Coachella Valley Independent January 2025

2 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Mailing address: 31855 Date Palm Drive, No. 3-263 Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760) 904-4208 www.cvindependent.com

Editor/Publisher Jimmy Boegle staff writerS Haleemon Anderson Kevin Fitzgerald coveR and feature design Dennis Wodzisz Contributors Melissa Daniels, Charles Drabkin, Katie Finn, Bill Frost, Bonnie Gilgallon, Bob Grimm, Terry Huber, Valerie-Jean (VJ) Hume, Clay Jones, Matt Jones, Matt King, Keith Knight, Cat Makino, Brett Newton, Greg Niemann, Dan Perkins, Theresa Sama, Jen Sorenson, Robert Victor, Eleanor Whitney The Coachella Valley Independent print edition is published every month. All content is ©2024-2025 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The Independent is available free of charge throughout the Coachella Valley, limited to one copy per reader.

Additional copies may be purchased for $5 by calling (760) 904-4208. The Independent may be distributed only by the Independent’s authorized distributors.

The Independent is a proud member and/ or supporter of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, CalMatters, DAP Health, the Local Independent Online News Publishers, the Desert Business Association, and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.

CVIndependent.com

There aren’t a lot of things that cause me to lose sleep, but the diminishing state of press freedom in the United States has led me to a few sleep-deprived nights as of late—and this is happening before the second Trump administration has even started.

Why am I so worried? Here are just a few examples: • ABC News agreed to pay a whopping $15 million to go toward a future Trump presidential library, to pay $1 million to Trump’s attorney, and to issue an apology, all to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by the former and future president. What did ABC News do wrong? It has to do with statements made by George Stephanopoulos on the March 10 edition of This Week.

According to The New York Times: “Mr. Trump sued after George Stephanopoulos, the star ABC News anchor, said on the air that Mr. Trump had been found ‘liable for rape’ in a New York civil trial. In fact, Mr. Trump had been found liable for sexual abuse, although the judge in that case later noted that New York has a narrow legal definition of rape.”

The difference between sexual assault and rape—that’s all it took. That NYT piece also noted in the lede: “Media law experts predicted the move would embolden Mr. Trump to file other lawsuits that could test the limits of the First Amendment.”

• In fact, Trump did file another lawsuit that could test the limits of the First Amendment. As explained by NBC News: “Donald Trump is suing Ann Selzer, her polling firm, The Des Moines Register and the newspaper’s parent company, Gannett, accusing them of consumer fraud, according to a copy of the filing reviewed by NBC News. The suit … says it seeks ‘accountability for brazen election interference’ over a Nov. 2 poll that showed Kamala Harris up by 3 percentage points in Iowa.

Trump won the state by double digits, a difference that his lawyers argue in the suit constitutes ‘election-interfering fiction.’

Trump is making the claim under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act, which prohibits deceptive advertising.”

That poll was obviously terrible—so bad that Selzer announced afterward that she’d no longer do election polling—but now Trump is accusing her and her newspaper of consumer fraud, when clearly the poll didn’t hurt his election prospects? Yikes.

• Before the election, the PRESS Act passed unanimously in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press explains: “The PRESS Act would bar the federal government from using subpoenas, search warrants, or other compulsory actions against journalists to force the disclosure of information identifying confidential sources as well as other newsgathering records, except in very limited circumstances. It would also broadly limit the government’s ability to use the same actions against third parties, including email providers and search engines, to seize journalists’ data, with narrow exceptions.”

The bill moved to the Senate, and was not taken up before the election.

Then on Nov. 20, in a Truth Social post, Trump linked to a PBS story about the PRESS Act and stated: “REPUBLICANS MUST KILL THIS BILL!” On Dec. 10, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden finally brought the bill—which, again, was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives—up for a vote. Well, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton did Trump’s bidding, and blocked the bill, saying its passage would turn the Senate “into the active accomplice of deep-state leakers, traitors and criminals, along with the America-hating and fame-hungry journalists who help them out.”

“America-hating and fame-hungry journalists.” As of this writing, the bill is presumed dead.

Welcome to the January 2025 print edition of the Coachella Valley Independent. As always, thanks for reading.

—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 3

JANUARY 2025

February 13-23 More Than 400 Events Over 11 Days Start your Modernism Week Adventure at CAMP at Hyatt Palm Springs Photos by David A. Lee, Clinton Meyer and Monica Orozco. Raymond Neutra photo courtesy PBS SoCal/The Range, Neutra Institute. Neutra photo courtesy of Raymond Neutra. Sponsors as of December 17.

February 13-23

* Open Daily

20th Anniversary Opening Ceremony Thursday, February 13 at 10 a.m. Free to the public Check-in for All Bus Tours Modernism Week Shop Information Desk Food, Drinks, Music and Daily Entertainment

Double Decker Architectural Bus Tours

February 13-23

Modernism Show Preview Party

* Various Tour Times Daily

February 14

* Palm Springs Convention Center

Keynote Presentation: Survival Through Design by Dr. Raymond Neutra February 15

Grand

Major

Platinum

* Annenberg Theater

Civic Presenting

Premier

Media

Diamond

CVIndependent.com

4 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION MAKE THE EASY CHOICE

HIKING WITH T

Don’t let personal challenges stop THE #1 CHOICE you from getting out and enjoying nature COMFORT AIR

BY THERESA SAMA

L

et’s start 2025 by focusing on our new year’s fitness resolutions and turning them into achievable goals to help us look and feel our very best.

We all face many challenges in our day-to-day life cycle, and it’s important to recognize those challenges—and to take action to overcome them. For seven months, I’ve been dealing with two root tears in the meniscus of my left knee, and I’m still awaiting a surgery date as I write this.

This has set me back tremendously with the level of hiking that I love to do—but looking on the bright side, I can still walk if I take it easy with things. I may not be climbing around on the tough, technical, strenuous mountain trails I love, but I can do some short, flat walks.

I’m learning the importance of being in tune with your inner self and, specifically, listening golf, tennis, bowling, ice skating and hockey to your body. Yes, our body speaks to us, but at the Berger Foundation Iceplex. They we often don’t hear or listen (or at least I even go sailing in San Diego! Learn more at don’t). We’ve all heard the term “mind over socaladaptivesports.org. body,” but we may not realize that the mind Mike said the group hikes are really good and body are interconnected and constantly for Ian, because he is a “people person.” Ian is influencing each other. So just when you indeed amazing. We should all be like Ian! think you can’t do something, take a deep Don’t let your mind or body hold you back look into your inner self, and you may find from getting out and exercising in nature and that you can do it. Don’t be afraid to set high enjoying the beauty around you. There are so goals for yourself, and if you need to scale many wonderful outdoor health and fitness down, know that it’s OK to do so. events coming up soon, and they can help you I’ve learned to be creative in the ways I achieve your goals for the new year. Here are exercise now, and I still get out in nature a few: and do what I can. Nature is healing; it’s • Don’t miss the Palm Springs Health Run amazing how giving a little time to nature can and Wellness Festival, at 8 a.m., Saturday, transform your health and well-being in so Jan. 25. It’s a 5K and 10K (both USA Track many ways. and Field-certified), with a 1K fun run (which I was recently invited to join a group hike is free for kids 12 and younger). There will at the Coachella Valley Preserve for people be a fitness expo featuring many health and with disabilities, hosted by Friends of the wellness vendors showcasing the latest in Desert Mountains and SoCal Adaptive nutrition and exercise techniques, along with Sports. During this hike, I met a talented and information about the KESQ News Channel inspiring young man, Ian Masoumpanah, and 3 Food Challenge, a LifeStream Blood Bank his dad, Bijan, a local artist. Ian, who said he Drive, a rock-climbing wall, walk-on-water learned about SoCal Adaptive Sports through and aerial performers, and more. This childan autism foundation, is super-excited about and pet-friendly event will take place at Ruth hiking and loves the trails.

Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk Road, in Palm “The trails give me energy and make me Springs. Learn more and register at www. feel enthusiastic and healthy,” Ian said. I palmspringshealthrun.com. saw that enthusiasm as we all climbed the • Register now for the Palm Desert Half Múmawet Hill Trail.

Marathon and 5K on Sunday, Feb. 16. The Aside from his passion for hiking, Ian half-marathon will kick off at 7 a.m., and the loves music. “I’m a self-taught percussionist,” 5K will startGUARANTEED at 7:30 a.m. There is a 1K run for HIGHEST EQUIPMENT PRICE Ian said.

He wentQUALITY on to tell me that he is an BEST kids 4-13 years old at 10 a.m. All festivities awesome drummer with his own YouTube EXTENSIVE WARRANTIES 24/7 LOCAL SUPPORT take place at the Civic Center Park, 43900 San channel. He’s has been drumming since he Pablo Ave. Half-marathon and 5K participants was a child—and music feeds his soul! will receive TO a snazzy long-sleeve technical race After the hike, I spoke with MichaelSAVE UP shirt, a finisher’s medal and post-race grub.

Rosenkrantz, executive director and founder Participants 21 and older can grab a free beer of SoCal Adaptive Sports. The organization at the post-race beer garden; 1K kids’ race goes to extraordinary lengths to engage with participants receive a bib, finisher medal athletes dealing with a physical SIGNATURE disability, and LENNOX SERIESwillSYSTEM *SAVINGS AND RESULTS MAY VARY and learn more and post-race grub. Register their families, meeting them where they are at www.palmdeserthalfmarathon.com. in their life journey. SoCal Adaptive Sports with at has partnered with many local organizations, 7• Start 6 0 your . 3 day 20 . 5a trail 8 0run/walk 0 CALL TODAY the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains including Friends of theFOR DesertDETAILS! Mountains c o mMonument f o r t a at c 8. c om National a.m., Saturday, Feb. for hiking; they also do adaptive archery,

WE'RE #1 FOR A REASON

ASK US

ABOUT OUR 0% FINANCING

Awarded Best AC Repair Company

By Coachella Valley Independent Up to $1000 Off + Special Financing On A New HVAC System

60% ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL*

CVIndependent.com

Ian Masoumpanah with his dad, Bijan, and friends. Theresa Sama

22. Join Friends of the Desert Mountains as they host the run-walk-hike on desert land that celebrates wildflowers, wellness and wildlands. Friends of the Desert Mountains is celebrating 38 years of conservation in the Coachella Valley, and your participation will help them continue saving our desert. Wear trail running shoes or hiking boots for this 2.5-mile run/walk that starts on the Randall Henderson Trail, located just off Highway 74.

All ages are welcome, but no dogs or strollers are allowed on the trail. The entrance fee is $35 per person and includes a T-shirt for those who sign up prior to Feb 1; after that, registration is $40. Kids 12 and younger can

register for free, but this does not include a T-shirt. Register and get more details at www. desertmountains.org/event/2025-wildflowertrail-run-walk.

Save the date! On Saturday, March 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Friends of the Desert Mountains’ annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival takes place at Palm Desert Civic Center Park. This great event is free for all ages and helps promote education, environmental stewardship, land conservancy and an appreciation of the beautiful surrounding desert mountains. Learn more at www.desertmountains.org/event/ the-coachella-valley-wildflower-festival.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 5

JANUARY 2025

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS C

BY BONNIE GILGALLON

orey Roskin is smart, soft-spoken and easy-going. These traits are a big reason why he’s had a successful 30-plus-year career dealing with the public as an event planner/event host.

Roskin was born in Skokie, Ill., just outside of Chicago. He grew up surrounded by music; his mother was a classically trained singer who sang on the radio and in USO tours as a teen, though she did not pursue it professionally. His dad was very funny, but never acted on his dreams of becoming a comedy writer. Roskin played both piano and clarinet as a youngster, and danced in high school shows.

He went on to get a degree in psychology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. A week after graduating, he moved in with his aunt and uncle in San Bernardino, and took a job in a services. psychiatric hospital. Roskin was unsure about He spent a year in graduate school in Los his career calling, but he thought it would be Angeles, studying industrial psychology; at somewhere in the field of psychology or social that point, he was leaning toward the humanresources field—but instead, he went to work in social services for the city of West Hollywood. For nearly 30 years, he organized community events, special programs, health fairs and speaker series. He worked with many different groups including seniors, kids and people with HIV. When the city decided to start a large book festival, Roskin was asked to help create and run that as well. On the side, Roskin taught yoga for more than a decade.

In March 2020, Roskin retired; he moved to the Coachella Valley two months later, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roskin continues to do a lot of work in the Coachella Valley—all as a volunteer. He’s worked with the Mizell Center and several nonprofit organizations, and is on the board of the Palm Springs Public Library Association.

For the latter, he’s helped oversee an LGBT author event called Pride on the Page. Roskin is part of a fundraising committee for the Palm Springs Cultural Center, and was pivotal in the recent musical event Nobody Does It Better, directed by Doug Graham, which raised a whopping $84,000 for the Cultural Center.

Like almost everyone involved, Roskin was pleasantly surprised that the event exceeded its $50,000 goal. That money will go toward much-needed capital improvements, including converting another one of the movie theaters into a live performance space, complete with a stage.

“I’m really excited to see what’s happening at the Cultural Center, so I was happy to come on board and see how I could help,” Roskin said.

I asked him how event planning and fundraising are different in Palm Springs compared to Los Angeles. “Like anywhere, it’s important to get to know the community, to get to know the players, and that took a little Corey Roskin, on the best advice he ever received: while,” he said.

“Probably that when I get too stressed about something to Roskin said the desert is not only smaller just step back, walk away from it for a minute, and take a than L.A., but also a little “sleepier.” He breath or two, and come back to it.”

Meet Corey Roskin, an event planner and host who is still much in demand after ‘retiring’ to Palm Springs

explained that people are just starting to realize what’s possible here culturally, and he’s seeing the level of entertainment take a step up.

Though he doesn’t often deal directly with big Hollywood names when organizing book festivals and booking folks for speaking engagements, Roskin does seem to have the calm, low-key manner necessary to handle celebrity egos. What are the qualities necessary to do the kind of work Roskin does?

“You need to be organized,” he said. “I think you need to have passion; you need to be excited about being creative, and you need to be flexible if a plan needs to be altered. Also, find good people to work with.”

A man of many talents, Roskin also does a little bit of writing, singing and dancing. In the future, he would like to do some of his own storytelling, in whatever form that might take. He said a friend in L.A. created a storytelling series there, and Roskin would love to put together something similar here. Another item on his bucket list: Interviewing more

authors, both one-on-one and as a member of a panel.

When asked about the best advice he’s ever been given, Roskin replied: “Probably that when I get too stressed about something to just step back, walk away from it for a minute, and take a breath or two, and come back to it.

Try not to stay in the spin of the stress.”

Roskin keeps this Toni Morrison quote on his desk: “If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it.” When asked about his philosophy of life, he replied: “Be as nice to people as you are able to.”

“I’d like to maintain a life that incorporates the three Cs: community, cultural arts and connection,” he continued. “Those are the things that, in a very broad way, define me.”

Roskin can be contacted at coreyroskin@gmail. com. Bonnie Gilgallon also writes theater reviews for Independent and hosts a weekly radio show, The Desert Scene, on Mutual Broadcasting. Her website is www.bonnie-g.com, and she can be emailed at BonnieGnews@gmail.com.

CVIndependent.com

6 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

NAVIGATING CHANGE C

BY EILEEN LYNCH

hange often feels intimidating, but over the past year in my role as executive director of Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO), I’ve come to see it as not just inevitable, but often transformative and necessary.

PRO is embracing its own transformation, unveiling updates to our organization’s leadership, programs and branding, while remaining true to our legacy of compassionate care for every person navigating Parkinson’s.

My journey with PRO began five years ago as a contracted grant writer, a role that allowed me to gain valuable insight into the organization’s impactful work. That opportunity led to a promotion and a significant life change as I relocated across the country to serve as PRO’s director on groundbreaking research and funding of operations. In late 2023, the board of priorities. directors recognized my contributions and This symposium is a reflection of PRO’s invited me to step into the role of executive commitment to delivering high-quality director following the retirement of our educational resources and fostering a sense founder, whose visionary leadership laid the of community among those affected by foundation for PRO’s success.

Parkinson’s. By bringing together experts, This transition has opened new doors, advocates and individuals directly impacted strengthened community relationships and

by Parkinson’s, we hope to provide actionable created opportunities for the organization insights and inspiration for everyone in to thrive in ways that were previously out of attendance. reach. These advancements have been driven I’m thrilled to announce that PRO has by a shared commitment to collaboration, undergone a complete rebranding, featuring transparency and forward-thinking initiatives. a refreshed logo, updated color palette and One exciting result of these forwardnew design elements. When we first began thinking initiatives is our upcoming discussing a rebrand, we knew it was essential “Parkinson’s Today: An Educational to honor the legacy of PRO, which has been Symposium,” taking place on Saturday, Feb. serving the Coachella Valley since 1990. The 8, 2025, at the UCR-Palm Desert Campus. organization holds deep meaning for so many, This event marks a significant milestone and its history is a cornerstone of our identity. for PRO as we partner with The Michael J. However, our previous logo—designed more Fox Foundation (MJFF) for the first time, a than 20 years ago in a largely analog world— collaboration that reflects our expanded reach was showing its age in today’s digital-first and renewed focus on serving the Parkinson’s landscape. We needed a visual identity that community. would translate seamlessly across platforms, This symposium is designed for people particularly in the digital spaces, where much with Parkinson’s, caregivers, family members, of our work now takes place. for-profit health-care providers, academics, Rebranding is more than just aesthetics; it’s local government agencies and members of about revisiting core values, long-term goals the press. The day’s program will feature a and the very essence of an organization. For keynote address on the National Plan to End PRO, those core values are hope, education, Parkinson’s Act, insightful panel discussions, support and inspiration. From these values, networking opportunities and an expo our new logo took shape: a circular design showcasing resources and advancements in composed of four columns, representing our Parkinson’s care. foundational pillars, and symbolizing the Event highlights include: holistic, 360-degree support we provide to • Keynote speaker: A discussion of the people with Parkinson’s, their families and National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act and its caregivers. impact on healthcare policy and research.

Accessibility was our guiding principle • Panel One: Treating Parkinson’s Today: throughout this process. We aimed for a design Dr. John Legge and other medical specialists that is visually clear, easy to interpret and will cover established treatments, emerging compliant with ADA best practices. This is therapies and scams to avoid. particularly vital for people with Parkinson’s, • Panel Two: Caregiving: A conversation who may experience visual and cognitive about caregiving challenges, strategies and challenges, including sensitivity to certain support resources. colors or fonts. With this new branding, we’re • Panel Three: Research and Clinical ensuring our resources—whether in our Trials: MJFF experts will provide updates CVIndependent.com

The Parkinson’s Resource Organization is in the midst of a transformation— while remaining true to its legacy

newsletters, on YouTube or on our website— are as accessible as possible to our community.

Beyond our refreshed look, PRO is also thrilled with recent updates to our leadership.

In 2024, we were lucky to welcome board co-chairs John White and Shon Tomlin, both longtime supporters and advocates of PRO. John White is a familiar figure in the Coachella Valley, well-known for his work with KESQ News Channel 3. An Emmy Awardwinning journalist and PRO’s marketing committee chair, he brings a wealth of media expertise to our organization. Shon Tomlin, a multi-Emmy Award-winning media and technology executive, has been a valued pro-bono consultant to PRO since 2020. His extensive nonprofit experience, including co-founding the Palm Springs 501(c)(3) VRONPS, strengthens our mission.

We’re also delighted to welcome attorney Hannah Yoo as board secretary, alongside new members Kim Guzzetti and John Mason, who have extensive experience caregiving for people with Parkinson’s, and Bob Koch. A strong board is the foundation of any successful organization, and at PRO, we are committed to maintaining the strength and stability needed to support the Parkinson’s community for as long as the need exists.

That need is significant. Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world. Notably, the incidence of Parkinson’s is higher in Southern California than other parts of the country. In the Coachella Valley alone, we estimate 8,000 to 10,000 individuals are living with Parkinson’s, each surrounded by caregivers, friends and family members who are also deeply impacted.

Parkinson’s uniquely impacts our neighbors and our community here in Coachella Valley.

In our ongoing effort to provide accessible and impactful resources, we’re thrilled to introduce Together in Parkinson’s, PRO’s new podcast designed to empower and inform our community. As caregivers, people with Parkinson’s and friends of the community, we understand that time is precious, and the learning curve can be steep when navigating neurological disorders.

This podcast features subject-matter experts who deliver the latest news, research and education in an easy-to-digest format. Listen to conversations with Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., about the National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act; with Andrea Valdez about safety, scams and resources for senior drivers; and further topics exploring clinical trials, Lewy body dementia and more.

Eileen Lynch.

Local partnerships are vital to PRO’s mission, and one of the most heartwarming examples comes from the Palm Desert Greens (PDG) community. In 2024, the PDG Charity Golf Tournament raised a record-breaking $37,250 for PRO—the highest amount in the event’s 25-year history. Thanks to the advocacy of Barbara Kelly, Liz Dixon and the dedicated women of PDG Strong, this fundraiser brought not only financial support, but also new connections to PRO. As part of our commitment to the community, I’m excited to share that PRO has reintroduced in-person support groups for the first time since the pandemic. In September, we began hosting two in-person groups each month—one in the Coachella Valley, and another in Los Angeles. They were so popular that we doubled the number of in-person support groups here in the Coachella Valley, with more planned throughout 2025.

Additionally, we launched the PRO Social Club, a monthly opportunity for individuals affected

by Parkinson’s to come together for fun, engaging and educational outings.

What hasn’t changed is our unwavering dedication to offering free, high-quality programming designed to provide emotional and practical support to those navigating Parkinson’s. Whether through our support groups, newsletters or events, we’re here to ensure that no one feels isolated because of this disease.

For more information, visit parkinsonsresource.org; stop by our Indian Wells office; or call us at 760-773-5628. Until there’s a cure, PRO remains steadfast in its mission: working so no one is isolated because of Parkinson’s.

CVIndependent.com

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 7

JANUARY 2025

“If you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail.” ~Benjamin Franklin, Founding Father of the U.S.

Our Big Plans Will Make a Big Difference in Cancer Care.

Like many other visionaries, Eisenhower Health believes in looking ahead and planning accordingly. Cancer rates in the Coachella Valley are projected to increase by 25 percent over the next decade, and Eisenhower Health is planning to meet the surge head on. We’re already well on our way. Construction is complete on the Mark and Paula Hurd Cancer Pavilion at our Lucy Curci Cancer Center. We are building multidisciplinary programs for breast, lung, prostate, gynecologic, gastrointestinal, blood and skin cancers and we’ll be able to provide prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship in one fully integrated, advanced facility. Our expertise enables us to deliver the majority of our cancer services here in the desert, while our affiliation with UC San Diego Health Cancer Network gives patients seamless access to more clinical trials, multidisciplinary tumor boards, and highly specialized care for complex cases when needed.

At Eisenhower Health, we plan ahead to stay ahead — delivering top quality cancer care, today and tomorrow.

Learn more at EisenhowerHealth.org/Growth

EisenhowerHealth.org/Growth CVIndependent.com

8 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

A BREAK FROM POLITICS O

by Kevin Fitzgerald

n Nov. 30, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia completed his fifth and final term in office. It was the finale—for now, at least—of a meteoric political career which began with his election to the Coachella City Council in 2004, at the age of 27. Two years later, Garcia became the first directly elected mayor of Coachella, a position he’d hold for eight years.

In 2014, the Democrat successfully ran to represent Assembly District 56. (After redistricting, he represented AD 36.) In a relatively short time, Garcia demonstrated an uncanny ability to coordinate his legislative objectives with the policy priorities of the governor and the state party—skillfully building consensus within the Assembly to move his priorities toward implemitigation, Lithium Valley development and mentation.

Native American tribal issues. In a recent In 2016, Garcia led Assembly efforts to interview with the Independent, Garcia pass Senate Bill 32 and Assembly Bill 197, described his approach to getting things done two pieces of landmark climate-change legas “collaborative and strategic as it relates to islation. The bills established California’s relationship-building.” greenhouse gas emission-reduction mandate, “Ultimately, I was able to elevate this set of while prioritizing climate-related investments in disadvantaged communities most impacted issues and many others to a level where they by pollution—including the eastern Coachella became part of a larger California policy agenda,” he said. “So, when I’m sitting in Jerry Valley, where Garcia grew up.

Brown’s office talking about the Salton Sea, That same year, Garcia became the first it wasn’t so much (about) the decades-long freshman legislator in the Assembly’s history problem that the state had ignored addressto have more than two dozen bills and resoluing. It was me telling him and his team that tions signed by the governor (Jerry Brown at the Salton Sea was the climate-change issue the time). for our region. Given that climate had been Throughout his five terms, Garcia priorian important issue for Gov. Brown, it wasn’t tized Salton Sea mitigation, migrant-worker hard to be able to ultimately align his climate issues, quality-of-life improvements for eastern Coachella Valley residents, climate-change priorities with what I was presenting to him

Eduardo Garcia takes a selfie during a street demonstration outside of the COP26 conference in 2021.

CVIndependent.com

After 20 years in public office, Eduardo Garcia looks back on his accomplishments in the Assembly

Eduardo Garcia: “California has set its path on a clean-energy, clean-economy set of policy proposals that might clash with the new federal administration. That could really set California’s vision and mission at a standstill, and/or for that matter, in a different direction.”

as our climate priorities—and that was the beginning of attention. The first tranche of money that came from the state was $80 million that Jerry Brown approved. Since that effort, the Salton Sea has seen over $500 million in state commitments to develop the Salton Sea Management Plan that is currently under construction. That’s just an example of how we elevated some local issues and folded them into the overall state policy agenda.”

When asked if he had one accomplishment in the Assembly that was the most significant, Garcia instead rattled off a long list.

“With California’s climate-change programs, we made significant modifications for the purpose of making sure that our region could access certain dollars from programs that historically just weren’t making their way to the region,” Garcia said. “We did author the cap-and-trade extension program. …

We’ve authored two natural resources bonds: one in 2018, and one just this year that was approved by the voters (with) hundreds of millions of dollars in there for our region, beginning with the Salton Sea and the New River, parks and other types of programs for the mountain conservancies and other significant entities that work in the natural-resources space. … We authored the ‘internet for all’ bill that has seen some major invest-

ments in broadband infrastructure for the region. We authored bills related to workforce development, and a tremendous amount of money was (generated) this way. Also, we worked a lot on tribal issues related to water infrastructure … that I think are important to highlight. And, of course, we worked on the expansion of the Desert Healthcare District for the Coachella Valley, and that has turned out to be very beneficial.”

That expansion, which voters approved in 2018, became a literal life-saver when the pandemic arrived.

“COVID is the example I often point to as it relates to the impact that (the DHCD) had in serving very vulnerable populations in the eastern Coachella Valley,” Garcia said. “We could say that many, many lives were saved as a result of the DHCD being able to provide services and resources to a community (where), prior to the expansion of the healthcare district, it wouldn’t have happened.

In the just-concluded 2023-24 legislative session, Garcia chaired three committees and served on eight others. According to the FastDemocracy website, he authored or co-authored 150 bills in his last year alone.

California legislators are limited to serving 12 years, meaning Garcia could have sought one more two-year term, but no more. We asked

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 9

JANUARY 2025

NEWS

him if he thought the 12-year term limit was a good idea.

“I think it is,” Garcia said. “I think it allows for those elected in these roles ample time to get familiarized with the work (and) the policy areas of work … and ultimately have an impact. That timeframe also allows (legislators) the ability to look at the end product, analyze the outcome, and go back and set some kind of corrective action if the outcome wasn’t, or isn’t, reflective of what was intended. … So, I think it’s been a good thing.

I decided that 10 years was enough time for us, not 12, but I think 10 to 12 years is plenty of time to do what you said you were going to do.”

Republican Jeff Gonzalez now represents AD 36, after narrowly defeating Democrat Joey Acuña—the candidate Garcia had endorsed—in the general election. What are the biggest issues Gonzalez and his fellow legislators will face in the new session?

“I think the issue of cost is on people’s minds, without a doubt,” Garcia said. “And there’s the public-safety issue that I think people have spoken very loud and clear about (via) state Proposition 36 that was just voted on. (Prop 36 called for increased sentencing for certain drug and theft crimes; it passed overwhelmingly, with more than 68% of the vote.) “Those are definitely two issues that are extremely important to pay attention to, because the people have spoken loud and clear at the ballot (box), and with the candidates that were on the ballot that people chose to elect.”

Garcia said the state was facing “a very challenging time” due to the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

“California has set its path on a clean-energy, clean-economy set of policy proposals that might clash with the new federal administration,” Garcia said. “That could really set California’s vision and mission at a standstill, and/or for that matter, in a different direction. What I believe, though, is that people are concerned about the day-to-day bread-and-butter issues like schools, safety,

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS affordability of housing, cost of living, and those are the challenges from a community perspective. From a state governing (perspective), the budget is going to be something that might be a challenge, and how we fund things will definitely be front and center for the next legislative body.”

Garcia, 47, said he’s looking forward to spending more time with his wife and two children—but he did not rule out running for office again.

“I’m never going to close the door on the opportunity to serve,” Garcia said. “However, I am looking forward to a professional path of work that will allow me to utilize my 20 years in elected office, and my policy expertise in energy, water, tribal affairs and climate policies to contribute to those spaces.

“I’m very interested in the academic world.

I started off my journey right out of college, teaching adult education in our community, as well as doing some long-term assignments as an instructor. During my time in elected office, I have always contributed to the academic space, and I’m looking forward to some opportunities in that arena. … During my time in the Assembly, I got to do a bit of academic work at Purdue, at Yale, at the (Harvard) Kennedy School of Government, and at a number of UCs here, (including) Berkeley, UCLA and UC Riverside. I’m looking forward to pursuing some professional opportunities in the academic space.”

Garcia said it’s a challenging time for anyone in office.

“Even within the party infrastructures, people are extremely, extremely divided, and I would say it’s on both sides of the aisle that we’re seeing that, including here in our local communities,” he said. “I believe it is that division that ultimately impacted the outcome of several elections. Until there are some candid discussions internally, I don’t think we’re able to move forward constructively. Ultimately, I think the party leadership and those in elected office have a responsibility to broach those discussions. … There’s a lot of work to do.”

Singing

in the Rain w it h

T O O L S FO R T O M O R ROW

honoring

PATRICK EVANS

DINNER SHOW Featuring Guest Performers & Tools For Tomorrow Students Directed by Joyce Bulifant Master of Ceremonies Karen Devine

Monday, February 24, 2025 SILENT AUCTION

LIVE MUSIC

DINNER SHOW

Agua Caliente Resort Casino - Rancho Mirage

TICKETS, SPONSORSHIPS & TRIBUTE ADS AVAILABLE NOW! For more information: echeley@toolsfortomorrow.org echeley@toolsfortomor row.org 760.601.3954 www.toolsfortomorrow.org

To Reach, Teach and Inspire Children through the ARTS Singing in the Rain Gala_CV Independent Half Page Ad_4.86x9.86.indd 1

CVIndependent.com 12/18/24 11:56 AM

10 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

CIVIC SOLUTIONS T

by Melissa Daniels

he landmark restorative-justice agreement between the city of Palm Springs and the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors Group announced in November garnered headlines across the country.

Many included the dollar figures, like the $5.9 million in direct payments that will be made to survivors and descendants of those displaced in the city-authorized razing of working-class, Black and Brown neighborhoods on tribal land in the 1950s and 1960s.

But Areva Martin, who served as lead attorney for the survivors’ group, said the settlement push was about more than money. It came down to acknowledging a grave historical injustice While the settlement in no way changes and amplifying the voices of those who were the past, Martin said it still represents a large wronged. step. She credits the deep work the survi“To talk about racial trauma and give them vors did to share their stories with the wider permission to remember their stories—to community, providing a powerful example say them out loud, and to feel OK wanting to for other communities grappling with similar organize—that’s what made this so incredihistories. ble,” Martin said.

“This wasn’t just a fight; it was a David and Beyond the $5.9 million settlement, which Goliath fight,” Martin said. “This is a very the city says will go to more than 1,200 wealthy and predominantly white enclave people, Palm Springs has also committed to that has stepped up and entered a restorspending $20 million on affordable housing ative-justice agreement with a group of Black initiatives over the next 10 years, including a and Brown, working-class, middle-class and community land trust. The commitment also even impoverished individuals.” includes $1 million for small-business development through the Caravanserai Project that will be aimed at assisting survivors and Respecting the their descendants. The city has said it would Feelings of the Survivors explore renaming a community park and a When Martin first started working with the public monument to honor the legacy of SecPalm Springs Section 14 Survivors Group, she tion 14 residents, and support the creation of anticipated that the effort might be led by chila racial healing center. dren and grandchildren of the descendants. In The agreement puts Palm Springs on a the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, small but growing list of U.S. communities young activists across the country were getting that have launched restorative-justice efforts more involved with such movements. over racist pasts and historic injustices.

But she soon realized it was many of the Evanston, Ill., in 2019 initiated a reparations survivors themselves leading this effort— program over decades of housing discriminafolks well into their 70s and 80s. They had tion. In Oklahoma, the city of Tulsa’s Beyond memories of being forcibly displaced from Apology Commission is looking to restore their downtown neighborhoods in a city-apeconomic mobility and address the loss of proved land takeover in the 1950s and 1960s. intergenerational wealth for survivors and While their stories and memories would descendants of the 1921 Race Massacre. In California, the Bruce family fought to retrieve become a central part of gaining visibility and securing the agreement, it took time for them oceanfront property that had been seized to get there. decades ago, then sold the property back to Martin said the early days of organizing Los Angeles County for $20 million. the survivors involved significant healing These efforts required years of legal work. Discussing the displacement opened old maneuvering, advocating for policies and wounds and brought up repressed memories sustained grassroots activism—often against from those involved. The survivors had been a backdrop of painful memories. In Palm told their neighborhoods were a slum and a Springs, the effort raised questions about blight on the city. They were told they had no who was ultimately responsible for the disrights, and no voice to speak up. placement and how residents were treated; a “We had to do healing work—heart work, years-long controversy regarding a statue of soul work—before they could feel empowered Mayor Frank Bogert, who presided over the enough to act,” Martin said. city during the displacements; and numerous Martin said the stories of the survivors, city actions like resolutions and requests for told time and time again to the city and comproposals.

CVIndependent.com

The lasting lessons from the Section 14 Survivors Group’s settlement agreement

Attorney Areva Martin and Pearl Devers embrace after the Palm Springs City Council’s unanimous approval of the settlement agreement. Diamond Dust Photography

munity at large, helped move the needle. This required survivors like Margaret Godina-Genera to talk about what happened to them when they were pushed out of their homes and saw them burned to the ground.

Many of these stories led to the “Know Before You Go” campaign that included billboards put up during peak season in late 2023. This generated public awareness not only with people coming into the city, but locals who weren’t familiar with the history or current efforts.

Martin said one story that stood out to her was from a survivor whose mother was a domestic worker at a local doctor’s home. One day when she went to get lunch money from her mother, she knocked on the front door— only to be scolded by her mother to never do that again.

“This was in the 1960s. This is Palm Springs, California—a Black domestic worker scolding her child about the racial hierarchy,” Martin said. “You can’t help but be touched by those stories.”

Building Relationships

The survivors group’s success also relied on a lesson straight out of Organizing 101, Martin said: building coalitions, alliances and partnerships. In Palm Springs, that meant forging new relationships with organizations and communities that hadn’t necessarily worked together before.

This required bridging generational divides and addressing existing biases or stereotypes that more conservative, religious members of the community may have had. Martin said the group reached out to and spoke with organizations like the Stonewall Democrats, Brothers of the Desert, and the Episcopalian community of St. Paul in the Desert church to help move their cause forward.

“Aligning with powerful groups in the community made a difference,” she said.

The effort also received support from politicians and organizations beyond Palm Springs, including U.S. Sen. Laphonza Butler, the National Urban League, the California League of United Latin American Citizens, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Human Rights Campaign, Equality California, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Looking ahead, Martin said the lessons from Palm Springs can help inform communities elsewhere in the country. It’s especially critical for advocates to learn from each other in a moment when even academic conversations around race and justice can be met with hostility, and marginalized communities are concerned about possible actions by the incoming Trump administration.

“There’s a lot of fear about the future of this work, especially in today’s climate,” Martin said.

But that doesn’t mean the work won’t continue.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 11

JANUARY 2025

We’re Doing Business with PRIDE in the Coachella Valley.

MAKE THE EASY CHOICE

THE #1 CHOICE COMFORT AIR

Our 250 members support equality – and they support you!

See what our members have to offer at desertbusiness.org

WE'RE #1 FOR A REASON

ASK US

Affiliate Chamber

ABOUT OUR 0% FINANCING

COMPASS ROSE

FI NANCIAL PLAN N I NG A FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FIRM

Your Fiduciary Advisor DESERT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S 2019 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Call us today to schedule a complimentary consultation and get acquainted with an independent, Fee-Only financial planning & investment management firm located here in the Coachella Valley.

Allow us to show you the benefits that result from a financial plan tailored to helping you achieve your goals.

Awarded Best AC Repair Company

By Coachella Valley Independent Up to $1000 Off + Special Financing On A New HVAC System HIGHEST QUALITY EQUIPMENT EXTENSIVE WARRANTIES

COMPASS ROSE FINANCIAL PLANNING 760-322-5200 • www.compassrosefp.com 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 112-A • Palm Springs, CA 92262

BEST PRICE GUARANTEED 24/7 LOCAL SUPPORT

SAVE UP TO

60% ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL*

LENNOX SIGNATURE SERIES SYSTEM

*SAVINGS AND RESULTS MAY VARY

CALL TODAY FOR DETAILS!

760.320.5800 comfortac.com CVIndependent.com

12 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

CV HISTORY I

German immigrant Otto Adler started the first newspaper in Palm Springs in 1914

by greg niemann

t was a German immigrant who published the first newspaper in Palm Springs, modest though it was.

Otto R. Adler, born in 1870 in Germany, arrived in Palm Springs in 1913 with his wife, Louisa, and immediately became a village entrepreneur and civic leader. In addition to opening a store, a hotel and the village’s first newspaper, under doctor’s care for the past three weeks, he became the first fire chief of Palm Springs’ is on the road to recovery since adopting comrudimentary volunteer fire department. mon-sense methods of regaining her health.”

Upon his arrival in Palm Springs, there was Another tribe member was mentioned in this only one small place where the growing comnotice: “Albert Patencio and family are enjoymunity could buy supplies, so he established ing the mountain air in Banning.” a small grocery store out of a tent. He soon This brief item highlights the difficulties built a larger store and an adjacent hotel, the of travel at the time: “Mr. Palmer and family Red Front Mercantile Store and Hotel, which from Fresno are here, not from choice, but was north of the Desert Inn on the west side they lost their ‘bearings’ and stripped their of Main Street (now Palm Canyon Drive, in ‘gearings’ on their way from Fresno to Blythe block that today houses Blaze Pizza and the.”

West Elm).

Numerous local names were mentioned in To augment his businesses, he established each issue, from Dr. Welwood Murray (who the Red Front Store News, a four-page, threehad been ill and left for Beaumont for the column-wide paper, which debuted on Aug. 1, summer), to others getting their figs shipped 1914, making it the first newspaper in Palm on wagon loads to market in Los Angeles.

Springs.

Adler counted on locals who were looking The two inner pages consisted almost for their names and “newsy” tidbits to also entirely of promotions for and sales at Red peruse the ads—and give him more business.

Front Mercantile Store. Those pages noted The Red Front Hotel’s name was changed that the 1914 Red Front summer sale consistto the La Palma Hotel, and it grew into a ed of women’s union suits, men’s suspenders, charming two-story building with a shady towels, bulk cookies, Red Front coffee, cob tree-covered courtyard, and stone pillars out pipes (your choice—5 cents), buggy whips, front. It was one of the first village businesses lamp chimneys and more. An ad on the back to remain open in the summer. page highlighted the Red Front Hotel: “Open Adler was always active in civic affairs, Every Day. One Block West of Post Office, serving on an early version of the chamber of Two Blocks North of Sanitarium. Screen Tent commerce, and helping with the development Rooms—50 cents. Open Air Dining Room, of Palm Springs. He was also the head of Chicken Dinner—50 cents. Meals at all Hours.” the volunteer fire department, and while his In reference to Adler’s German heritage, the newspaper would become historic, it was his two words “Deutsche Kueche,” meaning Gerfire-prevention efforts that went a long way man cooking, accompanied the meal sign. in protecting his adopted town.

Only two issues of the Red Front Store News One of the first orders of business for the are on file with the Palm Springs Historical Palm Springs Volunteer Fire Department Society. While it was not a public newspaper was to get the necessary equipment. They with general advertising, but more of a prowould need a handcart, which would rely on motional paper for the Red Front businesses, manpower to get a water tank on wheels to it still filled a void, and the front and back the conflagration. A group of Palm Springs pages covered the goings, comings and highproperty owners led by Adler met on April lights of the citizenry.

28, 1921, and decided a donation from each For example: “Edward Bunker, the genial of the 58 properties would raise the $850 and thoroughly competent blacksmith and needed for such a fire protection cart. Not auto mechanic, is building a new garage. We all of the 58 owners chipped in, but enough wish him every success.” did, and the committee raised the money for And: “Sorry to hear Mr. Bisbee lost one of the cart; it was stored in a shed on the corner his valuable mules this week, just as he began of Andreas Road and Palm Canyon Drive. shipping grapes and needed him. ‘InconsisThis cart, along with 12 volunteers, formed tency your name is mule.’” the foundation of the Palm Springs Fire This tidbit featured an Agua Caliente tribe Department. Fire Chief Otto Adler installed members: “Mrs. Lee Arenas, who has been an electric siren on a pole in the downtown CVIndependent.com

The La Palma Hotel. Courtesy of the Los Angeles Public Library Legacy Collection

area between his Hotel La Palma and Bunker’s Garage, so that the dozen or so volunteer firemen were alerted when they were needed.

In 1928, Adler began to bow out of his Palm Springs affairs, and leased the La Palma Hotel to Randall Sparks. Adler and Louisa initially moved to Venice, Calif.

The Red Front Store News had ceased publication, but a new paper with more staying power came into being around the time Adler left the valley. Banning resident Carl Barkow, publisher of the Banning Record-Gazette, was a visionary who recognized the possible growth in Palm Springs. With Walter Johnson as editor, they began publishing what was originally a weekly newspaper. The first issue of Johnson and Barkow’s The Desert Sun came off the press on Aug. 5, 1927, and is still serving the Coachella Valley.

That first issue called for local involvement with this notice: “The Desert Sun wishes to print all the news of Palm Springs. This can be made possible by the cooperation of ‘Palm Springers’ living here and by those who are absent on their vacations.”

As for the La Palma, Ray Bryant took over the operation from Sparks and ran the hotel, dining room, and Ray’s Waffle Shop next door. The La Palma Hotel location later

became home to the El Rey Hotel and then the famous Chi Chi Club before it was renovated into the Desert Inn Fashion Plaza, which was later torn down and replaced by the newer shops.

Louisa Adler died in 1933 and was buried in Palm Springs. Her grave marker in the Welwood Murray Cemetery has one of the most unusual epitaphs: “Louisa Adler 1873-1933.

Died of Grief Caused by a Neighbor. Now Rests in Peace.” One of the walking tours provided by the Palm Springs Historical Society called “Cherished Legacies” visits the cemetery and points out her headstone, but the back story behind the intriguing and cryptic epitaph is apparently unknown.

Otto Adler had moved to Idyllwild, where he died on April 5, 1949. It was noted in his obituary that he was prominent in the early life of Palm Springs. He is buried next to Louisa in the Welwood Murray Cemetery.

Sources for this article include A Look Into Palm Springs’ Past by Elizabeth W. Richards (Santa Fe Federal Savings and Loan Association, 1960); Desert Memories: Historic Images of the Coachella Valley by The Desert Sun (2002); the California Digital Newspaper Collection at the University of California, Riverside.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 13

JANUARY 2025

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

JANUARY ASTRONOMY

Six ofStars our in seven fellow planets Planets and Bright Evening Mid-Twilight 2025 can be inFor the January, solar system

T

By Robert Victor

This sky chart is drawn for latitude 34 degrees north, but may be used in southern U.S. and northern Mexico.

spotted in January evenings N

January's evening sky

he first eight weeks of 2025 present us with a striking lineup of evening planets. In order chart. from west to east across the sky in early January, they are: ROBERT D. MILLER • Venus, the brightest, gleaming at magnitude -4.4 to -4.8 in the southwest to west-southwest at dusk, and setting in the west-southwest to west nearly four hours after sunset. Venus reaches greatest elongation, 47° east of the sun, on Jan. 9. On Jan. 11, the planet’s 25” (arcsecond) disk appears half-full through telescopes and binoculars, while racing toward Earth at a top speed of nearly 690,000 miles per day.

Pollux Castor • Saturn, of magnitude +1.1, 16° to the upper left of Venus. The brighter planet will pass 2.2° 8 north of Saturn on Jan. 18; Saturn will be nearly 11° below Venus on Jan. 31. A telescope reveals Saturn’s closing rings, 4° from edgewise on Jan. daytime. Just before sunset, look to the lower Vega Capella 15 7, through 3° on Jan. 28. right of the moon. Once Mars has risen, the Mars • Very faint magnitude 7.8 Neptune in span of five objects, Venus to Mars, is 150°. On 22 Pisces; and 5.7 magnitude Uranus, within reach Jan. 4, Saturn is within 5° to the lower right of Deneb of binoculars near the Taurus-Aries border. the 29 percent crescent. On Jan. 5, the 40 per29 Procyon • Jupiter, second-brightest in the lineup cent fat crescent moon has climbed 19° to the 1 Betelgeuse 8 Jupiter at magnitude -2.7 to -2.5 in Taurus. On Jan. upper left of Saturn.

Aldebaran E W 15 30, Jupiter reaches minimum distance of 5.1° On Jan. 9, in the late afternoon before sun22 29 Altair north and slightly east of Aldebaran, four set, the moon moves through the Pleiades star days before ending its four months of retrocluster, invisibly covering and uncovering some grade motion on Feb. 3. of its stars. As the sky darkens after sunset, Rigel 29 • Mars, the distinctively red planet, is at the telescopes and binoculars will show some clus22 15 29 end of the lineup. On Jan. 1, it is in Cancer and ter members west of the moon, those already Saturn Sirius 22 8 15 8 rises in the east-northwest about 1 1/2 hours uncovered. But 3.6-magnitude Atlas, father of 1 1 Venus after sunset. Retrograding into Gemini on Jan. the Pleiades, remains hidden until it emerges at 12, Mars then rises around sunset and is closest, the sunlit western edge of the moon at 6 p.m. as 0.642 A.U., or 59.7 million miles from Earth. On seen from Palm Springs.

Fomalhaut the 15th, the red planet stands at opposition.

Jan. 11: The northernmost moon passes In January’s second week, Mars reaches peak within 5-6° south of overhead at 10:23 p.m. in brightness at magnitude –1.4 (comparable to Palm Springs. Jan. 12: From top to bottom, CasSirius) and shows a disk 14.6” across. tor-Pollux-Mars appear 10° to 14° to the lower Don’t miss the occultation of Mars by the left of the nearly full moon tonight. Look again full moon on the evening of Jan. 13, telescope tomorrow night! Jan. 13: About one hour after required. From Palm Springs, Mars is hidden by sunset, Pollux and Castor, the “Twin” stars of the moon at 5:50 p.m. and emerges at 6:46 p.m. Gemini, appear 4° to 8 1/2° to the upper left of S occurs whengibbous Stereographic Follow the moon: The moon is above the the moon tonight. Where’s Mars? Read the secOn Jan.Evening 16, themid-twilight 92 percent waning 31, the 9 percent crescent will appearProjection 2° from Sun is 9°within below the horizon.

Map by Robert D. Miller horizon one hour after sunset each evening tion about Mars in the planet summary above, moon is inthethe west, 2-3° of Regulus, Saturn and 13° below Venus.

Jan. 1: 43 minutes after sunset.

Jan. 1-14. On Jan. 1, the 5 percent crescent especially about tonight’s occultation. Look heart of Leo, 15: the43 Lion." On" Jan." 20 and 21, the These events, and other gatherings of the moon can be spotted low in the southwest to again later this evening, and watch the moon moon, approaching moon, planets and stars, are illustrated on the 31: 41 last " quarter " " phase when it west-southwest, 21° to the lower right of Venus. gradually move eastward, away from Mars. would be half full and 90°, or a quarter-circle, Abrams Planetarium Sky Calendar. For $12 per Jupiter is then in the east, with reddish AldebaJan. 15: Mars is at opposition. Two hours west of the sun, is found 7° to the upper right, year, subscribers receive quarterly mailings, each ran, eye of Taurus, 5.7° to its upper right. Nearly after sunset, the 95 percent waning moon is just and then 5° to the lower left, of Spica, the spike containing three monthly issues; learn more at 14° above and forming an isosceles triangle with rising, 27° to the lower left of Mars. Wait anoth- of grain in the hand of Virgo. www.abramsplanetarium.org/skycalendar.

Jupiter and Aldebaran is the Pleiades star cluser hour for a good view of the lineup Venus-SatOn Jan. 24, an hour before sunrise, find the The Astronomical Society of the Desert will ter, a beautiful sight for binoculars. urn-Jupiter-Mars-moon, nearly 161° in extent.

25 percent crescent moon in the south-southhost a star party on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the On Jan. 2, the 11 percent crescent moon Can you see Regulus, about 6° to the lower left east, with reddish Antares, heart of the Scorpion, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National closes to within 9° to the lower right of Venus. of the moon?

5° to the moon’s lower left. On the next mornMonument Visitor Center; and on Saturday, Jan. Look two hours after sunset, and you’ll have Rather than staying up later each night to see ing, a thinner 17 percent crescent will appear 25, at Sawmill Trailhead, a site in the Santa Rosa a good view of Mars low in the east-northeast the moon after full, you can switch your viewing 8° to the lower left of that star. On Jan. 26, this Mountains at elevation 4,000 feet. For more while the moon is still visible in the west-southtime to mornings, an hour before sunrise. month’s southernmost moon, a 10 percent cresinformation, visit astrorx.org. west. You can view five naked-eye solar system On Jan. 13, one hour before sunrise, the full cent, will appear very low in the southeast. bodies simultaneously, moon-Venus-Saturn-Jumoon is low in the west-northwest, 9° to the The moon returns to the evening sky on Jan. Robert Victor originated the Abrams Planetarium piter-Mars, spanning 159°. On Jan. 3, the 19 lower right of Mars. Note Pollux and Castor 30. Within an hour after sunset that evening, monthly Sky Calendar in October 1968 and still percent crescent has climbed nearly 5° to the above the moon and to the right of Mars. Check find Venus in the west-southwest, Saturn 10 helps produce an occasional issue. He enjoys being upper left of Venus and 9° to the lower left of the arrangement of Mars and the Twins for the degrees below it, and a pretty, 3 percent crescent outdoors sharing the beauty of the night sky and Saturn. It’s a good day to try for Venus in the next few mornings. moon 18° to the lower right of Saturn. On Jan. other wonders of nature.

CVIndependent.com

14 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

The numbers of people who are victims of human trafficking are shocking.

According to the International Labour Organization, on any given day in 2016, an estimated 25 million people around the world were subjected to human trafficking and forced labor. In the United States, the Polaris Project’s analysis of 2021 National Human Trafficking Hotline data estimated there were 10,359 human-trafficking situations reported, involving an estimated 16,554 victims that year. The United States Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Statistics determined that “a total of 2,027 persons were referred to U.S. attorneys for human trafficking offenses in fiscal year 2021, a 49% increase from the 1,360 persons referred in 2011.”

Closer to home, through Dec. 1, there have been 147 human trafficking-victim contacts in Riverside County in 2024, with 91 law-enforcement investigations launched as a result. That’s according to Denise Rodriguez Bowman, director of the Forensic Services and Victim Advocacy (FSVA) unit at the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center in Rancho Mirage, and the Coalition to End Human Trafficking, Riverside County (CEHT).

These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg—since many human trafficking situations go unreported.

The CEHT is the lead victim-advocacy actor in Riverside County’s efforts to curtail incidents of human trafficking. Created three years ago, the coalition is a victim-centric collaboration between the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center Forensic Services and Victim Advocacy unit, and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Anti-Human Trafficking task force. As part of their CVIndependent.com

JANUARY 2025

nered with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to develop a plan for a more proactive approach to human trafficking—one that stressed awareness and education, as well as increased efforts in eastern Riverside County, including the Coachella Valley.

“Many of the law-enforcement task force members are located in the western part of the county, so they would come out (east only) when something happened,” Bowman said. “Our emphasis, our strategic plan, was to really look at it from a proactive (perspective): Let’s get out into the community. Let’s start to interface with the community about what they may be seeing, and (teach them) if they’re not sure what they should be reporting, or how to report it, or what are they really looking at.”

Bowman—who has been the FSVA director since 2017 and has 24 years of experience working with victims of child abuse and human trafficking—proudly said this proactive approach has showed enough results to warrant the expansion of the program throughout the county. It is now the default approach to unraveling human-trafficking relationships and protecting victims in the county, and the ongoing efforts to expose the plight of, and Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center team is the increase support for, human-trafficking lead victim-services provider. victims, the CEHT will be holding its first “We have a vast geographical service area, Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Conference on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Agua and we evolved partnerships in the process,” Bowman said. “Currently, we partner with Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage. two other victim-service providers that are During an interview with the Independent, strategically placed throughout the county: Bowman discussed the sad reality that many REACH in Hemet and Rebirth Homes in victims of human trafficking—defined by the Riverside. … We also work with diverse stakeU.S. Department of Justice as “compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or holders that have a vested interest in working in human trafficking to engage in commercial by providing services.” sex acts”—are children.

Those include the “We typically put Cahuilla Consortium, human trafficking Safe House, Million under the umbrella of Kids, the Galilee child exploitation, kind Center, the Coachella of (as) a subset of child Valley Rescue Mission, abuse,” Bowman said.

Eisenhower Health “Many of the children and Olive Crest among and adolescents who we others. work with, they really “It’s pretty intricate,” are in the same arena Bowman said. “We’re of child abuse, exploitaalways working from a tion and human trafmulti-disciplinary team ficking. … We’ve been standpoint. The prem(helping) children, by ise of the child-advocaway of child advocacy cy model is that you do services, for close to not do this alone. It’s a 20 years. The Barbara Denise Rodriguez Bowman: “Most united front, working Sinatra Children’s of the kids who we encounter have together to combat Center works within a had some poly-victimization in human trafficking, child-advocacy model, their life: They were sexually or both sex and labor, and which is working with physically abused, or had neglect in we look at it through children who have their childhood, and that leads into prevention, awareness, been victimized and this arena of human trafficking.” outreach, education (providing) frontline and intervention. We services. When I say children, I mean both a child or an adolescent. know that one agency alone cannot do it. It really takes this coalition of vetted partnerMany people fail to understand that ‘children’ ships to work together for the benefit of our include teenagers, too.” community, the survivors and the victims In 2021, Bowman’s FSVA unit part-

who we serve. … There are no silos, and there are no egos in this work. It’s really collaborative, working together. That’s the premise of the mission.”

The Difficulty of Identifying Victims Identifying and addressing human-trafficking situations can be difficult for outsiders.

That’s why it is so critical for family members, friends or concerned members of the public to report what they believe are suspicious circumstances or behaviors.

“The problem about human trafficking is that it’s very difficult to identify, and very under-reported,” Bowman said. “From January 2024 to the beginning of December, (CEHT partners) have had 147 victim contacts thus far, with law enforcement handling 91 investigations. Those are people who were identified through the task force. Now, the number is higher if you include people who may have been a victim of trafficking and wanted our services, but wanted nothing to do with law enforcement. The number is really not very black and white. We’re always going into the community and interfacing to bring awareness about reporting labor and sex trafficking.”

Bowman said human trafficking and child abuse “never sleep.”

“It’s every day, 365 days a year, morning and nights,” she said. “The professional people who do this work need to have extreme passion for it, because it doesn’t end at 5 p.m.

Sometimes, you may get calls about crisis emergencies, victim recovery or identification at all hours of the night.

“There are times when it’s very sad. It’s heartbreaking. I have teenagers myself, and it just breaks my heart that many of these kids don’t have the familial support that they need to be healthy humans. Most of the kids who we encounter have had some poly-victimization in their life: They were sexually or physically abused, or had neglect in their childhood, and that leads into this arena of human trafficking. … We just need the community to really care about these kids, and we need more foster-care placements. We need more people who want to take adolescent teenagers. You know, they’re not easy, because they’re teenagers. It tends to grab at your heartstrings at times, but we’re always understanding that we are the light. When you’re walking in the darkness with these kids, or these adults, and trying to bring them to the light … we always say, ‘This is where help meets healing.’ So if we can, we want to help you start your healing.”

The Role of Teachers In 2010, President Obama proclaimed January as National Human Trafficking Prevention Month; each president since has followed suit each year. This, in part, is why the Coalition to End Human Trafficking,

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 15

JANUARY 2025

county is so large, people don’t always know how to report, or where to report.

Bowman said the coalition plans to hold future forums and conferences for parents and members of the community.

“With teenagers, the (priorities are) education, communication, transparency and honesty,” Bowman said. “So many people have this mantra, ‘Oh, take away their cell phones, and look through them.’ These teenagers are way smarter than we are. If they want to do something, they’re going to, and you’re not going to find out … so why don’t we be open and transparent? Let’s be real about what’s happening in the world, about social media, about meeting people online. What does it look like? Be honest about what it is, so that if they get into a situation, and they’re like, ‘Uh oh, I’m in trouble,’ then they will come to a trusted adult—someone who isn’t going to judge them, and isn’t punitive (or) interrogating. It’s actually open, receptive and saying, ‘Let me help you figure a way out of it.’”

If you are concerned that someone you know may be trapped in a human-trafficking situation, you can report that situation to the Riverside County Sheriff at 760-836-3215 for the east county, or 951-776-1099 for the west county. You can also contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline number at 1-888-373-7888 (via text at 233733), or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Hotline at 1-800-843-5678.

Learn more about the Riverside County AntiHuman Trafficking Conference at humantraffickingcoalition.org/conference.

Opens January 17!

*HARC ©2022 **Scott Hines Behavioral Clinic

Riverside County chose to hold the aforementioned inaugural Riverside County AntiHuman Trafficking Conference on Jan. 8.

The keynote speaker will be Rachel Fischer, an author, consultant and a survivor. The free-to-attend conference is not open to the general public, but is intended for professionals working in various aspects of anti-human-trafficking entities, from law enforcement professionals to teachers.

“This is our first conference brought to you by the coalition and the task force for Riverside County,” Bowman said. “We really want to be intentional and specific, so this year, we’re starting off with our professionals in the community. We need to teach our professionals how to respond, to identify, to report, and where to report any indicators that they see with the children and adolescent adults they interface with in the community. We’re looking at law enforcement, social workers and NGOs, people who do social-services work throughout the county, and educators—primarily middle and high school educators throughout all of Riverside County.

“We still have a good number of registration openings for educators, and we will have experts on identification of human trafficking, what those indicators are, how to respond and interface with youth who may be participating in ‘the life,’ and then how to report. Really, it starts with these people who are interfacing with these kids every day.

They have relationships with them in the school systems, and they need to be able to report to the right people. I think because our

Someone may be experiencing labor trafficking or exploitation if they:

• Feel pressured by their employer to stay in a job or situation they want to leave.

• Owe money to an employer or recruiter or are not being paid what they were promised or are owed.

• Do not have control of their passport or other identity documents.

• Are living and working in isolated conditions, largely cut off from interaction with others or support systems.

• Appear to be monitored by another person when talking or interacting with others.

• Are being threatened by their boss with deportation or other harm.

• Are working in dangerous conditions without proper safety gear, training, adequate breaks or other protections.

• Are living in dangerous, overcrowded or inhumane conditions provided by an employer.

Someone may be experiencing sex trafficking if they:

• Want to stop participating in commercial sex but feel scared or unable to leave the situation.

• Disclose that they were reluctant to engage in commercial sex but that someone pressured them into it.

• Live where they work or are transported by guards between home and the workplace.

• Are children who live with or are dependent on a family member with a substance-use problem or who is abusive.

• Have a “pimp” or “manager” in the commercial sex industry.

• Work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip club, an illicit cantina, a go-go bar, or an illicit massage business.

• Have a controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner or “sponsor” who will not allow them to meet or speak with anyone alone, or who monitors their movements, spending or communications.

Source: National Human Trafficking Hotline

1 in 5 local adults have been diagnosed with one or more mental health concerns.*

100% of our clients experience significant mental health improvement after just 6 months of therapy.**

LET’S CONNECT For additional information on how to connect call (760) 281-2613 or email mmartin@thecentercv.org

CVIndependent.com

16 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

DO-GOODER

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/DO-GOODER

A HANDS-ON HAVEN

The Yucca Valley Material Lab serves as a new model for art education in the high desert and beyond

By Eleanor Whitney

I

n 2018, on a one-day trip to the high desert from Portland, Ore., artist Heidi Schwegler had a vision: She imagined a place where people could come together to learn new skills and connect via the process of hands-on making, while being inspired by the desert.

Within those 24 hours, she decided to purchase a property. The nonprofit Yucca Valley Material Lab (YVML) was born.

Today, the two-acre property is a hive of a recording studio and record label run by artistic activity. Schwegler and visiting artists Derek Monypeny, Schwegler’s husband, regularly offer workshops in techniques such musician and librarian. Yucca Alta focuses on as casting in bronze, aluminum and glass; musicians and artists of color and gives them welding; laser-cutting; glass coldworking; and space to write and record, while also hosting 3-D scanning and printing. On the day I visfree community events and concerts. ited, 12 students encircled Schwegler as she “We see ourselves as a place and a platform held them rapt with a demonstration of plasto engage with community on a different ter mold-making to prepare for glass-casting. level,” Schwegler said.

After the demonstration, the students eagerly Through their workshop and residency returned to the work tables in the Quonset programs, the YVML has become an importhut that serves as the YVML’s centerpiece to ant cultural resource for desert residents, refine their pieces. attracting artists and musicians from all over Schwegler enthusiastically walked me the world. Past performers have included Les around the facilities, pointing out the foundFilles de Illighadad from Niger, and experry, sandblasting table, vintage RVs that serve imental percussionist and music research as artist housing, and the Lazy Eye micro-galstrategist Marshall Trammell. lery, which is housed in an old water tower Schwegler describes herself as a “material that showcases experimental, multimedia and junkie” who is passionate about ideas drawn performance work. from found objects. In her own studio, she The YVML is also home to Yucca Alta, points out a crumpled pillow and a braided rug, both cast in glass. While she’s interested in life’s darker and messier side, the desert also serves as inspiration, “The beauty, subtlety and savageness of it completely aligns with my work,” she said.

Before founding and directing the YVML, Schwegler worked at the Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland for 20 years. Before the college closed in 2019, she served as the chair of the applied craft and design graduate program, helping students build sustainable art practices. By 2018, she felt burnt out and noticed the landscape of higher education was shifting.

“I saw the private art college move from provocation to service industry, and tuition was exponentially higher,” she said. So she made a dramatic change and started the YVML. “We need a new model for teaching people to make things with their hands, come together in the same room, and discover the power of making and the power of failure,” Schwegler said. To bring that model to life, she poured her energy into the site, vision and programming for the YVML. She describes the property as a former “hoarder situation” that she worked to re-wild with native plants and enhance with collaborative Skills like welding, glass-finishing and mold-making are valuable to industries throughout Southern California. work-trade projects with students. Like the CVIndependent.com

The YVML’s insulated Quonset hut is a place where artists can work year-round.

skills the YVML teaches, the projects students contributed are both artistic and practical, including insulating the Quonset hut so it’s comfortable for classes year-round, renovating the campers that serve as artist housing, and building a deck and an inviting outdoor seating area.

Schwegler is also focused on enhancing the YVML as a local resource for hands-on art education—to nurture creativity, and to serve as a bridge between the high and low deserts.

“Not only are skills-based workshops fun, but they can potentially give access to jobs,” she said.

Skills like welding, glass-finishing and mold-making are valuable to multiple industries throughout Southern California. Schwegler is actively building partnerships with Copper Mountain College and the Morongo Unified School District, and looking for more partners from the Coachella Valley.

“We’re so spread out and isolated here, and we don’t have a lot of arts education in our schools,” she said, “We need more creative people out in the world, and to do creative

work together with people in our community.”

The coming year promises to be a busy one for the YVML. “We’re bursting at the seams,” Schwegler said with a laugh. “I often feel like I’m a oneroom schoolhouse, which is a sign of our relevancy, but we’re also at a tipping point.”

In addition to a full spring schedule of classes, the organization is launching a capital campaign to support an expanded residency space. With the help of a generous donor, they recently bought a nearby three-acre commercial property. Inspired by a recent artist-in-residence, Andy Slater, a blind musician and disability advocate, the YVML has a goal to create one of the first fully ADA-accessible maker-spaces in Southern California.

“We can’t do this alone,” Schwegler said. “It takes community to build community—and right now, this is more important than ever.”

The Yucca Valley Material Lab is located at 57275 Canterbury St., in Yucca Valley. To learn more about the YVML’s classes and programming, visit www.yuccavalleymaterial.org.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 17

JANUARY 2025

ARTS & CULTURE

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/ARTS-AND-CULTURE

PLEASURE AND PAIN I

Events 2023

By Haleemon Anderson

n his debut book of poems, Coachella Elegy, Christian Gullette delivers a collection that pays tribute to “the queer promised lands and poolside utopias of the American West.”

From Palm Springs to Santa Cruz and Sonoma, Gullette describes the state of California in grand and glaring contradictions. West Coast landmarks are tangible subjects, with memories and meaning attached to their boundaries. The verses meander and curve, like a warm wind on an open highway—but they are going places you will not find on a map.

Coachella Elegy (Trio House Press) has been described as intimate, erotic, foreboding, elegant and even sly. Gullette chooses language that is striking in its spareness, with the works renspeaker observes: Palm Springs rewinds things. dered in trim, tightly wound observations.

The line invokes irony. Gullette describes The poems are small bites, supremely digestthe setting and inspiration: “The speakers are ible, but densely populated. celebrating an anniversary and having surA slim volume, not quite 80 pages, Coachvived cancer. The irony is that they’ve gone ella Elegy is filled with emotionally potent antiquing, and so you never escape the things content. There’s a love story at its core, with from the past. In a sense, they’re always there, inspiration coming from Gullette’s own lived but also, we’re always in search of new places experiences. to both feel alive and reinvent ourselves, and “Beyond the fact that obviously it is a celeour spaces, (and) what it means to live and be bration of Coachella and Palm Springs, also at alive. I think that’s the complicated search at the heart of the book, my husband is a cancer the heart.” survivor,” Gullette told the Independent. “So The book’s title reflects that duality, said a lot of the book is a love story about that, Gullette. “All the pleasure and fun and joy and about the role that Palm Springs played and abandonment that people associate with in being this hope, and myth of the American Coachella, like the music festival and Palm West, as (a) place where people can come to Springs as this sort of oasis getaway for pleafind these queer paradises and oases. But sure and fun, in juxtaposing that with a word that’s not always how it works out.” like elegy, that brings in a sense of pain and Themes of love and loss co-mingle as lines traverse the state, sweeping north and return- melancholy and loss and grief. And it’s that tension that informs the whole collection. ing to the desert. In the opening poem, a Essentially, when there’s pleasure, there’s pain.”

The speaker leads us on a journey of discovery. “The arc of the collection is, there’s always duality in life,” Gullette said. “The speaker comes to realize that no matter where you go or wander in life, things like grief and loss still accompany you. In some of the poems, that’s the echoes of AIDS, you know, in places like San Francisco, in Palm Springs and in other parts of California. It can be the environmental loss of bees and butterflies and things destroyed by fire. But the main loss that the speaker kind of carries with him is the loss of his brother.”

Gullette wrote six different elegies devoted to his late brother Jeremy. They punctuate the collection and the journey as echoes. “As if there were things echoing in the canyon or echoing in the valley, between the mountains in the desert,” he said. “I had the idea for that when I wrote one of the very first poems of this collection, which was called “Coachella Elegy.”

Politics also finds space in Elegy. “Election Night” throws back to 2016: On the dance floor,

Palm Springs plays a big part in Christian Gullette’s debut poetry collection, ‘Coachella Elegy’

DATE

EVENT

Sept 10

Riverside’s Inland Empire Pride Festival 2023

Sept 20

2023 Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs

Sept 20–24

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend

Sept 22-24

Gay Days Anaheim

Sept 23

8th Annual Aging Positively Conference

Oct 5-8

JoshuaTree Fall Music Festival

Oct 6

Singing with the Desert Stars

Oct 7

Pride Under the Pines

Oct 11

National Coming Out Day

13–14 Pride Onabandonment the Pagethat people associate with Coachella, like the ChristianOct Gullette: “All the pleasure and fun and joy and music festival and Palm Springs as this sort of oasis getaway for pleasure and fun, in juxtaposing that with a word like elegy, that brings in a sense of pain and melancholy and loss and grief. And it’s that tension that informs the whole Oct 19–22when there’s pleasure,Modernism collection.

Essentially, there’s pain.” Week - October my fingertip traces his infinity tattoo

Oct 20

pools and all the things that I adore about

LGBTQ Center Gala, Center Stage 2023 Palm Springs, for instance.

“I think the book is both a story and a celand I wish more things were uncountable, Sept cruelty 21-24/28-Oct 1 Cinema Diverse ebration of what it means as queer people to although is also endless. be living in this moment, for my husband to Oct 26–29 PS Leather Pride have survived cancer, and for us to be finding Gullette said his poems are not overtly the beauty and pleasure and joy in life—and political—but Elegy can’t exist in a vacuum. that, especially in a place like Palm The book of laws Octeven 28 opens with a mention DAP Health celebrating Equity Walk 2023 Springs, and San Francisco, both of which against gay marriage. these historical associations as places “‘Election Night’ (depicts) 2016 when Trump Oct 29 Palm Springshave Halloween on Arenas people can go to start new lives and/or make won,” Gullette said. “We went to a famous gay most of their life, or find freedom and joy. bar in Nov San Francisco 3–5 to just find community Palm SpringsthePride The collection definitely focuses on that, and in the grief of it. And here’s this amazing drag the relationship between those two figures queen performing “Let the Sunshine In,” but in the movement West, and what it means to everyone’s bawling their eyes out. It’s this live in the West.” intense song that’s supposed to be about celeSubscribe the Oasis Insiders Newsletter Gullette’s work is also included in Invisible brating and the dawning of a newto age.”

Strings, an anthology of brand-new poems Gullette was on hand at Greater Palm or visit our Day-By Day Events Calendar inspired by Taylor Swift songs, released in Springs Pride in November signing copies. He has several online readings from Elegy coming December. up this winter. He hopes poetry lovers will Best Bookstore in Palm Springs has Coachella find themes that pique their interest.

Elegy in stock; it can also be purchased via the “People can come at it from a couple of different angles,” he said. “There are a lot of very usual online booksellers. Learn more at www. christiangullette.com. celebratory poems about joy and pleasure and

GayDesertGuide.LGBT

CVIndependent.com

18 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

ARTS & CULTURE

OVER MILLENIA

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians hosts tribes throughout the Southwest for ‘Singing the Birds’

T

This award-winning musical will remind you of how art and love transcend all borders.

by CAT MAKINO

raditions that span centuries will come alive on Saturday, Jan. 25.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Indigenous people from Southern California and the Southwest will gather to sing and dance, celebrating their heritage. The “Singing the Birds: Bird Song and Dance Festival” will be hosted at Palm Springs High School by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and it’s open to the public, free of charge (with registration).

Bird songs have been passed down through generations—and the members of the Cahuilla tribe have lived in the area for at least 5,000 years, giving what’s now Palm Springs the name of Séc-he. When the Spanish came to the area, they translated the name, which means “boiling springs,” into Spanish: Agua Caliente. drawn to the people. About 17 years ago, he “We left our homeland here to travel to moved to Palm Springs.

Southwestern America, Nevada, New Mexico “I loved the beauty of the landscape. I came and Arizona, like migratory birds,” said John home,” he said. His great-grandfather, Joseph Preckwinkle III, a Tribal Council board memJohn Patencio, was the last ceremonial singer ber and one of the singers. “Hundreds will who lived among his people. sing and dance at the event. The songs are “My great-grandparents were Native Amerthousands of years old. We sing of our past, ican,” he said. “My grandmother was Native of our history.”

American, and my grandfather was German, The traditional gourd rattle is the only and my father was Native American. … It means instrument played at the festival. The perthe world to me, the history of our people and formers sing while they sway their bodies and my ancestors—these songs tell the story of my stomp their feet. The men’s movements often people. Even though many might not undermimic birds bathing in the dirt. stand the words, they are beautiful songs.”

“The female dance is more graceful,” The Cahuilla gather once a year, from sunsaid says. “Culturally, you begin at puberty, down to sunrise, for three days singing and but in today’s society, you will see toddlers dancing. participating.”

“It’s an overwhelming sense of pride to me, Preckwinkle said he feels it’s his responkeeping the traditions of my people,” Precksibility to pass down the traditions to the winkle said. “I will continue to do it, so they next generation to keep the culture alive. don’t die out.”

Few know the original Cahuilla language, and most Indigenous people now grow up speakThe Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will ing English or Spanish. Preckwinkle learned host the annual “Singing the Birds: Bird Song the language and today teaches it to members and Dance Festival” from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., of the tribe.

Saturday, Jan. 25, at Palm Springs High School, Though he was brought up in Northern 2401 E. Baristo Road. The event will also feature California, he visited the area reservation a Native American market and a variety of food throughout his childhood with his mother vendors. Admission is free. Register at and grandmother, and he said he always felt aguacaliente.org/singingthebirds.

68510 East Palm Canyon Dr Cathedral City, CA 760-296-2966 ext 101 CVRep.org Members of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians perform bird songs.

CVIndependent.com

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 19

JANUARY 2025

FILM & TV MOVIES FOR THE DESERT I

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MOVIES

The Palm Springs International Film Festival dedicates screenings to educating students and spotlighting locals

By MATT KING

n the Coachella Valley, the new year means a few months of good weather—and the return of the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Since 1990, the Palm Springs International Film Festival has put our desert on the celluloid map. Being a precursor to awards season, the festival honors stars and movies that will soon dominate the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. This year’s festival will give awards to Ariana Grande, Timothée Chalamet, Angelina Jolie, Colman Domingo and many others, while screening more than 200 films across 12 days in theaters all over the valley.

Beyond the big Hollywood names, the programming includes local spotlights and stuthat go into creating an event such as this; it’s dent-screening days that highlight and celdefinitely a team effort. It’s been interesting ebrate the Coachella Valley. During a recent over the years to see how it all sort of comes interview with programming and education manager Jennifer Van Camp, she shared some together.

“I left the festival in 2016, and I was able information about this year’s local spotlight to take some other opportunities for a few film, Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion. years, and then I came back as programming “If we’re ever able to highlight something coordinator, so I was doing that since 2021, that speaks to the area at all, we always love to and now I’ve gone from programming coordo that,” Van Camp said. “This documentary dinator to programming manager and educaon Bob Mackie, we thought, was a great tie-in. tion. It’s just been such a wonderful journey He has connections here to the desert and all to move through those different departments that good stuff. He’s going to be able to hopeand different titles, and now being programfully join us as well, and the director (Matthew ming manager has really illuminated how it Miele), so that was just something that one of our programmers, David Ansen, had his eye on.” all comes together from working with our incredible programmers who really bring to us Legendary costume designer Bob Mackie most of the films we have in the festival. I’ve worked on The Cher Show and has provided always had a love of film and a passion for the costumes and dresses for icons from Lucille arts, but working in a film festival really gives Ball to Miley Cyrus. He moved to Palm you a different purview to how it all comes Springs during the pandemic. together, from sales agents to distributors to “Obviously Hollywood and Palm Springs films getting distribution.” have long carried on a relationship with each The desert is also celebrated via student other,” Van Camp said. “I think Bob Mackie’s screening day. Every year, one film is shown, clients over the years have also had a connecfor free, to students of local high schools, for tion here to the desert. It’s just kind of a nice an “elevated field trip.” way to connect Hollywood to Palm Springs.”

“Student screening days are one of my The Palm Springs International Film Festifavorite events that we have,” Van Camp said. val is a rich cultural experience, with intense and emotional films from various countries— “We started about 15 years or so ago, maybe and attendees from various countries. Thanks even a little bit longer than that, but it is truly to the local spotlight programming, attendees such a wonderful event where we bring the festival to high school students. Traditionally, are able to learn, in a similar environment, we’ve had it reach about 1,100 students, give about the Coachella Valley. or take, and this year, we’re aiming for about “I feel like we’re always learning something 3,000, so we’re inviting additional schools. … about the area and the people who flock to Typically it happens during the festival, and it, and who have roots here, who have second it’s usually one day or two days that we do homes here, and all that good stuff,” Van it. This year, we’re breaking it up a little bit Camp said. “We love seeing what we can put just because of the school districts breaking together for the local spotlight.” for their winter holiday schedule a little bit Van Camp reflected on how her different differently. We’re doing three days of student positions within the festival have given her a screening days in January during the festival, unique perspective. and then we’re doing a post-festival student “I started at the festival back in 2011 in screening day in February with the Palm development, so sponsorships and that sort Springs Unified School District and Moreno of thing,” Van Camp said. “I kind of dabbled in social media then as well, so it’s kind of like Valley. We’re really looking forward to this and reaching so many more students.” wearing two hats … There are so many facets

Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion is this year’s PSIFF local spotlight film.

Genres change every year for student screening day, but no matter the genre, the screening provides a unique experience for local students.

“What we hope happens is that it opens up the world around these students, and that they get to see a film that maybe they wouldn’t otherwise have seen, or maybe it wouldn’t be on their radar,” Van Camp said.

“One of the best parts of student screening day is that the students never know that we’re going to have a guest attached to it.

We’ve tried really, really hard to have someone from the film we’re showing be in attendance, whether it’s a director, cast (member) or, if it’s a documentary, the subjects of the film. Every year we show the film; we provide lunch for the students, but prior to breaking for lunch, we do a Q&A, and we surprise them with a guest, and the crowd just erupts every time. … It’s just a really wonderful day, and it’s so much more than a field trip.”

This year’s pick for student screening day is Bob Trevino Likes It. “It’s a narrative feature from director Tracie Laymon, and it stars Barbie Ferreira from

Euphoria, John Leguizamo and French Stewart, and it’s a really heartfelt film. It’s inspired the director’s real-life story, and it centers around an experience she had when she was younger with her estranged father,” Van Camp said. “It’s a feel-good movie. It’s humorous.

When we presented it to the school districts, they all just fell in love with it, so we’re excited to see how the students react to it.”

Van Camp said she and the rest of the festival team are proud of the ways in which they are able to involve the community.

“When we’re in it, and putting all those puzzle pieces together, you’re sort of lost in that world, but the feedback we get from people is so wonderful,” Van Camp said. “Once the event is actually going, we’re able to kind of zoom out a little bit and see how it all came together. It’s a huge, very noteworthy event, so we’re all proud to be a part of it.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place from Thursday, Jan. 2, through Monday, Jan. 13. General admission tickets to single films are $20. For a complete schedule and more information, visit psfilmfest.org.

CVIndependent.com

20 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

FOOD & DRINK

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/FOOD-DRINK

CAESAR CERVISIA A

By brett newton

round 2009, I began looking into homebrewing with my cousin (and then-roommate) Josh.

I had been interested in craft beer—known as microbrew then—since the early ’90s, and I found a good homebrew shop in Laguna Niguel near where my sister lived at the time. (A quick Google search shows me the shop, O’Shea Brew Co., is still there.) I bought a beer kit with everything we’d need to make a five-gallon batch at home.

The IPA wasn’t the best beer in the world, but it was drinkable. My cousin’s interest waned, but mine was set aflame, and I was determined to make a good beer. Scouring the internet, I found a Yahoo Groups page for the Coachella Valley Homebrew Club (CVHC) and sent a message to Micah Stark, then the president. It just so happened tainly better than just “drinkable.” that, at Schmidy’s Tavern, there was going to After a year of being president of the club, I be a homebrew competition award ceremony, burned out on it and homebrewing in general. and I was invited. It was here I met Micah, I decided to eventually go through the process a man who went by the name “Sarge,” and of becoming a Certified Cicerone and work on Schmidy himself, Brent Schmidman. I tried a the serving side of the industry. Meanwhile, red ale of Micah’s and an eisbock collaboration the club has expanded and contracted, while between Sarge and another member, Chris some of the members went on to make a big Anderson—and I joined the club on the spot. impact on local beer. Chris Anderson was the The Coachella Valley Homebrew Club is a place founding brewer of Coachella Valley Brewing.

I met many people I still call friends today.

Juan Higuera went on to not only be a brewer Over the next decade, I blossomed into a at CVB as well, but also at Babe’s Bar-B-Que & relatively capable brewer. I sat in with various Brewhouse, and is now at La Quinta Brewing. members to learn. Despite brewing using the Aaron Ramson and Erik DeBellis both worked at partial mash method (steeping grains to simuBabe’s and went on to bigger and better things late a mash and supplementing that with malt throughout California. Not bad for a club that extracts) and not having adequate fermentahad about eight members when I joined. tion temperature control (which I combated Fast-forward to this November, and the by brewing mostly Belgian and English ales, Props and Hops festival at the Palm Springs whose yeasts don’t mind higher temperatures), Air Museum. If you are a regular reader, you most of my beers turned out pretty well—cermight remember the less-than-stellar review

CVIndependent.com

At this year’s Props and Hops fest, homebrewers were the stars of the show

The Inland Empire Brewers brought some of the best beers available at this year’s Props and Hops festival. Brett Newton

I gave the festival a couple of years ago. This time, I was invited by Jose Lopez, a longtime Coachella Valley Homebrew Club member and friend. The club would be there, alongside the Inland Empire Brewers (IEB), and the Society of Barley Engineers (SBE), from the north San Diego County area, pouring samples of their wares for the festival-goers.

It’s a good thing they were there, because the number of brewers who showed up was far less than the total listed on the event website.

The IEB brought more than 25 homebrewers themselves. With SBE bringing eight, and the local club bringing a similar amount, the homebrewers straight-up carried the festival; in fact, some of their generously donated beers exceeded the quality of some of the professional brewers’ beers.

The overall quality of the beers brought by the handful of pro brewers was higher than when I attended the fest two years ago. Eureka Brewing Co. from Gardena had an excellent hoppy pilsner, and Absolution Brewing had a good pale ale. La Quinta Brewing was also there with some greatly improved beers, courtesy of their new brewer. (More on this in the future.) Their hoppy lager was very good.

But the story of the day was definitely the homebrew clubs. Over at Inland Empire’s elaborate beer-tap setup, I saw Jason and Mandy, two people I’d met poolside at the

hotel after the last Firestone Walker Invitational beer festival. I handed my glass over to Jason, and I ended up trying his barrel-aged German chocolate cake stout, aged for a year in oak soaked in Smoke Wagon bourbon. I also tried Mandy’s blackberry-chardonnay brew, because why not? (It was quite good with subtle fruit notes.) The real winner of the eight total beers Jason and Mandy brought: the doppelbock. It offered nutty, toasty malt flavors with a hint of almond and a dry finish at a whopping 10% alcohol by volume; this was professional-level stuff.

I tried a few of the beers my friend Jose brought (including his “ice barleywine” and a tropical fruit hoppy ale) and chatted with some of the current Coachella Valley Homebrew Club members. The club seems to be in good hands; the people in it are interested in making good beer and, knowing what the club did for me, I wish them nothing but the best.

(I just don’t think I’m ready to go back to doing it myself yet.)

To the Props and Hops festival organizers: Keep the homebrew clubs coming back. They made the festival this year.

Brett Newton is a certified cicerone (like a sommelier for beer) and homebrewer who has mostly lived in the Coachella Valley since 1988. He can be reached at caesarcervisia@gmail.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 21

JANUARY 2025

FOOD & DRINK

We’re Doing Business with PRIDE in the Coachella Valley.

VINE SOCIAL

By Katie finn Our 250 members support equality – t’s January, which means everyone is going to either and they support you! start exercising, stop drinking, organize something or learn a new language.

I

But maybe you’re a little more … practical. Instead of joining a gym, perhaps you’ve decided to take the stairs instead of the escalator. Maybe you’ll kill two birds with one stone and organize a garage sale. Or instead learning Italian that trip you’re taking in two years, you Seeofwhat ourformembers can learn about the beverage beloved by Italians ... wine!

Affiliate Chamber offer at When it comes to wine, have myths andto misconceptions abound. No wonder it’s such an intimdesertbusiness.org er, most winemakers also add sulfites during idating topic! Among the most-mentioned the winemaking process to preserve freshhot takes I hear are about sulfites, the merits ness, prevent oxidation (that thing where the of biodynamic and organic farming, and wine turns a yucky shade of brown and smells the effects of histamines in wine. Each of like vinegar) and inhibit bacterial growth. I these factors plays a role in shaping the wine can’t speak for everyone, but I certainly don’t we enjoy, but misinformation can lead to want to drink a wine where microbiological unwarranted fears or missed opportunities to activity is an ingredient. explore new styles.

Despite their essential role in winemaking, Let’s untangle these topics and uncover the A FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FIRM sulfites have become scapegoats for everytruths behind them, shall we? thing from headaches and allergic reactions One of the most persistent fallacies about to dizziness and unconsciousness. But how wine is that sulfites are harmful or cause headmuch this concern is justified? aches. I’ve even DESERT had people tell me sulfites in BUSINESS ASSOCIATION’S 2019 of BUSINESS OF THE YEAR The controversy stems from the misconcepwine cause them to break out in hives, give tion that sulfites are a primary cause of wine them vertigo, or make them pass out. I’m not headaches. In reality, only a small percentage going to lie, but it’s difficult to find a diplomatCall ussomeone todaythat to schedule a complimentary and of the population consultation has a true sulfite sensitivity, ic way to tell it probably wasn’t which primarily affects people with asthma. theget sulfites that caused them to “black out.” acquainted with an independent, Fee-Only financial The U.S. Food and Drug Administration estiSulfites are naturally occurring compounds planning investment management located here in mates thatfirm less than 1% of the population found in all wines.&They are a byproduct of is sulfite-sensitive.

Symptoms are typically fermentation, meaning even wines labeled as the Coachella Valley. respiratory rather than headaches. “sulfite-free” contain trace amounts. Howev-

COMPASS ROSE

FI NANCIAL PLAN N I NG

Your Fiduciary Advisor

Allow us to show you the benefits that result from a financial plan tailored to helping you achieve your goals.

COMPASS ROSE FINANCIAL PLANNING 760-322-5200 • www.compassrosefp.com 333 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 112-A • Palm Springs, CA 92262

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/FOOD-DRINK

What’s true and what’s not regarding sulfites, histamines and the terms ‘organic’ and ‘biodynamic’ If sulfites were the primary culprit for headaches, foods like dried fruits, maple syrup, mustard and soy sauce would provoke similar reactions, because they often contain sulfite levels far exceeding those in wine. The actual causes of wine headaches are more likely linked to alcohol content, over-consumption, dehydration or other compounds such as histamines and residual sugar.

Histamines are another hot topic in the wine world, particularly for those who experience adverse reactions after drinking wine.

Histamines, like sulfites, are naturally occurring compounds found in fermented foods and beverages and can trigger allergic-like reactions in sensitive individuals.

Red wines typically contain higher levels of histamines than white wines, because they undergo longer maceration periods (the part of fermentation where the grape skins, pulp and seeds soak in the juice). While the skins contribute to the wine’s depth of color and concentration, they also contain histamine precursors that are released during fermentation.

For those affected, choosing wines with lower histamine levels—such as whites, rosés or younger reds—may help minimize reactions. Or you can do what I do: Pop a Claritin before bed, and call it a day.

If you’re looking to start the new year by eating and drinking “clean,” less-adulterated

food and beverages, you’ll get really familiar with the terms “organic” and “biodynamic.”

Organic winemaking is built on the foundation of chemical-free farming. In the vineyard, this means avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers in favor of natural alternatives. In the winery, organic certification restricts the use of additives, including additional sulfites (though some are permitted in limited quantities).

Organic wines are subject to strict regulations, not only by the winery applying for organic status, but all the neighboring properties as well. By prioritizing natural processes, organic winemaking aims to produce wines that are pure, expressive and free from chemical residues.

Biodynamic farming is more than just a trendy buzzword; it’s a holistic agricultural philosophy rooted in sustainable and ecological principles. Originating in the 1920s from the teachings of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, biodynamics emphasizes the interconnectedness of soil, plants, animals and the cosmos. Biodynamic vineyards adhere to strict practices that include the use of natural composts, avoidance of synthetic chemicals, and planting in harmony with lunar cycles.

One key aspect of biodynamic farming is the use of “preparations,” which are natural substances like quartz or fermented manure that are applied to the soil to enhance its vitality.

Proponents believe these preparations improve the vineyard’s biodiversity, leading to healthier vines and more expressive wines.

For wine enthusiasts, the benefits often extend to the glass. Biodynamic wines are frequently described as having a greater sense of terroir—a term that refers to the unique expression of a vineyard’s location, including its soil, climate and topography. While some skeptics may view biodynamics as some sort of hocus-pocus, woo-woo, pseudo-science, it does have tangible outcomes, both in environmental sustainability and wine quality. Many top wineries around the world have embraced biodynamic principles, further validating their significance.

So as we start a new year, remember balance is key when it comes to enjoying life and wine. Cheers to informed drinking—and the endless discoveries that the world of wine has to offer!

Katie Finn is a certified sommelier and certified specialist of wine with two decades in the wine industry. She can be reached at katiefinnwine@ gmail.com.

CVIndependent.com

22 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

the

2 Restaurants Unlimited Flavors

FOOD & DRINK INDY ENDORSEMENT On this month’s menu: two can’t-miss meat dishes in Palm Springs

By Jimmy Boegle

Proudly Supporting and Serving Our Community

eight4nine.com 760-325-8490

CVIndependent.com

williesrm.com 760-202-4499

WHAT Lamb kofta kebab WHERE Lola Rose Grand Mezze, inside the Thompson Palm Springs, 414 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs HOW MUCH $18 CONTACT 760-841-2040; www.lolaroseps.com WHY Taste and texture.

For about two decades, the prime Palm Springs real estate between Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon drives south of Alejo Road was an eyesore.

In the mid ’00s, the parcel’s owner planned condos; the Great Recession stopped that. In December 2015, Steve Pougnet, in one of his last acts as mayor (before he went on to be indicted on bribery charges), led a ceremonial groundbreaking for the anticipated Andaz Palm Springs.

“It’s due to open in about 12 months,” The Desert Sun reported at the time. LOL. Of course, we all know what came next: financing issues, labor shortages, a global pandemic and inflation. But finally, in the fall of 2024, what is now the Thompson Palm Springs partially opened. I am happy to report it is beautiful—and the property’s restaurant, Lola Rose Grand Mezze, is excellent.

The space has an upscale L.A. vibe, with a large bar/lounge space (DJ Tina Turntables provided the music on our recent Friday night visit), intriguing artwork and faux wood paneling—right off the gorgeous pool. The food, from chef Quentin Garcia, is upscale Mediterranean; being in a hotel, Lola Rose logically serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Our party of five eschewed the “large format” dishes and “feasts,” and instead ordered all sorts of smaller dishes from the “greens,” “spreads,” “plates” and “kebabs” parts of the menu, ranging from the celebration bread ($10) to the citrus endive salad ($15) to the hummus ($12). Everything was impressive, but the one dish I can’t forget about is the lamb kofta. The ground lamb—served with roasted tomatoes, shishito peppers, onions and other accompaniments—was moist and so delicious.

They say good things come to those who wait … and Lola Rose is definitely a good thing for Palm Springs’ culinary scene.

WHAT Steak tartare WHERE Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs HOW MUCH $28 CONTACT 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com WHY Bursts of flavor.

For the last couple of months, the hubby hasn’t stopped craving the steak tartare at the Purple Room.

No matter the preparation or quality, steak tartare has never been a favorite of mine; I can take it or leave it.

(Aside from some fish and seafood, I don’t care for raw preparations of meat. I am a big fan of the Maillard reaction.) But even I must admit the Purple Room’s version is quite tasty.

The hubby reports that he can’t get enough of the salty, umami-filled, meaty flavor of the seasoned Creekstone Farms filet mignon the Purple Room uses in the dish. He loves the bursts of flavor the capers add; the truffle aioli, dolloped on top, adds creaminess and doesn’t overwhelm the rest of the flavors.

The grilled baguette crostini add crunch—and there are enough of them that he doesn’t have to ask for more.

If you’re more of a cooked meat fan like me, here’s an endorsement within an endorsement: the chicken Parmesan ($42) is splendid. The panko-crusted chicken breast is perfectly prepared, and retains a hint of crispiness despite the presence of plenty of delicious house-made marinara, and gruyere and Parmesan cheeses. It’s right up there with the nearly unbeatable version at Johnny Costa’s—it’s that good.

Of course, the vibe at the Purple Room can’t be beat. While the ticketed weekend shows are always great, I’ve had many wonderful times on weekdays, listening to fantastic live music while enjoying cocktails and bites at the bar. If you see us there, say hi; you’ll likely find the steak tartare in front of the hubby, with the chicken Parmesan and a Manhattan in front of me.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 23

JANUARY 2025

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/FOOD-DRINK

Restaurant NEWS BITES By charles drabkin THE BATTLE OVER KALURA TRATTORIA’S PATIO Kalura Trattoria, at 124 S. Palm Canyon Drive, is facing a decidedly unusual challenge.

On Nov. 21, the Palm Springs City Council approved using eminent domain to acquire the patio space that abuts the 22-year-old restaurant, in order to meet California building codes, allowing for ADA and public-safety access to the Plaza Theatre, which is in the midst of a remodel.

This is the first step in negotiations with the owner; hopefully, a satisfactory resolution will be reached for everyone involved. Kalura Trattoria’s owners are posting updates on their Facebook page, if you want to follow along. Of course, we’ll keep you posted.

GET READY FOR LOTS OF PINOT! The fifth annual Palm Springs Pinot Festival: A Passion for Pinot is returning to the Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, at 71333 Dinah Shore Drive, from Thursday, Jan. 30, through Sunday, Feb. 2.

Tickets for the main event, the grand tasting on Saturday, Feb. 1, start at $170 plus fees.

Tickets for other events—including winemaker dinners, a Sunday brunch and a seminar on Sonoma County wines—are all available at palmspringspinotfest.com.

IN BRIEF The city of Rancho Mirage has launched its Shop Local program. Through Jan. 24 (or while supplies last), customers can buy digital gift cards in denominations of $50, $100 or $200, and receive a bonus card at half of the original card’s value, to be used at participating restaurants and retailers. Although the bonus cards expire on Jan. 31, the original gift card is good at full value for 12 months from purchase. Find out all the details, see a list of participants, and purchase your cards at app.yiftee.com/gift-card/rancho-mirage--ca. … At 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 15, Lola Rose Grand Mezze, at the Thompson Palm Springs, at 414 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, will host a “bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime dining experience curated and hosted by Chef Quentin Garcia.” The dinner is $135 per person, or $195 with wine pairings; learn more and make reservations at hyatt.com/thompson-hotels/our-story/chefseries. … Chef Gabriel Woo, of Bar Cecil fame, is working on a new project: Donna Forte, in downtown Indio. It is expected to open in the fall of 2025. Keep your eyes on this space for updates. … Burger-chain fans, rejoice: Shake Shack is now open at 73199 El Paseo, Suite A, in Palm Desert. People love their burgers, crinkle-cut fries and, obviously, their shakes. Learn more at shakeshack.com. … Family Bakery, an Armenian restaurant, has opened at 73910 Highway 111, in Palm Desert. In addition to baked goods like bread, baklava, cakes and other Armenian sweets, you can get dumplings, kebabs, spreads, cheeses and other products to eat there or take home. Find out more at www.instagram.com/mediterranean_familybakery760. … Oceana, at 79932 Country Club Drive, in Palm Desert, is opening a second location in the former home of Talay Thai, at 70065 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage. This seafood restaurant bases its food in Mexico, but isn’t afraid to experiment with other global cuisines. The new location is expected to open in early to mid-January. A person I spoke to at Oceana said the menu will be nearly identical to that at Palm Desert location; see it at oceanapalmdesert.com.

On a personal note, I am sad to see Talay close; the person I spoke to at Oceana tells me Talay is planning to reopen in a different location, but I am unable to confirm that. Keep checking this space for updates. … Jim Hicks, who earlier this year closed Impala Bar and Grill, at 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has announced he is opening an Irish sports bar, 333 Clover, in the same space, with a full Irish menu and Guinness and Harp on tap. Again, watch this space for updates. … Churrasco Brazilian Steakhouse, at 450 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is now open for breakfast/brunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $33 and includes eggs, bacon, sausage, pastries, hot sides and salads. Learn more at churrascobr.com/churrasco-palm-springs. … The Jus Chillin’ Frozen Yogurt on the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, has closed; the other nearby location, at 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, remains open.

See the offerings at juschillinps.com.

Do you have a hot tip or news to share? Reach out: foodnews@cvindependent.com CVIndependent.com

24 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

BEST RADIO STATION

KGAY 106.5 BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

JOHN TAYLOR BEST LOCAL DJ’S

DJ MODGIRL DJ GALAXY ERIC ORNELAS LISTEN ANYWHERE:

KGayPalmSprings.com

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

PATRICK EVANS MIDDAYS 10 AM - 3 PM

LISTEN ONLINE:

1031MeTVFM.com CVIndependent.com

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 25

JANUARY 2025

MUSIC THE MOST AUTHENTIC MUSIC T

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MUSIC

Palm Desert resident Cary Baker chronicles street performers in his new book, ‘Down on the Corner’

By matt king

here aren’t a lot of street performers in the Coachella Valley, especially during the months when it is scorchingly hot outside, but buskers—people who perform in public, often for donations—are given the spotlight in Palm Desert resident Cary Baker’s new book, Down on the Corner: Adventures in Busking and Street Music.

Through 38 chapters, Baker explores historic busking scenes and notable street performers Baker said. “I remember when I first moved through interviews and Baker’s own experito L.A. in the ’80s, walking down the Venice ences during a lifetime of music appreciation boardwalk as everybody does when you first and a career in the music industry. During a move to L.A., and there was Ted Hawkins recent phone interview, Baker explained how singing like Otis Redding and playing guitar. his love of street performers began with an I called this publisher and said, ‘What about enchanting encounter when his father took a biography of Ted Hawkins?’ The publisher him to Maxwell Street in Chicago in 1971. said, ‘I’m not sure who Ted Hawkins is.’ I said, “The first thing I hear is slide guitar, and ‘Well, Ted Hawkins was a busker, a street I think, ‘Wow, cool,’ so I cross the street and singer,’ and the publisher said, ‘Well, how get a little closer, and there’s this blind street about a book about buskers, plural, and street singer,” Baker said. “It turns out his name is singers, plural?’”

Arvella Gray, and I reference him in the book.

Hawkins is one of the many artists featured We just sat and watched him for an hour, and in Down on the Corner. The book spans more then we walked around some more, and there than 100 years of busking history, from Blind were other street singers. I think my father Lemon Jefferson to Elvis Costello. was exasperated with all the time I wanted “I have a lot of chapters on old blues artto spend watching these street singers, but I ists, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Rev. Gary Davis, was fascinated. … I got to know Blind Arvella and an artist from Nashville—a street singer Gray. There was an alt-weekly newspaper named Cortelia Clark,” Baker said. “There was starting up in Chicago called the Reader, and the classical composer Moondog, who used I sent them, on spec, a typed-up little interto play and perform in midtown Manhattan. view with this street singer. I was only about I wasn’t able to interview him, obviously, 16 years old, and that started me and my life although I had met him once. I had to go for of crime in music journalism, and eventually some secondary materials on him and a few representing music to the press when I did other artists. If I couldn’t get the artist—like I record-company publicity.” couldn’t get through to Elvis Costello—I found After a 40-year career in the music business, Baker retired a few years ago, giving him somebody who witnessed Elvis Costello busking before he was signed to Columbia, and then time to explore longform projects. the guy who heard him busking and signed “I decided I didn’t want to do publicity him to Columbia. That made for a chapter, and anymore, but I wanted to spend some years I did a chapter on Wild Man Fischer, who was a writing books,” Baker said. “My wife and I lunatic, maybe mentally ill, but he was a buskfound a house in Palm Desert, and we moved from L.A. Just to have a sense of purpose and er who Frank Zappa signed in the late ’60s. I found some eyewitnesses among my L.A. peer something to do, I decided I wanted to write group who had seen him perform and knew my book that I’d long threatened to write. I him and had some good, colorful memories.” was going to write a book about the music of Baker had a number of interviews and the California desert. … I called a confidant in materials he’d collected from decades of music Joshua Tree, and he said, ‘Sounds like a great journalism, but he also completed about 100 book; have you seen the book called Songs of new interviews throughout 2023.

Joshua Tree?’ I ordered it from Amazon, and “Before you know it, I had about 38 chapthat book’s already been written, so I called ters on various street singers,” he said. “Some my publisher and said, ‘I don’t think I can of the chapters were on regions, like I did a write about the California desert.’” chapter on Washington Square in New York, Baker turned to his many memories of which was where a lot of folk singers used street performers, and decided a busking-reto play in the park in Greenwich Village. lated book would be a good idea.

“I ended up on the phone with the manager Obviously Maxwell Street is a region, and I did that. I did a chapter on the Venice boardof Ted Hawkins, who was a street singer, a walk. … I did three chapters on New Orleans. busker from the Venice boardwalk in L.A.,”

Blind Arvella Gray on Chicago’s Maxwell Street in 1971. Cary Baker

New Orleans was a particularly colorful street-singing scene from Louis Armstrong to people in the present day, plus some advocates for buskers. I found a lawyer who represented buskers and got local ordinances changed so the buskers could play.”

As he worked on the book, Baker ended up changing publishers.

“It was going to be an academic publisher, and instead, I had a literary rep representing me, and he got me into Jawbone Press, which was a dream come true, because they had books on Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s, Cheap Trick, Neil Finn of Crowded House, Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks, and Tom Werman, the producer,” he said.

Although Baker explored a multitude of genres and popular acts throughout his career as a publicist and journalist, he always held a soft spot in his heart for the authentic beauty of street singers.

“I was really into a colorful image of street singers, once I learned that they existed.

Being a middle-class, suburban white kid, it was so different from what I grew up with,” he said. “I was just fascinated with it, and then being taken to Maxwell Street at age 16 … I just found this really fascinating.”

Baker’s book explores how, in some cases, busking has helped revive music careers.

“A three-time Grammy Award-winning art-

ist named Fantastic Negrito was a busker … and prior to busking, he had a whole different name and a whole different style of music,” Baker said. “He was signed as a hip-hop artist to Interscope, just like Dr. Dre or Snoop or Eminem or Nine Inch Nails. His record completely stiffed, and he got kicked off of Interscope, and he went back to his native Oakland and found himself out on the streets busking, and so that was like a second act for him.

Through busking, he decided that he really wasn’t a hip hop guy; he was a blues guy. …

He’s another example of a guy who, from his street singing, found his style of music, and that’s when he found success.”

Baker said he has only seen one busker in the Palm Springs area—but wherever he is in the world, he will always stop, listen and support a busker.

“One day I was in downtown Palm Springs, and I saw an older man by the Starbucks there at Tahquitz and Palm Canyon playing an accordion, performing ‘Lady of Spain,’ he said.

“It’s not my thing, but I will put a dollar or two in any busker’s tin cup or QR code or guitar case. I definitely supported him. I was just grateful to see somebody playing outdoors in Palm Springs.”

For more information, visit www.carybaker.com/books.

CVIndependent.com

26 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

MUSIC

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MUSIC

DESERT ROCK FROM BERLIN A

By matt king

well-known German stoner-rock band is making its way to the United States for the first time.

The rock heavyweights of Samavayo have been fortifying a doomy, fuzzy, fast brand of hard-hitting jams for more than 25 years. Their balls-to-the-wall, speedy and riff-tastic sound has blasted beyond the band’s home of Berlin, earning the band fans across Germany and the rest of the world. Despite being many, many of the first bands.” miles from the heart of the Coachella Valley, Samavayo’s tour spans California, Arizona the band takes inspiration from the originaand Nevada, with one stop being at Las Vegas tors of desert rock, carrying a down-tuned, Planet Desert Rock Weekend, a festival celefiery vibe into their song creations. brating stoner, desert and other heavy rock Samavayo is heading to the United States genres. on a seven-date tour, with stops on Monday, “It’s our first time ever playing in the Jan. 27, at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm states,” Alavi said. “We had some weird tours, Desert, and Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the Joshlike in Brazil 10 years ago, and we played in ua Tree Retreat Center in Joshua Tree. different countries like Greece and Albania During a recent Zoom interview with vocal- and (across) Europe, way before other bands ist and guitarist Behrang Alavi, he discussed explored it, but we never managed to come how Kyuss’ albums changed the course of to the States. The root of the whole U.S. tour Germany’s music scene. is the request from John Gist from the Las “Samavayo is probably one of the oldest Vegas Planet Desert Rock Weekend. He had bands active in Germany,” Alavi said. “We already asked us five or six years ago, but it started doing music in 2000, and there are was pretty spontaneous, and we didn’t mannot many bands that people in this genre age to make it happen. This time, he asked … know from Germany. We started when we at the beginning of 2024. We had a lot of time were 18 to 19 years old, and we had a rehears- to decide what we’re going to do with this al room close to some older folks who were request, and we quickly confirmed it and tried doing some really heavy music. They came to check if we can do more than just this one from a sort of Pearl Jam kind of music, but show in Vegas. they had a really heavy tone. It was at that After being enthralled with the mythos of time when our friends in Berlin, Germany, the desert for more than 25 years, Samavayo started spreading around Kyuss LPs, and we will finally get to visit the Coachella Valley, started listening to that music. I think each thanks to a connection with one of the desone of us fell in love with this kind of metal, ert-rock pioneers, Mario Lalli. with a lot of bass and groove.”

“We just started listening to Kyuss, and The band started tapping into other bands from that, we went on, of course, to listen to of the desert-rock scene, like Monster Magnet Yawning Man and other bands,” Alavi said. and Queens of the Stone Age. Indie labels “That’s why it’s pretty special to have Mario and underground festivals helped Samavayo Lalli helping us with these shows that we have become part of a rising tide of desert-rock in the desert. Being one of our idols of our popularity in Germany. youth, now he’s helping us out with booking “We didn’t know it yet, but there were shows. The connection to Mario is through labels like Nasoni and Elektrohasch, pretty the fact that we are on the same booking active labels, doing this kind of music and agency, which is Sound of Liberation. … My also bringing American bands to the German wife was a booker of Sound of Liberation. market, all on a pretty independent level,” She quit two years ago, but she was very well Alavi said. “We started doing music, and we connected to Mario, and said he’s a really got connected to the people who are doing awesome, nice guy. … I sent him an email and probably the most important stoner rock said, ‘Hey, you know my wife has been the festival in Germany, which is a crew called booker, and we know each other from festiCaligula 666; they do the Stoned From the vals. Could you help us out?’ He was, unexUnderground festival. We played there in pectedly, easy to access, really quick to answer 2004, and in those times, it was a really small and just helped us out.” scene. … Nowadays, we have lots of huge Mario Lalli is a godfather of desert rock, stoner-rock festivals in Germany, like 20 or as it was his generator that started the era 30 different ones. In those years, we were one of desert generator shows—yet he is always CVIndependent.com

German rockers Samavayo bring their Coachella Valley-influenced music to the U.S. for the first time

Samavayo.

looking to help out fellow artists.

“I find it awesome when people are so well-connected and have these options to help other bands out,” Alavi said. “He has to help us with the merch we’re sending; he helps us with equipment; he gives us a lot of advice about where to rent the van. … He’s helping us out on different levels of this whole tour happening, so without him, I don’t think there would have been a tour. Not only do we have three shows thanks to him, but it’s also more amazing because it’s in the desert.

I mean, we could have just played the States and never got to the desert, because we wouldn’t have the connections, but this way, we are going to the place where it all started.”

The band is celebrating 25 years, and their first U.S. tour is a great way to celebrate. Alavi explained how the band has stayed together for so long.

“You have to be like experiencing new stuff and doing new stuff,” he said. “Just playing around the same cities and places each year is going to get boring after a while, so doing these kinds of experiments, going somewhere, investing a bit of money and trying to do a tour in America or maybe some region you haven’t been before, is one thing that is good for us.

“The other one is, every two or three years, we release a Christmas song where we sing really traditional Christmas stuff, which is just fun. It doesn’t have anything to do with

being a stoner-rock band. We released a ‘White Christmas’ cover as a trio, like everyone singing a classical voice of a choir. This kind of stuff is a bit weird, a bit funny, and it just brings you out of that thing that you’ve been doing for over two decades.”

Alavi said Samavayo loves playing live, and wants to continue playing for as long as physically possible.

“The music, the way we play, is pretty intense and physical,” he said. “We’re one of those sweaty bands that really move on the stage, not just stay there and jam for an hour, so it’s also a question of, ‘How old can we be playing this kind of music?’ … There are still a lot of things to achieve, like personal goals, and some festivals we’ve never played before, and some countries we’ve never been to. This is also a job. We’re not hobby musicians. Each one of us has a main job, and the other one is a musician, so there is a certain degree of professionalism. To get these two together is not always easy, but we managed it for 25 years—and I think we were going to move on still for a lot of years to come.”

Samavayo will be performing at 8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27, at The Hood Bar and Pizza, 74360 Highway 111, in Palm Desert; and at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the Joshua Tree Retreat Center, 59700 Twentynine Palms Highway, in Joshua Tree. For more information, visit www. samavayo.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 27

JANUARY 2025

Thousands of Coachella Valley Independent readers and News Channel 3 viewers voted in this year’s Best of Coachella Valley readers’ poll—and they selected the Purple Room as the winner of Best Bar Ambiance and finalist in four categories:

WINNER BEST

BAR AMBIANCE

FINALIST

BEST

COCKTAIL MENU

FINALIST

FINALIST

WHISKEY SELECTION

NIGHTCLUB

BESTMARTINI &

BEST

Tues-Wed-Thurs 4 - 6 PM

WEEKNIGHT ENTERTAINMENT TUES-WED-THURS 6:30-9:30 PM

TUESDAYS

ROSE MALLETT Jazz legend sings the music of Holiday, Vaughn, Ellington.

W E D N E SDAYS

CHARLES HERRERA, DARCI DANIELS & MICHAEL HOLMES Swinging to the music of the Rat Pack Era

T H U R S DAYS

SHARON SILLS

Sass, sex & songs – One of the desert’s most popular performers

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS TODAY:

1900 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, CA (Inside Club Trinidad Resort) purpleroompalmsprings.com | (760) 322-4422

TICKETS ON SALE NOW dezartperforms.org (760) 322-0179 FAT HAM is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com Dezart Performs is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit.

CVIndependent.com

28 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

MUSIC DEDICATED DOCUMENTARIAN

T

By matt king

he desert’s counterculture scene has grown in large part thanks to captivating music, fearless booking agents, welcoming venues, badass backyards—and, just as important, the photographers and videographers who ensure that these moments in the Coachella Valley are well-documented and not forgotten.

One local creative of note is Kai Evans, a musician, photographer, videographer and graphic designer who uses his artistic abilities to give if I don’t go?’” back to the local music scene. Over the past Evans later decided to start filming full sets year, Evans has documented both local and himself. As the scene grows, fans at times touring bands’ shows in photo and video have to choose between shows happening at form, capturing not only the creative output the same time. Money is also an issue: Many of the musicians, but the wild energy of local fans, especially younger ones, can’t afford to audiences. Check out www.instagram.com/ attend a $10 show every weekend. ndr0124 to see a collection of photo and “I want to (record sets) and give that to video highlights, and head to www.youtube. them, so they can be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t miss com/@kaievans to see full sets. much; here’s what happened,’” Evans said.

During a phone interview, Evans explained “It’s not only that, but the bands being able to how his approach to documenting local bands look back at what they’ve done, and in maybe started with admiring bands from afar.

10 or 15 years be like, ‘Wow, I remember this “A huge part of that came from not going night. That was pretty cool.’” to very many shows as a teenager,” Evans A few months ago, Evans elevated his docusaid. “I was super into bands back then, too, menting skills by adding a second camera. On but when I’m 15, I’m like, ‘I don’t drive; how his YouTube channel, you’ll find multi-cam am I getting to L.A.?’ I was obsessed with edits, alongside drum-cam-only footage. full-set videos from venues like Chain Reac“I had some extra cash laying around, and tion or the Roxy, and I’m just like, ‘Guys, keep I’m like, ‘What if I got another camera to film posting these! How else am I gonna see them the drummer?’” he said. “Then that, too, is

Kai Evans.

CVIndependent.com

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MUSIC

The Venue REPORT

Kai Evans captures the beauty of the local music scene by recording full band sets

JANUARY 2025

being able to give back more to the bands.”

While Evans did a good job of capturing the energy in the single-cam videos, the addition of a second camera angle means the videos capture more of the scene’s expressive beauty—and its ferocity.

“I’ll tell someone, ‘Oh, I got my shit rocked,’ but now seeing it on camera, I’m like, ‘Oh, my God,’” Evans said with a laugh. “It makes for some funny moments. Those clips get shared around, too. When other people get their shit rocked in the crowd, (the videos are) just another way of promoting the scene in a way.

It’s funny; it’s nice to watch; and it just gets people talking.”

Music fans and bands have been appreciative of Evans’ dedication to documentation.

“I’ll see people who come to these shows all the time, and they’re in the crowd, and they’re like, ‘Hey, there’s me moshing going crazy,’ and they’ll screen-cap the clip and post it,” Evans said. “It’s cool to see that, and then having the bands reach out and be like, ‘Yo, thank you so much for capturing this. It looks great.’ … I definitely want to film for more bands again, and it’s nice to make those connections.”

In addition to the videography and photography, Evans plays bass for local band Palkia and creates fliers and artwork for local bands.

Only recently has Evans visualized music and art as extensions of his camera skills.

“I’m starting to see them now come together because of working on music videos,” Evans said. “I’ve got a couple that are still being edited, but you can see it’s a very similar style to how I film the sets with the way I set up the shots. With fliers and stuff, I’m getting asked to do album artwork and single work now.

I didn’t realize I had a style when it came to fliers. People say, ‘I want a Kai-style flier,’ and I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’”

Evans plans to continue to build a large collection of band footage dubbed the “arkaive.”

“I’ve been joking about it … but truly, 2025 is just going to be expanding the arkaive,” he said. “I’ve mentioned to a few people my ideas, but it goes back to that obsessed-withmusic-videos, YouTube-watching me, with interviews and sets and stuff. … I want to add interviews, too, and that’s something that goes back to those Warped Tour vlogs that they paid for, with random influencers of 2015 interviewing bands. Some behind-thescenes stuff with bands would be cool to do in that style—but not in, like, 240p, but 4k, for no reason at all.”

By matt king

Charo

Happy New Year! Let’s get 2025 off to a great start with a stacked lineup of entertainment!

Acrisure Arena features college hockey and a pop icon! Four NCAA Division I hockey teams will face off in the Cactus Cup tournament, beginning at 3:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 3, and Saturday, Jan. 4. Tickets start at $27.85 per day, and you get access to two games with one ticket. At 7:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 20, Justin Timberlake brings a long list of hits and an impressive stage show to Palm Desert. Available tickets start at $172.70. Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert; 888-695-8778; www. acrisurearena.com.

Here are a few highlights from a busy month at the McCallum Theatre. Neil Berg’s Fifty Years of Rock ’N’ Roll returns to the McCallum for Part 4; it’s an epic musical mixed with a history lesson regarding legends from the rock genre. Performances take place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 7; and 3 and 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8. Tickets start at $48. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, Spanishborn actress, singer, comedian and flamenco guitarist Charo, the “Cuchi-Cuchi” star, is set to perform. Tickets start at $58. At 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, wildly accomplished folk singer Judy Collins will celebrate six decades of music. Tickets start at $48. Experience magic in Palm Desert with illusionist Rick Thomas and his Mansion of Dreams, an evening of mind-blowing tricks and sights, at continued on Next page

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 29

JANUARY 2025

The Venue REPORT continued from page 28 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 27, and Tuesday, Jan. 28. Tickets start at $43. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760340-2787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.

Fantasy Springs brings jokes and jams.

At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, health-care worker turned humor-maker Nurse Blake will share hilarious stories from the medical field. Tickets start at $52.50. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, both The Temptations and The Four Tops return to town with hits from the ’60s that still tug on your heart strings. Tickets start at $62.50. Two Spanish music legends—“El Flaco” (Luis Ángel) and “El Mimoso” (Luis Antonio López)—will mix their banda and regional Mexican sounds at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. Tickets start at $72.50. Top 40 songs meet the famous style of music dubbed yacht rock under the guise of Yachtley Crew, performing at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31. Tickets start at $42.25.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Spotlight 29 showcases lovin’ and laughin’. At 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, new jack swing legend Keith Sweat brings sensual and sweet R&B hits to Coachella. Tickets start at $59.40. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, standup comic Leanne Morgan, who released her first Netflix special in 2023, will bring chuckles to the Coachella Valley.

Tickets start at $69.70. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-7755566; www.spotlight29.com.

Morongo is hosting comedy, country and Latin tunes. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, comedian Jess Hilarious, co-host of the radio show The Breakfast Club, will make you crack up. Tickets start at $57.25.

Country music duo LoCash bring the twang to town at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23. Tickets are $149.06. At 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24, regional Mexican artists Regulo Caro and Noel Torres unite for a night of significant Spanish sounds. Tickets start

at $68.25. Standup comedian, actor, voice artist and radio personality Earthquake will shake up Cabazon with hilarity at 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25. Tickets start at $57.25. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www. morongocasinoresort.com.

Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage will feature music—and a medium. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, the Long Island Medium herself, Theresa Caputo, will interact with audience members and share stories about her career.

Tickets start at $84.90. The rockers behind the 1993 hit “Shine,” Collective Soul will celebrate more than three decades of tunes at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24. Tickets start at $43.62. At 7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, witness the legendary “Voice of Romance” Johnny Mathis, who is still out and singing at 89 years old! Tickets start at $105.54. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com.

Agua Caliente in Cathedral City is upping its entertainment game. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, hard-rocking ’90s outfit Slaughter will bring their heavy hits to the desert.

Tickets start at $48.78. At 8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25, blues-rock icon and beard master Billy F. Gibbons, of ZZ Top fame, brings his solo band to Cat City. Tickets start at $58.58.

Agua Caliente Cathedral City, 68960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City; 888-999-1995; www.aguacalientecasinos.com/cc.

Residencies at Agua Caliente in Palm Springs roll on into the new year. Desert Blues Revival Wednesdays feature local legends the Gand Band tackling Elvis songs (Jan. 8), New Orleans blues from Lester Lands and Friends (Jan. 15), Texas blues rock via Brazil by Fernando Noronha (Jan. 22) and Chicago blues from Jeff Dale and the South Woodlawners (Jan. 29). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $17.85 to $21.05, available at eventspalmsprings. com. Carousel Thursdays welcome jazz guitar

LiveWaterWise

The Skivvies

and scat singing from Taiwan by Ponpon Chen (Jan. 2), sax, flute and clarinet skills from Tristan Cappel (Jan. 9), powerhouse jazz vocals from Gavin Braun and His Band (Jan. 16), jams from Greg Adams and East Bay Soul (Jan. 23), and glitz, glamour and golden jazz from the Amanda Castro Band (Jan. 30). Shows are at 7 p.m., and tickets start from $17.85 to $24.25, available at eventspalmsprings.com. Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs; 888-999-1995; www. aguacalientecasinos.com.

Here are a few noteworthy shows at Pappy & Harriet’s. Tickets are moving fast to see indie outfit Inner Wave at 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11. Tickets are $46.90. At 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 14, Emery and Creature Canyon unite for an evening of emo and rock. Tickets are $30. While night one is sold out, you can still grab tickets to see punk poster child Black Flag blast through their first four years of releases at 9 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 19. Tickets are $40. At 9 p.m.,

Sunday, Jan. 26, May Erlewine will enchant the Pioneertown Palace with moving and meaningful tunes. Tickets are $20. Check out the website for a complete list of shows.

Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760228-2222; www.pappyandharriets.com.

The Purple Room has nonstop entertainment! At 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 10, and Saturday, Jan. 11, Broadway performer Andrea McArdle, the original Annie, will share songs and stories during her Confessions of a Broadway Baby show.

Tickets start at $50.85. At 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, and Saturday, Jan. 18, The Skivvies bring their scantily clad show to town. Tickets start at $50.85. At 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 24, and Saturday, Jan. 25, witness an evening of soulful and inspiring music from Broadway singer Christine Andreas. Tickets start at $61.15. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www. purpleroompalmsprings.com.

EVERY DROP COUNTS!

It’s easy. Repair drips and leaks. A leak as small as the tip of a pen can waste more than 200 gallons per day.

CVWaterCounts.com.

CVIndependent.com

30 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

MUSIC

the

LUCKY 13

Get to know a local blues virtuoso, and a young solo artist who just released his debut album by matt king What’s your favorite music venue?

Every damn ship that the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise sails on!

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“When you’re smilin’, when you’re smilin’, the whole world smiles with you,” “When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)”

by Louis Armstrong and His Orchestra.

NAME Tommy Castro GROUP Tommy Castro and the Painkillers MORE INFO Our desert has a rich blues scene, and one of the many talented guitar virtuosos in our valley is Tommy Castro. Through fiery licks, soulful vocals and mastery of the 12-bar blues formula, Castro has enchanted blues fans across the desert and beyond. His latest effort, Closer to the Bone, will be released on Feb. 7, with 14 tracks of blues magic, including covers of blues staples, and original tunes from Castro that elevate the genre. Tommy Castro and the Painkillers are set to perform at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Palm Springs Cultural Center in Palm Springs. Tickets are $59.02. For more information, visit psculturalcenter.org.

What was the first concert you attended?

Maybe Janis Joplin at the Santa Clara Valley Fairgrounds! I was 14.

What was the first album you owned?

I think it was Super Session by Mike Bloomfield, Al Kooper and Stephen Stills; and Santana.

What bands are you listening to right now?

I have Ray Charles on my turntable, but I like Tedeschi Trucks, Taj Mahal, Keb’ Mo’, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Mr. Sipp. Too many to mention, really.

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?

Most of the EDM-related stuff.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?

Springsteen.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Piedmont fingerstyle players.

CVIndependent.com

What band or artist changed your life?

Deanna Bogart. We’ve played together many times over the years. She’s the most courageous musician I know. We became an item during the pandemic and bought a house together here in the desert. We’re engaged to be married in October 2025. She will be performing with me at the Palm Springs Cultural Center on Jan. 16. Pretty life-changing, I say!

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?

Albert King: What caused you to play like that?

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“When the Saints Go Marching In.” Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home by Taj Mahal.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Woke Up and Smelled the Coffee” from Closer to the Bone, my upcoming release on Alligator Records, of course!

NAME Allen Condes MORE INFO Allen Condes’ music is truly hard to describe. One second, he’s crafting an indie-rock scorcher with burning chords and heartfelt vocals (“Idol”); and the next, he’s jumping to groovy, funky pop (“mismatch”) or to hype hip hop (“paralysis”). His debut album, Front, released on Dec. 17, features more of this stylistic mixing, including the psychedelic trap combo “Bait,” the video-game, synthy experience “LEFTRIGHT” and the poppy, dancy “Crystal.” For more information, visit instagram.com/allencondes.

What was the first concert you attended?

I don’t go to as many concerts as I think I should! I believe the first concert I attended was when I was really young, and I saw the Blue Man Group! Other than that, I’ve recently gone to see Chicago, and Earth, Wind and Fire.

What was the first album you owned?

The first album that I really paid attention to was the Voicenotes album by Charlie Puth. As a kid, I was drawn to addictive melodies, and was interested in how these pop records were able to get them stuck in the listeners’ head so easily.

What bands are you listening to right now?

I find myself drawn to experimental/ alternative artists like redveil, Matt Champion, Portraits of Tracy, Kevin Abstract, Mk.gee, and Dijon, to name a few!

What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?

I think the way that more artists are quick to hop on trends, or sell their personality rather than focus on the art, solely to cater toward an audience is cowardly. If you spend your whole time as an artist trying to appease people, your art won’t have an impact or be remembered.

What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?

I would love to see Tyler, the Creator, live. I believe he has the best stage presence of any performer at the moment. If I had to choose someone who wasn’t as mainstream, I feel like I need to see Mk.gee or Dijon; their live performances look otherworldly.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

I don’t know if I have anything I’m guilty about, but I had a phase where I was really into a cappella groups and vocal ranges. Pentatonix, Home Free and Voiceplay were significant ones for me when I was young!

What’s your favorite music venue?

I’m not sure if I have a favorite, but I love how Lincoln Hall (in Chicago) looks whenever I see artists perform there. Anytime I see an artist perform in an intimate venue, it feels like you can take more from the experience than from a larger venue.

What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?

“I still wear the T-shirt that you gave me. So what are you so ashamed of? Rodeo could kill ya. I just wanna kiss ya. But you won’t let me near ya. But I’m here all the same,” from “Rodeo Clown” by Dijon. The lyrics from this song ooze a wistful feeling, and when put into context, a lot of the writing on this record, accompanied by his stellar vocal performance, was heart-wrenching for me to listen to.

What band or artist changed your life?

Quadeca’s album I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You

changed the way that I looked at artistry.

Experiencing the way the storyline came together, the grimy visuals and production, and the commitment he put toward the art was incredibly inspiring, and opened my eyes to what being a true artist meant. Side note: That Danny Brown feature is incredible.

You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?

I would love to ask Kendrick Lamar for any life advice or wisdom. I feel as if he’s one of those artists where you can see how he’s matured through his musical progression, especially with his writing on his most recent album.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

On the topic of Kendrick, “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst” comes to mind, strictly because of how powerful that message is. I think this song perfectly encapsulates the similar struggles I, and many others, face with legacy, as well as a visceral reminder that life is limited. I would love for everyone to use their time wisely.

Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?

It changes from day to day, and this might be a common answer, but I would have to choose Blonde (by Frank Ocean) at the moment. I come back to this album the most, and the music is timeless.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

People should listen to any song by Stevie Wonder, but if I had to choose one, it would be “All I Do.” From the criminally underrated vocal performance, to the saxophones and the instrumental arrangement, this song stands out for me as one of my favorites in Stevie Wonder’s legendary discography.

JANUARY 2025

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 31

OPINION COMICS & JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

“Centers of Attention”— 32. Slow the progress of Down 34. Mrs. Garrett on The literally and figuratively. 35. The “V” in CV 1. Act properly Facts of Life

By Matt Jones 36. CBS panel show 2. French academies 36. Like Chris Tucker hosted by Taylor 3. Shrinks in fear and Ed Helms, by Across Tomlinson 4. Dutch airline that’s birth 1. Midnite Vultures 39. Book with routes three letters in a row 37. Reason to pull over musician 40. Shetlands, e.g.

5. A Black ___ Sketch 38. Overrule 5. False witness 41. Endocrinologist’s Show 39. Type of hiring 9. PPO alternative concerns 6. Frankenstein assistant discrimination 12. Biodiversity sci.

43. Racing driver 7. Opera highlight 42. Winter Olympics 13. Taj Mahal city Verstappen 8. ___ 1/2 (classic item 14. Kinder chocolate 44. Petty squabble manga) 45. “We can hope!” biscuit bar 48. Gobble up 9. Ship bottom 46. Move unsteadily 16. NYC mayor Ed 49. Wanted poster abbr. 10. Dave Mustaine 47. Coke-owned citrus Koch’s greeting (or 51. Overwhelmingly thrash metal band soft drink just a question of 52. Dale Earnhardt, Sr. 11. Basic gold unit 50. Take the blame for evaluation) nickname, with “The” 14. Basis for an MST3K 51. Word following tech 18. “Rags-to-riches” 57. Yucatan yell episode, generally or crypto author Horatio 58. Goosebumps author 15. Vague caveat 53. Tattoo parlor stock 19. Hoppy concoction R. L. 17. Linguist’s notation 54. Opera set near the 20. Western Nevada 59. Centers represented system, for short Nile body of water with by the circled letters 21. Non-virtual, for 55. Letters on a vaccine distinctive rock 61. Grades short for whooping cough structures sticking out 62. “___ least consider 23. Vegan food also (among other things) 22. Vice ___ the possibility” called “wheat gluten” 56. Chooses (to) 24. Pitcher’s asset 63. 30 Rock co-star 27. Lifeguard training 60. Consequent ending?

25. Indian lentil dish Baldwin subj.

26. In ___ (basically) 64. Excitebike gaming 28. Burlap base © 2024 Matt Jones 27. X in the Greek platform 29. Take the cake, for alphabet 65. Faucets example Find the answers in 30. Those running 66. Neighbor of Cygnus 31. Complete mess the “About” section at leisurely and Draco 33. “___ et messieurs ...” CVIndependent.com!

CVIndependent.com

32 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JANUARY 2025

AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS PRESENTS

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025 PALM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM 2401 EAST BARISTO ROAD, PALM SPRINGS, CA CVIndependent.com