Coachella Valley Weekly - March 12 to March 18, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 51

News

Music

Movies

Dining

Community Events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • March 12 to March 18, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 51

PRESENTED BY

TO BENEFIT

FIRST ANNUAL

WELLNESS FAIR MARCH 21ST, 2015

NE-YO

pg 11

The Rebel Noise

pg 12

The Outriders/Gene Evaro Jr & The Family

pg 13

Shanghai Reds

pg 20

March 12 to March 18, 2015

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Coachella Valley Weekly

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

March 12 to March 18, 2015

Desert CrossFit Hosts First Annual Wellness Fair

Monday, March 9th, 2015

760.501.6228

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

Contents

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Desert CrossFit.......................................... 3 Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament... 5 Youth & Leadership - Boys & Girls Club... 6 Grooves at the Westin............................... 7 Polo............................................................. 7 Don’t Be Cluless In The CV........................ 8 Southwest Stories with Steve Brown...... 9 Breaking the 4th Wall............................... 9 Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition.......... 10 LMS- NE-YO.............................................. 11 LMS- Rebel Noise.................................... 12 LMS-The Outsiders/Gene Evaro&Fam... 13 Consider This - Gang Of Four................. 14 Art Scene.................................................. 15 Pet Place................................................... 16 The Vino Voice......................................... 17 Club Crawler Nightlife............................ 18 Happy Hour Hotspot- Shanghai Reds...... 20 Screeners................................................. 22 Book Review............................................ 23 The PS Local - PS Racquet Club.............. 26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.................... 27 Dale Gribow............................................. 27 Safety Tips................................................ 28 ShareKitchen........................................... 28 CV History Museum................................ 29 Sports Scene............................................ 29 Sports....................................................... 29 Obituary - Scott Hines............................ 30 Health & Fitness...................................... 30 Free Will Astrology.................................. 31 Mind, Body & Spirit................................. 31 Life & Career Coach................................. 32 Ask The Doctor........................................ 32

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esert CrossFit is thrilled to host the first annual “Just for the HEALTH of it!” Wellness Fair, set to take place on March 21st from 12-4 p.m. The event will bring together 20+ specialized vendors, in an effort to promote health and wellness to all local residents and their pets. Owner Cheryl Cohen will be present at the event and looks to establish Desert CrossFit as place where healthy living, nutrition and fitness come together.

Desert CrossFit is home to over 100 members and is the original CrossFit facility of the Coachella Valley. Cohen opened her doors in 2007 and has since, set out to make her location more than just your typical gym. It is a center that promotes total-body wellness. “I believe that fitness is a very

important variable, but not the only one in the equation of good health. The support of the close-knit Desert CrossFit community is significant in achieving this goal.”

The Wellness Fair will feature over 20 vendors from all over the Coachella Valley including: Perry Physical Therapy, Clarks Nutrition, Nazemi Chiropractic, Forever Meow kitten adoptions, Primal Cravings Paleo Meal Delivery, Olive A’Sudden, Savory Spice Shop, AcQPoint Acupuncture, Lorna Jane Women’s Activewear, and so much more! The event is pet friendly too and includes a “Doggie Fashion Show”, so be sure to bring your furry friend in their best attire! For a complete list of the vendors participating in the event visit www. desertcrossfit.com.

In addition to a long list of excellent vendors, the “Just for the HEALTH of it!”

Wellness Fair will feature a raffle, where the winners will get prizes from the vendors with a face value of at least $30.00. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Charity Godmother. Charity Godmother, founded by Caroldean Ross, is a community group of supporters and survivors of Breast Cancer raising funds for not only breast cancer, but all cancers.

“I can’t wait to fill the gym with health and wellness vendors from all across the Valley. Making a difference in the lives of others is why I love what I do!” said Cohen.

The “Just for the HEALTH of it!” Wellness Fair event details can be found at www. desertcrossfit.com and at facebook.com/ DesertCrossFit1.

Desert CrossFit is located at 73-605 Dinah Shore Dr. #1400N Palm Desert, CA 92260 For more info contact Cheryl Cohen at (760)799-8880 or email Cheryl@ desertcrossfit.com.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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events

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

by andrea carter

Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament Hits $1 Million Milestone in its 5th Year “St. Jude Week in the Desert” Raises $1,120,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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he 5th Annual Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament wrapped up at the Classic Club in Palm Desert today with a check presentation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for $1,120,000 following “St. Jude Week” in the desert – which included a 5k Walk/Run, Songwriter’s Night, Celebrity Jam Session, Golf Tournament, and Saturday Soiree.

At a cost of $2 million per day to open the doors at St. Jude, the funds raised will cover a little more than a half day of operations for the hospital, which is funded primarily by individual contributors and fundraisers. No family is asked to pay at St. Jude – and that includes travel costs, treatment, housing, medications and more.

The Warburton proudly welcomed Spinal Elements as its new title sponsor just a few weeks before the event. Spinal Elements donates net profits from the sale of its Hero® allograft tissue product to charities benefiting children with lifethreatening medical conditions – including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Allograft is human tissue that is obtained by way of an authorized gift of a donor and/or

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their family. Spinal Elements chose to name its first allograft tissue product “Hero®” to honor those whose donation made the tissue donation possible.

Rain did not dampen the first of

The Warburton’s week-long events, the inaugural 5k Walk/Run on Sunday, March 1 at the Classic Club. Most of the walkers and runners who had registered came out despite the wet weather and cooler temperatures – setting an inspiring tone for all the events to come.

The weekend’s festivities started with the Thursday evening “Songwriters’ Night: The Story Behind the Story” at JW Marriott Desert Springs, Thursday, March 5. A group of renowned Nashville songwriters told the stories behind their biggest hits, along with performing those hits. Songwriters included Tim Nichols, Rivers Rutherford, Bob DiPiero and Kelley Lovelace.

At the Friday Night Celebrity Jam Session, HLN morning news anchor, Robin Meade kicked things off with a set that appropriately included “Dirty Laundry” – a poke at the news business. After Robin warmed up the crowd, legend after legend took the stage including Mike Mills of

R.E.M.; Little River Band lead singer, Wayne Nelson; Kim Carnes; John Elefante of Kansas; Chicago drummer, Danny Seraphine; Don Felder of the Eagles; Robbie Krieger of The Doors featuring Dave Brock on vocals; Steve Cropper, one of the original Blues Brothers; and the ultimate rocker, Alice Cooper.

Actor Patrick Warburton is co-founder and host of the The Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament, and more than 60 other celebrities came out for the event, including Richard Kind, Danny Masterson, Michael Pena, Kurt Fuller, William Devane, Galen Gering, Scott Wolf, Joel Gretsch, Bruce Thomas, Pauley Trickey, Bill Smitrovich and Brian Thompson; and athletes like former NFL pros, Robbiev Gould, Sterling Sharpe, Jim McMahon, Kordell Stewart and Eric Dickerson; as well as NHL Hall of Famer, Grant Fuhr.

The Saturday Soiree featured red carpet appearances by many of the celebrities involved with the tournament, as well as a dinner, hearing from patient families, a very successful live and silent auction and dancing to music by the band, Sixwire & Friends – with surprise performances by Starship lead singer, Mickey Thomas, Robin Meade, Mike Mills, and John Elefante.

In addition to the presenting sponsor, Spinal Elements, additional sponsors were as follows: the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation; Shakti Warriors; Precise Corporate Staging; Classic Club; Sixwire; News Channel 3; CBS Local 2; Castelli’s Ristorante; and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

The Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament is the second highest grossing golf tournament for St. Jude nationwide, second only to the tournament sponsored

by The Eric Trump Foundation in New York.

The 6th Annual Patrick Warburton Celebrity Golf Tournament is scheduled for March 10-13, 2016. For more information, go to www.TheWarburton.com.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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youth& leadership in the cv

By edward l. prichard iii

CATHEDRAL CITY BOYS & GIRLS CLUB CELEBRATES 35TH ANNIVERSARY ‘THE LITTLE CLUB THAT COULD’ STRIVES TO BE A POSITIVE PLACE FOR KIDS

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he Cathedral City Boys & Girls Club’s (CCBGC) mission is simple yet impactful: Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.

For over thirty-five years now, the Cathedral City independent run club, with present membership of over 100 kids, has truly grown to incredible new heights upon its installation to the Coachella Valley many moons ago. Scott Robinson, CEO of CCBGC, would agree. “‘Without the local support of the community, our amazing board members, the volunteers & staff and the incredible grass-roots financial outreach from The H.C. & Francis Berger Foundation along with the Glen & Opal Barnett Foundation, we simply wouldn’t be where we are today in terms of our club membership level and the quality of educational programs we currently have in place,” stated a proud Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robinson has currently been at the helm of the club for over ten years with previous allegiance to the Santa Monica & Malibu Boys & Girls Club chapters.

The CCBGC maintains a Strategic Planning Board of ten active members coupled with a current staff of twelve and is a privately run non-profit organization. Cathedral City currently receives no funding from other Clubs in the Coachella Valley. The CCBGC is currently amidst a $100K fundraising campaign to refurbish & remodel the clubs’ aging amenities and include a new teen center. The club recently raised over $70K at their annual ‘Wreath Auction Extravaganza.’

One of the more prominent programs of the CCBGC is The National Youth of the Year Program. It is designed to promote and recognize service to Club and community, academic performance and contributions to family and spiritual life. Each Club selects a’

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Youth of the Year’ who receives a certificate and medallion then enters state competition.

Each of the five regional winners receives a $10,000 scholarship and then on to a national competition held in Washington, DC. The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship, totaling $26,000 in scholarships, and is installed by the President of the United States. The Youth of The Year Awards will be held March 20th in the CCBGC gym.

Many of the CCBGC programs have taken members from the clubhouse to the White House; from the games room to the corporate boardroom and even from local high school orchestras to Carnegie Hall. One of the most popular programs at the club is the Video Production Program, under the tutelage of one of the Valley’s most indelible philanthropists, Mr. Terry Nelson. Mr. Nelson is also the co-creator & producer for the annual ‘Boys & Girls Youth Leadership & Film Awards’ at the AMFM Festival at the Mary Pickford Theater. FourYear fellow club member, Angel Figueroa, 14, ecstatically stated, “Receiving the award literally changed my life! It made me feel like I was ‘One of a Kind’ for that brief moment. It gave me a tremendous sense of confidence I simply never had before. I am getting good grades these days and it made me want to become a film director now!”

The CCBGC rigorously maintains a lineup of tested and proven nationally recognized programs that address today’s most pressing youth issues such as the ‘Life Skills’ Program providing the club’s youth with self-leadership and self-empowerment skills they gravely need to succeed in life.

Mr. Robinson is currently fundraising to launch the Worldview Explorations Program in the Fall which is currently set to launch March, 30th within all eleven of the Silicon Valley Boys & Girls Club chapters as part of their aggressive curriculum. The CCBGC also incorporates many of the national programs

events

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by chris clemens

The Grooves at the Westin

The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa Features Award-winning, Chart-topping Smooth Jazz Musicians

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that are available in the areas of education, the environment, health, the arts, careers, alcohol/drug and pregnancy prevention, gang prevention, leadership development and athletics.

Mr. Robinson went on to add, “We have often called this club ‘The Little Club That Could’ based upon the collective efforts of all those connected to the club and their sheer perseverance and drive to endure while overcoming many treacherous terrain over the years since my arrival particularly within the economic downturn. We just never gave up on the kids!” ...and we, the local & loyal Boys & Girls Club fans of the CV Valley, are certainly glad you didn’t either, Mr. Robinson. The world is a better place with impactful & dedicated individuals, such as yourself, creating dreams and hopes for many of America’s

youth. We salute you and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America!

For more information about the club and a list of their programs and local sponsorship angels go to www.ccbgc.org.

Mr. Prichard is a mentor for the CCHS year-long DATA program while also serving as the local Director of Community Outreach & Education Programming for Film4Change & the annual AMFM Festival.

He also serves as the Program Development Director & Master Trainer for Worldview Explorations, a ground-breaking youth global leadership education program with a Spring launch in all of the Silicon Valley Boys & Girls Clubs coupled with a Fall launch pilot program in the CV Valley. facebook.com/ worldviewexplorations.

Edward@coachellavalleyweekly.com

he Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa brings to the stage “Smooth Jazz All-stars” featuring Gregg Karukas, Jessy J, Brian Simpson and Michael Paulo at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, as the second concert of “The Grooves at the Westin” concert series.

The 2013 Grammy Award winner, Gregg Karukas, continues to place on Billboard’s Top Jazz Songs with “Elegant Nights,” released in 2014. As one of urban contemporary jazz’s most versatile and acclaimed artists over the past 25 years, the talented keyboardist and composer was recognized for producing, engineering, co-writing and arranging Omar Akram’s “Echoes of Love,” which won Best New Age Album at the 55th Grammy Awards in February 2013. As a solo artist, Karukas’ 11 CDs have garnered consistently solid reviews for his signature piano touch, pristine production, and melodies that are both soulful and sophisticated.

Celebrated keyboardist, composer and studio musician, Brian Simpson just released his new album “Out Of A Dream,” which currently holds the #8 position on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums. The chart-topping musical chameleon has been the ‘go-to’ man for everyone from Janet Jackson and Teena Marie to George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Dave Koz, for whom he has had the distinction of being musical director for the past 15 years.

Nouveau sax-woman Jessy J burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in 2008, blending her love for Latin rhythms and jazz on her chart-topping, award-winning debut album “Tequila Moon.” Jessy earned the Radio & Records’ Debut Artist of The Year award and contemporary jazz Song of the Year by both R&R and Billboard for the title track, which held the number spot on the chart for eight weeks. Her latest album “Second Chances” features Grammy Award-winning guitarist Norman Brown, which debuted in 2013 and has landed on Billboard jazz charts as well.

Jessy J has worked in studio with Michael Bublé and toured with music icons Michael Bolton, The Temptations, Jessica Simpson and Seal.

As one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 20 years, Michael Paulo has added his distinct to

polo

March 12 to March 18, 2015

by

lynn bremner

England Returns to defend their title against U.S.A. in High-Goal Arena Polo Match

Tommy Biddle, the highest-rated arena polo player in the world, will be competing in this tournament

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a virtual who’s who of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo’s longest term touring association), James Ingram, number one smooth jazz trumpeter and guitarist Rick Braun and Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and others.

Hiroshima concludes the series on Saturday, March 28. With over 30 years performing together, Hiroshima offers crowds an unforgettable musical experience.

Their unique blend of Japanese instruments, such as the 13-stringed koto and taiko drums, with the smooth rhythm of Western R&B, makes them the number one Asian-American band in the world. June Kuramoto on koto is an American treasure and music icon. No one else in the world possesses her ability to bridge the gap between traditional Asian music and Western jazz. Hiroshima’s music has been heard in film, television, concert stages and festivals throughout the world.

All shows take place at the outdoor Masters Plaza and begin at 7 p.m with gates opening at 6 p.m. Ticket prices range between $45 and $75. In addition, a special three-course dinner package, including a glass of celebratory house wine, is available for $99 per person at the resort’s Fireside Lounge, neighboring the Masters Plaza where the performances are held. The cost includes prime outdoor seating situated around a centralized outdoor fire pit with exceptional views of the concert.

Sponsorships for the jazz series are available beginning at $1,000 per show or $2,500 for the spring series. For more information about the resort visit www. westinmissionhills.com or call (760) 7702150. For concert tickets visit www.tix.com.

or the third time in the history of polo in the desert, there will be a high-goal arena polo game at Empire Polo Club. The United States Polo Association (USPA) has awarded the 23-Goal USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup to Empire Polo Club. The game will be played on Saturday, March 14th, 2015 at 6:30 PM in the polo arena at Empire Polo Club.

The USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup is an arena polo game traditionally played between teams from the U.S. and England. In 2013, England defeated U.S.A. to win the USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup for the first time in the history of the tournament. England is returning to Indio, CA to defend their title.

The game will be handicapped at 23-goals, which means that all of the player’s handicaps on one team, when combined, equal 23 goals. A 23-Goal arena game is a rare opportunity and one that you won’t want to miss. This game represents the highest level of polo currently played on the west coast. If you were to compare polo to golf, the Townsend Cup would be PGA Tour level polo.

Empire Polo Club and the local polo community are very excited to host such a historic event.

Professional polo players are flying in from England and various parts of the U.S. to compete in this one-day event. The highest-rated arena polo player in the world is Tommy Biddle, his handicap is10-Goals. He will be representing the United States in this tournament and he is the U.S.A. Team Captain.

U.S.A. Tommy Biddle (10) Kris Kampsen (7) Jared Sheldon (5) England Oscar Mancini (6) Jonny Good (8) Chris Hyde (9) Event Details: Event: USPA Townsend International Challenge Cup 23-Goal Arena Tournament Date: Saturday, March 14th, 2015 6:30 PM General Admission: FREE Location: Empire Polo Club Arena, 81-800 Ave. 51, Indio, CA 92301 Schedule: 5:00 PM: USA vs. England In The International Collegiate Challenge Cup 6:30 PM: USA vs. England 23-Goal Townsend International Challenge Cup Food and beverage concessions will be available for purchase on site during the game.

The Empire Polo Arena offers bleacher seating for spectators. All seats are General Admission, which is free and open to the public. There is no VIP seating at this event.

For more information about this event spectators can visit www.EmpirePolo.com. Tel. 760-393-7298 About Arena Polo In arena polo there are only three players on a team and in grass polo there are four. The game is played in an arena, approximately 300 feet long by 150 feet wide, with walls all around. The playing surface is dirt. The chukkers (periods of play) are 7.5 minutes long and there are four periods in an arena game. The teams switch directions after each period of play.

Each player has a handicap between 0 and 10. The higher a players handicap, the better the player, which is the opposite of a golf handicap. The total handicap of the three players on each team is the handicap of the team. The term “handicap” is also referred to as goals. For example, a 23-Goal Tournament means that the total handicap of each team cannot exceed 23.

What to wear? This is one of the most asked questions by spectators. Polo is a casual affair at Empire Polo Club, so please wear whatever you feel comfortable in. You will see spectators wearing everything from shorts, jeans and flipflops to sundresses, khakis and button down shirts. The Townsend Cup will be held at night, so we suggest you dress warm and bring a jacket.

About The USPA Townsend Cup Arena Challenge The Townsend Cup has been referred to as “The World Series” of arena polo and it represents the highest-level of international arena polo in a competitive format. The Hurlingham Polo Association is bringing the English Team to Indio, CA to compete against the United States Polo Association’s U.S. Team.

The Townsend Cup was first played in Manhattan in 1923 and featured two teams, one from England and one from the U.S. It was this historic match that spurred the growth and development of arena polo here in the United States. The Townsend Cup wasn’t played again until 2004 and then again in 2008, 2011 and 2013.

The Townsend Cup is named in honor of John R. Townsend, a New York City social figure who was an active advocate for arena polo in the early years of its development.

Empire Polo Club is honored to host the USPA Townsend Cup, for the third time, on March 14th, 2015 and to be part of such an historic event. To continue the promotion and growth of arena polo here in the desert and in the United States, Empire Polo Club invites the public to join us in welcoming England to our county and to show support for both teams as they compete for the title.

About Empire Polo Club Established in 1987, Empire Polo Club is one of the largest polo clubs on the west coast with 12 polo fields and an indoor arena and a polo school. Polo is played Wednesday through Sunday, December through March. Featured matches are held on the second Friday of each month and every Sunday afternoon during the season.

For more information about the USPA Townsend Cup or for information about our season schedule, spectators can visit our website at www.

EmpirePolo.com or visit our facebook page www. facebook.com/EmpirePolo.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

Friday, March 13, 8 PM, Saturday, March 14, 2 PM (Matinee), 8 PM, Sunday, March 15, 2 PM (Matinee) 7 PM. Girls! Glamour!

Gershwin! “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” the Tony award winning musical comedy about the Roaring Twenties, straight from today’s Great White Way”---New York’s Broadway stage---and hang on to your garters, girls-right now at our McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert all weekend. (May we sing from the lyrics of the show:: “Who could ask for anything more?”) Plot: Outrageous characters gather in New York to celebrate the wedding of a wealthy playboy. Oops! As luck would have it, the groom-to-be meets a feisty, bubbly bootlegger who melts his foolish heart, hilarity ensues, which is too tame a word for the evening of, you got it, girls, glamour and the gorgeous music and song of George Gershwin. Tickets are priced at $95, $85, $45, $65 and $45 and $85, $75, $55, $35, at the web site www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260.

Saturday, March 14, 6 PM. The Annual Concert Series in The Gardens on El Paseo will feature Grammy-nominated singer/ songwriter Jeri Lynne, who has performed with some of the most iconic entertainers of our time, including the Righteous Brothers, Keely Smith, Jeff Bridges, Patti Austin, Crystal Gayle, Ray Charles, Naomi Judd, and so many more stars in the musical firmament. Produced and hosted by KJJZ’s Jim “Fitz” Fitzgerald and sponsored by Desert Lexus, Desert Arc and 102.3 KJJZ, this concert benefiting

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Angel View is also sponsored by Desert Air Conditioning, Inc. This concert will also make headlines as a fundraiser for one of the oldest Coachella Valley nonprofits, Angel View, whose mission for nearly 60 years has been to help children and adults with disabilities reach their maximum potential. Angel View provides 24-hour residential nursing services to approximately 120 children and adults.

The therapeutic Day Program serves 75 adults, and Outreach services include free resources and referrals, reimbursements and mini-grants. For more info, go to www. angelview.org. Tickets for the one-hour program go on sale at 4:30 on site. $12 per person includes two glasses of wine courtesy, of Castle Rock Winery, and light refreshments.

For more concert info, call 760-862-1990, or go tothegardensonelpaseo.com/events. The Gardens couldn’t be more appealing than at this time of year. Come, enjoy!

Sunday, March 15, Recitals at 12 PM & 5 PM. The Steinway Society of Riverside County presents the Annual Festival Competition and Recital for 14 to 18 year old Senior Competition, 9 AM – 6 PM Master Classes to be held in the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center at Rancho Mirage High School, 31001 Rattler Road. Rancho Mirage. Presenting Sponsor: Helene Galen. The Winner’s Concert will be on Wednesday, May 20, at 7 PM at The Rancho Mirage Public Library.

71100 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage. This is a unique opportunity to witness some of the finest musical talent that the Coachella Valley has to offer. Open to the public, free admission with open seating. More information at SteinwayRiverside.org Wednesday, March 18, 7 PM. Renee Fleming, deservedly one of the most acclaimed full lyric sopranos and operatic singers of our time will debut on Broadway in a new comedy “Living on Love,” on April 1, 2015, but first she will perform in the Festival of the Desert at the McCallum Theatre where she will perform art songs by classic composers Robert Schumann, Richard Strauss and Sergei Rachmaninoff, as well as favorite Broadway songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein. In 2013, the operatic superstar was awarded America’s highest honor for an individual artist, the National Medal of Arts by President Obama.

In 2014, she became the first classical singer to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Super Bowl. Highly versatile, respected for her “acting chops,” Fleming was born in Indiana, but has performed and gathered up accolades

Community

March 12 to March 18, 2015

Southwest Stories with Steve Brown launches March 16 on KVCR PBS TV

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here’s nothing like a little music to bring us around to full consciousness from our winter stupor and to put us in the right mood for “The Rites of Spring,” a ballet composed by Stravinsky that sent the swells in tails and swellistas in tulle to riot at its Parisian premiere in 1913.—Tra la, Trala. (And for good measure: Sis-boom-bah.)

In honor of the Spring’s debut --get ready to“roll”on March 20-- let’s talk proverbs ,such as “March is in like a lion , and out like a lamb.”

Not so much. Yet, with the winter most of our nation has been experiencing many of the citizenry might be really considering a oneway ticket to Mars. Well, don’t be silly. Not if you live in the Coachella Valley where the climate is sublime most of the year and you’d miss out on all the fun, fabulous performances and experiences that are out-of- this-world!

Read on.

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and awards all over the world at momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II. Tickets are priced at $125, $95, $75 and $65. Tickets for the Festivals performances and a Gala post-concert dinner with international music and art at Sunnylands Center & Gardens are $500. Tickets are available at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert accepts payment by cash, personal check, major credit cards.

Thursday, March 19, 7 PM. Laurence Luckinbill , Emmy Award- winner and Tonynominated actor, will perform “Teddy Tonight!” for one-performance only at The McCallum Theatre through the generosity of Helene Galen. The play is set in July, 1918 when former President Roosevelt is preparing to take on President Woodrow Wilson when he receives word that his son is missing in action. Luckinbill has achieved extraordinary success as a stage, film and television actor, as a writer, a teacher, and as the founder and producer of a non-profit New York theater company. His acting career extends through theater, television and motion picture and has ranged from soap operas to a Tonynominated role in the play The Shadow Box (1972) and to a co-starring role as Sybok in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). Born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Laurence earned a B.A. in Science and Humanities from the University

of Arkansas and an MFA in Playwriting from The Catholic University of America. During the Kennedy administration, Luckinbill served in the U.S. Foreign Service for two years, in Africa and Italy, as director, producer, actor and lecturer on American Theatre and Culture. In 1965, he was invited to become an officer of the United States Information Agency. As a journalist, Laurence has contributed articles to major publications. He has starred in many television films and television series, including “Law & Order,” “Barnaby Jones,” “Columbo” and “Murder, She Wrote.” He won an Emmy as Writer and Executive Producer in 1993 for NBC’s “Lucy & Desi: A Home Movie.”

Laurence’s own multi-media production company has produced two CDs Lucy & Desi: The Scrapbooks, Volume I and, with his wife, Lucie Arnaz, How to Save Your Family History: A 10-Step Guide.

Sunday, March 22, 10:45 AM – 4:30 PM and Sunday, April 19, 6:30 PM. Two Special Events for Opera fans. For your enjoyment and participation, for The Festival all-day affair, Arlene Rosenthal sings an invitation to “Join us! If you are a 501 c(3) organization and would like to have an information table at our Festival; or an artist and would like to show your work, please call me at 760-3238353. “The Festival Opera & Art” with its “sweet sounds of 19th-century opera,” will also offer children’s’ activities, artists’ works on display, refreshments/food availability.

Tote families, friends, blankets, chairs, etc., for a day in the park. The second event to pencil in your calendar is “Opera Under the Stars,” featuring operatic arias, classic Broadway and operetta performances by world class singers, and the presentation of the St. Cecilia Patron of Music Award to Palm Springs Life magazine in memory of Milt Jones, publisher. Ticket per person, $125, full sit-down dinner at The Renaissance Esmeralda Hotel, 44-400 Indian Wells. Lane, Indian Wells. For information, visit www.OperaArtsPalmSprings.org or call 760-323-8353.

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

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he regional travel series, Southwest Stories with Steve Brown, launches Monday, March 16, at 6:30 p.m. on KVCR PBS Television. Southwest Stories takes viewers on road trips from the California deserts into the Southwest, introducing them to fascinating people and destinations in the region.

Brown is an award-winning journalist and publisher of The Sun Runner, The Journal of the Real Desert, a regional desert magazine now in its 21st year in print. He previously had a well-reviewed PBS series in 2013, The Real Desert, with Steve Brown.

“Southwest Stories really picks up where The Real Desert left off,” Brown noted. “We try to give you a real taste of the desert, with a mix of history, culture, travel destinations, and personalities. The music for the show is all from independent musicians from the desert or with ties to the desert, and we feature desert artists, historians, dining, lodging, and attractions. We give you the real thing as we experience it, not like scripted “reality” shows.”

This season begins when Southwest Stories takes viewers to the Ridgecrest, California area where they visit Randsburg, a living ghost town, Ridgecrest, and the fantastic Little Petroglyph Canyon, the largest

known concentration of Native American petroglyphs in the western hemisphere.

From Ridgecrest, the show then explores the Lake Havasu, Arizona, area and gets airborne during the Havasu Balloon Festival, heads south along the Mexican border to visit the History of Museum in Granite, located in Felicity, California, then visits Yuma, Arizona, and returns to home turf around Joshua Tree, California to share adventures closer to home.

Some of the featured guests for this season include historians Lorraine Blair and Jacque-Andres Istel, artists Snake Jagger and Bobby Furst, and live musical performances where Brown performs with the California Celts and the Gypsy Cowboy String Quartet.

Additional music in the show includes work by Randy Godfrey and Bobby Furgo, Glenn Patrik, Jewels and Johnny Nation, Steve Rushingwind, Tim Easton, and There Be Pirates!, Brown’s own band. (Brown is a musician who has toured England twice with There Be Pirates!, and has been an artist-in-residence and classroom teacher of music.) Theme music for Southwest Stories is by Native American Music Award (NAMMY) two-time winner, Steve Rushingwind and the Rushingwind Project, with Brown on percussion.

Southwest Stories takes viewers up in hot air balloons, kayak fishing, hiking, exploring

Breaking the 4th Wall

ghost towns, to sacred sites, digging cactus, mechanical bull riding, wine tasting, shopping, dining, and just having fun and meeting new friends, while highlighting travel to the region.

This May, Southwest Stories will be shooting new episodes in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Southwest Stories is produced by The Sun Runner, The Journal of the Real Desert, and Turquoise MultiMedia for KVCR PBS. High resolution photos are available by request.

More information can be found at www. southweststories.us.

KVCR PBS broadcasts to 5.8 million households across southern California, including all of Los Angeles and Orange counties, most of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, northern San Diego and southern Ventura counties. More information can be found at www.kvcr.org.

By Dee Jae Cox

A Stage Review of “La Gringa”

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f you can only see one play this year, go and see Coachella Valley Repertory’s production of Carmen Rivera’s, “La Gringa.” This Obie Award winning play, which is in its sixteenth year of an off Broadway production, is now running through March 22nd at the CV Rep. Rarely does a play make me laugh and cry with such sincerity. Rivera’s script is humorous and poetic and most of all significant. It explores family relationships, love, heartache and the pure joy that only family can define. New York City born, Maria, artfully and skillfully performed by the very talented Ayanery Reyes, has gone back to Puerto Rico to connect with family and find her roots. In America, she is considered Puerto Rican, in Puerto Rico, she

is ‘La Gringa’ and Maria is left feeling like she is nobody, everywhere.

Rivera’s play explores the definition of family, the choices we make and the changes we go through in order to find ourselves and where we belong. Maria conflicts with her aunt Norma, beautifully performed by Marina Re, I felt her struggle to accept a niece that seemed to be the personification of all of her pain, and her cousin Iris, played by the talented Kyla Garcia, who seemed to secretly envy Maria’s opportunities, yet like her mother Norma, would deny her own dreams to stay committed to family. But it is Maria’s relationship with her Uncle Manolo, brilliantly performed by Peter Mins, that takes Maria from the misplaced ‘Gringa’ to being a full-fledged member of the family. Mins’ heart wrenching portrayal of a man who made the effort to ‘climb every mountain’ and who teaches Maria to do the same, is the heartbeat of the story. Robert Almovovar’s performance as Maria’s uncle Victor, portrays a man caught between the despair of his wife and the hope of how he really views the world.

Ron Celona’s direction is flawlessly executed as each blocking move seems to have purpose and intent. Jimmy Cuomo’s Set is perfect for the space and the story.

It transported me to this family’s home on

KVCR-DT Channel Listings Inland Empire Desert Cities Viewers: Viewers: Over the Air: Over the Air: KVCR Channel 24 KJHP Channel 18, Cable: K09XW Channel 9 Big Bear-Ch. 19 Cable: Chino/Chino Hills-Ch. 8 KVCR Channel 9 Colton-Ch. 12 Palm Springs Compton-Ch. 97 Palm Desert Cypress-Ch. 43 Rancho Mirage La Palma-Ch. 43 Cathedral City Lake Arrowhead-Ch. 19 Coachella Leisure World-Ch. 52 La Quinta Moreno Valley-Ch. 12 Indio Redlands-Ch. 12 Thousand Palms Rialto-Ch. 12 High Desert Rimforest-Ch. 19 Viewers: Yorba Linda-Ch. B14 Cable: Ch. 19 KVCR is transmitted by both DirecTV and DishTV in their optional local channels packages.

the Island. Lynda Shaeps hair and makeup, along with Aalsa Lee’s costume designs, brought these characters from the page to the stage with perfection. I have not heard Cricket Myers’ Sound design since doing a show in Los Angeles, but she has since continued to perfect her art. The music of the coquís (tiny frogs), took me to this island paradise.

“LA Gringa” is a part of CV Rep’s “American Melting Pot” season theme and they continue to inspire with another high quality hit. This production, this script and these actors all come together with a harmony so rarely seen on stage. They will make you laugh out loud, shed a tear or two and have you leaving the theatre with plenty of food for thought. “Blood is thicker than geography,” as Iris says. And this play

will make you want to call home.

La Gringa is appropriate for all ages over 12 years, so go ahead and have a family outing or just a date with your significant other.

La Gringa is in production at the Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre located at 69930 Highway 111, Suite 116, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, now through March 22, 2015 with evening performances on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 PM and matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM. For Reservations: call 760-296-2966, or visit www.cvrep.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 KPTR 1450’s hit radio show, “California Woman 411” in Palm Springs.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competitiona great Newshow Year’s Edition-Week 8 eek #8 of The Tilted Kilt Open Mic AND for being so supportive of the

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Competition New Year’s edition was a great night for newcomers!

Between the new $100 weekly cash prize for 1st place, fantastic prizes for 2nd and 3rd places, and the new 50% judge vote and 50% audience applause vote, the competitors were ready to give it their all. Plus, giveaways from the Mary Pickford Theater such as hats, t-shirts, and movie tickets got the audience riled up. Once everyone performed and the anonymous judge vote was tallied and added to the audience applause score, it was Porsia Camille who won 1st place and $100 cash. The stunning vocalist will now move on to the Grand Finals April 8th for a shot at a 3 day, 2 night trip to Las Vegas from Crater Lake Vodka, a $500 shopping spree at Guitar Center an Artist Development Session with Producer, Ronnie King, an artist spotlight article in Coachella Valley Weekly and a band/artist showcase concert from Morgan James Entertainment. 2nd place was awarded to Sabrina & Ernest who took home a gift card to Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill. 3rd place was awarded to Solus Lupus who decided on an hour vocal lesson from Kara Aubrey Music.

THANK YOU to ALL of our performers at the Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition for putting on

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other artists: Daniel aka The Puppet, Will Kelly, Jim Holiday, Mike Sick-boy, Porsia Camille, Kyle Paras, Richard Finn, Sanjeetha, Jason Romero, Sabrina Diaz, Ernest Nunez, and Gustavo Gonzalez. I hope to see you all next week! Look for coverage of this week’s event and the announcement of winners in the next issue of Coachella Valley Weekly!

SPECIAL THANKS to all of our sponsors: Ronnie King Music, Guitar Center, Crater Lake Vodka, CV Weekly, Morgan James Entertainment, Stuft Pizza, Mary Pickford Theater, Skitzo Kitty and KAM Music Studio.

Remember, the Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition is ALL AGES and runs EVERY WEDNESDAY. YOU may compete EVERY week!

PLEASE NOTE: Due to our overwhelming number of interested performers, sign in starts at 7pm and will be closed at 7:45pm. BRING YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY and FANS and note that the competition may run to 11pm so be sure your friends and family know to stay until the end to voice their vote!!! For questions or info about sign-up, please see Facebook.com/TiltedKiltOpenMicCompetition or contact creator and host, Morgan James at MorganAliseJames@gmail.com or (714) 651-1911

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

NE-YO RETURNS TO FANTASY SPRINGS

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rammy Award Winning Singer Songwriter NE-YO is back in the Coachella Valley on March 14th to perform at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. In January he released his 6th studio album Non-Fiction keeping to his R&B pop style but adding a bit of bad boy flavor with collaborations with T.I., Juicy J, Jeezy, ScHoolboy Q, and Pit Bull.

Born in Arkansas but raised in Las Vegas, 35 year old NE-YO started his music career at a young age and was signed to Colombia Records, but got dropped right before he was to release his first album. Singer Marques Houston heard the single “My Girl” which was supposed to be released as NE-YO’s first single, re-recorded it, and released it on his own album MH in 2003, which led to NE-YO’s recognition of being a successful songwriter.

He didn’t receive mainstream attention though until he wrote the song “Let Me Love You” for artist Mario, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Since then he has written for many successful artists like Rihanna, Beyonce, Cher, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and so many more. Successful songwriter, platinum selling artist, actor, and don’t forget Grammy winner, NE-YO is the epitome of a multi-talented artist with undeniable talent.

MM: You just released your 6th studio album Non-Fiction in January. In recent interviews you said that you drew inspiration though your fans stories. What track/tracks are you the most connected to?

NE-YO: I don’t know if there’s one track that I’m most connected to. I got some really, really great material from the fans and great stories. I feel like this body of work is what shined, not one specific song. I want people to really hear this album start to finish, so they can really hear that the overall storyline is the whole album, I’ll tell you that, and you can only grasp the full effect if you listen to it start to finish.

MM: This album has 19 tracks! What is the process on how you wrote this album?

Was it planned or more organic? Did you know right away how you wanted to make it?

NE-YO: Honestly, not right away. I knew that I wanted every song to be a true story

but as far as the album itself having just overall format that is something that I kinda realized once I started formatting the album, the way that songs are formatted they tell the story so I just had to kinda build on that.

MM: What do you like the best about being on tour?

NE-YO: It’s definitely something that is not for everybody. I actually kinda dig being in a different city every night and the different energies from the different crowds you know? The L.A. crowd versus the New York thing, so it’s going to be slightly different and it’s gonna be slightly different in the Chicago crowd versus the Tokyo crowd. It’s just going out there and seeing what kind of energy you’re going to get that night. These songs are not just songs to me, and the effects that these songs have on people means a lot to me.

MM: You write music for many different artists and yourself, how do you keep the ideas fresh?

NE-YO: If you notice I tend to keep myself in the area of relationships between men and women, or just relationships period and basically because that does not go out of style, I feel like many will always relate. Love, the black white and grey, the good bad and ugly of it- these are things that will never ever go away, you know with the trends and our fads, so I kinda keep it there. And as long as people are in relationships, falling in and out of love, I will always have a song to write.

MM: What does it make you feel like when people say you are a song writing genius?

NE-YO: Honestly, big shoes to fill. Makes me feel like it’s something that I have to live up to now, you know? For somebody to call me a genius not understanding that every song that I write is not a good song. There have been some crappy ones, oh yeah. It’s just a little bit of pressure. You think song writing genius, that means every song that you hear from this person has got to be the best thing since sliced bread, this guy is supposed to be a genius you know, so I can’t do anything even remotely mediocre. I gotta shoot for the stars with every single thing I

March 12 to March 18, 2015

By monica morones write which I guess is a gift and a curse. A gift in that it kinda forces me to try and write the best thing I’ve ever written every time I write and it’s a curse because I gotta make sure it’s the best thing I’ve ever written, every time I write. Depends on the way you look at it.

MM: When you write a song how do you know if you want to keep it for yourself or pitch it to another artist?

NE-YO: Depends on the song and how the song is supposed to be. If the way that song sounds, and I listen to it, and I go, “Man I can really hear Rihanna on this,” and I’ll call Rihanna and say “hey I got something I want you to listen to.” If she likes it she takes it, and if she doesn’t, then I can do whatever I want with it at that point. But if there’s a situation where an artist has asked me to specifically write something for them, I don’t care if It’s the best song I’ve ever written in my life, if they ask for it, you know if it was made specifically for them, I’m going to let them hear it and decide if they want it first.

MM: Is there a song out right now that you can’t stop listening to?

NE-YO: That I can’t stop listening to? Ed Sheeran - “Thinking Out Loud,” is like my favorite record right now. Love that song. Has kind of an old school feel and plus his voice sounds really good and the guy’s deep.

MM: I interview a lot of local artists and we all know the process of being an artist requires patience. What are some aggressive steps that musicians need to be making to get their music out there beyond where they live? As a label what is some good advice?

NE-YO: Just in regards to the way you get your music out there, like especially if you’re approaching an artist and if you’re approaching someone that works in the business, your initial approach is going to be very important. You know if I’m sitting in a restaurant and eating a steak and you run up on me and plop a C.D. on the table and “HEY, HEY you mind if I talk to you,” you clearly see that I’m eating or if I’m already in a conversation with someone or on the phone or whatever the case may be, you know just a little courtesy, “Excuse me,” or “I’m sorry to bother you.” Or how about you just wait till I’m done eating and then run up or wait till a break in the conversation. Don’t just run up and interrupt, because even if your music is great you already rubbed me the wrong way so I might just tell you no. If you’re handing someone a CD, thumb drive or whatever the case may be, make sure your information is on it somewhere. You know more times than not a lot of people run up on me and hand me something and go, “Alright! Thanks bye!” I don’t know your name, no phone number on it, no details.

Even if I like it what am I supposed to do?

So make sure that your information is there.

Aggression is a good thing, assertiveness is better than aggression. Be assertive. Make sure that the person knows how passionate you are about the music. By the way if you’re not passionate about the music and you’re just trying to make some money don’t even bother running up on me because I’m not

paying you any attention. That’s not what I’m looking for. I’m not looking for the guys trying to make a big buck. I’m not looking for the girls that just want some attention and want people to scream their name. I want people who are passionate about their music. If you were a chef and you wanted to work in my restaurant but you weren’t passionate about cooking, I wouldn’t want you in my restaurant. I need someone who is going to be the best that they positively can because they want to be proud of what they’ve done, and I want to be proud too. Not just because “it’s cool” or “I look good with my shirt off.”

MM: With your own label Compound Entertainment how many artists do you listen to and turn away every week?

NE-YO: Oh man. It’s a number that varies, but it’s never a small number I will say that.

I get approached by easily 20 people, EVERY SINGLE day with a CD or whatever the case may be, and they want me to listen to the music. And I listen to it, I genuinely do. Now a days they send me to their sound cloud which makes it a little easier so I can listen to it in my car or wherever I’m at, or on my phone.

And if I come across something that I dig you know I actually hit the people back and see what we could do with it. I gotta say normally that the stuff I get is a little more ruff around the edges. Just because you’re the best singer in your home doesn’t mean you’re ready for the big leagues you know? I always make sure that I’m honest with everybody and I also mention and let people know that if I don’t get it, it doesn’t mean that that’s it. I’m just one man, and everybody doesn’t always see it right off, so if I don’t see it and say no thanks, it doesn’t mean stop. Go on to the next person, keep pushing your stuff.

MM: What do you feel has been the most pivotal moment in your career so far?

NE-YO: I’ve had a few to be honest. Putting out “Closer” was a pivotal moment you know that introduced me to whole different audience. Before “Closer” my audience was predominately R&B and “Closer” has more of a dance feel to it. The Grammys that I’ve won, that was a pivotal moment. It wasn’t until I had the Grammy in my hand that I knew what it was about. It feels like I’ve done something worthy for the people to nominate me.

Meeting Michael Jackson is another pivotal moment, especially the way that I met him.

The meeting was about ME writing for HIM, and unfortunately with his time of death I didn’t get the opportunity, but you know the fact that the man who made it possible for me to even do what I do would want me to work for him was kinda the biggest thing in my career thus far.

Tickets for the 8PM NE-YO performance are on sale now for $109, $89, $69 and $49 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone (800) 827-2946 or online at www.

FantasySpringsResort.com.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

New Rebel Noise!

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t was March 1, 2013. I was new to writing music articles for CV Weekly, but not new to the music industry.

New to the desert was this power trio who had just added a new bass player. The band, The Rebel Noise automatically had my interest with their ballsy chick drummer, who happened to be a total sweetheart to talk to and sounded like a machine on the recordings I’d heard. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. So I walked into the Red Barn, alone and awkward my first time there, and there they were. I remember the feeling I had the second I heard their music. My heart literally skipped. I was hearing a fresh sound for the desert with fusing influences of some of my favorite contemporary rock and roll makers. While still very much themselves, I couldn’t help but draw comparisons to White Stripes, then The Killers and Black Keys. Frontman, Leo Rodriguez’s powerful, haunting, emotional vocals gave them an alt/rock contemporary edge atop their wide range of contemporary and roots rock influences from Led Zeppelin to Foo Fighters. Collin Pintor played some tasty lead guitar, and Ashley Pintor on drums was everything I hoped she’d be and more. Originally from the Central Coast of California, I was so glad they’d come to town. One year later, they played both nights of the AMFM Festival and it was clear – this band belonged on a big venue stage with big sound. They were brilliant.

This Saturday night, The Rebel Noise returns from a 3 month sabbatical, to Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert. As they do, you’ll notice some changes. It would seem that the bass player position in the band has been the toughest to maintain, having gone through two in two years. Well, not anymore. If you know Ashley and Collin Pintor, (sister and brother/drummer and lead guitar player), then you know of their love for Leo Rodriguez. They are a unit. They

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by Lisa Morgan

are a solid family unit. It makes sense that Rodriguez, vocalist and 2nd guitar for the band would take command of the situation.

For the first time, with 5 brand new songs, this power trio will be stronger and more solid than ever with Rodriguez on bass.

The Rebel Noise has always made their music insatiably energetic, relatable and real. And Saturday night, they will be sharing music that is all those things and more. Their closing song will be one that Rodriguez wrote about his mother, who he lost way too soon only four months ago. Expect this to be a powerful moment.

It’s well known that musician’s work out their emotions through their music. But sometimes, when they’re brave enough and open enough, they let us work it out right there with them.

26 years “Hear me now I’m crying for you 26 years now gone to soon I remember the times we used to share Looking in the mirror doing your hair I’ll never forget the day I heard You were gone without last words I’m full of anger and rage inside I’ll never forget the day you died” “Been 4 months since I last saw you Not a day goes by I don’t think of you I miss your touch the hugs you gave You taught me to always be brave I’ll never forget the day I heard You were gone without last words I’m full of anger and rage inside I’ll never forget the day you died” The Rebel Noise will be joined by The Brosquitos, Wayward Sirens and Spankshaft for a night of pre-St. Patty’s day shenanigans.

The show is all ages until 10pm, 21 and over until closing. Schmidy’s Tavern is located on the corner of Fred Waring Drive and Highway 111 next to Men’s Warehouse.

Follow The Rebel Noise on facebook. com/The.Rebel.Noise. Hear them on soundcloud.com/the-rebel-noise.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

The Outriders + Gene Jr. & The Family

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he ocean meets the desert on Saturday March 21, 2015 at 9 p.m. at Schmidy’s Tavern when The Outriders out of Costa Mesa, CA gallivant into the Coachella Valley for the first time to double up with Joshua Tree natives Gene Jr. & The Family for a night of world-class music. Long time Orange County regulars The Outriders are Alex Vo on guitar & vocals, Katie Jo Watson on guitar & vocals, Lewis Richards on bass, Anthony Kochis on drums, Lacey Johnson on keys & vocals & Adrian Olmos on sax. This night is so momentous that Coachella Valley Weekly, Jimi Fitz Music, Perpetual Productions & Promotions, Ronnie King Music & Imagine Imagery have teamed up to produce a show the desert won’t soon forget. Entry fee is $5.

Anchoring The Outriders on bass is ​the cat’s meow of producers Lewis Richards.

Richards has worked with a diversified list of artists such as Sting, Mary J. Blige, Sublime, Micah Brown, The Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid and Seedless. Richards is part owner of 17th Street Recording Studio, established in 2001, & their label 17th Street Records, which won the 2012-2013 Orange County Music Award for “Best Record Label”.

Joining The Outriders to perform at Schmidy’s is our own Jimi “Fitz” Fitzgerald.

Fitz has close ties to the band and Richards.

“Lewis co-produced and co-wrote, along with WJ Renee, my just completed album of original material at 17th Street,” stated Fitz.

Fitz recently began a new stint on radio station 103.9 “The Perfect Blend” as host of the morning show. Fitz expounds on Richards & The Outriders collaborations. “Lewis played bass on all songs and also contributed guitar and piano. Anthony played drums on all the songs and Alex contributed his talents

on guitar and piano. Lewis is one of the most creative producer/writer/musicians I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.

I’ve also had the pleasure of guesting with The Outriders several months ago at The Wayfarer in Orange County and had a blast.

I look forward to jamming with them again at The Gardens on El Paseo and again later that night at Schmidy’s. I will be debuting a couple of my new tunes. It will be a fun night.” ​The Outriders will be performing earlier in the day at The Gardens on El Paseo from 6pm to 7pm to benefit the Fuller Center for Housing, an international, Christian nonprofit organization that builds and renovates houses in partnership with families in need.

Homeowners work hand-in-hand with volunteers to build or renovate their homes, which they then pay for on terms they can afford, with no interest charged or profit made.

The Outriders have a tradition of including the audience during performances. Watson shares their concept, “During our shows we like to do a big group ‘cheers’ so everyone’s involved and having fun. So instead of your average ‘cheers’ we yell “TEAM DRINK!” and get everyone on board and having a good time. It’s a saying we’ve used among friends for years & once we applied it at a show it was too fun not to keep doing it!”

Gene Jr. & The Family I met Gene Evaro, Jr. back in early 2013 when I interviewed him and his sisters for a 21 Exits podcast. Since then Evaro Jr. has developed into a versatile artist who has created a purity in his music. Gene Jr. & The Family was formed in 2008. The band is Evaro on vocals, guitar and keyboards. Tyler Saraca is the “Drummer Man” Piper Robison is the “Groove Mama” on bass guitar & Mitchell Arganda on percussion.

Their song “Hustlin’” won them the opportunity to perform on the outdoor stage at NAMM 2015 after winning the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. The song features everything that makes GE & The Fam attractive to all music lovers. I was in the crowd with a few Evaro family members & Mikey Reyes. Their set was fun, folky & funky.

Aiming for an early summer 2015 release date, Gene Jr & The Family began recording their new album, Worlds Inside Us at Unit A Recording & Art.

March 12 to March 18, 2015

by noe gutierrez This is the first full-length album with Saraca & Robison. “We feel ready. We’ve really had time to dial in the versions we want to record. Songs like “Life Is A Journey,” “Slippin’ Away,” “With Love” and the title track,” Evaro shared. ​Dates are currently being confirmed for their pre-release promotional Spring 2015 Tour that includes stops in Nashville, Austin, New Orleans & Denver. Their performance at Schmidy’s follows a headlining show at The Belly Up Tavern in San Diego on Thursday March 19th. These So Cal shows may be some of the few opportunities to see Evaro Jr. & his one-of-a-kind concerts. ​Evaro Jr. plays his guitar in a unique manner. He plays a right-handed guitar lefthanded with the guitar strings remaining as is. Gene explains his peculiar yet natural playing method, “In the house there were no left-handed guitars. I’m left-handed naturally.

I just picked up the guitar and I sat it in my

lap. It’s like learning anything else. I don’t know anything different. I strum down, which would be upstrokes. I see the guitar from the bottom up, which makes sense, like a piano, left to right.”

We hope to see you Saturday 3/21/15 at 9 p.m. at Schmidy’s Tavern for the 1-2 punch of The Outsiders with special guest jimi ‘FITZ’ plus the Desert’s Ronnie King and Gene Jr. & The Family. geneevarojrandthefamily.com jimifitz.com fitzon1039.com coachellavalleyweekly.com ronniekingmusic.com imagineimagery.com schmidystavern.com fullercenter.org

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

GANG OF FOUR

“What Happens Next” (Metropolis Records)

Consider This

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ang Of Four is probably one of the most significant bands of the last 35 years, influencing Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Nirvana, Fugazi, Jane’s Addiction, INXS, Bloc party, Interpol, Futureheads, No Knife, Franz Ferdinand and R.E.M. Chances are, you have probably never heard of them.

Guitarist Andy Gill, vocalist Jon King, bassist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham met at Leeds University in 1977.

Their debut, Entertainment arrived in late 1979.

The sound was stripped down, a brittle collision of Punk and Funk. King’s vocals were dry, deadpan and slightly didactic, occasionally punctuated by his staccato melodica fills. The songs were a revelation.

“Damaged Goods” reduced sexual attraction to animal impulse. ”Your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour, sometimes I’m thinking that I love you, but I know it’s only lust.”

“Guns Before Butter” felt like Benny Goodman’s “Sing Sing Sing” was folded into the Sex Pistols’ “God Save The Queen” and “At Home He’s A Tourist” explored the cultural disconnect. “Anthrax” opened with 90 seconds of sustained guitar feedback before locking into a robotic rhythm. The lyrics, mostly from Jon King, were politically charged, socially conscious and sexually precocious. Best of all, you could dance to it.

Their sophomore effort, Solid Gold arrived in 1981, doubling down on the formula they created with their debut. Not long after Solid Gold was released bassist Dave Allen left Gang Of Four, forming Shriekback with ex-XTC keyboardist, Barry Andrews. After he was replaced by Sara Lee and they recorded their third album, Songs Of The Free, their music became less Punky and more dancey.

Hugo Burnham left the fold in 1983.

The band released Hard without him and then called it quits. Andy Gill spent several years working as a producer, (Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ debut, The Balancing Act’s

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

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“Curtains” album, the Stranglers, and Killing Joke).

In 1990, A Brief History Of The Twentieth Century arrived. A sort of “hits” compilation, it was the first time Gang Of Four’s music appeared on compact disc. Renewed interest in the band motivated Andy Gill and Jon Gill to reform and record Mall in 1991.

Unfortunately the results were abysmal.

Abandoning their original style, the duo relied heavily on synthesized dance grooves and included an unfortunate cover of Bob Marley’s “Soul Rebel.” They almost compensated with the more assured Shrinkwrapped album in 1995.

Another 10 years went by before Gill, King, Allen and Burnham reconvened. By now, their influence was clearly being felt with bands like Interpol, Bloc Party and Franz Ferdinand.

Rather than create new music, the quartet re-recorded songs from their seminal first two releases. It’s hard to believe they felt they could improve on those albums. Actually, Return The Gift felt like an excellent live album. But it allowed them to reclaim and retain the rights to their songs.

Dave Allen and Hugo Burnham again quit the band, but Andy Gill and Jon King soldiered on recruiting bassist Thomas McNeice and drummer Mark Heaney. In 2011 they released the fan-funded album, Content. A rousing return to form, the album received unanimous critical acclaim.

Unfortunately, Jon King has again left the band, with no official explanation given.

Andy Gill perseveres, having just recorded and released Gang Of Four’s ninth album, What Happens Now. Perhaps it might be more accurate to re-name the band the Andy Gill Experience or Gang Of One, since he is the only original member now.

Bassist Thomas McNeice is still on hand, but drum duties are split between Mark Heaney and Jonny Finnigan. John “Gaoler” Sterry, formerly of Gaoler’s Daughter, steps in as vocalist, but he is not alone.

In a move worthy of Santana, Andy Gill has included “ringer” vocalists like Alison Mosshart of The Kills, Robbie Furze from The Big Pink and German actor/musician Herbert Groenemeyer, (“Das Boot”).

The album kicks into gear with “Where The Nightingale Sings.” So far, so good, thudding percussion threads through a modal melody as Gill weaves in splintery chunks of sustain. The lyrics are a stinging indictment of Great Britain’s history of Imperialist rule. “Force feed yourself sentimentality, with golden age mythology/ A feudal order no more, next you’ll talk of racial purity.”

Alison Mosshart pops up on two tracks.

“Broken Talk” is braced by a clattery, fractious, four-on-the-floor-Disco rhythm.

Twitchy guitar riffs slice through the melody like a circular saw. The lyrics concern society’s reliance on pharmaceuticals as the ultimate panacea. “He trusts in fate, but he checks sell-by-dates/Self-medicator getting ill, shakes but he’s steady/Deteriorating, will he recuperate, it may come too late.”

The second Mosshart track is “England’s In My Bones.” Luckily, throbbing bass lines, whiplash guitar riffs and a roiling backbeat nearly camouflage jingoistic lyrics that are the obverse of the anti-British screed on the “Nightingale” song. No disrespect to Mosshart, but her distaff vocals are a distraction.

Three tracks grind the action to a halt.

“The Dying Rays” feature the dour vocals of Herbert Gronemeyer, (reminiscent of Peter Gabriel or late period Bowie). Thrumming

piano notes and a slowed down Reggae rhythm give the song soporific, spectral groove.

“Obey The Ghost” is robotic and industrial (yuck). The lyrics are vaguely dystopian.

They also take easy aim at society’s shallow 21st century preoccupations. “We’re Facebook friends with celebrities, hold my hand in the community/And irony is luxury.”

“First World Citizen” is a ham-fisted critique of Western culture.

Over scattershot, machine gun riff-age the lyrics vaguely reference someone escaping oppression. “She walked out of the state in flames, crossed over the 38th parallel/ Hitched a ride to the west, big appetites those American guys, chew up whatever the dollar buys.”

The best songs here, “Isle Of Dogs” and “Stranded,” hew more closely to the traditional Gang Of Four paradigm. The former weds a pounding backbeat to stuttery, angular guitar. The lyrics paint a vivid portrait of a venal British despot.

The latter is anchored by a kinetic rhythm and power chords drenched in feedback. Gaoler shares the vocals with Gail Ann Dorsey, who has played bass and sung with Tears For Fears, as well as the B-52’s and David Bowie. The wildly unsubtle lyrics plop the listener into a conversation with a materialistic douchebag who’s turn-ons include “fucking and money.”

“Graven Image” is a complete piece of shite. Lumbering and gravid, the lyrics advise the audience to “endure this life patiently.” Good advice when listening to this record.

The album closes with “Dead Souls” The track is built around a snake-charmer guitar hook, and not much more. Hopefully very little of this material will be included in their live set. Gill and his band mates have just begun a U.S. tour which includes a stop at Pappy & Harriet’s at the end of March.

What Happens Next is an unmitigated disaster. The tactic of using different singers for different songs dilutes the album’s sound and divides the listener’s attention.

After suffering through this tedious effort, Gang Of Four fans, should cleanse their musical palettes by revisiting the band’s early classics. Thankfully that brilliance will never fade.

art Scene

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

March 12 to March 18, 2015

by chris clemens

Palm Springs Art Museum Fundraiser & Exhibition ARTrageous Engaged Nearly 250 Collectors and Enthusiasts Raising $350,000

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ontemporary Art Council Chairman Steven Biller (second left) thanked the event’s co-chairs - Sandra Comrie (left), Nancy Allen-Blum and Marlene O’Sullivan Palm Springs Art Museum’s Contemporary Art Council’s (CAC) exciting exhibition and fundraiser, ARTrageous, attracted 245 collectors and enthusiasts who helped raise $350,000, largely through the live and silent auctions, as well as through sponsorships and ticket sales.

The bright, colorful and wildly energetic four-week exhibition featured 75 intriguing artworks of contemporary paintings, photography, prints, oils, watercolors, glass, ceramics and sculpture, donated by museum patrons, major collectors from across the country, artists and galleries.

The 2015 biannual auction and dinner, supporting contemporary art acquisitions and exhibitions at Palm Springs Art Museum, drew a sell-out crowd and resulted in robust bidding at the February 23 silent auction and dinner event. The evening included a special introduction of the artist of honor, Hung Liu, one of the most prominent Chinese painters working in the United States and the subject of a retrospective exhibition that opened the following night at the museum. Bidders raised their paddles to help the museum add Liu’s 80-by-80-inch painting, Shanghai Triad, to the permanent collection. L.A. and Santa Fe collector, Cindy Miscikowski, donated the painting to the auction.

Highlights of the live auction were museum quality art works in various media

by Dale Chihuly, Dennis Oppenheim, Pablo Picasso, Brian Wills, Gisela Colon, Martin Janecky, Steven Klein, Naomie Kremer, Therman Statom, and Boaz Vaadia. The silent auction also featured strong art works by Arman, Sam Francis, John Buck, Sandro Chia, Richard Diebenkorn, Herbert

Hamak, Helen Pashgian, George Rickey, and William Wegman. The lots included work by several locally based artists, including Edith Bergstrom, David Einstein, Jim Isermann, Forest Moses and Mary Ann Turley-Emett.

Before the live auction began, emcee and Contemporary Art Council Chairman Steven Biller thanked the event’s co-chairs - Sandra Comrie, Marlene O’Sullivan, and Nancy Allen-Blum - for their success in selling sponsorships, acquiring art and presenting a fine dinner and auction experience. They had the help and guidance of the museum’s Chief Curator Katherine Hough and CAC Coordinator Gabriela Rodriguez-Gomez.

ARTrageous graciously recognizes Presenting Sponsor Harold B. Matzner; Platinum Sponsors Donna MacMillan, Dorothy and her late husband Harold J. Meyerman, JoAnn McGrath and Arlene Schnitzer; Gold Sponsors Mary Ann and Charles LaBahn, Candice Connell and Barry W. Morse, the Muzzy family, Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Charitable Foundation and Phyllis and Gary Schahet; Silver Sponsors Nancy Allen-Blum and Mark Blum, Naomi and Jeffrey Caspe, Carol Frankel Cohen, Rita and Seymour Cohen, Sandra and Keith Comrie, Carol Bell-Dean and Edward Dean, Barbara Freemont/Freemont Foundation, Helene Galen, Frank Garofolo and Donald Osborne, Cher and Martin Gellman, Robert Moon and Robert Hammack, Libby and Burton Hoffman, Beth and Fred Karren, Deborah and Kenneth Novack, Annette and Theodore Lerner, Marlene and Bill O’Sullivan, Diane Rubin and Leonard Eber, Ann Sheffer and Bill Scheffler, Pamela Smallwood, Nita Soref, Debra and Mickey Star, and Kimberly and Roger Swanson; and Corporate Sponsor Renova Solar.

For more information about the Contemporary Art Council, contact Gabriela Gomez at (760) 322-4823 or via email at CAC@psmuseum.org.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Janet McAfee

Facebook Gets Charlie A Home!

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dorable Charlie, with an angel face and unique freckled fur coat, was getting overlooked at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, our Riverside county shelter in Thousand Palms. I spotted the small dog clamoring to be petted in his shelter kennel, and noted it was his third week of adoption availability. I posted his photo on my Facebook page and on the Loving All Animals’ Facebook page. His soulful eyes, in the lovely photograph taken by Janet Litton, touched my heart.

Barbara Goutos was at work on a Friday night in Summit, Illinois. She saw the dog’s photo on Facebook, and something magical about him captivated her, something she cannot describe in words. Barbara wasn’t looking for second dog. Already the owner of 7-yr-old Daphne, a Maltese Yorkie mix, she didn’t know if this alpha girl would happily share her household. Barbara telephoned her husband and recalls him responding, “We can go out and get him, but having two dogs will change our lifestyle.”

Barbara learned about the world of “rescue” animals from her daughter, Bianca Rae, founder and CEO of the Bianca Rae

Foundation. She called her daughter, Bianca then contacted me, and I sent a quick email to the shelter staff over the weekend. We were surprised to learn that the small Doxi/ Beagle/Chihuahua pup was just adopted or rescued. Barbara reports, “I shed a few tears on Monday when I learned the dog was gone.”

It seemed like a match that was meant to be, and now the dog was gone.

Several days later, I was surprised to see the same freckled faced pup on a Facebook posting with a group of dogs Cindy Sorenson rescued. I contacted Cindy and learned a rescue group was involved, but there was no identified adopter. I was pleased when Cindy agreed to transfer the dog, called “Chevy” at that time, to our group, Loving All Animals.

The person who was really thrilled was Barbara Goutos, who immediately booked a flight to California from Illinois.

Foster mom Luanne Parks drove out with me to pick up the dog in Banning, Luanne wanting to ensure the dog had someone to comfort him in case he was frightened. The dog happily joined us on the trip back to the Coachella Valley, and turned out to be a marvelous, well trained dog. When Barbara met the dog at Luanne’s house, she recalls, “When I came to see him, he immediately came over to me and greeted me with a kiss, and after that rarely leaves my side. He seemed to know I was here for him.”

Barbara continues, “I have never been to a shelter. I wish I had known a long time ago how wonderful rescue dogs are. Charlie was never a problem, and the only changes he ever made in our lives are for the better. I think shelter dogs give more love. Charlie is always by my side as if to protect me. He encourages Daphne to play, and is fine when she lets him know who is in charge. Charlie and Bianca’s dog, Jack, are the perfect playmates during our California visits.” Charlie travels on airplane trips with Barbara in the passenger section in a 2 sided carrier that contains him and Daphne.

Social media is revolutionizing many aspects of our lives, including how we find a faithful companion animal. With over 800 million Facebook users worldwide, the photos and biographies of homeless animals reach

SIMON SAYS “ADOPT ME!” This 4-yr-old Boxer/ Ridgeback fellow is a comical, cudley goofball who will bring love and laughter. He’s at the Palm Springs shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5719.

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new audiences. Bianca Rae is part of the younger generation who utilizes Facebook and Twitter. She has over 49,000 followers on her KESQ Facebook page and 5,000 followers on her KESQ page. Lucky for our homeless animals, this animal advocate is a CBS Local 2 Anchor and Entertainment Reporter, and KESQ news channel 3 Anchor and reporter.

Bianca Rae adds, “My Mom is a perfect example of someone who believed the stereotype I’m trying to change, that shelter animals are frightened, damaged, or have other problems. Since I became involved, it opened my Mom’s eyes about how wonderful these animals are. Sharing them through social media reaches a whole new market of people.” Though her role in the media, Bianca Rae reaches countless thousands of Coachella Valley residents, convincing adopters to switch to “rescue”.

Charlie’s journey home began with a great photograph taken by a shelter volunteer photographer. More help is needed. If you would like to volunteer, whether to take photographs, walk dogs, help at off-site adoption events, or help socialize animals at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, contact volunteer coordinator Michael Salazar at mzsalaza@rcdas.org or (760) 413-2179.

After reading Charlie’s story, do you still worry you might “inherit someone else’s problems” with a rescue dog? You could purchase a very sick and unsocialized animal for a lot of money through the “Penny Saver” or online from a puppy mill. Instead, visit the hundreds of wonderful animals waiting for adoption at YOUR county shelter, a modern building with knowledgeable staff, at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 3433644. View their adoptable animals at www. rcdas.org.

Contact Loving All Animals at (760) 8347000 for more information, and get involved in the wonderful world of rescue animals.

Wiser than most, these shelter animals have much love to give. Increased social media exposure and more volunteers at the shelter will give them that second chance.

March 12 to March 18, 2015

by Rick Riozza

Music, Food & Wine Shine in the Desert

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s we are all experiencing—right in the middle of tourist season here—music and food & wine events are simply blasting their way through our fair valley. And in our haste to heed, eat and drink the best we can, we can kinda miss taking the time to figuratively “smell the roses”, i.e. sitting around the patio quaffing a nice & easy Vinho Verde wine and chatting with friends about some of the wonderful sounds and wine & food pairings we’ve all been enjoying.

Anytime a fantastic dish meets up with a tasty and sexy wine, we vino lovers wish to be in on it. And we also like a little story around that gastronomic epiphany. Of course this all comes at the risk of sounding or coming off a bit pompous and/or boring— but always remember, hey!—it’s just food and wine we’re having fun with. We simply wish to give a heads-up on what’s doing.

And no one is missing a beat when it comes to listening in on some venturous sounds around town. This CV Weekly publication is saturated with music info on the pages. The music scene that often accompanies the food & wine crowd is streaming live at various restaurant bars and patios—I’ll mention some below.

I recently enjoyed the tasting menu over at the BluEmber Restaurant in the Rancho Las Palmas Resort in Rancho Mirage. The outside patio is one of the most beautiful dining areas, and a place every foodie needs to visit at least a few times during the season. Drinks, Happy Hour fare, Live Music and/or enjoying a first class meal, it’s fun socially, and works well as a romantic setting. Chef de Cuisine Brandon Testi continually impresses with his inventive fare and he is available to put a wine-dinner together for you I had the great opportunity to sit and dine with the resort’s Director of Food & Beverage, Carlo B. de Leon. He came on board last year and his food & wine program is quite progressive with wine-dinners and special events on-going. He’s a real wine

guy trained both as a chef and sommelier.

So as one can imagine, we talked—and I sampled, wine all evening.

In the past few months, at the bluEmber’s UNCORKED Wine Dinner Series, we’ve enjoyed the likes of Dierberg & Star Lane, Schramsberg & Davies, Michael Mondavi, and Marchesi de Frescobaldi wines to the superb meals at the hands of Chefs Nyerick and Testi. And yet we have one more wine dinner to look forward to, with the theme “California vs. Europe”, scheduled for April 23rd 2015 at 6pm that will feature the wines of Louis Jadot, Tattinger, Cakebread, Domaine Carneros (and who knows what else!?) along with a grand finale of exquisite cuisine by our wunderkind Chefs! No vino lover can miss this!

BluEmber Reception + Four Courses $85 plus tax &gratuity. Call (760) 834-2110 sooner than later for reservations. See you there!

Besides all of the wine dinners happening at Pinzimini Restaurant in the Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, they’ve got a cool Jazz Concert Series titled Grooves at The Westin. Consummate musical professionals such as the Smooth Jazz Allstars featuring Gregg Karukas, Jessy J, Brian Simpson and Michael Paulo, and, the acclaimed Grammynominated jazz ensemble group Hiroshima will be performing in an intimate setting on the luxurious lawn under the canopy of stars at the resort.

Check out the details for the Saturday March 21st 2015 concert set for 7pm. There is also a Dinner Package available that will include a 3-course dinner, one glass of house wine and the chance to oversee and listen to the Jazz Concert from your reserved Fireside Lounge Patio table. $99 plus taxes and gratuity. Reservations must be made through the host at Pinzimini by calling (760) 770-2150 or emailing pinziminips@ westin.com Alert! The up-coming Hiroshima concert performance is on the following Saturday, March 28th.

Last Thursday evening over at The Vineyard Lounge located at the Miramonte Resort & Spa in Indian Wells we caught up Gennine Jackson and her sultry mix of jazz vocals, R&B, and Pop favorites. It’s called Thursday Night Live! where Gennine performs every Thursday evening from 5 to 8pm.

The venue is spacious and relaxed where a couple or party can either sit at the bar, or a hang out in the lounge or outside on the patio and still be up-close to the songstress.

Gennine Jackson performs throughout the Coachella Valley and enjoys a following from her stints at Legends in Palm Springs and Sundays at Wangs of the Desert.

I asked her how she likes the new atmosphere at The Vineyard Lounge. She says, “It’s great! I love the crowd--including both those wishing to sit and enjoy my vocals and those who wish to show their enthusiasm of my song choices by getting up to dance. It certainly boosts my energy level—I really have a fun time!”

Gennine comes from a musical family who were in on professional gigs and recordings in the L.A scene back in the 70’s.

She performs a wide musical portfolio with Gladys Night, Barbara Streisand and Sarah Vaughn as some of the many influences to her style.

Dinner is right next door at the famed Grove Artisan Kitchen, or, for lighter fare the Vineyard Lounge features an impressive wine selection and hand-crafted artisanal cocktails using fresh ingredients grown on property. Take in the inspiring views of the Santa Rosa mountains and enjoy great appetizers and sandwiches.

See you around town—CHEERS!

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

March 12 to March 18, 2015

Club Crawler Nightlife

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

­­THUR MARCH 12

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Paul Elia 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Tommy Dodson 6pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Eevaan Tre 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Entertainment 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Courtney Chambers 5pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Thursdays 9:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Battle of the Bands w/ Mojave Sky VS. Nobody’s Station 8:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Whiskey Tango 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Blues and Supper Club Night w/ Jack Rivio 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Rainbow Girls 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Intimate Acoustics Night 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Jason Weber 4:30pm, Mike Costley 7pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm

TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Tony DiGerlando 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Flyer 4-6pm, Stan Watkins 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 TBA 8pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Locals Night 9pm

FRI MARCH 13 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bob Garcia Band 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Full House Band Ft. Nena Anderson 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 TBA 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Fleet Easton 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CAFÉ DES BEAUX- ARTS; PD; 760-3460669 Brigette Marie Valdez 6pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLEMETINE; PD; 760-834-8814 Gina Carey 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 6:30pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Jump Off” DJ 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 All Night Shoes, JF//Discord and Synthetix 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 The Muddy Sparks Band 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 Reall Deall 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Mark Gregg & The Horde 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Santa Rosa Band 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Solid Ray Woods Raw Soul Review 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke Celebrating Red’s Birthday !!! 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Bobbie Eakes 5:30pm, The Gand Band 8:30pm, Pawn and Smoke Records 11pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 TBA 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Gino and Jade Sidebar Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Frank’s B-day Bash w/ The Hellions, Remnants of Man, Paradise Kitty and Jenna Syde and the Watchers 8pm 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 Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John Stanley King 8pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 T.B.A. 9pm

THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night Out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT MARCH 14 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Eko noon, poolside, Stronghold Reggae 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic w/ Les Michaels and Wayne Abravanel 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 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 CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 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 FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid” Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Redivider, Seven Days Away and Ruin Your Good Name 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 DJ Geo 9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Reall Deall 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Fresh 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

happy hour hotspot

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A night at Shanghai Reds

O

n a warm starlit night surrounded by happy people, we listened to great music and ate amazing food at one of the best spots in Palm Springs, Fisherman’s Market, ‘the fresh fish joint’ in Palm Springs. This local’s favorite has been voted the #1 Best Seafood Restaurant for fifteen (15) consecutive years and it doesn’t get any better than that. Once you try it, you’ll know why.

The Palm Springs hideaway is a Bar & Grill serving an extensive array of Fresh Seafood, Pasta Dishes, Oysters, Steaks, mouth-watering Appetizers, and so much more. They also feature a cocktail lounge with fabulous entertainment I’ve eaten at Fisherman’s many times for lunch and I absolutely love their fresh fish selection from their chilled seafood cocktails to their famous fish tacos. Every bite is melt-in-your-mouth perfection.

We were treated to some of their specialties including the best fresh oysters on the half shell I’ve ever had, served with a tangy cocktail sauce and fresh lemon wedges. These oysters were fresh, cold, tender and flavorful.

We sampled their deep fried calamari with 2 sauces. They were cooked in a batter, crunchy on the outside and succulent on the inside. We also enjoyed the fish tacos they are so famous for. The corn tortillas, with Alaskan cod, were crispy and topped with coleslaw. The grilled ahi tuna fish tacos were amazing. They are so good they were featured on the Rachel Ray show.

Their beer battered fish and chips are served with their fisherman’s chips and a side of crisp coleslaw. They offer a choice of fresh fish. This is one of the things I love about Fisherman’s Market;

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you can see the daily selection of fresh fish, have it cooked to order or take it home to cook yourself.

Their extensive seafood menu offers a plethora of choices from lunch specialties to soups, including their creamy clam chowder, and salads. For the night out there is even a rock lobster tail and prime steak.

I had previously only been to Fisherman’s during the day so I was delighted with the full stage and live music they featured in their lounge Shanghai Reds. The Barry Baughn Blues band was performing on Friday night and the lively crowd was up and dancing. There’s live music from 8-11 every Thursday (Smooth Brothers) and Barry Baughn Blues band every Friday and Saturday.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

By patte purcell The open air dining and entertainment offers the perfect atmosphere for a balmy evening under the stars.

I had the delightful experience of speaking with the owner Louis Pagano who informed me of the history of this hideaway.

His father owned a restaurant and there was a bar down the street named Shanghai Reds after the owner who would ‘shanghai’ drunks and sell them to ships as slaves. That’s how he came up the name ‘Shanghai Reds’ an oyster bar which specializes in beer and seafood in true Baja fashion.

He took his location 16 years ago and brought in signage and other metal memorabilia from the Union Ice Company. Oddly enough the sign he bought happens to have 234 on it which also happens to be the address of Fisherman’s Market in Palm Springs.

The management is warm and friendly. It was a pleasure meeting CFO Richard Hamilton and manager Mike Nagel, who were most welcoming. I even got a hug from both of them when we left. All three were busy helping to seat customers, clear beer bottles from tables, and generally assisting customers in having a great time.

The staff was excellent and service was great.

The cocktails were generous and I enjoyed a tasty margarita with my seafood. I enjoyed my experience so much I’m going back for lunch tomorrow.

Fisherman’s Market and Shanghai Reds are located at 235 South Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs.

Mon-Sun: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. They also have locations in Palm Desert 44250 Town Center Way, C-2, and La Quinta, 78575 Highway 111, #100, and Banning at 2271 West Ramsey Street.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

REMEMBERING ALBERT MAYSLES

W

hen the award winning documentarian, Albert Maysles (pronounced MAY-zuls), died last week in Manhattan at the age of 88, there was a collective sigh of sadness among film lovers all around the world. Albert, with his younger brother David, created amazing, provocative films that were intensely immediate, human, revealing and often more than a little disturbing. Watching their films, your are wrapped in a world that’s oddly slightly off-center yet more than familiar. They captured and shared a truth via cinema that was devoid of mockery or cynicism and seemed to show life as it

22

is. Albert claimed to have had a learning disability that made him listen very carefully.

He said this skill served him well in making docuymentaries. He studied psychology at Syracuse University and received a master’s degree from Boston University, where he taught psychology before making his first film. Albert Maysles received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama in July.

When I think of the Maysles, three incredible films immediately come to mind.

All are available in excellent transfers from Criterion for home viewing.

SALESMAN This landmark American documentary captures in vivid detail the bygone era of the door-to-door Bible salesman. While laboring

Screeners No.155

to sell a relatively expensive gold-embossed version of the Good Book, Paul Brennan and his colleagues target the beleaguered masses—then face the demands of quotas and the frustrations of life on the road.

Following Brennan on his daily rounds, the Maysles discover a real-life Willy Loman, walking the line from hype to despondency.

His world is a web of disturbing themes, full of desperation, religion and poverty. A heart-breaking and unsettling masterpiece.

GIMME SHELTER (1970)

Called the greatest rock film ever made, this landmark documentary follows the Rolling Stones on their notorious 1969 U.S. tour. When three hundred thousand members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hells Angels at San Francisco’s Altamont Speedway, Direct Cinema pioneers David and Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin were there to immortalize on film the bloody slash that transformed a decade’s dreams into disillusionment. The disc has a multitude of extras including a great commentary from director Maysles.

GREY GARDENS (1975)

You will never forget Big and Little Edie Beale: mother and daughter, highsociety dropouts, and reclusive cousins of Jackie Onassis. The two live together amid the squalor, decay and disorder of their East Hampton, New York, mansion, making for an eerily ramshackle echo of the American Camelot. An uncomfortable and hypnotically intimate portrait, this 1976 documentary by Albert and David

Maysles, codirected by Ellen Hovde and Muffie Meyer, was an immediate cult classic that made Little Edie a fashion icon and philosopher queen. This Blu-ray edition features the “The Beales of Grey Gardens,” edited from hours of extra footage in the filmmakers’ vaults. There was much conversation regarding the exploitation of these woman who some suggested suffered a shared mental disability. Martin Scorsese described Albert Maysles’ camera as “an inquisitive presence, but also a loving presence, an empathetic presence, tuned to the most sensitive emotional vibrations.”

This film was the basis of a Tony winning Broadway musical and also a superb 2009 HBO Emmy Award winning version with Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore as mother and daughter Beale.

NOW PLAYING: CINDERELLA

Disney’s ultimate princess movie is just about perfect. And it’s hard to imagine a better Cinderella than the luminous Lilly James (Lady Rose of “Downton Abbey”).

With her lilting, melodic voice, she steals every scene she’s in. James’ incarnation of the beloved, iconic heroine who is rewarded for her resiliency and innate kindness, is a timeless, often funny, film that will be around for a very long time.

Under the astute direction of Kenneth Branagh, team Disney has created an instant live-action classic that is uplifting, lushly textured and wonderfully romantic.

And the biggest surprise of all, it sticks to the basic story we all think we know with only a few adjustments for our modern mindset. There’s a lot of magic here in this bravura nod to old-school filmmaking – and storytelling. It’s nice to be reminded that, just maybe, good can still conquers evil.

The top-notch cast includes (among others): Cate Blanchett , Helena Bonham Carter, Derek Jacobi, Ben Chapin, Richard Madden and a terrific Sophia McShera as Drisella.

Comments? robinesimmons@aol.com

Book Review

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

By Heidi Simmons

A Ghost Returns to Tell a Haunting Story

T

ake a moment and imagine a life where you could not communicate a word or move a limb. How would it feel if everyone, including your family, only sees you as a vegetable? In Martin Pistorius’ memoir, Ghost Boy: The Miraculous Escape of a Misdiagnosed Boy Trapped Inside His Own Body, the author shares the horror and the triumph of being human.

When Martin Pistorius was 12, he came home from school with a sore throat. He never went back because everyday he became sicker and sicker until he lost the use of his voice, limbs and mind.

Without a known cause (and never diagnosed), the young Pitorius lost his ability to speak and became a quadriplegic bound to a wheelchair. Doctors did not expect him to live. He stared into space, drooling and needing full-time care. His mother declined to care for him. After a suicide attempt, Doctors recommended she focus on her two healthy children.

On his 16th birthday, Pistorius “woke up.”

That is, he suddenly became self-aware. He heard voices talk about shaving his face and he saw a birthday cake. For years it was like he was in a dreamless sleep, he didn’t know a thing. But now that he was awake, it was a living nightmare. He still couldn’t talk or move.

ghost boy By martin pistorius memoir Over the next four years, Pistorius, slumped in a wheelchair, observed the world. Unable to move his head or twitch a finger, he sat for hours, trapped and completely dependent.

From the get go, Pistorius’ father refused to commit his son and became his caretaker at home. His father got up early every morning, bathed, dressed and fed his son.

He dropped Martin off at a day care facility on his way to work and picked him up on his way home. Where he again, fed, bathed and put his son to bed -- a routine that would continue for two decades.

Unable to see a clock, Pistorius learned to tell time by the way the sun moved across the floor. It was torture. A television blared cartoons. Younger children in the facility wailed.

Everyone thought Pistorius was incapable of thought and comprehension.

He became a silent witness to the personal lives of those around him. He heard his parents argue about how his life was hurting the family. He listened to people as they talked and gossiped with one another.

People said awful things to him. He was routinely abused physically and sexually. He could do and say nothing.

When a new physical therapist arrived,

she spoke to Pistorius as if he were actually listening. She made eye contact and asked how he was doing. She believed that Pistorius understood what she was saying and argued that he should be tested, although Pistorius was unresponsive.

Inside his shell of a body, Pistorius hoped to find a way out of his prison. His parents agreed to the tests. By moving his eyes across a board, Pistorius showed he could communicate and understood what was asked of him.

It took two more years before he was able to get a device that allowed him to communicate his wants and needs.

His family bought him a computer with software that could be used to speak for him – a system called Augmentative and Alternative Communication. He became an expert with the software. He found that he loved computers. And he found a voice.

Pistorius got a job at his care facility debugging computers. The center that tested him, hired him to help evaluate patients and work on websites. He was given a motorized wheelchair. He became stronger, soon able to hold his head up and control his arms.

As an observer, Pistorius was mystified by human behavior. People could be so

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bad and yet they could be so good. He witnessed moments of love and he knew it was something he wanted. But he believed he was unlovable and repulsive. Then he met Joanna, a friend of his sister’s, on the Internet.

They fell in love. Pistorius was afraid and worried she would change her mind when they met in person. But Joanna assured him she was in love with him and that he was a “good man.” No one had ever said that to him. No one had ever called him a man.

Pistorius and Joanna married. Today, the beautiful couple live in London where they both work! He remains bound to a wheelchair and can only talk with his computer app.

This is an incredible memoir! Pistorius tells his personal story in short, often poetic, chapters. There are moments where the emotion is so intense it brings a lump in the throat and tears to the eyes.

The acts of human kindness are beautiful. And the abuse is horrifying.

Pistorius says that he encountered far more good people than bad, but the bad is so bad you want revenge. The author never says if he reported the evildoers.

The most powerful element of this memoir is seeing reality through Pistorius’ eyes. He brings a consciousness and awareness about the world as only someone trapped in his own body can do. He includes moments of great insight and beauty.

Pistorius also shows the reader firsthand what it feels like to be invisible. Even worse, he shares how it feels to be treated as if you are not human and don’t feel pain.

Ghost Boy should be required reading for caregivers and high schoolers. Pistorius delivers a potent narrative about what it means to be human: respected, loved, free, independent and compassionate to all living things.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015 continued from page 19

NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Duover w/ Lisa Lynn Morgan and Jojo 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Rancho De La Luna Presents: Earthlings?, Dinola, Rancho De La Luna Lunatics and special guests 8:30pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 TBA 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext230 Comedy Night 5:30pm, Kal David and the Real Deal 8:30pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Tattooed Nanny 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Gino and Jade Sidebar Patio 7pm, Arnie Vilches and Friends Sidebar Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Shamrock N Roll w/ Rebel Noise, Spankshaft, Wayward Sirens and The Brosquitos 8pm 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 Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 St. Patty’s Party w/ Machin’ and many more 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951755-5391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 TBA 8pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Scott Carter 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

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SUN MARCH 15

MON MARCH 16

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Bobbie Rich noon poolside, Slacker Sunday w/ Ladypills 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Brunch 11:30am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Elevated Sundays w/ Cruz N Kenga and All Night Shoes 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Fusion” Pool Party 11am poolside INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 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 THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Jam Session 5-9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Reaction 3-6pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Luck Be a Lady w/ Francesca Amari and Darci Daniels 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6-9pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony DiJerlando 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ D Rad noon poolside CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ron Kalina’s Jazz 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Kevin Quinn 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band w/ Liz Mandeville 5pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Joanne Tatham 8pm 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 WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Family Karaoke hosted by Joleene 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley & Barney McClure 6pm

TUE MARCH 17 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Paul & Jo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Acoustic Guitar Night Jam 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Darci Daniels 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 CV Weekly and PLab Produc-IONS present: St Patty’s Day w/ Burning Bettie, Broken Souls and All Night Shoes 8pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Carolyn Martinez 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Bolivar & Barney McClure 6pm

WED MARCH 18 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dan Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 7pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Tommy Dodson 6pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 T.B.A. 6-10pm

CAFÉ DES BEAUX- ARTS; PD; 760-3460669 John & Gina Carey 6pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Jack Rivio 6:30pm 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 Talent Quest 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Michael Holmes Trio 6pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 D Phillips Band 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz 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 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Scott Carter 7:30pm WOLFGANG PUCK’S; PD; 760-568-2700 WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Experimental Wednesdays 6pm

March 12 to March 18, 2015

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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Haddon Libby

the palm springs Local

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The Palm Springs Racquet Club

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discovered there while lounging poolside.

The club had tennis courts where they would hold tournaments (nothing like Indian Wells, but still a crowd pleaser), a large pool, accommodations and the famous Bamboo Room where frequent celebs had reserved seating.

The club was in existence through the late 1960’s, its popularity holding on through the decades. But it was in the 1970’s that the club fell under hard times and was eventually torn down.

Although the club has long since gone, along with its owners, the memory of it is iconic for the history of Palm Springs. It will always be part of what put Palm Springs on the pedestal of resort areas in the world and also known as one of the first places to usher in the sport of tennis on a large scale to our deserts sandy shore.

For more information on the Racquet Club, visit the Palm Springs Historical Society, www.pshistoricalsociety.org

ver the last year, the US Dollar strengthened against virtually every currency in the world. If you hold investments in foreign stocks or bonds, you have probably noticed that those offshore investments underperformed relative to domestic investments.

You are not alone. Billionaires around the world felt that same pain - some more than others.

According to Forbes magazine, Aliko Dangote, 57, of Nigeria saw his net worth fall by $10.3 billion to $14.7 billion. This selfmade man is the richest person in Africa.

He makes most of his money by producing cement, flour and sugar. Dangote controls one-third of his country’s Gross Domestic Product. In a country where the average wage is $600 per year, Dangote’s net worth still equates to $85 per Nigerian.

Stefan Persson, 67, of Sweden saw his net worth fall by $9.9 billion to $24.5 billion.

Full Service Feline Only Veterinary Clinic

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Every aspect of our clinic is designed with the special needs of cats in mind.

From the quiet serene waiting room to the relaxing exam rooms and cat-friendly cages for hospitalized patients, our goal is to promote a peaceful, stress-free environment for your cats.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

Poor, Poorer Billionaires

By Denise Ortuno Neil

ith the BNP Paribus Tennis Tournament is in full swing, I though it appropriate to look back on a place that started bringing tennis to the Coachella Valley long before the now famous Indian Wells tournament was even on the map. It was Charlie Farrell and Ralph Bellamy’s Racquet Club in Palm Springs.

I passed his star every time that I would do my Heart of The City tour for the Palm Springs Historical Society. “And this is Charles Farrell’s star, he was one of the first stars on Palm Springs Walk of Stars, a popular actor, mayor of Palm Springs and opened the Racquet Club with Ralph Bellamy,” that would be my quick spiel on Mr. Farrell. He was quite accomplished to say the least, and certainly aided in making Palm Springs a haven for the Hollywood elite.

The Racquet Club was the conception of Charles Farrell and his good friend Ralph Bellamy. The two actors purchased 200 acres and basically built a place where they could hang out with their actor friends, have a good time in the sun, and of course, play tennis.

The club was built by architect Albert Frey, if it was still standing today it would be high on the tour list during the Palm Springs Modernism Week. The “club” became exactly that over the years. Memberships were sold to be a part of the club and Hollywood heavy hitters were happy to join.

Everyone from Joan Crawford to Tyrone Powers made the club their go to Palm Springs get-a-way. Marilyn Monroe was even

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Persson is Chairman for the cheap-chic clothing chain H&M - a company started in 1947 by his father. Persson made his fortune in the notoriously exploitive garment industry. Many factories producing H&M clothing employ children. In Bangledesh where 25% of H&M products are made, most workers earn $1.25 a day.

Lui Che Woo, 85, of Hong Kong, China, is the second richest man in Asia. Woo lost $8.5 billion in net worth in 2014 and now has an estimated $13.5 billion. Much of his net worth comes from casinos on the island of Macau. A sizable chunk of his net worth is at risk as China cracks down on Woo and allegations of widespread corruption and money-laundering.

Miuccia Prada, 65, of Italy is a fashion designer best known for Prada and Miu Miu. Prada’s net worth fell by $7 billion to $11 billion. Prada and her husband, Patrizio Bertelli run this garment business founded by her grandfather. As with H&M, many of the products that they sell are made by people earning virtually nothing.

Sheldon Adelson, 81, of Las Vegas saw his fortune fall by $6.6 billion to a couponclipping $31.4 billion in 2014. This selfmade man is the owner of casinos in Las Vegas, Macao and most recently, Singapore.

A passionate supporter of Israel, Adelson is

Dale Gribow On The Law YOU MEAN HE WAS AN INSURANCE AGENT?

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he recent Rancho Mirage lawsuit arises from a widespread nationwide scheme whereby insurance “veteran advocate agents” fraudulently induce elderly residents of retirement homes and assisted living facilities to reposition their assets. This change ultimately causes the elderly direct financial harm. Typically, these “veteran advocate agents” will set up a free lunch/dinner educational presentation at retirement homes and assisted living facilities that are ostensibly to educate senior veterans on benefits available to them. However, these “veteran advocate agents” do not disclose, as mandated by California Insurance Code 785, that they are insurance agents.

These “veteran advocate agents” convince unwitting senior veterans that if they reposition their assets to make it appear that they are poor, then they will qualify for an Aid and Attendance pension. In order to do this, the “veteran advocate agents” induce seniors to transfer their assets into an annuity and irrevocable trust. However, the “veteran advocate agents” do not disclose that these annuities may only earn 0.6%, while their assets previously earned between 7-10%.

Moreover, these “veteran advocate agents” also fail to advise in writing (as required by Insurance Code Section 789) that the use of a mutual fund or other asset to fund the annuity may have tax consequences in addition to early withdrawal penalties etc.

The “veteran advocate agents” tend to target wealthy seniors in expensive retirement facilities since people who truly qualify for Aid and Attendance don’t have assets. By buying into the deceitful tactics of these “veteran advocate agents”, senior veterans may not only jeopardize their chances to qualify for Medicaid, but also may be accused of conspiring to defraud the government. This nationwide scheme ultimately generates handsome commissions and profits for the “veteran advocate agents” and their respective insurance companies.

In 2007, the SEC and Financial Industry Regulatory authority inspected 110 securities firms that utilized the “free lunch” program as described above. The report found that 100 percent were sales presentations, despite the fact they were advertised as educational programs.

AARP has also been aware of the prevalence of “veteran advocate agents” and has previously warned senior veterans about these crooked investment advisors. The AARP Bulletin has explained that these advisors are not accredited with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, though these advisors will likely insinuate that they are part of the government and are a nonprofit 501c3. Additionally, these “veteran advocate agents” may wear a picture badge (with a patriotic looking logo) that directly identifies them as a “Volunteer Veteran Advocate” with a senior veterans group.

well known for his financial support of the Republican Party. A self-professed “liberal,” Adelson supports the GOP because of his disdain for unions and tax rates on the rich. Like Woo, the Chinese government is looking into corruption and money laundering allegations related to Adelson’s Macao casinos. As a side note, unions do not seem to have been much of a speed bump in the amassing of his fortune.

Vladimir Yevtushenkov, 66, of Russia saw his $9 billion fortune dwindle to $2.8 billion. While the ruble was in free fall, the Russian government arrested him on charges of money laundering after which the government seized most of his business interests. He continues to own one of the largest cell phone providers in Russia.

As each of these billionaires prove in different ways, many of the ultraaffluent amass their fortunes through the exploitation of a world order that allows for the exploitation of people without the means to defend themselves. While many call this is free enterprise in action, just because one can pay a worker $1.25 a day and employ children does not make it right or humane.

For reference, it was only in 1938 and after sixteen years of court challenges that Congress banned child labor in America yet companies that we frequent still employ that wage control tactic albeit through third parties around the world.

Whether legal or illegal, indentured servitude and inhumane work conditions are rampant worldwide. If each of us did our best to avoid the people and businesses that profit from an unfair system and made our voices heard in government affairs, things might change.

Haddon Libby is Managing Partner of Winslow Drake, an Investment Advisory firm and co-founder of local food business incubator, ShareKitchen. He can be reached at hlibby@winslowdrake.com.

The irrevocable trusts that the “veteran advocate agents” set up tend to utilize annuities which are long term investments. These are often inappropriate for older retirees, particularly since some annuities must be held for a certain period of time. In the Rancho Mirage lawsuit at hand, the case involves a 90 year old veteran. A 90 year old that purchases a 10 year annuity will likely not be around when it concludes. When they pass away, their heirs will be stuck with the same investment for the balance of the 10 year period.

According to Prescott Cole, a senior attorney for the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform in San Francisco, victims of elder abuse rarely pursue litigation against suspected scammers. Cole explains that Elder Abuse litigation requires a senior to go to court. Seniors don’t like to go to court as they would rather not be involved. Furthermore, Cole has stated that nationwide schemes are prevalent. They induce war veterans to sign away possible Aid and Attendance money by transferring assets and then not qualifying for the Aid and Attendance free pension.

Grant Gautsche, a director of the Riverside County Department of Veteran Affairs, agrees with Cole and has stated that he has a folder of groups presently under investigation. The case that was most recently filed explains that the senior did not know what an annuity was, and further that the word annuity was never used in the sale. In this case, the salesperson identified himself as a volunteer for a group for Senior

Veterans-alluding to an affiliation with Veterans Affairs or the Government.

It is promising to note that one insurance company has agreed to stop selling this product in California after litigation was initiated. A special Veteran Hotline (760 837-7555) has been set up for elder abuse victim’s complaints and assistance.

Remember that elder abuse can be financial, like the case herein, or may involve a hospital or nursing home mistreating the senior. The law allows for a recovery of three times the amount of the punitive damages.

The lawsuit mentioned in The Desert Sun is arguably a huge step towards protecting seniors from potential nationwide financial scams. Hopefully it will stop those that refer to themselves as “veteran advocate agents” from preying upon seniors. We are also hopeful that the lawsuit will ultimately punish these “veteran advocate agents” and others who have engaged in egregious fraudulent conduct against senior veterans.

The VETERAN FRAUD HOTLINE number is 760 837-7555.

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow, Attorney at Law at 760 8377500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com

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safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

St. Patrick’s Day - No Luck Required, Just Common Sense!

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es, there actually is a 5 - leaf clover, which is a mutation of the 4 - leaf clover that does appear occasionally. The superstition is the 5 –leaf clover is for extra good luck. On St. Patrick’s Day, you won’t need good luck, but common sense to make it a great St. Paddy’s Day and not a Paddy Wagon Day! Predetermine a safe way to get home for you and your friends. Whether you’re watching a parade or going to or hosting a party, ensure everyone in your group has a safe means of returning home if you plan to drink. Select a designated driver, arrange for a cab, plot a bus route, or figure out a nearby place you can crash for the night.

It’s a good idea to keep route maps of local public transportation, as well as the numbers for taxi companies handy during the day.

Eat. Drinking on an empty stomach is a good way to end your St. Paddy’s day a lot earlier than planned. Make sure to get some nutrients in you to help absorb that alcohol.

Stay hydrated. Getting enough water will also help keep the party going on longer, and decrease the likelihood you’ll have a

March 18th hangover. It’s a Thursday, so you’ll probably (hopefully) have important things to do, like work.

If you feel impaired, don’t get behind the wheel. In the eyes of the law, impaired driving is drunk driving, and even if you feel fine, a breathalyzer might not concur. With all the checkpoints on the roads, it’s best to play it extra safe. If you have even the least bit of doubt, don’t drive.

Be extra cautious on the roads. Just because you’re a safe and sober driver doesn’t mean other people are. A disproportionate of traffic accidents on St. Patrick’s Day are caused by people driving under the influence. Whether you’re driving or just crossing the street on foot, keep your awareness levels high.

Be Safe and most importantly, Be Smart!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

sharekitchen

CV FRESH - A Local Food LOGO Competition

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ontinuing on ShareKitchen’s mission to help educate our community on “Where Food Comes From” we at ShareKitchen are excited to announce a local competition to create a logo for CV FRESH– a new local branding program funded by the UDSA Local Food Promotion Program grant awarded to ShareKitchen! This fresh, new branding and logo program is designed to help all of us easily identify food products and farm goods produced here in the Coachella Valley whenever we are shopping and eating locally! See the CV FRESH logo on something in a store or at the restaurant where you’re eating? The logo, designed by one of you, means that food was made or grown here in the Coachella Valley or grown by our agricultural community neighbors in Imperial Valley.

You will find the winning logo on the labels of locally made food products and locally grown produce in stores and marketplaces, on grocery store shelf tags, CV FRESH retail merchandising stands and on window clings for participating merchants and restaurants who source CV FRESH products.

The winning logo will be determined by a panel of judges at the ShareKitchen CV FRESH Tent during the Passport to Health Fair in Cathedral City on May 2 during the first annual Passport to Health – Health Fair and Health Glo Run 5K. This exciting evening event is a collaboration of Cathedral City Rotary, The Foundation for Palm Springs Unified School District, the City of Cathedral City and ShareKitchen.

Come join us for the CV FRESH logo competition and stay to celebrate at the ShareKitchen CV FRESH Tent with live cooking demonstrations and more.

Featured local chefs will be making their favorite healthy recipes with CV FRESH local food goods and fresh locally grown produce.

Coachella Valley and Imperial Valley residents of all ages are encouraged to submit logo designs beginning this week.

Guidelines for submission are available on The Desert Sun website, CV Weekly website and at ShareKitchen.org. To stay up to date on this contest and more “Like Us” at facebook.com/ShareKitchen – and please share this CV FRESH logo competition with all of your friends!

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has applied for and received recognition.

For additional information, please contact Karen Hawkesworth, President of the CVHM, Board of Trustees at 916-521-8444 or khawkesworth@gmail.com.

ABOUT THE KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD The Khalifa International Date Palm Award is coordinated through the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and is part of regional and international efforts to sustainably produce date palms. Preservation and updated knowledge of date palms are part of a system that combines production and sustainability, safeguards biodiversity, and helps to improve the livelihoods of those who till the land.

There are five categories of the Award: ‘Best Research, Best Producers, Best New Techniques, Best Developmental Project and Distinguished Figure’ for farmers, producers, researchers and academics, specialists and those who appreciate palm date trees around the world.

More than 130 researchers from 23 countries were considered for this year’s prize. Most candidates were Arab, with others from Europe, the United States and Australia.

This year had the highest number of UAE and Arab participants, demonstrating the growth of the palm tree sector.

Dr Helal Alkaabi serves as head of the administrative and financial committee for the award and Dr Abdelouahhab Zaid is the secretary general. Organizers said that this year’s competition attracted the most important researchers, experts and farmers at the Arab and international levels.

For more information, please visit www. fao.org or http://www.thenational.ae/uae/ winners-of-khalifa-international-date-palmaward-announced.

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA DATE HISTORY MUSEUM Housed on the grounds of the Coachella Valley History Museum, The California Date History Museum features educational displays about the growth and history of the date palm tree. There is also a working date grove with the variety of dates produced in the Coachella Valley.

The date palm is one of civilization’s oldest cultivated crop. The people of Egypt, Babylonia and Arabia have cultivated the plant for over 5,000 years. From the introduction of the date palm to the Coachella Valley in

sports Proper Perspective Is Important In Sports

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ome things are easy and some things are hard. And just because something isn’t easy doesn’t mean it’s hard.”

Simple, huh?

I learned that some years ago trekking through trials and tribulations that, at the time, seemed hard, but in retrospect were barely a blip on life’s radar, and this wisdom was reaffirmed to me this past week while on vacation.

I was in Hawaii (tough, right?), visiting Pearl Harbor, the site where more than 2,500 Americans were killed and our nation was forced into World War II, considered the bloodiest war in the history of mankind.

I sat in awe as I learned of the incredible, extensive efforts required to restore 18 of the 21 sunken or damaged vessels that had previously occupied the harbor.

THAT was hard work.

“Recovery work began at once. Navy and civilian teams mounted a heroic effort, on a scale never before attempted, to restore sunken ships to service. Salvage workers faced many hazards- jagged metal, explosions, toxic fumes. Fuel oil fouled ship interiors. Air reeked of decaying bodies.

Divers worked in murky water to find blast holes. Shipyard workers devised huge patches, pumps and cofferdams, air-filled

pontoons, and vast arrays of cables and winches. Of the 21 vessels sunk or damaged, all but 3 rejoined the fleet.”

This was the excerpt I read, tears in my eyes, imagining the ardent fervor and dedication of those in the recovery effort.

Diving in oil-filled, dirty waters, inventing new ways of fixing broken vessels, helping find the bodies of fallen sailors, soldiers, friends and civilians killed in the attack.

Why’d they do that? Why would they risk their lives, dedicate countless hours and days and months to recover mangled metal and shards of history?

Certainly not because they had to, but perhaps because they needed to.

Those who fought and lived through WWII were a different breed. They didn’t care about hard work, they cared about results.

Every facet of the effort was excruciatingly hard, except the decision to commit to it.

THAT part was easy.

I’ll avoid waxing poetic about The Greatest Generation, whose contributions to our nation are extraordinarily farreaching, substantial and have endured despite a current “Twitter” culture that seems insistent on ignoring history.

That’s because they knew the difference

sports MLB Flirts With Shorter Game Times.. We Can All Hope

INDIO’S COACHELLA VALLEY HISTORY MUSEUM RECOGNIZED FOR PRESTIGIOUS KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL DATE PALM AWARD

he California Date History Museum, housed on the grounds of the Coachella Valley History Museum (CVHM) in Indio, California, has been recognized as one of the 2015 winners of the annual Khalifa International Date Palm Award (KIDPA). The Date Museum won the second place prize in the “Best Developmental / Educational Project” out of five total categories.

The prestigious award, now in its seventh session, was founded by Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, to support and encourage new scientific, agricultural and educational innovations related to all aspects of the date palm tree.

The public award ceremony to honor the winners will be held on March 15, 2015, at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Diana Kitagawa, CVHM Board Trustee, will travel to Dubai to accept the award.

The Date Museum / Coachella Valley History Museum will receive a prize in the amount of $50,000, which will be used to expand and enhance Museum grounds and programs. This is the first year that The Date Museum / Coachella Valley History Museum

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1900, this exhibit explores the history of this industry from its Middle Eastern origins, to the horticulturists who brought the date successfully to California and the essential workers who harvested this fruit of the desert.

The Coachella Valley History Museum is a historical campus which features a collection of exhibits and buildings including the original 1926 Smiley-Tyler Adobe home, the blacksmith shop, the authentic 1909 Indio schoolhouse, the Date Museum, and the many gardens. The Date Museum / CVHM are located at 82616 Miles Avenue, Indio, CA 92201. For more information, please visit www.cvhm.org , call 760-342-6651, or email janice@cvhm.org .

ith the average Major League Baseball game soaring past three hours despite decreasing offensive numbers in the game, the league announced Monday that it will test out various experimental rule changes during Arizona Fall League play to improve the sport’s pace.

They include some dramatic changes, like eliminating the need to actually throw four balls to intentionally walk a batter, and some obvious ones, like limiting the amount of time a pitcher can take between pitches.

The full list of rules to be tested is as follows, from a Major League Baseball press release: 1. Batter’s Box Rule: “The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout his at-bat, unless one of a series of established exceptions occurs, in which case the batter may leave the batter’s box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate.”

2. No-Pitch Intentional Walks: “In the event a team decides to intentionally walk a batter, no pitches shall be thrown. Instead, the manager shall signal to the home plate umpire with four fingers, and the batter should proceed to first base to become a runner.”

3. 20-Second Rule: (To be used only at AFL games played at Salt River Fields) “A modified version of Rule 8.04, which discourages

unnecessary delays by the pitcher, shall apply.

Rule 8.04 requires the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter within 12 seconds after he receives the ball with the bases unoccupied.

The penalty prescribed by Rule 8.04 for a pitcher’s violation of the Rule is that the umpire shall call ‘Ball.’

“In the AFL games at Salt River, a clock will be displayed in both dugouts, behind home plate, and in the outfield. The clock will be operated by an independent operator, who is not a member of the umpire crew. A pitcher shall be allowed 20 seconds to throw each pitch…. The clock will stop only when the pitcher begins his motion to deliver the ball (and not ‘when the pitcher releases the ball’ as prescribed in Rule 8.04). Beginning the motion of coming to the set position shall be sufficient to stop the clock. If the pitcher maintains possession of the ball without beginning his pitching motion for more than 20 seconds, the Umpire shall call ‘Ball.’”

4. 2:05 Inning Break Clock: “There shall

March 12 to March 18, 2015

by Julie Buehler

between easy and hard and were willing to avoid the easy out, do the hard work to accomplish actual results.

I generally discuss sports in this space and am passionate about my teams, competition and the great litmus test that sports offer. And I also realize sports are just a game and the “hard work” required to be a collegiate or professional athlete pales in comparison to the “hard work” required to be a soldier, sailor, Marine, police officer, or any other service man or woman.

But we don’t hear much about that.

We don’t see Gatorade commercials showcasing your local firefighter comforting a young girl who’s lost her family’s home or the sheriff’s deputy who was called by neighbors to solve a domestic disturbance.

We see million dollar athletes paid more millions to exemplify their sweat and “hard work” while teachers tirelessly working in the classroom sweat out failing education

systems and kids that come to school with bruises and hard-to-find smiles.

Reality can be tough to face, but as I learned in Pearl Harbor, when people face reality with irreverence to any supposed difficulty or hardship, amazing things happen, resurrecting spirits and guiding generations to come.

I recognize it’s not easy to be a professional athlete. But just because something’s not easy, doesn’t mean it’s hard.

And keeping that perspective while we enjoy sports, without worshipping athletes, will help keep the ups and downs, ins and outs of sports in the proper perspective.

Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 1-4 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station. She can also be seen every morning between 6-7am on KMIR sharing the coolest stories in sports. She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners. Tune in M-F 1-4 pst at www.team1010.com or watch “Buehler’s Day Off” on Ustream and KMIR.com for her sports reports.

by Flint Wheeler be a maximum 2:05 break between innings.

Hitters must enter the batter’s box by the 1:45 mark. When batters violate this rule, the Umpire may call an automatic strike.

When batters are set by the appropriate time and pitchers fail to throw a pitch before the conclusion of the 2:05 period, the Umpire shall call a ball.”

5. 2:30 Pitching Change Break Clock: “There shall be a maximum 2:30 break for pitching changes, including pitching changes that occur during an inning break. The first pitch must be thrown before the conclusion of the 2:30 period or the umpire shall call a ball. The clock shall start when the new pitcher enters the playing field (i.e., crosses the warning track, or foul line).”

6. Three “Time Out” Limit: “Each team shall be permitted only three ‘Time Out’ conferences per game (including extra innings). Such conferences shall include player conferences with the pitcher (including the catcher), manager or coach conferences with the pitcher, and coach conferences with a batter. Conferences during pitching changes, and time outs called as a result of an injury or other emergency, shall not be counted towards this limit. A manager, coach or player will not be permitted to call a fourth time out in violation of this Rule. In such cases, the game will continue uninterrupted, and offenders may be subject to discipline.”

Great! None of the proposed changes

interfere at all with actual gameplay. No one’s talking about shortening games to seven innings or changing the strike zone or limiting pitching changes.

Of the six rules above, the last looks most likely to prove controversial among players and coaches. Though it makes sense to limit the number of mound conferences, it seems like the pitch clock might have the same effect.

And the first time a catcher loses a breaking ball in the dirt because of confusion over signs with runners on base, you will inevitably hear griping about his inability to sync up with the pitcher beforehand.

The no-pitch intentional walk rule will look funny to anyone who hasn’t seen it used in an amateur game. But though throwing the intentional balls does sometimes provide an offensive team opportunity to advance on the bases, but ultimately, who cares? Intentional walks will always be a necessary strategy at certain points in the game, and no one’s watching baseball to see a fireballing reliever try his best to lob four straight pitches five feet off the plate.

Oh Baseball. Please allow some of these changes to stick. If the experiment in Fall-ball does well and actually sticks in this upcoming MLB season, I’d be surprised.

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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Remembering Scott hines

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he tribute to Scott Hines “CELEBRATION OF LIFE” - at Temple Isaiah, in Palm Springs, CA on March 5, 2015 was attended by over 600 people. Scott died tragically by suicide at age 45 -- a victim of Bi-Polar Disorder. He will be missed forever by all those who knew & loved him.

Rebecca Pikus & Shana Rose designed 2 collages to show what a loving partner he was to Kevin Blessing, & a loving father to his adoptive children, daughter Sage & son Aden -- and a great Public Servant. Scott Hines was a Councilman from 2010-2014, &

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obituary

the Mayor of Rancho Mirage in 2012-2013; He served many years in the U.S. Air Force; was active in the WEU (World Education University); Advocate for the Homeless & Abused Children, Gay Rights & LGBT; an Entrepreneur, Visionary, & Humanitarian -Scott was extremely intelligent, articulate, compassionate, adventurous, & had a great love of life & a great sense of humor to go along with it. Handsome, sophisticated & worldly -- he had the makings of a future Congressman, Senator, -- or even President.

The world has lost a great human being!

Health&Fitness

THE DOCK- For Your Sexual Health

New clinic opens March 16 at Desert AIDS Project Treating sexuallytransmitted diseases (STDs) while expanding access to HIV testing handicapped-access ramp on the adults and adolescents in the region tested south side of the Desert AIDS Project initially – and regularly thereafter – for HIV. building at 1695 N. Sunrise Way at The campaign’s first year efforts have already Vista Chino in Palm Springs will help ensure begun to help turn the tide of dramatically that everyone will have access to The DOCK, reducing the spread of HIV, as recognized by a new sexual health clinic opening Monday, the Clinton Health Matters Initiative, the CDC, and the California State Office of AIDS. “As March 16.

That ramp is within the loading dock area a full-service sexual health clinic, The DOCK of the Lila & Morris Linsky Food Depot at D.A.P. is one more welcome – and very important – part of the reason for the new clinic’s name. – addition to our region-wide effort to stop “We also thought it was a fun play on words for the spread of HIV,” said Susan Unger, project the “docs” – the doctors – that people are going director for Get Tested Coachella Valley.

Free HIV testing and PrEP counseling will be to find at this new clinic,” said David Brinkman, CEO of Desert AIDS Project. “We felt driven to available on a walk-in basis Monday through open the clinic for three important reasons. Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM First, it’s central to D.A.P.’s mission of not with no appointment necessary. For those who only treating HIV but in preventing its spread. would prefer a scheduled time, appointments Second, many other sexually-transmitted can be made – between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM diseases are affecting the Coachella Valley at on Monday or Thursday only – by calling 760epidemic rates. And third, we need to reach 992-0492, beginning March 16.

Those interested in starting PrEP can visit out to those who are sexually-active – and may be having unprotected sex – because they are The DOCK to confirm their HIV-negative status at high risk for infection. A full-service sexual – a requirement for beginning PrEP – as well as to receive counseling and have their questions health clinic addresses all three reasons.”

Services of The DOCK will include free answered, all at no cost. Those interested in and confidential HIV rapid testing; testing considering PrEP may then schedule a followand treatment for other sexually-transmitted up appointment with a medical provider at infections, including syphilis, gonorrhea, The DOCK, who will confirm whether PrEP chlamydia, human papillomavirus (HPV,) and is appropriate and prescribe medication Hepatitis B and C; and well-woman exams, accordingly.

ABOUT DESERT AIDS PROJECT including breast and pelvic exams, and pap Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) serves smears. The DOCK will accept all private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medi- people living with HIV and AIDS by providing Cal. Uninsured income-qualified patients can comprehensive support, including medical receive care at reduced costs and will not be care, case management, and social services, like food, housing, and counseling. D.A.P. turned away for inability to pay.

The new sexual health clinic will also also offers free and confidential HIV testing serve as a comprehensive resource for those at a number of locations throughout the interested in learning more about PrEP communities it serves. To learn more about (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post- Desert AIDS Project, please call 760-323-2118, Exposure Prophylaxis), two HIV prevention visit www.desertaidsproject.org or find them tools recommended by the U.S. Public Health on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.

About Get Tested Coachella Valley Service for HIV-negative individuals who are at Get Tested Coachella Valley is a three-year, substantial risk for acquiring HIV. Ø PrEP is a daily medication, endorsed by $5 million public health initiative dedicated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dramatically reducing HIV infections by making (CDC) as “a powerful HIV prevention tool and voluntary HIV testing a standard and routine can be combined with condoms and other medical practice and ensuring linkage to care. prevention methods to provide even greater The campaign was launched in 2014 under the leadership of Desert AIDS Project and is driven protection than when used alone.” Ø PEP is preventive medical treatment by a coalition of more than 50 Community started immediately after exposure to HIV to Partners including the Riverside County Department of Public Health; the region’s help protect against infection and disease.

“People with STDs are medically at greater major hospitals; elected officials; and leaders risk of acquiring HIV, so all of the services of community- and faith-based organizations, offered at The DOCK are inter-related and educational institutions, businesses, and important to sexual health,” said Dr. Steven foundations. Additional information and Scheibel, medical director of both Desert resources are offered in both English and AIDS Project and The DOCK. “Regardless of Spanish at www.gettestedcoachellavalley.org the reason that anyone comes to The DOCK and www.haztelapruebavalledecoachella.org.

– whether for STD testing and treatment or because they’re considering PrEP – knowing their HIV status establishes a baseline for their standard of care.”

That standard of care is a basic tenet of Get Tested Coachella Valley, the coalition of 50+ community partners, seeking to get all

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of March 12

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the old Superman comics, Mister Mxyztplk was a fiendish imp whose home was in the fifth dimension. He sometimes sneaked over into our world to bedevil the Man of Steel with pranks. There was one sure way he could be instantly banished back to his own realm for a long time: If Superman fooled him into saying his own name backwards. You might think it would be hard to trick a magic rascal into saying “Klptzyxm” when he knew very well what the consequences would be, but Superman usually succeeded. I’d like to suggest that you have a similar power to get rid of a bugaboo that has been bothering you, Aries.

Don’t underestimate your ability to outsmart the pest.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In 1637, mathematician Pierre de Fermat declared that he had solved the “Last Theorem,” a particularly knotty mathematical problem. Unfortunately, he never actually provided the proof that he had done so. The mystery remained. Other math experts toiled for centuries looking for the answer. It wasn’t until 1994, more than 350 years later, that anyone succeeded. I think you are on the verge of discovering a possible solution to one of your own long-running riddles, Taurus. It may take a few more weeks, but you’re almost there. Can you sense that twinkle in your third eye? Keep the faith.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your upcoming efforts might not be flawless in all respects, but I suspect you will triumph anyway. You may not even be completely sure of what you want, but I bet you’ll get a reward you didn’t know you were looking for. Cagey innocence and high expectations will be your secret weapons. Dumb luck and crazy coincidences will be your X-factors. Here’s one of your main tasks: As the unreasonable blessings flow in your direction, don’t disrupt or obstruct the flow.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): As soon as a baby loggerhead turtle leaves its nest on a Florida beach, it heads for the ocean. It’s only two inches long.

Although it can swim just one mile every two hours, it begins an 8,000-mile journey that takes ten years. It travels east to Africa, then turns around and circles back to where it originated. Along the way it grows big and strong as it eats a wide variety of food, from corals to sea cucumbers to squid. Succeeding at such an epic journey requires a stellar sense of direction and a prodigious will to thrive. I nominate the loggerhead turtle to be your power animal for the coming weeks, Cancerian.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1961, 19-year-old Bob Dylan began doing solo performances of folk songs at New York clubs. To accompany his vocals, he played an acoustic guitar and harmonica. By 1963, his career had skyrocketed. Critics called him a creative genius. Pop stars were recording the songs he wrote, making him rich. But he still kept his instrumentation simple, relying entirely on his acoustic guitar and harmonica. That changed in 1965, when he made the leap to rock and roll.

For the first time, his music featured a full drum set and electric guitar, bass, and keyboards. Some of his fans were offended. How dare he renounce his folk roots? I wonder if it might be time for you to consider a comparable transition, Leo. Are you willing to risk disorienting or disturbing those who would prefer you to stay as you are?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Whoever travels without a guide needs 200 years for a two-day journey.” That’s an old Sufi saying sometimes attributed to the poet Rumi. I don’t think it’s accurate in all cases. Sometimes we are drawn to wander into frontiers that few people have visited and none have mastered. There are no guides! On other occasions, we can’t get the fullness of our learning experience unless we are free to stumble and bumble all by ourselves. A knowledgeable helper would only interfere with that odd magic.

But right now, Virgo, I believe the Sufi saying holds true for you. Where you’re headed, you would benefit from an advisor, teacher, or role model.

© Copyright 2015 Rob Brezsny

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): There’s a meme rolling around Tumblr and Facebook that goes like this: “Everyone wants a magical solution for their problems, but they refuse to believe in magic.”

Judging from the astrological omens, I think this Internet folk wisdom applies to your current situation. As I see it, you have two choices. If you intend to keep fantasizing about finding a magical solution, you will have to work harder to believe in magic. But if you can’t finagle your brain into actually believing in magic, you should stop fantasizing about a magical solution. Which will it be?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I have taken a passage from a letter that Henry Miller wrote to Anais Nin, and I have chopped it up and rearranged it and added to it so as to create an oracle that’s perfect for you right now. Ready? “This is the wild dream: you with your chameleon’s soul being anchored always in no matter what storm, sensing you are at home wherever you are. You asserting yourself, getting the rich varied life you desire; and the more you assert yourself, the more you love going deeper, thicker, fuller. Resurrection after resurrection: that’s your gift, your promise. The insatiable delight of constant change.”

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): One of your important assignments in the coming week is to get high without the use of drugs and alcohol. Let me elaborate. In my oracular opinion, you simply must escape the numbing trance of the daily rhythm. Experiencing altered states of awareness will provide you with crucial benefits. At the same time, you can’t afford to risk hurting yourself, and it’s essential to avoid stupidly excessive behavior that has negative repercussions. So what do you think? Do you have any methods to get sozzled and squiffed or jiggled and jingled that will also keep you sane and healthy?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Singer Gloria Gaynor recorded the song “I Will Survive” in 1978. It sold over two million copies and ultimately became an iconic disco anthem. And yet it was originally the B-side of “Substitute,” the song that Gaynor’s record company released as her main offering.

Luckily, radio DJs ignored “Substitute” and played the hell out of “I Will Survive,” making it a global hit.

I foresee the possibility of a similar development for you, Capricorn. What you currently consider to be secondary should perhaps be primary. A gift or creation or skill you think is less important could turn out to be pre-eminent.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I’m tempted to furrow my brow and raise my voice as I tell you to please please please go out and do the dicey task you’ve been postponing. But that would just be a way to vent my frustration, and probably not helpful or constructive for you. So here’s my wiser advice: To prepare for that dicey task, lock yourself in your sanctuary until you figure out what you first need to change about yourself before you can accomplish the dicey task. I think that once you make the inner shift, doing the deed will be pretty easy.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In the fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling,” the young hero suffers from a peculiar case of mistaken identity. He believes that he is a duck. All of his problems stem from this erroneous idea. By duck standards, he is a homely mess. He gets taunted and abused by other animals, goes into exile, and endures terrible loneliness. In the end, though, his anguish dissolves when he finally realizes that he is in fact a swan. United with his true nature, he no longer compares himself to an inappropriate ideal. Fellow swans welcome him into their community, and he flies away with them.

Is there anything in this story that resonates with you, Pisces? I’m guessing there is. It’s high time to free yourself from false notions about who you really are.

Homework: If you could be any other sign besides the one you actually are, what would it be, and why? Testify at FreeWillAstrology.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

March 12 to March 18, 2015

Mind, body & Spirit

SELF WORTH

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by Bronwyn Ison

o you value YOU? What is the status of your self-esteem and respect for oneself? Do you believe you are deserving of the finer things life has to offer. I’m not speaking of material items. I am talking about valuing yourself enough to realize that you deserve what is best for you in every aspect of your life.

Society places and exceptional amount of relevance on what worthiness is supposed to look like. The outward appearance of success, material possessions, physical appearance, marital status, money, career and the list goes on. However, there is little consideration given to things such as a person’s values, kindness, love, integrity, forgiveness, inner-balance and emotional intelligence. We are jaded by the overt appearance of what the big picture is supposed to look like to us.

It is human nature to scrutinize and compare our selves to others. Is his car better and faster than mine? She has the perfect man. He seems to have it all. She always looks so put together. When you compare yourself to others you are determining your own self worth. In other words, you are not happy with what you have going on in your life.

Unfortunately this temporarily triggers you to feel either better or worse about yourself.

For example you may be comparing yourself physically to somebody else. You determine this person is in better shape than you. Stop the madness. Someone else will always be in better shape, have more money or be more attractive than you. You will continuously

frustrate yourself because you are aiming at a moving target. However, I am not implying to not strive for greater health, appearance, or work diligently for a more prosperous bank account. Simply do your best to find your worth rather than comparing yourself to others. You are worthy!

Did you ever consider that because someone appears to have it all, this does not conclude they are happy? Outward appearances are just that – appearances - or illusions that we create. Our own mind and complex thoughts get in the way.

It comes down to this… What do you value? Preclude the thoughts of outward appearance and dig deeper to understand yourself and what you are worthy of. Make a list of the pertinent human values you admire and desire for you. Some examples may include: Personal integrity, self-love, being true to oneself, affection, sense of humor, selfconfidence, gratitude and I am sure you can conjure up more for yourself.

It is also important to identify what you personally believe to be success.

Building and defining your self-worth will be your personal success. Hone in on your characteristics and develop them wholeheartedly. Display them to the world. You will soon discover that the material trappings and outer appearances can no longer define you. You will acknowledge your success has taken on a new meaning.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. e-volveyoga.com 760-564-YOGA

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

Life & career Coach

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by Sunny Simon

And She Called Me Sunny

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y close friends refer to me as a happiness junkie. I adore and collect books and blogs on the subject. My favorite, “The Happiness Project,” is a self-help memoir by Gretchen Rubin, an author who spent twelve months methodically improving her happiness quotient in various areas of her life. This morning I added to my collection by downloading the best seller by Dan Harris: “10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge and Found Self Help That Actually Works.” Dan’s formula for creating his new found nirvana is meditation. I confess, drawing myself into a meditative state is a highly touted technique that eludes me.

Although I am absolutely no good at sitting cross legged on the floor counting my breaths and making my thoughts go away, I am very good at being happy.

Perhaps my aptitude for happiness was passed down from my mother. Her name was Tillie. She had sparkling blue eyes and a darling set of dimples adding an extra dollop of sunshine to the perpetual smile that graced her face. Born to poor Polish immigrants I think we can safely deduct it wasn’t a wealthy upbringing causing those dimples to become a permanent facial fixture.

Tillie was a just happiness natural. She knew how to create a light hearted environment

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both for herself and others by always finding a sliver of sunshine even in the darkest days.

If something was troubling my mother, walking it off was her “go to” remedy. Tillie never owned or desired a driver’s license. If a destination was further than legs could carry her, she happily hopped a bus.

My given name is Janice, but my mother’s gift to me was to call me Sunny. This proved to be a very wise move especially during my teenage years. Think about it. If you label your teen “a pain in the neck” she has little motivation to be anything else. Living up to a moniker like Sunny, was sometimes a tall order but perhaps Tillie cracked the code with this name thing. We tell our children they are smart so they will gain self confidence and believe it. If you a call a child by a name that reflects bright light, she is continually reminded to do a little shining.

Here’s some good news: recent studies conducted at John Hopkins University School of Medicine concluded that individuals with a positive attitude are less likely to suffer a heart attack. Although I wholeheartedly support Dan Harris in his quest to master meditation and induce happiness, as for my 10%, just call me Sunny. It seems to work.

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

Ask The Doctor

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March 12 to March 18, 2015

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. www.deserthousecalldoc.com.

urinary tract infections

Dr. K, I get urinary tract infections all the time, how can I prevent them? -Jane, Indio Jane, urinary tract infections are very common conditions that are treated by primary care physicians, emergency rooms and urgent cares. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by germs, usually bacteria that enter the urethra (the tube that connects the outside of your body to your bladder) and then the bladder. This can lead to infection, most commonly in the bladder itself, which can spread to the kidneys.

Most of the time, your body can get rid of these bacteria. However, certain conditions increase the risk of having UTIs. Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus than in men. Because of this, women are more likely to get an infection after sexual activity. Menopause also increases the risk of a UTI. The following also increase your chances of developing a UTI: •Diabetes •Advanced age •Douching •Problems emptying your bladder •Use of a urinary catheter •Poor hydration •Kidney stones •Pregnancy •Surgery or other procedure involving the urinary tract The symptoms of a bladder infection include: •Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor •Low fever (not everyone will have a fever) •Pain or burning with urination •Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen (usually middle) or back •Strong need to urinate often, even right after the bladder has been emptied

If the infection spreads to your kidneys, symptoms may include: •Chills and shaking or night sweats •Fatigue and a general ill feeling •Fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit •Side, back, or groin pain •Flushed, warm, or reddened skin •Mental changes or confusion (in the elderly, these symptoms often are the only signs of a UTI) •Nausea and vomiting Antibiotics are generally required to treat UTIs and cranberry juice is beneficial.

Scientists report that within eight hours of drinking cranberry juice, the juice could help prevent bacteria from developing into an infection in the urinary tract.

Previous studies have suggested that the active compounds in cranberry juice are not destroyed by the digestive system after people drink them, but instead work to fight against bacteria. The cranberry juice prevented the bacteria in the urinary tract from sticking to each other, thus preventing the bacteria to grow and multiply.

To help prevent urinary tract infections, drink plenty of water, urinate immediately after sexual activity and drink cranberry juice. Don’t delay in seeing your physician if symptoms persist because serious kidney infections can develop. If left untreated, hospitalization may be needed.

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