all of these people from all ages showed up. Everybody knew this music and knew immediately what they were hearing. That night, I got to sing Jack Sheldon’s parts at The Echo in Los Angeles, with Bob Dorough playing piano behind me, which is crazy.”

That was the last time Heller saw Dorough, who died in 2018.

“He talked like he sang, so immediately, you felt like you were in the presence of somebody you had known all your life,” Heller said. “There are certain people I’ve seen in my professional life who I’ve played with who I look at and I go, ‘No wonder they’re successful, because what you see is what you get.’

The person you hear on the records and see onstage is exactly the same guy off stage. If you loved him when you encountered him in a recording, boy, are you going to love him off stage, because he’s just that guy.”

Heller contacted Dorough’s family and spoke to his daughter about performing some of the Schoolhouse Rock! tunes.

“I said, ‘Look, I have the right players and the right singers to do Schoolhouse Rock! as a live thing, and I don’t want to do it like the way the musical (Schoolhouse Rock Live!) is,’” he said. “(I said) ‘I know Bob saved every chart he ever wrote,’ and she said, ‘Oh, yeah, I scanned everything. I have the charts.’ That was 2019 when we started getting it together. There were some things missing, so I had to

Skip Heller brings the timeless musical/educational cartoon to the stage

go back to the videos and transcribe them. … I hired one other person to help with that, because I wanted to have the entire library.”

Soon after, COVID-19 hit, leaving the project in the dark. Now, in 2025, Heller is finally ready to debut his Schoolhouse Rock! concert in Palm Springs.

“I put together exactly the right band for it, with exactly the right instruments, three singers—and several people in the band have classroom teaching experience,” Heller said. “Even though there aren’t going to be children there in a casino … they’re addressing us in a way that would be consistent with the spirit of the thing.”

School House Rock Live! is the latest show from Heller to mix history and music. As a part of the Carousel series at Agua Caliente Palm Springs, Heller has presented in-depth musical presentations of film noir, exotica, klezmer music and the sounds of Chicano music icon Lalo Guerrero.

“Raymond Scott, Henry Mancini, Robert Drasnin, Lalo Guerrero—all these different people whose music I presented, there’s always a third of the audience walking up and going, ‘I had no idea that that stuff was that interesting or that hip or that futuristic,’ and

then there’s another part of the audience that goes, ‘I have loved these records all my life, I can’t believe I heard this live the way it was meant to be,’” he said.

At School House Rock Live!, Heller said civics will make up a large portion of the evening’s “lessons.”

“You can tell people were not raised with good civics teaching, so there’s every chance in the world we’re going to open the show up with ‘No More Kings,’” Heller said. “Bob was a 94-year-old hippie when he died. He had a long, great ponytail down to his ass, and the spirit of what he did was: If you teach people the truth about things … you’re going to raise good citizens. I think we need a reminder of what citizenship is. You always see these memes: ‘Schoolhouse Rock! could not have prepared me for this shit; there’s no song about how fucked up this is,’ and I think that’s entirely correct.”

Skip Heller’s School House Rock Live! will take place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at the Cascade Lounge at Agua Caliente Palm Springs, at 401 E. Amado Road. Tickets start at $19.98. You must be 21+ to attend. For tickets and more information, visit eventspalmsprings.com.

Skip Heller with Lena Marie Cardinale, Heller’s wife and a singer in the School House Rock Live! ensemble. Chris Mortensen

MUSIC

CONSTANT COLLABORATOR

By matt king

Chilean-born multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Alain Johannes is an integral part of the history of the desert rock sound.

Johannes’ guitar wizardry, songwriting skills and ear for production have led to his involvement in numerous projects associated with Coachella Valley musicians and studios. His sounds and stylings can be heard on integral desert releases by Queens of the Stone Age, The

Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal and Them Crooked Vultures.

Johannes recently formed a new band with Gene Trautmann (Queens of the Stone Age, The Desert Sessions, Eagles of Death Metal), which is set to perform as the Alain Johannes Band on Thursday, Sept. 25. The show will mark Johannes’ return to the intimate Audiowild Studios after performing there acoustically in late 2021.

“It’s a great place,” Johannes said in a recent phone interview. “Brian (Parnell, the venue owner) and the crew are amazing. It’s a little cultural hub, and they have a recording studio there, so I remember the sound guy was really super-talented. … It has the feeling of a really passionate, focused place where people gather for music and for art. I think it’s been upgraded quite a bit since the last time I was there, so I’m looking forward to seeing that.”

The Alain Johannes Band did a short U.S. run in July, and this show is a warmup before they play at the Ohana Festival in Long Beach on Sept. 27.

“It was a little tricky to try to book something in L.A. around Ohana, and this was perfect, because Brian has been wanting to get me out there again, and I’ve been wanting to go out there again,” Johannes said. “I scheduled everything to fly back (from Chile) in time to have a couple of rehearsals, and then head over to Idyllwild, then have a day down by the beach and to get ready for the festival.”

Apart from these performances in Idyllwild, and a set at the recent birthday concert for Dave Catching (Rancho de la Luna) at Pappy and Harriet’s, Johannes rarely performs in the area.

“I’ve been so nomadic the last few years,” Johannes said. “When I was living in L.A., I would play Harvard and Stone, and that cool bowling alley in Highland Park, and Cobraside Distribution. It’s been quite a while since I played full electric—I would say, since Eleven, and maybe even back to Troubadour 2000 when Natasha (Shneider, Johannes’ late wife and Eleven bandmate) was still with us, and we opened for Queens on the Rated R tour. Actually, Gene was playing drums.”

Although Johannes’ presence is felt

throughout the sounds of the desert, he is only in town a couple of times a year, spending most of his time in Chile.

“I have family I reconnected with, like my father, who I didn’t meet until I was 48,” Johannes said. “Josh (Homme, Queens of the Stone Age) brought me back after Natasha passed away. He booked a tour of South America in 2010, and I met my real father. Because of that, I met two brothers and cousins and aunts. I started coming to Chile every year or every other year, and then more frequently. I decided that it would be really fun to just hang out (in Chile) all the time as home base. My sister lives in L.A., so I go stay with her, too, and then lately, I’ve been going up to Seattle— to Bellingham, more specifically—where Gene moved. With our new band (Drink the Sea), with Barrett Martin and Peter Buck, I’m going to be up there quite a bit to rehearse and prepare for a world tour—and world domination.”

When Johannes spends time in the desert, he’s often making musical magic at Rancho de la Luna.

“Somehow I end up at Rancho at least three or four times a year,” he said. “Barrett and Duke (Garwood) and I spent a couple of weeks there with Davey (Catching) working on the Drink to Sea stuff, and Ramkot, the Belgian band, last year. … I’m hoping to get out there pretty soon again, by November.”

The Alain Johannes Band, and all of Johannes’ projects, honor the musician’s friendship and collaboration with Mark Lanegan, the vocalist behind classic tunes by Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age and The Desert Sessions. Lanegan passed away in 2022.

Lanegan’s song “Paper Hat,” which Johannes produced and performed on, opens with the lyric, “From Idyllwild to Las Vegas / walk the desert wearing this paper hat.”

“Those records with Lanegan were so much fun,” Johannes said. “I started working with him when I wrote ‘Hanging Tree’ for The Desert Sessions. After that, we did a cover of a Kinks song in a kind of hillbilly, Indian classical version that was really trippy in 2001, and then after that, we worked on Songs for the Deaf (by Queens of the Stone Age). Mark and I just knew we had

Alain Johannes prepares to perform a rare desert-area show at Idyllwild Studios

a shorthand together, so from Blues Funeral (Lanegan’s 2012 solo record) on, it was just him and I running the show, making the records, and then bringing people in to play with us. He trusted me with all the instrumentation. It’s an incredible loss for me personally, as well as for the world musically.”

Johannes reflected on his collaborators who have passed away.

“Sometimes I sit around and try to focus on the future and continuing on, but Natasha and Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, who died in 2017) and Mark were my three hugest collaborators and inspirations, and they’re all gone right now,” he said. “Maybe I’ll get lucky and find one more at that level, but Mark was a generational artist—once in a few (generations), actually. He was one of a kind.”

Thankfully, the music Johannes made with these legends will live on forever.

“It’s nice to wake up and have had all that,” he said. “Your memories flood in … and you can feel proud and happy and blessed to have experienced these moments with these amazing beings. I’m very, very, very lucky that way.”

Fans of all of Alain Johannes’ collaborative efforts will enjoy the music his band intends to explore in Idyllwild.

“We’re doing the usual Desert Sessions (songs), Eleven, some of the Desert Sessions stuff that became part of the Queens records, Cornell’s Euphoria Morning solo stuff, and also my electric and acoustic solo stuff,” he said. “I’ve got three records now, and I’m hoping to record a fourth. … It’s quite a quite a big catalog to

draw from, and I’m probably going to work up some other stuff that I did with Lanegan. Some of his tunes are a lot of fun, like ‘The Gravedigger’s Song’ and stuff like that.”

Even though Johannes is not from the desert, he embraces his connection to the desert sound, which he describes as not a genre or a label, but “a space, mentally and spiritually.”

“The desert has that magic and connection to all things spiritual and otherworldly,” Johannes said. “It’s very much close to nature, and it also has a very tough spirit, because of the environment being very hard. There’s a huge desert here in Chile, one of the biggest. Any place where there’s heat and sand, it just creates this melancholy to it—and a depth that I find really attractive.”

While he doesn’t spend as much time in the desert as he used to, he says it’s “always felt like a second home to me—or like a first home in the sense of how comfortable I feel.”

“There’s a natural connection that happens with musicians and creative people, artists from the desert, that when we see each other, we understand each other. The first time I met Mario Lalli (Fatso Jetson, Yawning Man), it was like, ‘Oh, it’s my cousin.’ There’s a lack of pretense; there’s a directness and there’s a commitment that is quite special, which is devoid of the plastic or the façade of cities.”

The Alain Johannes Band will perform at 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25, at Audiowild Studios, 54240 Ridgeview Drive, in Idyllwild. Tickets are $20. For tickets or more information, visit audiowild.studio.

The Alain Johannes Band.

October 16-19 | More Than 50 events

Tickets and Information modernismweek.com

Modernism Week Featured Home Tour: Sackley Chase Sensation

Daily Tours October 24-27 | Various Times

Originally designed by the renowned Palm Springs architect, Stan Sackley in 1976 and beautifully decorated by legendary interior designer Steve Chase, this exceptional home has been thoughtfully updated and reimagined by Grace Home Furnishings.

Choose from Six Unique Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours

Daily Tours October 16-19 | Various Times

Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus Tour

The Homes That Define Palm Springs Bus Tour

Sinatra’s Rat Pack Homes & Hangouts Bus Tour

Charles Phoenix Super Duper Double Decker Bus Tour

Twilight Architectural Bus Tour

Bella da Ball’s Celebrity Homes Bus Tour Casual Concours Midcentury Car Show

Show Preview Party

Clinton Meyer

The Venue REPORT

continued from page 31

the all-male strip show Australia’s Thunder From Down Under. Tickets start at $59.50. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, funnyman Cedric the Entertainer brings his standup routine to town. Tickets start at $78.50. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, catch some historic Latin stylings from La Original Banda El Limón. Tickets start at $57.50. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-2524499; www.morongocasinoresort.com.

Here are some September highlights at Agua Caliente Rancho Mirage. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, grunge rockers Candlebox are set to perform. Tickets available as of our deadline started at $59.05. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, classic rock stars Kansas continue to celebrate their ’70s and ’80s hits. Tickets start at $79.69. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 13, Mexican rock icons Caifanes bring Latin riffs and Spanish flair to town. Tickets start at $69.40. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, ’90s alternative rockers Third Eye Blind perform a rare local show. Tickets start at $65.24. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, comedy icon Jerry Seinfeld returns to the desert with more jokes and Seinfeld stories. Tickets start at $136.50. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-9991995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.

Agua Caliente in Palm Springs is busy with residencies! Desert Blues Revival Wednesdays feature Tex-Mex blues from Tremoloco (Sept. 3), ’50s and ’60s fun from The Dreamboats (Sept. 10), fiery guitar from Jessica Kaczmarek (Sept. 17) and New Orleans swamp rock from Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse (Sept. 24). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $19.98, available at eventspalmsprings.com. Carousel Thursdays showcase jazz guitar jams from Alex Ciavarelli (Sept. 4), nonstop swing from Danny Jonokuchi and the Revisionists (Sept. 11) and sensational scatting from Sacha Boutros (Sept. 18). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $19.98, available at eventspalmsprings.com. Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs; 888999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.

Pappy’s is only getting busier as the cooler weather arrives; here are a few September highlights. At 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 5, legendary hip-hop group Arrested Development will perform an intimate show, joined by DJ Shepard Fairey, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Keep a Breast, a breast-cancer awareness and support foundation. Tickets start at $65, with proceeds benefitting KAB. At 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 7, modern psych-rock stalwarts The Black Angels will bring a dose of trippy, otherworldly sounds to Pioneertown. Tickets start at $37.56. Pappy’s famous Campout series returns for a 20th year, and again features performances from Cracker and Camper Van

Beethoven from Thursday, Sept. 11, through Saturday, Sept. 13. Tickets start at $60.36 per day. Heavy-rock heathens Weedeater, with support from local acts Unida and The Holy Corrupt, intend to decimate the Pioneertown Palace with intense decibels at 9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 25. Tickets are $37.56. At 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, Skate magazine Thrasher returns to the desert for another edition of Thrasher Deathmatch, mixing punk, rap and a half pipe in the middle of the desert. Dinosaur Jr., Superheaven, HiTech, Haywire, Febuary, No Warning, Lathe of Heaven and The Dark are all set to perform. Tickets are $60.36. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-228-2222; www.pappyandharriets.com.

Oscar’s is hosting two events in addition to their residencies. At 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, drag legend Sherry Vine brings comedy, parody and insanity to Palm Springs. Tickets start at $30. At 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, actress/singer/comedian extraordinaire Sandra Bernhard (who you may know from Severance or The King of Comedy) will perform a one-woman show. Tickets start at $92.95. All shows include a food and drink minimum. Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; 760-325-1188; oscarspalmsprings.com/events.

The Purple Room is also back! Here are some September highlights. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 6, jazz vocalist Brenna Whitaker is set to perform. Tickets start at $50.85. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 12, enjoy a double-dose of Broadway from performers and entertainers Nic and Desi. Tickets start at $50.85. At 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, Richard Shelton pays tribute to Palm Springs legend Frank Sinatra. Tickets start at $45.70. Comedy-pop duo The Skivvies, who sing and joke around in their underwear, will perform a two-night stand at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 26, and Saturday, Sept. 27. Tickets start at $50.85. All ticketed shows include dinner reservations two hours before show time. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-3224422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com.

Sandra Bernhard

MUSIC

LUCKY 13 the

Get to know a high desert tattoo

artist/musician,

and the vocalist/guitarist of Vs Self and Gayt

by matt king

MORE INFO A new tattoo shop has arrived in the Coachella Valley, run by musician/artist Matt Howse. After 24 years of tattooing in San Francisco and San Diego, Howse made his way to Yucca Valley and opened up The Seeker Tattoo in May. Howse’s work falls within the American traditional style, but is heavily influenced by traditional Japanese art—and there is a gnarly flair attached to every sword, skull or animal he inks. He is also known for his captivating shark tattoos. Howse also is a creative in the musical space, as a part of numerous San Francisco bands like Swamp Angel and Gin Demons. Learn more at www. seekertattoo.com.

What was the first concert you attended? John Denver.

What was the first album you owned?

Blizzard of Ozz, Ozzy Osbourne.

What bands are you listening to right now?

The Damned, the Black Angels, Dick Dale, The Cult, Y&T, and The Cramps.

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? Rap metal.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? Black Sabbath for sure.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Abba.

What’s your favorite music venue?

Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco.

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“My sister got lucky, married a yuppie, took him for all he was worth. Now she’s a swinger, dating a singer, I can’t decide which is worse,”

“Yer So Bad,” Tom Petty.

What band or artist changed your life?

Dick Dale. In the mid-’80s, we were all listening to Metallica, Accept and all of these guitar-driven bands—specifically the staccato-picking, plucked-close-to-the-bridge with serious speed and intensity bands. It really stoked us suburban latchkey kids, big time. Then somewhere, I got a tape of Surfers’ Choice by Dick Dale, and as I was messing around with guitar a lot, I knew right away that every one of these guys were lis-

tening to this dude—for the energy, the scream, the drive—and that started me on my obsession with surf guitar and what sort of goes with that vibe musically. I even got to open for Dick Dale with my band, Swamp Angel, in San Jose back in 2012. He’s the guy, and always will be.

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?

I’d want to know why Morrissey hates and has such contempt for his audience.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“Surf Rider” by The Lively Ones.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Sonic Temple by The Cult.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Now You’re a Man” by DVDA.

NAME

Kyle Schlenker GROUPS Vs Self, Gayt

MORE INFO Kyle Schlenker is a prominent figure in modern mathcore and screamo music. While best known for the down-tuned guitar and emotive vocal mix of Vs Self, which played at Coachella this year, Schlenker also has a side project titled Gayt. Gayt, a Los Angeles mathrock duo, packs layers of twinkly and spacey, yet intricate guitar atop frantic and rhythmic drum performances. The vocals in Gayt are less screamy, more subdued and scattered throughout the band’s repertoire. Gayt just released debut-album Infinite Anything, and are set to perform at the Coachella Valley Collective on Friday, Sept. 12. Tickets are $13 at the door. For more information, visit www.instagram.com/noisepile.

What was the first concert you attended?

I think I went to one of my brother’s local-band shows before this, but my first real “concert” was seeing blink-182 on their tour supporting Take Off Your Pants and Jacket.

What was the first album you owned?

As a kid, I had a Walkman with some cassettes that were mostly books on tape or soundtracks from Disney movies or music made for children. In third-grade, I got a CD player and three CDs for my birthday. They were the Pokémon first-movie soundtrack, another Pokémon CD that had two or three songs on it, and Backstreet Boys, Millennium

What bands are you listening to right now?

I’ve been really into my point of you, Land of Talk, and Crash of Rhinos lately.

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?

I honestly can’t keep up with the musical trends. Idk what people are into right now.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? Hop Along.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Crystal Castles, because fuuuuuuck Ethan Kath. I don’t really believe in guilty pleasures sonically, if that makes sense.

What’s your favorite music venue?

Whatever venue is currently letting local bands throw shows and supporting smaller touring bands. They get burned way too often, and we need to protect them.

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“When will you go? Nothing’s permanent. I thought you know,” “When Will You Go,” The Dodos.

What band or artist changed your life?

Two very different bands for two very different reasons. No. 1 is blink-182 for being the first band I got VERY VERY INTO at a young age and was one of the reasons I wanted to play guitar. No. 2: Hop Along, for being so important to me at a very pivotal point in my life when I was getting sober and figuring out who I am.

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?

Billy Idol: Why did you put that weird rap part in the middle of “Eyes Without a Face?” It kills the whole song. What were you thinking?

What song would you like played at your funeral? I think I’d rather have people pass the aux around.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time? Get Disowned by Hop Along.

What song should everyone listen to right now? “Inner Lover” by Land of Talk.

NAME Matt Howse

OPINION COMICS & JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

“A Little Outside”—four notable characters. By Matt Jones

Across 1. Johnny formerly of The Smiths

5. Straight Outta Compton co-star ___ Jackson Jr.

10. Pop group with 40 years between albums The Visitors and Voyage

14. ___ d’amore (Baroque instrument)

15. Matilda author Dahl

16. It’s a square number in German

17. Began eagerly

19. Knitting festival material

20. He played opposite Burton in Becket

21. Go head-to-head

23. “Dear” group

25. Night in Madrid

26. Like some relationships

30. New Orleans pro team

33. “___-Pah-Pah” (Oliver! tune)

36. Feedback

37. Short cut

65. Electric toothbrush maker

39. “Little” literary characters that can be found on the outside of the four longest answers

41. Young Frankenstein actress Teri

42. Kickoff

44. Middle East desert region

47. Mudslide liqueur

49. Subject of an upcoming cancellation, with “The”

34. ___ de Torquemada (Spanish Inquisition leader)

46. “We’ll say later,” on a schedule

66. Made shinier, perhaps 67. Delivery time, usually 68. Ballot box bundle

69. Smoked fish

Down

1. Supernatural charm

2. Share a boundary with 3. Former Cowboys quarterback Tony

4. Share again on social media

5. Infomercial’s urgent request

6. “___ says to the guy ...”

7. Poker holding

8. “Candle in the Wind” name

9. Philippine meat dishes

51. Capital of Guadeloupe, ___-Terre (literally, “low land”)

53. Big ripoff

54. Walking loudly in armor, maybe

57. Sci-fi visitors

61. The Avengers co-star Diana

62. Supplement that may assist cognition

64. Motivate

10. Whatever

11. Familiar route

12. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” singer Ives

13. Breathing Lessons author Tyler

18. Middlemarch novelist George

22. Source of antioxidants

24. Four-color toy of the 1980s

26. The Chosen author

Chaim

27. ___ Doone (Nabisco cookie)

28. Slow-moving vehicle in parts of Pennsylvania

29. Oasis animal

31. Prefix with prop or charger

32. Takeout bag item

35. Some consoles

38. Spice mixes

40. Measurement in some diets

43. Mammoth protrusion

45. Calflike

48. Prolific author Isaac

50. Little bit

52. Febrero preceder

54. Icky stuff

55. Italian money, once 56. Bus. school entrance exam

58. Detroit River’s lake

59. Void’s partner

60. RCMP ranks

63. Shout after a score

© 2025 Matt Jones

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