DEDICATION
William (Bill) J. Brehm Sr. His passion for fishing took him from California to Canada to Alaska!
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he staff of Canada South Magazine is dedicating this issue to our long-time owner, visionary and friend, William (Bill) J. Brehm Sr., who passed away on October 4. His passing comes just as we are completing the final pages to this magazine. It just seems appropriate that this publication is our most successful Canada South magazine published to date. I wish he were here to read it. He was so proud of this magazine. I thought about running his obituary in this space to tell you all about his history in newspapers and how it all began, but instead I’m going to let you know who he was as a person. What did he do on his off time while running a newspaper company? Bill Sr., as he was known by his friends, loved fishing, golfing, gardening and his family. His passion for fishing took him from California to Canada and remote places in Alaska. He would take family, friends and employees on these trips, always in search of the biggest fish. He often fished the Campbell River, stayed at Painters Lodge and Dolphins Resort on Vancouver Island, Canada. Bill loved to work with youth, coaching numerous years of Little League and youth basketball. Bill, along with his wonderful wife, Mona, became major donors to help build and dedicate a family park that included soccer fields, baseball fields, a special needs ballpark and other facilities. Brehm Park Family Recreation Center was generously gifted to the Town of Yucca Valley earlier this year. Most recently, Bill Sr. achieved a lifetime goal of developing and owning a golf course, Hawks Landing in Yucca Valley, which opened in March 2015. Bill Sr.’s love for family, community and newspapers will always be an inspiration to us! We miss you, boss! The History of Canada South Magazine: The first edition of Canada South Magazine was published in December of 2012 and we put out two editions that year – timed to come out in peak winter season. Since then,
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we’ve expanded to meet demand to three times a year, publishing in October, December and February. Local Newspapers: Bill owned most of the weekly newspapers in the Coachella Valley until the mid 1990s, when he sold them to Gannett. In 2003 he launched the Desert Entertainer and in 2004 purchased the Desert Mobile Home News. These publications joined the Hi-Desert Star, Big Bear Grizzly and Mountain News in Lake Arrowhead. Overall, his company owns over 50 publications in seven states. To read more about William (Bill) J. Brehm Sr. visit: www.brehmcommunications.com/ brehm_news
Deb Geissler, Publisher
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WHAT’S NEW THIS FALL: DINING, SHOPPING AND HOTELS
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A DIFFERENT WORLD MINUTES AWAY
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DESTINATION DINING
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VICKI KNIGHT: FROM WINNIPEG TO THE DESERT WITH A SONG IN HER HEART
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CANADA EVENTS CALENDAR
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ART UNDER THE UMBRELLAS: IT’S FUN, FABULOUS AND FREE
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PRESERVING THE PAST FOR THE PRESENT COACHELLA VALLEY HISTORY MUSEUM
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A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
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YOUR U.S. TAXPAYER ID MAY NO LONGER BE VALID IN 2016
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FILM FESTIVAL: CANADA’S GIFT TO THE DESERT CULTURE
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BRIGHT NIGHTS CHRISTMAS TRAIN: A HIGHLIGHT OF VANCOUVER HOLIDAY
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YIANNI PSALIOS: FROM THE ISLAND OF CYPRUS TO CANADA
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CALENDAR BRIEFS
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ATTRACTIONS WE LOVE
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CHEER FOR YOUR HOME TEAM
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ARE WHITE FILLINGS BETTER THAN SILVER FILLINGS?
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PROPS & HOPS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL
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4: WHAT’S NEW THIS FALL: DINING, SHOPPING AND HOTELS
8: A DIFFERENT WORLD MINUTES AWAY
12: DESTINATION DINING
17: VICKI KNIGHT FROM WINNIPEG TO THE DESERT
26: A NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
38: BRIGHT NIGHTS CHRISTMAS TRAIN: A HIGHLIGHT OF VANCOUVER HOLIDAY VISIT
The Palm Springs Hotel guest room
WHAT’S NEW THIS FALL desert dining, shopping and hotels By Alison Elsner
first foray into the United States. The restaurant serves traditional Greek dishes, from small plates, called Mezethes, to larger entrees like lamb and prawn. See related story on page 42. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 5 to 10 p.m. Lunch is not served on Saturday and Sunday. 73675 Highway 111, Palm Desert (760) 834-8221 www.koutoukigreek.com
Skin Care & Co., which offers skin treatments inspired by onsen, or Japanese hot spring baths, and said to have restorative properties. (www.thegardensonelpaseo.com/ directory/skin_care_and_co)
PALM DESERT
Several new retail stores will be opening this fall at the Gardens on El Paseo, including:
Koutouki Greek Estiatori is the 27th restaurant from owner Yiannis Psalios, who has owned and operated 26 Greek restaurants in Western Canada over the span of a 40-year restaurant career. The first-generation Greek has involved his wife, daughter, and son-inlaw, Chris St. Denis, in the operation, their
MicaBeauty Cosmetics, featuring MicaBeauty’s Mineral Makeup, which consists of all-natural powders made of 100 percent pure MICA Minerals. Products are free of preservatives and loaded with antioxidants. (www.thegardensonelpaseo.com/directory/ mica_beauty_cosmetics)
Gail Jewelers, relocating to level one of the Gardens, next to Sak’s Fifth Avenue. (www.thegardensonelpaseo.com/directory/ gail_jewelers)
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ith any new season comes a sense of renewal, and what better way to renew than to engage in some dining, hotel or retail therapy? This fall, returning snowbirds and luxury lifestyle afficianados from all locales will find just what the doctor ordered in the Coachella Valley. Here’s an overview of what’s new:
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Rajeunir Black Caviar, with a collection of face and body products that contain nourishing ingredients contained in black caviar. Designed to strengthen and hydrate the skin, its name “rajeunir” translates to rejuvenate in French. (www.rajeunirblackcaviar.com/eye-firming)
The Gardens on El Paseo El Paseo, Palm Desert (760) 862-1990 www.thegardensonelpaseo.com
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The Avalon Hotel
PALM SPRINGS Most of the new Palm Springs establishments are oriented toward food and lodging, with a spate of hotels either already open or under construction and planning to open in the next year or two. Between all of the new restaurants and boutique hotels now on the scene, a couple of staycations are definitely in order. Mr. Lyon’s Steakhouse is the renovated version of Lyons English Grille, in the south end of Palm Springs. Operated by Foundation 10 (F 10 Creative) along with chef, restaurateur and hotelier, Tara Lazar, of Cheeky’s, Birba and Alcazar, the space is well-known as the traditional restaurant that was family owned and operated for over 70 years by David Lyons. The updated menu is steak-oriented with personalized, tableside service and classic cocktails, evoking old Hollywood glamour. 233 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 327-1551, www.mrlyonsps.com EIGHT4NINE Restaurant & Lounge is a casual, upscale minimalist addition to the Uptown Design District, located on the site of the original Palm Springs Post Office. The
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white interior combines farmhouse tables with Louis XIV ghost chairs and stools, hot pink accents and jewel-toned fabrics and art. Proprietors Willie Rhine and John Paschal have brought aboard the talents of Chef Chuck Courtney to feature “Happy Days,” an all-day, everyday menu with plates including calamari and the signature 849 Burger. Lunch and dinner served daily from 11 a.m. and weekend brunch from 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 849 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 325-8490, www.eight4nine.com dish Creative Cuisine, also in the Uptown Design District, was previously located in Cathedral City. In making the move, the chefs, Joane Garcia-Colson and Michelle Heinrich, sought to emphasize their contemporary/modern American cuisine with local and organic products. In addition to the main dining room, there is a private chef’s room with a private back entrance and is adjacent to the kitchen featuring a wall of glass allowing guests to watch the chefs in action. The bar area serves classic and craft cocktails. Dinner served Tuesday – Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. During season, Sunday brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
1107 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 322-7171 www.dishcreativecuisine.com The Avalon Hotel is the former Viceroy Hotel and has collaborated with Kelly Wearstler Interior Design, who is also responsible for the decor of the Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills. The boutique hotel on four acres offers 67 guestrooms, including 13 historic one and two-bedroom villas, three pools, a restaurant, event venue and spa. The Estrella Spa has been reinvigorated through a partnership with American Medicinal Arts, a collective dedicated to holistic and innovative healing, to offer cuttingedge health and wellness programming. The Hotel’s restaurant is now known as Chi Chi and features staples of Central and South America and ingredients from local farms. Serves lunch and dinner. 415 S. Belardo Road, Palm Springs (760) 318-3005 www.avalonpalmsprings.com L’Horizon Resort and Spa reopened just before summer, with major redevelopment by designer Steve Hermann as a luxury resort with 25 guest rooms on three acres.
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Story continues from page 5 Designed by Iconic architect William F. Cody in 1952, the low slung bungalow hotel is now considered to be one of Cody’s finest pieces of work and most significant examples of mid-century architecture on the West Coast. The property now includes SOPA Restaurant and cocktail lounge and is accented with fire pits, fountains, Lindsey Adelman chandeliers and is home to Michelin Starred Chef Giacomo Pettinari. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. 1050 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 323-1858 The Palm Springs Hotel replaced the Palm Grove, in uptown Palm Springs, bringing “a new twist to desert modernist architecture” with 21st-century amenities like Apple TVs in every room and tailor-made art and furnishings by ModShop by Room Service. The 15 guest rooms are each named after icons like Sinatra and Newman, and there’s even a cocktail lounge on property. One of the best parts of this hip hotel experience is that they don’t charge a resort fee.
Mr. Lyon’s Steakhouse
2135 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 459-1255 www.thepalmspringshotel.com Triada Palm Springs is a Spanish hacienda featuring 56 unique guest rooms in the Movie Colony of downtown Palm Springs. Once owned by Alan Ladd, the old Spanish Inn on Indian Canyon opposite Alcazar has now become part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, the first Marriott Signature brand property in the Coachella Valley..
body and soul, as triada means “three interrelated parts” in Spanish. Their on-property restaurant, Iluminara, offers California cuisine with “Farm to Table” fresh ingredients. 640 N. Indian Canyon Dr., Palm Springs (760) 844-7000 www.triadapalmsprings.com Several new hotels are currently breaking ground or under construction in both Palm Springs and Palm Desert, so we will update you on those next issue.
The three distinct wings of the hotel, each with its own artistic palatte, represent mind,
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A different world minutes away
Milky Way behind Joshua Tree photo by NPS Lian Law
By Jeanette Knight
J
oshua Tree (estimated population: 9,000) refers to an unincorporated community that encompasses 37 square miles. It is located in California’s Mojave Desert, just 35 miles from Palm Springs. Joshua Tree is probably best known as the gateway community to the West Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park, an 800,000 acre wilderness preserve where two deserts meet: the “high” desert of the Mojave and and the “low” desert of the Colorado (part of the Sonoran desert,) which occupies the eastern half of the park. The average altitude of Joshua Tree is 2,700 - 3,000 feet, so the weather is normally ten degrees cooler than the Coachella Valley. While the park is a popular destination for rock climbing enthusiasts, the area offers plenty for those who might be somewhat less adventurous. Camping, hiking, nature walks, photography, stargazing and wildflower viewing are just a few of the suggested activities within the park.
Even if you only have a few hours, it’s worth the $20 admission per vehicle to drive the two to three hour-long loop from the west entrance, exiting at Twentynine Palms. The gigantic multi-colored boulders create a cinematic effect as you watch the background of a cowboy movie go by your windshield. You’ll probably want to get out of your car once in a while to take a short trek — at Hidden Valley, a rock-enclosed valley rumored to have been used by cattle rustlers to hide their livestock - and definitely Keys View. At an elevation of over 5,000 feet, it offers panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. There is a short loop (2/10 of a mile) up a ridge that expands the vista even further to include the Salton Sea, the San Andreas Fault, Santa Rosa Mountains, San Jacinto Peak as well as the crest of the 11,500-foot San Gorgonio Mountain, which is usually topped with snow. On a really clear day, you might be able to see Signal Mountain in Mexico. For the whirlwind tourist, the popular sights of Jumbo Rocks, Skull Rock, and Arch Rock are all conveniently located fairly close to
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each other. Arch Rock Trail is a half mile loop that begins at White Tank Campground and takes you by a geologic marvel - a rock arch, naturally formed by the long range effects of erosion and weathering processes. In the same general area is Skull Rock, named after what it looks like, which you can view without even getting out of your car. Nine different campgrounds offer a place to pitch your tent or park your RV for some of the best stargazing in the world. The night sky offers breath-taking views of the Milky Way, and the official website for the park offers viewing tips to find the center of our galaxy with a pair of binoculars. Camping fees are $15 - $20 per night in developed campsites, and an essential fact to take note of is that water is only available at a few locations around the edges of the park. The website requests that you plan ahead and bring at least two gallons of water per person, per day for your trip to Joshua Tree. Check with the park directly for RV size restrictions and other important information.
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Bighorn Sheep photo by NPS Robb Hannawacker
Flower bud photo by NPS Robb Hannawacker
Joshua trees and boulders photo by NPS Brad Sutton
Guided walks, starting at 9 in the evening, are offered on the weekends before each full moon. November full moon walks are scheduled for the 24th and 25th. Due to the popularity of these mile long hikes, reservations are required. There are a few simple requirements that you can ask about when you make your reservation. Call (760) 367-5522.
year. But, when they do, it is usually February to late March. Their creamy-white blossoms are stunning.
Wildflowers typically bloom somewhere between mid-February and early May. The website has a “’wildflower report,” and, even with the drought, wildflowers were reported as recently as last August.
It’s impossible to list all the points of interest within the park here, but their extensive website (www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm) answers just about any question you might have. They can also be reached by phone at (760) 367-5500.
The Joshua Tree itself, which, legend has it, was named by early Mormon settlers who thought it resembled the biblical character Joshua reaching towards the heavens, also blooms. Joshua Trees don’t bloom every
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Another sighting that requires some measure of luck is catching a glimpse of one of the approximately 250 bighorn sheep that call Joshua Tree home.
As Lambert Pangilinan of Toronto, Canada, puts it: “I would highly recommend this park because the scenery is simply stunning…”
The ‘New Bohemia’
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he Los Angeles Times and The New York Times have recently dubbed Joshua Tree “the New Bohemia” and a “mecca” for the arts. Part of the inspiration for these ideas is the Hi Desert Cultural Center, located at 61-231 Highway 62, just a half mile from the west entrance to the national park. This multi-theater complex has been a major force promoting the performing and visual arts for over 50 years, and has won multiple awards from various organizations. The center was originally established by retired actors, directors and producers from Hollywood and first began serving the cultural needs of its surrounding communities
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New this year is the Joshua Tree International Improv/Comedy Festival, which will host stand up comics, improv and sketch groups from around the world to perform and compete against each other for the public, who will vote on an overall winner. This annual event is scheduled for July 8-10. Submissions from performers will begin being accepted this November. Check their website for updates on all activities: www.hidesertculturalcenter.org. Their phone number is (760) 366-3777. On your way to Joshua Tree from the Palm Springs area you will come across a California Welcome Center and the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, two other great resources for information about the area. They share a building located at 56-711 Highway 62 in Yucca Valley.
Arch Rock photo by NPS Robb Hannawacker
Story continues from page 9 in 1964. In 1967, the Center was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit. The Center rapidly became a cultural icon and landmark for the area. With the recent appointment of Artistic Director Howard Shangraw, the center is
promising to deliver its most ambitious season ever: eight plays, one musical, one spoken word gala, three philharmonic concert series, four visual art shows and gallery exhibits, and 24 arts academy classes for youth and adults through the end of summer 2016. The center acts as the home for the Joshua Tree Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Jarrod Radnich.
When asked about the 1.25 million visitors who pass through from all over the globe, Wanda Stadum, President and CEO of the Yucca Valley Chamber of Commerce, says “We love all our guests. But we especially love Canadians. They’re adventurous, pioneering.”
Cabazon Outlets
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Dining destination
By Lucinda Sue Crosby
Holidays at the Top of the Tram
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hese days, attractive restaurants with scrumptious food, attentive service and atmosphere provide Coachella Valley locals and visitors with an embarrassment of riches. But we all hanker for the unusual, so if you are interested in dining off the beaten path, walk this way …
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Each year, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisks thousands of guests between the desert floor and the piney woods. Brainchild of electrical engineer Francis Crocker in 1935, the site’s rugged incline demanded innovative construction solutions that included helicopters. At Mountain Station, Peaks Restaurant features white tablecloths and modern California cuisine like sesame encrusted seared ahi and charred shrimp with a pineapple/chili glaze. You’ll also find a full bar and thoughtful wine and beer lists. Peaks’ luncheon menu is casual, highlighting familiar favorites from the freshest ingredients. Reservations are highly recommended for dinner during high season, weekends and holidays.
Giraffes at The Living Desert
For something picnic-like, try Pines Café – a cafeteria-style eatery offering simple fare alongside a chilled salad bar with greens and fixings from area produce farmers. After your meal, walk or hike and drink in the view! Mt. San Jacinto State Park has 54 miles of beginner-to-expert trails where you might spot a red-tailed hawk, a bobcat or other forest denizens. The Tramway’s Ride ‘N’ Dinner combo ticket for Pines Café goes on sale at 4 p.m. daily
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with dinner served from 4:30 p.m.: $36/ adults and $23.50/children aged 3-12. On Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, the Ride ‘N’ Dine package is available starting at 8 a.m. at a cost of $36. Peaks Restaurant will offer special holiday comestibles alongside their regular menu. For details or reservations, please call (760) 325-4537. Or visit: www.pstramway.com
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The Living Desert Would you like to trek across the globe without leaving your own backyard … strolling past majestic, puzzling, gob smacking beasties in natural habitats without need of a passport, sherpas or 17 hour flights? What if you could then enjoy a tasty meal in a thatched roof hut resembling a village abode on an east African grassland? Peaks Restaurant charred shrimp with pineapple chili glaze
A touch of the exotic is always on your plate at The Living Desert. Established in 1970 by visionaries who foresaw how continued development would alter the Coachella Valley, it started out as a nature trail and preserve. A naturalist hired by Trustee Philip L. Boyd was a young woman with vitality and know-how who also happened to have experience as a zoo keeper and park ranger, Karen Sausman. Thanks greatly to Sausman’s efforts, the park now showcases 600 wild animals from the deserts of four continents with appropriate dry climate landscape. Adults and children can investigate live shows, participate in interactive indoor and outdoor kids’ activities, scope out the “G” Scale Bighorn Railroad (3,000 feet of track), feed giraffes, take a camel ride – and eat in the bargain.
Stuffed dates from The Cafe at Shields
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Shields Date Garden Floyd and Bessie Shields established their renowned Date Garden in 1924, when Palm Springs consisted of the Oasis Hotel (Hollywood hide-away), the Willows (a favorite refuge of Albert Einstein), gas stations, dirt roads and some houses. Now, as you enter the Garden’s general store, the décor propels you back to the 1950s. Wonderfully quirky gift ideas abound: multi-colored straw cowboy hats, tee shirts, HOT hot sauces, dried soup mixes from around the world, old-fashioned candies, roasted nuts … as well as every imaginable presentation of dates. Of special note: delicacies crafted from “Blonde” and “Brunette” varieties bred by Floyd. First, stroll through Shields’ lush Biblical Garden depicting the Passion of the Christ and rest on a bench near a pond nestled amid date trees, desert willows, Mexican bird of paradise and other surprisingly delicate desert friendly flora.
Under a vine-covered trellis, The Café’s menu boasts certified organic chicken and eggs and home-made wheat, rye or sourdough. For breakfast, try the date pancakes (from-scratch batter, bananas and date butter, sprinkled with Deglet Noor dates) or the Santa Fe omelet (three eggs, cilantro, onions, jalapeno, topped by tortilla strips, avocado and salsa roja). For lunch, consider the shrimp ceviche tostadas (diced shrimp “cooked” in lime juice, with pico de gallo and avocado) or stuffed dates (plump Medjools stuffed with jalapeno, bleu cheese and prosciutto, wrapped in bacon and finished with a shallot demiglace and balsamic reduction). Dinner fave: the Dungeness crab mac n cheese appetizer (crab, creamy cheddar and pepper jack, plus a hint of spice) followed by pan seared Jidari Chicken Breast (free-range chicken, asparagus, and spicy Meyer lemon demi-glace). Last but maybe best, watch “The Romance and Sex Life of the Date,” a multi-award winning short film adapted over the years from lectures Floyd gave. For more info: (760) 7750902 Or visit: www.shieldsdategarden.com.
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The Coyote Café is on-the-go friendly and especially inviting for breakfast. The Thorn Tree Grill, located in Village WaTuTu, specializes in fresh salads, pizza and hamburgers with fan favorites being the moist and meaty mushroom swiss burger (2/3 pound of angus beef, swiss cheese and thinly sliced portobello mushrooms on a brioche bun, accented with secret spices) or (my recommendation) the bacon burger. Lunch entrées come with from-scratch potato chips, regular fries or (WOW!) totally zesty sweet potato fries. Most ingredients are supplied by local vendors and beer and wine are available. Sweet tooth? Try the strawberry-, caramel- or cream-filled churros! The Living Desert is currently on its “winter” schedule: From October 1 to May 1, the park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except December 25. Upcoming events include interactive butterfly play and the world famous WildLights Holiday Festival beginning November 23 and running on selected nights through New Year’s Eve. Information: (760) 346-5694 or visit www.livingdesert.org.
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“
usic was my first love.”
That’s how Vicki Knight feels about music and singing. It’s the name of a song she loves and sings in her cabaret show. Her earliest memories of growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, are of the whole family gathered around the dining table singing. “I learned all these songs before I could write or read,” she said. “I was the baby of seven kids, and we all sang, even Mom and Dad. I had a wonderful childhood.” Vicki likes to joke that she turned professional at 12 when a Temple in Winnipeg hired her to sing in their choir. They paid her $25 per year. As an adult, she started performing cabaret shows in Canada, while teaching kindergarten. But the harsh winters and many sinus infections convinced her to try a change. So, in 1980, she got her first taste of Palm Springs’ weather. She was flying to San Francisco to visit two brothers, but heavy fog diverted the plane to Los Angeles. The next day, she couldn’t face another flight. When someone mentioned Palm Springs, she jumped on a bus. Vicki remembers: “I called a woman I knew and she said ‘Why don’t you check into the Westward Ho hotel?’ Coming from 40 below zero, I looked out the bus window and here’s the swimming pool with people swimming. On January 2! Wow! I never wanted to leave.” She moved to the area permanently in 1985. Her first job was a regular gig at a tennis club in La Quinta. In 1989, she auditioned for The Palm Springs Follies’ opening. “Out of hundreds of people there, they chose me and I was featured soloist for two years,” she said. “The Follies was hard,” she added, “but I loved every moment.” She often had seven costume changes, which entailed running up and down a flight of stairs. And sometimes they worked 12-hour days. She has performed in many musicals at numerous theaters, including The Lawrence Welk Theater, Escondido; Palm Canyon Theater, Palm Springs; Cabaret Theatre West, Indian Wells; and her one-woman cabaret show at various venues. She has earned two awards from the Desert Theatre League, and four nominations for her performances.
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Story continues from page 17 A few years ago, she took her own cabaret creation – Far Away Places – to numerous countries, after she learned one song in many languages. She performed in Italy, Spain, Germany, Russia, Japan, Israel, Scotland and Ireland, among others. Since 1980, Vicki also has performed free for patients at the Stroke Recovery Center in Palm Springs (recently renamed the Neuro Vitality Center).
“The Follies was hard... but I loved every moment” “I realize how important music is in life,” she said. “One year, I worked as volunteer coordinator at the Stroke Center and there was a man in a wheelchair who could only say two words. When I was singing, I noticed he was mouthing the words to the songs, so I went into the therapy room and sidled up next to him and said ‘I bet you can sing.’ I started to sing ‘It Had to be You,’ and he sang every single word.”
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Her eyes light up when she talks about singing with a 20-piece band every summer in Winnipeg, when she returns to see family. This year, before returning, while visiting her sister in a healthcare facility in Vancouver, she couldn’t resist belting out a few standards for the patients. “I hear someone setting up the piano and it sounds good,” she said. “So I started talking to the pianist. Could I sing with you? Sure. Can you play this in this key? Sure. So, I sang a song and then another and the pianist was so good. It turns out she played with my son on cruise ships. I gave them a 45-minute show. When my sister came out, I went up to her with a microphone and she sang ‘You Are My Sunshine.’” Her talent has been a gift to the community and her family. On her recent visit to Canada, she tried to slip money to a grandson. A university student, he sings like his grandmother and plays guitar. He wouldn’t take the money, saying, “You already gave me something—the gene of music.”
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CANADA
EVENTS CALENDAR TORONTO Murder at the ROM Scavenger Hunts – November 7 At the Royal Ontario Museum...A curator has been murdered and clues left behind, connected to secrets in the collections. Piece together a tale of greed, lust, pride and revenge with multiple suspects, one victim and you, the sleuths, to crack a cryptic code left in the curator’s appointment book. Participants collect answers to tricky and humorous questions. Teams of two to six compete for two hours. www.urbancapers.com/murder-at-the-royal-ontario-museum. Sinfonia Toronto Concert – November 12 Brilliant baroque contrasts with romance and a Canadian masterpiece. Featuring conductor Jan Milosz Zarzycki and violinist Alex Toskov. Telemann: Don Quixote Suite Chausson: Poeme for Violin and Orchestra Burge: Flanders Fields Reflections Vivaldi: Sinfonia Rustica in G. www.sinfoniatoronto.instantencore.com. The Toronto Christmas Market – November 27 to December 20 Inspired by Old World and influenced by the New, this free annual event captures all of the tradition, heritage and charm of a European Christmas Market, while showcasing hundreds of unique and local handcrafted products. www.torontochristmasmarket.com.
MONTREAL 1920s Modernism in Montreal – Now through January 31 This exhibition at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts sheds new light on the association of artists whose works imbued artistic life in 1920s Montreal and Canada with a certain colour, and it offers one of the most original expressions of pictorial modernism in the country. www.mbam.qc.ca/en/. Cinemania French Film Festival – November 5-15 At the Cinema Imperial downtown, Cinemania presents the best of this year’s francophone cinema, with English subtitles, in a friendly cine-club atmosphere. www.cinemaniafilmfestival.com. Weekend au Masculin – November 27-29 At Place Bonaventure Exhibition Halls...numerous exhibitors from Canada and abroad present new products and services, ranging from electronics to fashion, by way of cuisine, liquor, cars, DIY, video games, sports, health, toiletries, entertainment, and many other interests. www.weekendaumasculin.com.
VANCOUVER Cornucopia Food & Wine Festival – November 5-15 At the Vancouver Urban Winery, Cornucopia celebrates some of the best of food and wine from Whistler and beyond. The festival offers something for everybody with winemaker dinners, themed food and drink events, interactive seminars, and after parties. www.whistlercornucopia.com.
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nowbirds lucky enough to return to the Coachella Valley early in the season will have eight occasions to attend the area’s primo series of one-day art events. Art Under the Umbrellas (AUU) kicks off its 2015/16 season in Old Town La Quinta on October 31, followed by November 14 and November 28 (Thanksgiving Weekend). Dates in 2016 are January 16 and 23; February 6 and 13; and March 19. Event hours for the Saturday shows are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no admission charge and plenty of free parking available. Each Art Under the Umbrellas assembles a diverse mix of 80+ talented artists setting up their booths along the closed-off streets and lawns to exhibit and sell their distinctive artwork and fine crafts. The gifted artisans will showcase their original creations in every possible media including painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, glass, mixed media, fiber and wood. Artist rosters for this series vary from event to event with a mixture of local emerging artists, exhibitors new to the Art Under the Umbrellas format, and a long list of favorite returning artists that travel in from locations all over Southern California, Arizona, and even Utah. Art. Culture. Life! Patrons are guaranteed to find “chic” in Old Town’s streets as they explore the artist booths for fabulous finds in every price range — shopping for unique jewelry to accessorize those new Fall wardrobes, discovering one-of-a-kind hand crafted gifts, or a special fine art piece. Next, enjoy a seasonal treat from Old Town eateries: a pumpkin spice latté from Old Town Coffee Company, or an autumn ale from La Quinta Brewing Company. Partake in a leisurely lunch, happy hour, or dinner at one of the on-site restaurants, and soak in the sun while enjoying live entertainment by the energetic and engaging Steve Madaio Band, who will literally have you dancing in the streets. To welcome back Fall, show off your best Halloween attire at the AUU Halloween Costume Contest on October 31. Enter to win a prize of $150 LQAF Art Bucks, valid toward an art purchase at the show that day. Registration runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the winner will be announced at 1 p.m. Each costume will be rated on creativity, quality and presentation. All are welcome to enter. Directions to Old Town La Quinta: Take Washington Street south, go west on Calle Tampico two blocks; Old Town La Quinta will be on the left. www.LQAF.com or call (760) 564-1244.
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DJ spinning 1960’s music, hamburgers, hot dogs and other treats. The Silver Scorpion Car club will be coordinating the car show. The museum and the exhibit is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. until May 31. Admission for adults is $10 ($8 for seniors over 55 and students 13 - 18), $5 for children 6 – 12, $1 for children 3 – 5, and free for children under 3. Active duty military are free. Admission is free on the first weekend of every month for all visitors.
Preserving the Past for the Present T Coachella Valley History Museum hosts new exhibit he Coachella Valley History Museum has launched a major exhibit, “The Coachella Valley Historical Society, 1965, 50 Years of Preserving the Past for the Present,” to run until May 31. The exhibit will celebrate the establishment and work of the Society in 1965 and will feature local and national events, people, culture and trends from the mid 1960s, iconic institution, such as the Date Festival, and “then and now” de-
pictions of businesses, consumer prices, cars, local high schools and overall culture (music, politics, food and clothing styles). A free celebration titled “Blast from the Past” is planned for the entire community on Saturday, January 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attractions and activities throughout the afternoon will include a car show showcasing models from 1965 and their current counterparts, a
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The Coachella Valley History Museum is a historical campus which contains the 1926 adobe Smiley-Tyler House (housing the main exhibits), the historic 1909 Indio Schoolhouse and the world’s only Date Museum. Other highlights include the Desert Submarine, a blacksmith’s shop, pioneer farming implements and the archives for the Historical Society. Also, the spacious grounds hold a variety of scenic gardens, which include the Liberty Tree (the oldest Cork Tree in the Coachella Valley). The Coachella Valley History Museum is located at 82-616 Miles Avenue, Indio. For more information visit www.cvhm.org or call (760) 342-6651.
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The Museum was closing, so I made my farewells and sauntered off (after making silent apologies to Ben Stiller). And now, the real story. The “Old Couple on the Bench” is one of the most talked about items in the Museum. It’s a polychromed bronze (with thrift shop clothes) sculpture that includes two hyper-realistic, life-size figures (male and female) dressed in casual apparel and seated on a painted wooden bench, hands in lap. The man wears glasses and holds a hat and the woman holds a purse and sports eyeglasses attached to neck-chain. Many otherwise smart people have been fooled by their amazingly life-like features. The “Old Couple” was one of many similar sculptures executed by artist Duane Hanson (1925-1996) in his long career. It was one of his last ones, completed in 1995. Its purchase by the museum was made possible by funds provided by Muriel and Bernard Myerson.
By Gary Willhide “
D
o you have a Beavertail?”
I turned to look at the woman speaking to me. She was sitting on a bench next to her husband at the top of the stairs on the third floor, in the Donna & Cargill MacMillan Jr. Exhibition Center of the Palm Springs Art Museum. “You look like the type who would have a Beavertail,” she said, “and I haven’t had one since 1995.” In fact, she said, “you’d never guess it by looking at me, but I haven’t had anything to eat since…well, since.” I allowed as how I was on a diet and didn’t have a Beavertail on me. “Figures,” she said. “I suppose you don’t have a cup of Tim Hortons double double either.”
they touch my nose, I’ve trained myself to sneeze if the guards aren’t looking.” The old couple went on to talk about their experience. “We’ve been here a long time,” she said. “But they do move us around. For a while, we were down on the bottom floor near the Annenberg Theater. That was okay, except every night after the Museum closed, they made us clean the theater. And they locked up the café, so we couldn’t even get a glass of wine!” He spoke up. “They did send us on a sixmonth vacation a few years ago. We spent it at the Getty Villa in Malibu. Quite a place,” he said. “But they wouldn’t let us go to the beach,” she griped. “I’m sorry about that,” I said.
She and her hubby scooched over and I sat down on the bench. “Actually,” he said, “we’ve had a great time here at the Museum. We fool people every day. They think we’re a piece of art. When
I asked how they got there. “Beats us,” she said. “We were on a bus tour from Penticton and this was our final stop.”
His first realistic sculptures were produced in the turbulent years of the 1960s and reflected the social and political climate of the era. By 1970, Hanson had developed his mature style of portraying American “types” - common people we encounter every day, such as shoppers, tourists, children, workers and businessmen. Along with American artists George Segal, Edward Kienholz, and John De Andrea, Hanson influenced the current rage in hyper-realistic figuration. Hanson’s sculptures helped lead the way to the development of the late 20th- century Mannequin Art, associated with artists like Paul McCarthy and John Miller, among others. Here’s how the museum describes the piece: “When encountering ‘Old Couple on a Bench’ in a museum setting, one can hardly distinguish this life-sized couple, probably retired, from the many others just like them who have visited on an admission-free weekday. Are they resting in a confused daze before they re-board their tour bus? Their inattentive facial expressions stimulate a number of reactions. Is the couple exhausted, are they absorbed in their own thoughts, or are they just bored? Or is the couple, who appear to be married, bored with each other and their existence? By positioning their slumped forms so that they are looking downward – at nothing – Hanson has invited the public to come closer and to stare. Eye contact doesn’t seem likely; the viewer is free to inspect.” Now, I wonder where I can get a Beavertail for my next visit?
“We never got back on that bus,” he mused.
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Explore and Enjoy the Coachella Valley
Canadian snowbirds be careful selling U.S. real estate your U.S. taxpayer ID may no longer be valid in 2016 By Michael W. Brooks, Esq
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tarting in 2016, U.S. individual taxpayer ID numbers (“ITINs”) not used in the prior five years on a U.S. tax return will be deactivated by the IRS. So, starting in 2016, if a non-U.S. person hasn’t sold U.S. real estate since (at the latest) 2010 (which should have led to them doing a tax return in 2011), the ITIN they are giving to their escrow officer is very likely no longer valid. In my experience as a tax attorney and the President of a tax firm that works daily with foreign sellers of U.S. real estate, the use of an invalid ITIN can be one of the biggest headaches the foreign seller will ever encounter in their dealings with the IRS.
Why is a valid ITIN so important? The stakes for the foreign seller are simple: he or she will need a valid ITIN to obtain a (very possibly large) refund of the federal taxes sent into the IRS by escrow (and maybe the California state taxes, too). The federal taxes are the big one. Recall the Internal Revenue Code generally requires the buyer (really the escrow company on the buyer’s behalf in California) to “withhold” 10 percent of the gross sales price from the foreign seller, and transmit the 10 percent withholding tax to the IRS at the time of sale (or at least keep the withholding tax in a client trust account
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while the IRS reviews the seller’s 8288-B withholding certificate application, if applicable). But the 10 percent withholding tax is almost surely more than the seller really owes in federal income taxes on the sale. For example, if a Canadian snowbird bought a La Quinta vacation home a few years ago for $800,000, and then sold the house for $1,000,000, the escrow company would be required to withhold $100,000 ($1,000,000 x 10 percent) at the time of sale. The escrow company then sends the $100,000 into the IRS at close (assuming the seller does not file an IRS Form 8288-B with the escrow company holding the withholding tax in a
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Story continues from page 30 trust account). But while the IRS holds onto $100,000 of the $1,000,000 sale’s proceeds, the snowbird seller’s real income tax bill on the sale would likely be closer to $30,000 ($200,000 appreciation x 15 percent capital gains rate= $30,000). So in this example the IRS is holding onto an extra $70,000 of our foreign seller’s proceeds, and our seller will undoubtedly be quite eager to receive the $70,000 back. But our Canadian snowbird seller could be in for quite a wait if the escrow company sent in the $100,000 withholding tax with an invalid ITIN. Using an invalid ID can send $100,000 into an IRS black hole, and it could mean our Canadian snowbird may have to wait many months, or even years, to get their $70,000 back.
What is the new IRS development on ITINs?
IRS no longer mandates the automatic expiration of ITINs, but provides the following:
when obtaining your tax refund. You have more important things to do.
• An ITIN will expire for any taxpayer who fails to file a federal income tax return for five consecutive tax years.
Michael W. Brooks is a California tax attorney and the President and Owner of Domestic and International Real Estate Closing Tax Services, a tax firm specializing exclusively on the tax issues faced by non-U.S. sellers of U.S./California real estate. Michael can be reached at the office at (760) 346-6140 or on his cell phone at (760) 898-3413, or email him at michael@directsllp.com. For more information about DIRECTS, visit www.directsllp.com.
• Any ITIN will remain in effect as long as a taxpayer continues to file U.S. tax returns. This includes ITINs issued after January 1, 2013. These taxpayers will no longer face mandatory expiration of their ITINs and the need to reapply starting in 2018, as was the case under the old policy. • The IRS will begin deactivating unused ITINs in 2016. • A taxpayer whose ITIN has been deactivated and needs to file a U.S. return can reapply using Form W-7.
Be careful with old ITINs The IRS had previously stated that ITINs issued before January 1, 2013, would be valid indefinitely. In 2012, the IRS stated that ITINs issued on/or after January 1, 2013, would automatically expire in five years. Under the new IRS guidance issued in 2014, the
Again, using old ITINs may get you nothing but trouble soon. Call us at DIRECTS to check on the validity or simply insist upon obtaining a new ITIN when there is any question. Playing it safe can save you forever
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The information contained in this article is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any subject matter. Michael W. Brooks and DIRECTS expressly disclaim all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this article.
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actually went on to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. But it is fair to say that the success of “Jesus of Montreal” here that first year set the stage for a new perception of the boldness and originality of Canadian cinema among press, film industry and audience members attending the Festival that continues to this day. Since then, Canadian films have always been a mainstay of the Festival’s lineup, and a major draw for audiences attending the event, which is one of the three most highly-attended film festivals in the United States.” MacDonald points out, “Canadian films, such as ‘Jesus of Montreal,’ have launched our reputation as a Festival that could influence the Academy Awards race, a reputation that the Festival has borne out – both with its Awards Gala and its foreign language offerings – ever since.”
Canada’s gift to the desert culture A primary influence behind the Palm Springs International Film Festival By Alison Elsner
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veryone knows that the Palm Springs International Film Festival is aptly titled, encompassing a world of filmmaking talent and culture. What many people may not realize is that the PSIFF has been influenced largely by Canadian cinema.
The annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, under the auspices of the Palm Springs International Film Society, is just weeks away, set to take place January 1-11. It’s hard to believe – especially for those who vividly remember when Palm Springs Mayor Sonny Bono launched the Festival in 1989 - that the Festival will now be realizing its 27th year as one of the largest, most highly regarded film festivals in North America. Chaired by the visionary and generous Palm Springs philanthropist and businessman Harold Matzner, the Festival features over 200 films from 60 countries, and its audience now tops 137,000 people. Attendees include
thousands of locals, however 70 percent of participants are from outside the Coachella Valley, many from Canada and Europe. Canada has helped shape and define the trajectory of the Festival, establishing it as a predictor of the winners that will emerge at the Academy Awards each spring. According to Darryl MacDonald, the Festival’s executive director since 2004, “Canadian films have been at the forefront of this event’s reputation for cutting-edge, worldclass cinema since year one of the Festival in 1989.” MacDonald was programming director at that time, and he recalls how the Canadian film, “Jesus of Montreal,” directed by Denys Arcand, “took the audience by storm, winning the Audience Award and creating a huge stir that first year at Palm Springs.” It was subsequently nominated for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. MacDonald continues, “Cinema Paradiso” of Italy, which we also played that year,
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As a matter of fact, the event is noted for screening most foreign Oscar nominees. In 2013, the festival screened 42 of the 71 movies that were submitted by countries around the world to the Oscars for that year’s foreign language film prize. The impact and artistry of Canadian filmmaking has continued far beyond year one, of course. MacDonald says, “Canadian cinema has charted the course for PSIFF’s programming priorities, and subsequent years have brought us a wealth of great Canadian narrative and documentary films, from directors whose distinctive voices and visions exemplify the ways in which Canadian culture provides a wellspring of artistic excellence and originality. Directors like Atom Egoyan, Thom Fitzgerald, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Robert Lepage, Don McKellar, Deepa Mehta, Jason Reitman, Ken Scott, Jean-Marc Vallée, Anne Wheeler and Denis Villenueve – along with many others – all have enlivened the lineups of this Festival and world cinema through their vibrant contributions to this art form.” Both MacDonald and the PSIFF’s current programming director, Helen Du Toit, hail from Canada. Du Toit notes that Canada maintains the highest number of film entries per capita. Although it’s a bit early to officially announce this year’s Canadian entries, MacDonald says, “For our 2016 Festival, Canada will once again play a major role in our lineup. We will have a special showcase of Canadian films (including over a dozen new works from established and emerging Canadian filmmakers) and a major evening
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“Jesus of Montreal” directed by Canadian Denys Arcand
Story continues from page 34 reception featuring this year’s Canadian Foreign Language Oscar contender and celebrating the large number of Canadian filmmakers who will be on hand to participate in the event.” Clearly, Canadian filmmakers are integral to the identity of the Festival, just as Canadian audiences are vital to the programming and film showings. Attendees can plan to attend single screenings or 11 days of films with special packages, such as “Reel Deal Six Pack” tickets, a very limited number of which may still be available online at www.psfilmfest.org or by calling the box office at (760) 778-8979 during regular office hours. Filmgoers will also be treated again this year to a symposium, “The Power of Words: Book to Screen,” which will return for a full day of programming on Thursday, January 7, and is expected to sell out. This program highlights the authors behind great adapted works and includes book signings, film screenings and keynote speakers. The Festival’s main social attraction, the Awards Gala, is scheduled for January 2 and will again bring high-intensity glamour, a red carpet entrance and some of the biggest stars to Palm Springs as it honors the year’s best performances in front of and behind the camera. Last year’s 2015 Awards Gala honored Julianne Moore, Robert Duvall, Benedict Cumberbatch and Reese Witherspoon, among others. Volunteers are a critical component of the Festival, with opportunities to participate in the coordination of theater operations, hospitality, box office, transportation and publicity. Those who’ve volunteered at the Festival, including this writer, know that it’s not only a much-needed element of a successful Festival, but also it’s a once in a lifetime chance to meet stars, artists and a slew of international foreign filmmakers. No matter what one’s level of participation or appreciation, those who benefit from the cultural gifts of the Palm Springs International Film Festival also reap the rewards from Canada’s unique artistry and multicultural influence upon the rest of North America and the world.
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By Gary Willhide
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hose who are returning home to Vancouver for a family holiday visit probably already know about the Bright Nights Christmas Train in Stanley Park. For those who may be interested in a December vacation out of town, Vancouver is an enticing choice, not only for the Bright Nights Train, but for shopping and other attractions. The Bright Nights Train ride includes animated displays, three million twinkling lights and live entertainment. The train runs throughout the summer and during seasonal events and is one of Vancouver’s most popular attractions, carrying more than 200,000 passengers per year.
Visitors are advised to buy tickets in advance. Tickets: matinee train, all ages $6. night train, adult (18-64) $11; child and youth (3 – 17) and seniors (65 and over) $8; small child, (2 and under), free. Buy online or phone (604) 252-3700 with TicketLeader. Service charges apply. Visitors are invited to view the displays at the Train Plaza by donation ($4 suggested). Donations and a portion of ticket sales go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. $1.4 million has been raised to help burn survivors and their families since 1998. Bright Nights is located on Pipeline Road in Stanley Park, via the West Georgia Street park entrance.
its abundant resources would also be home to non-aboriginal settlers. The land was later turned into Vancouver’s first park when the city incorporated in 1886. It was named after Lord Stanley, a British politician who had recently been appointed governor general. Unlike other large urban parks, Stanley Park is not the creation of a landscape architect, but rather the evolution of a forest and urban space over many years. Most of the manmade structures we see today were built between 1911 and 1937 under the influence of then superintendent W.S. Rawlings. Additional attractions, such as a polar bear exhibit, aquarium, and miniature train, were added in the post-war period.
The Bright Nights Train runs from November 26 through January 2, closed only on Christmas Day. To see the lights, visitors need to schedule the Night Train (3 to 10 p.m. daily, to 11 p.m. on weekends). The classic Night Train ride includes a 14-minute experience filled with beautiful displays, holiday lights and a live performer.
Stanley Park, which in 2014 was named “top park in the entire world” by TripAdvisor, is a 1,001-acre public park that borders the downtown of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, and is almost entirely surrounded by waters of Vancouver Harbour and English Bay.
Much of the park remains as densely forested as it was in the late 1800s, with about a half million trees, some of which stand as tall as 76 meters (249 feet) and are up to hundreds of years old. Thousands of trees were lost (and many replanted) after three major windstorms that took place in the past 100 years, the last in 2006.
But there is also a matinee train (10 a.m to 2:30 p.m.), a great daytime activity for families, school groups and groups with children. Riders will journey through the forest past magical displays and listen to holiday music. There are no live performers during the matinee rides.
The park has a long history and was one of the first areas to be explored in the city. The land was originally used by indigenous peoples for thousands of years before British Columbia was colonized by the British during the 1858 Fraser Canyon Gold Rush. For many years after colonization, the future park with
Significant effort was put into constructing the near-century-old Vancouver Seawall, which can draw thousands of residents and visitors to the park every day. The park also features forest trails, beaches, lakes, children’s play areas, and the Vancouver Aquarium, among many other attractions.
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During the holiday season, there are opportunities to get photos with Santa every day from 4 to 9 p.m. until December 24 at the Train Plaza’s North Pole. All proceeds go to the Burn Fund. Accessibility parking spots are located near the main gate to the Train Plaza. The entire site is wheelchair accessible. The train has a specially designed carriage for two people in wheelchairs and their companions. Staff can help passengers board the train, if needed. For further information, visit vancouver. ca/parks-recreation-culture/bright-nightstrain.aspx.
WildLights For those who are staying in the desert for the holiday season, The Living Desert will be hosting its annual WildLights Holiday Festival on select nights from November 23 through December 31. Bigger and better than ever, this year’s event glistens with thousands of twinkling lights, dazzling displays, live music, festive games and ac-
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tivities, plus the new Holiday Express trackless train ride! Designed after a traditional 19th century steam engine, this colorful train is free with admission and transports guests through brilliantly lit displays, complete with a sturdy red engine, carts, coal tender and caboose. Added to the merry mix are camel and carousel rides, Prancer’s Playland, Santa’s Corner, and Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen with hot chocolate, s’mores, holiday-themed Wildlife Wonder Shows, wood-
burning fireplaces, and more! Open from 6 to 9 p.m. (last admission at 8:30 p.m.) on these dates: Nov. 23 – 28, Dec. 3 – 5, 10 – 12, 17 – 31 (closed Christmas Day). Adults are $10, members, children and military with ID are $8 and children under 3 are free. Children stroller and wheelchairs available, first come, first served. The Living Desert is located at 47-900 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert.
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VANCOUVER Fraser Valley Bald Eagle Festival – November 21-22 Join the adventure on this popular weekend as the Festival celebrates the annual return of the majestic bird. Festival is a free, two-day event held at various sites throughout the valley. www.fraservalleybaldeaglefestival.ca. Bright Nights in Stanley Park – November 26 to January 2 The Stanley Park holiday train has been a Christmas tradition in Vancouver for more than 20 years. The train winds through the forest past three million sparkling lights. Kids can visit with Santa and explore the stunning holiday display. www.vancouver.ca/parks-recreationculture/bright-nights-train.aspx. Whistler Film Festival – December 2-6 One of Canada’s leading festivals, attracting more than 10,000 attendees, it features innovative and original films from around the world and opportunities to connect with film makers. Held at several venues, including Whistler Conference Centre, Rainbow Theatre and Millennium Place. www.whistlerfilmfestival.com.
CALGARY
Amanda Forsyth, performing Brahms’ “Double Concerto.” The program also includes works from the orchestra’s past: Respighi’s “Fontane di Roma” and the Finale from Sibelius’ “2nd Symphony,” plus a new work commissioned by Calgary’s brilliant Allan Bell. www. calgarycivicsymphony.ca/current-season/events-tickets Crestmont Christmas Market – November 13-15 The 8th Annual Crestmont Christmas Market has something for everyone on Christmas lists. Displays by unique businesses and artists. Free parking, free entry and a food vendor onsite. Donations to the Food Bank are accepted. www.crestmontmarket.com Zoolights – November 27 - January 2 At Calgary Zoo, see over 1.5 million lights twisting around trees, tracing animal and dinosaur shapes and flashing to music. Along the way, stop to warm up by the fire pits and have some fun in the Kids Zone. Hot chocolate. www.calgaryzoo.com
REGINA Canadian Cowboys’ Association Finals Rodeo November 24-28 Pure action, adrenaline and excitement. Saddle up and watch 109 of the toughest cowboys and cowgirls compete for the Canadian Cowboy Association Championship, cash and prizes. www.canadiancowboys.ca.
Calgary Civic Symphony: Glittering Gala – November 8 At Jack Singer Concert Hall, the 40th anniversary celebration features two of the world’s most esteemed virtuosi, Pinches Zukerman and
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was chosen one of only 30 applicants to be accepted for the two-year program. With diploma in hand, Yianni completed his mandatory army service before setting out to see the world. On passenger ships and merchant marine vessels, he sailed the seas, working his way from port to port as a chief steward. “The ship’s captain is in charge of the ship as a whole. The chief mechanic runs below decks and the chief steward sees to the crew, the menu, supplies, the chef – everything required to keep passengers happy,” Yianni explained. Over time, the one place he loved returning to was Vancouver, Canada. In fact, the city drew him so powerfully that he actually “jumped ship” at one point – bypassing official immigration channels – a decision it took him two-years to sort out. “It was worth it,” he assures me. Working several jobs and becoming acquainted with new surroundings, Yianni came to a most important conclusion: the city needed an authentic Greek restaurant. And so, at the ripe old age of 23, Yianni opened Kypriak Taverna. Before long, the success of the first bred a second, Kypros. Yianni Psalios
From the island of Cyprus to Canada Yianni now brings his traditional Greek cuisine to the desert By Lucinda Sue Crosby
Y
ianni Psalios is a force of nature. If you’ve ever met him, you know what I mean. His smile is as warm as a Mediterranean summer, but when you shake his hand and see the confidence in his eyes, you know you’re in the presence of a man who makes things happen. Born on the island of Cyprus, Yianni came from generations of farming and winemaking. He spent his boyhood in Phini Village, a lush resort area in the island’s verdant Troodos Mountains. His father hoped he’d prac-
tice medicine, but even in those early days, the boy had ideas of his own. At 10, he landed his first job, picking up bottles and glasses around a hotel pool. The next summer, he was promoted to dining room bus boy. Though the work was hard, Yianni enjoyed it, especially intermingling with the guests. When Yianni was 15, the first hotel management school opened on the island and Yianni arranged, without his father’s knowledge, to take the entrance exam … along with about 500 others. Though still in high school, he
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As word of his food and hospitality spread, visitors from other parts of Canada – particularly Alberta – became regulars. These new friends persuaded Yianni to visit Edmonton. It was the tail end of an oil boom and Yianni liked what he saw, particularly a comely, dark-haired young woman named Kally, whose parents just happened to be in the restaurant biz. Since starting over was Yianni’s forte, he sold his Vancouver holdings and relocated to Edmonton. His marriage and a new restaurant called Yanni’s Backyard was followed in short order by Koutouki (Yianni translates this word as Greek for “hole-in-the-wall with good food and wine”). Over the ensuing decade, 12 more restaurants – and in the years since, 12 more after that. When I asked why so many, Yianni answered: “I opened a place; it was successful but not big enough; waiting lines to get in; I open another, bigger place; then IT was successful; more waiting lines … I had overflow, people following my food from place to place … do you see?” I think I do. After hearing for years how great Palm Desert was, Yianni brought the family for a visit over Christmas in 2013. It was 30 below in
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Son-in-law Chris points to the Octopodi Skaras (char grilled octopus drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice) as a foodie favorite. The family also recommended the Koutouki Meze – a dazzling 12 course meal designed to be shared consisting of salads, dips, pita bread, cheeses, vegetables and of course, lamb. It is a spectacular spread, meant to be savored “siga-siga” (slowly, slowly). These days, Yianni and family are settling in nicely. They all adore the desert – Yianni says, “It feels like home, a city with a village mentality and welcoming manners; approachable.” Koutouki Meze Appetizers
Story continues from page 42 Edmonton and 80 degrees in California. He liked what he saw, and so did wife Kally, son Theo, daughter Dena and son-in-law Chris, who are all involved in the family enterprises. As Yianni likes to say, “After 40 years up north in the deep freeze, it was time to thaw out.” And then he added, “I decided what Palm Desert really needed was an authentic Greek restaurant!”
On August 12, 2015, Yianni and family opened Koutouki Greek Estiatoria, specializing in traditional dishes Yianni enjoyed as a boy. Ocean blue awnings accent a white washed exterior. The interior, flooded with natural light, exudes a southern European beach ambience. Vines and other greenery, laced with fairy lights, soften the walls and roof. This is a place to dance and dine and sip with good friends.
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Interestingly, this is also an apt description of the area’s newest Grecian-flavored enterprise. The Psalios cordially invite you to dine, sip and dance ropa at Koutouki Greek Estiatoria where everything is made fresh, in-house, daily. Katouki Greek Estiatorio is open seven days; Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. Also open on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve. Kotouki is located at 73-675 Highway 111 in Palm Desert. For more information call (760) 834-8211. Zito! (Cheers!)
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Cabazon Cultural Museum. History of Cahuilla Indians, baskets, artifacts. Monday through Saturday, 1 - 5 p.m. 84-245 Indio Springs Drive at Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio. (760) 238-5770. La Quinta Museum. Showcasing La Quinta history and cultural arts through displays on two floors. 77-885 Avenida Montezuma, La Quinta. Museum hours 10 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information call (760) 777-7170.
Palm Springs Art Museum. Featuring art and the performing arts. Museum hours year round: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursdays 12 noon - 8 p.m. Closed Mondays and major holidays; 101 Museum Drive, Palm Springs, (760) 325-7186, www.psmuseum.org. Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert. Museum hours: Closed Mondays. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. 72-567 Highway 111, Palm Desert. (760) 346-5600.
Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. History, culture of Cahuilla Indians, baskets, artifacts, photographs. Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 219 South Palm Canyon, Palm Springs. (760) 778-1079. www.accmuseum.org. Palm Springs Air Museum. One of the world’s largest collections of flyable World War II aircrafts and memorabilia, vintage automobiles, large-scale model ships. Open daily year round 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., last admission at 4 p.m. 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, www.palmspringsairmuseum.org.
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Coachella Valley History Museum. Campus contains the Smiley-Tyler House, a 1926 adobe home which houses the main exhibits; the historic 1909 Indio Schoolhouse; and the Date Museum. Grounds hold a variety of gardens, including a Memorial Date Garden, Japanese Garden, the Jardin Del Deserto, and the oldest Cork Oak tree in the desert. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays, Friday, Saturday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. 82- 616 Miles Ave, Indio. (760) 3426651, www.coachellavalleymuseum.org. Cabot’s Pueblo Museum. A Hopi-inspired pueblo that is a unique treasure in the heart of Desert Hot Springs. The structure is handmade, created from reclaimed and found
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materials. The Pueblo is four-stories, 5,000 square feet, and includes 35 rooms, 150 windows and 65 doors. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 67-616 East Desert View Avenue, Desert Hot Springs. For more information call (760) 329-7610 or visit www.cabotsmuseum.org. The Living Desert. Zoo and botanical garden, desert animals, African wildlife, 47-900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, free parking. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last admission at 4 p.m. (760) 346-5694, www.livingdesert.org. Moorten Botanical Garden. The Moorten family, all desert plant specialists, turned their residence estate into a living museum of desert lore. There’s something of interest for everyone with glistening crystals, colorful rocks, ancient fossils, pioneer and gold-mine relics. 1701 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Wednesdays. Admission is $4 for adults and seniors, $2 for children 5-15, and children under 5 free. For more in-
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formation call (760) 327-6555 or visit www. moortengarden.com. Sunnylands Center and Gardens. Free and open to the public Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No reservations are required. Find yourself surrounded by world-class art and award-winning gardens. Free guided garden walks are offered Thursdays at 11 a.m., and free guided bird walks are offered Fridays at 9:15 a.m. 37-977 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. For more information visit www.sunnylands.org or call (760) 328-2829. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The world’s largest rotating tram provides breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley as it ascends Mt. San Jacinto. Monday - Friday first tram up 10 a.m. Last tram up Sunday - Thursday 8 p.m., last tram down 9:45 p.m. Last Tram up Friday - Saturday 9 p.m. and last tram down 10:30 p.m. Highway 111 and Tram Road, Palm Springs. For information: (760) 325-1391. www.pstramway.com.
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I
ce hockey is Canada’s official national winter sport, and Canadian snowbirds will have numerous opportunities to cheer for their favorite teams this season in Southern California.
The Edmonton Oilers return to face the LA Kings at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February, 25.
The Calgary Flames faceoff against the Ducks at 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 24.
The Montreal Canadiens come to town at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3.
The Vancouver Canucks come to town at 7 p.m. Monday, November 30.
The arenas of the Los Angeles Kings (Staples Center) and the Anaheim Ducks (Honda Center) are less than a two-hour drive from the Valley (traffic permitting!).
The Vancouver Canucks return at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 7.
The Toronto Maple Leafs play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 6.
The Edmonton Oilers return at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26.
The Ottawa Senators play at 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 13.
The Calgary Flames face off against the Kings at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31.
The Calgary Flames return to the ice against the Anaheim Ducks for the second time at 4 p.m. Sunday, February 21.
Clip the schedule for future reference.
STAPLES CENTER Here is the LA Kings schedule with Canadian opponents: The Edmonton Oilers come at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 14. The Vancouver Canucks at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 1. Thursday, January 7, is Canadian Heritage Night, and the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Kings at 7:30 p.m. The Ottawa Senators will take the ice at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 16. The Calgary Flames make their first visit to the Staples Center at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 23.
The Winnipeg Jets make their only trip to Los Angeles for the final game of the regular season at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 9. Visit www.lakings.com for game times and tickets. The Staples Center is an hour and 45 minutes away from Palm Springs. It is located at 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90015.
HONDA CENTER Here is the Anaheim Ducks schedule with Canadian opponents: The Edmonton Oilers make their first visit to the Honda Center this season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 11.
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The Edmonton Oilers make their final appearance of the season at the Honda Center at 7 p.m. Sunday, February 26. The Montreal Canadiens face off against the Ducks at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. The Calgary Flames play for the third time this season at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30. The Vancouver Canucks make a final stop at the Honda Center at 7 p.m. Friday, April 1. Visit www.anaheimducks.com for game times and tickets. Honda Center is just an hour and 30 minutes away from Palm Springs. It is located at 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, CA 92806.
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important to know what the advantages and disadvantages of both materials are before deciding on which option to pick. It is however a fact that those amalgam fillings last longer than composite fillings. Basically, composites are a type of plastic that has more potential to wear off under chewing forces. The amalgam fillings are basically metal and do not tend to wear, so of course they will last longer.
Are white fillings better than silver fillings? By Dr. Bruno Lemay
Y
our dentist just informed you that you need fillings. He offered to do them in either white (composite) or silver (amalgam). What should you do? Most likely, the dentist informed you that amalgam fillings have mercury inside and
may be bad for your health, but will last longer than the composite fillings. What you need to know is that even though amalgam fillings have mercury, it has never been proven what quantity could be absorbed, and if there is any harm for your health. The fact that it has not been proven does not mean there are no risks at all. It is
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It is important to know that composite fillings are actually bonded to the tooth structure potentially reinforcing it, compared to the amalgam fillings, which are just there to fill a cavity. Sometimes composite fillings may cause more postoperative pain due to the fact that they are bonded to the tooth structure. There are also cost differences between the two types of fillings. Composite fillings are usually 30 percent more expensive than amalgam fillings, and most insurance plans will not cover the cost of white fillings on posterior teeth. The insurance companies will “downgrade” the benefit paid to the cost of the amalgam fillings.
Story continues on page 52
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Story continues from page 50 When money is not an issue, you may consider fixing your cavities with a material like porcelain or gold, which will never wear off and have no potential health concerns. Gold has been and will always be the best material to use in your mouth, as it will wear at the same rate as your regular dentition. However you have to accept the fact that it is gold in color. The last long term solution is porcelain. The advantages are that it will never wear off and can be the same color as the tooth. However, porcelain is more abrasive on the natural dentition. As a patient, you have many options when it comes to fillings, and everyone has a preference as to what they want to see in their own mouth. This is a discussion you need to have with your dentist before deciding on the method of choice to restore your mouth. Health concerns, cost durability, esthetics and insurance reimbursement are all items to be evaluated before making your decision. Dr. Bruno Lemay, a native of Quebec, is the sole owner of Desert Dental Alternatives. Dr. Lemay has a fellowship from the California Implant Institute and is the founder of CMI Institute (The Canadian Mini-Implant Institute). CMI specializes in the education and training of dentists throughout Canada and California in the mini-implant technique that Dr. Lemay has utilized and improved since 2001. Desert Dental Alternatives is located at 69-450 Ramon Road in Cathedral City, (760) 324-4450, www.desertdentalalternatives.com.
able. The cost for this “rare” tasting is $175 each, and includes Festival admission. It isn’t just the airplane, it’s also how much “rare” beer is available. After all, it is called “rare beer tasting” for a reason.
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njoy airplanes? Enjoy tasting craft beers? Then the Fourth Annual Props and Hops Craft Beer Festival at the Palm Springs Air Museum is the place for you on Saturday, November 21. It is expected that this year will have more than the 24 craft breweries who participated last year. The breweries will dispense four-ounce tastes at the Air Museum, located at 745 N. Gene Autry Trail. Entrance is from Gene Autry, between Ramon Road to the south and Vista Chino to the north. Gates open at noon, and last call is 4 p.m. “The breweries love coming out here,” said Air Museum’s special events chair Lisa Slam.
“They love the fact that their booths are set up inside the hangar, and our vintage airplanes are only a few feet away. As a matter of fact, the hangar doors remain open, so everyone can mingle inside and out, sampling beers and watching the ramp, where aircraft will take off and land throughout the day. There will be at least three food vendors, and live music. You have to be 21 or older, so of course, no children or teens; however, friendly dogs on leashes are welcome.” Perhaps the most unique feature of this Festival is the Cicerone Rare Beer Tasting inside a vintage DC-3 in flight over the Coachella Valley. Two flights with 14 passengers are avail-
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Brent Schmidman is the man who launched the idea of this Craft Beer Festival. “I will always have a passion for growing the beer culture here in the Valley. The Palm Springs Air Museum is a perfect venue to have this amazing craft beer event. This allows us to showcase a lot of great craft beer breweries in one place. The fact that you can be walking among vintage airplanes and drinking your favorite craft beer and even get a chance to fly in one of the vintage airplanes, is priceless.” Entrance to the Craft Beer Festival is $40 per person. This includes eight four-ounce tastes, plus event glassware while supplies last. You may purchase tickets online at www.propsandhopsfestival.com for $35. Additional tasting tickest can be purchased onsite for $5 for three tickets. Festival tickets does not include entrance to the museum. All of the aircrafts normally inside the south hangar will be outside for all to enjoy. For more information call (760) 482-1832 or (760) 778-6262.
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