Coachella Valley Weekly - August 30 to September 5, 2018 Vol. 7 No. 24

coachellavalleyweekly.com • August 30 to September 5, 2018 Vol. 7 No. 24

Bob DeSena

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Jesika von Rabbit

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A Mixed Up Music Party

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Bird Streets

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Mario’s Italian Cafés

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

SHIELD OF DREAMS – HOW FAR CAN ONE MAN GO?

Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Kirby Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Noe Gutierrez, Avery Wood, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Olga Rodriguez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Dale Gribow, Laura Hunt Little, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Flint Wheeler, Denise Ortuno Neil, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Rebecca Pikus, Angela Romeo,Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Elizabeth Scarcella, Aimee Mosco Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS SoCal Coyotes - Coach J. David Miller... 3 Breaking The 4th Wall............................ 4 Backstage Jazz - Bob Desena ............... 5 Jesika von Rabbit Album Release......... 6 A Mixed Up Music Party Roundup........ 6 Brewtality............................................... 7 Sports Scene........................................... 7 Consider This - Bird Streets.................... 8 Art Scene - Gender Bender at JTAG....... 9 Pet Place............................................... 10 The Vino Voice ...................................... 11 Club Crawler Nightlife ................... 12-13 Good Grub - Mario's Italian Cafés....... 14 Screeners ............................................. 16 Book Review......................................... 17 Safety Tips ............................................ 17

A CV WEEKLY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SOCAL COYOTES’ COACH J. DAVID MILLER

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t’s not unusual for a boss to tell a new hire or team member, “My door is always open.” We hear it all the time. But when Coach J. David Miller told that to a new player who had come to the valley to play SoCal Coyote football, it generated this testimony in response: “When I went through a hard time, Coach Miller and his family opened their home to me and my son. We slept on their sofa and ate at their table until we got back on our feet.

He means it when he says his ‘door is always open,’ and ‘his phone is always on.’ Everyone in this organization is like that. It’s a family. The Coyotes teach you that faith is bigger than your problems.” — Jordan Warford, Special Teams Captain, SoCal Coyotes – 2017 Pacific Coast Champions In a few weeks Miller, head coach of the five-time champion SoCal Coyotes and founder of their non-profit sports leadership organization, will be honored as one of eight significant Coachella Valley individuals chosen for the 2018 Ronald McDonald House of Inland Empire’s annual gala, ‘A Few Good Men.’ This black-tie affair will take place September 21st at the glittering Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Mirage, a far cry from some of the gritty remote outposts where Miller earned his chops on the battlefields of developmental pro football. Like the esteemed men with whom he’ll share the stage, the Hall-of-Fame enshrined “Coach” is not easily corralled. Miller is also a 13-time author, an award-winning entrepreneur and sports executive, and a nascent elder at The Bridge Calvary Chapel in Cathedral City.

His fellow honorees on Sept. 21 include County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, a polished politician; Frank Harrison, a generous philanthropist as well as the desert’s number one contractor/founder of General Air Conditioning; restaurateur, Jack Srebnik, owner of The Slice, a beloved local restaurant and pizzeria; Joel Johnson, a distinguished valley attorney; Dean Rathbun, a partner of United American Mortgage Corporation; popular morning radio show host, Adolfo Ińiguez; and Darrell Mike, Tribal Chairman of the 29 Palms Band of Mission Indians. When the Coyotes open their season Saturday, September 8, against the San Diego Bulldogs, all proceeds from the 2018 Kickoff Classic will be donated to the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House and the programs that support the families.

ON JULY 19, THE DESERT WAS STUNNED when Coachella Sports and Entertainment Stadium Authority formally announced “The Shield” at 1 Coyote Way, Miller’s vision for a sprawling, $300 million, 125-acre, multiuse campus that will be the most ambitious development in Coachella Valley history.

The plans were, and are, jaw-dropping. The centerpiece: a 12,000-seat, air-conditioned stadium, anchoring a unique place of gathering

BY LISA MORGAN

across 125 acres for sports, entertainment and faith. The Shield will be supported by a commercial district that includes medical office buildings, surgery center, high-tech medical solutions, a wellness hotel, food emporium, restaurants, and senior living, where young and old engage. The land has been set aside and is under contract; steps for funding are underway.

For six long years, well before The Shield became a hot topic on every channel of the evening news, Miller, through “lots of prayer and humbling work,” had been earning the right to be in the same conversation with the Coachella Valley’s most influential leaders.

“Coach Miller is changing the Coachella Valley landscape, literally and figuratively,” says Dr. Ben S. Wehrli, a prominent local surgeon, and founder of Coachella Valley Foot and Ankle.

Wehrli has worked with Miller and his Coyotes since 2014 and alerted Miller to the exploding needs of the local medical community. “Coach Miller believes the best way to predict the future is to change it,” Wehrli says. “He has the work ethic, the vision, and especially the faith to get it done.”

The SoCal Coyotes are a record-setting professional football team that NFL executive, Ted Sundquist, former General Manager of the Denver Broncos and winner of two Super Bowls, named “America’s number one developmental program.” With over 20,000 followers, their success has been featured in national media around the country, including USA Today, The New York Times and ESPN. Most notable is the Coyotes’ work with Coachella Valley youth.

Each year, the non-profit organization impacts upwards of 30,000 youth of all ages through their ‘Above the Line’ skills and leadership development programs.

When his team became the industry standard, Miller doubled down and launched a league, and made the Coachella Valley its headquarters. Developmental Football International (DFI) is a league where every team shares the same scalable, replicatable, franchise-able disciplines and disciple-ship that have made the Coyotes a national brand.

Miller describes DFI as ‘the Chick-Fil-A of pro football,” with the teams serving as conveyer

belts to manhood that soon will pop up in communities across the nation. To pull it off, Miller assembled some of the brightest minds in the sport, including famed sports attorney Jack Mills, who represents Baker Mayfield, the NFL’s number one overall pick. The DFI Commissioner is Joel Williams, former director of the National Football League Players Association, who predicts 100 teams in 100 DFI cities in the next 60 months.

CV Weekly was granted an exclusive interview with Miller to find out more about his and his teams’ visions: CV Weekly: When was the first time you can remember thinking about all this, beyond the team?

Miller: “God put a vision in our heart for this project in fall 2013. My mind could see the lights, even a giant Ferris wheel, towering over this grand project, with thousands and thousands of people in a campus environment.

The irony is we played that season at Xavier College Prep, which is literally directly behind the property where The Shield will now be built. Nate Lewis, our quarterback, laughed and said, ‘Ferris wheels? Really, Coach?’ But when God puts a vision in your heart, it doesn’t just go away. You know it’s going to happen. The only question is when. You wake up each day wondering, ‘Is today the day?’ The goal is to serve Him every day with all we’ve got, with every resource we’ve got, with every ounce of energy we’ve got. Today could be the day, and if it’s not, then worst case, you got to be part of helping everyone around you get better.”

CV Weekly: Plans for The Shield at 1 Coyote Way indicate a fierce commitment from you and your partners for not just the Coyotes, but youth sports and sports tourism. How will everything from pro soccer to youth tournaments come together?

Miller: “That’s a very important question, because Coyote football is a tiny fraction of the lifelong memories Coachella Valley residents will experience at The Shield. Our non-profit is dedicated to developing youth and youth sports at all levels. The future of our valley lies in the hands of our youth. We’ve been working non-stop for six years to build leaders in this community, and sports is a magnet for participation. The Shield is the realization of a dream that serves an entire community, not just any single sport.”

CV Weekly: When news hit - “New Plans Announced for the “Shield at 1 Coyote Way,” to many in the Coachella Valley, it seemed to come out of the blue. It is such a massive project. How did your idea multiply from a place for your football team to play to 125acre mixed-use development? continue to page 5

Haddon Libby...................................... 19 Dale Gribow......................................... 19 Free Will Astrology.............................. 20 Life & Career Coach............................. 20 Cannabis Corner................................... 22

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

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BREAKING THE4TH WALL

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n 2017, two internationally known Pulitzer Prize winning playwrights, finally made it to Broadway. Both writers had already won just about every conceivable award for their writing, their work had been staged around the world and they had even taught other dramatists at Ivy league schools. But the bright lights of Broadway had eluded Paula Vogal and Lynn Nottage. In addition, they were the only female playwrights to make it to Broadway in 2017.

The inconceivable idea that these two acclaimed playwrights had just made their Broadway debuts brings to light the uncomfortable reality of American Theatre.

The ‘isms’, i.e. sexism, racism. We suffer a bad case of stage-isms in our culture. Male

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“STAGE- ISMS”

playwrights write eighty percent of all shows that get produced in theatres across America, although an equal balance of submissions are available from men and women.

2015’s tally of regional, non-Broadway theatre productions by playwrights’ gender and race stated that in the last three seasons, nearly 63% of the 2,508 productions mounted across America were written by white men — close to three times the rate for female playwrights of all races (22%).

Broken down further, the 1,486 writers who penned those productions consisted of 16.5% white women and a cringe worthy small 3.8% women of color.

I’m a stats person because numbers rarely lie. Bringing these dismal realities to light is not for the purpose of beating up

BY DEE JAE COX

white male playwrights, it’s intent is to shed light on the serious inequities that exist in the performing arts. (There is little doubt that similar numbers hold true in film and television, as well.)

In looking at the desert’s upcoming seasons across the spectrum of our wide range of theatres, it’s apparent that the Coachella Valley will be offering some amazing shows in the upcoming season.

I have often praised the productions, the scripts and the performers who put their time and talents into bringing incredible theatre to the Coachella Valley. But it’s true that even here in our own oasis in the desert, we often fall short of gender or racial equity when it comes to writers, directors and theatre professionals who produce the work we enjoy. And the national statistics seem to hold true even in our progressive area.

Eighty percent of the shows appear to be written and directed by men, though I can’t determine the racial makeup for the group.

We’ve often heard that history is written by the victors and therefore guaranteeing a slant on the perspective. This holds true with any story that is told. Men may write wonderful female characters. White writers may present positive people of color. But if eighty percent of what we read and watch about women and people of color is from a white male perspective, the stories are going to be skewed.

Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Marsha Norman said that, “This 20% number is the real ceiling we are fighting in our lives and in our careers today. So what do we miss if we do not hear the voices of women? Half of life, that’s what. It would be like ignoring the stories of everything that happens in the night. Or the day. Women have lived half of the experience of the world, but only 20% of it is reported in the theatres. … What we want is 50% of the airtime, 50% of the walls of the museum, 50% of the stage time in theatres and on the movie screens.

We want life in the arts to represent life as it is lived in the world. We want to hear the whole human chorus, not just the tenors, basses and baritones.”

It’s not enough to acknowledge that theatre has a problem and that it’s most often an unintentional bias. Nationally women comprise 63 percent of theatre audiences. Shows written by women have proven to be as financially successful as their male counterparts. It’s going to require a concerted effort by theatre professionals both locally and nationally in order to present the whole human chorus.

Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org palmspringstheatre.com

SOCAL COYOTES continued from page 3

Miller: “It was humbling, long before it was exciting. Years ago, we realized very quickly this is a vision for the entire valley, not just for a coach, not just for a football team. We knew we had an opportunity to impact everyone. So we prayed and prayed. We knew it would take a company the size of a Richmond Honan, and visionary men like (developer) Scott Honan and (financier) Michael Metcalf, to fall in love with the Coachella Valley and the people who live here, just like my family has. Lots of prayer, lots of phone calls, lots of trips to the desert.

There are so many great people involved the project from every direction, and all of them deserve credit. We’re humbled every day to be a part of something so big. Michael Metcalf says every time he drives in here, the mountains themselves remind him just how big our God is, and how small our problems are. Can you think of any imagery stronger, or truer?”

CV Weekly: With the newfound profile of the SoCal Coyotes growing up in a hurry, how did you get your start in football, coaching, and sports franchises?

Miller: “Respectfully, none of this happened in a hurry. There have been many important lessons along the way, as a journalist, author, as an Arena Football League player and executive. Without mentors like Mouse Davis, June Jones, Joe Haering, and even the late Tim Marcum, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Without Mouse, we would’ve never coached a down. Mouse and June taught me the “Run ‘n’ Shoot offense” in 1984, and we’ve never looked back. Mouse has made many trips to the desert to help

build the Coyote program, and to make sure we still do it right. (Coach laughs).

“Curt Pesmen has been a direct influence in my life for 30 years, since he was my editor at SPORT magazine in New York. Directly or indirectly, they are all major influences on what we’ve accomplished, and impact everything you see today in the Coyote organization.

Mouse taught me that we all take a little piece from every leader in our life, but you’ve got to do the work to put it all together and make it hum. Even after it’s uniquely your own, it isn’t – it belongs to everyone in it. Others must find fulfillment of their own dreams, to make it unique to them. Critical mass starts happening when everybody’s getting their buckets filled.”

CV Weekly: It doesn’t hurt when you wake up and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation tells you that today is the day.

Miller: “Very true. But before that, some great people in Indio worked with us for two years trying to make this happen. Senator Jeff Stone, City Councilman Glenn Miller, Mayor Michael Wilson, and their team presented great possibilities. But when we met Doug Vance at the Berger Foundation, all the effort and vision came into focus. The more we got to know Doug Vance, Berger President, Ron Auen, Catharine Reed, Chris McGuire and the rest of the Berger team, the pieces began to fall together. They are special people with a passion for the entire Coachella Valley, especially the children.”

CV Weekly: What do you mean by “Building Champions, Building Men?” How is that different from what is taught in other sports, in other leagues?

BACKSTAGE JAZZ

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ob DeSena winner of the 24th Annual Jazz Artist of the Year from the LA Music Awards is performing with his band at Oscars, the new jazz hotspot in Palm Springs, CA. Dubbed "Jazzville," Oscars hosts different jazz artists on Wednesdays monthly. He will be in full swing with his band on Wednesday, September 5 from 7:00 to 10:00. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite under "Jazzville".

For those that haven’t heard Bob, his style is luscious and romantic with the ‘vibes’ that send you into that dreamy place thinking of beaches and margaritas. He also plays the trumpet, flugelhorn and sings, which rounds out his sound. Bob performed at several of our Celebrity Jazz Jams and is one of my favorites.

He’s got a great sense of humor and keeps you laughing with his jokes.

Bob travels in from Las Vegas where he is working on putting together a Latin Jazz Club.

He’s had a couple of serious health setbacks this year including 2 strokes. He lost his vision, but luckily got it back and he says he is raring to go.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Miller: “When we founded the non-profit, we realized that we were battling an epidemic called fatherless homes, disenfranchised men, and rudderless ships. Anybody can win football games. But introducing young men to God, challenging them to live a life of alignment with great purpose, healthy friends, and a sustainable income – that’s how we define a champion. What’s funny is we preach the importance of making your bed every morning – it’s the first uncontested win of the day, and a chance to get your mind right. Life change happens when you pray next to your bed and when you start making it. We’ve never ruined a kid’s life by asking him to pray too much.”

CV Weekly: We all know what a goal-line is. What is the Coyotes “Above the Line”?

Miller: “Skillful, intentional, on-purpose and driven – the baselines of our youth leadership programs we teach in our camps, clinics and symposiums. When The Shield opens, we’ll have an interactive amphitheater where kids will love to learn, like an Imagination Station of leadership.”

CV Weekly: Beyond the new league (DFI), and beyond the schools, what else lies ahead?

Miller: “We’re working closely with Indio Mayor Michael Wilson, County Supervisor Manny Perez, and Bob Wright of the East Valley Coalition to keep adding more ball fields, keep creating more sports tourism opportunities. CSESA doesn’t intend to stop with The Shield in Thousand Palms. At our recent Sports Tourism Summit, we reported that 13.6 million visitors came to the Coachella Valley last year and spent $5.5 billion in 2017.

This was pretty exciting, because we recognize how sports events and a stadium can drive these numbers through the roof. Along with the Berger Foundation, we are already looking at another 300-acres and making real progress on a huge opportunity for all the residents of the east valley. We will be letting you know about that very soon.”

CV Weekly: Where did you find your executive leaders?

Miller: “Well first, we had some housekeeping of our own to do. Pastor Chuck Wooley at The Bridge Calvary Chapel, who

August 30 to September 5, 2018 has been in the valley for 45 years, has helped me redefine accountability in my life and the lives of our players. What you say and what you do have to match. That attracts a great board of directors and other great leaders men like Mike McBride, Sam Maggio, Robert L. Cummings, Ron DiGrandi, Conrad Negron, Mark Ramer, Fred Molo, Scott Alvarez, and Jeff Johnson, and women like Cinthia Paiz and Heidi Navarro, to name just a few. They’re all precious to me. We’re nothing without them.”

CV Weekly: How has the Coachella Valley changed your family?

Miller: “Years ago, we were grabbing a quick dinner at Applebee’s, when the subject of faith, family and football came up. Our youngest daughter, who was eight at the time, blurted out ‘What’s God gonna do with a football team?’ We’ve learned that answer – whatever He wants. This valley has taught our family to trust His process. Our family is a tight knit bunch, doing every single job in this organization from carrying water jugs to writing business plans. We love and live for each other. Words cannot describe my love and passion for my wife, Laurie Beth, and my four daughters, Chelsea Rhea, Savannah Vey, Kailey Satsuko, and Madison Elise.”

CV Weekly: The Shield calls for a hotel, restaurants, world-class medical facilities, and even senior living. How do you see senior living working in concert with football, soccer and even concerts?

Miller: “When you truly forge a nonprofit for the community, you quickly start to think beyond football. As our partners came together and brought their expertise, The Shield grew into a unique place of gathering for faith, sports and entertainment, where the valley works, lives and plays. High school athletes will play here, at no charge. Grandmas and grandpas will live here. It’s faith, family, football – and our future.”

CV Weekly: How many times have you now heard the phrase ‘If you build it …’

Miller: “We think it’s more about ‘if you SERVE them, they will come.’”

For more information and scheduling, visit: TheSocalCoyotes.com

LATIN JAZZ STAR BOB DESENA TO PERFORM AT OSCARS

He just picked up a new management company Carezma Entertainment, who also books Ronnie Laws.

He also plays regularly in LA at Fisherman’s Village.

He will be joined at Oscars by Augie Roman on Congas, timbales and vocals, Bob Sink on piano, and Rick Reyes on bass.

His special guest will be Eve Holmes. In the

tradition of Tito Puente, Cal Trader, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Frank Sinatra, his group is a talented, entertaining and vibrant ensemble that performs both classic and Latin-ized” standards with an energetic verve.

There are only 19 tickets left so they are expecting a sell-out. So grab your tickets today. The doors open at 6 PM with live music at 7 PM. Arrive early for a great table.

Jazzville is a monthly live jazz scene in Palm Springs presented by DJ Baz at Oscar’s Cafe downtown, hosted by Jeff Wolf of 107.3 Mod FM. Come to hear world-class musicians and enjoy a full bar and dinner menu, too (no minimum).

Their cabaret room has excellent acoustics, plus the vibe and swank of the famous clubs when jazz was king. If you are a jazz lover whether it’s straight-ahead, be-bop, Latin Jazz and swing, save the date.

It’s a great opportunity to experience live jazz in a great setting. Bob DeSena always puts on a great show.

Oscar’s Cafe & Bar is located at 125 East Tahquitz Canyon Way #108 in Palm Springs.

BY PATTE PURCELL Patte Purcell is a jazz writer and promoter.

Her next project is the 2019 International Jazz Awards, May 20, 2019.

Patte Purcell - Muze Muzic pattepurcell@yahoo.com 702-219-6777

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

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JESIKA VON RABBIT SERVES UP SOME DESSERT ROCK ON HER SECOND SOLO ALBUM TO BE RELEASED SEPTEMBERBY14 JASON

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esika von Rabbit is set to release her highly anticipated second solo album on September 14. After Gram Rabbit started their indefinite hiatus, von Rabbit unleashed her first solo album, Journey Mitchell. While Journey Mitchell definitely had a Jesika von Rabbit feel, it went more in an electronic direction. Over the few years between albums, von Rabbit refined her solo sound and picked up a full band.

Dessert Rock (yes, that’s spelled right), takes full advantage of the full band. You can hear the depth in every song on Dessert Rock.

Even the more “electronic” sounding songs like “Palm Springs Living” have a nice funky groove to them thanks to the rhythm section. Adding a full band gave von Rabbit the sound she needed to record some more straight up rock sounding songs like “Innuendo,” and “Going Down.” If you know von Rabbit’s body of work, you know the term “straight up rock song” needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Nothing von Rabbit does is fully conventional. She’s developed her own sound and it shines here.

“Calypso Facto” is a prime example of the quirkiness of von Rabbit’s music. It starts with a crazy big band on acid sounding intro and goes

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PHOTO BY RACHELLE SKIDMORE

right into a groovy rhythm backing von Rabbit and her keys. “Make Me Feel Better” also screams Jesika von Rabbit. In fact, the album in its entirety gives you a sense of the craziness one sees while attending a Jesika von Rabbit live show. This in part is due to the song order.

The songs go up and down and left and right in direction, but somehow the order works magically. This is definitely an album you want to listen to all the way through in one sitting.

The tail end of this album has some gems on it. “My Medicine” is the second to last song and has a dark sound to it. It is very reminiscent of

the band Morphine. This song, and “Mushroom Head Girl,” are stand outs to me. “Mushroom Head Girl” is exactly the song I’d be listening to in high school. It sounds like it belongs on a Crystal Method album or the soundtrack to Spawn.

Dessert Rock ends with von Rabbit’s cover of Culture Club’s “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me.” This song has been available for about a year now, but still feels fresh. The cover is so good that Boy George shared it on his social media. The truth is, overall, the whole album is fantastic and should be spread around social

MIXED UP MUSIC PARTY AN EPIC SUCCESS!!

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his past Saturday night something unique, amazing and epic happened at The Hood Bar & Pizza. Jeff Bowman’s brilliant idea to put together a bunch of musician’s in 5 different bands, and have them play 7 cover songs each, came to fruition and blew everyone away. All 5 bands were crazy good and the bar was packed like I’ve only seen it a few times before. It was like a big high school reunion or family gathering.

Bowman did a fantastic job bringing the whole desert music community together by trying this new concept and now everyone is saying that it should be an annual or regular event. I personally predict Bowman’s Mixed Up Music Party getting nominated for a CV Music Award for Best Live Music Event!

The event was also for a good cause with proceeds going to Desert Cancer Foundation.

Sarah Bryant, Executive Director at Desert Cancer Foundation: “Desert Cancer Foundation is incredibly honored to have been selected to receive funds raised by A Mixed Up Music Party. We are grateful to Jeff Bowman for organizing such a unique event, as well as The Hood Bar & Pizza for hosting, and all of the amazing, talented artists and supporters that came together for a great cause. More than $2,000 was raised at the event, which helps provide financial assistance for screening,

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diagnosis and treatment for cancer and allied diseases for local Coachella Valley and surrounding community residents. Every dollar raised translates to more than $10 in cancer care.”

I asked Bowman to share his thoughts on how the event turned out.

Jeff Bowman: “The show was literally a dream come true. Thanks to the spirit of everyone involved, A Mixed Up Music Party! An Event to Benefit The Desert Cancer Foundation, lived up to its billing, and then some.

Mixed Up Music, Yes: 33 beautiful musicians, in their new mixed up bands, very well-rehearsed, poured their hearts, souls and talents into 35 energetic, unforgettable song performances.

Party! Yes: With as many party people as the Hood could hold! All dancing, grooving and singing along...and every song from every band was followed by screams, whistles and applauses from the audience that seemed to last for minutes!

An Event to Benefit The Desert Cancer Foundation. Yes: Through donations of $5.00 at the door and program sales of $3.00, our music community raised over $2,000, which translates to $20,000 in medical costs covered for people in right here in our Desert community, who are in need of those funds to help with cancer

media. This album puts to bed the myth of “the sophomore curse.”

Dessert Rock will be available September 14 digitally everywhere and on vinyl and CD on Dionysus Records. Be sure to pick it up in whichever format suits you best and listen all the way through. Long live Dessert Rock.

Track listing: 1. Calypso Facto 2. Innuendo 3. Palm Springs Livin 4. Going Down 5. The Mushroom Haired Girl 6. Make Me Feel Better 7. Children Of The Dust 8. My Medicine 9. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me Jesika von Rabbit will be performing at Pappy and Harriet’s on Saturday Sept. 1, Alex’s Bar in Long Beach on Sunday, September 9 (matinee show), and the record release show will be at La Luz de Jesus in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 15. www.jesikavonrabbit.com

BY TRACY DIETLIN

PHOTOS BY JEREMY BANG

screening and treatment.

And beyond all that, there was a beautiful and almost indescribable element to the night as well... A sum that was greater than just the total of all of those awesome parts. It was humanity. It was love. We broke through.

We let our guards down. We got a little silly and shared our best with each other and our greater community. And it was magical.”

EVENTS

BREWTALITY

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he first (and second) beer I ever brewed was on the Mr. Beer system. You ever started a series on Netflix only to get three episodes in then decide you’re good, you don’t need to watch this shit anymore? That’s what those first couple brewing experiences were like. Mr. Beer was the Iron Fist of home brewing and it didn’t hold my interest.

It’d be about four years before I brewed another beer again; and this time the experience was very different.

Christmas 2011 saw me gifted (just like with the Mr. Beer) one of those deluxe homebrewing starter packages like I wrote about in the last installment of Brewtality. This one came with a steel brew pot, a bucket for fermenting, a glass carboy for aging, all the accoutrements to start up your home brewing system, and an extract kit of American Hefeweizen. Extract kits are the perfect thing for beginners to start on. Instead of working with a big sack of barley grains, you’re working with a can or jug of concentrated wort called a malt extract.

So, gravity is the term used to measure the sugar density of your beer. You take a reading pre-fermentation, when your wort (pronounced “wert”, and it’s the German word for the sugary liquid you’ve created with your malt and hops) is sweet and unfermented by the yeast. That number is referred to as your “original” or starting gravity. It’s what’s referred to when you see the term “OG” when it comes to craft beer. No, it’s not proclaiming that the beer has been around the neighborhood for awhile and is respected as an original gangster. I mean, unless

SPORTS SCENE

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he college football season starts in September, but it’s never too early to preview the Heisman Trophy race.

Here’s a look at some names to watch for the 2018 Heisman, given annually to the most outstanding player in college football. It’s early enough in the betting season to grab some clear value on some of these sure to be outstanding players.

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford, Senior – Love finished second in last season’s Heisman voting after rushing for 2,118 yards and 19 touchdowns.

He averaged 8 yards per carry - fourth-best in the FBS - and rushed for 100 yards in 13 of 14 games. He was coming off an ankle injury in the one game he didn’t.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin, Sophomore – Taylor was a key cog in the Badgers’ offense, rushing for an FBS freshman-record 1,977 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. He had three games with more than 200 rushing yards and 10 with more than 100 yards.

Khalil Tate, QB, Arizona, Junior – We’ve seen dual threats such as Lamar Jackson, Cam Newton and Johnny Manziel run away with the Heisman in the past. Tate could be that guy this season. The junior had nearly as many rushing yards (1,411) as he did passing (1,591), including a 327-yard, four-touchdown outburst against Colorado. He’ll need to improve as a passer (14 touchdowns, nine interceptions), but his highlight-reel plays could keep him in

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JUST BREW YOUR OWN ALREADY: PART II

it really has. In which case the OG of your OG better reflect that shit.

Anyway, back to malt extracts and water.

Sometimes you get a bag of dried malt extract with your kit instead of liquid extract. Either way, the principal is the same, you simply add it to water and boil for a specific amount of time.

That amount of time is determined by the style of beer your making, and how many IBU’s that style requires. Almost all-American craft beer features hops and the amazing flavors they contribute. From Blonde Ale’s and Amber lagers, to IPA’s and Imperial Stouts, there is a level of bitterness required, as well as an appropriate level of hop character and flavor. All of those characterizes are determined by how long hops are boiled. The standard is to boil some hops for an hour, and this adds the bitterness. The longer you boil hops, more bitter they become.

It’s common to see the recipe call for more hops at around 15 minutes before you turn the stove or burner off, and this addition is what gives you

a combination of hop flavor and a little more bitterness. If the recipe calls for any more hops in the last 10 minutes of boiling, those puppies add even more hop flavor to your brew.

My Hefeweizen kit came with Cascade and Willamette hops, and directions to add hops at 60 minutes, and 15 minutes before flameout. I even added lemon and ginger root to my beer, going super-craft right from the jump. After my beer was done boiling, it was time to cool it down. Most beginners won’t have invested in a wort chilling device and pump, so the easiest way to get your beer down to temperature is with an ice water bath. Chilling your beer quickly ensures that you don’t lose the hop flavor you added with your later additions and gives bacteria less of a chance to infect your wort, which needs to be kept completely sanitary at this point. You’re going to now be adding yeast to what you brewed, and yeast are not tough little boogers at all. The don’t like wort that’s too hot or too cold, they don’t like other organisms

EARLY VALUE ON HEISMAN HOPEFULS..

contention.

Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia, Sophomore – Fromm took over as the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback in Week 1 after an injury to Jacob Eason, and 2,615 yards and 24 touchdowns later, he’s the top returning offensive player on a Georgia team that eyes a return to the national title game.

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma, Junior – After transferring from Texas A&M and sitting behind Heisman winner Baker Mayfield, Murray steps in on an Oklahoma team that was just a few plays away from making the national title game. Murray is more athletic than Mayfield. He reportedly was clocked at a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash and was the ninth overall pick in June’s MLB draft by the Oakland A’s.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State, Sophomore

– Dobbins replaced an injured Mike Weber in Week 1 and immediately made his presence felt with 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He finished with 1,403 yards - the most ever by an Ohio State freshman - and seven scores while averaging 7.2 yards per carry (seventh-best in the FBS).

Kelly Bryant (Senior) OR Trevor Lawrence (Freshman), QB, Clemson – Bryant (pictured) was solid last season as Deshaun Watson’s replacement, throwing for 2,802 yards and rushing for 665 for the 12-2 Tigers. But there usually is one freshman every year who bursts onto the scene, and Lawrence -- a highly touted recruit -- could push for the starting job right away. Whoever lands the job finds himself in an ideal situation with a team that likely will be in the mix for a playoff spot.

Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan, Junior – Patterson was granted immediate eligibility after transferring from Ole Miss, so he’ll get a chance to work with Jim Harbaugh right away.

Patterson threw for 300 or more yards in five of seven games for the Rebels before tearing his PCL in late October.

The Winner You Ask? Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama) +750 – I don’t typically like to bet the favorite when it comes to future odds, but I just feel that Tagovailoa has an excellent shot at bringing home the hardware. I believe Tagovailoa is the most gifted quarterback that head coach Nick Saban has

August 30 to September 5, 2018

BY AARON RAMSON skulking around the wort with them, hell, they don’t even like if you add too much or too little of them to the wort. They’re total prima donna’s and I kinda wanna punch yeast in the face. They are however, hard workers if treated right, and that right treatment begins with cooling down your wort to about 70 degrees before adding them. The yeast will either be liquid or dried; just like malt extracts.

You are most likely going to be brewing an ale, and your ale will want to ferment at cool temps, preferably about 64-78 degrees, so unless you have a dedicated fridge to put your wort in, you’ll want to wait till summer is over to brew, so the ambient temps in your home will be perfect for your new beer. Measure the gravity of your beer every several days until you notice the gravity stops dropping. This means that the yeast is done fermenting things, and your beer will now need to sit and age for a short period of time while the flavors mellow out. Congratulations, you’ve brewed your first beer!

That is the gist of extract brewing. It’s a fun and relatively easy way to brew your own beer at home, and unless you really suck at it, you’re almost guaranteed great results. Next week I’ll go over another popular type of homebrew kit that combines malt extract with grains, called the partial-mash kit.

BY FLINT WHEELER had in what will be his 12th season with the program.

What he did in the 2nd half (166 yards, 3 TDs) against Georgia in the National Championship Game was unbelievable. Not only will he put up great numbers, but he’s playing on a legit national title contender.

Current MGM Heiman Futures Bryce Love (RB Stanford) +700, Tua Tagovailoa (QB Alabama) +750, Jonathan Taylor (RB Wisconsin), Dwayne Haskins (QB Ohio State) +1100, Will Grier (QB West Virginia) +1400, Khalil Tate (QB Arizona) +1400, Jake Fromm (QB Georgia) +1500, J.K. Dobbins (RB Ohio State) +1800.

If you don’t mind making a wager 4+ months in advance, futures can sometimes offer huge value. Like Alabama to win it all but don’t like laying the favorite price of -150? Take a shot at Tua. If Alabama is there, that surely means Tua has been putting up numbers that will surely put his name in the middle of the race. Or look further down the board a little. Some books have Penn State penciled in as a playoff team.

If that’s true, that makes Trace McSorley at +1500 an extremely interesting (and profitable) Heisman Hopeful! G’Luck!

7

August 30 to September 5, 2018

CONSIDER THIS

J

ohn Broadeur has been kicking around the music business for several years now, but the New York-based singersongwriter may have hit pay dirt in his current project, Bird Streets. Los Angeles denizens know that the Bird Streets is an exclusive neighborhood between the hills of Beverly and Hollywood, (George Harrison famously memorialized a street with his song, “Blue Jay Way”). But in this case, it’s an inspired collaboration between John and musician/ producer Jason Faulkner.

John is a tried and true New Yorker, born in Saratoga Springs, he grew up in the small town of Glenville. As a kid, he spent a lot of time indoors, battling a serious illness. It was during that period he “befriended” his parents’ record collection. He formed lasting relationships with the Fab Four, Crosby, Stills, Nash and occasionally Young, plus a surfeit of ‘70s stalwarts like Bread, Chicago, Jim Croce, Seals & Crofts and Led Zeppelin. All of these record-pals sparked an early fascination with music and musicians, and John knew early on that he would make music his career.

When he was old enough to buy his own albums, his tastes were wildly eclectic. Blondie and the Xanadu soundtrack were quickly supplanted by Duran Duran, Def Leppard’s Hysteria, Elvis Costello and the cleverly eccentric Pop of They Might Be Giants. At the same time, The Beastie Boys kinda blew his mind. Not long after, records from The Black Crowes and Jellyfish seemed to synthesize the best musical impulses of the “Me Decade,” and inspired John to jam along. Then, just as he was turning 16, Nirvana released Nevermind.

That record supplied the impetus to form his first band, Norman, in the mid-90s. A Grunge trio, the three-piece managed to filter a plethora of unlikely influences into the loudquiet-loud paradigm. They achieved a modicum of success, garnering a healthy local following, but pretty soon John moved on, fronting a couple more bands before going solo at the turn of the 21st Century.

Relocating to Albany, he released his solo debut, Tiger Pop in 2000. Aside from a stint in the band The Suggestions, (which resulted in an EP entitled Mix Tape), he pursued a solo path.

Following a move to Brooklyn, Get Through arrived in 2009. Little Hopes was released in 2013. Each album received rave reviews, as well as favorable comparisons to like-minded artists such as Todd Rundgren, Robyn Hitchcock, Beck and Elliott Smith. Along the way John and Jason

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BIRD STREETS

(OMNIVORE RECORDINGS)

Faulkner sort of became Pen-pals through social media, finally meeting in person in 2010.

Jason has been a working musician for over 30 years, originally making his bones in the final incarnation of Paisley progenitors The Three O’Clock. After their demise he founded Jellyfish with Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. A couple years later he formed The Greys with multi-talented musician/producer Jon Brion and they made one album before parting ways. Since then, he has quietly nurtured a solo career, releasing four albums between 1996 and 2009. In between, he has collaborated with everyone from Air, Beck, Alain Johannes, Susanna Hoffs, Jeff Lynne, Aimee Mann and Paul McCartney.

Most recently he played bass in Noel Gallagher’s High-Flying Birds.

John and Jason first collaborated about four years ago. Their chemistry was instant and relaxed. Hoping for something of an aesthetic jump-start, John suggested they create some music together. Juggling schedules, they began recording in 2014. Bouncing between NYC and L.A. chipped away at the native New Yorker’s built-in antipathy for the Golden State. Pretty soon he began to grudgingly appreciate its smoggy sprawl. The name Bird Streets sprang up as an homage to the coveted ‘hood,’ as well his twentysomething years in Albany. Now, after writing, recording and fine-tuning, the eponymous debut is finally here.

Opening with jittery bass lines that throb like a caffeinated heartbeat, “Carry Me” is a perfect intro to Bird Streets’ smorgasbord of sounds. John’s laconic vocals line up with tilt-a-whirl guitar, lush keys a handclap beat and sweet-sour harmonies. All he wants is a little peace of mind; “Here’s what I’m trying find neither quicksand nor hardline, between a manic and quiet mind, there’s happiness I’m sure.” A spiraling guitar solo underscores the existential angst, then just as quickly, the whole song stops on a dime.

Sunshiny melodies and ornate instrumentation nearly camouflage the sharp criticisms on “Direction” and “Betting On The Sun.” “Direction” is anchored by tensile power chords and a punchy back-beat. The scene is set with just a few well-turned phrases; “Three in the afternoon on a Monday, you’re in the bathroom with a friend and everyone else can hear you/You fix yourself up and make your way back to the table, everyone shuts up and pretends nothing happened.” The narrator clearly resents being yoked to an addictive personality and his frustration is palpable.

Guitar solos unspool with sitar-riffic charm, but the situation remains unresolved.

With “Betting…,” sugary acoustic riffs collide with chiming electric fills over a hiccup-y beat and layered falsetto vocals. Here John signals feelings of betrayal in the opening couplet; “I remember when we were tighter than Steely Dan, now the fix is in and you’re breaking up with your friends.” As the relationship takes a nose dive, the luminous melody becomes even more buoyant, echoing the effortless effervescence of AM ‘70s radio. Shang-a-lang guitars cushion the blow of this withering bon mot; “It’s a very fine line between living and just getting by, and you’re so comfortable being miserable to even try.”

The album’s centerpiece comes midway through with “Stop To Breathe.” Brittle guitar notes foreshadow the bitterness to come as lyrics detail a “break-up to make up” scenario

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

that would make the Stylistics proud. Chunky guitar chords are tethered to a whiplash beat, as John addresses a toxic ex; “Seven months before I heard a thing, then I see the ring I gave you in a Third Street pawn shop window/Later on that year you strike again, standing at my front door, asking for some t-shirt you think I borrowed.” Sinewy guitars stack on the break, strengthening his resolve on the final verse; “Drop your weapons and retreat, Carrie, I’m not the enemy, and you’re a question mark, when an answer’s what I need, so we’ll leave it incomplete.”

The album’s best tracks unfurl in succession.

Vitriol and sarcasm are the weapons of choice on “Thanks For Calling.” Opening with menacing bass lines, John’s winsome vocals trace the chorus, adding ringing, Beatlesque guitar and plangent keys around a snap-back beat. Acerbic lyrics address a duplicitous girlfriend who feels compelled to detail her every assignation. The listener drops in, mid-conversation; “So you’re kind of a thing now? Thanks for calling, I would have been better off never knowing, but you had to tell me everything.” The perfect popcraft partnership of melody and instrumentation nearly takes the sting out of this acrid tale of cuckoldry.

“Same Dream” is tour-de-force. Crackling guitar match up with a whip-crack rhythm, wiry bass lines and percolating keys. As the velocity revs, guitars accelerate, doubling down on the urgency of these stream-of-conscious lyrics; “Woke up high under a black morning sky, a nightmare come to life gets under your skin and leaves you paralyzed as you go inside your mind.” The acrobatic guitar solo shapeshifts from angular New Wave to epic ‘70s guitar hero pyrotechnics, leaving the listener spent and breathless.

Meanwhile, if the Raspberries, Steely Dan and Roxy Music ever thought to collaborate, it might sound something like “Heal.” Beatific harmonies, rippling piano notes and acoustic guitar kick off the song, giving way to a midtempo beat. The lyrics concede that, indeed, love is the drug, but we all still require a little emotional rescue; “I came to you looking for relief, hollow-eyed and shaking like a leaf, you were safe and warm, that’s why I stayed, praying that the rush would never fade,” but he ends up “anesthetized and hypnotized.” The grandiloquent piano on the break envelopes leap-frogging electric guitar, ratcheting up the tension before sweet relief is achieved with this big Pharma-tinged revelation; “Sugar-coat it if you will, but you’re no cure, you’re just another pill.”

The action slows on a couple of tracks.

The shimmery “Spaceship” starts off Folky as plucked acoustic runs accompany plaintive vocals. Pretty quickly, splayed electric guitar, descending piano keys and a stuttery kick-drum add ballast. Desolate lyrics paint a vivid selfportrait of dashed expectations; “I was a party, waiting on guests, every night was Friday, inside my head.”

Initially, “Pretty Bones” is stripped-down, acoustic strumming so close you hear nylon strings brushing the frets. The vocals pivot from confessional and intime to dour and druggy as ooky keys, cascading piano and a thumpy beat accentuate the lonesome desperation. The lyrics take a cynical sideswipe at Tinseltown; “Hollywood’s a graveyard, all the stories have been told, but you’re sifting through the remains, looking for some pretty bones/The skeletons are laughing, they know something you don’t.”

The record doesn’t really wind down, instead, the final tracks close burst of energy on “Bullets” and “Until The Crown.” The former starts slowly with funereal keys and confessional vocals that recall Big Star, circa “Third/Sister Lovers.” Rather quickly, visceral guitar, brushed percussion and a tick-tock beat wrap around this romantic rapprochement. This song would perfectly score a moment of romantic epiphany in one of those sensitive coming-of-age John Hughes teen comedies from the ‘80s. The chorus strikes just the right balance between inertia and ambition; “We could just let it go and hope it goes away, sleep it off together and waste another day, go through the motions until emotion feels passe’/Keep firing shots until the bullets ricochet.”

The latter explodes with a burst a Punk-tastic energy, from the opening drum salvo to the hard charging guitar attack. Slightly cryptic lyrics could be describing symptoms of drug addiction or the euphoria of new love; “It isn’t working, the fever’s spiking, the ends are fraying and the days are frightening.” But by the chorus there’s a shot at redemption; “Trying to shine but fading quick, trying to feel less catholic, trying to be more of a human being, find the ends and not the in-between/Look through a cloudy pane of glass, at a possibility you think you never had, once again you’re fading to black.”

John and Jason pretty much played every instrument themselves, but they had some help on a couple of tracks from Craig Greenberg on piano, Chris Kelly on bass, guitarist Scott Litman, and drummer Scott Tofte. Backing vocals were provided by Maesa Pullman, Miranda Lee Richards and Michelle Vidal. Luther Russell (a sui generis singer-songwriter in his own right), added guitar and vocals to “Spaceship.”

Not since Matthew Sweet’s epochal Girlfriend album has an established artist redefined his sound in such an innovative and organic fashion. With their musical symbiosis on full display Jason has found a way to harness John’s diffuse genius, adding a bit of spit and polish, without sacrificing any of his grit, wit and honesty. Bird Streets offers an explosion of aural colors. Mad Hatter melodies and arrangements send the listener down a rabbit hole of delights. It’s definitely one of the best albums of 2018.

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GENDER BENDERS – BLURRING THE LINES

A

rt can be a challenge – for those who create it and those who participate in the experience. The upcoming GENDER BENDERS Exhibition opening September 8 at Joshua Tree Art Gallery, 61607 Twenty-nine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA, is certain to challenge one’s perception of gender roles and social mores.

GENDER BENDERS presents the work of Cat Celebrezze and Nancy Floyd with the challenge to questions our notion of women.

Cat Celebrezze’s work is entitled The Baphomet Queens and their Minions and Fairies with Boots. What is Baphomet? There are several interpretations but the most common is that of an occult deity whose worshipers were deemed heretics. Cat’s work makes use of the image most familiar to us – the Satanic Goat. That image was conceived by French magician Elphias Levi who presented Baphomet as a Satanic Goat by incorporating various elements including symbolic ideals of the Templar Baphomet myth.

“In my view, the gods and monsters of our time are in serious need of an overhaul.

They’ve melded into one giant repeat - like a television show in syndication, a tweet retweeted at nauseum, a spaceship in endless orbit,” said Cat. “Let’s instead go intrepid and imagine something well beyond the dialectic.

And what better resource to enlist in such a lark than Baphomet - that pagan, written and written again hybrid of an idol.”

“Some time last year I worked on a small piece where I altered an old photograph of a May Queen with a goat head. I like goats and how their intelligence is read as something uncanny, enigmatic, and, at times, malevolent.

The imagery of a female body with a goat head represents how many feel as they navigate the world: assigned into ill-fitting normativity, they morph into heretical hybrids, with all the complications and potential that such baffling brings. From that one study, an entire series emerged. Such imagery seems a timely response to our current era and all its failed monoliths, but certainly, our time is not the first, nor the last, to list into such bankrupt forms.”

How does Cat feel about those who find her work challenging? For Cat, “Critique sharpens the knives of one’s responses, so I welcome it.”

ART SCENE

August 30 to September 5, 2018

BY ANGELA ROMEO

Not challenged enough? Get ready for She’s Got a Gun. “The idea for the work began in 1993 after the first Gulf War. It was completed in 2008.

The idea for She’s Got a Gun, began in 1993, after the first Gulf War. It was my first war experience as an adult. My brother was killed in Vietnam in 1969, when I was 12. In 1992 the man across the street, a soldier, returned from Iraq and was crating his guns. It made me think of my brother, who had loved working on guns and had planned to be a gunsmith. I decided to purchase a handgun, to understand his love of guns.”

“After the purchase I met women at the gun range, discovered Women and Guns magazine, saw Thelma and Louise, and learned that since the late 1980s the gun industry had been marketing more directly to women. This made me curious so I began photographing and interviewing gun women to understand their motivations,” continued Nancy. “Over the years I became interested in the ways women represented themselves and the ways they were being represented. The book, She’s Got a Gun, published by Temple University Press in 2008, is a visual history of women and guns in American, 1850 –present.”

“Once I began making portraits of gun women it became necessary to let them tell their story. The work was designed to show who these women were and why they made the choices they did. I welcome discussion.”

GENDER BENDERS opening September 8 and runs through September 30 at Joshua Tree Art Gallery, 61607 Twenty-nine Palms Highway, Joshua Tree, CA. For more information visit www.josuhatreeartgallery.com.

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

PET PLACE

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BY JANET McAFEE

A SECOND CHANCE FOR CHANCE!

I

moved quickly through the kennels at the San Bernardino City Shelter checking the availability dates on the dogs’ kennel cards. Many of the animals were still on hold for an owner to claim, though sadly the percentage of owner retrievals is small. I spotted an interesting looking male poodle mix. He was listed as part Maltese, but was clearly a blend of several breeds. His kennel card contained the notation “fearful”.

I waited in the visiting area to assess the pup. A kennel attendant told me they were having trouble getting the dog out of the kennel, and finally three attendants had to retrieve him. Most shelter dogs bounce joyfully from their kennels, tails wagging.

This time was different. The dog spun wildly around the enclosure, not coming near me. My heart sank, and I wondered if he would ever calm down. Finally I sat on the ground and just waited. His frenzied run continued for about 15 minutes. Finally he calmed down, inched toward me, and let me comfort him.

Rescue organizations such as Loving All Animals have foster homes that can assess and help train fearful dogs. “Chance”

MEET POUNCER This precious young fellow loves to play with other cats and humans too! Come meet Pouncer at Kittyland in Desert Hot Springs. www.kittylandrescue.org.

Call (760) 251-2700.

MEET JIMMY CHEW This adorable 4-year old boy is 19 pounds of doggie love!

Jimmy Chew is a Lhasa Apso/ Poodle mix pup who has a special diet. He dreams of a loving home with a back yard to play! Rescued by Loving All Animals - lovingallanimals.org, call (760) 834-7000.

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seemed like a fitting name for a dog that now had a second chance for a new life.

Chance quickly metamorphosed into the sweet and charming dog he was meant to be. We don’t know if he was an abused animal, or simply frightened in the shelter setting.

Foster mom Jeni Greenfield recalls Chance was a bit shy when he arrived and was not housebroken. Eager to please, he quickly learned to use the doggie door and became a happy pack member with her dogs.

Sara Fenimore and Steve Stoddard saw Chance’s photo on our website, and he reminded them of their dog Parker who recently passed away. Chance didn’t disappoint, greeting his new “mom” and “dad” with kisses. Sara recalls how well Chance adjusted to their home, “Chance has been a joy! He strolls around our home and yard with great confidence. Thanks to Loving All Animals for saving lives, finding homes, and bringing joy to humans and animals!”

Chance and the couple’s other rescue dog, Sophie, soon became best of friends.

Sara notes, “He’s brought out Sophie’s

personality and made her more playful. He makes cute little monkey sounds when he plays. Always in play mode, he has a stuffed monkey he loves to toss in the air and play fetch by himself.”

Now renamed Caesar, this pup struts around like a little emperor. He has his own chair in the front room where he loves to look outside. Caesar has 5 doggie beds, and 2 doggie doors give him access to the lovely landscaped yard. Once a fearful stray on the mean streets of San Bernardino, he is now a

treasured pet in a beautiful home with his loving humans.

Steve enthusiastically describes Caesar, “He won the dog lottery! He runs this place.

His personality is incredible. He’s glued to my side, and wakes up every morning expecting a belly rub. He filled the ‘hole’ we had after losing Parker, and now it’s like he’s never NOT been here. He’s a gigantic smile walking on 4 legs!”

Some animals are frightened in the shelter environment, but they make fabulous pets given the second chance they deserve. If a dog appears frightened, relax, sit on the ground, and let him approach you.

Contact the San Bernardino City Shelter at (909) 384-1304. Contact our Riverside county shelter in Thousand Palms at (760) 343-3644.

For assistance with getting a rescue animal, or to save a life through fostering, contact Loving All Animals at (760) 8347000 or www.lovingallanimals.org. Every “fearful” dog we have rescued is now living happily in their adoptive home, proving that love and patience can overcome the darkest past jmcafee7@verizon.net

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THE VINO VOICE

BY RICK RIOZZA

HEY HODADS!–SURF’S UP!!

B

orn and raised around the beaches of Southern California, heading out to the surf was part of life’s ritual for me.

I even remember Tin Can Beach, the nickname for a 3½-mile stretch of sand just north of Huntington Beach. Definitely a wackiness memorial of littering, where rusting tin beer cans of yesteryear were strewn all along the sand and shore.

I recall having to climb around and down rocky sand caves to get to that beach; and one could always count on scraping and wiping off the tar from our heels due to many oil derricks continually pumping away right on the beach—now all cleaned up and known as Bolsa State Beach.

Back in those days, I remember free spirits, families and vacationers would set up tents and stay for days, just laying back and relaxing with an ice-cold beer, glass of wine or bubbly champagne. Sadly, alcohol is not allowed on most California beaches! What’s up with that?

Of all places that bespeak “freedom”– looking out at the ocean and taking in fresh air, why can’t we enjoy our adult beverages? I know, public beaches have to regulate for obvious reasons—so many knuckleheads have ruined it for us moderate drinkers.

But there are still a few beaches where those 21-and-up can enjoy their booze by the surf—and, of course moderately: Carmel Beach comes to mind; Paradise Cove in Malibu; Kehoe Beach at Point Reyes; and Descanso Beach on Catalina Island.

So, assuming we’re at those beaches, or at a liberal beach nearby you, or if you’re still soaking up the memories, these are some of the beach weather refreshing wines we’d be chilling and quaffing on the sand & shore: Surely we’ll be sipping on Sauv Blancs and chasing down charming un-oaked and light bodied Chards; but as the wine world is learning, there are many fun, interesting, and zesty white wines to enjoy in the slow hot wind.

One of our favorite Spanish white wines, not only to savor but to pronounce, is Txakoli [CHOC-oh-lee], or Txakolina [choc-oh-LEE-

na]. Yep—that’s right, it sounds like the name of a new chocolate bar. From the Basque country on the northern coast of Spain, this is one of the wines we traditionally see in colorful Iberian food & wine videos where one is pouring the wine right into the mouth from one’s arm distance away. Indeed, when pouring the wine at the table, do it from a foot higher so it foams a bit in the glass.

Txakoli is light bodied and low in alcohol but high with refreshing acidity, and ever so lightly pétillant (fizzy). The usual flavors you’ll find are green apples, citrus, flowers, grapefruit, grass, lemon lime, minerals, peaches, pears, sea breeze, spices, stones, and yeast. Chill it up big time, around 40 to 45 degrees. Pairs with tapas (of course), chicken, crab, sushi, and if your local Thai restaurant doesn’t have this wine on their list, bring a bottle in and share some with the owner—they may even waive the corkage fee!

The very popular Ameztoi Txakolina ($20) is bone dry, bright and scented with lime, along with that light fiz! It has a wonderful minerality and a trace of salinity that makes it an ideal pairing for raw oysters and clams, seafood platters, and more.

And while we’re at it—probably one of the sexiest choices for a rosé this summer is a Rosé Txakolina. If you’re serving this rosé at either a pool party or during alfresco dining, plan to get nominated for Who’s Who in the Vino Times.

Winery notes for the Amextoi Rubentis Rosé ($23) state“Candied red fruits combine with a lime infused edge makes this a wildly intriguing rosé. Incisive, mineral-accented citrus fruit and red berry scents, along with a suave floral nuance; harmonious in the mouth, freshness that reminds you of strawberry sour caramel, tasting cheerful because of its bubbles. Silky and sharply focused on the palate, showing juicy strawberry, orange zest and mineral qualities and a deeper suggestion of peach pit. The mineral and floral elements carry through a very long, precise, seamless finish.”

Avila Beach comes to mind as being

August 30 to September 5, 2018

another California playa to allow beer and wine on its shore. South and inland from that beach is the Santa Maria Valley that produces a Riesling wine that’s perfect in the summer sun.

On a hot day the Tatomer Riesling Sisquoc Santa Maria Valley ($22) is cool and refreshing; a graceful summer wine with a light, silky texture and a hint of lime and melon. If you don’t know already, Tatomer is famously known in California to produce its own type and style or Riesling. Not sweet but rather dry with subtle flavors reflecting

flowers, minerals, apples, and lime. Once you share this wine with friends, they too will become dry Riesling lovers.

And while we’re figuratively close by, let’s do recommend the 2016 Dragonette Cellars Sauvignon Blanc, Happy Canyon, Santa Barbara County ($30). This fairly new American Viticulture Area (2009) Happy Canyon, is said to be a genius spot for Sauvignon Blanc. On the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley, the rolling hill’s tiny Happy Canyon also produces top quality reds of Cab Sauv, Cab Franc & Syrah. The region’s lownutrient soil grows smaller vines and in turn, higher quality wine grapes.

This Dragonette Cellars provides a fresh white wine scented with citrus & melon that’s dry with a stony character which makes excellent summer drinking: Happy Canyon, with its unique soils and climate—warm to hot summer days and cool to cold evenings— is ideal for promoting full phenolic ripeness while still retaining critical acidity. This bottling is explosive with bright yellow and tropical fruits and melons balanced by fresh, clean and present acidity. It’s the ideal quaff for those California girls and guys who love their Sauv blanc without the grassy notes.

Totally tubular dude—cheers!

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

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THUR AUGUST 30

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-3673505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Audrey Alison (Tarot) and Jet Dread Stone 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-2021111 Bill and Doug Duo 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Throwback Thursday w/ DJ John Paul and Friends 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield and Brian Dennigan 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Open Mic hosted by Lance Riebsomer 7-10pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CATELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; BD; 760-200-1768 Kristy King 7-10pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 8-10pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-8201213 Karaoke 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm

JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 TBA 9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760325-2794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760345-2450 Country Night w/ Dynamite Draw 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Rick the Piano Man 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-3655956 Campout 14 w/ Hickman Dalton Gang, Johnny Hickman and Jim Dalton 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Desert Noise Presents: The After Lashes, Ormus and Unity Frenzy 8pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-3229293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Dude Jones 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 Karaoke 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-3271773 Mike Cosley 6:30pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Black Market Jazz 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 Yve Evans 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 8pm

CATELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; BD; 760-200-1768 Denny Pezzin 7-10pm DESERT FOX; PD; #desertdeep W/ DJ Karma the Drum Killa 9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760228-1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-3422333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 Ours Past EP Release w/ Caleb Hull 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Arthur Seay Presents: Desert Metal Meltdown w/ HOBP, Death in Pretty Wrapping, Contortion and Throw the Goat 8pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Keisha D 7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Karaoke 7:30pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 Young Drummer Boy 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760325-2794 Hot Roxx 7:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760345-2450 Circle of Fifths 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Eevaan Tre 6:30pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 3505 Michael Lowe 6:30pm Karaoke 8-1:15am ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Technicolor Paradise w/ Money Mark, Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm Joe Wong and the Numero Uno Group PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 10pm 760-327-4080 Dude Jones 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 5956 Campout 14 w/ Camper Van 8pm Beethoven, Cracker, The Dangers and AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202Victor Krummenacher 6pm 1111 Ken Steele 6:30pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 AMERICAN LEGION; PS; 760-325-6229 Karaoke 7:30pm Flint Easton 6-8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s DJs Imdead, Addemup and Captain Osiv Rockstar Karaoke 9pm 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Americano XP.S. J Patron Signing Party Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon 9pm Bisquera 7pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Keeth 7pm Giselle Woo and the Night Owls 8:30pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; Rok BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760- of Ages and Single Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd 775-5566 DJ Double A 8pm Tribute) 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm Brothers 8pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322Wright 9-1am 9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm

FRI AUGUST 31

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SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-7771601 The Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SOLANO’S BISTRO; LQ; 760-771-6655 Michael Madden 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 Barflys 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-3271773 Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Tony Bolivar 6pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 DJ Galaxy and the House Whores 5pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 5-7pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 Rob Martinez, Todd Ashley and Lisa LaFaro Weselis 6:30-10pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760228-1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-3422333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-8201213 DJ Mrrrrl’s Saturday Night Old School Dance Party 8pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Karr, Sunday Funeral and Sticky Doll 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 The Carmens 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-10pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760325-2794 PS Sound Company 1pm, Hot Roxx 8pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760345-2450 Circle of Fifths 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 TBA 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Derek Jordan 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367Gregg 6pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm 3505 Bev & Bill 6:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Dayclubbing w/ The Numero Uno Group Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin 11am, poolside, Highlife w/ DJ Day Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm 10pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 760-327-4080 Angelyn and the Blind Innocence 9pm 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-2025956 Campout 14 w/ Cracker, Camper 1111 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic Van Beethoven, Jesika Von Rabbit, 7:30pm Jonathon Segel and Ike Reilly 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 The Get Down w/ DJs CieloHigh and Rich PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm Brandon 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Red’s Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon Rockstar Karaoke 9pm Bisquera 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Ghosts BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 of Kelso 9pm Pop Gun Rerun 8:30pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760- ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; Almost Famous and Mr. Crowley (Ozzy 775-5566 DJ 9pm Tribute) 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Gennine Francis 6-10pm Brothers 8pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322Wright 9-1am 9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm CATELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE Tuzzolino 5:30pm FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George 1601 The Smooth Brothers 8-11pm Christian 6-9pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & BD; 760-200-1768 Denny Pezzin Bobby Furgo 9pm 7-10pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Guy 341-3560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm Worden 9pm

August 30 to September 5, 2018

TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 Johnny Farfisa 8:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-3271773 Reggie “Vision” Alexander 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951755-5391 DJ 10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-932-4300 TBA 8pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 Johnny Meza and Co. 7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-2300188 The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

SUN SEPTEMBER 2

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-3673505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Numero Uno Group 11am poolside, and 9pm ACQUA; RM; 760-862-9800 Michael Keeth 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Fusion Sundays Hip Hop and Latin Night w/ DJ LF and Friends Hosted by Ron T 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Patrice Morris 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Carolina Story 6pm continue to page 18

SAT SEPTEMBER 1

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

GOOD GRUB

C

MANGIA, MANGIA AT MARIO’S ITALIAN CAFÉS

asual, comfortable and delicious, Mario’s Italian Cafés have been bringing the best in traditional Italian dishes to the Coachella Valley for over 40 years, making us want to mangia, mangia!

If you live in the Coachella Valley and love Italian food, chances are that you’ve dined at one of Mario’s Italian Cafes 7 locations.

And if you haven’t, there’s really no good excuse as there is probably one down the street from where you are right now. The family owned collection of restaurants first opened in 1972, by patriarch Mario Del Guidice, and over the years has spread across the desert filling up patrons with delightful Italian fare.

My neighborhood Mario’s is just a couple miles away from my home in Bermuda Dunes, and I think the quaintest out of all of their locations (just my personal opinion).

The unconventionally shaped space kind of reminds me of something out of Disneyland, with painted murals depicting Italian style scenery, twinkle lights and swoony Italian themed music swirling around the dining room. It certainly has a romantic feel, but also perfect for family gatherings.

Recently, I discovered my new favorite dish from Mario’s. My boyfriend and I usually get repeat items such as their Bolognese Pasta, or Pizza Slice lunch special ( 2 slices of New York style pizza with one topping, and an individual house salad for

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only $6.95), and of course a couple of their huge glasses of chianti. But then one night a friend of ours came by our house and brought over some pizza from Mario’s. It was so good that we had to make a special trip there just to get one of our own, and while we were there, some salad and you guessed it, a couple of huge glasses of chianti…and let’s not forget, some Tiramisu.

The pizza that wowed us was their Margarita Pizza. The specialty pizza is comprised of simple ingredients of tomato, fresh Mozzarella and Romano cheese, garlic and basil. But there is just something about the combination that makes it a classic, and oozes with amazing flavors, and Mario’s does an incredible job of creating

it. Our friend who introduced us to Mario’s Margarita Pizza, mentioned that she orders it a special way, which we mimicked in detail on our visit there. We added extra garlic and tomatoes, with the crust crispy, and it came out perfect! Of course, if you’re not into garlic, or on a special date, you might not want to go the extra garlic route.

But if you do, I highly recommend it, plus you get the added bonus of repelling those pesky vampires.

We added a couple of refreshing house salads to go with our fabulous Margarita Pizza, and the goblets of wine. For dessert, we had to have Mario’s creamy and decadent Tiramisu, which served as an excellent completion to our dinner.

BY DENISE ORTUNO

Besides pizza, Mario’s has a myriad of other scrumptious Italian dishes to satisfy, including Antipasto Salad, Chicken Marsala, Veal Picatta, Shrimp Scampi, Linguini & Clams, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Cannelloni and whole lot more.

Mario’s Italian Cafés have become a Coachella Valley staple, with excellent food, comfortable atmosphere, and warm inviting vibe. Making it an easy choice to relax and get your mangia on!

Mario’s Italian Cafés are located across the Coachella Valley, for details visit www. mariositaliancafes.com.

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

SCREENERS

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No. 332

HATCHET JOB

NOW SHOWING: LIZZIE

I can’t recall the number of films that have been inspired by the true crime that became a nursery rhyme. You must know it and maybe even skipped rope while chanting it: Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks; When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one.

On August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden, two well-to-do elderly residents of

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Fall River Massachusetts who lived alone with their unmarried daughters, were found bludgeoned to death, Andrew’s face had been nearly split in two and Abby’s head was smashed to pieces.

Since their daughter Lizzie and a housekeeper were the only persons present, suspicion soon fell upon Lizzie.

Due to the sensational nature of the bloody crime, the trial attracted national attention.

Even though fingerprinting was becoming a common investigative procedure, the police refused to test the murder weapon – a hatchet – that was found in the basement. The prosecution tried to prove that Lizzie burned a similar dress the day of the crime and had purchased a small hand axe the day before.

But since Lizzie was an innocent-looking Christian woman, the jury took barely 90 minutes to decide that she could never commit such a heinous murder.

Although Lizzie was now an orphaned heiress rather than a convicted murderess, the popular press of the day continued to portray her as the perpetrator.

The latest movie adaptation invites audiences to take a fresh look at the widely known true-crime story.

An empathetically fascinating and ferocious Chloë Sevigny stars as Lizzie Borden, who, after a lifetime of loneliness, finds a kindred spirit in housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Kristen Stewart). But was it really their secret intimacy that triggered such an unthinkable act?

Throughout the film, I was reminded of Peter Jackson’s s similar but superior Heavenly Creatures (1994).

Director Craig William Macneill’s admittedly speculative but engrossing movie explores the days leading up to the savage double murder in an exceedingly dark tale of repression, exploitation and abandoned dreams. Stylish and beautifully photographed, the film conveys a specific time and place with convincing authenticity.

NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER: DARK CRIMES An unexpected Jim Carrey stars in this slick neo-noir crime-thriller based on The New Yorker article, “True Crimes: A Postmodern Murder Mystery” by David Grann.

An understated and solemn Carrey commands the screen in this intermittently spellbinding suspense story from the

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

executive producers of The Revenant and Black Mass.

When Polish police officer Tadek (Carrey) finds similarities between an unsolved murder and a crime outlined in a popular novel by the famous writer Krystof Kozlov, Tadek begins tracking the writer and his girlfriend (Charlotte Gainsbourg ), a mysterious sex-club worker. As Tadek’s obsession and envy of Kozlov grows, he descends into a deadly underworld of sex, lies and corruption and risks it all until he finds the truly shocking and deadly truth.

I liked this literally darkish – grey skies and muted color palette – tale about an uncorrupted detective in post communist Poland obsessed with an unsolved crime while investigating a writer who, beyond his nihilist author personae, is trying save his girlfriend’s life. Worth a look. Lionsgate. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

BOOK REVIEW

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"THE TENTH ISLAND"

BY DIANA MARCUM NONFICTION

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B

eing American most often means you have roots from somewhere else. We are blessed to live in such a wonderfully diverse country where we are free to go home or visit ancestral lands. Diana Marcum’s The Tenth Island: Finding Joy, Beauty and Unexpected Love in the Azores (Little A, 240 pages) discovers a hidden world and what it means to be home.

Author Marcum is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. While working for the Los Angeles Times, she won the prestigious award for her narrative stories about the effects of the California drought on agricultural communities.

As a feature writer based in Sacramento, Marcum begins her story when she comes across a group of immigrant farmers in California’s Central Valley who work the land like their ancestors. One farmer used trained bulls and a wagon to plow his fields. She finds it is a close-knit community of Portuguese people who have come from the Azores and continue to celebrate its traditions.

After writing her story, Marcum is invited to a festival where she is completely smitten by the friendly people and their colorful

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A HIDDEN WORLD culture. With the encouragement of her new Azorean friends, Marcum visits the north Atlantic archipelago and finds herself charmed by the land, the history and the community.

After her short visit, Marcum returns to work and finds herself in a journalistic stupor and with relationship troubles. Years later, she wins the big prize but still cannot find love.

But when the newspaper must lay off journalists, she willingly takes the payout to go back to the islands where, with her dog Murphy, she hopes to understand the indefinable Portuguese word “saudade” and maybe love as well.

For a word that has no definition, saudade (from what I get of the book) is a longing for home and the sense of belonging, which seems to closely reflect the author’s own personal desire. Marcum’s parents both passed away while she was still a teenager and she is eager to be a part of an embracing, closely related family, with deep cultural origins.

This subtle drive makes Marcum a lovable and sympathetic protagonist in her own story. Although this is not a memoir, she shares her personal and intimate life of being lonely and wanting to fit in.

Make no mistake, the Azores and Azorean culture are the focus of Marcum’s book and she shares the magical place and its people

August 30 to September 5, 2018

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

with a great fondness. She stays on the island of Terceira and makes trips to some of the other islands that include Sao Miguel and Faial. The island world seems without trouble and crime and is incredibly welcoming and accepting of the visiting “American Girl.” I wondered if she was treated differently – better perhaps -- because of being an awardwinning journalist. News spreads fast on a small island.

Marcum includes the islands’ history and writes that the United States has the largest population of Portuguese immigrants who came in two waves, first fleeing fascism, and the second, a volcanic eruption.

Many of the immigrant families’ still own their ancestral homes and travel back every year. Their American born children often meet and marry on the islands. Some decide to stay.

Marcum does a beautiful job describing the lush islands and quaint life of the Azores -- a legitimate paradise with moderate, yearly temperatures due to the influence of the warm Gulf Stream that passes through the archipelago. The unique biome has green pastures, lavender hedgerows of hydrangeas, rain forests, rare animals, birds and insects, and caldera lakes filled fresh water.

I enjoyed the glimpse into Marcum’s life and the heavenly Azorean world. In the preface, she admits years later, to putting her notes aside and writing from memory, which adds to the charm and delight of her colorful and insightful creative nonfiction narrative.

The book’s cover is inviting and captures the feel of Marcum’s travelogue. The title serves as the lesson she most needed to learn.

Where the Azores consist of nine islands, one of her island friends tells her: “The tenth island is what you carry inside you. It is what’s left when everything else falls away. Those of us who live between worlds just know the Tenth Island better.” He concludes: “No matter where I have lived—I have never left my island.”

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

THE CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION IS COMING TO RANCHO MIRAGE!

T

hanks to the Westin Resort in Rancho Mirage the California Firefighters Association will be hosting their annual CSFA Conference Sept 4th – 6th.

“We appreciate what the staff and employees at the Westin have done and are doing to accommodate this year’s CSFA conference,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

“They host other fire service events throughout the year and we really appreciate their support.”

Firefighters from throughout the state will gather to discuss topics such as PTSD and its effect on a first responder’s family, Masimo will provide training on firefighter safety and

rehab with guest speakers talking about peer support in the fire service.

We just added Southern California Edison to the venue that will be providing training for firefighters on electrical safety for First Responders; perfect in timing as Santa Ana Winds are around the corner and firefighters respond to thousands of wires down and other electrical hazards.

We also need your help. Businesses who would like to donate items for our silent auction/scholarship program can contact Chief DiGiovanna at sdigiovanna@cox.net Have a great week and stay cool and safe!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 13

CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CATELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; BD; 760-200-1768 Lori Yeary 6-9pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP; 760-343-5973 Acoustic Afternoon 3pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-3422333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Comedy Night w/ Isak Allen and more KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 Wild Indie Summer Night w/ Sol Suns, Calico Wonderstone, Pale Palace and Marni 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760325-2794 PS Sound Company noon, Hot Roxx 6:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 3:307:30pm, Mikael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Open Mic w/ Rockin’ Ray 7pm

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 The Myx 6:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-3271773 Darci Daniels and Reggie Vision 7pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760565-5512 Rob Martinez and Scott Carter 6:30pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760230-0188 John Carey and Friends 6:30pm

MON SEPTEMBER 3

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-3673505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-2021111 Bill Marx 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Meh! Mondays 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Music Video Mondays 6pm CATELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-3655956 Open Mic 7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760230-0188 Motown Mondays 6:30pm

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TUE SEPTEMBER 4

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HADDON LIBBY

A

s many of us enjoy a shortened work week due to the Labor Day holiday, I got to thinking about how lazy we have become as a society. Sure, I know you work hard. I do too. Deep down though, we are lazy.

The remote control would not exist if we were not inherently lazy. Most technological breakthroughs have helped to remove many of the most labor intensive jobs from society. Looking around my house, I can lock or unlock my front door, turn on or off most lights, the television and the radio with either my voice or a SmartPhone. Then I can take something out of my freezer, tap a few buttons on the microwave and voila, dinner is served.

A new study at the University of Kansas found the Darwin may have been wrong with his “survival of the fittest” studies.

Their study of 299 species found that the species with the lowest metabolic rates tended to survive the longest. For example, a lazier hummingbird does not outlive a more active hummingbird - the study referenced the behavior of the species as a whole. Like humans, fitness and diet extend life span.

As lazy as many of us can be, we still do not sleep enough. Americans spend $41

LAZY

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billion annually on sleep aids. Sleep labs are a growing business trend across the United States with over 2,800 locations generating more than $7 billion in revenues annually.

Industry analysts believe revenues will top $10 billion within three years.

(Public Service Announcement: Doctors recommend that everyone over 18 years of age should sleep at least seven hours each night.)

Lazy people are more often than not procrastinators. Psychological Science studied 264 adults and found that procrastinators have larger amygdala regions in their brains than their more timely brethren. People with big amygdalas are more likely to be more anxious or fearful of bad outcomes and therefore have a harder time starting and completing things.

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

HOW TO BEAT A 2018 LABOR DAY DUI

W

ell, “beat” may be too strong a word since a lawyer looks for the best result possible with the facts presented. However, following the advice herein, may allow your lawyer to get a drastic reduction or at least be able to deal with less evidence against you. Less evidence increases your chances of a successful result.

So with Memorial Day this week, beware of more cars on the road thus more accidents and DUI’s. More police on the streets means more checkpoints.

Initially, when stopped for a DUI, safely pull over to the side of the road, with your hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer before you move. Be polite and courteous.

Then remember you have the right to remain silent. Use it! Do not help the police build their case against you. I believe this is the same advice President Trump and Michael Cohen are currently getting from their lawyers. The first question you will be asked is “have you been drinking?” Remain silent. Follow the instructions below. You do not want to admit to drinking nor do you want to lie and say you have had nothing. They will smell alcohol on your breath and know you have lied to them.

Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver.

Remember, the Field Sobriety Tests, finger to nose, walk the line etc. are all optional. You, don’t have to take them. Cut out the card at the end of this article, keep it in your wallet, next to your license and hand it to the officer. These tests are designed by the police to confirm

their suspicion of a DUI. In addition the breath test, at the scene, is likewise optional.

Advise the officer you would be happy to cooperate with law enforcement and take anything that is mandatory. Request a blood test at the station....though you could also take a breath test there. Many professionals believe the blood test is preferable, because with the passage of time, your reading is decreasing.

The police must call someone to draw the blood and if you are lucky, it takes a while to get them there. Remember, If you do not take a chemical test, your license will be suspended for a year.

Even when arrested for a DUI, a good lawyer will looks for police mistakes. Some police prepare poor reports and have bad note taking skills or lack the intellectual capacity and don’t take evidence down as it occurs. They don’t prepare their reports for 45 minutes or so and sometimes write down what they “thought” the driver said. Sometimes there is an improper collection of evidence at the scene and they often do not interview the passenger or look in the car for evidence.

DUI’s are controlled by Title 17, which establishes the protocol for how police departments administer a DUI blood or breath test. It shifts the burden back to the DA or DMV and they have to call experts, and they do not want to do so. Title 17 requires 15 continuance minutes of observation. When the officer gets to the station s/he has to secure their weapons.

Meanwhile the defendant is in the car and

All of this begs the question - who are the laziest people on Earth? To measure this, medical journal The Lancet determined that humans need at least 2.5 hours of physical activity a week to remain healthy as nearly 10% of the world’s 60 million deaths annually are due to laziness.

Using this low bar as the benchmark to physical health, 71% of the people of Malta are unfit. Two out of three Brits lead unfit lifestyles whereas ‘only’ 40% of Americans are unfit. The study found that 67% of American men were ‘fit’ whereas only 53% of women reached minimum fitness levels.

The fittest countries were India, Greece and Vietnam at 85%.

No look into laziness is complete without an effort to find the laziest person on Earth.

The nominees are: Alberto Muraglia of San Remo, Italy.

This police officer had an apartment in the building that housed his precinct. Hidden cameras found that he would punch in to start his work day in his underwear and then go back home to bed. Somedays, his wife or daughter would punch in for him.

Ray Brent Marsh of Noble, Georgia owned the Tri-State Crematorium. One day his furnace stopped working and instead of fixing the furnaces, he let the corpses build

then walks into the jail. This often breaks the 15 minute window. A failure to properly collect blood evidence, such as not noting what the blood nurse does after the blood draw, may result in a dismissal; likewise for a missing inversion of the blood vial, so that the blood and anti-coagulant do not mix properly with the preservative of sodium fluoride. If this is not done correctly, then fermentation occurs and shifts the burden back to the DA/DMV. Many officers lack a true understanding of field sobriety tests. They sometimes improperly instruct, demonstrate and record the tests. There are 3 standard tests but, the hand pat, finger count and finger nose are not standardized. They are subjective versus an objective standardized test. Officers often don’t factor in fatigue, the grade or the gravel at the location. So whatever you do, don’t make the case for the DA.

August 30 to September 5, 2018

up in the back yard. His reasoning for doing this as shared with law enforcement was that he was too busy to get the furnace fixed and the backyard was his next best option.

My vote goes to Michael Rotondo of Camillus, New York. Rotondo is the 30 year old who was evicted by his parents from their home. How lazy do you have to be to get evicted from your parent’s house?

Haddon Libby is the hard-working and adequately-rested Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For those who are not too lazy, please visit www.WinslowDrake.com.

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact attorney Dale Gribow: 760 837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW - Representing the Injured and Criminally accused “TOP LAWYER”-Palm Springs Life-(DUI)- 2011-19 “TOP LAWYER”-Inland Empire Magazine Nov. ‘16 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating 10 BEST ATTORNEYS FOR CALIFORNIA “PREEMINENT” Rating - Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory “BEST Attorneys of America”-”Rue” (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys per state) Legal Eagle “Best and Brightest Legal Minds” Palm Springs Life- 6/16

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of August 30

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, our heroine encounters a talking caterpillar as he smokes a hookah on top of a tall mushroom. “Who are you?” he asks her. Alice is honest: “I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.” She says this with uneasiness. In the last few hours, she has twice been shrunken down to a tiny size and twice grown as big as a giant. All these transformations have unnerved her. In contrast to Alice, I’m hoping you’ll have a positive attitude about your upcoming shifts and mutations, Aries. From what I can tell, your journey through the Season of Metamorphosis should be mostly fun and educational.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Juan Villarino has hitchhiked over 2,350 times in 90 countries. His free rides have carried him over 100,000 miles. He has kept detailed records, so he’s able to say with confidence that Iraq is the best place to catch a lift.

Average wait time there is seven minutes. Jordan and Romania are good, too, with nine- and twelveminute waits, respectively. In telling you about his success, I don’t mean to suggest that now is a favorable time to hitchhike. But I do want you to know that the coming weeks will be prime time to solicit favors, garner gifts, and make yourself available for metaphorical equivalents of free rides.

You’re extra magnetic and attractive. How could anyone could resist providing you with the blessings you need and deserve?

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): One of the big stories of 2018 concerns your effort to escape from a starcrossed trick of fate—to fix a long-running tweak that has subtly undermined your lust for life. How successful will you be in this heroic quest? That will hinge in part on your faith in the new power you’ve been developing. Another factor that will determine the outcome is your ability to identify and gain access to a resource that is virtually magical even though it appears nondescript. I bring this to your attention, Gemini, because I suspect that a key plot twist in this story will soon unfold.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Potential new allies are seeking entrance to your domain. Existing allies aspire to be closer to you. I’m worried you may be a bit overwhelmed; that you might not exercise sufficient discrimination. I therefore urge you to ask yourself these questions about each candidate.

1. Does this person understand what it means to respect your boundaries? 2. What are his or her motivations for wanting contact with you? 3. Do you truly value and need the gifts each person has to give you? 4. Everyone in the world has a dark side.

Can you intuit the nature of each person’s dark side?

Is it tolerable? Is it interesting?

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): While a young man, the future Roman leader Julius Caesar was kidnapped

by Sicilian pirates. They proposed a ransom of 620 kilograms of silver. Caesar was incensed at the small size of the ransom—he believed he was worth more—and demanded that his captors raise the sum to 1,550 kilograms. I’d love to see you unleash that kind of bravado in the coming weeks, Leo— preferably without getting yourself kidnapped. In my opinion, it’s crucial that you know how valuable you are, and make sure everyone else knows, as well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Romanian philosopher Emil Cioran loved the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. “Without Bach, God would be a complete second-rate figure,” he testified, adding, “Bach’s music is the only argument proving the creation of the Universe cannot be regarded as a complete failure.” I invite you to emulate Cioran’s passionate clarity, Virgo. From an astrological perspective, now is an excellent time to identify people and things that consistently invigorate your excitement about your destiny. Maybe you have just one shining exemplar, like Cioran, or maybe you have more. Home in on the phenomena that in your mind embody the glory of creation.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I foresee the withering of a hope or the disappearance of a prop or the

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© Copyright 2018 Rob Brezsny

loss of leverage. This ending may initially make you feel melancholy, but I bet it will ultimately prove beneficent—and maybe lead you to resources that were previously unavailable. Here are rituals you could perform that may help you catalyze the specific kind of relief and release you need: 1. Wander around a graveyard and sing songs you love. 2. Tie one end of a string around your ankle and the other end around an object that symbolizes an influence you want to banish from your life. Then cut the string and bury the object. 3. Say this ten times: “The end makes the beginning possible.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “If a man treats a life artistically, his brain is his heart,” wrote Oscar Wilde.

I’ll translate that into a more complete version: “If a person of any gender treats life artistically, their brain is their heart.” This truth will be especially applicable for you in the coming weeks. You’ll be wise to treat your life artistically. You’ll thrive by using your heart as your brain. So I advise you to wield your intelligence with love. Understand that your most incisive insights will come when you’re feeling empathy and seeking intimacy. As you crystallize clear visions about the future, make sure they are generously suffused with ideas about how you and your people can enhance your joie de vivre.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “My tastes are simple,” testified Sagittarian politician Winston Churchill. “I am easily satisfied with the best.” I propose that we make that your motto for now.

While it may not be a sound idea to demand only the finest of everything all the time, I think it will be wise for you to do so during the next three weeks.

You will have a mandate to resist trifles and insist on excellence. Luckily, this should motivate you to raise your own standards and expect the very best from yourself.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Russian playwright Anton Chekhov articulated a principle he felt was essential to telling a good story: If you say early in your tale that there’s a rifle hanging on the wall, that rifle must eventually be used. “If it’s not going to be fired, it shouldn’t be hanging there,” declared Chekhov. We might wish that real life unfolded with such clear dramatic purpose. To have our future so well-foreshadowed would make it easier to plan our actions. But that’s not often the case. Many elements pop up in our personal stories that ultimately serve no purpose. Except now, that is, for you Capricorns. I suspect that in the next six weeks, plot twists will be telegraphed in advance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Would it be fun to roast marshmallows on long sticks over scorching volcanic vents? I suppose. Would it be safe? No! Aside from the possibility that you could get burned, the sulfuric acid in the vapors would make the cooked marshmallows taste terrible, and might cause them to explode. So I advise you to refrain from adventures like that. On the other hand, I will love it if you cultivate a playful spirit as you contemplate serious decisions. I’m in favor of you keeping a blithe attitude as you navigate your way through tricky maneuvers. I hope you’ll be jaunty in the midst of rumbling commotions.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): People will be thinking about you more than usual, and with greater intensity. Allies and acquaintances will be revising their opinions and understandings about you, mostly in favorable ways, although not always.

Loved ones and not-so-loved ones will also be reworking their images of you, coming to altered conclusions about what you mean to them and what your purpose is. Given these developments, I suggest that you be proactive about expressing your best intentions and displaying your finest attributes.

Homework: What pose would it be a relief for you to drop? How are you faking, and what could you do to stop? Freewillastrology.com.

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

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

BREAKING MY GOLDEN RULE

I

hung up the phone, breathed a sigh of relief and took stock of my emotions.

The call I just completed carried me right out of my comfort zone. The action I took was uncharacteristic and yet I felt no remorse, or more importantly, no guilt.

Like many individuals, women in particular, I fall into the tribe of people pleasers. Recently a committee placed me in a volunteer position without my consent. My downfall was, after much deliberation (which should have been a red flag, as a coach I’m trained to know better) I said yes. So what’s the problem? I guess you can call it integrity, once I give my word, it’s golden. I never go back on it. Indeed an honorable characteristic, but there have been several instances when sticking to my guns caused significant stress, as was the case with this volunteer position.

What do you do when you’ve made the wrong decision and your self-imposed moral code stands firm against turning back? My answer was to first phone a friend. I called upon someone with excellent judgment who reviewed the situation objectively, with no agenda. After presenting the facts, my friend provided wise and rational feedback. She advised me to have someone else to take over.

Hmmm…my brain translated quit. Ouch, that meant going against my golden rule. I thanked

her and decided to sleep on it.

One of the lessons I’ve learned over the years is not to act irrationally. Postpone a decision if possible. Research suggests getting a good night’s sleep is beneficial for multiple reasons. During rest, the brain is cleared of toxins then actively seeks other situations which might be helpful in resolving the problem. This rang true for me.

The next morning I reviewed a past situation when I stubbornly refused to reverse a “Yes, I’ll do it,” even though I had ample time to do so. As I recalled sucking it up and honoring that commitment for an entire miserable year, I made my decision. Taking the high moral ground is indeed an admirable trait, but in reality this wasn’t a level playing field.

I did not volunteer, I was railroaded into this position.

Sometimes no is the right answer. If you’ve made the wrong decision and it will harm no one to reverse it, do so. Living with yes, and secretly resenting it, is unproductive and unhealthy. There is always a lesson to be learned. Mine was realizing I should have ignored the peer pressure and gracefully said no when asked.

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

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CANNABIS CORNER

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BY RUTH HILL R.N.

CANNABIS THERAPEUTICS IN PALLIATIVE CARE

T

he Desert Area Chapter of Oncology Nursing Society (DACONS) is inviting all doctors and nurses in the area to a lecture on Cannabis Therapeutics in Palliative Care in Oncology on November 20, 2018 at Venus de Fido. Yours truly will be giving the lecture and Dr. Delmar Aikens will also be speaking.

DACONS as an affiliate of the national Oncology Nursing Society, was formed twenty-five years ago to give nurses in the area access to education on the various trends, uses, side effects and patient teaching information for oncology pharmaceuticals.

The Chapter is a 501-C which raises monies to donate to charitable organizations in the community that help cancer patients.

Monthly programs are planned with lectures on new therapies for cancer treatment and autoimmune diseases. This year two $1000.00 scholarships will be given to some lucky nursing students.

I have over 50 years of nursing experience from a multitude of settings including hospice, palliative care and executive management in the home health industry.

The last seventeen years were spent in hospice and palliative care more recently in Coachella Valley, CA. My experience as an entrepreneur owning a six-bed residential facility for the elderly, as a consultant for home health agencies, as an educator and writer on palliative care, provide an effective segue into teaching cannabis for symptom management. I am a member of the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association, Oncology Nursing Society American Cannabis Nurses Association and Holistic Caring.

Dr. Delmar Aikens is familiar to anyone who walks into Greensight Medical in Palm Springs. He is a general surgery specialist in Palm Springs, CA and has been practicing for 35 years. He graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 1973, did his internship at Kettering Memorial Hospital, his residency at Loma Linda University and his fellowship at Ohio State University. Dr. Aikens has spent the last seven years recommending and educating patients on medical cannabis for symptom management.

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The lecture will focus on how the science cannabis whose chemistry was only recently discovered in the sixties and nineties. Cannabis is the genus of a flowering plant in the family Cannabaceae.

Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, a scientist from Israel, created the scientific bridge between Cannabaceae and medicine. He is co-credited in 1964 with the discovery of the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) molecule, the most famous, which gives the stigma to marijuana. In 1996 he made the revolutionary discovery that humans have cannabinoid receptors and an endocannabinoid system. While historical medical books documented medical cannabis in the 1880’s, prohibition in the last 70 years has kept medical professionals from learning about the 45,000 published scientific studies since Dr. Mechoulam’s discovery.

Current statistics show there are 917,000 legal cannabis users in California in 2018 (a 20% increase over 2015). The use and legalization are rapidly expanding. Hopefully medical professionals and patients will feel more comfortable talking to each other about the use of medical cannabis after listening to this lecture.

The decision by the FDA in 2018 to approve GW Pharmaceuticals Epidiolex (CBD) puts the FDA in a peculiar position of granting approval for a Schedule I drug.

Epidiolex is the first US cannabinoid oral solution of pure plant-derived cannabidiol, or CBD. Medical professionals and patients should collaborate in devising care plans that integrate alternative and conventional therapies without fear of condemnation.

Come join us for an entertaining evening at Venus de Fido, Ruth’s Chris Steak House is catering a meat carving station, a thanksgiving meal will be presented, and exciting prizes will be given to lucky winners. Network with Dr. Aikens, myself, pharmaceutical vendors and other professionals learning about the miracle of medical cannabis. RSVP at www. venusdefido.com/dacons Ruth A Hill RN, President DACONS is a cannabis navigator, can be contacted at hilruth@gmail.com

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August 30 to September 5, 2018

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