Coachella Valley Weekly - January 8 to January 14, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 42

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 8 to January 14, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 42

PSIFF

pg 5-7

Kal David

pg 10

Cisco & Dewey

pg 11

Sage Francis

pg 12

Aphrodisiac Jacket

pg 13

January 8 to January 14, 2015

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Opening Weekend at Empire Polo Club kicks off this weekend Friday night “Polo Under The Lights” on January 9 and Opening Day and Hat Day on Sunday, January 11 th

Coachella Valley Weekly

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760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Alaina Majiros, Raymond Bill, Jorge Gutierrez, Edward L. Prichard III Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons, Kira Golden, Rich Henrich Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Sunny Simon, Karen Creasy, Richard Weiss, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dr. Maria Lombardo, Bruce Cathcart, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, Laura Hunt Little, Rebecca Pikus, Monica Morones Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Scott Pam, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery, La Maniaca Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

Contents

Empire Polo Club......................................3 PSIFF Gala Roundup................................5 PSIFF Last Call...........................................6 PSIFF Movie Reviews...............................7 Don’t Be Cluless In The CV.......................8 Palm Springs Art Museum......................9 Breaking The 4th Wall-The Judy Show...9 LMS - Kal David.......................................10 LMS - Cisco & Dewey..............................11 LMS - Sage Francis..................................12 LMS - Aphrodisiac Jacket.......................13 Consider This - The Hick-Ups.................14 Art - Carlos Tienda..................................15 Pet Place..................................................16 The Vino Voice........................................17 Club Crawler Nightlife...........................18 Screeners................................................22 Book Review...........................................23 PS Local - Season in the CV...................26 Real Estate..............................................26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local...................27 Dale Gribow............................................27 Safety Tips...............................................28 ShareKitchen..........................................28 Sports Scene...........................................29 Sports......................................................29 Conrad Negron Talk Oil...........................30 Free Will Astrology.................................31 Mind, Body & Spirit................................31 Life & Career Coach................................32 Beauty.....................................................32

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By Lynn Bremner Empire Polo Club welcomes the public to their polo matches. Friday night “Polo Under The Lights” matches are on the second Friday of the month with the first one scheduled for Friday, January 9th at 5:30 PM. The entrance for Friday night polo games is on Monroe St. between Ave. 50 and Ave. 51. General Admission, tailgating and parking are FREE for Friday night games.

Sunday Polo games are scheduled every Sunday from Jan. 4th – March 29th (No polo on March 1st). General admission and tailgating are free on Sunday with a $10 parking fee. VIP seats are $25 per person and including parking and a complimentary glass of Champagne for the halftime divot stomp. The featured matches are on Sundays at 12 PM & 2 PM. The entrance to the Sunday Polo field is on Ave. 50 between Madison St. and Monroe St. For more information please visit www.empirepolo.com. Empire Polo Club is located at 81-800 Ave. 51, Indio, CA 92201.

15 QUESTIONS YOU’VE ALWAYS British army officers stationed there in the nineteenth century. Competing in the intense WANTED TO ASK ABOUT POLO heat, players preferred clothing that was light

By Alex Webbe group of reporters covering the in weight and color.

We all know that jodhpurs, the tailored Duchess of York’s visit to Palm Beach Polo and Country Club riding britches still worn by some players, earlier this year were passing the time in took their name from the Indian state of the press tent discussing the game of polo. Jodhpur, but how many also realize that Most had never seen a polo match before Brooks Brothers developed the buttonand were curious about how it was played. down collar specifically for polo players (who One of the journalists, who evidently had wanted to keep their collar tabs from flapping seen a game or two before, tried to describe in their faces)? Polo, it seems, has always it to his colleagues in terms they could been fashionable.

What happened to the horses’ manes easily understand. “It’s a lot like hockey,” he explained, “except they can’t get the and tails?

Free flowing manes and tails are a danger goaltender’s horse to flop down in front of in polo because they can become entangled the goal.”

Those of you who’ve tried explaining with players’ mallets or with the reins as polo to the uninitiated may appreciate this the rider tries to control his horse. Manes, guide to the origins of some of the sport’s therefore, are shaved and the ponies’ tails are more baffling customs, terminology and wrapped or braided to prevent the hazard.

What are the little boards that run the peculiarities. length of the field?

Why are they called ponies?

By definition, polo fields can be “boarded” A horse that is fifty-eight inches or less is considered a pony, regardless of its breeding. or “unboarded,” the former preferred where Originally, no horse higher than thirteen spectators are in close proximity to the field hands and two inches (fifty-four inches) was to keep the ball in play and those chasing it allowed to play in the game of polo. Today from ending up in someone’s lap. Standing there is no limitation, but naturally the no more than 11 inches high and made of smaller animals, provided they can carry the wood, sideboards are generally painted weight of the rider and are swift, are better. red or green. White sideboards were the Arabian blood and Quarter horse blood as fashion at early clubs until 1926, when Frank well as Western Range horse blood usually Hitchcock, brother to the famous 10-goaler produce the desired type. The polo pony must Tommy Hitchcock, was seriously injured in a be courageous, intelligent, sensitive (without freak accident at the Meadow Brook Club in being nervous or too high-strung), obedient, New York. Unable to spot the ball against the highly trained and must love the game. Polo white sideboards, Hitchcock was riding along ponies, after they have had a little schooling, the boards when he lost his balance, fell and struck his head on the wooden planks. He was soon learn to follow the ball for themselves. in a coma for weeks but eventually recovered Why do the players wear white pants?

Like many polo traditions, this one can be from the accident. Club officials immediately traced back to India, where the game was decreed that white would no longer be the played by nobility and later introduced to color of choice for polo boards.

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Photos By getty images

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Can you use the same horse for an entire game?

No. Polo ponies run the equivalent of one to two miles during a seven-and-a-halfminute chukker, so they must be rested frequently. At the high-goal level, players ideally will have a fresh horse every period although many will “double” on their best ponies. Even at this level, it’s rare but not unheard of for a pony to be played three chukkers in the same game—it happened in the famed International Matches between England and the United States.

What is a score called and why do the teams change directions whenever there is one?

Points scored in polo are called goals, which is much more straightforward than trying to explain why polo teams don’t change field directions by periods or halves like other sports. One theory is that the practice of changing after every point (sorry, goal) scored originated in the days when many polo fields ran east-west (they’re usually situated northsouth now) and neither team wanted to play for extended periods of time with the sun and/or wind in their faces. It’s a plausible explanation, especially when you consider that in late nineteenth-century periods of play changed every time a goal was scored.

We know the practice dates to at least 1873, when England’s Hurlingham Polo Association drew up its polo rules.

What are all the people doing out on the field at halftime?

It’s customary at polo matches to invite the public onto the field at halftime to tread in the divots kicked up by the horses. The custom has a practical as well as a publicrelations value: the field is repaired for the teams by the time they begin the second half of play. It’s not clear who was the first continue to page 5

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enterprising club manager to realize he had an abundant and cheap grounds-keeping crew at his disposal, but old-timers will tell you the job used to be done by hired help. In the 1920s, for example, laborers at the polo clubs tapped in the divots after every period with a tool resembling an oversized croquet mallet. Between games, wives of the polo grooms, many of whom were immigrants, could be found on hands and knees cutting dandelions and other weeds from the field.

What do they call the opening play in polo?

In hockey, it’s a face-off, in basketball it’s the tip-in, but in polo it’s known as the throwin. The umpire tosses the ball in between the two teams as they line up parallel to one another. In earlier days, the custom was to place the ball in the middle of the field and have two opposing players charge it from opposite directions. This practice was eventually discontinued, probably because of incidents like the one that occurred in 1888 at Myopia Polo Club in Massachusetts. Living up to the club’s name, the riders charged myopically at the ball and collided head-on, knocking one of them out cold.

Why are there no left-handed players?

Lefties were officially banned from polo in the mid-1930s for safety reasons, but the restriction was relaxed after World War II when polo players of any persuasion were a scarce lot. The USPA reinstated the lefty ban again in 1974 and it’s stuck: there are no more left-handed polo players. To understand why,

consider this: you’re driving merrily down the road when all of a sudden, coming straight at you, is a crazed Englishman driving on the left side of the road. The panic you’d feel in that situation is just what a right-handed polo player feels when he and a lefty approach the ball from opposite directions.

Are women allowed to play polo with men?

Since both sexes are rated on the same handicap scale, men and women can and do play together. The highest rated woman player in the world is rated at 3 goals (America’s Sunny Hale).

Is the weakest player always the No. 4?

The No. and 4 positions are considered the best places to put the team’s weaker players, particularly the latter because it’s primarily a defensive role. The No. 4, or Back position is certainly the least respected.

Among the great No. 4s in polo history is Devereux Milburn, a 10-goaler and one of the game’s best scholars and teachers, but many others who wore the same number were unjustly denied 10-goal status. A turn-

of-the-century player said sarcastically of polo’s most maligned lot: “Everyone wanted to play back in the early years because it was the most spectacular position. Most of the time the back stood between the goal posts; if he met the ball as it was going through and made a brilliant save, he was good, but if he missed, then it was the other fellow who played well.”

Yes, but if he could only get his horse to flop down and smother the ball. . .

Who invented polo?

The precise origins of the sport are obscure, although we do know that it was played by Persian noblemen as early as 500 B.C. The Indian army can be credited with introducing polo to the West, and their counterparts, nineteenth-century British cavalry officers, with refining the game into an amateur sport for the British aristocracy.

The father of American polo is James Gordon Bennett, publisher of The New York Herald, who imported the game from England and organized the first polo match on U. S. soil in 1876.

Will polo ever become a nationally televised sport?

The media has shown an interest in polo with major games being broadcast in Argentina and England, but it has yet to catch on in the United States.

Some years ago CBS covered the Americas Polo Championship for several years; cable viewers watched the Polo Masters and ESPN televised three major tournaments from Palm Beach Polo and Country Club.

AT THE 26th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA PRESENTED BY CARTIER. Cartier Welcomed Host Mary Hart and Festival Honorees

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Julianne Moore received the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress for Still Alice presented by her co-star in Crazy, Stupid, Love. Steve Carell.

Richard Linklater received the Sonny Bono Visionary Award for Boyhood presented by Shirley MacLaine, who he directed in Bernie.

Eddie Redmayne received the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for The Theory of Everything presented by his Savage Grace co-star Julianne Moore.

Alejandro González Iñárritu received the Director of the Year Award for Birdman presented by the film’s star Michael Keaton.

The Imitation Game (Benedict Cumberbatch, Allen Leech, Matthew Beard and Alex Lawther in attendance) received the Ensemble Performance Award presented by the film’s director Morten Tyldum.

Reese Witherspoon received the Chairman’s Award for Wild presented by her co-star Laura Dern.

Additional guests who attended the event: Dale and Leslie Chihuly, Ava DuVernay, Carla Gugino, Felicity Jones, Phillip Keene, Udo Kier, Matthew Lillard, Greg Louganis, Bérénice Marlohe, James Marsh, Patrick Stewart, Jerry Weintraub, Rick Yorn and Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, along with festival representatives

That being said, there are three problems standing in the way of further progress: the size of the polo field (the equivalent of nine football fields, it’s so big it’s difficult and expensive to film a match), the complexity of the game (especially for first time viewers) and the lack of permanent, identifiable professional teams with which fans can form an allegiance.

What was the longest polo game ever played?

It’s believed to be a 12-chukker match between Roslyn and Laddie Sanford’s Hurricanes at the old Meadow Brook club in New York. Pat Roark broke a 7-7 tie late in the twelfth period of a game that ran twice the length of today’s standard six-chukker match.

The moon came up over the grandstand as the winning goal was scored.

Do polo teams have coaches?

Coaches are rarely used in amateur or professional polo, probably because they’re considered an expensive luxury and duplicate the duties of the team captain, a player-coach who generally plays at the No. 3 position.

These player-coaches manage the team on the field in consultation with their employers, the team “owners,” better known as patrons.

To add further confusion to the situation, patrons, customarily are players as well. The only ones, watching from the sidelines are the grooms, who probably, could tell their bosses a thing or two about managing the team. (But you know what they say about too many chiefs). Only collegiate and scholastic teams consistently employ coaches.

Film

HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST STARS SHINE IN THE DESERT

icking off Awards Season, the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) Awards Gala, presented by Cartier, was held Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Palm Springs Convention Center hosted by Mary Hart.

Honorees were presented with an original Chihuly Glass Sculpture designed by Dale Chihuly or the John Kennedy “The Entertainer” statue. The event is sponsored

by Mercedes-Benz and Entertainment Tonight.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala honors individuals in the entertainment industry with several prestigious awards for acting and directing.

The following awards were presented at this year’s Awards Gala: Rosamund Pike received the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress for Gone Girl presented by her co-stars Carrie Coon and Kim Dickens.

David Oyelowo received the Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor for Selma presented by one of the film’s producer Brad Pitt.

J.K. Simmons received the Spotlight Award for Whiplash presented by Juno director Jason Reitman.

Robert Duvall received the Icon Award for The Judge presented by his co-star Robert Downey, Jr.

January 8 to January 14, 2015

Harold Matzner (Festival Chairman), Darryl Macdonald (Festival Director) and Helen du Toit (Artistic Director).

Honorees and presenters were presented with gifts from event sponsor Cartier. Celebrity guests arrived in the all new Mercedes 2015 S550 sedans and GL450 SUVs to the Festival red carpet.

Following the ceremony an after party was held at the Parker Palm Springs where Matthew Beard, Carrie Coon, Benedict Cumberbatch, Laura Dern, Kim Dickens, Robert Duvall, Alex Lawther, Allen Leech, Richard Linklater, Shirley MacLaine, David Oyelowo, Eddie Redmayne, Jason Reitman, J.K. Simmons, Morten Tyldum, Reese Witherspoon, and many others were in attendance.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place January 2-12, 2015.

For additional information on the Festival visit www.psfilmfest.org.

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film

film

by Robin E. simmons

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f you’re reading this online Wednesday, January 7 or a hardcopy on January 8, several of the films listed here have yet to be shown. Even if the PSIFF website (www.psfilmfest.org/) says the films are sold out; it’s likely you can still get into the theater if you go to the venue as a stand-by patron.

It’s my guess some or all of these films will also be included at the close of the fest among the “audience favorites” for an additional screening. Again, check the website.

which the characters go through huge arcs.

Urushadze won the Warsaw Film Festival’s Best Director award. Last year, it was a Top Ten audience pick at PSIFF. This year it has returned as Estonia’s submission for Best Foreign Language film.

TIMBUKTU

rural Connecticut and tries to sort out the differences between his acting life and real life. Barry Levinson directs this adaptation (by Buck Henry and Michal Zebede) of Philip Roth’s acerbic novel with a light touch. About halfway through, everything gets very interesting when a young lesbian (a terrific Greta Gerwig) with a 16 year crush on Simon shows up. Or is it all in Simon’s unreliable mind? This strange and delightful film is kind of a companion piece to BIRDMAN, but of a lesser fever.

Friday, January 9, 7 PM, PSHS and Saturday, January 10, 12:00 PM, PSHS. SPIRIT/WILL/LOSS

“A city of eight million people and everybody knows everybody.”

After a twelve-year absence from the big screen, Peter Bogdanovich is back with an overwrought and sometimes over-written but intermittently hilarious throwback to the screwball comedies of the 30s and 40s.

There are generous doses of Ernst Lubitsch, Howard Hawks, Frank Capra and Preston Sturges throughout this silly, lightweight cotton candy of a movie.

Setting off the complications, is Arnold Albertson (Owen Wilson), a married Broadway director, who is so smitten with Izzy Finkelstein (Imogen Poots), a freespirited Brooklyn prostitute who longs to be an actress, he gives her a no strings assistance of $30,000 cash to advance her acting career. Naturally, this triggers an unlikely chain of events that touches nearly everyone in his circle. Besides the adorable Poots and a Woody Allenish Wilson, the terrific cast includes Jennifer Aniston, Rhys Ifans, Kathryn Hahn, Will Forte and Austin Pendleton.

Quentin Tarantino, Cybill Shepherd and Tatum O’Neal make brief but recognizable cameos. North American premiere. Friday, January 9, 8 PM, Camelot.

THE HUMBLING When ageing actor Simon (Al Pacino) discovers that his audience is no longer “participating” with him, he has a crisis of identity. His mojo gone, he retires to

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by heidi simmons

Exploring the Wild Side in Palm Springs PSIFF: WIld Tales

PSIFF: LAST CALL

SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY

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who live in a lighthouse with their father, Conor, who is grief stricken over the loss of his beloved wife a few years earlier. When Saoirse discovers their mom’s shell flute, the ethereal music she creates opens a secret locked deep in their mother’s past.

But when Saoirse is taken into the sea by a group of smiling seals wearing their mom’s shiny, mystical coat, Ben realizes that his sister holds the power to bring the ancient stories their mother told them to life — but in order to keep these tales alive, she needs to find her voice. And to do that, he must overcome his deepest fears. From Irish filmmaker Tomm Moore, who gave us the equally beautiful Academy ©Award nominated THE SECRET OF THE KELLS. TANGERINES

This superbly crafted art film – literally -- is about three artists who suffered challenging physical and mental blows -- actually, in one case -- but continued to do what they most loved; that is, being Creative. This beautiful meditation hovers over the ephemeral intersection of loss and love. But much more than that, it is a celebration of the transcendent nature of the human spirit. This exceptional film by husband and wife team Erinnisse (director and editor) and Patryk 9cinematographer) is one of the seven world premieres. Don’t miss this if art is in any way is part of your life. Even more so, it is not. . Saturday, January 10, 1:30 PM, Camelot and Sunday, January 11, 2:30 PM, Regal.

SONG OF THE SEA The breathtaking animated Celtic myth is about big brother Ben and mute sis Saoirse

From Estonia, Georgian director Zaza Urushadze’s war drama was inspired by the bloody 1992 conflict between Georgia and the Russian backed Abkhazia Republic in which the Estonians were forced to return to the country of their origin. Of the few people who chose to remain behind are old carpenter Ivo and his neighbor Markus, whose livelihood is his tangerine orchard.

When fighting takes place outside his door, Ivo takes in two wounded men – both enemies of each other. This wonderful pacifist parable plays out like a thriller in

Timbuktu is a city in West Africa near the southern border of the Sahara. Director

by Abderrahmane Sissako’s fascinating film is about the brief invasion of radical Islam’s militant rebels into the relatively serene community of moderate, peaceful Muslims. Beautifully photographed, with exceptional regional music. I liked the film’s use of English, Arabic, and French among the spoken languages. But the heart of the film is the absurdist noose that threatens to choke the population with the vagaries of specific and ever more restrictive, closeminded, Jihadist demands. The resulting confusion between differing groups is frightening. It would be funny if it weren’t so deadly. A brave film that demands to be seen. Created a stir at Cannes.

WILD TALES The audience I saw this with enjoyed these wickedly funny stand alone – but linked by a revenge motif -- short tales as much or more than any of the films I’ve seen at this year’s PSIFF. Argentine writer director Damián Szifrón has a deliciously dark sense of humor that frees him to examine extremes of the human condition.

You know that moment when one follows through on an impulse that you know is wrong yet is overwhelmingly compelling.

Like when your driving and someone cuts in front of you and flips you off and you decide to follow him or her… My guess is this unexpected comedy will be nominated for Best Foreign Film. Pedro Almodóvar produced. Saturday, January 10, 8:00 PM, Camelot.

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small commotion breaks out at the Palm Springs International Film Festival filmmaker’s check-in desk at the Renaissance Esmeralda. It’s the good kind of raised voices – happy, excited, lots of praise and thank yous.

At the center of the hubbub is a young man, blonde, thin and with a big friendly smile. He loops on the turquois lanyard that indicates he’s a filmmaker. Two older men soon hustle him off, as he nods at the kind people who have so graciously welcomed him.

When the PR people who run the press office tell me who he is, I get the same excited feeling. It is the writer and director of WILD TALES, Damián Szifrón of Argentina.

His movie consists of six short stories that unfold in 120 minutes with one underlying theme: Revenge! And it feels so, so good.

That is, as long as your only role is watching the film.

Beautifully photographed and wonderfully acted, WILD TALES stands out as a fun yet dangerous movie about people behaving very badly. Many who have seen it, can’t easily shake it. Those in the PSIFF Hospitality Suite huddle around the filmmaker wanting to say something about his movie and take selfies with him. And that includes me.

Szifrón has been on a wild ride since his film was completed in 2014. He has been all around the world showing WILD TALES in festivals garnering similar enthusiastic response. He just got off the plane in Palm Springs when his handlers, who seem to know very little about him, march him through his schedule. But they’re on task to get Szifrón to his screening and engagements. Szifrón is only in town two and a half days before he must show WILD TALES in New York.

When the handlers are busy shuffling papers, I take my opportunity to tell him how much I enjoyed the film and I ask if we can talk. Szifrón is animated and shares like an old friend.

Considering the dark subject matter, I am most curious about peoples’ enthusiastic guilty pleasure toward WILD TALES. “The great pleasure of WILD TALES is the idea of loosing control,” he said. “Animals

act on instinct, but humans repress their instincts. The film explores what happens when men and women let go and stop repressing themselves.”

Szifrón shot the film in eight weeks for $4,000,000. He was able to get top talent because of the allure of the complex character roles and the short filming schedule. WILD TALES is one of nine films in the PSIFF to be considered for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar©. Szifrón has worked as a writer in episodic television and directed two other feature films.

“I started writing these short episodes years ago and I noticed there was a theme, “ he said. “I liked exploring the freedom of imagination and how far it might go. Reality was my inspiration. It had to be real to work.”

Szifrón admires Alfred Hitchcock and structured the stories to twist and surprise.

He let his imagination go and allowed nature to take its course. “People like it because they think of themselves in the situation and wonder what they might or might not do,” Szifrón said. “It’s a release from their stressful lives. And they can safely laugh or judge because it’s not them.”

Filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and his brother Agustín came on board as producers after they read the script, helping the movie pick up momentum. They share Szifrón’s humor and appreciated the anthology film with its vengeance theme.

WILD TALES made a splash at the Cannes Film festival and continues to charm audiences wherever it’s screened.

When Szifrón’s handler called time on our conversation, the writer director thanked me then hugged and kissed me on both cheeks, as is the Argentine custom.

As Szifrón skedaddled to his screening, I found it amazing that WILD TALES came from such a sweet and charming guy who doesn’t seem to have a vengeful bone in his body. But I guess one never knows.

January 8 to January 14, 2015

APSIFF: Trifecta of Talent Spirit / Will / Loss

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t’s ten o’clock Friday morning, January 2nd, the first day of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and there is already a labyrinth of compact lines in front of the Camelot and Regal theaters. These lines will be the norm through January 12.

Filmgoers wear jackets, gloves and hats to deal with the lingering low temperatures, but their faces are bright and sunny with cinematic anticipation.

Behind the scenes, the PSIFF headquarters are abuzz at the Renaissance Esmeralda.

Volunteers man the Hospitality Suite with coffee, sweet rolls and fresh picked fruit.

The pressroom is organized with friendly faces who wrangle media requests. And the Film Society graciously welcomes arriving filmmakers from all over the world.

Zeberiah Newman, Erinnesse and Patryk Rebisz already don their photo badges, which hang from turquois lanyards that identify them as filmmakers. Like a trail of breadcrumbs, they have put up posters and spread postcards to generate interest and get people to attend their documentary film SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS. Their excitement is tangible and their energy is contagous.

Like new parents, they are proud and eager to share their baby. SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS is a project close to their hearts that reflects their own artistic sensibility, passion and integrity. This child of theirs was conceived in 2009 and only came to full term two weeks before its world Premiere at PSIFF. “We didn’t want to compromise our vision. We considered every second of images and kept making changes until we were all satisfied,” said Erinnesse co-director and editor. “We love the film and it is better than what thought it could be.”

There were times when Erinnesse fired herself from the project in order to get a fresh look at the material. “It took me awhile to find the right rhythm in the cutting,” she said.

Erinnesse listened to avant-garde musicians during the process to enhance her editing mojo.

SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS features three artists who each overcome a disability to continue to do what they most love. Alice Wingwall is a blind photographer, Graham Sharpe is a hearing impaired musician and Katie Dallam is a sculptor/painter who lost half her brain.

The book When Walls Become Doorways: Creativity and the Transforming Illness by Tobi Zausner, Ph.D., served as source material.

“I was only interested in making this film if we could explore what lies underneath the process of creating the art,” said Patryk, co-director and cinematographer. “I didn’t want to simplify the artistic process as many art documentaries often do. I wanted to capture, in images, the moment when the artist has creative inspiration and see how it translates.”

Indeed SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS is a film that explores the process of creating art. The film itself is an artistic achievement filled with transcendent images and music. The

documentary is a celebration of the creative process and the triumph of the artistic spirit.

The Rebiszes and Newman are all artists.

Newman is a Juilliard trained actor. Erinnisse is a film and television editor and Patryk is an art school graduate who has worked on hundreds of film projects and commercials.

SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS is their first project together under their company banner Tupelo Productions. The three did limited fundraising and invested their own money.

Erinnisse and Patryk married during the making of the film. “We’ve been married two years but it feels like fifteen,” said Errinesse sweetly. The co-directors learned a lot about each other, the film business and the creative processes very quickly. “We would see things so differently and then come to a place where we saw it brand new.”

For Patryk, SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS was much more intense than he thought it would be.

“There were so many decisions that had to be made on the spot. I often had to rethink my approach,” he said. Patryk is from Poland but has lived in the states for half his life. “I read literature and philosophy to help expand my thinking. I always saw the film in terms of ideas,” he said. “It was important because I wanted to go beyond traditional content.”

Photographer Wingwall and sculptor/ painter Dallam will attend the SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS premiere along with the filmmakers for a Q&A after the Saturday showing.

Tupelo partner and co-producer Newman has a home in Palm Springs. “Palm Springs is such a special place and the city is so supportive,” said Newman. “It is the perfect place to premiere SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS. We’re honored to be here and share our film with the community and filmgoers.”

Local business Ernest Coffee is sponsoring a reception for the film.

SPIRIT/ WILL / LOSS will have its world premiere Saturday, January 10, 1:30 PM at the Camelot Theatres and will show again Sunday, January 11, 2:30 PM at the Palm Springs Regal 9. Newman wants everyone to know that tickets are available at the box office even though online tickets say, “sold out.”

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Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

. .And 2015 begins

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ith all the strands of pretty tree lights twisted into dreadlocks, the splendiferous Angel at the top of the tree-fallen, the glittery ornaments passed down and saved more or less with care, their MIA hangers all re-purposed long ago, we have thoughtfully laid Christmas to sweet rest until next, er, the end of the year-but no later than Thanksgiving, please.

After all, we’re efficient Americans, aka ”Over-Achievers” and when we have GameOn, Black Fridays can’t come too soon for us. The Noisemakers may have been stifled, but we still say, “Happy New Year!” like we mean it, because we do! Leaving the party sniffling from single digit temps? No problem. (Think Duluth. Brrrr.) Here, the most intriguing local ways to warm to 2015.

5 More Days! Unspooling through Monday, January 12: Last year The Palm Springs International Film Festival screened 192 films from 60 countries. This year, similar numbers mean you’ll see a majority of the films submitted for consideration in the Best Foreign Language category for the Academy Awards, as well as a large number of American independent and international features and documentaries marking their world, North American or U.S. premieres.

Bring your autograph book to every film and event you attend at this unique, worldrespected, well-attended, star-loaded 12-dayFestival. Fifteen screens throughout Palm Springs will operate from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. The Closing Night screening on Sunday, January 11th, is a rapturous new work by acclaimed master of music on film François Girard (32 Short Films About Glenn Gould, The Red Violin) and it provides the perfect capper to a 10-day symphony of superb cinematic treats,” said Darryl Macdonald, Festival Director. “The Best of the Festival will screen all day on Monday, January 12th. Presented by the Palm Springs International Film Society, the PSIFF is one of the largest film festivals in North America.

The Festival also features cultural events, filmmaker tributes, industry seminars and the annual black-tie gala award presentation which was presented on January 2 with the world’s finest actresses and actors, moviemakers and celebrities. If you’re a film buff, you won’t want to miss anything after the moment the theatre darkens.” Five more days to go! For additional information, call the festival headquarters at (760) 322-2930 or visit the website at www.psfilmfest.org.

Thursday, January 8, 8PM. Singer, actress, and ultimate entertainer, as well as multiple award winner Vanessa Williams will be presented by the McCallum Theatre and KJJZ’s Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald at Fitz’s Jazz Café for one performance only. She has been

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has been recognized by every major industry award including 4 Emmy nominations, 17 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations, 6 NAACP Image Awards and 3 Satellite Awards. Her Platinum-selling single “Colors of the Wind” from the Disney film Pocahontas, received a Golden Globe, Grammy and Oscar in the category of “Best Original Song.” Her autobiography You Have No Idea, co-written with her mother Helen Williams, was a New York Times Best Seller in 2012. Growing up under the wings of parents who were music teachers, her path danced and sang before her right to New York. She won a major role there as Miss New York and crowned that by becoming the first African American Miss America. So much more to tell, but don’t miss her performance! Tickets are priced at $95, $85, $75 and $55 and are available at the web site www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260, accepts payment by cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Saturday, January 10, 8:00 PM. Rejoice, Re-live, Re-celebrate Hollywood’s glory days and nights with “Palm Springs for Legends II,” as top tribute artists bring the fabulous, funny, forever iconic stars to life on the stage of The McCallum Theatre.

Back by popular demand, and stamping of well-shod feet, these are the real stars in our sandy firmament, not ever to be forgotten, why? Because they actually lived in the Coachella Valley among us ordinary mortals, picked out the best tomatoes at the grocery store, sent their kids to public schools and paid the bills for the AC just as we do! The look-alike line-up includes Dean Martin, Jack Benny, Johnny Carson, Sonny and Cher, Red Skelton, Betty (Annie Get Your

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

Gun”) Hutton, Elvis (“the pelvis”) Presley and Bob Hope. It’s a trip into a laff-riot of musical and more memories by a terrific cast of talented entertainers who have performed nationally, as well as all over the world. Tickets are priced at $75, $65, $55 and $25 and are available at the Theatre’s web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260, accepts payment by cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Sunday, January 11, 3:00 PM. Hush!

Don’t say a word, just hustle in to hear Bill Marx, jazz pianist, Juilliard grad, author, multi-film score composer and entertainer par-excellence who has entertained the local fab-fawning throngs here- and there-abouts for years with discourses and digressions about the Marx Brothers, as well as storiesabout one in particular, his father, Harpo Marx and the two albums they recorded in talented togetherness. Appearing with him--the son of the father, not the father of the son, will be entertainer Tracy Moss, who is one of the hottest (coolest?) jazz harpists you’ll ever hear stringing along with Bill on a musical journey, which, of course is the definition of jazz. You never know what will happen...but it’s going to be delicious ear candy. The concert is presented by The Steinway Society of Riverside County at So Cal Piano, 74111 Highway 111, Palm Desert.

Per person, $25. Reservations, call 760-7729694. This concert has creds. Don’t miss it.

Tuesday, January 13, 6:00 reception, 7:00 presentation. An Evening with Gavin McLeod Indian Wells Theater at Cal State University Associates, Palm Desert Campus 37500 Cook Street, Palm Desert. CSU Associates free; non-members $25. Info/ Tickets, Mike Singer, msinger@csusb.edu or 760.341.2883 ext 78107 Friday, January 16, 6PM Champagne Reception, 7PM Performance. Dance for Life Palm Springs is a showcase of spectacular performances by renowned dance companies, all joining forces to help those in need. Since 1992, Dance for Life has raised more than four million dollars

for Chicago’s HIV/AIDS community. Now in its fourth year in Palm Springs, this highly anticipated event will celebrate the art of dance to benefit AIDS Assistance Program.

Annenberg Theater, Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs Tickets are $95 for performance only. VIP Reception on Thursday, January 15, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Evening before the Performance Reception ticket is $200 per person, and includes the performance.

Location to be announced. For more information visit www.aidsassistance.org or call 760-325-8481.

Saturday, January 17, 11 AM – 1 PM. Heartbeat At 22 Annual Luncheon to benefit Mama’s House, the Coachella Valley’s home whose mission is to provide a home for women in crisis pregnancies.

The luncheon’s guest speaker will be Kevin “Hercules” Sorbo. The actor stars in the recently released “God’s Not Dead” film, and played the lead role in “Hercules, the Legendary Journeys.” He has also appeared alongside Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt in “Soul Surfer,” the inspiring true story of teen, Bethany Hamilton who lost an arm in a shark attack. In real life, Kevin leads “A World Fit for Kids,” a successful mentoring model that trains inner-city teens to use school, fitness, sports and positive role models. In 2004, the program was awarded the Governor’s Gold Star for the most successful after-school program in the state of California. Mama’s House gives shelter to those who want to carry their baby to term but are without support and vulnerable. With nurturing support, these moms will be equipped with necessary life skills for competent living whether they choose parenting or adoption. A non-profit organization, visit the website at www.

HEARTbeatAt22.org. Luncheon ticket, $75, call 760-984-9182. For Table and VIP Reception at a private estate on Friday, January 16, 5-7PM, call 760-848-8185.

Luncheon at the Renaissance Esmeralda, 444 Indian Wells Lane, Indian Wells.

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

Thanks!

events

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by chris clemens

New Speaker Series Debuts at Palm Springs Art Museum

T

he Museum Associates Council or “MAC” at Palm Springs Art Museum is pleased to present an innovative speaker series. Entitled The Art of Conversation, this series of three presentations each feature an acclaimed artist and include Albert Berger, Michael Childers, and David Zippel.

The series debuts Monday, January 12 at the Annenberg Theater with Albert Berger, prolific film producer, most recently receiving an Academy Award nomination for his film, Nebraska. The evening event, from 4 to 7 p.m., includes a screening of his film Election (1999), an intimate interview by Teri Schwartz, Dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, and concludes with a reception. Albert has produced over 20 films including Election, Cold Mountain, Little Children, and Little Miss Sunshine. His new film, Low Down, has just been released.

The second presentation in the series takes place on Sunday, January 25 from 3 to 5:30 p.m., also at the Annenberg Theater, featuring Michael Childers, renowned photographer, producer and art collector, screening his new documentary short film about his life and work, Hollywood in the Desert Sky. Written and directed by Mary Silverman, editor of Desert Magazine, Silverman will interview Michael after the screening, with a cocktail reception to follow. Michael has been a renowned and highly respected film, dance, and theater photographer for forty years, and studied with Robert Heinenken and Edward Teske.

Concluding the series on Tuesday, February 10, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., is a sold out event. It will be an interview led by Don Martin with David Zippel, the Tony® award-winning lyricist of City of Angels, at the private residence in BIGHORN of Diane and Hal Gershowtiz. David’s appearance will highlight many of his musical accomplishments and feature a wonderful vocalist and pianist for an unforgettable presentation, with a reception following.

In addition to receiving a Tony® Award,

his lyrics have been nominated for two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. His songs appear in over twenty-five million CDs around the world.

The January 12th and 25th events are filling up quickly. For additional information and to purchase tickets contact the Museum Associates Council (MAC) at (760) 3224816. Each event costs $75 per person. For more information about Palm Springs Art Museum visit www.psmuseum.org or call (760) 322-4884.

The Museum Associates Council or “MAC” was established in 1966 by a small group of members with a strong desire to assist in the ongoing promotion and funding of museum programs. Today, more than 250 dedicated MAC members plan and execute a variety of fundraising events, while promoting a strong camaraderie between members and a shared passion for Palm Springs Art Museum. The funds raised each year by MAC allows Palm Springs Art Museum to offer exceptional opportunities for up to 15,000 children and others who take part in the many activities. Money raised also supports essential museum operations which allow for world-class exhibitions.

January 8 to January 14, 2015

Breaking the 4th Wall

By Dee Jae Cox

A Stage Review of THE JUDY SHOW

S

howcasing the intimacy and glamour of a bygone era, the Purple Room at the Club Trinidad in Palm Springs, is billed as a place that the locals go and one of the original Rat Pack Hangouts where Frank Sinatra would bring friends to eat, drink and play.

And over 50 years after opening its doors in 1960, The Purple Room continues the tradition of wonderful food and great entertainment. On Sunday evenings at 7pm, the stage Features the talent and brilliance of Michael Holmes and his one ‘woman’ show, “The Judy Show”.

Holmes, as the incomparable Judy Garland, gives us an evening with Hollywood Golden Era legends. Parody never looked so good. Holmes performance as the tormented singer is unparalleled, and with each change of costume and wig, we are introduced to greats such as, Carol Channing, Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn and Tallulah Bankhead.

Holmes’ ability to capture the voices and mannerisms of these Hollywood icons provides for a show that hasn’t been seen since Garland’s death in 1969. His moment of whipping off Carol Channing’s wig and morphing into Louis Armstrong, for a brief interlude of Hello Dolly, was unexpected and brilliant.

Betty Davis’ quip “I took my mother in law to be cremated, but she didn’t want to go.” Caused a spontaneous burst of laughter that kept me smiling long after the show was over.

It’s impossible to keep the smiles and good feelings in check. From the opening of the curtain to the final moving rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, this show delivers, unadulterated fun and entertainment.

Holmes style of continually engaging the audience with wit and humor guarantees that each performance is unique and along with the memorable music, this show is as tight and well written as it gets.

Celebrated pianist, Jim Rice, accompanies the performance and provides continuity to the show as Holmes readies each new character for their entrance. His singing and piano accompaniment brings a through line of good times and laughter to “The Judy Show”. Well-researched nuances of these

Hollywood performers make this a show you’ll want to see again just to catch what you might have missed the first time around.

This evening out is a whole package.

Beginning at 5:30pm, go early for the excellent food and service, have a drink and sit back for a full evening of pleasure. This is a night out for adults so leave the kids at home, you’ll be glad that you indulged in this evening of the best good old fashioned entertainment you can get from a man in a dress.

The Judy Show is performed Sunday nights at 7pm at The Purple Room, located at 1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA For Reservations: Phone: 760.322.4422 purpleroompalmsprings.com Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project and the host of KPTR 1450’s hit radio show, “California Woman 411” in Palm Springs.

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Lisa Morgan Local Music Spotlight Cisco and Dewey: When two of Rock & Roll’s Brightest Musicians Collide.. Twice See It Happen Live @ Pappy & Harriet’s, Thursday, January 22, 8:30pm

by Lisa Morgan

Kal David and The Real Deal featuring Miss Lauri Bono

I

t was 1977 in Woodstock, New York.

Music was all the buzz in the artsy little community. Kal David was a rock and roller with a fan club and quite the following of groupies. He heard about a certain female vocalist, Lauri Bono, who unlike most of the other venues during that time, was performing jazz. All the jazz artists were lining up to sit in where Lauri was playing. Kal was “very taken with Lauri’s vocal prowess and her beauty.” They first came together musically when Kal asked her to work on a demo with him. But it wasn’t long before it turned into true love. At first Lauri thought, “No way. That’s not for me.” She was aware of his fanfare and after all, he was a rock and roll guy. But, as she shared, “We are soul mates, so it worked out for the good.” For 38 years they have been the exception to the rule in an industry that seems plagued with broken homes and hearts.

They “lived in sin” for their first 12 years together, according to their parents. Finally in 1989, mostly to appease their folks, Kal got down on one knee, inside the hot tub of all places, and proposed. Lauri laughed at him thinking he couldn’t be serious.

Eventually, he convinced her he was serious and she agreed. “I think it brought us closer,” she shared. “But we would have stayed together anyway.”

“Something happens when you get married and make that statement to the world,” says Kal. “I think it gets deeper. It was kind of whimsical actually.” It will be 38 years this July and Kal and Lauri are together pretty much 24/7. “Not only are we living in love together, we are working together all the time… that’s like 800 years compared to other people who leave each other to go to work,” Kal chuckles. “Music is really the thing that has totally bonded us together.

We have the same musical tastes.”

“We’ve had disagreements over the years,” Lauri shared. “You’d have to be a robot to not hit any walls in your relationship. We say what’s on our minds most of the time. We talk about everything.

It takes some work, but you’ve got to listen to each other. Once you get through those

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things, it makes you stronger.”

I asked Kal what it is like to “work on the relationship”. He answered, “You’ve got to pay attention to the signs. Fortunately, Lauri speaks her mind and doesn’t hold things in. I usually know if something’s wrong – if I’m not holding up my end. When Lauri says something, then she is right.”

“That’s why it works!” laughed Lauri when Kal said that. “Kal is really open to listening to what I have to say. We discuss everything together. We really respect each other’s opinion.”

“Musically, I’m Lauri’s biggest fan and she’s mine. We can level with each other if we don’t think the other is performing up to par. We recently worked on a project called Crossroads of My Life. Lauri very strongly suggested that we do it. We co-produced it but she was the brains behind the project. I resisted on a few songs but because I know she has my best interests at heart, I listened and agreed. It turned out to be a great project.” Crossroads of My Life was #89 of the top 100 blues CDs released in 2011 according to RMR. It was played on Sirius/ XM and on over 100 stations in the US and around the world. Kal and Lauri are now in the process of writing songs for a new album.

It was obvious in hearing them share about their relationship, that there were no insecurities between them. They have protected each other from those. “For Kal and me, it was really important for us to be secure in just being together. I don’t have those fears. I’m happy when women in the audience find him attractive and love his music. Kal has always been very trustworthy and I am too.”

It is a real treat to see these two in action, so make sure you make one of these shows: Jimi Fitz and KJJZ-FM present a special evening with Kal David & the Real Deal featuring Miss Lauri Bono, Saturday January 31st at The Gardens on El Paseo, 73-545 El Paseo, Palm Desert Wine and Cheese at 5 pm, Concert 6-7pm Donation $12.50 Saturday, February 21st, Kal David & the Real Deal featuring Miss Lauri Bono in Concert The Purple Room, Reservations recommended: 760-322-4422 Kal David has taken on a new challenge recently, accepting a house gig where he performs an all- acoustic guitar show every Thursday night, from 7-10 at the Purple Room.

Kal David has a regular show every Friday night at the Hoodoo Lounge at the Hyatt in Palm Springs. He plays along to tracks from 6:30-9:30pm You can also catch Kal on Saturdays at Escena Lounge and Grill, 5-8pm 1100 Clubhouse View Drive, Palm Springs, off Vista Chino east of Gene Autry Trail

When asked how long he’s actually been making a living making music, he replied, “I had a new years gig that went away this year, so I took it off, and decided not to worry about it. I took Lauri out, and we went to a party. We realized that I have played 47 of our past 50 New Year’s Eves, so I guess I’ve been doing this a long ass time. My last album, Crossroads of My Life, celebrates that. Lauri insisted that I make that album.

She said, ‘You need to commemorate the fact that you’ve been making records for 40 years and have been playing music for 50!’”

As for what the future holds for Kal David and his talented wife Lauri? Well, one thing is certain; they show no signs of slowing down.

Although, normally, Kal David is touring the

January 8 to January 14, 2015

states this time of year, he made the decision last year, to stay put. “It turned out to be a good idea since everywhere east was hit hard by that winter,” he quipped. “I opted to take these steady gigs here at home, sleep in my own bed and enjoy myself. We won’t be touring until spring, and we hope to go to Europe in June. We have perspective gigs there, and plans to do a new record in Bonn Germany. We have a friend with a studio and some great musicians to work with. Lauri and I love to go to Europe. We’ve been to Germany three times in the last two years.

And when we go to Germany, we always go to Paris. I love Paris. We’re actually starting to get a lot of fans in Europe, which is pretty darn cool. Lauri and I kind of forced a gig to happen in Paris. We decided we wanted to play out, even though nobody knew who we were, and let people hear us. Now we’re actually growing a fan base. We’ve played big crowds during tour in Germany, and they just loved us over there. I’m telling you, Germans love the blues!”

If you love the Blues, you’re not going to hear anything finer than what this tenured soulful musician and his incredibly talented, velvet voiced bride have to offer.

W

hat happens when you put two old friends who were session players for Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Gram Parsons, Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton and Gerry Goffin (to name a few) together in the middle of the Southern California Desert?

You get Cisco and Dewey and a 13 piece bit of self-titled, roots Americana magic.

Tony “Cisco” Marsico was an original member of the punk band The Plugz (best known for their score in the movie Repo Man) and ultimately their evolution as the Cruzados.

He graciously gave CV Weekly the opportunity to talk to him about his rich music past, and what brought him to the high desert for this latest project.

“It’s kind of a funny story,” he shared. “Dylan saw us when we were playing around with The Plugz and asked me and the drummer if we’d like to come up to his house for a year and just jam with him. I said, ‘I think we can do that!’ It was kind of an odd thing. Dylan had just put out Joker Man. It was ‘83/’84 and I guess he was hearing a new kind of vibe. We jammed with him for about 9 months at his house in Malibu.

The highlight of it all was when he asked us to do the David Letterman show with him. I just saw in Rolling Stone that we made the top 10 shows of Letterman out of all the shows over 30 years. I was pretty psyched. After that, I got pretty busy. I hooked up with my old friends Dave Alvin (Blasters), John Doe (X), Peter Case and the rest of my LA buddies. I was doing a lot of sessions with them and got known for playing bass. Eventually I played for Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Linda Ronstadt, Roger Daltrey, Marianne Faithful, Dr. John, Matthew Sweet among others.”

“I met Darran “Dewey” Falcone while doing session work for Gerry Goffin, Carol King’s writing partner. Goffin hired me on for 15 years to play on his demos. When I met Dewey, he was a young scruffy kid who was blowing some great harmonica and was singing on Goffin’s demos. I always told him he needed to make his own record.” As Cisco spoke of Goffin, his voice broke slightly. “Goffin passed

away this past year - he was an amazing, ridiculous, songwriter...a wild guy.” Gathering his composure, he continued. “We did 30-40 songs and then Dewey just disappeared. It was just this past spring I was going through my old cassettes and found one Dewey and I recorded all those years ago. I finally tracked him down in Joshua Tree where he had dropped out of the music scene. He got tired of LA, and took up motocross full time. He invited me out, and we started writing songs in May. We recorded the album by the end of July. It’s produced by my friend Tom Lavin (Lavin holds over a dozen gold and platinum records for Powder Blues Band and many others). We threw everything in the soup out there in the desert. What came out?

I don’t even know how to describe it. I feel like we had 15 years apart, and we had all this stuff brewing. It came out so quick that we weren’t sure if it was total crap or if it was half decent.

I guess it turned out ok, people seem to like it.

(Note: the album is currently being taken very seriously by people in the industry).

“Joshua Tree was truly a magical place to create. I’d never spent any time there before, but since I hooked up with Dewey, I stay out for a couple of days at a time. All I hear is the freeway here (San Fernando Valley). It’s nice to get away. I love going into town here to have a beer, and hearing the coyotes at night. A few days in Joshua Tree, and I feel like a new person.”

Considering the number of legendary music creators Cisco had worked with over the years, I was curious as to who was his favorite, a question that he understandably had a hard time answering: “That’s a tough one...Joe Ely (Bruce Springsteen, Uncle Tupelo, Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Guy Clark...) was a great and fun guy to play with. Dr. John (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy winner) was the best pianist, and wears great cologne,” he laughed. “There are so many though, it’s hard to pinpoint.”

“The most influential would have to be Bob Dylan. Dylan taught me how to listen, not just play. We’d play songs for 20-25 nights at a time to get into the grove, and then go and just look

over the ocean. We’d do this for 8 hours a day. I was so used to being in punk bands where we’d finish a song in 30 seconds. I did a total 180 with Dylan, but it made me really appreciate playing music, and I truly got to see what makes a song groove. He taught me a lot. He taught me a ridiculous amount.”

In closing I asked Cisco if he had any advice to offer any of our local musicians. He replied, “I’d say keep your ears open and listen. If you want to learn, keep your ears open.”

Cisco and Dewey will be performing their new songs at The Best of Ted Quinn’s Reality Show, Thursday, January 22nd. It will be a free show, and doors open at 7:30pm. Ted, or “Teddy” Quinn, as locals call him, is a Pappy and Harriet’s staple. “I come from the old punk rock days where we had kind of a community that usually blossomed from the efforts of one person,” shared Cisco. “That’s what I feel Teddy has done. He’s really helped turn Pappy’s into a real community, and I think that a lot of it stems from his vibe. We’re doing this show, quite honestly, because Ted is involved, and we appreciate anybody with passion like that.”

Quinn, famous child actor turned founder of Radio Free Joshua Tree, and host to Pappy and Harriet’s Open Mic night, as well as his “Reality Show”, has brought many amazing people to his stage, most remarkably, the legendary Robert Plant. “One of the best surprises of

2014, was finding that long-time friend, Tony Marsico, and long-time friend Darren Falcone, were also old mates who happen to make some remarkably warm, melodic, tender and driving Americana of the high desert kind,” shared Quinn. “Together, with a sense of humor and style, two gentlemen (who are too self-effacing about their talent to ever rub it in your face) have created music that finds its way into the heart like water finds the desert ground.”

The album, Cisco and Dewey, truly seems to encompass a piece of every amazing artist they’ve ever come in contact with. It’s a bit of folk infused Uncle Tupelo style rock meets a bit of Blue Grass brightness, with rich straight forward, soul connecting, honest vocals, the album is not only a great introduction to these artists as they stand on their own, but it is packed full of musicianship. Musicians contributing with the two friends include Tony Gilkyson (X, Dave Alvin), Joel Alpers (Carole King), Greg Leisz (Eric Clapton, k.d.Lang), Rick Vito (Fleetwood Mac, John Fogerty), Barry Goldberg (Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan), Gary Mallaber (Van Morrison, Steve Miller) and Gia Ciambotti (Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams).

Download the full 13-song album for only $9.99 at cdbaby.com/Artist/CiscoandDewey.

But the best opportunity to enjoy these artists and their work will be live at the very intimate and earthy, Pappy and Harriet’s, the perfect setting for these understated, stellar artists. ciscoanddewey.com

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

events

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by Lisa Morgan

From Underground to World Renown, Hip-Hop, Power Prose Artist, Sage Francis

@ The Date Shed in Indio, Saturday, January 24, 9pm, 18+

J

ust coming off of a world wind, 100 show tour, with the last 45 in row ending in Japan, Paul William “Sage” Francis, American hip-hop recording artist and spoken word poet from Providence, Rhode Island, found the time and energy to grant CV Weekly an interview. Francis, who is also the founder of Strange Famous Records, began writing and recording original lyrics at age 8, being inspired by acts such as Run DMC and Public Enemy. According to artistdirect.com, Francis began sneaking out of his parent’s house at age 12 to participate in rap battles. Let me emphasize that he was from PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, a rural area. When Francis was 8 years old, it was 1984. The hip-hop scene had not yet become mainstream and most certainly was not readily available in his home town.

Francis was a white boy, as far removed from the genre as a young boy could be. The fact that he was eventually signed to Epitaph Records as a hip-hop artist is nothing short of a passion driven miracle.

CVW: How did you even find this venue, and how did it become your life’s art?

Francis: I started off, naturally, as a writer.

Even as a kid in fourth grade, I wasn’t just writing poems, but full stories. When I came across hip-hop, it was not popular in my town. My parents had very little music affiliation, and I grew up in a culture that was very homogenized. It was a very whitebred, small town. In fact, I still live in a very rural area, not a suburb. I don’t come out and try and represent the streets. I’m very honest about what I represent and where I come from. It’s the human experience that I’m most interested in - expressing through my music, the common thread in all people, no matter where they live or how they were raised. Hip-hop, just in its attitude and sound, was just so new and fresh to me. The way words fit together, and the way hip-hop used that was very inspiring to me.

I tried to learn as much about it as I could, year by year. There was not a wealth of information where I lived. This was well before google (and YouTube). There were some magazines that would have tid bits of

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information about Def Jam artists. The record stores didn’t even have hip-hop sections. You had to search through all the tapes and look for something that looked like it might be hip-hop...you know, look for a black person on the cover, look at how they dressed and the title of their songs, and then risk your full allowance for the week when you bought it. I devoured every little bit of information I could get from my pre-teens to early teens until it exploded into the main stream. College radio was a massive help. That’s where I found out the new artists to look out for...Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane...that was the rabbit hole I fell down. I studied all these artists and tried to emulate them until I learned to develope my own voice. I never expected to have a career in hip-hop. There was no one like me in hip-hop, and there was no template for me. So I went to college and I played sports, I studied journalism but always worked on my rap songs and writing.

Battling was a big part of hip-hop, and that’s where I excelled. Just to get in front of a crowd and have a reason to boast about my skills or put someone else down to build myself up, that was big for me at that age.

Eventually, you grow beyond that as an artist, but winning some of those big battles was part of why my name would pull up when Napster came around. After my songs were found, I was able to tour all over the world.

My first tour was Sweden. Swedish kids were using Napster to search hip-hop. They found me and brought me out. That was in 1999. It’s been a long road. It was crazy to play these places again on this last tour.

CVW: How was that tour, playing for audiences where many don’t speak English?

Francis: A big part of my show is how I interact with my crowd, and how I use language. But when people can’t understand the language and the nuances of it, it becomes more difficult. I had to pull out some new tricks just for entertainment value.

I was able to really hone my show, and have a lot of tricks up my sleeve for these shows.

This show (Date Shed, Indio) will be kicking of 2015 for me. I wasn’t really plotting a west

coast tour, but I’m glad Kristen reached out to me to make this happen. I’m really excited to get out of the freezing weather we’re having here (Rhode Island). It’s literally freezing, and not fun to be outside. It’s also good to just to keep the wheels spinning - an object in motion tends to stay in motion and that’s what I’m trying to capitalize on. But I’ve GOT to get out of this area right now. I’m dying’.

CVW: The new album, Copper Gone, seems to be less politics and more personal, especially the song, ‘Grace’.

Francis: Yeah, ‘Grace’. The song stems from the course of four or five long term relationships I’ve had since the early 2000s - a lot of the conversations going on in my head that were not going away, and the need to put them down on paper. Sometimes I wait for the worlds to make sense in the context of a particular song or mood of the beat. So when I finally got the music from Alexander Brown, the producer, that’s when it all started to make sense. I was able to go back into the archives combined with new material and squash it all down into one song. I probably could have broken that one down into a couple of different songs, but sometimes that’s how some of my favorite songs are made - taking a few songs and turning them into one that can be listened to a few different ways if you know what to look for.

The chorus was inspired by an old song by a rap group called Poor Righteous Teachers. He starts off a song saying, ‘THIS IS NOT A LOVE

BALLAD’. I always wanted to sample that, but when it came time to actually do the song, the sample didn’t have the same effect as just me saying it in a very plain manner.

I’ve gotten some grief from female fans over the years. I do a lot of relationship songs, a lot of break up songs. You might say I’m the Taylor Swift of my genre.

CVW: That’s going to make a great headline.

Francis: I was just thinking that I shouldn’t have said that.

There was this female in the crowd who asked me, in earnest, why I hate women. I was like, ‘Why do you think that?’ She said, ‘I feel like your songs are so hateful toward women.’ To be honest, I feel like men are truly shitty, and I feel women are truly shitty.

My relationships inspire my songs and my relationships are generally with women. So if I’m attacking a woman through my words, I’m not verbally attacking the whole gender, just certain members of it. I don’t want it to ever sound that men are above women. I feel like I’m just as much of a piece of shit as they are.

I don’t think most people should walk away with that idea. Some people just aren’t able to separate themselves from the preposition, I guess, and they feel it’s personal. I think they may be overly sensitive, and art may not be the best place for them to hang their hat.

Copper Gone is the first album Sage Francis has released completely independently after fulfilling his obligation to Epitaph Records.

Though very grateful for the support of Epitaph on his first album, by the time he was on his second album, he felt he was doing most of the work himself. Still he had to meet his contractual obligation to produce three albums. Copper Gone is a heart-stripped, blazingly passionate work of pure, no holds barred, honest poetry delivered with strong rapid fire combinations that would impress Mohamed Ali. Perhaps Sage Francis’ craft has matured and evolved, but I’m confident he could still hold his own in a battle.

Learn more at www.sagefrancis.net Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketfly. com/purchase/event/642923 or at the Date Shed Box Office (760) 775-6699 Date Shed is located at 50725 Monroe St, Indio, CA

Local Music Spotlight

January 8 to January 14, 2015

by Rachel Montoya

Aphrodisiac Jacket: “A Salute to the Music of The Cult”

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phrodisiac Jacket is not the traditional “tribute” band. They will be the first to tell you that although they pay tribute to The Cult they are more satisfied with describing their efforts as a “Salute to the Music of The Cult”. Even the term ‘super group’ is not a label they are comfortable with. This modesty and humility merely touches the surface of these six seasoned veterans of the desert music scene. Marcos Gentry is on guitar and vocals, Randy Caserta on lead guitar and vocals, Martin Barrera on guitar, Rob Martinez on bass guitar and vocals, Benny Cancino on drums and Noe G. Gutierrez on lead vocals.

They made their debut last Saturday night at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert performing with Gentry’s band Mighty Jack. Aphrodisiac Jacket, a less familiar and classic Cult song title, was borne out of the enthusiasm that Gentry has for The Cult. “I’ve been a fan since 1987, my sophomore year at Indio High School. I started with Electric and backtracked to Love and Dreamtime”. Only meeting as a band for the first time a couple of months ago and with three legitimate rehearsals under their belts Aphrodisiac Jacket performed a high energy set that did not allow for a beer or bathroom break.

The best descriptions of the evening come from long-time friends of the band members and fans of the music. Valerie McClure, owner of VM Artist Management, shared her enthusiasm, “Had the best night ever!

LITERALLY, I had the best night ever! Just amazing all around. I’m still wowed!” Johnny Sugarbritches of Sugarbritches Productions stated, “They were really good.” Steve Young of Steve Young Photography shot the show and shared this, “Opening show and the guys killed it. Everyone was rocking! Can’t wait till the next show.” The sophisticated music connoisseur Nathalie Durieux, who is also the sweetheart of Mighty Jack lead vocalist Charlie Ellis had this to say, “So much fun!

I’m usually anxiety ridden but tonight it was laughter and fun all night long!”

Tarver Marsh, VM Artist Management President had the best quote to describe the show, “I

turned my back and I heard The Cult.”

Gentry is well known for his band The Pedestrians and Mighty Jack. He is adamant about The Cult and their early influence on his life. “I remember checking out some way early tracks when they were the Southern Death Cult and the Death Cult. Sonic Temple and Ceremony were pretty good too but my favorite is still Electric.” This early imprint The Cult left on Gentry is visible to this day.

You can see Gentry sporting The Cult concert shirts on any given day. “My old friend Jeff Brown and I saw them together three times live and I have seen them at least eight times live. We even took a road trip up to Sacramento to see them headline the Arco Arena back during our senior year. That was rad.” Gentry showed his attention to detail and his knowledge of The Cult with his expressive rhythm guitar playing.

The Cult continues to make new music and have remained a steady rock and roll band with the combination of Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy. Gentry concurs, “They are still a great hard rock band to this day. Billy Duffy is one of the most under rated guitar players.

He still shreds.”

Randy Caserta is a solo artist and released an album in 2013 of original rock music entitled Long Stories Short. Caserta admits The Cult were not as prominent in his musical upbringing. “Ok it’s pretty simple for me, other than their tunes that were on the radio at the time, I wasn’t that familiar with them.

But after hearing the other stuff when putting this project together I developed more of an appreciation of their music.” Caserta brought his virtuosic technique to lay Duffy’s solos while reintegrating into the songs. Caserta wowed the crowd on each song.

Benny Cancino, Jr. currently plays in the Kyle Turley Band and Alyce Bowie. He has played in The Whizards and InVitro respectively. Cancino may be too young to have witnessed The Cult’s heyday but he nonetheless has a lot to say about the music.

“The Cult has been around and are still around and relevant to this day. They fucking rock end of story!” Cancino went through several pairs of drum sticks during the set. This is the Cancino we know and love, unabashed and heavy. He drummed himself into a migraine but he says it was well worth it.

Rob Martinez is one of the most versatile bassists and musicians in the Coachella Valley. If you mention his name the response is always a positive one. You can catch him performing at The Wine Bar at Old Town in La Quinta every Friday. “I first heard about The Cult in 1985. I then just always liked their songs. I didn’t follow them closely but always loved the hits and YES! Billy Duffy is a great guitar player and song writer. They are true Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Martinez laid the foundation with Cancino, fell into the pocket and never left. His background vocals were right on.

Martin Barrera is the desert backbone when it comes to guitar and is consistently in demand. He has played in B Movie Super Stars and currently performs with Michael Keeth at The Wine Bar at Old Town in La

Quinta every Sunday. “For me it started with the Love album. I always liked the delay and flanger sound. I saw them a couple times live and they never disappointed. They started doing drop D songs on the album Beyond Good and Evil. I still love the straight forward rock songs.” Barrera, along with Gentry, allowed the multi-faceted approach to The Cult’s music to shine. Barrera knows where to fit in and when to apply the colors through his guitar playing.

Noe G. Gutierrez fronted rock and roll cover band Wyte Gye for almost ten years. Gutierrez and Gentry had the first conversation about this project and it steamrolled from there. “I only became re-introduced to The Cult after performing with Wyte Gye. My favorite songs to sing were The Cult songs.” The Cult has significant prominence in the desert beyond their epic performance at Coachella last year. Gutierrez echoes this. “I remember a conversation with John Garcia about the song “She Sells Sanctuary”. He first heard it during our freshman year in high school and he told me that song is what did it for him. So in essence, we owe a lot to The Cult.” Gutierrez has found his comfort zone with The Cult’s music. “The songs are well within my range and it’s full of soul, the blues and passion. Ian Astbury is not as recognized as he should be for his vocal abilities.”

Aphrodisiac Jacket will be performing at least once more before mid-year. Please find them on Facebook and share your memories and passion for The Cult.

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

Miles From Hell” (Dali’s Llama Records) THE HICK-UPs “Ten

Consider This

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he Desert finally has its first authentic “super-group” with The Hick-Ups. The idea sprang from the wily mind of Desert Rock progenitor, Zach Huskey.

Zach has always been a protean talent.

Along with Mario Lalli, Herb Lineau and Sean Wheeler, he helped create the desert music scene back in the ‘80s. All four musicians paid their desert-dues before migrating to Los Angeles and Orange County.

By the late ‘80s, Zach fronted moderately successful L.A. bands like My Pain and Long, Dead & Gone. Inevitably, “artistic differences” and the punishing “pay to play” climate ended both bands.

Zach and his girlfriend, (now wife), Erica Faber, briefly relocated to South Orange County and re-connected with Sean Wheeler. Zach and Sean were both between bands, so along with Erica and a drummer they formed the Hick-Ups. The music was a rough and tumble blend of Punk, Country and Rockabilly.

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

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art

Before the Hick-Ups really got off the ground, Zach and Erica returned to the desert and began Dali’s Llama. Meanwhile Sean launched Throw Rag, and has since created Sean & Zander with legendary multi-instrumentalist, Zander Schloss.

After a myriad of Dali’s Llama albums, plus his Primordial Blues band and assorted solo projects, Zach had a hankering to rekindle the Hick-Ups flame.

Luckily no one else had co-opted the name, so he assembled a line-up of Desert Rock all-stars. Zach on vocals and guitar, Robin Clewell (Phenobarbidols, Dali’s Llama, Rawbone) on vocals, Craig Brown (Rawbone, Dali’s Llama, Long Duk Dong) on drums, Brenden Borger (Distant Lights) on bass and Joe Dillon (Indignation, Hot Beat Pussy Fiend) on acoustic guitar, slide and lap steel.

Thus, the Hick-Ups were born again.

Their debut, Ten Miles From Hell, has just been released. The album gets off to a rollicking start with “Take Me Back.” A Psychobilly rave-up, the track actually dates back to the original Hick-Ups line up.

The band hits the Hee-Haw hard on both “Dunebilly M.F.” and “White Trash Queen.”

The melody of the former shares some musical DNA with “Greased Lightning” from “Grease,” (sorry Zach). That doesn’t make it any less badass.

The latter weds tilt-a-whirl guitars, walking bass lines and a hiccup rhythm.

Robin channels her inner-Wanda Jackson

January 8 to January 14, 2015

By monica morones

Carlos Tienda

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and her outer-Honey Boo Boo, bringing to life a complex and mis-understood family matriarch.

The best tracks here are a piquant mix of slashing guitars and twangy vocals. Over a breakneck beat and menacing riffs, “Old And In Your Face” is a smart-ass antidote to the venerated Bluegrass/Deadhead ramble “Old And In The Way.” If Ed Wood ever wrote a song about S&M werewolves, it might sound like “Ten Miles From Hell.” Whip-crack riffs collide with a loping backbeat. As the lupine lovers make plans for date night, (“tie me up inside your room”), Zach unspools a corrosive solo.

Hopefully, these two have a “safe” word.

“No Mas!” is a banjo-rific hootenanny (although no banjos were harmed in the making of this record). The cheerful singa-long mood softens lyrics that sketch an alcoholic’s rapid descent.

Finally, “Changing Trains” offers a clickity-clack metaphor for mid-life rebellion as a God-fearing square embraces a life of sin. “I’m gonna smoke, I’m gonna drink/I’m gonna cuss and I’m gonna fuck.”

Four songs, “I’ve Been Around,” “A Glass Eye,” “Leave Me Honey,” and “Everything Dies Alone” are less Cow and more Punk. “…Around” is sepulchral Southern Goth featuring grinding, grungy guitars. Meanwhile, “A Glass Eye” is super sludgey.

“Leave Me Honey” offers a scabrous case study in marital ennui. Zach handles lead vocals here as Robin provides a howly counterpoint. On “Everything Dies Alone” bludgeoning riffs connect with a roiling rhythm, straight out of the Dali’s Llama playbook.

Other interesting tracks include the dour murder ballad, “John The Damned,” and the raucous kiss-off, “Dead To Me.” The album closes with the mostly instrumental “Sirens Of The Sands.”

Ten Miles From Hell has been described as Cow Punk, and that may have been the band’s original intent. However, Zach Huskey has never been accused of coloring inside the lines.

The Hick-Ups offer up a veritable comboplatter of musical genres. Gird your loins, as they take you on a Hillbilly hayride to hell.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

ocal painter Carlos Tienda has made his presence known over the past year displaying his work at some of the local festivals and art shows in the desert, captivating the viewers with his mystical and imaginative painterly point of view. Born and raised in Indio, Tienda has spent the last five years creating, painting, and gathering enough work together to show this past year. I ran into Carlos at Synergy Fest in Coachella a couple of months ago painting live at his booth and I was intrigued with his artistic style and content.

MM: How did your art journey begin?

CT: As a young child I’ve always had a creative mind, and as far as I can remember I’ve always excelled in art. In high school I took art all 4 years and did really well. I’ve dealt with addiction for the past 8 years and my highs and lows have been major fuel for my creative intellect. I never took it serious though despite my art teachers constantly driving me. I didn’t see the value and I couldn’t see myself. I had a longing to change the world and I didn’t see that I could do that through the works of my art. One day that changed and I realized who I was and I realized who I wasn’t. I knew my purpose and I’ve been taking the steps to fulfill that purpose. I’ve been a true artist ever since.

MM: How would you describe your style?

CT: Since my art is inspired from my visions and dreams I’d have to say it’s very mystical. A lot of it describes a void, a void longing to be filled.

The majority of my pieces describe the eternal cycle of life and death. The viewer with the eye to see and the heart to feel are in store for some heavy vibrations.

MM: What is your favorite medium to work with?

CT: A few years ago my medium of choice was a ball point pen and some paper because that’s what I had laying around the house. As I started to mature as an artist, I felt it was time to step up my game and push myself in a new direction. Today I favor acrylic on wood panel, mixed in with some paint markers, watercolor, and spray paint. I continue to experiment but I miss my ink days and for the year 2015 I’d like to do a concentration of ink on paper to compare

to my earlier pieces and to see how much I’ve really progressed.

MM: Did you go to school or are you selftaught? And what are your thoughts on this subject?

CT: The only schooling that I have had is my time is during high school. My electives were art. But looking back I really didn’t use that time wisely. I didn’t see how precious it was to sit around for a few hours listen to music and kill the canvas! So now with a family of my own, being a full time union electrician and constantly having to travel, I’m very aware and grateful for the time I get to sit and work on a masterpiece. I’m the driving force behind the madness. The way I view my art is amateur compared to where it will be.

I have visions of beautiful masterpieces beyond measure. Every time I put the ink to the paper or the brush to the canvas I strive to create that beauty.

MM: What do you think of the art scene in the Coachella Valley?

CT: I believe the art scene in the Coachella Valley is evolving into something great. The desert carries a certain vibe perfect for the creative thinker. I am glad to be a part of this movement and I think with collaboration and time the Coachella Valley is going to recognized world-wide for its killer music and mystic arts!

MM: Where have you shown your work?

CT: Over the past 5 years I’ve been building my collection of art and only till recently I feel that I have enough to display. So over the past year I’ve displayed my art at a few local spots including Synergy Fest, AMFM Fest, The Hood, Copa Night Club, and the Toltec Ranch. My plan for 2015 is to venture further and branch out.

MM: What would you say is your biggest struggle as an artist?

CT: If I could be in studio with all my paint and pens for countless hours it would be pure madness and I would move forward on creating my visions with leaps and bounds but I can’t.

Currently I’m in a 5 year program for electrical engineer and I have responsibilities. So my biggest difficulty being an artist at heart is finding the balance between life and passion.

MM: What is the root of your inspiration?

CT: I’m very intrigued by sacred geometry, the building blocks and mathematics of the universe, the language of God. It’s my driving force and the root of my inspiration. It’s love. It’s life. It’s all that is!

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

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PET PLACE Black Cats & Dogs Seek Love in 2015!

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lorious black cats and dogs are waiting for you to adopt them!

Their shining ebony coats glisten in the winter sun, and their striking amber gold eyes peer at you longingly through the kennel glass. Unfortunately, black cats and dogs are shrouded in negative superstitions, and have a harder time getting adopted than their light colored counterparts. Folks who visit a shelter are more likely to leave with a light colored, multicolored, or animal with interesting markings. There are no scientific studies to confirm why this is true, although theories abound.

In kennels containing multiple animals, those with black fur are harder to see, particularly if the lighting is dim. People often fall in love with animals at first sight, and animals that are easier to see are more likely to get picked up, played with, and adopted. Sometimes people spot the fluffy white dogs and cats with Siamese markings and don’t look further.

Black Animals are Hard to Photograph - Pet adoptions are often promoted by photographs on websites, Facebook, and

other social media. Petfinder and Pet Harbor are popular websites that list photographs and biographies of rescue animals. The best of photographers must make a special effort to light a black cat or dog enough so that its facial characteristics can be seen. Without a clear view of its face and expression, potential adopters have a hard time relating to an animal’s personality. When the background is dark or multi colored, these animals cannot be clearly viewed and their beauty unappreciated.

Black Dogs in Movies - Think about your favorite dogs from movies and television.

The lighter colored ones get the leading roles as in Lassie, Old Yeller, and The Shaggy Dog. They are easier to film, and their facial expressions are more obvious to audiences.

In the movie Beethoven, a brown and white St. Bernard played the happy family dog, while black colored Doberman Pinschers played the bad dogs that snarled and threatened our hero dog. Just like the villainous cowboys in old movies who wore black hats, black dogs in the media are portrayed as the aggressive bad guys.

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by Janet McAfee

Meet MARTy

Black Cat Superstitions - In the past, black cats were associated with witchcraft or evil. Today, they remain the poster pets for Halloween, portrayed as scary creatures that conjure fear and loathing.

While everyone knows intellectually black animals have no association with evil, these stereotypes can unconsciously impact our preferences. Because they have no other markings, the eyes of solid black cats can appear ominous and glowing.

Efforts to Promote Black Pets - Many rescue organizations feature special adoption events, including reduced adoption fees for black pets. Best Friends Animal Society has a nationwide “Back in Black” month of events during May to encourage

geronimo

Toyota

This 2-yr-old boy has two strikes against him. He’s black and he’s a Pit Bull Terrier Mix. Meet Geronimo and his shelter buddies at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Rd, Palm Springs and experience their wonderful personalities. www.psanimalshelter.org (760) 416-5719.

Enjoy your New Year 2015 with a new Toyota! This 3-yr-old pretty kitty will playfully and gratefully join your household.

At the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. www.psanimalshelter.org .

(760) 416-5719

This precious little 2-yr-old boy is looking for love in 2015! Marty has two strikes against him in a shelter, (1) he’s black, and (2) he’s shy. Visit him at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus and see what an absolute cuddle bug he is. Looks like an Affenpinscher Terrier. Dog ID#A1160591. Located at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644.

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adoptions. Best Friends’ literature states, “Families are cheating themselves when they walk by these characters without getting to know their friendly, lovable, and sometimes goofy personalities.”

Owners of black animals can tell you they are just as wonderful as one of any other shade. Just ask Vicki Arrowood, pictured here with Spanky, adopted from a Riverside county shelter, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. “Spanky is the most engaging animal, he was all over the glass of his enclosure. When I got him into the visiting area, he was very curious and friendly. He seemed to be saying ‘don’t leave me.’”

This week our featured adoptable dog is a black dog named Marty. Marty is a sweet and loving gem of a dog who may actually be an Affenpinscher Terrier. He has been at the shelter a long time, and is getting overlooked. Did you know that at least 25% of the animals in shelters are pure breeds?

Marty is pictured below, and you can meet him and hundreds more at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, www.rcdas.com (760) 343-3644.

Contact Loving All Animals at (760) 8347000 and www.lovingallanimals.org for more information about adopting a best fur friend. They will help you find a new faithful friend of your choice, whatever shade that might be! jmcafee7@verizon.net

January 8 to January 14, 2015

by Rick Riozza

CFR Wines Get Around Town

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f the Open Range Red Blend bottle wine from Casey Flat Ranch could sing, I already know the tune it would be crooning: ‘round ‘round, get around, I get around—yeah get around ooh ooh…

How a group of Capay Valley wines have already made their mark here in the desert is remarkable! Of course we know it has to do with both the talent of the wine distributor, and, our wine savvy community who are quick to embrace premium world class wine when they taste it.

But in and around our Palm Springs area, it’s gone way beyond simply tasting. Just last month, at Restaurateur Ed Moore’s 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro in Palm Desert, patrons met the new executive chef and were treated to a four course meal that was superbly paired with an array from Casey Flat that included Rosé, Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc, Red Blend and “Estate” Red Blend.

At a prior venue, the same portfolio of stellar wines were matched and paired with the creative and inventive cuisine of famed Executive Chef, Gerard Brunett at the Palm Desert Classic Club’s Italianesque Bellatrix Restaurant.

And before that soirée, CFR wines were featured at a private dinner event at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Speaking of Rancho Mirage, at the Pavilions store where my role is the wine steward, the aforementioned Open Range Red Blend sells out every week!

Since CFR wines are the latest quaffing rage in our own valley, why not be the first one on your block to be wine savvy on this vino production: Casey Flat Ranch is based in the hidden gem destination of the Capay Valley ( pronounced CAY-pay) AVA, in the Vaca Mountains bordering the eastern side of Napa County.

Originally part of the Berryessa Spanish land grant, area settlement began in the 1850’s with the California Gold Rush. Valley locals at the time named the property Casey Flat for legendary frontiersman and early homesteader John Casey.

Selected for the moderately rocky soil composition, gentle hillside mountain slope, and 2000-foot altitude, the site provided for excellent growing conditions.

The vineyards are sustainably cultivated, using materials and farming techniques that emphasize water and soil conservation.

Weather data records indicate climate conditions at the Vineyard to be parallel in almost every respect to the Oakville / Rutherford appellations of the Napa Valley. Remarkably, average daily daytime temperatures are cooler than St. Helena, located 22 miles to the west.

The working ranch is defined by its award-winning Rhone and Bordeaux-style blends, stunningly rugged location, and the purebred Longhorn cattle that roam the estate that own a rich homesteading heritage. Casey Flat Ranch’s two brands, the Estate wines and Open Range, “serve as the perfect way to ignite the frontier spirit in any wine lover.” And of course you love their inspiring wine label.

I met Brenda Bullington a couple of years ago at the Escena Lounge & Grill where she was hosting a winemaker’s dinner. Her flight from wine country got a bit delayed, but when she arrived decked out in black suede and wearing her iconic black cowboy hat— well she just riled & rounded up the crowd in seconds flat for some tasty festivities. And that is Brenda!—full of energy and spunk.

She’s one of California’s wine wise gals as she’s been in the wine marketing business representing many high-end wineries for quite a while now.

In 2013, she was brought on at Casey Flat as Vice President of Sales and Marketing where she oversees the company’s distribution network, consumer outreach programs, strategic planning, and all other sales and marketing related areas. Associating with our own local wine guy, Bruce Jastremski, in just one year, they

have covered the wine waterfront here in the desert—as evidenced by all of the wine venues that Brenda and her wines are appearing.

The Open Range Red Blend—that keeps selling off the shelves, is predominately a Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah blend. I tell the customers that this is one of the tastiest wines in town with its chocolate, plum, cherry, and vanilla spice flavor profile. And the prices are honestly the lowest in this red blend category. Swing by the shop and see for yourselves.

The CFR Estate Wine is an elegant and stately wine with dark fruit aromas of blueberry, plum, and cassis that carry into the palate. A blend of Cab Sauv, Syrah, Cab Franc, and Merlot. It sells for under $35, but it impresses and quaffs like one at twice

the price. It’ll be my mission to get this at my wine department.

So are you sold yet? Any wine lover should be thirsting right about now. I’ve written in these pages previously about the CFR Syrah Rosé with its aromas of strawberry and blood orange that open up to raspberry and spice flavors with fresh & lively acidity. Check out their beautiful website at: www.caseyflatranch.com and be amazed at their array of wine and great prices.

At the aforementioned Bellatrix/ Casey Flat Ranch dinner, Chef Brunett utilized the winery’s own beef, olive oil, and honey products throughout the night’s courses.

And he wonderfully paired the Estate Red with an Herb-Dijon Filet with Peruvian mashed potatoes, Capay Valley olive oil, with sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a demi-glaze made from the Open Range wine.

And mentioned earlier, at the 3rd Corner Wine Shop and Bistro, new executive chef, Reuben Reyes, adeptly matched both the Estate Red and the Open Range to a Spiced Boar Loin along with red wine braised lentils & eggplant.

It’s nice to get around—Cheers!

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

Club Club Crawler Crawler Nightlife Nightlife

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

­­­THUR JANUARY 8

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 John Bolivar 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Courtney Chambers 5pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Jimi Nelson 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live

Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Jazz and Supper Club Night w/ Barry Baughn 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 TheHarmed Brothers and The Small Houses 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 ame night w/ The Deep Ones 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Kal David Unplugged 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Tony DiGerlando 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 3:305:30pm, Stan Watkins Latin Swing 6:3010pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Tropicana Nights 9pm

FRI JANUARY 9

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bob Garcia Band 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Full House Band w/ Nena Anderson 8pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Noches Azul Latin Night 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 The Hive Minds 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333

Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 6:30pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Jump Off” DJ 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Eevaan Tre, Caxton The Hive Minds and All Night Shoes 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 7:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Circle of Fifths 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Trill 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Lucky Bones 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Gand Band’s Beatles Show 8:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Courtney Chambers Sidebar Lounge 10pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 T.B.A. 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Sugarbritches Productions Presents: Ekavohs, Kill the Radio and The Classy Mother Fu?kers 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 The Turtles Revisited 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Ron & Peggy “Heart to Heart” 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-

328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Trish Harley & Barney McClure Duo 6:3010pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 T.B.A. 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night Out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT JANUARY 10 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Stronghold Reggae 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Chix Mix-LAW 7pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 9pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Music 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Blu Saturdays 9:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Karaoke 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid” Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Higher Heights and Mozaiq 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 6pm, Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the

afternoon, Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Circle of Fifths 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Radio Rave 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Alyce Bowie 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Von Cotton 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Cover Story 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext230 PS Jump !! 5:30pm, Gand Band’s Beatles Show 8:30pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 CV Weekly Presents: A Metal Night w/ Perishment, Murkocet and Robotic Humans 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 The Turtles Revisited 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Salsa Night, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Scott Carter 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

A

“LEFT BEHIND” - THE WORST MOVIE OF 2014

Screeners No.146

Book Review

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

By Heidi Simmons

PSIFF Takes a Look at Books

s singled out in this column over the last several weeks, we’ve had a treasure trove of exceptional films in 2014. But there were also a passel of movies that were disappointing, but not awful. There’s INTERSTELLAR, the first third

was gripping and then came the confusing, tiresome, cosmic lectures interspersed with not so majestic images. Kubrick’s did it much better and with little dialogue! I think of UNBROKEN and its two hours of on-screen torture and the two seconds of redemption in the end credits. AMERICAN SNIPER, so nicely crafted and acted but a supremely sad tale of a gifted but troubled killer in a misbegotten war. A very similar theme was done so much better in HURT LOCKER. Let’s be very clear here, just because a movie makes a billion dollars does not mean it’s very good. Yes, I’m talking about TRANSORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION. Loud and chaotic and, yes, artfully made, but an unnecessary film if ever there was one. On the other hand, it was a successful heist in which giant robots ripped the wallet out of your pocket. Just beware -- another one is in the works. And, please explain to me what the hell’s going on in INHERENT VICE?

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I was hoping to re-experience 70’s Venice Beach culture in a dark comedy as the great movie trailer so successfully teased, but I came away from the screening scratching my head. Maybe Pynchon’s is not adaptable for the screen. At least not by the cult fave director P.T. Anderson. Have you yet blithely wandered INTO THE WOODS, perhaps lured by Meryl Streep’s wicked witch poster or the TV teaser’s delightful singing stars?

Well, did you get your holiday fuzzies or a migraine? Can you whistle one of the many tunes? No? Sondheim for the uninitiated can be a bitch. Yes, it’s great looking and the stars are fine, but it’s a long, tedious slog through the forest. And then there are the truly bad films like THE EXPENDABLES 3 (AARP should be in the title somewhere), A MILLION WAYS TO DIE IN THE WEST (an utterly humorless western fail from Seth McFarland), ANNIE (no sour notes, just a flat update of the Depression-era musical from Will Smith and Jay-Z), WINTER’S TALE (big talent wallows in time travel gibberish with Satan and a dying girl in 1916 NYC), LEGEND OF HURCULES (not Brett Ratner’s watchable version with “The Rock,” but Renny Harlen’ misfire), TAMMY (Melissa McCarthy’s hugely embarrassing vanity production with hubby at the helm), SEX TAPE (Jason Siegel and Cameron Diaz are wasted on great premise but grimly stupid screenplay), TRANSCENDENCE (anti-tech terrorists take down Johnny Depp when

he becomes a computer). Space does not allow for a fuller list. Just know this is but a sampler. However, there is one more title that deserves special mention -- and the widest ridicule, as a shoo-in for the absolute worst movie of 2014!

LEFT BEHIND Words fail in trying to describe this inept piece of God-awful trash that assumes there’s an evangelical Christian fundamentalist based audience ripe for exploitation. This bigger budget remake of the 2000 Kirk Cameron direct-to-DVD movie based on the book Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins is so bad it’s actually bad.

Aside from the morality of such an enterprise (allegedly from so-called Christian producers), there’s also the huge theological issue that the word “rapture” is nowhere to be found in the Bible. And the concept itself is not endorsed by mainstream, legitimate religious scholars who have an understanding of the linguistics and metaphors of New Testament scripture.

I won’t waste your time with a detailed recounting of the absurdly silly plot.

Something about true believers who suddenly vanish from the earth and the chaos that follows. The movie itself is tedious and boring in the extreme. However, if one watches it in the right state of mind (wink, wink), it offers loads of unintentional laughs.

But even so, the only thought that keeps

intruding is: under what circumstances did Nicolas Cage sign on for this? Is he a secret believer in the doomsday message? Or was the check so huge he couldn’t say No? Or did he see it as high art. You know, some sort of parody or farce like Kubrick’s DR. STRANGELOVE? I wish I could answer those burning questions for those of us who still want to believe in Cage’s crazy gift.

My guess is that nearly all the $20 million budget went to Oscar© winner Cage with only $100K for the cheap effects and other extras (like cast and crew salaries, postproduction, music, etc.).

Life is short. It’s such a shame to waste it on bad movies. I’m happy to be of service in the pursuit of good movies because movies really do matter. They are our most shared human experience. The stories we tell ourselves are a reflection of the collective narrative of who we are. robinesimmons@aol.com

January 8 to January 14, 2015

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he Palm Spring International Film Festival launched a new event this year called The Power of Words: Books to Screen. If you’ve read this column over the last several months, you know how much this subject interests me. With a record-breaking year of book-to-movie adaptations, there is no doubt this will be a timely and engaging affair.

The symposium will be held January 8 at the Hilton Palm Springs, Horizon Ballroom, and consist of four sessions where authors will be joined by producers, stars and screenwriters. The event begins at 9am and runs to 7:00pm Moderators for the “Books to Screen” include Peter Bart of Variety, Anne Thompson of IndieWire and Barbara Boyle, Professor and Associate Dean from the UCLA School of Theater Film and Television.

The first session begins with Roger Ebert’s widow Chaz as keynote speaker. She will talk about the documentary film based on her husband’s memoir Life Itself. The film covers Ebert’s life and family as well as his decline and death. Ebert’s optimism and enthusiasm for film is constant to the end.

Author Lisa Genova along with producer Elizabeth Gelfand Sterns will talk about

bringing Genova’s book Still Alice to the screen. Starring Julianne Moore, the story is about a woman as she deals with early onset Alzheimer’s.

Other participants include Amy Albany author of Low Down, which is the story of her father, pianist Joe Albany and his battle with heroine addiction. Albert Berger the producer of the film will participate in the discussion.

Black Hawk Down author Mark Bowden

and screenwriter Ken Nolan will discuss their experience getting the book published and the movie produced. Based on a true story, Ridley Scott directed the intense 2001 film.

Kaui Hart Hemmings will talk about her book The Descendants, which starred George Clooney as a husband dealing with the loss of his wife and the discovery that he was not the husband or the father he thought he was. Hemmings has a new novel

called The Possibilities. Released last May, it will be interesting to discover how far along the book is toward becoming a movie.

Sal Mineo: A Biography by author Michael Michaud was brought to life by actor Val Lauren who played Sal in the adaptation. Both men will be present to discuss how they brought the biopic to the big screen.

Richard C. Morais author of The Hundred-Foot Journey will talk about his experience with Hollywood and getting his book made into a movie. Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg produced the film.

The Book to Screen event is curated by Barbara Keller and Susan Rosser. Rosser was instrumental in bringing the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival into existence.

Select films from the symposium will screen during the PSIFF on January 7. Barnes & Noble will hold a pop-up bookstore where the books can be purchased and signed by attending authors after each session. For more information and tickets call 760 318 8371. A reservation is required. Email: bookstoscreen@psfilmfest.org

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January 8 to January 14, 2015 continued from page 19 ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

SUN JANUARY 11 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Slacker Sunday w/ Dave Frey 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Elevated Sundays 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Fusion” Pool Party 11am poolside THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 GRMLN, Tribesmen and Safety Net 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-

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327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Jam Session/ Morgan James B-day PARTY 5-9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Michael Bolivar 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6-9pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony DiJerlando 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

MON JANUARY 12 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522

Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Spencer Day 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony Grandberry 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley & Barney McClure 6pm

TUE JANUARY 13 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Paul & Jo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana Larson 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45 PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327-4080 Acoustic & Electric Guitar Challenge sign up at 7pm, Show at 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Rose Mallett 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Caxton 8pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 T.B.A. 4pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Bolivar & Barney McClure 6pm

WED JANUARY 14 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dan Horn 6pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 T.B.A. 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-992-

January 8 to January 14, 2015

0002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke NYE Party 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Michael Holmes Trio 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 NYE Party 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Lizann Warner 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 T.B.A. 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOLFGANG PUCK’S; PD; 760-568-2700 WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Deanna Bogart 6pm

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the palm springs Local

Get Ready for Season

By Denise Ortuno Neil

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iving in the Coachella Valley is different from most places. The one strong distinction is our seasonal business aspect. Since I can remember, business, especially the business of hospitality, has always been at the mercy of our deserts “Season”. With the holidays slightly behind us, we are now entering the busiest time of year in the Coachella Valley….our “Season” is upon us.

It has been a fact for the Coachella Valley since Palm Springs became a hot spot for vacationers about a century ago. The driving force behind our “Season” is based on the weather. Our extreme summer heat, followed by almost perfect winter temperatures dictate the ebb and flow of visitors to our valley, hence also gaging the business as well….more people, more business, less people…well, you get the picture.

The good news is that “Season” has extended its timeline in the past 15 years or so, no longer beckoning to traditional summer vs. winter protocol. I recall growing up in the Coachella Valley when summer not only meant scorching heat, but a mass exodus of visitors, and locals alike. Back then, (we’re talking 80’s and 90’s) you could cross Hwy 111 at a snail’s pace with absolutely no fear of getting hit by a car. Or, here’s another one….you could roll a bowling ball down any given street in the CV and not hit a thing.

Basically, when summer came, everyone left.

But that is no longer the case anymore.

Thankfully, the deserts “Season” has morphed into something new….but yet has retained its obvious traditions. Summer no longer means desolate streets, empty stores or restaurants. There is a whole new influx of visitors that actually enjoy our desert heat.

It really makes sense, as hotel and resort prices are heavily discounted, and almost every restaurant offers tantalizing deals or a perpetual Happy Hour. It has changed for the better that is for sure.

The “Season” is like a bit of a rollercoaster….let’s take a ride. It goes something like this. We will start with summer and work our way to current time. Summer however

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Real Estate

By Bruce cathcart

December and 2014 in Review

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harsh, still breeds its own cliental, lots of families, Europeans and those looking for a great deal to get-a-way.

After summer hits Labor Day weekend, which traditionally would kick off the seasons “Season”. It doesn’t really do it anymore, it’s more like a false start, but many businesses that were closed for the summer do reopen, so I suppose it does start “Season” in a way. In October, the desert will see business picking up through Halloween. By Thanksgiving things are starting to pick up at a steady pace, but wait…there’s a winkle. After turkey day, many of those visiting leave the CV to go back home for the upcoming holidays….making “Season” dwindle once again.

When Christmas rolls around, restaurants and retail stores gear up for a busy week between Christmas and New Year’s. But with all of that, “Season” has yet to hit.

It is in the month of January when our build up finally lets loose and we fall into full “Season” mode. It usually happens a week before the Bob Hope Classic, now better known as the Humana Challenge. After that, it is high season happy, happy times from there until Memorial Day, sometimes maybe earlier if the heat gets prematurely hotter than hot.

We are now at that “Season” threshold, when businesses in the desert make the bulk of their money and people from around the world flock to our beautiful desert oasis for amazing weather, spectacular events, and everything that makes the Coachella Valley so inviting. It is what the desert area has always been about and keeps us a float year in and year out. It is what makes us so very unique.

So let’s get our busy on and get ready for a fantastically prosperous “Season”….it is here.

appy New Year Everyone! With the month of December behind us we now have a complete year of data to review. Looking back we should be able to answer the question of whether or not 2014 was a good year for real estate in the Coachella Valley or if it was just another average year on our road to full recovery. In fact it may have been the proverbial one step back after two steps forward toward a more robust real estate market. We had a relatively strong finish to the year so first we’ll take a look at December’s numbers and then I will try and put 2014 in perspective for everyone before making my forecast for the Coachella Valley real estate market in 2015.

Last month (December), according to the Desert Area MLS (as of 01/02/15) there were only 574 pendings of residential properties here in the Coachella Valley. There were 732 pendings in the previous month (November) representing a significant decrease in sales activity (approximately 22%). This is quite normal following our seasonal (holiday) sales pattern in the Coachella Valley. In November there were 511 solds and in December, thanks to the combined increase in pending sales from October and November, there were 653 solds. This represents a significant increase in closings. This was a good strong finish for 2014 but when compared to last year, when we closed 740 homes in December, this continues our yearly trend with a year over year decrease of approximately 12% in home sales. Last month we saw home sale prices continue to stabilize and even go down in a few Coachella Valley neighborhoods. The final year over year sales volume for 2014 compared to 2013 was down by 11% as 2014 totaled 8,544 solds compared to 9,515 solds in 2013. That’s the one step backwards. From 2009 to 2013 the Coachella Valley has averaged approximately 9,575 solds each year making 2014 the first year representing a significant drop (11%) in the number of homes being sold.

Here’s the good news and perhaps our best step forward. Even though we sold approximately 1,000 fewer homes in 2014 than the year before, the total dollar volume was almost the same! In 2013 total sales amounted to $3,515,686,766.00 compared to 2014 where total sales volume was $3,508,396,336.00! That means we sold fewer houses at higher prices… approximately 11% higher overall, which was considerably higher than the national average for 2014.

Our inventory of homes for sale remained relatively unchanged at 4,606 as of January 2, 2015 compared to 4,659 at the beginning of December 2014. This is another step forward as this appears to be a good number right now for the Coachella Valley. It represents enough homes available to meet the current existing demand from buyers and will allow for stability in the marketplace as we move into 2015.

So what can we expect for 2015? Hopefully more of the same, or the new norm as I have called it. It is not great, but it is not horrible

either. At current home prices and looking at the overall economy I do not see investors rushing back into the market anytime soon.

I also do not see much progress being made in resolving many of the underlying causes keeping our first time home buyers out of the market here in the Coachella Valley (such as minimal employment opportunities and being saddled with student loans, increased medical insurance payments, car loans, cell phones, and in many cases children too!). There are two “wild cards” that we will want to watch closely in 2015 that can and will affect our market. The first is the interest rate on home mortgages. Last year we lived in fear of rising interest rates which all of the “experts” predicted would happen in 2014. The rates did not rise and in fact fluctuated to near historic lows during the year. Well, the experts are at it again, insisting that rates MUST rise in 2015.

If they do this will likely have a very negative affect on our housing market by making homes more expensive and may even drive prices down. The second wild card to watch will be the price of oil and thus the cost of energy.

Lower fuel prices mean lower everything prices… except housing. By spending less on fuel and other goods and services, buyers will have more money to pay for higher mortgages (or higher rents), thus increasing demand and home prices could go up. Obviously if interest rates go up and the price of oil goes down they could cancel each other out and our housing market will remain more or less the same.

Every New Year seems to start out full of optimism and hope for an even better year than the one just past. Even with our two steps forward and one step back in 2014 I feel that we are still moving in the right direction to a more robust real estate market here in the Coachella Valley. Our road to full recovery is just taking a little longer than any of us could have imagined.

Bruce Cathcart is the Broker/Co-Owner of La Quinta Palms Realty, “Your Friendly Professionals” and can be reached by email at laquintapalms@dc.rr.com or visit his website at www.laquintapalmsrealty.com.

Haddon Libby:It’s all local

THE DOW

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very day as part of nearly every newscast on radio or television, we are updated as to whether “the Dow” is up or down by some number of points. At present, the Dow is at an all-time high.

This stock market index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average, has been published for nearly 130 years and is probably the most widely followed stock index in the world.

Comprised of thirty of the most important publicly traded stocks, the index is the creation of American journalist Charles Dow. With fellow journalist Edward Jones,

they started financial news agency, Dow Jones & Company in 1882 in the basement of a candy store. With an early circulation of 1,000 subscribers, Dow and Jones started a two-page Customers’ Afternoon Letter which would become the Wall Street Journal seven years later. Dow and Jones differed from many financial reporters of that era in that they would not take bribes to pump a stock. Their newsletter laid out trustworthy information on the companies that they reported on in an easy to read manner.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average came into being in 1885 as a recession was ending and large corporations (mainly railroads) were looking for investors who would fund the consolidation of their industries. Those companies needed the dissemination of trustworthy, reliable information to help in developing confidence amongst potential investors who were hesitant to invest given the lack of reliable information in the market. Seeing this as an opportunity for their newsletter, Charles Dow devised the first Dow Jones Industrial Average based on the companies that their newsletter followed. To create the average, Dow added together the stock prices of the companies that they followed divided by that number of companies. This index was meant to capture the industrial output of some of

America’s top companies.

Starting with a level of 40 points back in 1885, it was not until 1906 that the Dow broke the 100 point threshold for the first time. Following the stock market crash of 1929, it took the index twenty-five years for the index to reach the 381 point mark again. It took another twenty-eight years to pass the 1,000 mark. Over the next twentyeight years, the index rose to 10,000. It took another fifteen years for the Dow Jones Industrial Average to reach its current alltime high level at just under 18,000.

Since inception, there have been fiftythree changes to the Dow. Approximately 120 companies have been part of the index at some time. It was not until October, 1928 that the Dow consisted of thirty stocks.

Some of the stocks included in the 1928 index included American Can, American Sugar, numerous automakers and better known names such as General Electric, Standard Oil (now ExxonMobil) Victor Talking Machine (now RCA) and Woolworth.

Since 2003, there have been eight changes to the Dow. Some of the companies removed from the Dow over that period include Eastman Kodak, Goodyear, HewlettPackard and Sears. The current roster of companies include: Cisco, Goldman Sachs, Home Depot, Microsoft, Nike and Visa.

Collectively, the thirty companies of the

January 8 to January 14, 2015

Dow have a market capitalization in excess of $5 trillion.

Where Charles Dow used to do a simple weighting of the stocks in his index where each stock had an equal importance, the current methodology is price-weighted meaning that ten companies of the Dow represent more than 50% of the index.

Only 19% of the current Dow Jones Industrial Average consists of industrials.

Financials make up 25% of the index with consumer services (14%), health care (11%) and technology (10%) representing the largest business segments.

Dale Gribow On The Law

WHAT DOES IT COST FOR A LETTER?

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get this question many times every week. I explain that it is equivalent to calling a doctor over the phone and asking what he/she would charge to see you, as well as prescribe a course of treatment that would ultimately cure you. A lawyer, like a doctor, needs more information to evaluate the matter. Unfortunately, most matters are not resolved with just a letter.

It is incumbent upon a prospective lawyer to educate a client that the only thing a lawyer has to sell is time. Thus when a client calls or sends an email the lawyer is billing for that time. If a client calls more than most clients, the lawyer will be billing that client more than another client. In other words the client has to be judicious in the use of the attorney’s time and understand that the lawyer is billing in 10 or 15 minute segments.

Some lawyers are not very ethical, and will quote a low amount for a letter, yet later demand a lot more money. There is the good and the bad in every profession and that is in part why the AVVO legal rating system was recently created where lawyers rate one another on 10.0 system. When a lawyer takes on a client they usually have an obligation to see the matter through.

In today’s technological world, a letter/ email is responded to within minutes. We no longer wait a week for a response in the

mail.

This immediate response requires action from us (attorneys), and necessitates further billable contact with the client.

A quoted fee for handling legal matters is merely a guestimate of billable time—there is no way to know what the other side will do. Sometimes upon receiving an attorney’s letter, the opposition will fold their cards, and we will simply prevail. Other times, the opposition will hire their own attorney and then the paper battle begins. Some defense lawyers will “milk” a case and paper us by filing various motions. This will cause all legal fees to escalate—there is nothing more expensive than Civil Litigation. Not only will it cost $600 to file a summons and complaint, but we may also need further funds to hire an investigator or serve the defendant.

As a last resort, you might serve by publication in a local paper. We would get a judgment in favor of our client only to have the defendant’s lawyer move to vacate the judgment six months later. You then start over again.

I tend to ask prospective clients “Who has more money……….YOU or the other party?”

If the client is not well off and the other side is well to do, I explain it may be very difficult for the prospective client to stay in the game with them.

When I know a prospective client will not be able to afford legal fees and I suspect the client would just be wasting his/her money, I have to advise the client not to hire us.. It is hard for clients to understand when I can’t accept his/her case, and I hate advising clients not to hire us. Additionally, I tend to not accept minor whiplash accident cases because the insurance company will never settle them which forces us into costly litigation.

I do, however, handle many cases in which our clients are injured by a drunk driver as it has a much higher recovery value. This allows us to spend more money on investigation and litigation. Incidentally, our office just successfully settled our case involving a jogger fatally injured by a drunk driver.

In regards to DUI clients, we have to explain that the District Attorney’s office is looking for jail time on a first offense DUI. Since this may necessitate additional work in order to keep the client out of jail or to find a loophole, the legal fees often rise.

Consequently, many defendants can’t afford the fees.

The Holidays are upon us. Don’t Drink and Drive. Call a Taxi or Uber. It is a lot cheaper than calling me If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please

contact Dale Gribow, Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760 837-7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com Dale Gribow 1) TOP LAWYER rating by Palm Springs Life every year.

2) Perfect AVVO 10.0 Peer Review Rating by fellow attorneys 3) Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell legal directory.

4) Selected for Best Attorneys of America (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys in each state.

5) Man of the Year 7 times- including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day proclaimed 4 x’s.

6) Only attorney appointed to study DUI: by both Clinton Foundation Health Matters and Coachella Valley Association of Governments For more than 30 years Gribow has been committed to protecting client’s civil and constitutional rights. Regardless of whether the matter concerns a Serious Accident, DUI, Business, Real Estate or Estate Planning issue every case is diligently handled with the utmost of respect and care. The Gribow firm offers clients decades of experience and success, thus making him the attorney of choice for thousands of clients.

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safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Winterize and Being Winter-wise!

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he first round of our cold weather has passed, but surely we’ll see more. This is a good time to “winterize” your home reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Use this list to help get you started: Make sure all exterior water spigots are turned off and all attached hoses or other devices are removed, drained and properly stored. Save money on your hot water bill.

Insulate by duct-taping pre-slit pipe foam (available at hardware stores) around exposed pipes in your home›s crawl space or attic. Caulk air leaks around doors and

windows. Seal up holes around the house to prevent mice and rats from getting in.

Insulate. If you can see the ceiling joists in your attic, you may need more insulation.

Have the heater inspected by a professional.

Make sure it›s in good shape to last through the winter. Inspect and clean your roof and yard gutters and drains so water will flow and not flood.

Take a look around your property and start preparing for (with a little luck) a wet winter!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

sharekitchen

Mark Your Calendars!

Welcome Tammy Mote and ‘Soup Thyme’ to the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market - January 10 from 8:00a to 12:00p - Visit ShareKitchen’s newest client company ‘Soup Thyme’ by Chef Tammy Mote and pick up the Coachella Valley’s freshest locally sourced artisan products at the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ market in Palm Springs every Saturday.

Stop by to see Sylvia Garza while you’re there and treat yourself to her ‘Que Mami Organics’ line of fresh vegan salsas & sauces and try her handmade organic tamales too!

Culinary Yard Sale Supporting Local Scholarships - January 16 & 17 from 7:00a to 12:00p – Discover culinary treasures and support women in the culinary and hospitality industries at this year’s annual Culinary Yard Sale hosted by the Palm Springs Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Shop for big bargains on kitchen equipment, gidgets & gadgets, cookbooks and more with all proceeds going

directly to local scholarships. Location: 73465 Tamarisk Street in Palm Desert, 92260. Contact angela@ShareKitchen.org for more info.

The ABC’s of Starting Your Own Business Make Your Dream a Reality!

January 21 from 5:30p to 7:30p - This free workshop is designed to help the preventure entrepreneur determine the feasibility of their small business idea in the current market. The discussion centers on business plan development, entity formation, funding opportunities, and the steps to start a business.

Seating is limited for this valuable program so register online now at www.cvwbc.org or call Kim Scanlan for more information at 760.345.9200.

LIVING GREEN LECTURE SERIES at UCR Palm Desert - January 21 at 6:00p - From a Land of Plenty to a Food Crisis? Food production, waste and the environmental impact of our meals.

Mark your calendars for this informative lecture featuring guest speaker Milt McGiffin, PhD., Vice Chair for Cooperative Extension at UCR’s Department of Botany and Plant Sciences.

McGiffin will discuss how we went from the land of plenty to worrying about a food crisis. He’ll also present some solutions from his research on turning organic waste into products that enhance the soil, save water and sequester carbon.

sports scene The NFL Playoffs: Is Parity Real?

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he word “parity” is flung around the NFL like crab legs at the Florida State football banquet.

Thing is: it’s not accurate.

Everyone claims that the NFL loves parity and apparently that’s evidenced in the fact that every year since 1990- the year the 12team playoff seeding system was adoptedat least 4 teams have made the playoffs that missed it the year before.

This year, 5 teams made it into the tournament that missed out last year.

But 2 of the 5 teams that did that were 6 seeds, the Lions and Ravens. And the Ravens only got in because the Chargers gakked away an opportunity to earn a playoff bid with a regular-season finale win over the Chiefs. I know, you’re shocked.

Putting the Chargers in a must-win situation is like watching The Bachelor: your faith in humanity is inevitably numbed.

Ho w bout Arizona? Well, the Cardinals made it in this year with 11 wins when they missed out last year with 10 wins. So it was hardly a bad team flipping the script on the NFL, if anything, THIS season’s Cardinals team deserves a lot more credit than last year’s team for notching 11 wins with 4 different quarterbacks taking snaps over the season.

The other two teams that made the playoffs this year that missed it last year, both won their divisions: Dallas and Pittsburgh. And those two teams have more post seasons wins than any other franchise

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in the NFL. In fact with the Cowboys advancing to the divisional round and the Steelers losing at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys are in sole possession of that category. Hardly fresh faces to the playoff race.

And of the 142 teams since 1990 that made that turn around to help the NFL believe that parity rules the league, want to know how many actually advanced all the way to play for a world championship: 13.

Or 9%.

So congrats all those who claim the NFL is full of parity! You’re staking that claim on the idea that teams get to the playoffs and are given a chance to do something spectacular and since playoffs were expanded, thus allowing more average teams into the chase, only 9% have even advanced to the Super Bowl, only 3.5% won the Super Bowl.

Yup, only 5 of those 142 teams won the Super Bowl the year after missing the playoffs: The ’00 Ravens, ’01 Patriots, ’03 Patriots, ’09 Saints and ’11 Giants.

Parity? Yeah right.

Truth is the NFL would shutter if the Super Bowl pitted the Detroit Lions against the Cincinnati Bengals. Good news for them though, the Bengals can’t seem to put together a competent postseason game plan and the league officiating has been far more disappointing than any of Detroit’s financial woes.

“But wait Jules!” You’re saying, “We see parity in the fact that the Seahawks won

sports

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by Julie Buehler

their first Super Bowl last year and the year before that the Ravens took it home for only the second time and the year before that the Giants were one of those teams that won it all after missing the playoffs! Parity is alive and well! ” First of all, that’s cute that you’d lodge such a lengthy and well-structured argument. But here’s reality hotshot.

Six of the playoff teams this year have won at least 1 Super Bowl since the turn of the century and combined, they’ve won 10 of the past 13!

Let me say that again in hopes it will burst that little parity bubble floating in the sky… 6 of the teams that made the playoffs, or 19% of the league, have combined to win 10 of the past 13 world championships, or 77% of the titles.

That’d only be considered ‘parity’ in the Obama administration.

The top 5th of the league controls 3/4th of the success.

The AFC was basically a 3-team race until 2012 when Joe Flacco and company cracked the code, won in Denver, won in Foxboro and became the first team and only team since 2002 not hailing from New England, Pittsburgh or quarterbacked by Peyton Manning to represent the AFC in a Super Bowl.

The NFL will look to expand playoffs in the next year and potentially offer a 7th seed the chance to upset a 2-seed in hopes that more people will chirp “parity” when such an occasion arrives.

But don’t get swept up in an anomaly or an upset-special of the season, take a step back and realize that at the end of the day, the NFL is still dominated by a few key teams and that’s actually the way the league likes it.

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

She can also be seen every morning between 6-7am on KMIR sharing the coolest stories in sports. She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners. Tune in M-F 3-6 pst at www. team1010.com or watch “Buehler’s Day Off” on Ustream and KMIR.com for her sports reports.

by Flint Wheeler

It’s Official, The World Is Now Run By A Mouse… tarting with the College Football Playoff games and finishing with an NFL Wild Card game, ESPN (Owned

by Disney) had a good week, make that a very good week.

ESPN was recently named the top cable network for 2014 and had the mostviewed cable program of 2014 with the BCS Championship game — which was the only program in last year’s top 10 that was not an episode of the Walking Dead — and seem to have no signs of slowing down in the new year.

The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl averaged 28 million viewers, and the Arizona-Carolina Wild Card game nabbed 21 million, giving ESPN three of the top 10 cable audiences ever over the course of three days.

January 8 to January 14, 2015

The two highest-rated broadcasts in cable TV history now belong to ESPN thanks to the new college football playoffs. The College Football Playoff games had the two largest audiences in cable television history, and the NFL Wild Card playoff game was the ninth highest-rated program in cable television history. Per an ESPN press release, the Worldwide Leader now holds the largest 18 audiences in cable television history, and 36 of the top 40.

Other than the staggering numbers, the interesting part of this ratings result is that the college football games beat the NFL. There are a number of qualifiers involved in that — the college games meant more in the championship hunt, were closer to and in prime time, were on New Year’s Day, etc. — but any sporting event beating something involved with the NFL is news.

The Sugar Bowl telecast was up 130 percent in viewers from last year’s AlabamaOklahoma BCS game, and the Rose Bowl viewership increased 45 percent. It was a huge hit on social media for the network, as well as its online WatchESPN platform, which set the record for college football

with 912,000 unique viewers, which is up 116 from last year. While the Rose Bowl had technical difficulties initially, it still received 816,000 unique viewers on WatchESPN. Thursday night’s games also drew huge live crowds: Attendance at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl was 91,322, while the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans was attended by more than 70,000 fans.

The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes will now meet for the national championship, which will be played on January 12 in Arlington, Texas It seems that the country is interested in the College Football Playoff, and it was helped by compelling games between four high-profile teams. Next year might not be as highly rated with both semifinal games airing on Dec. 31, but it shouldn’t be much of a downturn if the right teams are selected.

The ratings are welcome news for ESPN, which reportedly paid $7.3 billion for the rights to the playoff through 2025.

ESPN doesn’t have any NFL playoff games remaining on its schedule, but the ratings for the Oregon-Ohio State championship game on Jan. 12 should be gigantic and set another record.

Founder of Silex Strategies L.L.C. providing sales and consulting in Insurance, Retirement, Real Estate and Taxes through A.I.G./Valic. PGA Class A Member and T.P.I. Certified Golf Trainer. Host of “The Tilted Sports Radio Show” on Fox Sports 1270 from 3-7pm on Thursdays, Live from The Kilt.

Contact at 760-409-4612 www.flintwheeler. com

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conrad negron talks oil

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of January 8

u.s. Crude Oil Production expected to be at it’s highest in decades

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lobal oil production is concentrated among a handful of giant producer countries and about a dozen more which produce more than 1 million barrels a day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

For 2013, the U.S. averaged 7.45 million barrels per day of crude oil production, third behind Russia and Saudi Arabia.

However, U.S. production has been surging thanks to fracking technologies that free up oil trapped in shale formations.

Total U.S. crude oil production averaged 8.9 million barrels per day last October.

For 2015, the EIA expects U.S. crude oil production to average 9.4 million barrels a day. That would be the highest annual average crude oil production since before the first OPEC oil embargo in 1973.

The recent abrupt slide in oil prices being celebrated by American consumers is a twoedged sword that could complicate U.S. geopolitical relations everywhere from Iraq to China.

The price slide gained speed last November as OPEC, led by Saudi Arabia, decided not to cut production. I think they really are quite angry that we are getting our fair market share today.

Although oil prices have been hammered for the last three months, my long term

outlook hasn’t changed. The fact remains that oil, coal and natural gas remain our predominant form of energy. On a global scale, fossil fuels still make up 86% of primary energy production.

Regardless of when oil prices begin to rebound, one thing we can count on is that the U.S. will continue to shake-off its addiction to Middle Eastern oil. As I just mentioned, it’s going to come down to increasing domestic production and/or relying on Canadian imports. Granted, we won’t be able to make up the six million barrels per day we need to walk away from OPEC, but that certainly doesn’t mean we won’t do what we can.

The bottom line is that the producers are going to be back on top again, and sooner than you might imagine. Energy companies have been slapped hard for the last three months. This means there are a ton of quality companies that investors can pick up at a discount. I prefer to stick with the drillers that have the property and experience to extract our future oil supply.

The U.S. needs to get serious about reducing the demand for foreign oil. The steeply rising demand for oil today means that any disruption in petroleum supplies immediately causes oil prices to rise.

Political upheavals (not just war), terrorism,

weather (such as hurricanes shutting down production in the Gulf of Mexico), supply and demand factors, and refiner and pipeline outages all greatly influence what goes on at the trading floors on Wall Street and at other markets around the world. I believe we ran out of $2 oil in 1973, then $8 oil, then $15 oil in 1985, then $25 oil and NOW we have run out of $50 oil.

When it comes to investing, smaller is better! The smaller independent energy companies discover over 65% of all oil fields, not the major oil companies. The

majors have left behind thousands of smaller oil fields, which are now becoming valuable high producing resources for the small independents. There will be only an 8 to 10 year window of opportunity for those to create great wealth before we will have sufficient new larger reserves.

Conrad Negron Host of “Lets Talk Money” Listen at www.conradnegron.com

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): In his novel Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut describes a character, Ned Lingamon, who “had a penis eight hundred miles long and two hundred and ten miles in diameter, but practically all of it was in the fourth dimension.” If there is any part of you that metaphorically resembles Lingamon, Aries, the coming months will be a favorable time to fix the problem. You finally have sufficient power and wisdom and feistiness to start expressing your latent capacities in practical ways...to manifest your hidden beauty in a tangible form...to bring your purely fourth-dimensional aspects all the way into the third dimension.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Novelist E. L. Doctorow says that the art of writing “is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” This realistic yet hopeful assessment is true of many challenges, not just writing. The big picture of what you’re trying to accomplish is often obscure.

You wish you had the comfort of knowing exactly what you’re doing every step of the way, but it seems that all you’re allowed to know is the next step. Every now and then, however, you are blessed with an exception to the rule. Suddenly you get a glimpse of the whole story you’re embedded in.

It’s like you’re standing on a mountaintop drinking in the vast view of what lies behind you and before you. I suspect that this is one of those times for you, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Most people have numerous items in their closet that they never wear.

Is that true for you? Why? Do you think you will eventually come to like them again, even though you don’t now? Are you hoping that by keeping them around you can avoid feeling remorse about having wasted money? Do you fantasize that the uncool stuff will come back into fashion? In accordance with the astrological omens, Gemini, I invite you to stage an all-out purge. Admit the truth to yourself about what clothes no longer work for you, and get rid of them. While you’re at it, why not carry out a similar cleanup in other areas of your life?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Nothing was ever created by two men,” wrote John Steinbeck in his novel *East of Eden.* “There are no good collaborations, whether in music, in art, in poetry, in mathematics, in philosophy. Once the miracle of creation has taken place, the group can build and extend it, but the group never invents anything. The preciousness lies in the lonely mind of a man.” In my view, this statement is delusional nonsense. And it’s especially inapt for you in the coming weeks. In fact, the only success that will have any lasting impact will be the kind that you instigate in tandem with an ally or allies you respect.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I live in Northern California, where an extended drought led to water-rationing for much of 2014. But in December, a series of downpours arrived to replenish the parched landscape. Now bursts of white wildflowers have erupted along my favorite hiking trails.

They’re called shepherd’s purse. Herbalists say this useful weed can be made into an ointment that eases pain and heals wounds. I’d like to give you a metaphorical version of this good stuff. You could use some support in alleviating the psychic aches and pangs you’re feeling. Any ideas about how to get it? Brainstorm. Ask questions. Seek help.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Actress Uzo Aduba’s formal first name is Uzoamaka. She tells the story about how she wanted to change it when she was a kid. One day she came home and said, “Mommy, can you call me Zoe?” Her mother asked her why, and she said, “Because no one can say Uzoamaka.”

Mom was quick to respond: “If they can learn to say Tchaikovsky, Dostoevsky, and Michelangelo, they can learn to say Uzoamaka.” The moral of the story, as far as you’re concerned: This is no time to suppress your quirks and idiosyncrasies. That’s rarely a good idea, but especially now. Say NO to making yourself more generic.

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Doug Von Koss leads groups of people in sing-alongs. You don’t have to be an accomplished vocalist to be part of his events, nor is it crucial that you know the lyrics and melodies to a large repertoire of songs. He strives to foster a “perfection-free zone.” I encourage you to dwell in the midst of your own personal perfectionfree zone everywhere you go this week, Libra. You need a break from the pressure to be smooth, sleek, and savvy. You have a poetic license to be innocent, loose, and a bit messy. At least temporarily, allow yourself the deep pleasure of ignoring everyone’s expectations and demands.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “I dream of lost vocabularies that might express some of what we no longer can,” wrote Jack Gilbert in his poem “The Forgotten Dialects of the Heart.” Judging from the current astrological omens, I’d say that you are close to accessing some of those lost vocabularies.

You’re more eloquent than usual. You have an enhanced power to find the right words to describe mysterious feelings and subtle thoughts. As a result of your expanded facility with language, you may be able to grasp truths that have been out of reach before now.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “If you have built castles in the air,” said philosopher Henry David Thoreau, “your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” That may seem like a backward way to approach the building process: erecting the top of the structure first, and later the bottom. But I think this approach is more likely to work for you than it is for any other sign of the zodiac. And now is an excellent time to attend to such a task.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Songwriter RB Morris wrote a fanciful poem in which he imagines a smart mockingbird hearing rock and roll music for the first time. “When Mockingbird first heard rock / He cocked his head and crapped / What in the hell is that? / It sounded like a train wreck / Someone was screaming / Someone’s banging on garbage cans.”

Despite his initial alienation, Mockingbird couldn’t drag himself away. He stayed to listen. Soon he was spellbound. “His blood pounded and rolled.”

Next thing you know, Mockingbird and his friends are making raucous music themselves -- “all for the love of that joyful noise.” I foresee a comparable progression for you in the coming weeks, Capricorn.

What initially disturbs you may ultimately excite you -- maybe even fulfill you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Do you recall the opening scene of Lewis Carroll’s story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Alice is sitting outside on a hot day, feeling bored, when a White Rabbit scurries by. He’s wearing a coat and consulting a watch as he talks to himself. She follows him, even when he jumps into a hole in the ground. Her descent takes a long time. On the way down, she passes cupboards and bookshelves and other odd sights. Not once does she feel fear. Instead, she makes careful observations and thinks reasonably about her unexpected trip. Finally she lands safely.

As you do your personal equivalent of falling down the rabbit hole, Aquarius, be as poised and calm as Alice. Think of it as an adventure, not a crisis, and an adventure it will be.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You are positively oceanic these days. You are vast and deep, restless and boundless, unruly and unstoppable. As much as it’s possible for a human being to be, you are ageless and fantastical. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could communicate telepathically and remember your past lives and observe the invisible world in great detail. I’m tempted to think of you as omnidirectional and omniscient, as well as polyrhythmic and polymorphously perverse. Dream big, you crazy wise dreamer.

Homework: Write a summary of the great task you plan to accomplish in 2015. Tell me about it at Truthrooster@gmail.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

January 8 to January 14, 2015

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH

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s our own worst critic, we are quick to recognize our shortcomings. A simple question… do you accept yourself as you are? Self-acceptance is looking introspectively. Accepting who you are, not trying to be someone other than yourself. Falsifying your own character is not being true to yourself or others. In other words, living a lie or a fantasy.

Did you know that accepting who we truly are, and all of our experiences, is the greatest gift and our direct route to happiness? One way to experience total acceptance of self is to open our hearts. There may be challenge found in this task by many. Why? We are conditioned from birth that love must come from someone or something outside us.

We think it must be earned. If we were to seek inward rather than trying to obtain gratification from people, places or things, we can experience self-acceptance and reward.

Let’s take a look at the EGO. A healthy ego is acceptable. Yet, an aggressive ego can be the root of your personal destruction. The unchecked ego can and usually will reap a negative reaction and consequence to self and the one inflicted. Famous people are well known for struggling with egoism. Recently I heard a quote, “Fame is the wrong idea of who you are.” Certainly I am not discounting that one should display a positive opinion about one’s self. Keeping yourself in perspective and remaining humble will enable you from becoming overly proud of yourself.

Loving yourself is essential in your ability

to love others. Self-acceptance is also another way of loving your self. Much of our conquest for love and self-acceptance is sought out as if they are commodities that can be acquired.

Look around and listen… if I just had that car, house, job, then I would be happy. All of the commodities are transitory. The true crime of this desperation, we miss living in the present.

Live your life by experience. Do so without resistance, analysis, manipulation or control.

Imagine how the quality of your life could change if you began to accept who you are. Bring more awareness to how you are living, what you are doing, and why you are engaging in such tasks.

Bringing awareness, acceptance and maintaining an open-heart will allow you to stay in the present. The quality of this experience alone can and will transform you from the inside out. Love will flourish within and self-acceptance can blossom.

The more we accept our self, the more we will understand that we are the love we are seeking.

Love yourself wholeheartedly. You have everything to gain. Others will be attracted to you simply because you are genuine. It’s not what you gather, but what you scatter that reaps reward.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. www.e-volveyoga.com (760)564-YOGA(9642) 50-991 Washington St, La Quinta 92253

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

Life & career Coach

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Sunny Simon

Mindfulness Mission

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hen my friend Cathy phoned and said she was not attending the New Year’s Eve party, I was perplexed. Cathy is a fun-loving extrovert who loves to socialize and have a good time.

My friend sadly explained the reason for her absence was of a physical nature. In a clumsy moment she tripped over a cord in her office and fell breaking her right shoulder and left kneecap. Ouch! When I inquired if she was in a hurry when the stumble took place, Cathy admitted she had no excuse other than lack of attention to her movements.

Certainly accidents happen but the root cause of most can be attributed to a human factor. In our hectic life pace we are overwhelmed with information overload and easily become distracted. The onslaught of messages continually telegraphed to our busy brains can drive us from a singular focus resulting in thinking about one thing while attempting to accomplish another. Our cultural label for it is multitasking, but let’s gets serious people; we all know the term is merely a deception. Trying to divide our attention between two tasks at once is futile. In his book, “The Myth of Multitasking: How Doing it All Gets Nothing Done,” author Dave Crenshaw illustrates in the form of a modern day fable that multitasking actually damages productivity and relationships at work and at home.

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I agree with Crenshaw. To establish a more peaceful existence, we must reduce distractions. The solution is to practice mindfulness which according to clinical psychologist Dr. Elisha Goldstein is, “the ability to intentionally pay attention to the present moment without our filters of judgment (good/ bad, right/wrong, fair/unfair.) The art of being mindful is not rocket science, but incorporating any good habit into our day-to-day activities, takes practice.

If you mentally launch into a laundry list of everything you need to accomplish the moment you open your eyes each morning, it’s time to make some adjustments. Start the day by calming your mind with slow, deep breathing for a few minutes before letting your feet hit the ground. Check in with yourself periodically throughout the day. Are you running on autopilot or practicing awareness and staying in the moment? If you are feeling tense, reel yourself back in by observing a silent moment.

None of us can totally eliminate stress; however it is possible to respond to pressures in a calm manner by being fully present. Keep working at it. I promise you it will reduce accidents, increase clarity of mind and improve your zest for life.

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

beauty

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 8 to January 14, 2015

by dr maria lombardo

Dr. Maria Lombardo, Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery is located in Rancho Mirage.

She specializes in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures including (but not limited to) facial, body and breast surgery, Botox, Latisse, and hCG diet program.

For a consultation or more information, visit www.lombardocosmeticsurgery.com or call 760-610-8990. Dr. Lombardo will be writing a bi-weekly column for CV Weekly.

What exactly is the HCG diet?

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t’s been around for years, since the 1950’s to be exact. We’ve all heard about it but what is it and how does it work? HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is a hormone produced during pregnancy. One of its functions is to ensure the growing fetus receives enough nutrients to grow and develop normally.

It allows the mother’s body to use stored body fat for nutrients and energy despite her intake. This is why women can have “morning sickness”, not eat and the baby does not suffer. Pregnancy is the only time HCG is found in the body.

Dr. ATW Simeons discovered in the 1950’s that small doses of HCG given to overweight individuals (men and women) decreased their appetite, and made them lose inches specifically around their hips, thighs, buttocks and stomachs. Today millions of people have used HCG for weight loss. The HCG Diet has also been used for weight loss in obese persons as well as those wanting to shed a few unhealthy or unwanted pounds.

However it is used, the HCG diet weight loss program works.

How Does It Work?

When HCG is taken, the body is able to tap into its stored fat and utilize it. When combined with a calorie restriction diet, the person is subsisting more on their stored fat than on what they are eating. They are burning 3500-4000 calories of stored fat daily, which can amount to losing about 1 pound every day!

Many people want to know if they can be comfortable on a calorie restriction diet of 500 calories per day. One of the benefits of HCG is that a person can feel comfortable eating only 500 calories per day while taking the HCG injections. While on the HCG diet, appetite is suppressed and most patients feel as if they are stuffing themselves on

500 calories a day. Trying this very low calorie diet without the use of HCG would lead to trouble within 2-3 days. Side effects of starving yourself include insomnia, lethargy, headaches, loss of mental clarity, severe fatigue, and on and on! While on the HCG diet patients sleep sounder and usually feel better than they did before they started the HCG diet.

What Can I Expect?

If the protocol is followed, you can expect to lose 1-2 pounds per day – an average of 20 pounds lost by the 23rd day. A person on the HCG diet can expect to eat 500 calories a day of protein, fruits and vegetables.

The HCG is injected daily for 23 days. The program can be followed for 40 days in some cases. Maintenance after the diet is important. The HCG Diet is considered one of the fastest and safest ways to lose weight and keep it off. It’s not just quick weight loss.

The HCG diet is a new way of eating food and a new way of thinking about health.

If you are interested in learning more about the HCG program call Dr. Maria Lombardo at 760-610-8990 to schedule an appointment today!

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

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January 8 to January 14, 2015

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