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2015 02 03 DHS City Council_newly hired policemen Jason Ni, Cory Carranza and Jaon Nielsen are introduced to the council and community
February 25, 2015 Vol. 8 No. 15
James W. Skotchdopole, from left, Sean Penn, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and John Lesher pose in the press room with the awards for best picture and best director for “Birdman” at the Oscars
Afterthoughts On The Oscars These writers seemed to forget that last year “12 Years a Slave” was the big winner as Best Picture of the year and the very lovely Lupita Nuong’o was also a big winner, taking home the Oscar for her performance in the film. And speaking of Lupita, she was a demure vision this year in her pearl laden gown. Gweneth Paltrow was also a knockout in her elegant pink dress with a large pink shoulder rose. Equally stunning was Scarlet Johansen in green with a matching green necklace that bought the entire ensemble to life. And Best Actress winner Julianne Moore, star of “Still Alice,” was beautiful in her bejeweled white gown. Seeing the stars in all their finery was all part of the event which began as the stars strolled down the red carpet. Eight films were nominated: “Boyhood,” Birdman” (the big winner of the evening), “American Sniper” (the box office winner, earning well over $300 million, more than all the other films combined),”The Grand Budapest Hotel” (which won for best costumes and scenic design), “The Imitation Game” (winner for Best Adapted Screenplay),”Selma” (about Martin Luther King),”The Theory of Everything” and “Whiplash.” Neil Patrick Harris started the evening off with a bang in a lavish musical production number about the movies, but Continues on Page 7
“Birdman” was a big winner at The 87th Academy Awards Ceremony on Sunday By Theda Kleinhans Reichman The 87th Academy Awards Ceremony, which aired this past Sunday, Feb.22, is now history. This year’s ceremony had star power as well as controversy, much of it stirred up by some reporters and critics who were shocked by the fact that no black actors were nominated. “Where are the black actors?” they cried.
By Angela Monroe RANCHO MIRAGE -- A former valley mayor was found dead in his Palm Springs home on Saturday by apparent suicide. Scott Hines was just 45-years-old, and leaves behind children and a husband. He’s also leaving a lot of valley leaders who are now mourning his death, and remembering his contributions to the community. Palm Springs Police said they responded to a home on East El Escudero Saturday night where the investigation indicated the man-committed suicide. The coroner’s office identified the man at that house as Scott Hines on Sunday.
Remembering Mayor Scott Hines Scott Hines will be deeply missed by many across the Coachella Valley. His biological mother tells KMIR he died as a result of his depression. Other news reports say he may have recently been diagnosed with liver cancer. Scott Hines spent much of his life in service first as a major in the United States Air Force, and later as a mayor and councilman. Congressman Raul Ruiz tells me they were friends for years. “My heart broke, and Scott was a friend of mine and my heart goes out to his family, his husband and his children,” said Congressman Ruiz.
He is survived by his four children ages 9 to 19, as well as his husband, his parents, his sister and his biological mother. Hines served on the Rancho Mirage City Council from 2010 to 2014. “I remember he made a speech about bullying schools at a council meeting where he brought everybody to tears, so every issue that he dealt with, it always came from his heart,” said Rancho Mirage city manager, Randy Bynder. Years ago, we interviewed Scott Hines as he spent a week living homeless to raise Continues on Page 6