Coachella Valley Weekly - January 28 to February 3, 2016 Vol. 4 No. 45

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Music

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Community Events

coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 28 to February 3, 2016 Vol. 4 No. 45

PSAM: Fluid Art Series Lea Delaria Eevaan Tré Irie Junctions pg 7

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pg 9

pg 10

Wanda Jackson

pg 11

Geno Biggi

pg 21

January 28 to February 3, 2016

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Coachella Valley Weekly

coachellavalleyweekly.com publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly

760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Deborah Evans Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Denise Ortuno Neil, Judith Salkin Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Janet McAfee, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, Laura Hunt Little, Lola Rossi, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Esther Sanchez, Rebecca Pikus, Angela Valente Romeo, Janet Newcomb, Alex Updike, Jenny Wallis, Uncle Ben Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Scott Pam, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller, La Maniaca, Esther Sanchez Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

SOUTHWEST ARTS FESTIVAL, INDIO 2016 CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

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he Southwest Arts Festival, Indio 2016 will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio from Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31, 2016. Featuring traditional, contemporary, and abstract fine works of art by more than 250 acclaimed artists, categories include clay, drawing, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textile, and other arts. A ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the 30th annual Festival will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Friday, January 29.

Painters comprise a large number of artists exhibiting at the Festival, including two Los Angeles area artists with ties to the City’s ubiquitous film industry.

The work of Los Angeles artist Stephen Schubert, a former actor and film lover whose abstracts on birch panels vibrate with great depth of color and surprising imagery, was prominently featured in the Steve Carrell film “Dinner for Schmucks.”

David Palmer, a Pasadena-based artist who combines the vocabulary of Pop Art with an Italian Renaissance sensibility to create works reminiscent of aging frescoes and peeling billboards, has also created digital effects for more than a dozen feature films, including Spider-Man 3 and the first Harry Potter movie.

January 28 to February 3, 2016

By cindy duffy

Event to Feature Variety of Artists, Wide Range of Artwork, Objet Trouvé Found Art Festival

Stephen Schubert

Contents

Southwest Arts Festival..................... 3 The Living Desert News...................... 5 RM Writers Festival A Success............ 6 PS Art Museum- Fluid Art Series Nickerson-Rossi Dance: Past & Present... 7 Breaking The 4th Wall - Stage Review of Anything Goes................................ 7 Comedian Lea Delaria - The Dinah.... 8 Backstage Jazz - Mikole Kaar............. 8 Eevaan Tré at Young Variety Party..... 9 Irie Junctions.....................................10 Wanda Jackson- Pappy & Harriets...11 Consider This - Jasmine Rodgers.....12 Art Scene- Joshua Tree Art Gallery...13 Pet Place............................................14 The Vino Voice ..................................15 Club Crawler Nightlife......................16 Screeners ..........................................20 Book Review....................................... 21 Personal Profile - Geno Biggi...........21 Clinton Foundation 5th Annual Health Matters Activation Summit...23 Haddon Libby...................................24 Dale Gribow......................................24 Safety Tips.........................................25 Sports Scene.....................................26 Free Will Astrology...........................27 Mind, Body & Spirit ..........................27 Ask The Doctor..................................28 Life & Career Coach ..........................28

David Palmer

Elaine Trei

Diane McClary

East of Los Angeles, Elaine Trei uses watercolors and oils to showcase her love of nature and color, creating intensely colorful, engaging and slightly impressionistic paintings at her studio in Big Bear Lake.

The works of plein air artists and La Quinta residents Diane McClary and Silvio Silvestri have been influenced by their studies with other painters. McClary, who trained with the brilliant Russian impressionist Sergei Bongart, focuses on the color of the light that she sees in the scene to create landscapes, still life and figurative studies.

Silvestri, the descendant of a long linage of artists, minored in art during college

Silvio Silvertri

Terry Sauve and began winning awards for his paintings in the early 1990s after studying with a number of prominent painters. Terry Sauve of Sebastopol painted “for the joy of it” for most of her life until formal training at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco helped hone her craft of landscape painting by studying with some of the area’s best painters.

Returning from Utah is artist Sue Kroll, who primarily created acrylic paintings until she discovered her newest passion, Scratch Board Art, which offers a promise of detail that is difficult to achieve with paint. The continue to page 5

Sue Kroll

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SOUTHWEST ARTS FESTIVAL continued jewelry art of Palm Desert resident Gunn Trigere has also undergone a transition over the years, from sterling silver and handwrought pieces that were made to be worn, to colorful glass “wall jewelry” big enough to hang on a wall or rest on a stand or an easel.

California Central Coast artist Georganna Dean, whose stunning photograph “Agave Temple” was selected as the signature poster of the 2016 Festival, converted from a traditional “wet” darkroom to digital photography and printing in 2000.

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Richard Curtner

Gunn Trigere

Artist Richard Curtner of Cathedral City uses an X-Acto knife to cut colors, words and phrases from high quality magazines, which he carefully glues together and varnishes to create detailed collages. Former biologist Mark Doolittle works with hand tools at his studio in Joshua Tree to intricately carve gourds, exotic hardwoods and burls from around the world into unique designs, and life-long woodworker Walter Wogee builds beautiful ergonomic rockers – each a unique piece of functional art – and other furniture at his home in Sky Forest.

WHAT’S NEW AT THE ZOO?

NEW YEAR, NEW BABY GIRAFFE BORN AT THE LIVING DESERT

Only a few weeks into the new year, The Living Desert’s giraffe, Dadisi, gave birth to a male calf on January 20, 2016, said Allen Monroe, President & CEO of The Living Desert, in Palm Desert, California.

The yet-to-be-named calf, weighing in at 130 pounds and standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, is anticipated to be on exhibit January 29, 2016.

“While we are always excited to announce the birth of new babies here at The Living Desert, it is especially wonderful to welcome our first baby of 2016, a beautiful giraffe calf,” said Monroe. “Both mother and baby are doing well.”

This is the sixth baby for mom, Dadisi, and seventh calf for the father, Hesabu. Dadisi came to The Living Desert in November 2002 from the Oakland Zoo, and all of her calves have been born at The Living Desert. Hesabu, who came from the San Diego Wild Animal Park in 2002, also is the father of Ayo, who was born in July 2015 to mother Tuli.

“Both Dadisi and Hesabu were sent to our zoo for breeding, based on Species Survival Plan recommendations,” said Monroe. “The successful breeding and birth of their babies has helped build the population of this endangered species, which is an important and fulfilling part of our mission.”

The Living Desert is currently home to a herd of seven giraffes, five males and two

January 28 to February 3, 2016

females, all of which are on exhibit in the African section of the Park. In the last 15 years, the population of giraffes in the wild has fallen dramatically by 60% to less than 80,000 animals.

Dadisi’s pregnancy was about 15 months, the typical gestational period for a giraffe. The baby will now nurse for nine to 12 months, and begin eating foliage at about four months.

The giraffe will double his size in the first year of his life. The baby giraffe has its own spot-like markings and no two giraffe’s have the same pattern, similar to humans having unique fingerprints.

Visitors can get up-close and personal with these majestic animals by participating in the giraffe feedings from 11 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person or $4 for members.

The Living Desert is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information: (760) 3465694 or visit www.LivingDesert.org.

Mark Doolittle These artists and many more will be featured at the Southwest Arts Festival, named one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2015. New this year is the popular Objet Trouvé Found Art Festival, representing an artistic style that uses everyday objects and ‘found’ materials to create stimulating visual displays. In addition to the art exhibition and sale, the Festival will also feature a variety of al fresco dining options and entertainment by talented local jazz musicians.

IT’S A SAFARI ADVENTURE AT THE LIVING DESERT’S ZOOBILEE

US Bank and Patti & Jack Grundhofer To Be Presenting Sponsors The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens is pleased to announce US Bank and Patti & Jack Grundhofer as presenting sponsors of its 27th annual Zoobilee Gala. Tickets are now available for the safari-themed event to be held at The Living Desert on Sunday, March 20, 2016, from 5 to 9 p.m.

Zoobilee attendees will be treated to a safari-themed evening at The Living Desert, complete with unique experiences such as animal encounters, an African drum performance, and the opportunity to bid on one-of-a-kind silent auction items.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction on the Palm Garden Patio. A special Raise-the-Paddle effort will support the excellent care and well-being of The Living Desert’s animals, as well as the education and conservation programs the zoo and gardens provide. This year’s event also will include a raffle opportunity to win one of the fabulous live auction items.

“Zoobilee is our largest fundraiser of the year and we are excited to once again be hosting the gala on site at The Living Desert,” said Allen Monroe, President/CEO of The Living Desert. “We thank US Bank and the Grundhofer’s for their generous contributions as our gala’s presenting sponsors.”

Walter Wogee The three-day family friendly festival will be open from 10 AM – 5 PM daily, and admission is Seniors – $8, General – $10, Three-Day Pass – $12, and Children 14 & under – Free. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Indio Visitors Bureau at 760-347-0676.

To receive regular updates follow Southwest Arts Festival on Facebook, and for more information call 760-347-0676 or visit southwestartsfest.com.

Community

Zoobilee platinum sponsors include the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, Hal & Peggy Bernthal, the A.C. Israel Foundation, Inc. and Harold Matzner. Tickets for The Living Desert’s Zoobilee Gala are $300 per person with table and host sponsorships available.

Attendees are encouraged to dress safari casual.

The Zoobilee Gala committee is led by cochairs Patti & Jack Grundhofer and committee members: Jan Harnik, Suzanne Homme, Dinah Jenkins, Peggy Karcher, Janet Lanterman, JoAnn Nickerson, DeDe Pitruzzelli, Ron and Debbie Schulman, Mary Lou Solomon, Barbara Spencer, Amber Spinello, Chuck Swenson, Bruce Tominello, and Sandy Woodson.

Proceeds from the Zoobilee Gala support The Living Desert’s mission of desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation, and help provide programming such as school field trip scholarships, community outreach and events, as well as exhibit and infrastructure improvements. The funds raised also will support species conservation efforts around the world.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.LivingDesert.org or call 760346-5694, ext 2166.

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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3 Rancho Mirage Writers Fest a Success RD

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ight after author T. Geronimo Johnson read a descriptive passage from his award-winning novel Welcome to Braggsville, he told the packed audience to raise a hand any time for questions or comments.

A hand went up immediately. Johnson pointed to the person in the middle of the room. A woman, moved by the colorful setting and insightful character she just heard read aloud, complimented Johnson on his beautiful writing. He responded graciously with “Thank you,” and then charmed the audience when he revised his statement saying, “I’ll take questions, comments and compliments any time.”

The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival most certainly stimulates questions, generates comments and inspires compliments. It is an ideal opportunity for readers and writers to engage in thoughtful conversation. It was with ideas in mind, that the Writers Festival took root in 2014. In three short years, the festival has quickly become one of the countries finest literary festivals, if not the best festival for writers and readers!

“From the very first festival, it was always our intent to highlight nonfiction,” said David Bryant, Rancho Mirage Library Director. “We want to be a house of ideas. This festival is the total opposite of ‘political correctness.’

Our approach is to be open-minded and welcoming of all ideas.”

Held at the beautiful Rancho Mirage Library and Helene Galen Auditorium at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences, the festival brought together 40 authors, ten moderators and 1,000 readers.

Over the three-days, a combined 80 hours with over 50 events, proved to be another fun-filled, idea-rich and intimate affair where readers and writers hobnobbed and celebrated the written word and freedom of expression.

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The Rancho Mirage Public Library, with fresh paint and new carpet, was thoughtfully reorganized this year. It created specific areas to accommodate authors and literary fans.

Temporarily renaming library spaces for iconic authors, seating was arranged to allow for more than 900 attendees with additional over-flow space.

The popular Community Room became the Steinbeck Room. The sunny periodical area was transformed into the Didion Room.

The new performance space created from the Annenberg Reading Room, became the London Room.

With enhanced audio and visual technology, the quality of the festival also improved. Big -- really big -- screen televisions, headset microphones for the speakers, raised stages and podiums made the experience easier for attendees to hear and see the authors and panel discussions.

The smaller rooms created a nice intimate space. With three venues running every hour, the friendly and abundant staff smoothly choreographed the queues for each event, helped attendees find seating and managed concierge service.

Barnes & Noble ran a pop-up bookstore in the computer area of the library and did a brisk business after every event. Attendees were able to purchase new volumes or bring in their own books to have them autographed by the authors in a well-organized signing area.

Lunch was included each day at the library.

A coffee and tea bar was always stocked, bottled water was stacked at the entrance of venues, and all attendees were given a lanyard with their name on it. Readers also received a stylish canvas tote with custom Rancho Mirage Writers Festival bling. Parking was made easy with mandatory valet service. Now that’s how Rancho Mirage rocks a festival!

But beyond the logistic and festival

By heidi Simmons

Photos by Tyrone Hofmann

pleasantries, it is the fantastic content that makes the festival so significant and outstanding. Opening night included military historian Andrew Roberts and Pulitzer Prizewinning author A. Scott Berg. This is Berg’s third time to open the festival and he has become a favorite of attendees.

Each event offered something timely and provocative. Most of the authors have published critically praised books. Here are a few of pass holder favorites: Peter Bart, former Variety editor and Hollywood studio executive moderated the “Books to Movies” event. He lead an insightful conversation with bestselling author Lee Child – Jack Reacher novelist; David Ebershoff – The Danish Girl; Scott McEwen – American Sniper; Hampton Sides – In the Kingdom of Ice; and Héctor Tobar – The 33. The panel conversation covered the relationship between authors and Hollywood, and the challenges of getting a book adapted to screen.

A fascinating discussion about Vladimir Putin was moderated by CBS’ Moscow bureau chief Cinney Kennard and included local author and former CIA officer Jason Matthews along with Bret Stephens, Masha Gessen and Marvin Kalb.

“The Biography: Lives Lived” event was moderated by the charming Barbara Isenberg and included three amazing women biographers -- Sally Denton, Stacy Schiff and Jodi Cantor.

Authors Dave Barry, Ron Lieber and Bob Mankoff provided big laughs and lots of levity during their witty presentations.

Jessica Fellows, whose uncle Julian is the creator of the PBS series, Downton Abbey, delighted pass holders by talking about the characters and setting of the immensely popular show.

For writers and readers, the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is an opportunity to engage with authors, fellow readers and the

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world of ideas.

The festival is made possible because the Rancho Mirage Library and supporting community has a love and respect for the power of the written word. They value the freedom of expression enough to give generously.

Mark Hogan is a friend of festival founder Jamie Kabler. The green color of his lanyard identifies him as an Angel. “Angels” provide 70 percent of the festival’s budget. To be an “Angel” requires a tax-deductible donation of $5,000 or more.

“Jamie does an amazing job. I come to support him and to enjoy the speakers,” said Hogan. “The Angels are the doers and the givers. They are successful, intelligent and caring people who like to give back to the Coachella Valley to make it a better place.”

Hogan has lived in the CV for decades and points out that he is a guest of an Angel.

Attending the festival every year since its inception, Susan Cigelnik is thrilled to be in sunny Rancho Mirage with her friends.

Cigelnik lives in Chicago but has a home in Rancho Mirage. “This is such a great event,” said Cigelnik. “It’s wonderful to be a part of the energy and to be here with all these lovely people.”

If you haven’t heard about this amazing and very special valley event, it may be because it sells out so fast that no advertising is required. Only a limited number of passes are available. So don’t hesitate when tickets go on sale next month for the 2017 writers fest. Or, consider becoming an Angel, which includes VIP passes for all events with special access and other fine considerations.

Intellectual, humorous, informative, engaging, glamorous and fun, the Third Annual Rancho Mirage Writers Festival has found its sweet spot. There is little doubt that this rich and rewarding festival will continue to thrive and grow.

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The Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum announces:

Fluid Art Series

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he Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum has announced new programming with the Fluid Art Series, sponsored by Eisenhower Health.

The series debuts in February with three separate performances that showcase a variety of mediums including dance, photography, music, light, sound, and more.

The first performance, Nickerson-Rossi Dance: Past and Present, is on Friday, February 5, at 7:30pm.

Directed by Michael Nickerson-Rossi, this contemporary and modern dance production features an intense choreography

Beginning with Nickerson-Rossi Dance: Past and Present As premier performance on Friday, February 5

with dancers conveying a strong, emotional presence. It is engaging and visually stunning with complex intricacies that unravel through a beautifully orchestrated mixture of movement and emotion.

Following on Friday, February 12 at 8:30pm, the Cristopher Cichocki Presents: Circular Dimensions program is a multisensory performance inspired by the desert and its underwater origins. Audiovisual artist Cristopher Cichocki examines the relationship between humankind, nature, and industry in his most experimental performance to date. By combining elements of video, painting, installation, sculpture, light and sound, Circular Dimensions immerses spectators into a transformative “Desert Abyss” environment.

On Saturday, May 7, at 8pm, Open Desert: Music and Photographic Arts Showcase brings together an array of the desert’s brightest musical and artistic talent. An eclectic line-up of performing artists will collaborate in a live acoustical performance with a cross-pollinating intersection of improv, experiment and creativity. Accompanying the dynamic musical performance is a showcase of photographic works that explore the

Breaking the 4th Wall

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anomaly in that regard and not having seen the original 1934, 1962 or 1984 productions of this show, it’s impossible to say if the script benefited or lost something in the rewrites. But the one thing that has remained consistent through all of the productions of this musical, is the incredible music of Cole Porter, with such classic songs like “It’s De-lovely,” “Friendship,” “You’re the Top” and the signature song, “Anything Goes”, which are timeless gems that hold their appeal for all generations.

Anything Goes, is the story of stockbroker Billy Crocker, (performed by Robbie Wayne), who falls in love with heiress Hope Harcourt, beautifully performed by Jamie

theatre

conceptual boundaries of the open desert. The culmination of photographs is selected from a public online submissions process. The cross-pollination of local musical talent and local photographers will engage the local arts community and provide a prestigious venue for our region’s growing artists.

Each of the performances is held in the state-of-the-art Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum, located at 101 Museum Drive in Palm Springs. Tickets are available at the box office or can be ordered online at annenbergtheater.org. Box Office hours are Wednesday through Friday, 10am to 4pm, and one hour before shows.

By Dee Jae Cox

A Stage Review of “Anything Goes”

nything Goes is the Tony Award winning play currently in production at the Palm Canyon Theatre. With Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter, original book by Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse, heavily revised by the team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse and with a new book by Timothy Crouse and John Wiedman, looks almost like a movie script with all of those writer’s names attached to it. There are 4 versions of the libretto (book) for this play. Unlike film, in theater the playwright is the Supreme Being when it comes to scripts and seldom does a theatrical script have so many revisions by different writers. Anything Goes is an

January 28 to February 3, 2016

Leigh Walker, who brings exceptional talent to many of the Palm Canyon’s productions.

Hope happens to be engaged to another man, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh (Kam Sisco). She and her fiancé are sailing off to have their wedding at sea. Billy stows away, is mistaken for Public Enemy #1 and comedy ensues.

Nightclub singer Reno Sweeney, in an award inspiring performance by actress Francesca Amari, is without doubt a highlight of this production. Her gorgeous voice and a sassy personality kept the mood light and the scenes moving. Tom Warrick as Moonface Martin, (Public Enemy #13) and his girlfriend Erma (Allegra Angelo) are two show stealers. Both catching my attention and bringing a smile with their musical performances of “Be Like the Bluebird” (Martin) and “Buddie, Beware” (Erma).

Steve Fisher’s direction was certainly the result of a lot of creative work. The famous 1940’s image of the sailor kissing the woman in Time Square as he returns from war was perfectly replicated by the character Purity,

(performed by one of my favorite actresses, Dani Jara.) The choreography, tap dancing and overall ensemble performances were stellar.

One of the best parts of this show was Derik Shopinski’s costumes. They were spot on and gave so much depth to each performance. I was captivated every time that Reno Sweeny entered the stage. Each dress that she wore was mesmerizing and stunning and tailored to the scene.

The thing that I enjoy most about seeing a show at the Palm Canyon Theatre is the professional presentation that they always manage to achieve. Anything Goes is not one of my favorite musicals, (I’ve never been a big fan of slapstick comedy, unless it’s Lucille Ball stomping around in a vat of grapes,) but this show gives a good romp around the stage and will no doubt inspire a smile along with a few chuckles. If you are looking for a fun night out and some good old-fashion theater, this is the show to see.

“Anything Goes”, is currently in production through February 7th, at the Palm Canyon Theatre, located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs.

For Reservations: Box Office: 760.323.5123 - palmcanyontheatre.org 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 the hit radio show, “California Woman 411.”

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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‘ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK’ STAR LEA DELARIA BRINGS A NIGHT OF COMEDY & MUSIC TO THE DINAH

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elebrating its milestone 26th Anniversary, Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend, the largest lesbian event in the world, is, once again, upping the volume on your laughter, bringing one of the hottest veterans of Broadway musicals and stand-up comedy for an exceptional, MUST SEE evening!

Lea DeLaria, popularly known as “Big Boo”, the butchest inmate at Litchfield on Netflix’s original hit series, “Orange Is The New Black” is bringing a special night of comedy and music to The Dinah.

“Lea is one of a kind. The first time I worked with her, I was just a young promoter. Here was this LGBT pioneer, this hot butch, a real comic genius and I was in awe. That was almost 20 years ago. The only thing that has changed is that she’s an even hotter butch now than she was then and her genius knows no bounds. I’m happy to be working with her again and feel confident her singular brand of comedy will jingle some body piercings that evening, “says Mariah Hanson, founder and producer of The Dinah.

A comedian, actress and jazz musician, Lea DeLaria is a force to be reckoned with.

Lea is the first openly gay comic to perform on American television; she made history when she boldly declared in 1993 on Arsenio

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Hall’s late-night prime-time talk show, “I’m a biiiiigggg dyke!”

Since then, she has released her latest jazz album, House of David: delaria+bowie=jazz, had countless concerts, theater roles, movies and stand-up specials, and four albums with Warner Brothers. She is also for the second year in a row, hosting the Obie Awards in May this year. She’s of course enjoying a new level of fame now that she’s playing ‘Big Boo’ on Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. Last year, DeLaria received the Equality Illinois Freedom Award for her work as a cutting-edge performer who has used her talent to entertain and enlighten millions of Americans.

An advocate of self-acceptance, she recently shed her clothes as the latest participant of StyleLikeU’s video series, The What’s Underneath Project.

Refusing to be invisible on screen and in life, DeLaria stripped down to her underwear in the name of body positivity to show that style is really about knowing who you are and being comfortable in your own skin.

Be sure to catch Lea DeLaria at The Dinah… in what is already billed to be an unforgettable evening of hilarious comedy!

For more information and/or to purchase tickets go to: www.TheDinah.com

backstagejazz

By patte purcell

Mikole Kaar, who knew?

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azz Jams are one of the staples of the Palm Springs music scene. I’ve attended Mikole Kaar’s jazz jams for years. His new one at The Block was packed last Wednesday night for his birthday party.

Mikole plays sax, flute, piano and sings. He does primarily straight ahead jazz. He’s got Doug McDonald on guitar, Gilbert Hansen on bass and Dennis Burke on drums.

I’ve known Mikole Kaar for about 5 years.

He always does a great job, but it wasn’t until I did this interview that I realized the amazing amount of musical experience he brings to the desert.

He played with the Coasters and Drifters.

He was the contractor (who hires) for the Temptations. He played with Joe Cocker and did several soundtracks for movies including Twins where he played “Yappity Yap” with 2 Live Crew.

This enterprising man had his first song on the charts at age 13, a rock and roll band, The Mod Caps, with a tune called “She’s a Social Climber.” He opened for Billy Joel’s band, Hassles and The Young Rascals, in the South Hamptons as a teenager. How many musicians can boast that?

His love of jazz has taken him on the path he is on today. He has performed with straight-ahead jazz artists including Johnny Hammond Smith, Billy Larkins, Russ Freeman (Rippingtons) and David Benoit.

Mikole moved to the desert 11 years ago from Las Vegas, and about 5 years ago, started a weekly jazz jam at The Tavern in Palm Springs. He moved to A.J.s on the Green and has recently moved it to The Block in Cathedral City on Wednesdays from 7-10. Local musicians stop by and get the joint jumping and the party people come

out in force!

The block is located in Cathedral City on the corner of Date Palm and Ramon.

On Friday and Saturdays from 6-9 he’s at Nicolino’s (35325 Date Palm Drive) and also for brunch on Sundays from 10:30-2:00.

He is currently recording a new straight ahead jazz CD with 10 songs called Give em Heaven. He’s producing it himself at Dori Amarillo studio in LA. When I asked if he had any goals he said: “Make a million dollars playing jazz.” Then he chuckled, “Do you know how you make a million dollars in jazz? Start with $2 million!” Mikole is a baby boomer who is living his dream and his message is “Don’t ever give up on your dream, age is not a factor.”

Mikole can be reached by email at Mikolekaar10@gmail.com

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

LocalMusic Spotlight

Eevaan Tré & The Show

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evaan Tré is a local musician and songwriter from the City of Coachella. His band, Eevaan Tré & The Show, whom he affectionately refers to as “his team” includes Nate Kazmer (drums) and David “Compa” Morales (bass & occasionally guitar). Though he does the majority of the composing, Eevaan Tré is quick to include his band mates not only in the songwriting credits, but also for his understanding of music theory as he has had no formal lessons.

Currently in the studio, the group has been working for over a year on an EP that he says is targeted to be released early April.

When asked about the lengthy time frame in the studio, his response was: “We’re not in a rush and would rather take our time to get the sound right.”

They currently do not have a manager, but have a producer, Brandon Unger, working with them in the studio, which he says has enhanced their sound even more.

After listening to multiple tracks on the web as well as sneak peaks that were sent to me, I will attest that there is a definite difference in the new tracks slated for the upcoming EP. The sound on the new tracks reflect the growing musical skills and cohesiveness of “his team” as the sound was more complex and melodic, more musically “mature” in the combination of sounds, beats, and personal expression.

Eevaan Tré not only sings, but also plays piano and guitar and is taking up percussion.

His band mates are equally talented with their respective instruments. Though he previously released a song in Spanish, he states that the focus is on the English genre. As fellow musicians, we talked about all things music and it was immediately apparent how passionate he is and how seriously he takes everything, including himself. Citing Michael Jackson and Prince among the many influences throughout his life, he also loves the performance aspect that is attached to them.

When asked about an upcoming local band competition, his response was that he does not care for the competition setting, that it puts the wrong expectations and pressures on the bands involved.

When asked about their previous year’s performance at the Coachella Festival,

By Daniel Duardo

Photo By George Duchannes

Eevaan Tré replied: “The biggest impact that it had on us was it left us with a drive that we had previously never known and now we are absolutely determined to take ourselves to the next level.”

Eevaan Tré and the Show have played just about every venue here in the desert multiple times, and feel like they are ready to take on bigger markets and have an eye on Los Angeles. Their next performance will be at the upcoming Variety The Children’s Charity of the Deserts’ “Young Variety Launch Party and Mixer” event this Thursday, January 28th at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, which is located at 701 E. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. The event goes from 7:00pm-12:00am and is free with a $10 suggested donation for the charity.

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

LocalMusic Spotlight

Irie Junctions A

lthough the roots of reggae music are dug deep into the island sands of the Caribbean, in recent years they have begun to bloom and flourish right here in the So-Cal desert. Founded in 2012, CVMA nominees, Irie Junctions are a prime example of roots reggae done right. Current members consist of valley residents, “King” Raymond (vocals/lyricist), Danny Garcia (bass), Alex A. (guitar), Saul Ibarra (drums) and Juan De Lara Jr. (keys). The talented group of young musicians are true students of both the spiritual and social/political tradition of roots reggae and continuously strive to maintain their legitimacy in representing the genre in all of its historic aspects. While doing so, they aim to reach the hearts of listeners with rhythmic vibes that are both soulful and uplifting.

King Raymond: “I met Saul (drummer) first through some neighbors I had been playing music with. Reggae music was pretty much our focus from the beginning. As we got connected with the other guys there were some changes over the years, but the goal has always been to make great reggae music that lifts people’s spirits.”

“Roots reggae” is a subgenre of reggae that deals with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists concerned, including the spiritual side and the honoring of God. It also is identified with the life of the rural poor and those suffering in ghettos.

Lyrical themes may include racial pride, cultural unity, social issues, resistance to government and overcoming oppression.

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Article and photos By esther sanchez

Delivering Positive Spiritual Vibes Through Traditional Roots Reggae

Guitarist Alex A, AKA “Alex Santana” is a newer addition to the group although he has been acquainted with his I.J. bandmates for several years, playing with them from time to time. Well-known throughout the Coachella Valley for his diverse and highly-refined skills on guitar, Alex is a former member of fellow desert reggae group Tribe-O, is a current member of a few other local bands such as the genre-bending act, Techno Hillbillies and even performs solo gigs. Alex: “I like being part of a group with a relevant voice.

Raymond has written some songs that are catchy with well-executed grooves that are socially conscious in theme. One of the songs we do, “Gunshot,” deals with violence and civil unrest and I think it does a good job of addressing so much of what we are seeing in the news every day.”

As nice as it is for Irie Junction to have well-penned lyrics and a positive message, the quality of their musicality is not to be understated. King Raymond is a strong vocalist with a rich tone that deceptively comes across as much more seasoned than what one might expect from a 23 year old and most of the guys are multiinstrumentalists who have spent the bulk of their young lives refining their skills.

Drummer, Saul Ibarra started banging on stuff with sticks at the age of 3. That having not gone unnoticed by his musician father, he remembers performing with his father’s band as early as age 4. Danny Garcia, whose grandfather and great-grandfather were also bass players, began performing in bands

at age 11 and the rest of the band have all been serious about music since their early teens or younger.

In addition to being stocked with guys who have been honing their skills as musicians from a ripe age, Irie Junctions has a couple of musical legacies in rank. Garcia’s grandfather was a member of the famous 1960s Spanish rock-band, Los Moonlights, and keyboard player, Juan De Lara is the nephew of Quino McWhinney, frontman of the wildly successful reggae band, Big

Mountain. With that kind of history, it is no wonder that Irie Junction is such a technically well-rounded and artistically sound group.

Garcia: “This is what I have been doing for most of my life. Making music is mostly all I know. As long as people like what we are doing we are going to keep doing it.”

Check out Irie Junctions live on Feb, 12th at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert. facebook.com/iriejunctionsmusic youtube.com/user/iriejunctionsmusic soundcloud.com/irie-junctions

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Wanda Jackson - Still A Maverick

by Lisa Morgan

Coming to Pappy & Harriet’s, Saturday, January 30 .THIS SHOW IS SOLD OUT!

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8 years old, with 65 consistently relevant years in the music industry, Wanda Jackson is on the verge of a new studio album, new original songs and continues to sell out shows, proving that there will never be another like her.

“She’s like my rockabilly Etta James. I love her, she’s so brilliant. I don’t think ‘Rollin’ in the Deep’ would exist if it wasn’t for Wanda Jackson.”-Adele "Wanda Jackson, an atomic fireball of a lady, could have a smash hit with just about anything.”

-Bob Dylan “There’s an authenticity in her voice that conjures up a world and a very distinct and particular place in time. It’s not something that can be developed.”—Bruce Springsteen It’s hard to gauge your expectations for seeing an artist live for the first time when you hear music industry demi-gods talk about them like this. The woman was, after all, the one who toured with Elvis and was herself considered to be the female version of The King. With 31 studio albums, two Grammy nominations, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, it was a gift to the Coachella Valley that the First Lady of Rockabilly would join the line-up for Stagecoach 2014.

She walked up to the microphone like she was walking through her own backyard, clearly unaware of how dazzling she was or how powerfully the moment embraced those who understood just who this woman was and what she had contributed to the music industry. Then again, how could she not know -the crowd was beside its self. The woman who helped maverick a whole new sound and attitude in the conservative 1950’s, who crossed genre boundaries without blinking an eye, and broke rules in an era when women needed it most, flirted, wooed and sang her way into every heart present at that show.

Talking to her granddaughter, Jordan Simpson, one learns that is the way Jackson had always done it. She never set out to be an icon, a trend setter, or to bulldoze glass walls and ceilings; she just did what she loved to do, the way she wanted to do it.

She was the original. She was the authentic one.

With decades of storied class, sass, wit and poise under her belt, these attributes along with the passion for the music she loves show no sign of wear. No matter where you are logistically to the stage, by the time Wanda Jackson starts into her second song, all gaps are bridged and the entire audience is brought together, right smack dab in the palm of Wanda Jackson’s lovely hand.

For Wanda Jackson, music has always been a family affair, from the earliest days on Decca Records with her father as manager and her mother making her stage dresses, to today with her daughter assisting and her granddaughter becoming her publicist.

Wanda Jackson was born in Oklahoma. Dad bought her first guitar, gave her lessons, and encouraged her to play piano as well. He also took her to see Tex Williams, Spade Cooley, and Bob Wills, leaving a huge impression on Jackson, and part of the reason she would cling to her country

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music roots while forging a path in rock and roll, becoming the “Queen of Rockabilly”.

In 1952, Wanda won a local talent contest and was given a daily show on KLPR that lasted throughout Jackson’s high school years. It’s was there that Hank Thompson, who hosted the Ozark Jubilee Barn Dance, first heard her sing.

Her first contract was arranged with Thompson’s assistance, and she her first country hit in 1954 with the duet “You Can’t Have My Love.” She had wanted to sign with Capitol, Thompson’s label, but was turned down due to her young age, so she signed with Decca instead.

Insisting on finishing high school first, Wanda hit the road with her father as road manager. With her mother making and helping to design her stage outfits, Jackson remembers being the first girl in country music that she knew of to sing in tight, silk, fringe dresses, high heels and long earrings. Long before the style became popular in the 60’s, she raised more than a few eyebrows in the country arena. But they would get over it, most of them anyway. Meanwhile, rock and roll embraced her.

“There was none like her,” shared Jackson about her mother. “She was a hard, hard worker and she used to laugh at herself and say, ‘I don’t know about me! I just love to work.’ Needless to say, she got to work a lot! She always held down an 8 hour a day job, cared for her invalid mother for a time, and would set up late at night working on my stage dresses. One of us would get an idea for a look or design, I’d go to her or she’d come to me, and we’d decide if it would work. Then, while I’d be out on tour, she’d be making it. I’d come home and try it on and it would fit almost perfectly.”

When asked if, as a young girl launching a music career, she was ever afraid of anything, Jackson chuckled, “Maybe it sounds like I’m bragging – I still don’t have a lot of self-confidence, and I had even less then - except when I was getting ready to go on stage. I was very secure about how I looked and what I was doing. I was just ready to get out there and sing and entertain people. I wasn’t very intimidated by anyone really, but if I was I’d talk it over with my dad and he’d remind me that I chose this. He always told me that this was my job, and I’d best get comfortable with it. He’d say, ‘You’re no bigger, no better than other people. This is just a job that you chose and you need to do it well.’

They were a very smart mom and dad.”

Jackson’s first tours in 1955 and 1956, put her on the bill with none other than Elvis Presley.

The two hit it off almost immediately. Jackson said it was Presley, along with her father, who encouraged her to sing rockabilly.

“When I hear Elvis’ music somewhere, I think of his eyes,” Jackson shared whimsically when asked about her experience with Presley. “They were just so different – they were what were called a smoky eye. They were just like his mama’s, very piercing.

He was 20 and I was 17, just out of high school. I’d never seen anything like him. First time I met him he had a black shirt and slacks and a bright yellow sport coat. (Men back then only wore grey, black or tan). I just happened to be wearing a yellow skirt and sweater with a black rose on it. There’s a picture of us together that day floating around out there somewhere. Needless to say, he had a lot of charisma. He would walk into a room and conversations would just stop. Everybody wanted to hear what he had to say.”

In 1956, Jackson finally signed with Capitol, a relationship that lasted until the early ‘70s. Her recording career bounced back and forth between country and rockabilly as she’d often put one song in each style on either side of a single. Jackson cut the rockabilly hit “Fujiyama Mama” in 1958,

January 28 to February 3, 2016

LocalMusic Spotlight

which became a major success in Japan. Her version of “Let’s Have a Party,” which Elvis had cut earlier, was a U.S. Top 40 pop hit for her in 1960, after which she began calling her band the Party Timers. A year later, she was back in the country Top 10 with “Right or Wrong” and “In the Middle of a Heartache.” In 1965, she topped the German charts with “Santa Domingo,” sung in German.

In 1966, she hit the U.S. Top 20 with “The Box It Came In” and “Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine.” Jackson’s popularity continued through the end of the decade.

Jackson married IBM supervisor Wendell Goodman in 1961. Goodman gave up his job in order to manage his wife’s career and support her international tours, a highly unprecedented move for a man in that era. According to Jackson, that beautiful union was in danger of ending at the ten year mark, if it wasn’t for a little church and a pastor they called ‘Brother Paul’. “We’d been married ten years and had two children. We didn’t want divorce and we hadn’t gone as far as talking about it, but it was not looking good. Our kids told us about the new preacher at the church. My mom took it upon herself to make sure they went to church on Sunday’s – that’s another thing she managed to do, bless her heart. We kept hearing ‘Brother Paul this,’ and ‘Brother Paul that.’ We were home on Sunday which was pretty rare – I was usually out (performing) every weekend. So we finally promised the kids we’d go and hear this new preacher.”

“We got there late and the kids and my mother gave up on us showing up and left, but I think that gave us a little more freedom. We listened, and there was an alter call at the end of the service.

The lord just spoke to me. If that sounds funny to people, well, I don’t know how else to explain it.

When God speaks to speaks to your heart, there’s no wondering - you know who it is. I turned to my husband and said that there was something I needed to do. I don’t think I ever fully understood what that was at the time, but I knew I wanted to turn my life over to Christ. When I said that, my husband took my hand and said, ‘Me too.’ God had spoken to him too some way or another, and we went together. From that time forward, our relationship has just been wonderful. It’s not just because we became Christians or started going to church, it’s because when God calls you to surrender your life to Him, He doesn’t stop there.

He continues to help you grow and understand and change your priorities. Mine were all messed up,” she laughed. “It changed everything, and I believe that’s why we’ve been married for 54 years now.”

Jackson’s new found faith inspired gospel albums throughout the 70’s. She returned to her rockabilly roots in 1995, when Rosie Flores released, Rockabilly Filly, and Jackson, her longtime idol, sang two duets on it with her. Jackson joined Flores on a U.S. tour, her first in 20 years. After releasing the critically acclaimed, “Heart Trouble”, and “I Remember Elvis,” Jackson continued to tour

all over the world to sold out venues.

In 2009, Wanda was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2011, released new recordings with Jack White on the album, The Party Ain’t Over. It included a cover of Bob Dylan’s, “Thunder on the Mountain” and Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good”. The album was wellreceived by critics and fans all over the world.

A brand new album is scheduled to be recorded this year. Sworn to secrecy, all I can report is that it will be recorded and produced by another female rock legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. The album will include original songs for the first time in a long time. Jackson, who has been writing with a very special team of Nashville songwriters, shared how different the process is from when she first started out: “Well, it certainly has changed in a lot of ways, but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad change. Country music is big business now. In my day, in the beginning, it was barely something anybody talked about – we had our fans, but it wasn’t what it is today.”

“I always wrote songs by myself. Now they have a writing house with all these rooms. Two to three writers will meet together; they’re not disturbed and can really get down to business. It’s very exciting to me. Vanessa Oliveras has been in all of the writing sessions with me. She is so good with melodies as well as lyrics. I do pretty well with lyrics on my own, but I have more trouble with melodies now. I didn’t used to, but it seems like they’ve changed. So far, all of the songs we’ve done are good enough to record. I’m very excited about who I will be working with. I only have one problem – I won’t be recording in Nashville, which really disappoints me. We’ll just see what happens. I don’t know what to expect other than I will get in there to do my part.”

According to Jackson’s songwriting partner, Vanessa Oliveras (vocalist for Granville Automatic, and cowriter of Billy Currington’s single, “Drinking Town with a Football Problem”), the album will meet the highest of expectations. “Working with Wanda has been an absolute blast,” shared the effervescent Oliveras. “I was presented with the opportunity to write with musical royalty and one of my heroes (thanks to Daniel Lee being so on point, setting up the most perfect writing combinations). I knew, above all else, that I must make it the best experience possible. In every write with the Queen, I make it my personal goal to get her laughing at least a dozen times. I think fun is the key, really. Well, fun and some top notch cowriters – Will Hoge, Angaleena Presley, Travis Meadows, Sonia Leigh, and Kristian Bush. We just get to giggling and write the best damn song we can!” The writers will reconvene in March to continue work on the new album.

Much has changed in the world of music since Jackson’s debut, but a few things have not; music is still a family business. Granddaughter Jordan Simpson works as Jackson’s publicist and is even credited with a co-write on the upcoming album.

Simpson will attest to what else has remained consistent – Wanda Jackson is one of the most unassuming, authentically humble people you will ever meet. It is as if she has no idea of the impact she herself has made as she touts on the impact and talent of those around her. If you are one of the smart, lucky few who purchased tickets to Wanda Jackson’s upcoming show at Pappy and Harriet’s before it so quickly sold out, you will be forever moved and inspired. Wanda Jackson continues to carve a path and set the bar by simply being who she was born to be and fearlessly playing the music she loves. Legends are built on such things.

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

Consider This

JASMINE RODGERS S

ome people are born to make music; it’s in their blood, a destiny they can’t deny. That is how it is for Jasmine Rodgers, who has just released her first full-length solo album, Blood Red Sun. Jasmine was born in London, England in 1976 to Machiko Shimizu and Paul Rodgers.

At the time, her dad was already a Rock & Roll superstar.

He began his career in the ‘60s, first as the vocalist for Free, and then he seamlessly segued, forming and fronting Bad Company. The hard rock Super-Group, which featured members of Free, Mott The Hoople and King Crimson, were signed to Led Zeppelin’s boutique label, Swansong.

They were massively popular on both sides of the pond from 1974 to 1982.

Rodgers went on to front other SuperGroups, in the mid ‘80s it was The Firm with Jimmy Page. Twenty years later he accepted the daunting challenge of stepping into the late Freddie Mercury’s shoes and recording and touring with Queen. He is currently a successful solo artist.

Jasmine started singing before she could talk, began learning piano at age four and guitar at 11. Even then, she considered herself a musician, but not necessarily a performer. Growing up, music gave her inspiration and provided solace.

Her influences were wide ranging and eclectic. Everyone from Led Zeppelin to Billie Holiday, Reggae, Ska, British Folk, Nirvana, Blondie, The Cure, Django Reinhardt, Siouxise & The Banshees, Fugazi and PJ Harvey.

She hadn’t really considered music a career, and was seriously studying art and zoology, but then her older brother Steve started a band, Boa. Formed in 1993, the band evolved from Funk to Indie Rock.

They enlisted Jasmine to sing back up on one track and liked her voice so much she was conscripted into the band while

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by Eleni P. Austin

“Blood Red Sun”

still in high school. Boa lasted in various permutations until 2005.

After Boa broke up, Jasmine seriously contemplated a career in Zoology, but the pull of music was too strong. She has spent the last 10 years woodshedding, playing live and has recorded a well-received EP. But a Spring-time trip to the desert, specifically, Joshua Tree and Thousand Palms, inspired her latest batch of songs.

Returning to Great Britain, She sought out Sean Genocky, owner of Rockfield Studio. A much in-demand producer, he is also guitarist for Red RaceR. Knowing the band had recorded their debut at the infamous Rancho de La Luna studio in Joshua Tree, she figured he was the perfect choice to help shepherd her new songs through the recording process. The result is her first full-length album, Blood Red Sun. The album opens with the one-two punch of the title track and “Taken.”

Jasmine’s fleet fretwork dominates on “Blood…” the desolate melody and mood recalls Gustavo Santaolalla’s dusty instrumental, “Iguazu.” Her warm contralto insists “The sun will guide you, the sun will shine on you/Burn a hole inside of you, you will learn as you burn.”

“Taken” is also stripped to the bone.

Circuitous arpeggios loop through the melody. Jasmine’s dulcet tones can’t conceal concern for a friend who seems to have had it all, only to let it slip through his fingers. “It seems a shame to have it figured out, only to find you’ve lost it all.”

Way back in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, British Folk bands like Fairport Convention and Planxty made explicit the confluence between Middle Eastern and Celtic music.

Led Zeppelin took it a step further with songs like “Gallow’s Pole” and “Kashmir.”

On a couple of tracks here, Jasmine mines that same rich territory, armed only with her trusty guitar.

With “Let It Burn” rapid-fire acoustic

riff-age sears the Celtic mist, revealing an arid ode to insomnia. The desert requires nocturnal adventure. “In the evening I’m awake, chasing dreams beside the weather.” “Icicles” traverses more frigid terrain. Here her nimble acoustic guitar licks split the difference between bouzouki, oud and mandolin. The tune is accented by Dan Carey’s off- kilter percussion. The lyrics chart the course for that most intangible vision quest, an emotional rescue.

Although most of the album shines the spotlight on Jasmine’s tart vocals and virtuoso guitar, four songs, “Between The Spaces,” “Underwater,” “Sense” and “Shaping Up To Be” feature additional instrumentation.

As “Between Spaces” opens, piquant electric guitar riffs collide with chugging acoustic guitar and urgent percussion.

Jasmine’s vocals ebb and flow as the tempo accelerates and she cryptically reassures a potential lover, “I won’t be you, you won’t be me, we won’t say anything till the space is filled again.”

On the expansive “Underwater,” celebrated singer-songwriter Scott Matthews layers in guitar work that pivots from crisp to knotty. He also contributes percussion and backing vocals, while Danny Keane supplies sawing cello runs.

But it’s Jasmine’s vocals that truly

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command the listener’s attention, as she equates heartbreak with the overpowering sensation of drowning. She pleads “Take me from the water’s edge, I need to feel released from there,” and then reveals “these times I learn I am tortured, time will take me and show me what I need.”

On “Sense” sinewy guitar riffs snake through the first verse over a tick-tock rhythm, suddenly the drums kick in, shifting the track into overdrive. Here, Jasmine’s mien is arch and dismissive as she spells out her expectations for a relationship; “Everybody needs to be believed, so then why don’t you put your faith in me?”

Finally, “Shaping Up To Be” is a sunny, minor-key charmer powered by shimmery acoustic guitars, sparkling mandola and a hiccupping back beat. Optimism shines through as she sings “I think of you ‘coz you’re sweet and you’re deep and I love you more than I can know/And I’m taking my time to be here and to love you, safe from the places I told you I left behind.”

It seems clear from “Follow You” and “Milky Way,” that a failed romance partially motivated Jasmine’s desert sojourn. On the former, a delicate lattice of acoustic guitar is buttressed by doleful cello accents. Equal parts pensive and pastoral, it recalls the graceful music of late, great Nick Drake. There’s a longing in her voice that betrays her more rational words. She easily admits she hasn’t completely let go; “Still eyes closed I follow you, still eyes closed I love the view.”

The latter seems more spiky. Over plinky riffs, she breathes in her surroundings; shutting the door on the failed romance, she is consoled by the beauty within her grasp. “A shooting star aimed itself at you, you’re not afraid, it’s a bolt from the blue/ You make a wish ‘coz you know this is happiness.”

The album closes with the winsome lullaby “While You Were Sleeping.” Ukuleleflavored guitar chords mirror Jasmine’s playful attitude as she surreptitiously studies a lover. It’s a sweet finish to an adept collection of songs.

Other musicians who helped shape Jasmine’s vision are guitarist Hotei Tomoyasu, plus drummers Dan Kavanagh and Charlie Morton. Producer Sean Genocky provided extra guitar and his Red RaceR mate John Hogg is the album’s MVP, adding bass, percussion, backing vocals and mandola.

With Blood Red Sun, Jasmine Rodgers officially steps out of the shadow of Boa, as well as her very famous father, Paul.

Soaking in the desert landscapes, she recalibrated her experiences and created rich soundscapes. The warmth of the sun shines through the songs.

art Scene

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

By angela Valente romeo

3 Women/3 Stories: The Women of JTAG

J

oshua Tree Art Gallery or JTAG is a cooperative fine art gallery. This membersupported gallery highlights the work of over 20 artists working in various disciplines.

From January 9 to February 6 the gallery will host an exhibition, Three Women/Three Stories.

Three Women/Three Stories brings the work of Barbara Drucker, Barbara Spiller and Tobi Taboada together. Each woman, while working in different medium, complements each other to tell a unique story. The show presents an opportunity for these artists to delve deeper into their individual work and for viewers to learn more about the creative process of each woman.

Barbara Drucker’s (barbaradrucker.net) exhibition is entitled Threading the Needle.

Barbara studied and teaches at UCLA. She works in mixed media, painting, documentary video as well as photography. “You are not tied to a specific medium,” noted Barbara. “You are tied to the development of your ideas. If the ideas need to be expressed in a three dimensional way or two dimensional way, you will find the way.”

“Threading the Needle is tracing a memory.

It is past and current work threaded together by a common feeling tone tracing memory,” stated Barbara. “I work with thread. I work with braids.

I am creating an environment. The hair joins my childhood and my life in Greece. The current work reflects the influence of the desert, its light and space. But underneath is still the connection of my childhood and my life today.”

“Because this exhibition includes 16 pieces of work produced over a span of about 20 years, it is an opportunity for the viewer to understand the evolution of an artist,” continued Barbara. “My focus has changed throughout my life, and this show brings a part of that evolution to the public, “continued Barbara.

Barbara Spiller’s (barbaraspillerarts.com) exhibition is entitled Intention and Chance. “This is my continuing investigation of the random

events and configurations on the desert floor. I work in encaustic print. It is a medium given to taunting the intentional with the accidental, “ joked Barbara. “Like Barbara Drucker I am not pinned to a specific outcome but more involved in the process of creating the work.”

“I photograph pattern and chance arrangement in nature, often it is simply what is under foot. These images become the stimulus for the work, the intention. Encaustic mono print falls into the same element of chance. The materials, hot plate and fluid colors of wax, which print and leave traces for instance, always have the potential for unforeseen reactions.”

“The fun and excitement is the randomness of the work. The whole discovery, chance and unknown, is what drives my creativity! I will be showing three groups of prints. Anthills inspire one group. Rare puddles in the desert inspire another group. The third group comprises simple, isolated rock shapes set against the carpet of the desert floor.”

“The show allows the viewer to see small changes and the impact of small changes over a body of work. This exhibition is an opportunity to sensitize a viewer to these subtleties.”

Tobi Taboada (tobitaboada.com) is the third woman joining the exhibition. “A Voice in Winter is my exploration into the combined world of encaustic wax medium and handmade paper to create three dimensional installations inspired by the palette of winter.”

“This show is an opportunity for us to express ourselves, collectively and individually. These are conversations between the three artists as well as the work of each artist. A Voice in Winter is a metaphor and opportunity to create within the stillness of the season, an opportunity to see how the ideas play out within the use of the medium of paper and wax and then again within the context of space, the volume that the work itself resides in. To observe how the space itself both expands and contracts visually. The impact on the artist is what I take from that process of moving through,” stated Tobi.

“A Voice in Winter began with commissioning the paper to be made, then moving toward the dialog between the two mediums. Next came the integration with the larger gallery space, then resolution of the various parts and a kind of settling out and completion of the process.”

“Process and truth is actually what joins all three artists in the show,” declared Barbara Spiller.

Three Women/Three Stories is an opportunity to see how art influences these women and how these women influence art. (www.joshuatreeartgallery.com)

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

PET PLACE

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by Janet McAfee

A CHRISTMAS EVE MIRACLE FOR NAGI

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t was December 24, 2015, and most folks were busy with last minute preparations for the Christmas holiday. Vanessa Ruggles and Curtis Sweesy, Loving All Animals’ foster parents, spotted a photo on Facebook of a German Shepherd at the main Riverside county shelter with a desperate plea for rescue help.

The dog’s tragic face, sadly wearing reindeer antlers, was devoid of hope on that Christmas Eve. To make matters worse, the shelter would close for the long holiday weekend. The Facebook networker stated that the dog was “fearful, Rescue Only” which meant she was not available to the public for adoption. Many comments were made on Facebook, but no animal welfare group stepped up to take her.

We quickly realized the dog was in imminent danger of being euthanized. Curtis and Vanessa offered to make the 4-hour round trip to Western Riverside to save her, fighting the holiday traffic jamming the 60 and 91 freeways.

I contacted the county’s rescue coordinator, giving them authorization to pull the 1 ½ year old Shepherd for Loving All Animals.

Vanessa and Curtis have extensive experience after fostering 14 mostly German Shepherd dogs, but even they were not fully prepared to see the extent of this pup’s issues.

The shelter staff was not sure they could get

the dog out of her kennel because she was so terrified. But they were resolute, and willing to do whatever it took. An employee finally emerged with the dog on a leash, crouched low with her belly against the ground, tail wedged firmly between her legs. She was small for her breed, tiny in stature, and very thin at 37 pounds. She was badly emaciated and had a recent wound on the side of her body. It was apparent she recently gave birth to puppies.

On the freedom ride home, they hated to think about how she was treated in her previous home. Most rescue dogs leave the shelter joyfully with wagging tails. Rescue is about “second chances” and this dog deserved a chance to overcome her past in a loving foster home. She was shy and nervous on the trip

back to the Coachella Valley, but eventually gave thankful kisses to her saviors.

Once home, the dog soon eased into their pack of dogs. They named her Nagi (pronounced ‘Nahzee’) which means “soul” in Lakota Sioux.

Curtis lovingly bathed Nagi and carried her around like a baby, the dog easing out of her fear as she wrapped her arms around him with a grateful hug. Watching fear turn to love is one of the joys of fostering an abused animal.

Vanessa recalls, “Seeing this dog transform so quickly into a happy and loving animal was amazing. This is why I love fostering!”

Nagi has put on weight, and while her physical scars have healed, she is still overcoming the effects of past abuse. Vanessa reports that Nagi is still rather timid around new people, but warms up gradually once she

Here’s hallie “Happy” is this pup’s middle name! Hallie, an active 1 ½ year old Papillon/Chihuahua mix, is a 7-lb love bug. Rescued from the county shelter

by Loving All Animals.

Adoption donation requested. (760) 834-7000.

meet Royale This 2-yr-old Tabby would love to be queen of your castle! Loving All Animals rescued Royale after her human passed away. Contact Mary at (760) 834-7000 to meet this gorgeous regal kitty.

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senses they can be trusted.

Vanessa states, “Nagi is so special because she has obviously been mistreated in her life, but like so many of these rescue dogs, she just wants to love and trust so much. Her energy level is unique….this is not a dog who wants or needs to go hiking or out into the world for adventures. She is a homebody and couch potato. She would be perfect for someone who wants a young dog to be able to benefit from their companionship for many years to come.

Her adopter must allow her to snuggle with them on the couch and bed, and would ideally let her sleep under the covers. Generally our fosters must sleep on their own beds, but she staked out a prime sleeping spot between me and Curtis early on and refuses to give it up.”

This is why we love our Loving All Animals’ foster parents! Please consider opening your heart and home to foster a homeless dog or cat. We especially need people willing to foster larger size dogs like Nagi. While it is certainly not required that the dog sleep on your bed, this has brought comfort to Nagi who feels safe from the closeness. Find out more at www. lovingallanimals.org, and contact us at (760) 834-7000 to find out how you can become part of our life saving foster team.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 28 to February 3, 2016

by Rick Riozza

Tasting Through the Top Wines of 2015

W

elcome back my friends to the show that never ends; that is to say, every year wine publications of all sorts get to review, score, or rate the top wines of the past year—it’s never ending.

Actually, if you’re a regular reader of this column, you saw last week my attempt to put together my top list of wines, which really got no further than one wine: an Amarone, the 2008 Masi Sergio Alighieri Vaio Amaron. At around $80, certainly it’s a buy for that special occasion.

Probably the “top list” that gets the most fanfare is the annual Wine Spectator Top 100— “The Most Exciting Wines of 2015”. They report that the wines selected are based on quality, value, and a subjective characteristic they call the “X-factor”.

The editors also claim to consider the wine’s availability, based on the number of cases either made or imported into the United States. In other words, they wish to showcase wines that most people can find.

The “X-factor” considers a bottle that has qualities that set it apart from the usual. Wines that cause the consumer to take note of the interesting merits the wine is showing.

The Top Wine of the Year was from the Peter Michael Winery, the 2012 Au Paradis Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville in Napa Valley. I was fortunate to taste this wine at a restaurant trade tasting in Los Angeles. The winemaker, Nick Morlet, was doing the pouring at the table.

I knew of the winery but hadn’t heard of Au Paradis. Of course I hadn’t, it was the first year to be released. The winemaker was absolutely exuberant about the new wine, the vineyard location, and great California vintage, “Everything was magic!”

I remember tasting the wine at least three times. Being a young wine, Cabs can be tight and tannic, requiring time in the bottle to get its flavor profile together. The Au Paradis seemed to be rockin already. No question, the 2012 vintage, especially in Napa, caused some big wines to come ready out of the gate—some maybe overthe-top, bordering on “fruit bombs”.

But at the tasting, already the quality of the Au Paradis was showing and it was going places! Little did I know that it would go on to take the top prize. I agree with Wine Spectator’s comments: “Deliciously pure and supple, with explosive dark berry and red berry flavors and a silky, polished texture. The tannins become more evident midway through, with a gravelly crushed rock profile that adds a dimension of

dust and mineral.”

The thing is… this 2012 Cabernet is ready to drink today! Unheard of for such a big quality high-end wine. The downside is that less than 2,000 cases were produced and the cost of the wine is over $200 a bottle. It was released at around $175, but with this “top gun” fanfare, the cost is rising as we speak. Unfortunately it may become an “investment wine”—if there’s such a thing these days.

For you well-to-do big Cab lovers, I’m sure you’ll be looking out for this wine. Clearly it is one of California’s great for the vintage. Cheers!

Some of the other Top picks that I have enjoyed and recommend are as follows: I’ve already picked the 2008 Masi Amarone.

Wine Spectator ranked it 8th.

this white blend—which is quite lush and powerful with fleshy peach and apricot flavors and other harvest fruit aromatics, is also silky and lip-smacking that continues with layered complexities and a finishing note of dried spice and green tea.

Contrary to what one may think, this is not a sweet wine but off-dry that can match up with lunch, a light dinner and a seafood platter. It’s great as a chilled aperitif, as well as an afterdinner quaff for a liquid dessert—as I said, it’s a pretty sexy pick-me-up for around $20.

Lastly, bringing up the rear and coming in at 97 is the 2013 Orin Swift Machete, $45. I’ve written of this Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Grenache blend that absolutely wows those who demand plush and expansive flavors and aromas. Anyone with these credentials simply love this wine that offers violets, plums, blackberry, nutmeg, expresso, black tea and white pepper. All the flavors simply mingle and go on and on to the finish. The labels are also a winner that feature sexy models wielding—you guessed it!— machetes, and hanging around a white Cadillac.

Rick is the valley’s “somm-about-town” and continues to entertain and conduct at various wine events, tastings and restaurants. He can be contacted at winespectrum@aol.com

The 2012 Big Table Farm, a Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon was rated 11th.

I also had this at a trade tasting called Pinot Week, where over fifty Pinot Noir producers from everywhere were pouring their stuff. The Big Table Farm was such a hit but I felt bad for the representative/distributor who was visibly flustered when she ran out faster than expected.

The wine was vivacious and intense with raspberry, mint, and spice flavors. It had a classic velvety texture along with a revealing and pleasurable mineral finish. Yum! A wine that I would subjectively describe as “sexy” (I guess that’s my “X-factor call), is the 2014 Tenshen. A white wine from Santa Barbara County that is a Rhone-type blend that includes Viognier, Rousanne, Grenache Blanc, and a Chardonnay. It was ranked a commendable 29th.

I’m not really a big fan of a juicy California Viognier that can sometimes ride high on the honeysuckle and orange blossom. But

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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­­­THUR JANUARY 28 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co. 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx & Doug MacDonald 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Dancing & DJ 9pm open 6pm-2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Entertainment 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-770-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Barry Baughn and Bob Gross 6:30pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Night 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Rob Staley 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am

MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Mick Rhodes & The Hard Eight 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Corwin’s Bday Party w/ Upper Class Poverty, Monreaux, Nuclear Cowboys and The Dirty X’s 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Jason Weber 4:30pm, Sharon Sills & Dave Ring 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 DJ Dracer 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Open Mic hosted

by Josh Heinz 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T-Bone Karaoke 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Tony DiGerlando 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Flyer 4-6pm, Carolyn Martinez Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Laurie Morvan Band 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ Bigster 8pm

FRI JANUARY 29 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Dude Jones 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Daniel. T. 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Brian & Gilmore Show 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Fleet Easton 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 TBA 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm Open 6pm-2am BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 Lady Eris 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm

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CLEMETINE; PD; 760-834-8814 Gina Carey 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Puro Oro Tour w/ J Patron, Thr3 Strykes and more 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Gina Carey 7pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 TBA 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Common Ground 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 DJ 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 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; 760-3274080 Southbound & Co. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 Off Da Cuff 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 I See Hawks in LA 8pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm 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; PS; 760-322-4422 Steven Brinberg- Simply Barbra 7pm, Slim Man 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Beat A Baums 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Hollace, The Flusters and Shaman Rock 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm

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SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-3282300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755-5391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Meet The Corwins 5:30-7:30pm, John Stanley King 8pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 5:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Derek Jordan Gregg 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 TBA 9pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night Out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT JANUARY 30 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6:30pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Brian Waters noon poolside, Highlife w/ DJ Day 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret Open Mic 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 TBA 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm open 6pm-2am BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-775-5566 DJ 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Blue & White After Party w/ Flashback Boyz 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Jack Ruvio 6:30pm

THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 TBA 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Fu Manchu w/ Fatso Jetson and Big Pig 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Common Ground 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Circle of Fifths 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm 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; 760-3274080 Hotwyre w/ Buddy Greco Jr. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 TBA 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Wanda Jackson and Jesika Von Rabbit 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 TBA 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Steven Brinberg- Simply Barbra 7pm, Kal David, Lauri Bono & The Real Deal 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Latin Night 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Derek Jordan Gregg 7-10pm ROUTE 74 @ PUEBLO VIEJO; PD; 760-674-2171 Live Band TBA SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Lift Every Voice Singing Competition 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm

January 28 to February 3, 2016

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; 760-341-3560 TBA 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-3282300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm TRYST; PS; 760-832-6046 Chill Magnet’s Record Release Party w/ The Hive Minds 9:30pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755-5391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The Carmens 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 8pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

SUN JANUARY 31 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Intoxica Radio Live w/ Howie Pyro 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Brunch w/ Doug MacDonald and Bill Saita 11:30am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm continue to page 22

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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good grub

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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by Robin E. Simmons

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT

“In this moment, it is not possible for me to know if the infinite jungle has started on me the process that has taken many others that have ventured into these lands, to complete and irremediable insanity. I find it impossible to describe its beauty and splendor. All I know is that, like those who have shed the thick veil that blinded them, when I cam back to my senses, I had become a different man.” ~ Edited excerpt from the 1907 journal of explorer Theodor Koch-Grünberg Based on the diaries of two early 20th century explorers who never met, Ciro Guerra’s hypnotic, hallucinatory, black and white film rescues the memory of an Amazonian culture that no longer exists.

The story details the terrible cost to indigenous cultures from the gradual invasion of western civilization, based on the real-life adventures of separate

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European and American explorers and a local shaman.

At once blistering and poetic, SERPENT depicts the terrible cost to indigenous cultures from the gradual invasion of western civilization -- notably greedy rubber barons and abusive missionaries – that cast a dark shadow over the South American landscape.

The story centers on Karamakate, a shaman and the last survivor of his people and the two scientists who, over the course of 40 years, build a friendship with him. The film, inspired by the real-life journals and letters of two explorers -- Theodor KochGrünberg and Richard Evans Schultes – who traveled through the Columbian Amazon in search of the sacred and rare psychedelic plant Yakruna.

Filmed during course of seven weeks in the jungles of Vaupés, this is the first theatrical film to be shot in the Colombian Amazon in more than 30 years. But more significantly, it is also the first Colombian film to feature an indigenous protagonist that is told from his perspective.

Director Ciro wrote the screenplay over the course of four years with co-writer Jacques Toulemondo coming on board for the final drafts. Ciro said, “I spent two years, on and off, living in the Amazon, researching the story.”

Jan Bijvoet plays Theodor and Brionne Davis is Evan. Nilbio Torres plays the young Karamakate. This is his first film appearance and he is mesmerizing. Antonio Bolivar Salvador plays the older Karamakate with a wise, resigned grace. He said, “SERPENT is a film that shows the Amazon, the lungs of the world, the greater purifying filter and the most valuable of indigenous cultures.

That is the greatest achievement.”

When writer-director Ciro was asked if this film changed his perception of the world, he said: “It is difficult for us born and raised in the capitalist system to change our lives. But it is comforting to know that there is not just one way to be human.”

EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT is the Best Foreign Film Nominee from Columbia.

Screeners No.201

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

Pat O’Connor directs Simon Gray’s adaptation of J.L. Carr’s beloved, sensitive novel about two emotionally wounded Word War I vets (Colin Firth and Kenneth Branagh) who seek respite in the bucolic Yorkshire countryside. As they work on the restoration of an ancient church mural and the possible unearthing of an archaeological treasure they encounter a local vicar’s lovely young wife (Natasha Richardson). Complications of love and longing soon become palpable, but always with reticence, tact and respect. Dullness is avoided with welcome doses of sly wit.

The cool score by Howard Blake is in the style of early 20th-century music and can be listened to on an isolated track. Twilight Time Movies. First time on Blu-ray (Limited to 3,000 units).

HOUSE OF BAMBOO

Writer-director Sam Fuller’s lean, hardboiled detective thriller from 1955 is a gangster noir for the post WW II world.

Shot entirely on location in Tokyo and Yokohama by the gifted cinematographer Joe McDonald. Under the lens is a brutal Japanese-based American gang led by an unrepentant sadist played by Robert Ryan with chilling glee. Twilight Time Movies.

First time on Blu-ray. (Limited to 3,000 units).

THE BEST OF EVERYTHING

THE BLOOD LANDS

It’s Ed (Lee Williams) and Sarah’s (Pollyanna McIntosh) first night in their new home, an isolated farmhouse in the Scottish country. This should be a new beginning away from their stressful lives in the city.

But as darkness falls, Sarah suspects they are not alone. Ed goes to investigate and suddenly their joy turns to terror as they become bait in a sinister plot. Soon, Ed and Sarah get separated and fight to survive in lethal game of cat-and-mouse. Magnolia.

Blu-ray.

Rona Jaffe’s juicy melodrama about a 1950’s era New York publishing house by that “painterly master of Scope,” director Jean Negulesco stars Hope Lange, Diane bake and Suzy Parker as a trio of roomies working under a demanding female boss (Joan Crawford). The story details their professional and very personal trials and tribulations. Also starring Stephen Boyd, Louis Jordan and future super-producer Robert Evans as the naughty men in their lives. Alfred Newman’s magnificent score can be enjoyed on a separate track. This great looking, underrated film is a perfect time capsule of the era. Twilight Time Movies. First time on Blu-ray (limited edition of 3,000 units).

Comments? robinesimmons@aol.com

Book Review

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

By Heidi Simmons

Rancho Mirage Writers Festival: A Readers Paradise

C

ongratulations to all the organizers, workers and supporters of the Third Annual Rancho Mirage Writers Festival for delivering an excellent event.

Enough cannot be said about how much the festival is loved and adored by CV readers.

I am delighted to use my column to sincerely speak for the majority of those who attended: “We are grateful for the time and energy you gave to such a high-end, thoughtful program.

Thank you!”

Over three days, 1,000 readers enjoyed moving from venue to venue listening and interacting with 40 authors and fellow literary fans. The energy was up-beat and positive.

The vibe, joyful. Even at its most crowded, happy attendees moved about with ease.

During lunchtime, standing in line or sitting in anticipation of an event, wonderful conversations ensued. Book lovers are quick to talk about what they have read and their favorites. They crave to engage. When they discover you have read the same book, there is a delightful repartee.

The award winning and beautiful Rancho Mirage Library setting makes the event familiar and personal. The wonderful librarians, who do so much year-round to serve the community, are present at the festival. They continue to make their patrons experience as perfect as possible.

Attendees all wear lanyards with his or her name professionally printed, which adds to the intimacy and encourages friendliness.

The simple act of printing each attendee’s name helps make everyone feel special.

The hardest part about any festival setting is scheduling the day. During the RMWF, three venues ran simultaneously, every hour, from the start of the day, which began at 9:00 am, and concluded at 3:30.

The evening program is set at one venue and contains two amazing events. Everyone is together on the same page. It’s nice to relax in the fantastic Helene Galen Auditorium and enjoy engaging speakers.

Each of the venues I attended was rewarding, satisfying and immensely entertaining. I was able to arrange my schedule where I felt I really got a terrific sampling of authors. Would I like to have seen more? Well, of course. But I’m not sure I would have had the stamina. Too much intellectual stimulation, as exhilarating as it is, can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Whoever has the headache of working out the schedule, designing and combining programs so the authors are spread out and available throughout the fest, deserves a special debt of gratitude (and probably a bottle of aspirin and added vacation time.)

This year RMWF added a program called

“Short Talks.” This event combined two authors who split the hour. This worked out great. At first, I thought it would not be enough time, but in fact, there was ample time for the authors to share their work and even take questions.

The authors I chatted with commented on how they too appreciate the fine qualities of the RMWF. They like being in Rancho Mirage, especially those who live on the east coast, and appreciate the intelligence and passion of the attending readership. They consider Rancho Mirage an excellent host.

Although the festival leans more toward nonfiction, it still features fiction authors as

GENO BIGGI INDUCTED INTO SFA HALL OF FAME

T

he 41st Winter Fancy Food Show, produced by the Specialty Food Association for food and wine purveyors and wholesalers, took place in San Francisco on January 17-19 at the Moscone Center showcasing 1,400 exhibitors representing the latest in specialty foods and beverages from across the U.S. and 35 countries.

In addition to promoting hundreds of specialty foods, the SFA honors the past and inspires the future through its annual Hall of Fame and Leadership Awards Ceremony, and this month Palm Desert

resident Geno Biggi, founder and owner of Beaverton Foods and a fourth generation manufacturer of gourmet condiments, received this exceptional honor.

The Biggi food business goes back to the 1920s when Geno’s mother Rose, an Italian immigrant, started a horseradish business out of the basement of her Beaverton, Oregon, farmhouse. Starting as his mother’s helper, over the years Geno managed to invent the first shelf-stable horseradish, the first wet Chinese Mustard, and the first Honey Mustard in the world. He eventually took over his mother’s horseradish business

by janet newcomb

well. The festival even included poetry this year, which pulled in a nice sized crowd. Every bit of the program is thoughtfully planned.

Most of the authors are not only critically acclaimed, but have written multiple books.

Many of the authors come from journalism backgrounds, which makes them especially attuned to contemporary global issues. The discussions are as good as anything on Meet The Press or C-SPAN’s Book TV. Although this festival is a reader’s paradise, the geo-political conversations make it equally enjoyable to nonreaders as well.

The Rancho Mirage Writers Festival is so special and so much fun, I wanted to stop everyone wearing a green lanyard -- which represents the Angels who donate 70 percent of the funds necessary to make the festival possible -- a hug and kiss. Instead, every time I passed an angel, I whispered “Thank you.”

Yep, that was me and I was talking to you.

Every week when I write my “Book Review” column, I wonder if there are book lovers out there. This event assures me there are indeed readers, who, like me, love books and admire those who write them. Kudos MMXVI RMWF for a job well-done! I can hardly wait until next year.

personal profile

and expanded its distribution to all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries.

Today, the product line includes mustards, horseradish, wasabi, dressings, marinades, BBQ sauce, salsa, and other sauces, and the company has products in ninety-eight percent of American grocery stores with 150 condiment flavors, and employees 80 people. His son Domonic and nephew Jeffrey Biggi now handle most of the day to day operations while Geno enjoys playing golf with his wife Lindi near their Palm Desert home.

Beaverton Foods’ office walls are covered with awards from tasting competitions, and last year the team added four more from the world-wide Mustard Competition in Middleton, Wisconsin, including two gold medals for its Beaver Chinese Mustard and its Inglehoffer Extra Hot Sriracha Mustard.

In addition to being inducted to the Hall of Fame, Geno and his sons also brought home a silver medal for their Inglehoffer Hot Horseradish Mustard and a bronze for their Beaver Cranberry Mustard. Congratulations Geno! What a wonderful way to start the new year.

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 17

BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Motown, R&B and Funk 6pm-2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 & Friends 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company, in the afternoon, Hot Rox, in the night MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley.

Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Hot Fudge Sunday Band 7pm PETE’S HIDEAWAY;PS; 760-322-6500 The Evaro Brothers 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Judy Show 7pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Myx 6pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John Stanley King 6-9pm

VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

MON FEBRUARY 1 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Mood Deep House Lounge 6pm-2am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Ron Kalina’s Jazz 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Singer Song Writer Open Mic hosted by Robert Poole 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry Night w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 T-Bone Karaoke 8:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Gina Eckstine 6:30pm 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

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TUE FEBRUARY 2 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Terah Acevedo and Nick Nguyen 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Tommy Dodson 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Open DJ Night text 760-799-8800 to sign up 6pm-2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-770-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted

by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Open Mic Jam w/ Jimi Heil 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Ladies Night 7pm

PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Jason Weber 4:30pm, Rose Mallett 7pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 T-Bone Karaoke 8:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Douglas McDonald 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Mike Costley and Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Tequila Tuesdays 9pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Bolivar & Barney McClure 6pm

WED FEBRUARY 3 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Max Kasch 7pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Pro Jazz Jam w/ Shelley Yoelin 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Beer Pong Contest 6pm-2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Gina Carey 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Saving Abel w/ Hollace and Kirra 8pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm

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JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Mikael Healey 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Roger Lemieux 5pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Michael Holmes Jazz Trio 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Grady James 9pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 The D Phillips Band 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz 6pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Open Mic w/ Les Michaels 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Lizann Warner 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke 9pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Chuck Alvarez All Star Session 6:30pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 28 to February 3, 2016

Community

PRESIDENT BRINGS HEALTH SOLUTIONS TO THE VALLEY

P

resident Clinton and the Clinton Foundation held its Fifth Annual Health Matters Activation Summit in Indian Wells, bringing with them new programs and partnerships to advance the health and wellness of the United States.

The Summit brought together 450 leaders in healthcare, public policy, business, technology, education, and professional sports in an action-oriented dialogue on what’s working and what more can be done to improve the health and well being of communities across the United States.

CHMI and its partners engaged key thought leaders and community stakeholders to develop a framework for improved health to decrease preventable disease and address health inequities and disparities.

In attendance was the first person to sequence the human genome, Dr. J. Craig Ventor; World Cup Champion, Abby Wambach, who spoke about how including women and girls in sports improves their health; along with dozens of experts, who joined in panel discussions on Sunday and Monday.

In the quest for longevity in our rising death rates, President Clinton briefly touched on the broken heart in relation to the epidemic of suicides, opioid addiction, alcoholism and heroin overdoses in middle age white America.

Adapt Pharma, Limited, announced their collaboration with CHMI to offer a free carton of NARCAN® (naloxone hydrochloride) Nasal Spray to all high schools in the United States through the state departments of education.

NARCAN is a life-saving medication that can stop or reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Oglala Sioux, Dr. Donald Warne, Director of the Master of Public Health Program of North Dakota State University, talked about the need for an app that helps an individual to sign up to all the health care services they need at the same time, while Dr. Ventor suggested everyone have their genome sequence done to give them early detection to prevent things such as heart disease,

Former President Bill CLinton

Article and Photos by Richard Noble

while making it affordable to all.

Fruits and vegetables seem to be a recurrent theme, with exercise and fresh produce, the recipe for healthy communities.

If we have community-based solutions that involve all stakeholders, we can make a lot of difference,” said President Bill Clinton.

The Clinton Foundation hosted a Day of Action at La Quinta High School where more than 75 students, teachers, and parents

Dr. Donald Warne, Director of the Master of Public Health Program of North Dakota State University

Dr. J. Craig Venter, first sequencer of the human genome

came together to cultivate a community garden and prepare 150 healthy meals that were donated to the Joslyn Center’s Meals on Wheels program.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy presented the winners of the “Fight the Ladykiller” codeathon in October 2015, organized and run by CHMI in partnership with Cal State LA and The Women’s Heart Alliance. Over three days, 40 Cal State LA

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

students came together in six teams to learn about women’s heart health and develop educational apps geared toward increasing awareness of cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of women.

There are a lot of exciting things to learn about and participate in locally.

Please visit the Clinton Foundation at ClintonFoundation.org and see how you can get involved.

Congressman Ruiz with wife Monica and their twins, Sage and Sky

Donna Shalala, President of the Clinton Foundation and & Abby Wambach, World Cup and Olympic Champion

Palm Springs Mayor, Robert Moon

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

Haddon Libby

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

YOUR GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL INVESTING

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as recent volatility in the stock market left you feeling queasy like a rough rollercoaster ride?

Here are a few investing tips used by successful investors that might help you.

Successful investors have an Investment Plan and an Investment Philosophy while maintaining a Diverse mix of assets managed in a Disciplined way.

Do you have a plan? As an example, if you want to retire at a certain age, you need to save enough to afford that goal. If your investments need to grow at an 8% rate in order to support your goals, investing in 0.4% bank CDs probably will not work. Rolling the dice on risky penny stocks probably will not work either.

By defining key pieces of your plan, you can set an approach to investing that will have a highest chance of success with a level of risk that you can stomach.

What is your investment philosophy? I like to invest in companies with low debt levels and strong cashflows that possess economic moats against competition. I like companies that can pay dividends so long as those dividends do not prohibit reinvestment in the business. My approach means that I have to do a lot of research and monitoring.

I also try and stay out of the way of freight trains. What do I mean by that? If an oil

company is paying a nice dividend, I won’t own it as the downside risk to principal loss (and a dividend cut) at present probably outweighs the upside opportunity. Part of my philosophy includes owning stocks that participate in most of market movements on the upside but avoid market downturns.

When investing, diversify. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is that they fall in love with specific industries and companies. A successful investor has a mix of holdings in companies in that do business in different industry sectors (e.g. consumer staples, utilities, communications, etc.).

Second, they want a mix of companies that are in growth mode along with more stable companies that produce strong cashflows yet grow more slowly. Third, they diversify based on the regions of the world that the companies serve. Fourth, they own a mix of giant, large, medium and small companies.

Along those lines, avoid stocks under $5.00 a share as well pink sheet stocks. While this may mean you miss a few opportunities, this segment of the stock market has the greatest number of company failures as well as outright frauds.

Stay disciplined. Recent market gyrations show that you should not change your investment philosophy willy-nilly. Successful investors stick with an investment philosophy

and make adjustments as needed. Those who change their philosophy regularly often underperform as they are more inclined to buy high, sell low and act on emotion versus critical analysis.

Another important tip - avoid day trading.

As computer trading accounts for the majority of all buys and sells in the stock market, it is nearly impossible for the average investor to outwit these complex trading algorithms. Your chance of beating the market as a day trader is probably on par with winning at casino slot machines.

If this is all too much for you and you decide to hire an investment advisor, make sure that you have one of their competitors look your portfolio every few years. I cannot tell you how many times that I have seen a ‘good friend’ investment advisor take advantage of that friendship for their own financial gain.

Lastly, be wary of annuities and limited partnership investments as those types of investments pay your advisor their highest commission which can cloud their vision and put your financial objectives behind their financial interests.

Haddon Libby is Managing Director of Winslow Drake, an investment advisory firm and can be reached at hlibby@winslowdrake. com or 213.596.8399.

Dale Gribow On The Law

12 REASONS YOU LOST OR WILL LOSE YOUR HOLIDAY DUI case he back of my business card says: do not go to trial so it is important to know

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Upon advice of my attorney, Dale Gribow, I exercise my Right to Remain Silent until you contact him at 760837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

My attorney has advised me the VOLUNTARY Field Sobriety & Breath Tests, at the scene, are OPTIONAL (unless one is on probation). Thus I elect not to take them.

I want to cooperate and am happy to take a BLOOD TEST. You are probably the reason you lost or will lose your DUI case by not following this advice and knowing the following 12 ways to lose your DUI. 1. Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver. No matter what you say the police are not going to let you go. Unfortunately it is not only what you say BUT what the officer THOUGHT HE HEARD YOU SAY. Remember the officer does not prepare the report until he goes back to the station and thus they often forget things. Do not talk to anyone other than your lawyer. Remember law enforcement officers and prosecutors are Not your friends. They are doing their job and making a case.

2. Don’t hire a DUI lawyer from out of town. Though competent, they will not know the local Judges, DA’s and court personnel (clerks and bailiffs). Most cases

24

and be respected by the local court.

3. Take down your Social Media/ Facebook until the case is over. Social media is the biggest advance for DA’s, who no longer have to leave the office to investigate to find your friends.

4. Have your attorney call DMV within 10 days. That will save your license which would otherwise be suspended 30 days after your arrest, for 4-5 months, as stated on the Pink slip you received.

5. Have your attorney request a STAY, which freezes the suspension after 30 days.

6. There are issues of constitutional rights at most hearings if you completed a chemical test. If you refused a test, that will be used to prove guilt. You must explain refusals to win. Do not try this alone as hearing officers are both judge and prosecutor and are trained to cross examine you.

7. Remember the DA has the burden of proof to prevail on all issues or refusal matters. If the DA meets the burden of proof on only part of the issues, you win as set forth by the law.

8. You must know a DUI creates 2 separate proceedings to address- the court and the DMV hearing. The outcome of one does not necessarily affect the other.

9. At a DMV hearing there are only 3 issues after you completed a Blood or Breath test. They are set forth on the back of the DMV paper you received. The main issue is whether the officer had probable cause to stop or contact you and whether the chemical test is beatable.

10. The DMV hearing is a PER SE Hearing and if you have a .08 or higher you are per se guilty in their eyes. The burden of proof then, in essence, reverts to the driver to prove they were not guilty.

11. We normally do not want our client at the DMV hearing, though they have a right to be there. Most DMV hearings are arguments over evidence, not facts.

If the driver is present the hearing officer can call them to testify under oath, over our objection. The hearing is taped so the driver’s statements can be used against them in a court trial. Pleading to the hearing officer for your license because you have never been arrested before or because you

are a wealthy philanthropist, who has never had a ticket, will do no good. The hearing officer may pity you but they will still take your license. Hearing officer have no authority to “plea bargain” or deviate from the statutory penalties.

12. The DMV hearing is an Administrative hearing and thus does not follow the same rules that we follow in the courtroom. DMV usually wins way over 90% of the hearings.

Suggestions for future articles? Contact dale@dalegribowlaw.com or 760-837-7500.

DALE GRIBOW TOP LAWYER - Palm Springs Life-(DUI/ Accidents)-2011-16 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating “PREEMINENT” Rating - Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory “BEST Attorneys of America” Selected by “Rue” (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys per state)

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

safety tips

January 28 to February 3, 2016

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Life is Uncertain… A Sweet Lesson

I

have been in the fire service for over 30 years. I’ve encountered and handled almost every type of emergency situation. But when something devastating hits at home, it’s a different ball game.

My mom was diagnosed with cancer just prior to her 80th birthday in October 2015. She passed on December 28th. No matter their age, losing a parent is hard. They’ll always be your parent. It’s been a tough hit for my brothers and me - but so much more for my dad, who had shared over 63 years of his life with her.

Through every tragedy there are opportunities, if you’re open to seeing them. Since my mom died, My Dad and I have been having more heart-toheart talks and doing new things together. I see him in a different light and I feel so fortunate for this time with him. Unfortunately, it has taken a tragedy for this to happen. I guess we get too comfortable in life.

My dad, an old-school Italian guy, loves anise cookies. A week or so ago, searching for a way to cheer him up, I called Frankie’s Old World Italian Bakery in Cathedral City. Frankie answered and I told him the story of my mom and that I was looking for some special cookies to bring a smile to my dad’s face.

Without hesitation Frankie invited me and my dad - at no charge, as his guest - to his monthly musical dinner show the next evening. I was amazed at the gesture but also a little hesitant my dad and I had never done that sort of thing

together. But then I figured, why not give it a shot?

After all, “Life is Uncertain.”

From the moment we arrived, Frankie and his staff made my dad feel so special. Like family. My dad needed this night. We talked, laughed, shed a few tears, sang, and ate great Italian food. We did something different that struck me as both odd and funny: We dipped Italian cookies in our wine.

It was a night I will always remember - one of the best experiences we have shared together. My dad relaxed, but in a different way - with me. I won’t forget this night…

Losing someone can make life seem cruel. But through all of this, I have found the opposite. There are an incredible amount of loving people out there if you open yourself to them.

It wasn’t until after that night at Frankie’s that I visited the store’s website and saw their slogan: “La Vita e’ Incerta… Mangiare Biscotti Prima.” It means “Life Is Uncertain… Eat Cookies First.”

Life certainly is uncertain. Don’t take it or people for granted. And share some cookies!

This one is for you, Mom. I know you were watching down on me and Dad that night, and smiling.

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna ***To some other very sweet people: Tracy Dietlin of CV Weekly; my mom’s caretaker and now family friend, Adriana Rosas; and the doctors, nurses and staff at Eisenhower Hospital: God Bless You!

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

sports Scene

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Julie Buehler

Football 101: Where You Should Be Thursday Night

Y

ou know that awkward feeling when two or three of your buddies share an inside joke and you’re on the outside of it?

You grin to one side, looking away. Kinda act like you get it and try to act like you’re not disappointed that someone didn’t let you in on it. And then you try to ignore the slight and find something new to talk about.

That’s how a LOT of women, and some guys, feel about football. They might get why some people are fans, they might understand the rituals surrounding every week’s games, they might even sorta enjoy the weekly BarB-Q, but there’s just something that makes them feel like an outsider.

Well, that’s changing THIS Thursday, January 28th.

The Ritz-Carlton has teamed up with Jessup Auto Plaza and Shelter From The Storm to offer Football 101: For The Ladies, hosted by me. Your favorite football nut.

Super Bowl 50 will provide us with a fantastic backdrop to understand how the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos navigated their respective conferences and reached the Golden Anniversary of the Big Game.

You’ll learn what the first “Super Bowl” looked like and how much it’s changed!

You’ll learn why some teams succeed

while others flop.

You’ll learn what made Peyton Manning so good in the past and why he’s struggled more recently.

I’ll explain how to watch for the big plays that make the room erupt and sometimes leave people wondering what they missed.

In Football 101, you won’t be on your way to becoming an NFL head coach, you’ll be on your way to really enjoying an NFL game from your couch!

You don’t need to break down a coverage scheme or understand the layers of chess each play can offer to enjoy the game!

In Football 101, you’ll learn the lingo. Why a linebacker is called a linebacker, who some of the greats are and how YOU can use that information to impress anyone at a Super Bowl party.

You’ll finally get a seat at the table to be comfortable with the loud-mouth sports fans

sports Scene

thanks to some key facts, stats and concepts I’ve learned in more than a decade of sports journalism and 2 decades of studying sports.

And you’ll understand the brilliant architecture of the game of football, the artistry and the gracefulness of America’s most popular game.

And if you’re already a football fan, I guarantee you’ll learn more about the game you love and understand why it’s replaced baseball as our nation’s pastime and where the game is going.

We’ll discuss the virtues of the game, the fun of it, the myths and realities.

Plus, we’ll be raising money for Shelter From The Storm, the valley’s only domestic violence shelter. Talk about a win-win.

So while you’re looking for something to do Thursday night, make your first stop The Ritz Carlton between 5:30-6:30 where refreshments will be provided with your $25

admission. And then from 6:30-7:30 we’ll be covering Football 101 and enjoying a candid conversation with NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and other football players who will share their experiences and pull back the veil of the sport.

This is your chance to be on the inside of the NFL in a way few get to see and do so in a fun environment!

Tickets are still available (for now). You can get them online, or just come to the Ritz and ask for Football 101.

See you Thursday!

FOOTBALL 101: FOR THE LADIES (but guys can come too) THURSDAY JAN 28TH, 5:30-7:30 THE RITZ-CARLTON IN RANCHO MIRAGE LEARN THE GAME & HELP COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Julie Buehler hosted the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day for 3 years, but now she can be exclusively seen on KMIR sharing the coolest stories in sports and heard on 103.9 FM ESPN from 6-7 pm nightly. 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 to KMIR’s nightly news or KMIR.com for her sports reports.

by Flint Wheeler

Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50

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he NFC champion Carolina Panthers will face the AFC champion Denver Broncos on football’s biggest stage after defeating the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, respectively, in their conference championship games Sunday.

Carolina dismantled the Cardinals in every phase of the game, and the Broncos took down New England in a close finish.

In the NFC Championship Game, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns with one interception and also rushed for 47 yards and two more scores. He set an NFL record as the first player to pass for 300 yards and rush for two scores in the same postseason game.

In the AFC, the Broncos’ defense outlasted New England quarterback Tom Brady, who despite being hit a season-high 20 times managed to pull within a two-point conversion of tying the game and sending it to overtime before Denver cornerback Aqib Talib broke up the final pass to Julian Edelman.

Super Bowl 50 will take place Sunday, February 7, at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, in Santa Clara, CA. Carolina has the game’s biggest offensive

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weapon in quarterback Cam Newton, but Denver will counter with arguably the best defender in the contest, linebacker Von Miller.

Cam Newton… Von Miller… where have we heard those names paired before? Oh, yeah, the 2011 NFL draft, when they were the first two picks, in that order. Few drafts have begun with that kind of 1-2 punch, but the 2011 edition went much deeper than that, with the first round positively littered with studs Let’s take a look back, shall we?

1. Panthers: Cam Newton (QB, Auburn) 2. Broncos: Von Miller (LB, Texas A&M)

Cam Newton threw for two touchdowns and ran for two others, and Carolina’s bigplay defense stifled Arizona’s top-ranked offense in a 49-15 romp Sunday for the NFC championship.

The NFL’s new top man at quarterback -Newton is an All-Pro this season -- will lead the Panthers against five-time MVP Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl in two weeks.

It will be the first Super Bowl for Newton and the second trip to the big game for the Panthers (17-1), who lost to New England 12 years ago. Denver, of course, has made a

habit of going to Super Bowls, reaching it for a record-tying eighth time.

Carolina’s D was destructive. It forced six turnovers by Carson Palmer -- special teams got one -- as the Cardinals (13-4) allowed their most points this season.

Earlier in the day the Denver Broncos beat the Patriots 20-18 in a thriller that nearly went the other way at the last second.

With less than 90 seconds on the clock, Brady connected with All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski on a deep downfield throw that later set up a touchdown between the two.

However, it was all for nothing, as Brady’s attempt at a two-point conversion was bobbled and eventually intercepted with about 12 seconds left on the clock.

New England had to go for 2 after Brady’s 4-yard touchdown to Gronkowski because Stephen Gostkowski missed an extra point in the first quarter, snapping a string of 523 straight makes.

Vegas has the opening line at Panthers -4.5. However, as I am writing this I see it going to -5. Panther money is coming in fast and heavy. My pick - Panthers win going away. 32-17.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of January 28

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do you know Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights? At one point, the heroine Catherine tells her friend about Edgar, a man she’s interested in. “He wanted all to lie in an ecstasy of peace,” Catherine says, “and I wanted all to sparkle and dance in a glorious jubilee. I said his heaven would be only half alive; and he said mine would be drunk: I said I should fall asleep in his; and he said he could not breathe in mine.” If you’re a typical Aries, you’re more aligned with Catherine than with Edgar. But I’m hoping you might consider making a temporary compromise in the coming weeks. “At last, we agreed to try both,” Catherine concluded, “and then we kissed each other and were friends.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): People turn to you Tauruses for help in staying grounded. They love to soak up your down-to-earth pragmatism. They want your steadfastness to rub off on them, to provide them with the stability they see in you. You should be proud of this service you offer! It’s a key part of your appeal. Now and then, though, you need to demonstrate that your stalwart dependability is not static and stagnant -- that it’s strong exactly because it’s flexible and adaptable. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to emphasize this aspect of your superpower.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When winter comes, pine trees that grow near mountaintops may not be able to draw water and minerals from the ground through their roots. The sustenance they require is frozen. Luckily, their needle-like leaves absorb moisture from clouds and fog, and drink in minerals that float on the wind. Metaphorically speaking, Gemini, this will be your preferred method for getting nourished in the coming weeks. For the time being, look UP to obtain what you need. Be fed primarily by noble ideals, big visions, divine inspiration, and high-minded people.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): We all go through phases when we are at odds with people we love.

Maybe we’re mad at them, or feel hurt by them, or can’t comprehend what they’re going through. The test of our commitment is how we act when we are in these moods. That’s why I agree with author Steve Hall when he says, “The truest form of love is how you behave toward someone, not how you feel about them.” The coming weeks will be an important time for you to practice this principle with extra devotion -- not just for the sake of the people you care about, but also for your own physical, mental, and spiritual health.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): After fighting and killing each other for years on end, the Roman and Persian armies agreed to a truce in 532 A.D. The treaty was optimistically called “The Endless Peace.” Sadly, “endless” turned out to be just eight years. By 540, hostilities resumed. I’m happy to announce, though, that your prospects for accord and rapprochement are much brighter. If you work diligently to negotiate an endless peace anytime between now and March 15, it really is likely to last a long time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “I shiver, thinking how easy it is to be totally wrong about people, to see one tiny part of them and confuse it for the whole.” Author Lauren Oliver wrote that, and now I’m offering it to you, just in time for your Season of Correction and Adjustment. The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to get smarter about evaluating your allies -- and maybe even one of your adversaries, as well. I expect you will find it relatively easy, even pleasurable, to overcome your misimpressions and deepen your incomplete understandings.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In June 1942, the U.S. Navy crushed Japanese naval forces at the Battle of Midway. It was a turning point that was crucial to America’s ultimate victory over Japan in World War II. One military historian called it “the most stunning and decisive blow in the history of naval warfare.”

This milestone occurred just six months after Japan’s devastating attack on U.S. forces at Pearl

© Copyright 2015 Rob Brezsny

Harbor. To compare your life to these two events may be bombastic, but I’m in a bombastic mood as I contemplate your exciting possibilities. I predict that in the second half of 2016, you’ll claim a victory that will make up for a loss or defeat you endured during the last few months of 2015. And right now is when you can lay the groundwork for that future triumph.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Playwright Edmond Rostand (1868-1918) had a lot of friends, and they often came to visit him uninvited. He found it hard to simply tell them to go away and leave him alone.

And yet he hated to be interrupted while he was working. His solution was to get naked and write for long hours while in his bathroom, usually soaking in the bathtub. His intrusive friends rarely had the nerve to insist on socializing. In this way, Rostand found the peace he needed to create his masterpiece Cyrano de Bergerac, as well as numerous other plays. I suggest you consider a comparable gambit, Scorpio. You need to carve out some quality alone time.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “I opened my mouth, almost said something. Almost. The rest of my life might have turned out differently if I had. But I didn’t.” The preceding reminiscence belongs to a character in Khaled Hosseini’s novel The Kite Runner.

I bring it up in hopes that you will do the opposite: Say the words that need to be said. Articulate what you’re burning to reveal. Speak the truths that will send your life on a course that’s in closer alignment with your pure intentions.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): According to some traditional astrologers, you Capricorns are vigilant to avoid loss. Old horoscope books suggest that you may take elaborate measures to avoid endangering what you have accumulated. To ensure that you will never run out of what you need, you may even ration your output and limit your self-expression.

This behavior is rooted in the belief that you should conserve your strength by withholding or even hiding your power. While there may be big grains of truth in this conventional view of you Capricorns, I think it’s only part of the story. In the coming weeks, for instance, I bet you will wield your clout with unabashed authority. You won’t save yourself for later; you’ll engage in no strategic self-suppression.

Instead, you will be expansive and unbridled as you do whatever’s required to carry out the important foundation work that needs to be done.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “It seems that the whole time you’re living this life, you’re thinking about a different one instead,” wrote Latvian novelist Inga Abele in her novel High Tide. Have you ever been guilty of that, Aquarius? Probably. Most of us have at one time or another. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that the coming months will bring you excellent opportunities to graduate forever from this habit. Not all at once, but gradually and incrementally, you can shed the idea that you should be doing something other than what you’re doing.

You can get the hang of what it’s like to thoroughly accept and embrace the life you are actually living.

And now is an excellent time to get started in earnest on this project.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Even nightingales can’t be fed on fairy tales,” says a character in Ivan Turgenev’s novel Fathers and Sons. In other words, these marvelous birds, which sing sublimely and have long been invoked by poets to symbolize lyrical beauty, need actual physical sustenance. They can’t eat dreamy stories. Having acknowledged that practical fact, however, I will suggest that right now you require dreamy stories and rambling fantasies and imaginary explorations almost as much as you need your daily bread. Your soul’s hunger has reached epic proportions. It’s time to gorge.

Homework: What could you do to free your imagination from its bondage? Read “Liberate Your Imagination” - bit.ly/Liberate ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

January 28 to February 3, 2016

Mind,body & Spirit

CONFESSION

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by Bronwyn Ison

hile contemplating my topic for this week I pondered... should I share a confession with my readers? Naturally, I thought it would be cogent if I tell you the good news. Without a doubt you have been confronted one time in your life, “Who are you?” What a loaded question. Do you recall your response?

Perhaps it has been a while since asked, “Who you are?” You may feel inclined to share about profession. You may retort, “I am a school teacher,” “I am a doctor,” “I work in sales.” These answers do not describe who you are but rather what you do each day.

Identifying your true self will reap a myriad of lifetime benefits. Our professions may describe and lend an idea to others about what we enjoy doing in life but it may be far from who we really are each day. Plus, if you are in a profession that you do not particularly care for, it may be the furthest thing from your identity.

Remaining authentic is challenging for most people. It is a work in progress and it requires you to remove layers and masks you may be portraying. Often times our hardships in life can be revealing. If you have experienced a death, divorce, heartbreak or some other life-changing event you have showed your true colors.

How did you handle yourself? We have a choice to remain in fear or move forward with courage and strength.

Another reflection of who we are is

the company you choose to keep in your life. Choose your friends and mate wisely.

Fortunately, I have experienced several valuable lessons. Most of my lessons have resulted in hurt feelings, tears, not understanding the moment but I can confidently attest, I wouldn’t alter any of my experiences. The pain has truly been my gain.

Keep in mind, your past is not who you are today. Your past may be a part of your story but you don’t’ have to relive it everyday. Thankfully, I received the gift of moving forward without guilt and beginning anew. I am not encumbered by unnecessary baggage that debilitates me.

Take for instance your personal relationships. You may want to contemplate a self-evaluation. Do you choose toxic friendships and lovers? Who you attempt to marry or befriend may reveal a lot of who you are as a person. If you find yourself attracted to a particular personality, there may be a pattern to your choices. If your results mirror your previous experience and you’re unsuccessful, clearly it is time to affect a change. In other words, get out of your own way.

While I have more to confess, I will gladly share additional insight in future articles. Commence the journey of working on yourself. It is the greatest gift you can bestow to self.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. e-volveyoga.com 760.564.YOGA

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

Ask The Doctor

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by dr peter kadile

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

It’s important to practice good hygiene

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have discussed and educated about the importance of regular hand washing in the prevention of getting sick or spreading disease.

Hey Doc, my wife is insistent that we take the bedspread or comforter off the bed when we stay at a hotel because it is dirty and rarely washed. Even when we stay at a five star hotel? -James, Rancho Mirage James, it may be easy to forget about preventive hygiene when staying at a hotel, especially a more expensive five star hotel, but a recent study conducted by the online trip calculator service, Travelmath, found that three star hotels were cleaner than five star hotels. The dirtiest surfaces in the hotels were found to be on the bathroom counter, remote control, desk and phone. It’s unclear why the five star hotels harbored more bacteria on the surfaces studied, but just because you pay more for a more luxurious hotel doesn’t necessarily mean it is cleaner. As far as the bedspread is concerned, it rarely gets thrown in the daily wash with the bedsheets. A good routine to perform every time you stay at a hotel would be to immediately remove the bedspread and put it in the closet. Wipe down the bathroom counter, desk, phone and remote control with antibacterial wipes or spray. Since the remote is the most commonly handled item in the hotel room, consider placing it in a clear plastic bag before you use it.

Dear Dr. Kadile, I work in the fitness industry as a personal trainer.

I frequently work at several different gyms with different clients in one day. Is using hand sanitizer between gyms and clients as good as washing my hands?

-Lyn, La Quinta Lyn, gyms and fitness equipment are notoriously full of nasty germs, since not everybody uses a towel or wipes down the

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equipment after using it.

Hand sanitizers are generally made up of alcohol, glycerin, water and maybe some fragrance added. The alcohol is the main germ fighter. A good hand sanitizer should have an alcohol concentration of at least 60 percent.

Hand sanitizer is beneficial if hand washing is unavailable, but it is not as good. Using a hand sanitizer is good in addition to hand washing.

Really, the best way to clean your hands is with soap and water. Washing gets rid of most germs and breaks up oils and removes dirt, which can hide bacteria and germs. Hand sanitizer simply works on the surface of the skin, whereas hand washing will get the water and soap into the small cracks and crevices of the skin. You’ve got the right idea in cleansing your hands between clients, but hand washing is better than hand sanitizer.

A common carrier of germs that we rarely think about is our cell phone.

Have you ever used your cell phone in the restroom? Have you ever seen somebody using their cell phone in the restroom? Have you heard a person talking on the cell phone while they used the bathroom, then set their cell phone on the bath room counter, wash their hands, then pick it up again? Disgusting when you think about it.

Whatever our hands touch, our cell phones touch. Cell phones have been found to have 18 times more harmful bacteria than a public restroom. Our phones get warm from the battery and we also tend to store them in warm, dark places such as purses and pockets. The warmth or heat can make them good breeding grounds for bacteria. So if you are diligent about washing your hands, don’t forget about your cell phone! Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs can be used to clean your phone and there are also cleaning products specifically available for use on cell phones.

Life & career Coach

by Sunny Simon

Lessons from a Super Hero

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veryone has a super hero. Kids are wild about Iron Man, Spider Man or Super Woman. My super hero is an 80 year old woman named Judith. This lady may not be able to “leap tall buildings in a single bound,” or have extraordinary powers, but she deserves the super title.

This octogenarian role models kindness, inner strength of steel and most of all tenacity.

Last year Judith completed her first novel. In an era where many authors self publish books, my friend was determined to have her work recognized and taken to market by a publisher.

For months she crafted numerous skillful query letters pitching her book and in return received polite no thank you rejection emails and letters. When most authors would have simply turned to self publishing and released a masterpiece into the world, Judith stood firm, stayed positive and never gave up.

Does this story about my super hero have a happy ending? You bet. Her book was published by a traditional publishing house. Judith always felt there is no shame in self publishing and applauds others for the “do it yourself, get it done and on Amazon approach.” It just was not her style.

The moral of this story is easily recognizable, right? It’s about not settling. It’s takes a considerable amount of tenacity to stay the

course. There is a quote, “The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking places,” (author unknown) which describes the large majority of individuals who get discouraged and stop short of the goal line. Yes, I admit, I sometimes belong to that tribe.

Super heroes like Judith face the challenges head on and do not quit proving to the rest of us it can be done. I witnessed her fierce determination each time she flexed her courage muscles and flashed a determined grin as she wadded a rejection letter and tossed it into the nearest recycle can.

Are you discouraged and thinking about quitting due to your lack of success in accomplishing a goal? If so, I urge you to reconsider. Find a super hero and study his or her qualities for inspiration. Sure, like the champions you will encounter some hard knocks on the road to success. Learn to suck it up and keep moving forward. Continue to build your courage. Renew your commitment to your goals today.

A final tip from Judith: “PERSEVERE, PERSEVERE, PERSEVERE.” That phrase was found on the walls of the home of her writing mentor. It paid off. It can for you too.

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

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January 28 to February 3, 2016

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