Coachella Valley Weekly - January 14 to January 20, 2021 Vol. 9 No. 44

coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 14 to January 20, 2021 Vol.9 No.44

Cholla Cactus Garden

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CV Music Awards Winners

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Matthew Sweet

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M.O.R.E. Act

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January 14 to January 20, 2021

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Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Kirby Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Head Music Writer Noe Gutierrez Head Feature Writer Crystal Harrell Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Esther Sanchez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Sam DiGiovanna, Dale Gribow, Denise Ortuno Neil, Rob Brezny, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dee Jae Cox, Angela Romeo, Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Aimee Mosco, Michelle Anne Rizzio, Ruth Hill, Madeline Zuckerman Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Videographer Kurt Schawacker Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS CREATE Center For The Arts ................. 3-5 Travel Tips 4 U - Cholla Cactus Garden... 6

CREATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS –

NEW LOCATION IN PALM DESERT

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t is difficult to plan an escape these days to ease your mind from the growing state of the pandemic. However, artistic expression is an alternative that can bring peace to the soul and momentary distraction.

The CREATE Center for the Arts has relocated to the Venus Studios building in Palm Desert, providing a place to unleash your creativity during these strange times.

The CREATE Center was founded in October of 2016, originally located at Morningstar Plaza on Fred Waring across from the Civic Center in Palm Desert. The CREATE Center had been on the search for a new location for the past two years, beginning by subleasing space for classes and events from Venus Studios on Hwy. 111 in Palm Desert. When the ‘For Lease’ sign went

up at the former Venus De Fido building, opportunity arose.

“CREATE had looked at other buildings in the past that the landlord Lindi Biggi had for lease that didn't end up fitting our needs.

This building has everything we were hoping for and more. Lindi, being a visionary herself, saw the potential for what we are offering the community and gave us an opportunity to set up shop in her beautiful facility,” said the Founder and Executive Director of CREATE, Debra Mumm.

The CREATE Center is home to dedicated studios for different artistic disciplines: printmaking and screen printing, drawing and painting, fiber arts and textiles, photography and darkroom, video, digital design (which includes Virtual Reality and 3D printing),

January 14 to January 20, 2021

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

gardening, spa services, including a salt cave, saunas, hot tub and massage, an event room, outdoor patio and a café.

Between the retail art supply store and all of the studio equipment, it has taken some time for the CREATE Center team to sort through their inventory and put everything in place while relocating. The printmaking studio, drawing and painting studio, and the film/video studio and retail are among the first sections of the Center to open. The art supply and video broadcasting are essential services, and they are the first features up and running until state health recommendations change in California.

“What I love most about CREATE is that it is inspiring. There are so many things for creative people to choose from, and all of the departments feed each other. For instance, we do 3D printing for printmaking, for the textile department, and camera mounts for film. The darkroom is a fantastic tool for screen printers. I love learning stuff, and CREATE provides opportunity to learn new things every day. CREATE is where tradition meets technology. It is a super fun and interesting place to hang out, especially if you like to experiment,” explained Mumm.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of the programs at the CREATE Center are currently on hold. For safety measures, the facility has touchless automatic doors in the entry and sanitizer when visitors come in, as well as in all program areas. Once programs return, all participants that will be in the building for studio sessions will have a temperature check. All visitors will be logged for contact tracing purposes. Hightouch areas will also be sanitized often. The spacious interior of the building will enable the CREATE Center to provide services with plenty of social distancing. Properly worn continue to page 5

CV Music Awards 2020 Winners ........... 7-8 Consider This - Matthew Sweet.............. 9 Screeners ................................................. 10 The Vino Voice ........................................ 11 Pet Place ............................................ 12-13 Haddon Libby ......................................... 14 Dale Gribow ............................................ 14 Cannabis Corner ..................................... 15 Safety Tips ............................................... 15 Health - Keto ........................................... 16 Free Will Astrology ................................ 16

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CREATE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

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in the garage in the back of the CREATE Center within the next year. The goal is to maintain the 3000-square foot space and not only preserve tradition, but also marry it with technology and take fine art and craft to new levels.

The community can support the CREATE Center for the Arts by shopping for their

TRAVEL TIPS4U

January 14 to January 20, 2021

new art supplies, as they have a thoughtful selection of made-in-the-USA products and supplies for students. When you shop art supplies at CREATE, you support a local nonprofit.

“The most important thing is that this is all possible because of our community.

Memberships, donations, programs and

grants are what keep us going. It is a challenging time for everyone and even though we have a fantastic new facility and an amazing staff, it still requires a significant amount of funding to keep things rolling,” stated Mumm.

To learn more about the CREATE Center for the Arts, visit createcentercv.org.

TREE NATIONAL PARK CHOLLA CACTUS GARDEN JOSHUA

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holla Cactus Garden is one of Joshua Tree National Park’s one-of-a-kind features. Located at the merger of the upper Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert, this level quarter-mile loop provides access to an intense concentration of cholla cacti.

Perhaps the cutest cactus on the planet, the cholla has been nicknamed the teddy bear cactus, but this is one teddy bear you do not want to hug! The cactus is covered in spines that will latch in to your skin on the slightest touch. This defense mechanism is effective for desert survival but can create an unpleasant experience for those who don’t stick to the trail.

A pamphlet at the trailhead provides more information about this unique desert plant.

The short easy hike through Cholla Cactus

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

Garden is well worth the stop.

Joshua Tree National Park is open every day, year round. Oasis & Joshua Tree Visitor Centers are open from 8AM to 5PM daily.

Cottonwood Visitor Center is open from 9AM to 3PM. Think DayTrip and Enjoy the Teddy Bears!

Lynne Tucker - A Passion 4 Photography 818.298.7007 Contributing Writer and Photographer for: CV Weekly (Coachella Valley) The Tolucan Times (San Fernando Valley) Conservation Ambassador for The Living Desert

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THE 8TH ANNUAL CV MUSIC AWARDS 2020 – THANKS YOU ALL!

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would like to thank everyone who tuned in to watch the CV Music Awards this past Sunday night.

While we had a couple small glitches, I feel the show came off well and was a success considering we’ve never had to do it like that before. Several people helped me pull this off, especially my amazingly talented Art Director, Robert Chance, who did all the awesome graphics and recorded many of the acceptance speeches in my back yard last week. He also provided all the footage/montages for the Special Awards and the moving tribute to our dear friend BB Ingle.

Thanks to Brian Champagne of Vivid Staging, who was on top of his game making us look so good and keeping the streaming on point along with his team. Thank you for letting us host our awards there. We were definitely in good hands. Chelsea & Johnny Sugarbritches stepped in to assist with several things that night and it was much appreciated.

BY TRACY DIETLIN

A big thank you to all of our sponsors: Mandy Calvano, owner of Custom Care Solutions; Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino, CEO Paul Ryan; Big Rock Pub owner Ken Hanna; Vincent Battaglia, owner of Renova Energy; and Mark Gregg & Misty Howell.

Without you the awards would not have been possible. We also appreciate the discount on the awards that owner Elaine Holmes from PJ’s Trophies gave us.

Much appreciation to the bands that performed live for us: Mega Sun featuring Mikey Reyes; The After Lashes; Lisa Lynn & The Broken Hallelujahs; Krystofer Do; and Derek Jordan Gregg. Thank you to all the video performances: Josh & Linda Heinz “Live From the Living Room”; Michael Keeth “Live From the Road”; Doug Van Sant & Meagan Van Dyke; Mark Gregg and Misty Howell; Empty Seat; Throw The Goat; Slim Man; and Keisha D. Everyone delivered topnotch performances.

A personal thank you to “my man” Phil Lacombe and my wonderful daughter

Michelle Brewer for their unwavering support during my efforts to pull this all together. Congratulations to all the winners.

If you missed the show on Sunday you can still go to our Facebook, YouTube, Twitter or Twitch and re-watch it.

Facebook: fb.watch/2-fnkeBKGL YouTube: youtu.be/Z62-hu5SJQw Periscope via Twitter: pscp.tv/ w/1RDxlPwneQzxL Twitch: pscp.tv/w/1RDxlPwneQzxL

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CVMAs

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– And the winners are: Best Adult Contemporary – Denny Pezzin Best Alternative Band – Empty Seat Best Band – Cakes & The Assholes Best Bass – Serene Noell Best Blues – John Stanley King Best Country – Lisa Lynn Morgan & Broken Hallelujahs Best Cover Band – Wildskye Best DJ – Guy Worden Best Radio DJ – Chase Martinez Best Drummer – Ali Saenz Best Duo – Dougie Van Sant & Meagan Van Dyke Best Female Vocalist – Meagan Van Dyke Best Folk/Americana – Derek Jordan Gregg Best Frontman – Martin Posada Best Frontwoman – Monica Morones Best Guitar – Brad Garrow Best Instrumental – Sergio Villegas Best Jazz Vocals – Slim Man Best Keyboard – Andy Cahan Best Live Performance Band – Cakes & The Assholes Best Male Vocalist – Derek Jordan Gregg

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Best Metal Band – When Tides Turn Best New Band – Israel’s Arcade Best Promoter – Mr. Miami Best Punk Band – Throw the Goat Best R&B – Krystofer Do Best Rap/Hip Hop – Xpression Best Reggae – Desert Rhythm Project Best Rock Band – Waxy (tie) Best Rock Band – Giselle woo & The Night Owls (tie) Best Singer/Songwriter – Derek Jordan Gregg Best Youth Band – Pescaterritory Best Album – Slim Man “Live at Vicky’s” Best Premier Live Music Destination “Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino” Trailblazer Award – Armando Flores Pioneer Award – Tony Tornay

ICON Award – Keisha D Lifetime Achievement Award – Kal David & Lauri Bono Live From the Living Room – Josh & Linda Heinz Live From the Road – Michael Keeth Best Live Music Event – Concert for Autism Best Sound Engineer – Nigel Dettelbach Best Radio Station – 93.7 KCLB Best Producer – David Williams Best Photographer – Iris Hall Best Venue – Pappy & Harriet’s Best Song – “Won’t Wait” by Empty Seat (tie) Best Song – “House of Cocaine” by Derek Jordan Gregg (tie)

January 14 to January 20, 2021

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January 14 to January 20, 2021

CONSIDER THIS

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t’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 30 years since Matthew Sweet released his watershed album “Girlfriend.”

Crisp and angular, the melodies echoed seminal influences like the Beatles, Big Star, R.E.M. and Neil Young. The lyrics chronicled the heartache, bitterness and regret, following the dissolution of his marriage. A surprise hit, it was critically and commercially successful, going into heavy rotation on MTV and receiving radio airplay on taste-making stations like KROQ and KCRW. He had been playing music professionally for nearly a decade, and it was finally paying off.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Sidney Matthew Sweet became obsessed with music at an early age and by high school he writing and recording his own music and playing in a band called The Specs. By the time he was fronting The Dialtones he managed to meet his new favorite band, R.E.M., and became penpals with their front-man Michael Stipe The connection motivated him to attend summer school in their hometown, Athens, Georgia.

He quickly became part of Athens’ thriving music scene, connecting with bands like Pylon, Love Tractor and The B-52’s. He spent his only semester of college at University Of Georgia, before dropping out and pursuing music fulltime. He briefly worked on a side-project with R.E.M. vocalist Michael Stipe before forming Oh-Ok with Michael’s sister, Lynda, and drummer David Pierce. Soon he and David branched off with Buzz Of Delight. Both bands came to the attention of Columbia Records, who offered Matthew a solo deal.

By the mid-‘80s, Matthew was newly married and living in New York. His debut, “Inside,” arrived in 1986 and received decent reviews, but stalled commercially.

His profile raised considerably when he added bass and vocals to the No Wave/ New Wave supergroup, Golden Palominos.

Led by Anton Fier, it featured a rotating line-up that included Michael Stipe, Syd Straw, ex-Sex Pistols vocalist John Lydon and T-Bone Burnett.

His second solo album, “Earth” was released via A&M. Much like his debut, Matthew played nearly everything, receiving some superstar assists from guitarist Robert Quine (Lou Reed, Richard Hell) and bassist Richard Lloyd (Television).

Again, reviews were great, but that didn’t translate to increased sales. Unfortunately, that was the least of his problems. Not only was his marriage coming apart at the seams, A&M cut their losses and dropped him from the label, plus his house had flooded, destroying all his guitars and albums.

After spending some time on the road playing bass in Lloyd Cole’s band, Matthew got down to business. Sometimes great art is borne out of great pain, such was the case with “Girlfriend.” Enlisting Robert Quine and Richard Lloyd again,

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“CATSPAW” RECORDINGS) MATTHEW SWEET (OMNIVORE

the expanded roster included Lloyd Cole on guitar, multi-instrumentalist Greg Liesz and drummer Ric Menck. Co-produced by Fred Maher, he created a Punky PowerPop masterpiece. After touring extensively behind the album, he relocated to Los Angeles.

For the rest of the decade he cranked out a series of brilliant albums, 1993’s ragged rocker “Altered Beast,” 1995’s “100% Fun” was a potent combo-platter of Power Pop and alt.rock. “Blue Sky Mars” arrived in 1997, using Baroque Pop and Psychedelia as a musical blueprint.

Two years later, “In Reverse” revealed his affinity for Phil Spector-flavored Wall-OfSound production.

After a wildly prolific decade, Matthew dialed it back a bit at the beginning of the 21st century, collaborating with kindred spirits.

In 2002 he teamed with singer-songwriters Pete Droge and Shawn Mullins, forming The Thorns, a Crosby, Stills & Nash inspired trio that concentrated on close harmonies and sharp acoustic instrumentation.

Having always enjoyed a massive following in Japan, in 2003, he rewarded those fans with the Japanese-only release of “Kim Ga Suki *Raifu” an album of Garage-y rockers.

The following year he switched gears with the mostly acoustic “Living Things.”

Having collaborated with ex-Bangle Susanna Hoffs on a song for the first “Austin Powers” film, the pair reunited in 2006 as “Sid n’ Susie” and recorded “Under The Covers.” Something of a busman’s holiday, the album featured their take on 15 of their favorite songs from the ‘60s.

Their vocal blend landed somewhere between Sonny & Cher and Nancy Sintra’s duets with Lee Hazelwood. In between two more solo efforts, 2008’s “Sunshine Lies” and 2011’s “Modern Art” He and Susannah returned to the well for a volume two of favorite ‘70s songs and a third volume concentrating on the ‘80s. Matthew also produced the Bangles’ “Sweetheart Of The Sun” album.

After decades in Los Angeles, Matthew and his wife Lisa pulled up stakes and returned to his home state, buying a house in Nebraska large enough to include a recording studio. There he began recording his 12th solo album, the superlative “Tomorrow Forever.” Sadly, in the midst of that process, his mother passed away.

Released in 2017, “Tomorrow Forever” was hailed as his most assured and satisfying effort since “Girlfriend.”

Less than a year later, he returned with “Tomorrow’s Daughter.” Made up of outtakes from the “..Forever” sessions, the record contained as many harmonies and hooks as it’s predecessor. He capped off 2018 with the Record Store Day vinyl only, release, “Wicked System Of Things” that paid homage to antecedents like Cheap Trick, The Shoes and The Raspberries.

Now he has emerged with his 15th solo album, “Catspaw.” Surprisingly strippeddown, it features longtime collaborator

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

Ric Menck on drums and Matthew on, well, everything else. The album kicks into gear with the primordial crunch of “Blown Away.” A bludgeoning beat crashes down with Hammer-Of-The-Gods intensity, swaddled by plinky keys, menacing bass and guitars that strafe and sting. Sighing vocals almost leaven feelings of discontent and ennui; “Is there anything to know that I don’t know, I don’t know/Was there anywhere to go I didn’t go, I didn’t go.”

Guitars burrow and skronk on the break, allowing Matthew to unleash his inner Crazy Horse.

The ‘60s are alive and well on both “Hold On Tight” and “Give A Little.” The former opens with the same cluster of comforting chords that characterized the Youngbloods seminal anthem for peace, “Get Together.” But latticed on top, in typical Matthew fashion, are lead riffs that wail and yowl, nearly undercutting bucolic lyrics like “Deep inside you there’s a heart that never sleeps, it listens for the joy as willows weep.”

On the latter, biting lyrics take a smug cynic to task, but offers some tough love; “Everybody likes you, but it don’t excite you, everybody wants you but it’s not a game you play, you play/So you’ve seen it all, why can’t you see it’s all new, say you’ve gone away but I’m not going to write you off, write you off.” Brittle guitars bob and weave between verses, but the lithe chorus shares some musical DNA with an unlikely source, “Open Up Your Heart (And Let The Sunshine In),” which was sung by Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm on an episode of “The Flintstones.”

The best tracks here unfurl one after the next, offering Matthew’s patented synthesis of Power Pop, Country Rock and Baroque Psychedelia. “Challenge The Gods” questions conventional concerns, refusing to back down. Anchored by a pile-driving beat, guitars shapeshift, spiky one moment, shimmery the next. Grit and determination underscore defiant lyrics like “Rise above, take your place, punch the world in the face.”

“Come Home” is powered by spiraling guitars, angular bass lines and a kick-drum beat. The lyrics offer a lonely encomium to his absent spouse; “When I wake up and recall, drag myself out of the bed, every

time feels like I fall, even farther than I’ve been/I remember how it feels to be lost without you, when are you gonna come home, when are you gonna come home?”

The guitar solo on the break is a mosaic of sound and color, mirroring the lyrics’ restless melancholia.

The Countrified “Drifting” is a blend of burnished guitars, sepia-tone bass and a walloping big beat. A climatized carpe diem, lyrics like “Seize the moment now, it doesn’t matter what you say, hold without asking how this came to be...the time fills with seasons our lives all the same, oh you’re in the wind, you’re in the sun, you’re in the sun,” feel wildly apropos during these precarious days.

Meanwhile, on “The Best Of Me” elastic guitar riffs crest over prowling bass and a chunky rhythm. The quiet confidence of the melody, arrangement and instrumentation can’t camouflage lyrics that simply throb with self-doubt, regret and recrimination.

Matthew’s still boyish tenor is awash in insecurity as he wonders “What if the best of me isn’t good enough, and any world that doesn’t have me is better off without/ What if my fear says all there is to say about the rest of me.”

Other interesting tracks include the dissonant see-saw of “At A Loss,” the cantilevered Country-tinged/ Power Pop of “No Surprise” and the astral love song, “Stars Explode.” The record reaches the finish line with the one-two punch of “Coming Soon” and “Parade Of Lights.”

Despite the jaunty melody and buoyant vocals on “Coming Soon,” the lyrics offer a mixed message; “You’ve arrived to bring about the end of the world, I’m about to make you mine, you’re about to see me as I want to be seen, so I’m already feeling high.” Rev’d up guitars hug the melody’s hairpin turns as honeyed harmonies insist, “life is but a dream.” Finally, “Parade…” exits with more of a bang, than a whimper. Squally guitars skitter and spark, bookended by loose-limbed bass and a punishing beat. Vocals and guitars intertwine, urging us “right back to where you’ve been.”

“Catspaw” is dense and intricate, recalling the AOR sheen of ‘70s hitmakers like Boston, Peter Frampton and Kansas.

Essentially, the music he couldn’t help but absorb as a teenager, holed up in his room writing his earliest songs, woodshedding on the bass and dreaming of a career in Rock & Roll.

Decades later, having achieved those goals, it feels wholly apropos and sweetly symmetrical that his first real solo effort was created in his home studio, in his native state. Worlds colliding in the nicest possible way.

SCREENERS

LOVE AND MONSTERS Director Michael Matthews fun and timely diversion stars a charming Dylan O’Brien trekking through 80 miles of post-apocalyptic monster-invaded landscape to find his girlfriend.

This is the rarest kind of movie these days: An immensely entertaining and hugely imaginative, imaginative, emotional, modest

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No. 457

FUN DIVERSIONS

budgeted yet genre-mashing action-adventure that satisfies.

Set seven years after the Monsterpocalypse, Joel Dawson (O’Brien), along with the rest of humanity, has retreated to living underground when giant creatures took control of the land.

Reconnecting over the radio with his high school girlfriend, Aimee, who lives 80 miles away at a coastal colony, Joel begins to fall in love with her again. When Joel realizes there's nothing left for him underground, he venture out to Aimee, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way. But trues to the old saying, “love always finds a way.”

This obscure film you have probably never heard of, is worth finding. Trust me on this.

Paramount. Blu-ray.

GUN CRAZY: Collector’s Edition Great packaging that mimics a used VHS box sets the mood for Tamra Davis’ 1992 directorial debut.

Since Anita Minteer (Drew Barrynore) was nine, every man she ever met has wanted only one thing. But when she becomes pen pals with imprisoned convict Howard Hickock (James LeGros), she gains self-confidence and sees a possible escape from the torment of her everyday life.

Howard’s infatuation with guns drives anta to them as well. But with this newfound strength in her hands, she murders her

January 14 to January 20, 2021

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

sexually abusive guardian. Now with Howard out one parole and the cops on her their trail, there can be no turning back. In the style of the real Bonnie and Clyde, this surprisingly satisfying little film unblinkingly tells the story of two young lovers on the run from the law.

Generous and fascinating extras include a director’s commentary and 5 behind-thescenes/making-of featurettes.

Although sharing the same title, this is not a remake of great 1950 cult classic film noir by Joseph Lewis that starred Peggy Cummins and the always-grinning John Doll.

created and hosted by Rod Serling transported viewers into another dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A worldwide phenomenon, fans were sent on a journey into a wondrous land of imagination, and the series continues to be an inspiration for pushing the boundaries of storytelling. As an innovator of genre programming, TZ explored humanity’s hopes, despairs, prides and prejudices in perspectives that are underserved in conventional television.

A modern reinvention of the classic TV series, TZ S2 continues the legacy of socially conscious storytelling. Using introspection and self-exploration in the second season, viewers are ushered into a dimension filled with endless possibilities.

The new TZ series, has its moments, especially in the quality of the effects, but it is not in the same league as the original. Not sure why the box art seems to show an abandoned outhouse left in a field. CBS/Paramount. DVD. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

TWILIGHT ZONE Season Two Executive produced and hosted by Oscar® Winner Jordan Peele (Get Out), the CBS All Access original series second season arrives in a three disc (DVD) collection that features all 10 twisted and -- in a few instances -- mindboggling episodes of the sophomore season, including “Downtime,” which was written

by Peele, and “You Might Also Like,” hailed as a “pure masterpiece” (Indie Wire). Plus, bonus features include exclusive deleted and extended scenes and a gag reel. Season Two will also be available on Blu-ray via MOD (Manufacture On Demand) at a later date.

Originally airing in 1959, the iconic show

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THE VINO VOICE

January 14 to January 20, 2021

BY RICK RIOZZA

CHEAP BUBBLY ON THE BOUNCE

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reetings & Salutations! We wound down our column “last year” (2020 could we forget!) with a reporting on celebratory sparkling wines for the holidays.

And just because we’re now on this side of the new year, I see no reason to cease and desist from enjoying even more bubbly. It’s fresh, lively and fun—all of which is what we can use in large doses.

Three weeks ago, we set our imaginations high as we enthralled our minds living the lush life frothing it up with French Champagne.

This time, we’re coming back down to earth as we discuss one of the most reasonably priced sparklers on the market. We’ll call it “cheap bubbly” only in the sense that it is inexpensive; no one reading this column is interested in cheap tasting stuff when there’s so much better around.

And the winner of the season’s best tasting bubbly for the “best” price is Alma Brut White Sparkling Wine. At $4.99 a bottle, and all the way from Brazil, it can’t be beat. “This refreshing Sparkling wine is bursting with flavors of green apple and citrus intermingled with aromas of toasted bread. Light-bodied and dry, this wine would be a great addition for any occasion!” That was the selling spiel from Total Wines over the holidays. And even though I think Total Wines often puffs up their “Winery Direct” stuff, I agree with them on the Alma Brut—which is made from a tasty blend of (dry) Moscato and Trebbiano. So how can you farm a vineyard, produce a very good sparkler, bottle it, and send it over from Brazil at less than five bucks?

Well generally, that’s the wonderful state of affairs to look forward to whilst playing the 2021 game of wine. The new school of young winemakers learning well and appreciating history is such a breath of fresh air! It’s the international gustatory fun & games as we look to the world for decent camaraderie.

There are still a lot of folks out there that have not recognized Brazil as a major wine producing country. But Brazil is the fifth largest producer of wine in the Southern Hemisphere.

And if you’re doing the geography/math thing— here’s a huge clue: Brazil produces more wine than New Zealand!

For certain the “new” wine trade in Brazil has wonderfully regenerated itself in the past 20 years, but remember, colonized by the Portuguese, the first vines introduced to Brazil was back in 1532. With the arrival of Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, it was realized that the south of Brazil was ideal for grape growing.

Many Italian, French and Spanish varietals were planted and experimented with tasty results.

Sparkling wines utilizing Italian varietals such as Moscato and Trebbiano were up and coming.

And—of course, I have a story to tell: Right around 1985 or so, I came across a case of Brazilian Cabernet Sauvignon that was being sold by the “new” Trader Joe’s Market just opened in Costa Mesa California. I remember the price being ridiculously low; the new manager couldn’t even sell one bottle, so he sold cases off on the penny just to make space.

I tried it out and thought it a decent quaff— even at its original price at $12 a bottle, and it was a bargain and a half at the reduced price.

I was so impressed by it that I took it over to a new acquaintance of mine, a master craftsman,

and wine lover, living in Laguna Beach, who was just celebrating retirement from years of teaching woodwork arts at Fullerton Junior College.

I had just found out that he and his wife had purchased a vineyard up in Sonoma County, up in hills above Guerneville. I surely wished to impress him with my wine acumen (as in, “Hey Rick why don’t you come up and stay at our vineyard property) and he actually took the time from his party to sit and consider the Brazilian Cab. He did appreciate the wine and, later, did indeed invite me over to check out his new surrounds up in Sonoma. And here’s the funny thing: his new four-acre vineyard was planted with Pinot Noir. (As we know, Pinot Noir from the Russian River AVA is the ticket!). However, my friend was told by many of his neighbors to pull out the mature Pinot and re-plant with the “new kid in town”—Merlot. He did and his dreams of producing a wine were put back five years. But he had a beautiful spot and a beautiful house.

He also had a beautiful woodworking shed and he had imported a master Danish wood carving machine for him to continue in the arts.

Sometime thereafter, we heard that he had sliced off all his fingers in his operative hand.

Such a terrible thing to hear. He had them sewn back and went through months of therapy. And when I had gone back up to visited him, one of the first things he asked about was whether I had anymore Brazilian Cab with me!

As things go, we lost track of each other through the ensuing years. However, while I was vacationing in the mountains of Eastern Arizona years later, I ran into a helicopter first responder who lived in Sonoma and was on vacation himself. He told me that he recently flew a man, a vintner, to the emergency room— that the patient had just sliced off his fingers on a woodworking machine, and, that same patient admitted to slicing those same fingers previously! Upon hearing that horrific story, I sent my old friend a case of Brazilian Cab. He was immensely grateful!

Well—I really got off the beaten path—so to speak, but I guess the lesson here is that no matter what predicament you find yourself in, a good memorable wine surely helps out the day.

And we’ll talk more about the brave new world of Brazilian wine in up-coming articles. Cheers!

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PET PLACE

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hen you love dogs, you never know what amazing roads they may lead you down. Patricia “Patt” Savastano owns and operates Spoiled Dog Designs, a creative Coachella Valley business that caters to dog lovers and their beloved canines.

Patt’s business was inspired by her first tiny Chihuahua, Angelo. Angelo was often cold, and it was difficult to find harnesses and coats to properly fit his tiny 6-pound frame.

When she could find a nice warm outfit to fit Angelo, it didn’t fit well underneath a harness when they ventured outdoors for a walk. Patt decided to sew an outfit and harness that together would comfortably fit Angelo. She’d grown up sewing her own

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SPOILED DOG DESIGNS, KEEPING FIDO IN STYLE!

clothes as a child. A business was launched in 2008 when Patt’s friends and family admired Angelo’s stylish wardrobe and requested outfits for their own pets.

Spoiled Dog Designs’ lovely creations are a colorful fixture at a weekend booth at the College of the Desert Street Fair.

However, with the COVID-19 epidemic, the college Street Fair temporarily closed becoming another casualty. Patt recalls, “It was early March when the Street Fair closed.

I panicked and wondered what I would do for the next 8 months. At that time all the available face masks were kept for the medical professionals. Then I realized I’ve got lots of fabric and sewing machines. Not only did I put a lot of unemployed people

to work, but our supply of masks kept more people healthy. The demand was so great, we began shipping masks all over the United States and Canada.”

Patt started designing and sewing matching human masks and dog harnesses in an extensive array of colors and patterns.

Donned in one of these matching sets, you can stylishly venture outdoors, keep yourself safe, and have Fido be part of a quarantine break. As dog parks and hiking trails reopen, these colorful masks & harnesses remind folks about the need for social distancing.

This is also a great way to get noticed, meet other dog lovers, and make new friends.

The vast majority of dogs would like nothing more than to be part of those excursions.

You and Fido wearing a matching mask and harness will surely bring a smile to the faces of folks you encounter.

The pandemic will one day end, and the events that make our Coachella Valley famous will return. Some events include dogs dressing in style, such as Le Chien during Fashion Week. Raising money for animal welfare charities, the Le Chien models strut down the runway accompanied with fabulously dressed canines outfitted

by Spoiled Dog Designs. Patt also created the costumes for the Loving All Animals’ fundraiser, Fabulous Fur Follies, where the dogs were outfitted as Las Vegas show girls in tribute to the Palm Springs Follies.

Are you planning a wedding once we can safely gather again? What could make

MEET CHRISSY

MEET BABY MOO MOO

This lovely 3-yr-old mixed German Shepherd girl waits patiently for a home at the Humane Society of the Coachella Valley in N. Palm Springs. Sweet & loyal Chrissy had a long wait at the San Bernardino County shelter at Devore when abandoned, only to have her adopted human pass away from cancer.

Call (760) 329-0203 for an appointment to meet Chrissy and give her another second chance, www.orphanpet.com.

This lovely Tuxedo girl is styling in her “tuxedo” fur coat hoping to celebrate New Year 2021 with you! She’s just 1-yr-old, fully vetted with vaccinations, microchipped and spayed. Moo Moo tested FeLV+, but is thriving and playful in her foster home.

Rescued by www.ForeverMeow. org, call (760) 335-6767.

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BY JANET McAFEE your special day even more special than including a pup or two in the wedding party.

Patt has designed many outfits for canine ring bearers and flower girls that match the outfits of the human attendants. She can design a special unique outfit that enables your precious pup to be a super star at any event.

What about cats? Not all felines are thrilled about dressing up. However, there is a demand for specially sized cat harnesses as the shape of cats’ bodies can dramatically differ. Spoiled Dog Designs has one regular customer in Australia who has an “adventure cat” who enjoys nature hikes that require a secure harness.

Patt tells about her unique sizing feature, “To fit all dogs no matter what breed, size, or figure, we created a size chart for the basic sizes. If your dog does not fit into these ranges, or has a special figure, no problem, we’ll make the item just for him/her. Our custom sizing feature on our product pages

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com allows you to add your dog’s measurements.

We take the fit worry out of ordering.”

This is one local business we want to support! I could spend hours perusing the wonderful items on the website www. spoileddogdesigns.com. I ordered a supply of their baseball fabric masks for my sports fanatic brother. My dog selected one of their pretty summer print dresses. Patt’s creativity knows no bounds or size limits.

She once created a black cocktail dress for a Great Dane participating in an AKC show.

Another interesting product was a George Washington outfit for a dog participating in a historical July 4th event. The business has an active Facebook page “Spoiled Dog Designs”.

You can contact them by phone at (760) 4821877.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------Below is a partial list of shelters and rescues in the Inland Empire with animals for adoption. They are currently closed for walkins, and you must call for an appointment.

You can view most of their animals online before calling. If you seek a specific breed, you can also check on www.petfinder.com and put in the breed and your zip code.

Thank you for rescuing!

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – The county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. You can view the animals at all four Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to adopt.

Email them the animal’s ID number at

shelterinfo@rivco.org, or schedule a virtual adoption appointment at www.rcdas.org, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday. View their animals online at www. psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public) ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.

californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833.

(Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat.

This shelter has lots of big dogs in addition to small dogs and cats. View some of their animals at www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private) KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700.

(Private) FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage. Contact them at www.ForeverMeow.org, (760) 3356767. (Private) PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414

January 14 to January 20, 2021 (Private) BFF4pets – Foster based rescue for dogs and cats located in La Quinta. Email them at rescues@bff4pets.com, (310) 431-7818 (Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 3847272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Call (909) 386-9280 daily. View animals at www. sbcounty.gov/acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue. com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)

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January 14 to January 20, 2021

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

HADDON LIBBY

TIN FOIL HATS

W

ith the growth in popularity of social media services and a growing distrust in the truthfulness of the media, often outrageous conspiracy theories are increasingly believed by large portions of the world. When queried as to the reasons behind this explosion in acceptance of alternate realities to the one that we live in, Bryan Caplan, the author of The Myth of the Rational Voter: Why Democracies Choose Bad Policies says that this phenomenon has grown as “The people who most overestimate themselves are the people who know the least.”

The Christmas suicide bombing in Nashville, Tennessee by Anthony Q. Warner is a clear result of the damage caused by the failure to control fake news. In his case, he appeared to believe in the conspiracy theory that the rapid rollout of 5G was spreading the virus via your Smartphone. The Cornell Alliance for Science, a non-profit funded by Bill Gates, tells us that this is impossible as 5G is a series of waves or photons while a virus is composed of proteins and acids. This conspiracy theory is a variant for the tin foil hat people who believe that electromagnetic radiation is brainwashing us.

These theories are domestically originated and fanned by Russia.

Conspiracy theorists do not trust Gates or Cornell University as they believe that Bill Gates is leading a plot to use vaccines as a way to track and control the world’s population.

This conspiracy goes like this: Five years ago, Bill Gates had a TED talk where he warned of future pandemics. This lecture was done following the Ebola outbreak as Gates is a leading force in vaccinations for the world’s poor. QAnon, right winger conspiracists and

anti-vaxxers spread a myth that these vaccines are used to put microchips into people that will track them and begin to control these folks.

A widely believed conspiracy here in the United States is that the COVID outbreak was an intentional biological attack by China.

Nearly 30% of Americans believe that China intentionally released the virus in response to President Trump’s tough talk and actions toward China. The super spreader of this theory was Senator Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, following reports that he read in the Washington Examiner. The possibility that the virus came from the Wuhan Institute of Virology was realistic enough that Shi Zhengli, a noted virologist who is also an expert on SARS, studied her review of the genetic sequencing on bat viruses. Her findings were that COVID did not match any of the samples that she and her team had collected or studied. Since its publication, the Washington Examiner has corrected its story and stated that the article was ‘probably false’. Worth noting, Epoch Times, another U.S. news outlet that spread this story domestically has ties to Falun Gong, a

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

NEW CREDIT CARD GIFT SCAM B

ecause of Covid 19 and the “Stay at Home” orders, more of us are at home than ever before. This means we are available to answer the phone from more SCAM ARTISTS. A very clever credit card scam is now hitting the elderly and our CV neighbors should be aware of it. I suspect I could have fallen for it if not forewarned “Beware of STRANGERS bearing gifts” per Shakespeare's missive.

The scam goes like this….a victim gets a phone call from someone saying that he was from some outfit called: "Express Couriers." (The name could be any courier company). The courier asks if the victim was going to be home in an hour, because there was a package for the victim that required a signature. The caller said that the delivery would arrive at the victim’s home in roughly an hour.

As promised, about an hour later, a uniformed delivery man turned up with a beautiful basket of flowers and a bottle of wine. The victim was very surprised, since there was no special occasion or holiday, and she certainly didn't expect anything like it. The victim was intrigued and asked who the sender was. The courier replied, "I don't know, I'm only delivering the package."

I did something similar when I was a young law clerk and the firm was trying to serve the head of the John Birch Society. No one had been able to serve him in the Pasadena area. I said I would do it. I put the court papers in a manila envelope and prepared a label with an incorrect address, similar to the one to which I was going to drive. I was about 21 and didn’t look like a threat as I was on my way to the USC Law Library.

I knocked on the door and a male answered,

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persecuted religious cult in China that was one of the early spreaders of this conspiracy theory.

Alex Jones of InfoWars states that the virus does not actually exist and is a plot by the global elite to take away our freedoms. Jones and his parrots also state that the virus is a creation of the ‘deep state’ of which Dr. Anthony Fauci is a secret member. Another version Alex Jones pushes is that Big Pharma is pushing lies about the virus to enrich themselves.

President Trump has probably been the biggest super spreader of fake news. Amongst his fact-free tweets, he posted a story by QAnon that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had admitted that only 6% of COVID deaths are actually due to other causes. Bob Anderson, the head of mortality statistics at the CDC refutes this and states that “92% of COVID deaths that mention COVID-19” is the underlying cause of death. While people may have had other conditions like diabetes or a heart condition, these health issues would not cause the death of these folks.

One of the most widely held conspiracy theories at present is that the Deep State worked across parties to rig the 2020 elections against President Trump. Whether it was 2016 or 2020, Trump has consistently claimed of massive voter fraud. Despite Tweets, speeches and dozens of lawsuits, he and his legal team have never used the word ‘fraud’ in any legal complaints. Logic tells us that someone unwilling or unable to provide proof in court under penalty of perjury. A fact-based analysis of his claims holds no credibility as proven repeatedly at all levels of government and the judicial system. Looking strictly at the Georgia election, both Democrats and Republicans

BY HADDON LIBBY have stated repeatedly that claims that the voting machines changed votes or adjusted totals is “provably false”, a position supporter

by Trump’s Department of Justice and other federal agencies. A $1.3 billion lawsuit by one of the voting machine companies against Trump’s sometimes attorney Sidney Powell is another example that Powell most likely engaged in fact free statements. Amongst other claims in Georgia that 66,248 underaged votes were counted, an election audit found four votes.

Claims that 2,056 felons voted found that up to 74 votes were cast by felons. Claims that 1,043 people voted from P.O. boxes were found wrong as those votes were from apartments or multi-family households. Similarly claims that 2,423 unregistered voters voted were also proven false. Georgia did find 395 double votes by people (in person and by mail in ballot).

Conspiracy theories like any virus change and mutate over time. Like any other virus, we need to stay on guard against infection and speak up against those who look to advance these fake ideas for their own gain.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management and can be reached by non-conspiracists at WinslowDrake. com. Conspiracists are encouraged to visit www.DonJr.com, their local psychiatrist or psychologist depending on the depth of their convictions.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

asking who was it? I said my name is not important, but this envelope was delivered by accident to my grandmother’s address a block or so away. I told him everyone knew his name and address because he was a VIP. She asked me to give it to you in person and not leave on the porch.

He asked what is this about, as he cracked the screen open. I said I don’t know, I’ll open it for you. When I pulled out the blue backed papers, used for court documents at the time, he tried to close the screen door. However, I threw it inside and said you have been served!

In the above scam, a card was apparently being sent separately... (the card has never arrived!). There was also a consignment note with the gift. The courier then went on to explain that because the gift contained alcohol, there was a small "delivery/ verification charge". The charge was to provide proof that the courier had actually delivered the package to an adult (of legal drinking age), and not just left it on the doorstep where it could be stolen or taken by anyone, especially a minor.

I think you will agree that this sounded logical, and the victim offered to pay him cash.

The courier then said that the delivery company required payment to be by credit or debit card only. It was explained that then everything is properly accounted for, and this would help in keeping a legal record of the transaction.

The courier added that couriers don't carry cash to avoid a loss or be likely targets for robbery.

The victim then pulled out a credit card, and 'John,' the "delivery man," asked him to swipe

the card on a small mobile card machine with a small screen and keypad. The victim was asked to enter his PIN number and a receipt was printed out. He was given a copy of the transaction. The guy said everything was in order, and wished the victims a good day.

To their horrible surprise, in the next few days, $8,000 had been charged/withdrawn, from their credit/debit account at various ATM machines. Apparently the "mobile credit card machine," which the deliveryman carried now had all the info necessary to create a "dummy" card with all their card details, including the PIN number.

When they learned about the illegal transactions on their card, they immediately notified the bank which issued them a new card, and their credit/debit account was closed. They contacted the Police, where it was confirmed that it was definitely a scam, because several households had been similarly hit.

WARNING: Be wary of accepting any "surprise gift or package," which you neither expected nor personally ordered, especially if it involves any kind of payment as a condition of receiving the gift or package. Also, never accept anything if you do not personally know or there is no proper identification as to the sender. Above all, the only time you should give out any personal credit/ debit card information is when you yourself initiated the purchase or transaction!

You should also be aware that the IRS does not call. It you get a call from them HANG UP. It is a scam. In addition, a public warning has been issued about phony contact tracers who pretend they are gathering information about COVID-19 cases and ask for money and sensitive information.

Criminals involved in the Contact Tracing Scam request Social Security numbers, financial information, money, immigration status and other sensitive information not required for authentic contact tracing, according to the District Attorney's Office. Criminals involved in the Contact Tracing Scam often request your Social Security numbers, financial information, money, immigration status and other sensitive information, not required for authentic contact tracing.

Victims have been contacted through telephone calls, text messages and email. If this happens to you, contact your local health department to verify if contacts are valid.

PLEASE Pass this on, it may just prevent someone else from being swindled.

DRINKING AND TEXTING BOTH CAUSE ACCIDENTS OR MAKE A DRIVER LESS LIKELY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, THAT WOULD NOT BE THEIR FAULT. BEING INTOXICATED, IS JUST AS SERIOUS AS BEING INTEXTICATED. A DRIVER MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVOID AN AT FAULT ACCIDENT. THE BOTTOM LINE IS “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT... CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER….THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME” Ideas for future columns contact Dale Gribow 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW - Legal Representation Of The Injured and Criminally Accused PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating

CANNABIS CORNER

O

n December 4th, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, H.R. 3884, to remove cannabis from the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. What does this mean for cannabis consumers, pot convicts, and the ever-expanding gray-market industry? The law changes make marijuana [possession, cultivation, sales] no longer a crime. Thus we no longer discriminate against our citizens who are burdened by the criminal records they received under prohibition.

The MORE Act is the most revolutionary and socially conscious federal marijuana reform bill ever passed. It reflects the views of 62 percent of Americans who favor legalizing the adult use of marijuana, while over 90 percent want access to medical cannabis. It completely removes marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I is the most restrictive category, reserved for the most deadly and addictive drugs that have no accepted medical use.

SAFETY TIPS

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It also relabels marijuana and marihuana as cannabis and leaves individual states to decide for themselves how they will reform their weed laws if they reform them at all. Alcohol is not in the Controlled Substances Act, tobacco is not in the Controlled Substances Act, and McDonald’s is not in the Controlled Substances Act. And the Controlled Substances Act is not a place where cannabis belongs.

Additionally the Act creates a new federal office, the Cannabis Justice Office whose mission is to establish social equity programs prioritizing weed business licenses and business loans to pot entrepreneurs who were convicted of cannabis crimes. Convicts currently serving time in federal prisons for cannabis violations would receive reductions to their sentences.

A recent U.S. House amendment changed the MORE Act to include limiting cannabis expungement to people who have been charged with nonviolent federal offenses and

to those who have not been sentenced with an “aggravating role adjustment” for directing or overseeing federal criminal activity. It also directs the U.S. Comptroller General to include, as part of broader research on cannabis, the “uses of marijuana and its byproducts for purposes relating to the health, including the mental health, of veterans.” A jaundiced eye needs to dissect this down to the weeds (pardon the pun).

The Act does not make it federally legal or federally regulated either. It just opens the gate and allows states to do what they want without any federal issues. For example, the FDA still sees this as a drug that needs approval before being put into a product. They will write regulations when they want to, unless stopped by statute.

Will we be able to say cannabis can treat seizures or will the FDA prohibit that label or statement?

This should be clarified in the Senate version.

Removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act does not legalize marijuana in every corner of this country. It simply ends the federal prohibition of marijuana and allows states and localities to set their own [marijuana] policies as they see fit. It is a choose-yourown-adventure for conservatives or liberals or anyone at any point of the political spectrum to be able to come to that determination — that under our federalist society, cannabis should be locally controlled.

While it would no longer be a federal offense,

FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER

January 14 to January 20, 2021

BY RUTH HILL R.N. the violation of local law is something that is still taken under consideration through federal administration, and that includes immigration.

Can we deport someone if they are convicted of possessing marijuana?

In removing marijuana from the Controlled substances Act structural barriers that stemmed from federal prohibition: lack of access to bank accounts, and small businesses’ inability to receive standard tax treatments as every other sector of the economy are no longer in place.

On the business end, the MORE Act also sets a 5 percent federal tax on all cannabis sales. It will then increase by 1% each year and cap at 8%. And yes there is no overly-complex, tiered taxation system that unfairly gouges cannabis consumers and companies, like those seen in California or Colorado. The excise taxes collected would go toward regulatory oversight, funding expungements and resentencing procedures, and researching how legal cannabis will affect the population at large.

It will be necessary to ensure the Senate does not muddy the ACT with more amendments damaging to the original spirit of the MORE Act: removing cannabis from the Schedule I category. info@ruthahillrn.com for questions or comments.

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE – SHAKE YOUR ‘SELF’ AND GET PREPARED?

T

he first thought would likely have you thinking of KC & The Sunshine Band.

But actually it is something completely different. None the less it is a good song that can put you in a good mood, so go ahead and shake it!

However, with the Covid – 19 virus, political unrest and other world events, it is easy to forget that another threat that is looming underneath us and can strike at any time without warning.

Twenty seven years ago January 17th was when the Northridge earthquake struck, killing 57 people and causing $44 billion in damage reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Those of us who lived through it will never forget the chaos and destruction. Though we have had others, this was the last “significant” quake that has caused such damage and death. We are way over-due for a quake and we cannot let our guard down and be unprepared.

And yet, experts consider Northridge a moderate earthquake — at 6.7-magnitude, it fell below what seismologists warn could be coming. In late 2017, seismologists stressed that Southern California is overdue for a 7.8-magnitude quake along the 800-mile San Andreas Fault. While such an event would hit the Los Angeles area the hardest, experts say it would be felt throughout the state, causing up to $300 billion in damages. The effects would likely spread nationwide, as business and travel are affected.

Are you prepared? OK, that's a bit flippant; no one can truly be prepared for what the Big One could bring. But we can take steps to better position ourselves.

Accept that natural disasters are a constant

threat. If there's one constant when it comes to natural disasters, it's that we can't control them.

Even if you live in the northernmost reaches of California, an earthquake could hit anytime ... and if not an earthquake, what about flooding or fires? No matter where we live, we face the constant possibility of natural disasters. In fact, the prevalence and intensity of weatherrelated events is likely to increase due to climate change. Since there's much we can't predict or prevent, we must be prepared.

Build and maintain emergency kits for yourself and your family. Emergency preparedness surveys indicate 40 to 80 percent of people are unprepared to face emergencies.

You should have emergency supplies in your vehicle, at work and your home. If the prospect seems daunting, just start small. Think about being stuck somewhere for an extended period.

What would you need? Items to consider include a first-aid kit, nonperishable food, bottled water, medicines, flashlights and blankets. Don't forget how important our smartphones and other electronic gadgets have become to us — invest

in spare batteries and keep them charged and ready to go in all your emergency kits.

Prepare your family emotionally and strategically. All families should create and practice disaster plans. In an emergency, you may have to stay at work and/or be separated from family. Is your family emotionally prepared for that? Are you? Do you feel you could adequately perform your job while worrying about the safety of your loved ones?

It will never be easy, but it can be a little less difficult if you prepare them. Show your family members how to shut off utilities. Identify places where you might reunite if separated.

Talk to your children about how their phones will likely not work, and how all of you must be prepared to go several days without talking to one another. If it happens at school, where will they head after the immediate event is over? Will they have the awareness to empty their backpack of school books and stuff anything useful — coats, first-aid supplies, food, water — into it before heading off on foot? If your spouse is at work, where will he/she go?

Assume roadways will be inaccessible and public transportation not operating.

These are not easy scenarios to work through, but if you do so as a family — and not once, but several times a year — it can provide reassurance when the Big One hits.

Review your company’s relevant policies.

Most organizations develop detailed response plans for Covid-19, weather and other related events. You should review these on a regular basis, especially because events like earthquakes are not seasonal. Do you know what's expected of you if you're at home when disaster strikes?

If you must evacuate your work, what critical facility operations should be conducted before evacuating, and who is responsible for them?

Are your generators serviced and ready to go?

As you did in your family planning, walk through some scenarios. If your building you work at was destroyed, what would be the best way for you to stay safe but still be useful?

What does "risk a lot to save a lot" mean when coming up on a residential high-rise building that's suffered a pancake collapse? Note: The point of these exercises is not really to come up with a specific plan, because you can't anticipate the exact circumstances you'll face. Rather, as with the planning you do with your family, such exercises help to develop the mental and emotional resilience you’ll need to successfully function when a disaster hits.

We have a responsibility to be prepared.

Don't be part of the problem. If we can't take care of ourselves, we're going to have a hard time taking care of others.

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January 14 to January 20, 2021

HEALTH

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MICHELLE BORTHWICK

ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH WANTING TO LOSE WEIGHT & IT’S TIME FOR A RESET?

T

he holidays are over, and you may have enjoyed enough sugar and alcohol to last you for a while so instead of a resolution you ‘ve made a serious commitment to finally losing that last bit of weight in 2021. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start or what will work when we feel like we’ve tried every diet out there… only to end up yo-yo dieting without permanent weight loss. There are many reasons why other diets simply don't work. Most diets, by their very nature, set us up for failure because they aren’t designed to work longterm. We lose weight and then gain it back because it’s just not sustainable. With Keto that can all change. Keto stokes the fire of your slow-as-molasses metabolism and gets it revved up to burn fat rapidly! This may be your year to forget your past dieting and yoyo experiences…once and for all.

KETO DELIVERS FAST WEIGHTLOSS & MINIMIZES HUNGER Keto delivers the fastest, healthiest weight loss plan ever to get back your body back…hands down. It will melt the pounds off very quickly; you’ll have extra energy, and you won’t starve yourself to do it. Ion most other diets it’s common to be hungry, feel deprived and frustrated only to have disappointing results before you finally give up. Not with Keto.

ARE YOU A WOMEN WHO GOES ALL IN & LIVES BY YOUR OWN SET OF RULES? My clients are determined to change their life and embrace something new. A new way of thinking. A new way of living. A new healthy body. A new way of losing weight.

Keto can transform your life in more ways than you can dream of. I work with women who go “ALL IN” with their life and believe that giving up on how they look, and feel isn’t an option. Can you relate to these attributes?

• YOU know age is just a number • YOU tend to live by your own set of rules • YOU desire to feel sexy and confident • YOU are goal-oriented and haven’t given up on life. In fact, YOU are revving up more than ever • YOU won’t settle for less and expand your goals • YOU are involved in life, your community, and socially active • YOU are outcome oriented and determined to get that last bit of weight off and keep it off If so, the customized approach to Keto truly has the potential to be your last diet ever.

WHAT IS KETO CUSTOMIZATION? Fast and lasting weight loss and — truly— living Keto require more than what Google and one-size-fits-all books or gurus on the topic will tell you. Maybe you’ve already tried Keto, fallen in love with the food and freedom (and fat!!) but you hit a stall, or aren't sure you are doing it properly. Maybe you persisted with your macros, you stopped

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losing weight, didn't lose or even gained weight. So, you gave up…or maybe you’ve heard so much about how effective Keto is you are exploring it for the first time.

Wherever you are with Keto, Customized Keto isn’t just the answer that will give you the results you want. It will break down any barriers you may have to weight loss. How? With my proprietary Keto Customization system Keto is designed to fit your specific lifestyle, health, and personal needs. Keto is Easy Coach’s comprehensive program includes diet hacks, private coaching sessions, expert tips, and accountability. It addresses your individuality: YOUR activity level, age, hormones, lab work, lifestyle, palate, food cravings, health, sociability, motivation, mindset and more The best piece of advice I can give you if you are serious about weight loss this year is “Trust the process and science behind Keto. If you feel like you need support and want to do it right, find a coach to be there for you until you find the confidence to trust yourself. Then one fine day Keto will have worked its magic and you’ll be admiring a different version of yourself in the mirror…

Oh, and budgeting for new clothes as well.”

FREE 30-MINUTE PRIVATE SESSION If this sounds like it’s worth exploring, I’m offering a free 30-minute session for CV Weekly readers where we will look at your current goals for weight loss and the Keto lifestyle. During the call we’ll review my customization form (usually reserved for active clients) and complete it step-by-step with your personal information. I’ll make recommendations for you and give you proven diet hacks and, if you are interested, some amazing recipes. You’ll get a taste of what my coaching style is and how we’d tackle your weight loss together! Sign up here: ketoiseasycoach.com This could be your year to Keto, enjoy the health benefits and finally lose that last bit of annoying weight.

About Michelle Borthwick: Michelle is a Keto Lifestyle coach, a Seasoned expert on Customized Keto. Keto weight loss results can be greatly improved with Coaching, Customization, Accountability, and a trusted partner to guide you every step of the way.

Michelle offers private sessions, proven Keto diet hacks, goal setting, ongoing support and more. Follow Keto is Easy coach on Facebook and Instagram.

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF JANUARY 7

ARIES (March 21-April 19): The pandemic has made it challenging to nurture our communities.

In order to make new connections and keep our existing connections vibrant, we’ve had to be extra resourceful. I hope you will make this work one of your holy quests in 2021, Aries. In my astrological opinion, you should be ingenious and tireless as you nurture your web of allies. Your assignment during our ongoing crisis is to lead the way as you show us all how to ply the art of high-minded networking.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus actor George Clooney is worth $500 million. Yet his dazzling opulence is puny compared to that of Taurus entrepreneur Mark Zuckerberg, whose fortune exceeds $100 billion. It’s my duty to inform you that you will probably never achieve either man’s levels of wealth. Yet I do hold out hope that in the next 12 months you will launch plans that ultimately enable you to have all the money you need. 2021 will be a favorable time to formulate and set in motion a dynamic master plan for financial stability.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): One of your main themes for the next 12 months comes from Leonardo da Vinci. He wrote, “To develop a complete mind: Study the science of art. Study the art of science.

Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” If you use da Vinci’s instructions as a seed for your meditations, you’ll stir up further inspirations about how to make 2021 a historymaking epoch in the evolution of your education.

I hope you will treasure the value of “learning how to see” and “realizing how everything connects to everything else.” They should be at the root of your intention to learn as much as you can.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): An extensive study by psychiatric researchers suggests that well more than half of us experienced a potentially disabling trauma in childhood. You’re in the minority if you didn’t! That’s the bad news. The good news is that 2021 will be a time when you Cancerians will have more power than ever before to heal at least some of the wounds from your old traumas. You will also attract extra luck and help to accomplish these subtle miracles. To get the process started, make a list of three practical actions you can take to instigate your vigorous healing.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo author Isabel Allende says, “We are in the world to search for love, find it and lose it, again and again. With each love, we are born anew, and with each love that ends we collect a new wound. I am covered with proud scars.” I appreciate Allende’s point of view, and understand that it’s useful, even inspirational, for many people.

But my path has been different. As a young man, I enjoyed my endless quest for sex and romance.

It was thrilling to keep leaping from affair to affair.

But as I eventually discovered, that habit made me stupid and superficial about love. It prevented me from having to do the hard psychological work necessary to continually reinvent intimacy—and become eligible for deeper, more interesting versions of love. I bring this to your attention, Leo, because I think 2021 could be your time for a personal rebirth that will be made possible by deep, interesting versions of love.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Occultist Israel Regardie (1907–1985) was an accomplished author and influencer. To what did he attribute his success?

I’ll let him speak for himself: “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” I hope you will write out this quote and tape it to your bathroom mirror for the duration of 2021, Virgo.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Kabbalistic Tree of Life is a mystical symbol of the hidden structure of creation. At its heart, in the most pivotal position, is the principle of beauty. This suggests that the wise teachers who gave us the Tree did not regard beauty as merely a luxury to be sought only when all practical business is taken care of. Nor is it a

© Copyright 2020 Rob Brezsny

peripheral concern for those who pursue a spiritual path. Rather, beauty is essential for our health and intelligence. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to take a cue from the Tree of Life.

During the next 12 months, give special attention to people and things and experiences and thoughts and feelings that are beautiful to you. Meditate on how to nurture them and learn from them and draw inspiration from them.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): According to motivational speaker Les Brown, the problem for many people is not that “they aim too high and miss,” but that “they aim too low and hit.” I’m conveying this to you just in time for the Reach Higher Phase of your long-term astrological cycle.

According to my analysis, you’ll generate good fortune for yourself if you refine and expand your personal goals. Here’s a key detail: Don’t borrow anyone else’s standards of success. Home in on your own unique soul’s code, and give it fuller, deeper, wilder expression.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): One of my primary pleasures in reading books is to discover thoughts and feelings I have never before encountered. That’s exciting! But it’s hard to force myself to keep plowing through an author’s prose if it’s full of stuff that I already know about from my own life or from books, movies, and other art.

Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky’s novels fit the latter description. I realize that many people love his fiction, but for me it is monumentally obvious and boring. What about you, Sagittarius? Where do you go to be exposed to thrilling new ways of looking at the world? Judging from the astrological omens, I conclude that this quest will be especially fun and crucial for you in the coming months.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “I only want people around me who can do the impossible,” said Capricorn businesswoman Elizabeth Arden. In that spirit, and in accordance with your astrological potentials, I hereby authorize you to pursue two “impossible” goals in 2021. The first comes to you courtesy of fashion writer Diana Vreeland, who wrote, “There’s only one thing in life, and that’s the continual renewal of inspiration.” Your second “impossible” goal is from actor Juliette Binoche, who said, “My only ambition is to be true every moment I am living.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your past is becoming increasingly irrelevant, while your future is still a bit amorphous. To help clarify the possibilities that you could harvest in 2021, I suggest you suspend your theories bout what your life is about. Empty yourself out as much as you can. Pledge to re-evaluate everything you think you know about your purpose. Once you’ve accomplished that, meditate on the following questions: 1. What experiences do you truly need and passionately long for—not the experiences you needed and longed for in the past, but rather those that are most vivid and moving right now. 2. What are the differences between your fearful fantasies and your accurate intuitions? How can you cultivate the latter and downplay the former? 3. What are your nightly dreams and semi-conscious fantasies telling you about how to create the most interesting version of the future?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Author Gunter Grass wrote, “Writers know that sometimes things are there in the drawer for decades before they finally come out and we are capable of writing about them.” I would universalize his thought in this way: Most of us know that possibly useful ideas and dreams are in the drawer for years before they finally come out and we know how to use them. I believe this will be an ongoing experience for you in 2021, Pisces.

Homework: What’s the biggest and best lucky break you’d love to attract in 2021?

FreeWillAstrology.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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January 14 to January 20, 2021

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January 14 to January 20, 2021

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