Desert Star Weekly 'Friday' June 2, 2023 issue

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Mike Epps at Morongo

By Desert Star Staff

A multitalented comedian, actor, film producer, writer, and NAACP Image Award winner, Epps is known for his razor-sharp wit and unapologetically bold humor.

Morongo Casino Resort

& Spa – Raucously funny, frequently inappropriate, and amazingly multi-talented, Mike Epps brings his noholds-barred comedic talents to the Morongo Grand Ballroom on Friday, June 16.

Epps, an HBO Def

Comedy Jam alum and current star of the Upshaws sitcom on Netflix, is set for a fourth season. Epps’s prolific career ranges from Netflix comedy specials to roles in hit films such as Resident Evil: Apocalypse, Death Wish,

The Hangover trilogy, and the Rudy Ray Moore biopic Dolemite Is My Name.

“Brash and brilliant, Mike Epps masterfully weaves reallife experiences with physical comedy to deliver hilarious, daring, and undeniably brilliant

performances,” said Simon Farmer, Executive Director of Marketing at Morongo.

“Even after transitioning to feature films and TV, Mike Epps remains a giant in

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Desert Hot Springs Housing Market Compared To CV

By Desert Star Staff

Although home sales have decreased in the Coachella Valley, the ratio of available homes to buyers is still low. This means sellers still have the upper hand in the market, leading to multiple offers and homes selling for more than the asking price. Additionally, the market is experiencing a typical spring rebound. In April 2023, the median price for a home in Desert Hot Springs was $385K, showing a decrease of 6.7% from the previous year. On average, homes in Desert Hot Springs sold after 34 days on the market compared to 38 days the last year. As a result, the number of homes sold in April 2023 was 34, lower than the 77 sold in the same month of the previous year.

Home sales prices may

have decreased from their peak in the previous year, but they are still significantly higher than the lows of 2021. According to projections from Zillow, home prices will continue to rise in the spring and peak in the summer. However, it is essential to note that they are expected to slow down in 2023 due to increased mortgage rates.

As a result, the number of homes available for sale has decreased, causing an increase in selling prices. In addition, according to recent data, the average duration for a home to stay on the market fell to 66 days in March 2023, compared to 77 days in February.

If you want to buy a new home, now is a great time to negotiate a good deal. The

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Advocates Call on FDA to Follow Law on Wireless Radiation

minimize those exposures as much as possible.”

Wood wants the FDA to measure and analyze the public’s exposure, especially kids in modern classrooms with wireless technology. Then the agency could develop and publicize best practices for minimizing exposure.

The FDA has said it relies on the industry RF radiation exposure standard developed in the 1980s and adopted in 1996 by the Federal Communications Commission. Therefore, the FDA considers safe any device coming in under the limit.

is dangerous. And they’ve got a law from Congress saying you must protect public health by minimizing that exposure as much as possible.”

Ellie Marks, director of the nonprofit California Brain Tumor Association, said her husband Alan is fighting brain cancer which developed right where he held his cell phone for many years.

By Desert Star Staff

In 1968, Congress passed a law requiring the Food and Drug Administration to minimize people’s exposure to wireless radiation. Still, according to a new petition filed by a coalition of consumer advocates, the agency dropped the ball.

The group wants the FDA to evaluate the public’s exposure to radio-frequency radiation emitted by cellphones, laptops, tablets, routers, game consoles, and smart meters.

Doug Wood, founder and national director of Americans for Responsible Technology,

spearheaded the petition.

“All those things that depend on and emit RF radiation fall under the purview of FDA,” Wood explained. “It’s the only agency right now that has both the authority and the responsibility to protect the public health by trying to

Wood argued the standard is outdated, considering multiple studies -- including a huge one in 2018 from the National Toxicology Program -- found RF radiation from cellphones led to cancer in rats.

“So they’re caught between a rock and a hard place,” Wood contended. “On the one hand, they’ve got a trillion-dollar worldwide industry, depending on them not to say this stuff

“Had the FDA done their jobs and properly advised consumers, my husband and family would not have suffered as we have,” Marks asserted. “And I know many young people who are now deceased from cancers related to their cellphone use.”

The FDA has 180 days to evaluate the petition. If it is rejected, advocates would have the option to file suit.

Disclosure: Grassroots Environmental Education contributes to our fund for reporting on Children’s Issues, Environment, and Toxics.

Popular Sinaloan Band Los Nuevos Rebeldes to Perform at Morongo

By Desert Star Staff MORONGO CASINO

RESORT & SPA – The widely popular banda Los Nuevos Rebeldes (translated as “The New Rebels”) will perform their signature sound that blends corridos, rancheras, and cumbias at the Morongo Grand Ballroom on Saturday, June 17. Formed in Sinaloa, Mexico, in the early 1990s by

lead vocalist and songwriter

Ruben Rivera, the group has since built an expansive following that includes millions of social media views and music downloads across various platforms.

The band has released numerous successful albums over the last two decades, including “Recordando a un Amigo” (2003) and, more recently, “Soy Alegre” (2018)

and “En Vivo” (2021). Their most popular songs include “Juan Ignacio” (2013), “Luto En El Cielo” (2012), “Soldado Imperial” (2014), and “Tipo Tren” (2013), among many others.

The group has also remained prolific over the last two decades, releasing 19 albums since 2003 at an average of more than one album per

year since their debut.

“We are excited to welcome Los Nuevos Rebeldes to Morongo for an exciting and memorable performance,” said Simon Farmer, Morongo’s Executive Director of Marketing. “The group’s music epitomizes the style and storytelling of Sinaloa bandas but with a unique twist that makes it especially enjoyable.”

The band has collaborated with well-known artists, including Los Tigres Del Norte and Banda El Recodo. In addition, they continue to tour across the US and Mexico for their extensive fanbase.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, starting at $49, $69, and $79. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the show begins at 8:00 p.m.

Desert Hot Springs Housing Market Compared To CV

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City has finalized zoning laws that comply with State Law AB 1069 and SB 2299, which means Accessory Dwelling Units (Granny Flats) can now be built on most single-family homes. To learn more about finding the perfect property in the Palm Springs area that fits your budget and lifestyle, contact your local Realtor®.

Homes in the Coachella Valley took an average of 48 days to sell in March, just one day longer than the previous month. Although this figure is 25 days longer than last year’s period, it is still lower than pre-pandemic levels, owing to the region’s high demand and low mortgage rates. However, experts predict that interest rates will rise in the coming months, which means potential buyers should act quickly to purchase a new home.

If you want to sell your property in the fast-paced market, a top agent can help

you maximize your profit. Contact us to learn about the latest local real estate market trends and find a customized mortgage solution that works for you. Choosing the right mortgage is critical to securing your dream home and avoiding disappointment.

Although home sales have slowed, prices remain stable because buyers seek homes that fit their lifestyles. For instance, at the Vintage Club in Palm Springs, a property with a 1950s-style diner, theater, and wine cellar is priced at over $800,000. While prices are rising, sellers must recognize that buying a home instead of renting has many benefits. Local economies benefit from home purchases through salaries, sales commissions, construction, landscaping, repairs, renovations, and pool services.

A noticeable drop in newly listed homes each month could be attributed to homeowners wary of dealing

with higher interest rates. Additionally, it’s becoming more common for homes to sell above their original asking price. These challenges could be daunting for homebuyers, so it’s essential to enlist the help of experienced real estate agents who can navigate the market’s complexities.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the real estate market continues to experience exceptionally high prices and a shortage of available homes. Experts suggest that this trend is familiar and has been happening in Southern California for quite some time. The pandemic, however, has only made the situation more pressing. The rise in affluent buyers and mobile professionals seeking second homes has increased demand, causing prices to surge and bidding wars to ensue. Nevertheless, these elevated prices and limited inventory make it difficult for some homebuyers to find a property that fits their needs.

Home sales in March across the Coachella Valley were lower than last year’s period. However, the declining percentage was relatively less in La Quinta and Indio. The months of supply ratio slightly increased in March from February, but it

remains below the historical average. Moreover, there was an increase in the percentage of homes selling above the listed price, which indicates positive news for home sellers and buyers in the region.

Mike Epps at Morongo

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stand-up comedy.”

Over the last 25 years, Epps has consistently entertained sold-out venues and arenas nationwide with his standup comedy. His first HBO Comedy Special, 2006’s Inappropriate Behavior, ranked as one of the network’s highest-rated specials of the year. His success continued with five more comedy specials, including

2019’s Netflix special, Mike Epps: Only One Mike. His outstanding performance in the romantic comedy-drama film Jumping the Broom earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor. Tickets for this must-see performance are available for $59, $79, and $89 via Ticketmaster. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the show starts at 8:00 p.m. For information, visit morongocasinoresort.com.

Ending The Sale of Illegal Weapons

weapons from Walmart and send a notice to those consumers notifying them that the item may be illegal and that they may contact their local law enforcement agency for information on how to surrender the thing properly; and

By Desert Star Staff

Walmart settled a case over allegations of illegally selling brass knuckles to California consumers. They agreed to pay $500,000 and take measures to prevent illegal weapons sales on their website. California DOJ and district attorneys of Merced, Ventura, and Yolo Counties conducted the investigation.

“Illegal weapons have no place in California. The settlement we have reached with Walmart makes crystal clear that online retailers are responsible for what they allow to be offered for sale in our state,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “I’d like to thank the legal team from our Consumer Protection Section and Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, and Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko for their partnership.”

District Attorneys from Merced, Ventura, and Yolo Counties are concerned about selling illegal brass knuckles online. They urge online retailers to prioritize safety over profits. Walmart has taken action following an investigation, and the DAs are confident that future sales will be prevented. Retailers need to review their practices and ensure compliance with California law. Walmart’s efforts to address the issue have been proactive, and the DAs are optimistic about their impact.

Walmart’s website, Walmart.com, allows retailers to sell products directly to consumers and serves as an e-commerce platform for third-party sellers. The Attorney General’s complaint alleges that approximately 250 products that may be classified as brass knuckles were sold through Walmart’s website. The complaint further alleges that about 60% of those brass knuckles were sold directly by Walmart

and the remaining 40% by third-party sellers.

Under the settlement, Walmart will:

• Pay $125,000 to DOJ as well as each of the three district attorneys’ Offices — for a total of $500,000 — in civil penalties and costs;

• Be prohibited from selling brass knuckles on its website;

• Be required to prohibit third-party sellers from offering or exposing for sale or selling illegal weapons on its platform;

• Be required to implement and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent sales of illicit armaments by third-party sellers;

• Be required to provide a mechanism on each product page to allow customers to report the offering or exposing for sale or sale of unlawful weapons to California;

• Be required to take reasonable steps to identify California consumers who have purchased illicit

• Provide compliance reports for five years, semiannually for the first year, and annually thereafter. Under California law, brass knuckles are classified as a deadly weapon. Therefore, offering or exposing brass knuckles for sale violates Penal Code section 21810 and is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year. In addition, the offering or exposing for sale of metal knuckles and other dangerous weapons in violation of applicable Penal Code sections violates the unlawful prong of the Unfair Competition Law, Business and Professions Code sections 17200.

A copy of the complaint and proposed judgment, which details the settlement above terms and remains subject to court approval, can be found here and here.

Entrepreneurship Program Boosts Women-Owned Companies

The ICA Fund offers a 12-week program called “The Accelerator at ICA,” which focuses on strategy for growth, personnel, capital, and investment readiness.

Youngwon Lee, founder, and CEO of Dokkaebier, an Asian-inspired craft brewery in Oakland, started the business in 2020 and now employs 20 people.

“It is tough for us to get opportunities or advice or help as a minority-owned startup,” Lee acknowledged. “It’s a great opportunity. They connect us with advisers, give us real-life practical advice, and then walk you through the system to be more ready to grow and take investment.”

117 Bay Area businesses, investing $2.4 million in 18 companies. The ICA Fund’s business accelerator accepts applications four times a year; the next one is open now.

Allison Kelly, CEO of the ICA Fund, said participants join a cohort of peers and receive one-on-one mentoring with a series of high-caliber advisers.

“For entrepreneurs of color and women entrepreneurs especially, having a trusted network and a peer group helps build confidence, which is a big driver in business success,” Kelly explained.

By Desert

Once participants complete the program, they are eligible for seed money.

Last year the ICA Fund served

The program is funded by philanthropy and by the federal government. It is one of 10 nonprofit venture capital Certified Development Financial Institutions in the U.S. and the only one in California.

Calls Grow to Require Insurance to Cover Kids’ Hearing Aids

By Desert Star

Staff

Groups fighting for children’s health ask Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers to require insurance companies to cover hearing aids and related services for kids.

Advocates want to see language in the budget trailer bill which would mandate the coverage.

Michelle Marciniak, cochair and co-founder of the nonprofit Let California Kids Hear and the mother of a child with hearing loss, noted that hearing aids could cost about $6,000 a pair and must be replaced every 3 or 4 years.

“Parents are making difficult financial decisions,” Marciniak pointed out. “They’re hosting fundraisers, GoFundMe pages, and putting it on their credit cards. And some are forgoing them altogether. And it doesn’t need to be this way.”

Opponents of a mandate argue it would raise costs for insurance companies, who

will pass it on to consumers.

In 2019, a bill to mandate hearing aid coverage for children - Assembly Bill 598 - passed both chambers in the state Legislaturebut was shelved in favor of the current state-run program called Hearing Aid Coverage for Children. That program costs more than 16 million dollars annually but currently serves only 200 out of about 8-thousand eligible children. Moreover, experts say it’s a flop because so few audiologists participate in the program - and that is blamed on low reimbursement rates for providers, administrative red tape, and overburdened clinics.

In 2019, a bill to mandate hearing aid coverage for children, Assembly Bill 598, passed both chambers in the state Legislature but was shelved in favor of the current state-run program called Hearing Aid Coverage for Children. The program costs more than 16 million

dollars annually but currently serves only 200 out of 8,000 eligible children. Experts said it had been a flop because so few audiologists participate in the program, which is blamed on low reimbursement rates for providers, administrative red tape, and overburdened clinics.

Marciniak acknowledged that California does a great

job at screening children for hearing loss but does a terrible job at making intervention affordable.

“Now, over 30 states have recognized that this is a developmental emergency for children, and they have acted on it by requiring health plans to cover pediatric hearing aids,” Marciniak emphasized. “

And we believe this is the

best, most efficient delivery system connected to a child’s medical home.”

Just one in 10 children have hearing aids covered by a private insurance plan in California. Experts estimate that 1,000 deaf or hard-of-hearing kids are born in the state each year. Lawmakers and the governor have until June 15 to finalize the budget.

Californians Celebrate National Trails Day by Volunteering

By Desert Star Staff

This Saturday, June 3, thousands of Californians will be among hundreds of thousands of Americans heading into the great outdoors to celebrate National Trails Day.

Thousands of events are planned nationwide, from hikes to cleanup events.

Alanna Smith, parks program associate for the nonprofit Save the Redwoods League, noted that most trails

cross the unceded ancestral homelands of native nations, adding that the holiday is an excellent time to give back.

“Thinking about how these trails are created and how we can help maintain them, that’s a big part of National Trails Day,” Smith explained. “Anyway that we can give back is a great way to celebrate National Trails Day, too.”

This year is unique because it’s the 30th

anniversary of the first National Trails Day. The original was held on June 5, 1993, sponsored by the American Hiking Society. You can enter your ZIP code on their website, AmericanHiking. or to find an event or service project near you.

Smith added that getting out on the trails has many benefits, both to physical and mental health.

“You also don’t have to be out doing some strenuous

activity,” Smith pointed out. “You don’t have to be trail running or mountain biking to reap those benefits. You know, just the act of being on the trail. It helps to promote calm; it lessens stress; it helps us to regulate negative emotions.”

Organizers also encouraged people to consider other ways to use the trails this weekend, from biking or birdwatching to geocaching and nature photography.

The national system of recreation, scenic and historic trails was created in October 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Trails System Act into law.

Disclosure: The Save the Redwoods League contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species & Wildlife, Environment, and Public Lands/Wilderness

Star Staff Traditional business lending is tight these days

following a series of recent bank collapses, but one program is helping small

businesses grow, focusing primarily on women or people of color.