Coachella Valley Independent June 2021

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JUNE 2021

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 writer Kevin Fitzgerald coveR and feature design Dennis Wodzisz Contributors Kevin Allman, Charles Drabkin, Max Cannon, Kevin Carlow, Katie Finn, Bill Frost, Bonnie Gilgallon, Bob Grimm, Mina Hartong, Valerie-Jean (VJ) Hume, Clay Jones, Matt Jones, Jocelyn Kane, Matt King, Keith Knight, Cat Makino, Brett Newton, Dan Perkins, Guillermo Prieto, Anita Rufus, Theresa Sama, Andrew Smith, Jen Sorenson, Robert Victor, Madeline Zuckerman The Coachella Valley Independent print edition is published every month.

All content is ©2021 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher.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, the Desert AIDS Project, the Local Independent Online News Publishers, the Desert Business Association, the LGBT Community Center of the Desert, and the Desert Ad Fed.

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It’s a California newspaper tradition: Each spring, the state’s established newspapers proudly tout the awards they’ve won in the annual California Journalism Awards.

However, this is a tradition in which the Independent previously did not participate. The contest is open to members of the California News Publishers Association, and until earlier this year, the Independent wasn’t a member. The CNPA traditionally has been focused on old-school newspapers (primarily dailies and community weeklies) and the old-school issues surrounding them, and the Independent—an online-first publication with a monthly print edition, founded in 2012-2013—wasn’t really deemed a fit.

That is, we weren’t deemed a fit until recently. Earlier this year, the good folks at the CNPA reached out to ask the Independent to apply for membership, as part of an outreach effort aimed at diversifying the association’s membership. We were accepted; we entered some work in the contest that we did during the bonkers year that was 2020; and I’m proud to announce that we did very, very well.

The Independent won seven awards, and two of those awards are particularly big deals. First: We won second place for General Excellence in our category, which is weeklies with a print circulation between 11,001 and 25,000. (Yes, I know we’re not a weekly; we’re a monthly in print. But that’s how the contest works; see the old-school focus comments above.) After reviewing the two print editions we were asked to submit (February and September 2020), the judge commented: “Love the number of stories and wide variety of topics— both serious and entertaining stories. Nice editor notes. Wish I lived there to participate in Craft Cocktail Week.”

(The CNPA actually engaged in a cruel, if unintentional, tease: We were actually listed as finishing FIRST in general excellence when the CNPA’s online list and gallery of winners was first posted—and we still are, as of this writing. However, the CNPA office tells us we actually finished second. Sigh.)

The other particularly-big-deal award is arguably an even bigger deal: We won first place for Arts and Entertainment Coverage among all “weeklies” in the state of California. Yes, the Independent bested all not-daily newspapers for the honor. The judge wrote: “Excellent writing, captures the soul of the community, good design, lots of sophisticated advertising. These elements set this section apart.” There are only two newspapers that can say they have the best A&E coverage in the state, according to the CNPA: The Los Angeles Times and the Coachella Valley Independent.

Our other wins: • Valerie-Jean Hume earned second place in the Profile Story category (among “weeklies” 11,001-25,000) for “Pandemic Stories: A Chat With Nine Local Members of Alcoholics Anonymous About How They’re Dealing With the Shelter-in-Place Order,” published online March 29, 2020, and in the May 2020 print edition.

• Beth Allen earned third place for Front Page Layout and Design (among “weeklies” 11,001 and up), for our April, August and November 2020 covers.

• Kevin Fitzgerald earned fourth place for Coverage of Youth and Education (among “weeklies” 11,001-25,000) for “‘A Civil Rights Issue’: Thousands of Local Students Lack Proper Internet Access—Which Makes Distance Learning All but Impossible” (published online June 22, 2020, and in the July 2020 print edition).

• Kevin Fitzgerald earned fifth place for Coverage of Local Government (among “weeklies” 4,301-25,000) for his series on the city of Palm Desert’s redistricting process.

• I earned fifth place for Public Service Journalism in the digital-only contest (less than 100,000 unique visitors per month) for the Daily Digest newsletter, which is also posted at CVIndependent.com.

Welcome to the June 2021 print edition of the Coachella Valley Independent. As always, thanks for reading, and don’t hesitate to contact me at the email below with questions, comments or suggestions.

—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 3

JUNE 2021

daphealth.org

active we take an

role in your health

Dr. Tulika Singh

Director of Research & Associate Chief Medical Officer

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JUNE 2021

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS M

BY ANITA RUFUS

y guy hadn’t cut his hair or shaved since the start of the pandemic—until just a couple of weeks ago. He luckily found Matthew Sam, aka “Matt the Master Barber” (www. matthewthemasterbarber.com), and my guy came home looking like a well-groomed gentleman—as opposed to a hermit who had just come down out of the hills.

Sam, 43, was born and raised in Blythe, but is now an Indio resident. He says that as a kid, he wanted to be an entrepreneur when he grew up.

“I was always running my own little business,” he says, “starting with a lawn-mowing service when I was about 10.”

After high school, where he was an all-state defensive tackle (“I was rated No. 7 in the state,” There was a time when we all sat down at he proudly says), Sam attended College of the the table for about four hours, and my dad Desert, and played football. He then went said, ‘Matt started it, and we all have our own to work in the oil fields near Bakersfield as a positions to play, but Matt’s the equivalent depth-pressure tester. of the president.’ My parents helped us get “It was actually dangerous,” he says. “You started, and now we’ve actually built a factory could easily lose a finger.” in their home. I can’t wait for my daughter, In Bakersfield, Matthew Sam attended who I basically raised by myself, to graduate barber college, influenced by his mother, his college and come into the business. She’s role model for getting into hairstyling. already been trained by my sister to do the “My mom is not only a stylist, but she is melting process that turns the essential oils also an instructor and specialist in making and butters into the hair and skin products wigs,” he says. “She works with a lot of we’re so proud of.” cancer patients. She’s always told me I had Matthew Sam, who now has 27 years to be professional and keep my appearance of experience as a barber, has successfully together. competed in nationwide barbering contests— “My dad was a heavy-machine operator and has the cups and trophies to show for it. who worked on building malls and schools “We bring our own models, so we know their all over America, and he has always instilled hair, but there are rules and time limits,” Sam in me that I had to work hard and handle my says. “People come from all over America to responsibilities. He said, ‘Don’t wait; never compete. I’ve been a 15-time national awardprocrastinate.’” winning barber, the only one from California. I Along with his younger sister and his actually once won a new barber chair!”

21-year-old daughter, and with inspiration How has Sam weathered the last year, and support from his parents, Matthew Sam when so many businesses had to close down? has created his own MUUJIZA line of hair “There was hardship during the pandemic. and skin products.

I started making house calls, from Thermal “MUUJIZA is Swahili for ‘miracle,’” Sam all the way to Brawley. I cut hair at resorts, says. “My little sister came up with the churches, garages and even backyards. One essential oil organic products, which are now day last summer, it was about 125 (degrees), sold in 30 states and four countries. and I did 15 cuts that day. It actually got to “Working with family can be challenging.

CVIndependent.com

Meet Matthew Sam, a former football star who’s now a master barber and an ambitious entrepreneur

Matthew Sam: “There was hardship during the pandemic. I started making house calls, from Thermal all the way to Brawley. I cut hair at resorts, churches, garages and even backyards. One day last summer, it was about 125 (degrees), and I did 15 cuts that day.”

where I was so busy I had to have the public come to me, cutting hair on my back patio.

“I have to admit my worst habit is taking on too many responsibilities at one time.

I only recently learned to stop doing that, because I was getting overwhelmed. I do have a 5-year plan, including time limits, so I live by a schedule now. Two years ago, I finally stopped working weekends, but I still travel and do shows to sell my products. I also make time to spend with my girlfriend and her son, and I leave time for family, including my very first granddaughter.

“It gives me hope to be able to get up every day and see my loved ones—to hug them, and teach them, and tell them I love them. People don’t know that it makes me cry to realize the beauty of being able to start from scratch and build something I can pass down to my children, to change everyone’s life around me.

My parents are my heroes, but I also admire a lot of the urban hip-hop entrepreneurs who have turned their situations into legacies for their families, people like Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

He said, ‘Can’t stop; won’t stop’ and got what he wanted. I can’t stop and won’t stop.”

With unfailing positive energy, Sam says that he’s basically a happy guy. “I’m a jokester, and goofiness always makes me laugh. There’s a lot of comedy to be found in your family and the ‘inside’ jokes. The only thing that really bugs me is when a client is late.”

What’s the best advice Sam has ever gotten? “Maybe the most important was to be true to myself about what’s really important in this world, and to always take care of my family. My most prized possession is my selfrespect.

“If I could talk to my younger self, I’d say, ‘Don’t ever stop. You have no idea what you can put together with persistence and hard work.’”

Matthew Sam has been an entrepreneur since he was 10—and he still has a lot of big plans, with the drive and the plan to succeed.

Plus, he made my guy look great!

Anita Rufus is also known as “The Lovable Liberal.” Her show The Lovable Liberal airs on IHubRadio. Email her at Anita@LovableLiberal. com. Know Your Neighbors appears every other Wednesday at CVIndependent.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 5

JUNE 2021

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

SCHOOLING STANDUP I

While teaching comedy to students 2,700 miles away, I learned that time is a gift

BY MINA HARTONG

n January 2020, after 21 years of teaching in New York and Connecticut, I retired from the classroom.

We had a final show with my high school students and a cast party; I received beautiful cards and video tributes I will look at when I’m 80. I walked out of the building feeling completely satisfied, a little sad, exhausted—and very, very happy. It was the perfect ending.

I left because I’d decided it was time to spend more time onstage. I developed a love of standup comedy while visiting my grandmother in Holland, of all places; after winning an open-mic talent contest, I accidentally launched a career hosting and headlining LGBT pride events in Sydney, London, Iceland and beyond. For about five years, life was magic as I combined my loves of travel it was terrifying in the city. The only cars and performing—including standup and two we saw consistently out our windows were solo shows. ambulances. Like many New Yorkers, we lived Around 2000, I decided I needed to get in a tiny space—which is fine when you are serious about health insurance and job working and going out all the time. Now, we security—plus it was getting harder to were concerned: If one of us were to fall ill, perform late into the night and then wake where would we quarantine? In the bathtub? up at 5 a.m. for my part-time teaching job.

We decided it was time to leave New York Living in Brooklyn, I still toured during the until the pandemic was over. We both hate summers and performed at clubs all over New winter, so we thought about places we love York, but at the age of 35, I was back in school, that are warm. We had visited Palm Springs earning a master’s degree in arts education. many times and felt very at home, so my wife From there, I launched a second career in focused her search on Southern California. public education, working as a full-time drama There was very little inventory, as folks were teacher in Brooklyn and Queens, with more flocking out of L.A.—but miraculously, she than 400 students a week. (Yes, I learned all found something in Palm Springs starting in their names.)

August 2020. So we started packing our lives Comedy had taken a back seat, and I was into two suitcases and awaited our departure. only performing a few times a year. I still loved In the meantime, I got a Zoom account. I teaching, but I ached for more time to write started doing standup appearances, investing and perform. So, after years of talking about in a front light for my computer and an it, last year, I finally did it: I gave notice at external microphone. I was awful at first; my dream teaching job, at a performing arts learning Zoom was like my trying to put high school, and set out to reinvent myself together IKEA furniture by myself without again. I planned to still go into schools as being able to call my butch lesbian friends to a teaching artist, for short residencies and help me. I would try for a while until I was master classes, without getting caught up with crying in a heap on the floor in frustration. the responsibility of being a full-time faculty Tech-savvy friends got on Zoom calls with me member. I moved back to New York City, to teach me the basics. I kept doing it, and designed my new business cards and was ready eventually, I found my stride. Like so many of to pound the pavement for gigs. us, I discovered resilience I didn’t know I had.

It seemed like the perfect plan. But COVIDCome September 2020, I was settling into 19 had other ideas.

Palm Springs and navigating heat I had never On the day before the city closed the before experienced. All the time indoors in the restaurants, my wife and I went out for a AC gave me lots of time to perfect my Zoom last meal at an overpriced French bistro near skills and find just the right-sized Amazon Union Square, where there were three other boxes to put my laptop on, so I was looking customers. We ordered the full menu— right into the camera. cocktails, expensive steaks and desserts. We Meanwhile, my former colleagues in tipped every person in the restaurant, from the Connecticut were undergoing the impossible busboy to the bartender packing liquor bottles task of reopening the school after virtual into cardboard boxes. We had no idea when teaching since March. This is a performingwe would be able to go out again. We thought arts school, so the building is structured for maybe a month. arts learning: There are large studios with no Soon, everything was shut down. My desks—just chairs and rehearsal blocks. As wife’s architectural office, three blocks from for the students … they’re theater kids. They our apartment, closed. We had nowhere to hug each other, a lot. Some of them would work and no idea how we could work—plus

Mina Hartong.

sleep in the building if we let them. How would this work?

They spaced the chairs far apart, so the kids all faced the front, which made me want to play Pink Floyd’s “We Don’t Need No Education.” It just looked wrong. One of the teachers built a booth, using clear showercurtain liners, and placed it in one of the acting studios. The actors could go behind it, take off their masks and perform their monologues.

After each one, the teacher would wipe down the “booth” so the next student could safely go in, and so on.

Teachers have always been rock stars; I know that. What struck me was how undaunted the students were by this. After months of coping with the pandemic, nothing was going to stop their enthusiasm and determination to act, dance or play the guitar.

Come winter, my colleagues were getting a routine going, and the school miraculously remained open. Some kids did not come in every day, instead tuning in virtually, but most of them did—masks on, lines memorized, ready to perform in “the booth.”

One of my colleagues had the idea for me to offer a virtual master class in standup comedy for their second semester. After almost a year of COVID learning, their teachers knew the kids needed something different—a distraction, and to have some fun. Some laughs. Some silliness. Some joy.

We wrote a grant to pay my fee; the principal was on board. The school treated it like a pilot program: They’d try it out with me and then see if they could do this with other artists around the country. I was happy to be the guinea pig, and in a way, it gave us permission to fail, which was strangely invigorating. I had taught most of these kids before, and it would be a wonderful reunion to see them, even through screens. But I had to ask myself: How would it work? Would it still be as effective as being in person? How would I know if it was

working?

Our platform was Google Classroom.

I tuned in from my home office in Palm Springs and was beamed onto the smart board in the classroom. I had three amazing and tireless teachers who were my “boots on the ground.” They would steer the computer camera constantly so I could see the students, and they could see me as I was instructing or giving feedback. Because of the masks and my distance, it was almost impossible for me to tell if they were taking it in. So we had them go into “the booth” so I could see their facial expressions. The kids knew we were trying something completely new and unprecedented—and they ran with it.

Not only did it work; it worked beautifully!

The students wrote short comedy sets, and I coached them each week on editing and delivery. We assigned a student emcee—a senior I knew well from my years teaching there—and she crushed it. The finale was a purely student-driven show, with 15 comics doing original sets. We filmed it “live” in their black-box theater, streaming it on YouTube and the school’s Facebook page so friends and family could watch. The technical rehearsal was hysterical; one of the teachers carried me around the theater on a laptop so I could go backstage and watch.

The pandemic taught me that time is a gift—and it is ours to use, or ours to waste. I have had the privilege of directing more than 30 school productions during my teaching career, but this is the one that made me beam with pride I didn’t know I had.

Mina Hartong is an award-winning comedienne and founder of Emcee, Educator and Funny Lady Productions. When she is not onstage, Mina enjoys teaching acting and standup comedy. She has taught in the public school system for 21 years, most recently at the Regional Center for the Arts in Trumbull, Conn.

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JUNE 2021

OPINION OPINION

HIKING WITH T H

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

Be prepared for the desert heat before hitting the trails— because you don’t want to become the subject of a rescue mission

BY THERESA SAMA

ave you ever been hiking in the extreme desert heat—and found yourself in trouble, because you weren’t prepared?

Maybe you took a wrong turn and got off the trail for a bit, and the next thing you knew, you’d run out of water. “How did this happen?” you asked yourself.

I remember one day in late September 2012. My hiking buddy and I were out on the desert trails somewhere between Palm Springs and Palm Desert. We got an early start—around 6:30 a.m.—so it was cool at the time. It must have been around 9:30 a.m. when we were hiking along a wash and rounded a corner to find a herd of bighorn sheep, nearly 100 of them. They were scattered all throughout the wash and along both hillsides.

September. Temperatures rise quickly You’re not supposed to disturb peninsular throughout the day during these months, so bighorn sheep—it’s an endangered species— it’s a good idea to get out early and do shorter so we had to scramble up the hillside to get hikes so you can be off the trails by about 10 around them, and then drop back down into a.m. on the hottest days. the wash on the other side. However, by Here is a list of things to do that I’ve learned the time we scrambled around the herd, we over the years, supplemented with some help couldn’t find an easy way to get back down to the wash. We found ourselves in rugged terrain from Happiest Outdoors (happiestoutdoors.ca/ hiking-in-the-desert). Take these tips to heart; with steep drop-offs, and we had to continue they will help keep you safe while out on the for a while before reaching a safe place to descend back into the wash. Now we know that desert trails: • Pack electrolytes, salt tablets and energy we should have turned around and went back gels or chews—and take extra snacks. This the way we came. simple step has saved my friends and me many By this time, it was mid-morning—and times. getting hot. We had three liters of water each, • Take more water than you think you and it was getting low, so we had to ration. We should need. I suggest carrying at least one ran out of water with a little more than a mile liter of water per hour for hikes during high to go, but we made it. We were lucky to come heat (above 90 degrees), and drink about one out of that hiking experience without needing liter of water before you get started. During a rescue. the hike, take frequent sips of water, rather I’ve been on many trails where I have simply than drinking a lot of water at once. taken a wrong turn and lost an hour or two • Wear a wet bandana or cooling towel before getting back on track. While one never around your neck. knows what they might encounter when • Wear light, breathable clothing, proper heading out on a hiking trip, it is essential to shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. do your research first: Know the trail; check • Seek shade whenever possible (a great the weather; and properly prepare yourself for tip that I learned from my running mentor the trip. years ago).

Heat-related hiking rescues start around • Pack a map and compass. Don’t rely on cell the months of April and May and go through

CVIndependent.com

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit’s Rescue 9 helicopter team rescued five hikers from Painted Canyon near Mecca on May 1. According to the department, the hikers got lost and ran out of water. Courtesy of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department

service or your cellphone battery. You may lose cell service, and if you don’t have your phone on airplane mode, the battery will rapidly drain while the phone is searching for service.

• Remain calm, and don’t panic if you get off track or lost. If you panic, it will cause you to drink more water—at a time when you really need to ration water.

• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion (dizziness, headache and clammy skin) and heat stroke (dizziness, nausea, vomiting, a lack of sweat, confusion and disorientation). If you start experiencing any symptoms, get out of the heat; drink water; and eat a snack.

• Always carry a first aid kit.

• Always use a buddy system. Don’t hike alone, and make sure you tell someone (at least one person) where you’re going.

A great resource for hiking in the desert is the aforementioned website, Happiest

Outdoors (happiestoutdoors.ca). While the site is maintained by a hiker from British Columbia, it offers a wealth of information on hiking, camping and enjoying life in the great outdoors that is applicable down here in the desert. For example, the website explains the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke—both of which can happen in a matter of minutes, and both of which can be deadly.

I also recommend checking out the list of 10 essentials for desert hiking at the Friends of the Desert Mountains website (www. desertmountains.org/10-essentials). This resource frames desert essentials as systems to use rather than just a list of specific items.

Whatever you do, you don’t want to be the subject of a search and rescue operation.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit Facebook page is already full of rescue reports this year—including three rescues on May 6 alone.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 7

JUNE 2021

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

STOP THE STIGMA Are you avoiding the doctor? If so, the reason might be embarrassment

A

by jack bunting

s we get through the public-health crisis created by COVID-19, medical and mentalhealth leaders are coming to terms with how broken the systems really are.

One lesson we’ve learned: Shame—not cost or convenience—is causing far too many people to avoid medical and mental care, even when that care is free or low-cost. How someone feels about asking for help can have a real effect on a person’s future—especially if it becomes the reason that person doesn’t go to the doctor or see a therapist when necessary.

“When we feel ashamed or embarrassed because of our life circumstances, or we are afraid of being stigmatized for seeking services, it will make it much more difficult to access vital resources and get help,” says Dr. Jill Gover, barriers to care, she says. manager of DAP Behavioral Health. “For To break down these barriers, DAP Health example, feeling embarrassed over finances is making it easier for people to ask for help might keep you from seeking help, even in several important ways. DAP Health has though DAP Health provides assistance with culturally competent doctors and therapists insurance or MediCal enrollment through who can see patients from home, or onsite Covered California.” at the DAP campus. Social-services access DAP Health’s caregivers and experts are has also been expanded for help with life making a conscious effort to talk about health essentials during this pandemic. equity more, because the Centers for Disease DAP Health’s dedication to cultural Control and the California Department of humility has its caregivers leaning in to get Public Health both say we need health equity to know their patients, instead of assuming a for people if we’re going to beat COVID-19. one-size-fits-all approach works.

“Health equity means that everyone has “At DAP Health, you’ll be helped by the opportunity to be healthy based on their someone who understands what you’ve been needs, not on their ability to pay,” says David through, without you having to spell it out Brinkman, the CEO of DAP Health. “It also for them. It’s that simple,” says Carl Baker, means no one should feel like an outsider DAP Health’s director of legislative and legal once they come inside to see a doctor or affairs. “And if they don’t look exactly like psychologist. you, then rest assured they’ve been trained in “But getting people to take that first step cultural competence, and they are your ally.” can be difficult.”

Once people begin getting care at DAP Discrimination—against the poor, LGBTQ Health, they become part of the family. individuals and racial minorities—also “Health equity at DAP Health means no increases the likelihood people will avoid one wonders if they belong—they just feel it,” essential care.

Brinkman says.

“If you’re told by society over and over again that you’re bad, wrong, inferior and Read more about DAP Health and its expanding not good enough, then you come to believe it role in public health and health equity at www. after a while,” says Dr. Gover. “And with the daphealth.org/dap-health-brand. To become inadequacy comes shame.” a patient, visit www.daphealth.org/healthThe intersection of oppression and poverty services/become-a-patient. Jack Bunting is the can create feelings of unworthiness, which are public relations specialist for DAP Health.

CVIndependent.com

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JUNE 2021

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

PET-CARE CRISIS A

by cat makino

nn Woods is the founder and president of Kittyland, a nonprofit shelter and sanctuary for cats in Desert Hot Springs. She regularly receives phone calls from distraught owners seeking veterinary attention for their beloved pets—including a call in May from one person who said she could not get a vet appointment for her cat until July.

“The cat could be dead by then,” Woods said.

Through her work with Kittyland, Woods has seen firsthand how the pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on the veterinary industry, with the Coachella Valley having too few vets and staffers for the number of pets needing help.

The vet shortage is not just a problem “Just today, a woman drove 200 miles with in the Coachella Valley; it’s a nationwide her sick pet to see her old vet where she used problem. A recent Associated Press story to live, since she couldn’t get an appointment said: “Fewer people relinquished their pets in in the valley,” Woods said.

2020, so they needed ongoing care, experts The employee shortage has caused many said. And as people worked from home and animal clinics to stop accepting new clients, spent more time with their pets, they’ve despite frantic pleas from pet owners. And if a had more opportunities to notice bumps, pet needs care from a specialist, there can be a limps and other ailments that could typically wait of up to seven months. go untreated. Vets were already struggling The problem is aggravated by the spike to meet the pre-pandemic demand, with in the number of pets adopted following veterinary schools unable to churn out enough the shelter-in-place order. Nationwide, doctors and techs to fill the void.” approximately 12.6 million households had Dr. Kathryn Carlson, director and owner of acquired a new furry member of the family Village Park Animal Hospital in La Quinta, said since the pandemic arrived in March 2020, that before the pandemic, the hospital had a according to a COVID-19 Pulse Study by the staff of 49. Today, it has a staff of 38.

American Pet Products Association.

“It’s difficult to say no to new clients,” “We’ve had so many adoptions; maybe Carlson said. “But with fewer staff, we just people were lonely,” Woods said. “It (is can’t do it. If we did, the quality would go normally) very slow to adopt out adult cats, down, and we would have to turn away pet but now we’ve had a huge run on adult cats.”

CVIndependent.com

A shortage of workers, an increase in adoptions and systemic problems have led to long waits for appointments at local animal hospitals

Dr. Kathryn Carlson, director and owner of Village Park Animal Hospital in La Quinta: “I lost two of my receptionists when a client was rude, even using profanities, which caused my two receptionists to cry.”

owners we’ve had for years, which would be disloyal to them.”

This lack of resources has resulted in frustration and fury on the part of some pet owners.

“People get upset, and they’re emotional when dealing with their pets—and with the pandemic, it becomes even more of a struggle,” Carlson said. “I lost two of my receptionists when a client was rude, even using profanities, which caused my two receptionists to cry.”

Lori Jackman, the hospital manager at Desert Dunes Animal Hospital in Bermuda Dunes, said some clinics have lost staff members because they had to take time off to care for their children when the schools closed.

“If a general veterinary practitioner can’t see a patient, then sometimes the only option is referring them to the emergency clinic— which is also overwhelmed and understaffed,” Jackman said. “It’s a tough call for the receptionists, but one which has to be made in order not to impact other previously scheduled patients.”

Some local animal hospitals have started working together in an effort to direct pets that need urgent care to any veterinarian who may have room at that particular time.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has pushed the whole veterinary industry past its tipping point and has put a definite stress on our

community and the mental health of our veterinary staff,” Jackman said.

These mental health concerns are a significant problem—and they were a problem well before the pandemic. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, released in December 2018, showed that female veterinarians were 3.5 times as likely to die from suicide compared to the general population, while male veterinarians were 2.1 times as likely to die from suicide. Even in the best of times, vets and technicians must deal with stressful situations such as pet euthanasia, and clients being unable to afford the treatment needed to save their beloved furry friends.

Kittyland’s Woods said she would love to see more veterinarian care in the valley, including a clinic subsidized by the ASPCA and Humane Society of America.

“When (pet owners) get to a vet, they can’t afford it, because the prices are ridiculous,” Woods said.

So what can be done? Jackman said staffing structures must change, and people need to be encouraged to go to school to become veterinarians, vet techs and vet assistants.

In the meantime, Jackman said pet owners need to have empathy and patience toward veterinarians and their staffs—so they can continue to give quality care.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 9

JUNE 2021

MAKE THE EASY CHOICE

The Good Life

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10 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JUNE 2021

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

DRY TIMES O

The Coachella Valley is not currently in a drought emergency like most of California—but local water agencies say we still need to conserve

by kevin fitzgerald

n May 10, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that a drought emergency now exists in 41 of California’s 58 counties.

Newsom directed the state’s water board to consider modifying requirements for reservoir releases, as well as other conservation and mitigation strategies. He also gave state agencies more flexibility in adjusting regulatory requirements to address the drought and its impacts.

Riverside County, however, was not one of those 41 counties.

“We’re pleased that the governor is taking a county-by-county approach,” said Ashley when there is no snowpack, that community is Metzger, the Desert Water Agency’s outreach in bad shape. We’re really the opposite of that.” and conservation manager. “I think it makes Still, Evans said it’s important for the a lot of sense. The last time (a drought community to conserve whenever possible. was declared by the state, in 2014-2016), “We live in a desert, and technically, we’re mandatory restrictions were imposed across always in a drought,” she said. the state. It was kind of a one-size-fits-all Garcia praised the local water agencies for approach, and it really didn’t matter what providing good leadership and taking early your local supplies were.” steps to prepare for drier times.

Eduardo Garcia, the District 56 state “We have a very different setup when it assemblymember, also praised the county-bycomes to our water storage, our delivery county approach. system and, quite frankly, the affordability of “The drought is a different animal water when compared to other parts of the depending on the region of the state,” state,” Garcia said. “That being said, we all Garcia said. “I think we’re going into a really are being asked (to help out) and should be challenging time when it comes to the (lack playing a role in water-conservation efforts. of) rainfall, the (diminished) snowpack, our … We just have to be smart about how we infrastructure setup for the conveyance of utilize our water.” water, and how that impacts communities like What specific actions should Coachella ours and those that are similar to ours.”

Valley residents and business owners take to By all accounts, the Coachella Valley is in a do their part? relatively comfortable position when it comes “Invest in long-term water-conservation to the reliability of its domestic water supply savings, primarily outdoors or with indoor for the immediate future—even in the face of appliances,” said Metzger at the DWA. “So if the serious drought challenges facing most of you can remove your grass, that’s probably the state.

“The western states, including California, are a level-one, ideal scenario. If you want to keep your grass, but be more efficient, then absolutely facing critical drought conditions,” replacing your old sprinklers with pressuresaid Katie Evans, the director of conservation reduction sprinkler bodies and efficient and communications at the Coachella Valley sprinkler nozzles or heads is a good step.

Water District. “But as far as the Coachella Putting in a smart irrigation controller or Valley goes, we rely heavily on groundwater as eliminating some turf can be helpful. Is there our source of domestic water supply—and the some grass that’s purely aesthetic? Is it in your beauty of doing that is that we are able to store front yard, and you never go sit out there or a great deal of water in our groundwater basin. take your dog or your kids out there? If that’s So, in wet years, we can take extra water, or the case, then does it need to be grass, or could additional supply, and put it into the ground. it be synthetic turf, or desert landscaping, Then in dry years, we have a cushion to keep or could it be concrete pavers or a patio? us sustainable during that time. It’s a simple Just re-thinking outdoor space to be more metaphor, but we liken it to a savings account: water-friendly helps—and look to your water When things are good, we put extra in. When agency to see what (they have) available to things are bad, we’re able to rely on what we’ve help you. With indoor appliances, replacing stored. So when something happens like a washing machines and toilets are going to be drought—even a drought that has a major your biggest savers. We offer an incentive for impact for a couple of years—we don’t see the washing machines, and it’s with our incentives impact from it that other regions do. that we try to encourage people to conserve.”

“If you can imagine an area that relies Evans said her district does various things to entirely on surface-water supply (provided) promote water-saving efforts. by a reservoir that gets filled up by snowpack, CVIndependent.com

“The CVWD continues to encourage conservation through a lot of different ways, including through our tiered (customer usage) rates and through rebate programs,” Evans said. “We have landscape ordinances to make sure that new developments comply with lower water-use standards. We do water-waste patrols, and we have incentives and education classes. I would really encourage the public to get involved in those things.

“What we’re really asking people to do, in the long run, is not necessarily conservation.

What we’re really asking people to do is practice water-use efficiency. Make sure that the water you’re using is being used in an efficient and purposeful way.”

Meanwhile, Garcia said his fellow legislators and the governor are implementing action plans to respond to the current drought.

“We’re seeing a proactive response to this drought threat that is no longer at our doorstep, but is now inside our house,” he said. “Right now, what’s important is to make sure that those communities that, in the last drought, literally did not have enough water to cook, bathe and clean with, be front and center in our proactive initiatives. I’m talking about places like Porterville and other Central Valley areas that truly bore the brunt of the last drought. We need to make sure that they continue to receive safe, clean drinking water, and it has to be as affordable as possible.

“I believe that’s the response that you’re

seeing from our governor, who put forward a $5.1 billion package of immediate drought response and relief for these communities.

Of course, there are a number of other policy adjustments that need to be made. There have been adjustments as it relates to water-quality standards for the purposes of moving water from one place to the other. The conversation about advancing the issue of storage projects clearly has been raised over the last few months in discussions about this drought. … We need to build reservoirs and other water-structure elements to be able to capture and store water, whether above or under the ground. We do have these circumstances where there are record-breaking rainfalls in the middle of these drought declarations, and much of that water is unable to be captured because of water-storage capacity issues.”

Due to climate change, future droughts may be even worse. Metzger, at the DWA, said that fact is on the minds of local water agencies— and that fact means it’s important that we start conserving now.

“Twenty years from now, with population growth, maybe we need a new reservoir,” she said. “But if we’re all conserving, then maybe we don’t need that new reservoir. That means less capital costs, as well as less (operations and maintenance costs) every year. Also, perhaps if we can conserve enough, we don’t need to find other more expensive sources of water to bring into the valley.”

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 11

JUNE 2021

TAKE THE INDEPENDENT CHALLENGE

#1 for What’s Happening In Greater Palm Springs

1. Peruse the Independent.

Look at the quality of the writing, the layout, the topics, etc.

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3. Compare.

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12 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JUNE 2021

NEWS

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SURVEY SAYS A

According to a new poll funded by vacation-rental supporters, Palm Springs residents support the current system

by jimmy boegle

s Kevin Fitzgerald reported in last month’s Independent cover story, “Vacation Rental Rebellion,” residents in some Coachella Valley towns are turning against short-term rentals.

Take Cathedral City, for example. On March 2, 63% of voters upheld an ordinance that will phase out most short-term rentals in the city by Jan. 1, 2023.

But is the tide turning similarly in Palm Springs? After all, just three years ago, 70% of voters rejected a measure similar to the one Cathedral City voters just overwhelmingly approved.

According to a recent poll commissioned by the Vacation Rental Owners and Neighbors of good”; 27% said “somewhat good”; 17% said Palm Springs (VRON-PS), the tide is not turning—with a clear majority of those polled “somewhat bad”; and “11% said “very bad.”

I asked Hoban why VRON-PS felt the need showing sustained support for Palm Springs’ to commission the poll—something that is short-term rental rules, which were put in not cheap to do—at this time. place in 2017.

“There’s obviously a lot of communication Whenever an interest group commissions around other cities right now and what a poll that ends up showing support for that they’re doing, and we thought it was interest group’s position, the results of the important to understand: Was there any poll should be taken with a figurative grain of effect from the other cities on Palm Springs?” salt the size of a two-ton boulder. However, Hoban said. “Palm Springs continues to have Bruce Hoban, a VRON-PS co-founder and board member, pledged that his group wanted the strictest ordinance in the valley—and real, viable enforcement, with real teeth, and just the facts. real people going out (to check for violations) “This same poll was (initially) done in and excellent reporting systems.”

2018, and that was done so we could find Clearly, not everyone likes vacation rentals. out how we would win Measure C,” Hoban For “Vacation Rental Rebellion,” Kevin said. “Those questions were designed not to Fitzgerald talked to veteran journalist Hank be a fluff piece; they were designed for us to Plante, a Palm Springs resident who has seriously understand. We were in the middle become an outspoken critic of short-term of an initiative election. We wanted to make rentals. Plante pointed out that beyond the sure we could win. We asked negative and Coachella Valley, other California tourist positive questions.” destinations, including Laguna Beach and The newest version of the poll, of 327 South Lake Tahoe, have cracked down recently. registered voters living in Palm Springs, was “At some point, I do think that more and done April 1-6 by San Francisco-based firm more people will become fed up with (STRs), David Binder Research; it has a margin of because the city (of Palm Springs) has done error of 5.4%.

In answer to the question, “Vacation rentals, nothing to curb their growth, and has done nothing to stop entire neighborhoods from also known as short-term rentals, are rentals being taken over,” Plante told the Independent. in Palm Springs that last for less than one “I’ll give you an example: In Vista Las Palmas, month. Based on what you know, do you think on North Rose Avenue, the neighbors tell me current regulation of short-term rentals in that there are 19 vacation-rental homes in Palm Springs is …,” 46% said the regulation is a four-block stretch. Now, that’s ridiculous. “about right,” while 15% actually said it was We have zoning laws for a reason. The city “too strict.” “Not strict enough” was the choice would never allow 19 cannabis dispensaries of 21%, while 18% said they didn’t know. in a row, or 19 liquor stores in a row, or 19 In answer to the question, “Overall, do you massage parlors in a row. So, I think (the City think Palm Springs homeowners renting out Council members) need to address the issue their homes to visitors and tourists is good or of density. They have to impose a cap on STRs bad for your neighborhood?” 34% said “very

in neighborhoods that are overly saturated, and they need to rewrite the ordinance, now that we’ve had some experience with what is not working.”

Hoban said this new poll shows that Plante is not speaking for the vast majority of Palm Springs residents.

“We communicate with the City Council constantly, so we know what they’re hearing back from their districts,” Hoban said. “If during this particular horrible COVID period (since March 2020), there weren’t vacation rentals, the city would have at least $7 million less (in transient occupancy tax revenue), because vacation rentals over-performed, while hotels, unfortunately, underperformed.”

However, that’s not to say Hoban thinks Palm Springs’ vacation-rental ordinance is perfect, although he said the basic rules are

sound. He conceded that some minor tweaks are in order—for example, clarifying whether a guest or a homeowner should be fined for certain violations. However, he said he’s been told the City Council can’t make any changes right now due to pending litigation.

“We’re still blocked from making changes to the current ordinance because of a lawsuit that was launched in 2017 by the same people behind Measure C,” Hoban said. “They took that all the way through Superior Court; they lost on everything, but then they appealed it. So that case is still an open case … and while it’s there, the city attorney advises no substantive changes be made to the ordinance until that lawsuit’s settled.”

To see the full VRON-PS poll results, visit cvindependent.com/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/VRONPSpoll.pdf.

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/SUPPORT-OUR-PUBLICATION CVIndependent.com

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 13

JUNE 2021

2021-2022 EVENTS

#1 for What’s Happening In Greater Palm Springs

For the latest Events, Visit GayDesertGuide.LGBT

June 22-28 July 4

PS International Film Festival ShortFest AAP Food Samaritans Independance Day Celebration

Sept. 18

Aging Positively / Reunion Conference

Sept. 22

Taste of Palm Springs and Business Expo

Sept. 29-Oct. 3 Oct. 11 Oct. 14-17

Club Skirts Dinah Shore Out PSP: National Coming Out Day Modernism Week Fall Preview

Oct. 16

Casual Concours (Great Autos)

Oct. 16

Faux Fur Ball Gala 2021

Oct. 22-23 Oct. 27 Oct. 28-31 Oct. 29-Nov. 1

LGBTQ Community Center Fall Party Pride Honor Awards Leather Pride 2021 White Party Palm Springs

Oct. 30

DAP Health Desert AIDS Walk

Oct. 31

Halloween on Arenas

Nov. 3-6

Light Up the Night

Nov. 6-7

Palm Springs Pride 2021

Nov. 7 Nov. 19-21 Jan. 6 2022

Pride Parade McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction Palm Springs International Film Festival Gala

Jan. 6-17 2022

Palm Springs International Film Festival

Feb 24-28 2022

International Bear Convergence IBC 2022

Feb. 25-27 2022

McCormick’s Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction

May 6-8 2022

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For Nightlife, Bar Events and Happy Hours, Visit Our New “After Dark” Section.

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14 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JUNE 2021

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

PROTECTING THE FURRY by cat makino

N

ot long ago, Alan Woodruff and the city of La Quinta did not see eye to eye.

“The city was all over me in the beginning, and we had shouting matches,” says Woodruff, the founder of AAARF, aka Alan’s All Animal Rescue Foundation. “It took more than a year, but I stood my ground—and let them know I was going to rescue animals, no matter what they said or did.”

Today, the city and Woodruff are getting along much better—and in fact, the La Quinta City Council recently named Woodruff as one of three new recipients of the city’s Pillar of the good work and being recognized by the city Community Awards. for it,” Woodruff says.

AAARF is devoted to reuniting lost pets His efforts started around 15 years ago, with their owners; finding homes for animals when he started helping animals he saw in danger of being euthanized; providing wandering on his street. “I’d be down the meals to animals in need; and even rescuing road, and I’d see a dog, call the number on the dogs who become trapped in the mountains tag, and it would be my neighbor,” he says. surrounding La Quinta Cove.

Woodruff has always loved animals, he Woodruff, 72, is a former head coach of says. He was born and raised in La Jolla and track and field and cross country at Palm spent every summer at his grandparents’ farm Desert High School, and has called La Quinta home since 1989. The ironman triathlete says in Oregon, where there were sheep, goats, horses, cows, pigs and such. he feels honored by the award.

He doesn’t flinch from helping any animals, “Everybody loves to be stroked—though I including taking a bird that fell from its nest don’t need strokes as much as most people— to a sanctuary, or picking up dead cats from but it’s nice to know that I’m respected, doing

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the middle of the street. He feeds feral and abandoned cats who live in the Cove—up to 95 meals a day—and works with the Ramona Humane Society at San Jacinto to rescue dogs who might otherwise be euthanized.

While Woodruff has won over the city government, he still faces a lot of hostility.

“I have to be a social ambassador when going into different areas in the neighborhood when helping cats,” Woodruff says. “It’s not easy; you have to get everyone on the same page. You’re a stranger to some of them. Not everyone loves cats. You have to weave and bend, because you don’t want people to take away the cats’ food or hurt them.

“You have no idea the fear and superstition cats have for certain people. Some even believe they are evil. … It’s something mystic about cats that turns some people off.”

One particularly harrowing experience occurred last summer, on a 120-degree Sunday afternoon. A woman phoned Woodruff, informing him that the man across the street from her had committed suicide.

His wife had then left the house—abandoning a dog in the heat of the backyard.

“This dog had never been inside a house,” Woodruff says. “He was a big black pit bull.

Nevertheless, I went into their backyard and looked at the dog. In a couple of minutes, he was happy. … He was just a goofy, sweet dog.”

La Quinta’s Alan Woodruff works to make sure animals are safe and loved However, the dog was hurt and overheated.

Woodruff hosed him down for 15 minutes to cool him off. Thankfully, this story has a happy ending: Woodruff found the dog a permanent home—where he can go inside.

Judy Courtney, a resident of the Cove, says Woodruff goes above and beyond to save dogs.

“I was ready for another dog because one of my two dogs passed away,” Courtney says. “I phoned Alan and said, ‘I don’t care about the breed or size; I just want a loving dog.’”

Woodruff soon matched her up with the perfect pet.

“She’s magnificent—part beagle, part Chihuahua, and fits in perfectly with me and my other dog,” she says.

La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans lauded Woodruff for his commitment to animals.

“Alan’s dedication to animals is commendable,” she wrote in an email. “From reuniting dogs with their owners, to ensuring others are adopted into loving homes, his passion for our furry loved ones deserves recognition.”

Over the years, Woodruff has organized several Turkey Trots which have raised funds and awareness for no-kill shelters. He says his phone is open to handle any problems relating to animals every day from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 760-567-5051.

“My message is simple,” Woodruff says.

“Adopt and love all animals.”

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Text the word JOSLYN to 44321 to receive a secure link to complete your donation.

Mail to: End Senior Hunger, The Joslyn Center, 73750 Catalina Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Alan Woodruff (center), accepts his Pillar of the Community Award with fellow winners Victory Grund (left) and Jeff Smith (right).

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 15

JUNE 2021

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

JUNE ASTRONOMY

As the summer begins, Mars andBright VenusStars engage in a cosmic Planets and in Evening Mid-Twilight For Pollux June, 2021 dance with and Castor

F

By Robert Victor

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

June's evening sky chart.

ROBERT D. MILLER

N

ast-moving Mars and Venus make eye-catching arrangements with Pollux and Castor this month, before the twin stars’ annual departure into the evening twilight glow. Even the slow motions of Jupiter and Saturn can be noted with careful attention to background stars.

The moon pairs up with four of the five naked-eye planets and four of the five zodiacal first-magDeneb nitude stars. Venus presents its northernmost setting of 2021 on June 4, 16 days before the sun does so. The aptly named Summer Triangle is visible from dusk until dawn from late June until early August.

In June’s evening twilight: The only planets visible at dusk are bright Venus, of magnitude -3.8, very low in the west-northwest, and faint Mars, of magnitude +1.8, some 25 to 7 degrees to Venus’ upper left. The brightest stars visible, both of abramsplanetarium.org/skycalendar.

Vega zero magnitude, are golden Arcturus, very high At end of June, Saturn rises in the in the southeast to south-southwest, and blueeast-southeast within two hours after sunset, white Vega, climbing high in the east-northeast. and brighter Jupiter rises within an hour later, In early June, the Spring Arch of four stars nearly 20 degrees to the lower left of Saturn.

Altair is still visible: Procyon, low in the west; twins In coming months, watch for changes in setPollux and Castor, atop the arch and 4.5 degrees ting place of the “evening star.” Venus, at magapart in the west-northwest; and Capella, low nitude -3.8, sets in the west-northwest between E in the northwest. The twins remain visible at 1.4 and 1.7 hours after sunset this month.

Arcturus month’s end, but only with the aid of binoculars.

On June 4, Venus attains a declination of +24 Watch for these striking arrangements of degrees, 26 minutes north of the Earth’s equaplanets with twin stars Pollux and Castor: Mars, tor, and sets farthest north, 30 degrees north on June 7, is 7 degrees to the left of Pollux and of west (as seen from our latitude, 34 degrees forms a straight line with the twins. Venus, on north). After little change for nearly two weeks, Spica June 13, forms an isosceles triangle with the you’ll notice the start of a dramatic swing in twins. On June 21, Venus passes 5.2 degrees to Venus’ setting place during this apparition, to Antares the south (lower left) of Pollux, its least distance a declination of -27 degrees, 15 minutes, on from that star. On June 24, Venus is 6.5 degrees Nov. 6. Venus will then set 33 degrees south to the left of Pollux and forms a straight line of west—a southward shift in azimuth of 63 with the twins. degrees in five months!

Other stars visible at dusk: Regulus, heart On June 17 and 18, Venus follows the sun of Leo, is in the west-southwest to west, to the down to the horizon, on same arc, but trailing upper left of Venus and Mars. (Mars closes to sun by 96 minutes. within 18 degrees of the lower right of ReguThe summer solstice, “sun standstill,” occurs lus at month’s end.) Spica, the spike of grain on June 20, as the sun reaches its northernmost S Evening mid-twilight occurs in the hand of Virgo, crosses through south position, directly over the Tropic of Cancer, at when Sun is 9 below horizon. into south-southwest, 33 degrees to the lower 8:32 p.m. Earlier that day in Palm Springs, our 1: 46 minutes after sunset. retrogradeJune of nearly 7 degrees, which started on right of or below Arcturus. Antares, heart of highest sun of the year passes just 10.4 degrees 15: 47 " " " May 23, will continue the Scorpion, starts very low in the southeast south of overhead at 12:48 p.m.

30: 46 " until " Oct. " 10.

Antares makes its exit in the southwest in and climbs into the south-southeast. Look for In June’s morning twilight: Look to the June’s morning mid-twilight sky, and Arcturus Deneb to the lower left of Vega. Watch the southern sky at dawn to see Jupiter, of magnideparts in the west-northwest, both in the sechorizon a little more than 10 degrees north tude -2.4 to -2.6, the brightest morning “star,” ond week. (By end of June, they set more than of east, to Vega’s lower right, for the rising of and Saturn, three magnitudes fainter at +0.6 two hours before sunup.) The Summer Triangle Altair, completing the Summer Triangle with to +0.4, between 18 and 20 degrees to Jupiter’s of Vega, Altair and Deneb passes west of overVega and Deneb. right or lower right. Watch these planets move! head, while Fomalhaut, mouth of the Southern Follow the moon for two weeks as it waxes Use binoculars before twilight begins to view Fish, glows low in the southeast to south, 20 from a thin crescent on June 11 to full on June the fourth-magnitude star Iota in Aquarius, degrees below or to the lower left of Jupiter.

24. Watch for its pairings with planets and about 3 degrees from Jupiter all month. Jupiter Capella appears very low in the north-northbright zodiacal stars on the evenings of June 11 begins to retrograde on June 20, and will go 10 east at the start of June, and rises higher into (Venus); 12 (Pollux); 13 (Mars); 15 (Regulus); 19 degrees west in the next four months. Jupiter (Spica); and 22 (Antares). will pass about 1 degree from Iota on Aug. 6 and the northeast as the month progresses. Late in June, look for Aldebaran, eye of Taurus, the All these events are illustrated on the Sky Cal- Dec. 20, completing a triple conjunction with Bull, very low in the east-northeast, 31 degrees endar for June 2021. To subscribe for $12 per that star. Binoculars will also show fourth-magto the lower right of Capella. On June’s last two year (for three printed monthly issues mailed nitude Theta in Capricornus, 0.7-1.7 degrees mornings, use binoculars to spot first-magniquarterly), or to view a sample issue, visit www. west-southwest of Saturn this month. Saturn’s

Capella

1 Mercury 1 8 15 22 29 Venus

Castor Pollux

1

2229 8 15 Mars

W Procyon Regulus

Stereographic Projection Map by Robert D. Miller

tude Mercury rising 8 degrees to the lower left of Aldebaran.

Watch the waning gibbous moon pass Saturn and Jupiter on the mornings of May 31 and June 1, and on June 27-29. In June’s morning twilight, the waning moon can be followed during the first and last weeks of month, June 1-7 and 24-30.

The solar eclipse of June 10 can NOT be seen from California. Coachella Valley’s next chances to view a solar eclipse will come on Oct. 14, 2023, and Apr. 8, 2024.

Robert Victor was a staff astronomer at Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. When the coast is clear, he looks forward to sky-watching sessions, in time for a fine display of three planets in the evening sky in autumn 2021.

CVIndependent.com

16 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

On May 1—National Homebrew Day, in a cruel bit of

irony—the world lost Joshua Kunkle.

A pillar of both the local homebrewing community and the local craft-beer community as a whole, Joshua was a dear friend to many. He was in the process of moving to the Central Coast with his fiancée, Roxanna Garcia, where they were soon to be married. He died in a car crash on Interstate 10.

Joshua touched many lives across the Coachella Valley with his kindness, humility and generosity. He was president of the Coachella Valley Homebrewers Club for many years, selflessly giving his time and fulfilling every commitment with stoic resolve and enthusiasm.

“It's because of his leadership that the club still exists,” said Brett Newton, the club president before Joshua (and this publication’s beer columnist). “He would always find a way to contribute, even when no one else could.”

Jose Lopez is a fellow club member. “His passion for homebrew pretty much kept the club alive as longtime members were leaving,” he said.

Chris Anderson left the club in 2013 to help start Coachella Valley Brewing Co., which at the time became the Coachella CVIndependent.com

JUNE 2021

Valley’s second craft brewery.

Roger Bell, who worked with Joshua at knowledge and skills. Joshua was a friend to “Without Josh Kunkle, there would be no College of the Desert, described him as all, and he will be dearly missed.”

Coachella Valley Homebrew Club,” Anderson “passionate, compassionate, supportive and Brett Newton mentions in his column this said. “As hard as I worked to grow the club, professional.” He added: “Joshua’s passion month that Joshua often helped him with Josh worked even harder. He was the one for learning was interwoven in everything research, assisting with both his library and person who remained as the cohesive glue he did. His compassion for teaching students homebrewing expertise. I can relate; he was that essentially kept the club together.” was overflowing. He was a supportive and a leading resource for many of my beerThe loss of Joshua is also felt professional co-worker, freely sharing his related writings for various publications. I across the library community. could text him or email him at any time— He was a senior librarian for the and I would always get a prompt Beaumont Library District, a response. In fact, it was such a position he had just vacated in habit that the thought occurred advance of his move up north. to me several times while He previously worked at College writing this piece. of the Desert, was a branch manager at the Cathedral There is a sad City Public Library, and spent irony to one of the stories many years volunteering with Josh helped me write. It the Friends of the La Quinta was the most harrowing and Public Library. He frequently touching story I’ve written conducted free homebrew prior to this one. classes at the La Quinta Will Campbell, a Library. homebrewing friend of On social media, the Joshua’s, was killed by a Beaumont Public Library speeding driver while riding noted: “Josh had a wide his bicycle in December 2018.

Jo sh ua impact on the local library Joshua and a couple of other C oa ch el la V al K un kl e (c en te r) an d ot he r be er fo r co m m le y H om eb re w er s C lu b br ew m em be rs of th e communities in the Beaumont club members worked to er ci al re le as e at M el vi n B re W ill C am pb el l’s and Coachella Valley region, finish the last beer Campbell Ph ot o co ur te w in g in Sa n D sy of th e C oa ie go . ch el la V al le y and his support for libraries had been making—and then H om eb re we rs C lu b extended beyond the entered it into a regional professional.” competition. It made it all

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 17

JUNE 2021

the way to a national final, and as such, it was brewed for commercial release by Melvin Brewing. It was a fantastic moment for Campbell’s family and friends as the Homebrewers Club came together to help create a moment of legacy.

Who knew that we’d now be in the same position with Josh?

His efforts to help others across the homebrew community knew no bounds. He always seemed to have time and an ear for everyone. He constantly offered up his own equipment—and would even come to your house to get you started.

“Josh was a great proponent of the CV Homebrewers Club,” said Devon Sanchez, who joined the club before opening Desert Beer Company. “He showed me a thing or two about homebrewing and what he wanted to bring to new and interested enthusiasts.”

Respected widely for his technical expertise, Joshua won many awards of his own. One notable award-winning beer was commercially brewed at Coachella Valley Brewing in 2014. Uncle Kunkle Imperial Honey Robust Porter was a robust, deeply complex behemoth at 8.3 percent alcohol by volume.

“It was the best damned brown porter ever made in the valley,” said Chris Anderson. As a commercial beer, it appears on the global rating app UnTappd. Several people gave the beer a maximum 5.0 rating. With characteristic humility, Joshua Kunkle gave it a 4.5.

Dario Guerra is an owner of Joshua Tree Brewery. “He was always experimenting on different flavors and techniques,” he said about Joshua. “When I wanted to work on different flavors, like prickly pear or bacon, he would have an idea or a technique to steer me in the right direction.”

In addition to his commitments in the Coachella Valley, Joshua worked closely with homebrew clubs in the high desert and Inland Empire. He’d show up on their brew days, attend their meetings and volunteer for their events. If he visited a local taproom, he’d inevitably wind up

brainstorming with the brewer—or rolling up his sleeves to help.

“Josh was one of the most innovative and creative members of the Homebrew Club,” Jose Lopez said.

Lopez traveled with Joshua to Rhode Island—at their own expense—to represent Will Campbell’s beer and legacy. “He was a combination of Mr. Wizard and MacGyver with his vast array of homebrew experiments, award-winning recipes and custom-built homebrew gadgets,” Lopez said.

Chris Anderson said Joshua was a great person—period.

“Josh was always approachable,” Anderson said. “He was never a braggart despite his wealth of knowledge.”

Joshua had wisdom beyond his young 37 years—perhaps his librarian side was always in search of greater knowledge—and his intelligence and resourcefulness endeared him to many. He teamed up with Justin Allen as the “Brewed Man” half of the BeerDad and Brewed Podcast.

Allen said Joshua aimed to be helpful “from helping you move a piano—he figured out a way to MacGyver it in and out of the U-Haul— to tutoring my daughter in math.

Yes, picture Joshua at the kitchen table with a tween girl doing algebra. That was Joshua!”

Nobody I talked to could remember Joshua ever having a bad word for anyone.

“That dude would give you the shirt off his back to help you out,” said Pete Yakubek, the general manager at Coachella Valley Brewing Co. Apparently that was no exaggeration, because Chris Anderson used the same analogy: “He was always willing to jump in to help anyone that needed it, even if that meant giving the shirt off of his own back.”

Joshua had wisdom beyond his young 37 years—perhaps his librarian side was always in search of greater knowledge— and his intelligence and resourcefulness endeared him to many.

Charity and community

have long been founding principles of the craft-beer movement, and Joshua lived that ethos to a level most of us never could.

“Josh was the epitome of what the craft-

beer community is all about—creativity, When asked about his participation, sharing and enthusiasm in your work,” Kings Brewing’s Jeremiah Cooper was Yakubek said. “He demonstrated it all. succinct: “Josh was one of those people who We were always stoked when he came over meant what he said, and only said things to to share his latest crazy ingredient beer build people up. The world could use a lot with us.”

It should come as no surprise that the community has rallied in support of Joshua’s family.

“BeerDad” Justin Allen has created a GoFundMe (gofund. me/02325c06) to help his loved ones with immediate expenses, and as I write, numerous breweries are working to re-create Joshua’s homebrew recipes so that the community may enjoy them one st . re w ed P od ca more time, with the ee rD ad an d B of Ju st in Al le n B e th d te os sy co -h proceeds going to the Ph ot o co ur te Jo sh K un kl e fund. As such, we’ll soon see Joshua’s beers on tap at Desert Beer, Coachella Valley Brewing, Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewery, Taproom 29 at more Joshua Kunkles.”

Spotlight 29, and La Quinta Brewing.

Joshua and I used to work in the same However, it’s not just Coachella Valley’s building one day a week, and what would breweries that are taking part in this tribute. start as a quick “hello” would regularly In the High Desert, they’ll be joined by wind up running a whole hour. We wrote Joshua Tree Brewery and Yucca Public a few stories together, and it was always a House. There will also be beers brewed at pleasure to try one of his beers. Thanks to Idyllwild Brewpub, Brewcaipa in Yucaipa, the forthcoming brewery efforts, I’m looking and even by a brewer in Missouri. Jeremiah forward to trying some of Josh’s beers one Cooper, at Kings Brewing in Rancho more time.

Cucamonga, plans to make Joshua’s beer an As Joshua always posted on Facebook for annual release. birthdays: “Cheers, and a mighty pint to you, This massive response speaks to the good sir!” impact and legacy Joshua has left behind.

Don Put, at Idyllwild Brewpub, said Photos top of opposite page (from left): he’s brewing one of Joshua’s beers “to Joshua Kunkle with his BeerDad and Brewed commemorate his contributions to the craft Podcast co-host Justin Allen. beer industry. I appreciate his passion for Photo courtesy of Justin Allen beer and his desire to spread the word.”

Desert Beer Company’s Devon Sanchez said he wants to be charitable, just as Joshua would have been charitable in a similar situation.

“He was a big driver of my brewery, the brewers of the Coachella Valley, and the homebrew club,” Sanchez said. “I want to brew his beer so that people can try one, and so that I can pay it forward to his friends, family and fiancée.”

Joshua Kunkle (center) volunteers at a homebrew festival. Photo courtesy of the Coachella Valley Homebrewers Club Joshua Kunkle (second from left) and other members of the Coachella Valley Homebrewers Club brew Will Campbell’s beer for commercial release at Melvin Brewing in San Diego. Photo courtesy of the Coachella Valley Homebrewers Club

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18 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JUNE 2021

PUTTING MORE LIFE IN YOUR YEARS

By Shonda Chase, FNP Nurse Practitioner, Co-owner, Artistic Director and Advanced Aesethetic Injector at Revive Wellness Centers in Palm Springs and Torrance, and Medweight, Lasers and Wellness Center in Irvine

M

edical advances since 1960 have increased the average life expectancy in North America by 10 years—and the best is yet to come!

In the last 60 years, medicine has increased how long the average person lives, but it hasn’t solved many of the quality-of-life health issues that many people suffer with in their later years. Science has accomplished li�le in the preven�on of Alzheimer’s and demen�a, heart disease, strokes, diabetes, breast cancer in women, and prostate cancer in men.

These types of issues take “life” away from the years medicine has given sufferers of such condi�ons.

The good news is that two emerging sectors of medicine are bringing more life to our years. Aesthe�cs and wellness, my field of exper�se, lets you choose if you want to visually age or not. The second sector is hormone op�miza�on and preventa�ve medicine. This sector lets you decide if you want to physically age or maintain your health and vitality a�er 40.

Here are some Secret Bullets regarding how hormone op�miza�on can keep you from aging like the rest of the United States: Op�mizing men’s testosterone early enough (40 or younger) can maintain: • Virility and energy • Bone and muscle mass • Weight • Youthful skin • And greatly reduce the risk of prostate cancer and diabetes Op�mizing women’s hormones as soon as they feel a li�le “off ” can maintain: • Virility and energy • Bone and muscle mass • Youthful skin • A more joyful outlook • A greatly reduced risk of cardiovascular disease • And greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer (by up to five �mes normal rates according to all of the double-blind studies) And for women, it can reduce or even prevent: • Sleepless nights • Insulin resistance • Weight gain • Hot flashes • Irritability and unprovoked feelings of anger Next month, I will share more secrets about the benefits of hormone op�miza�on to add life to your years—and years to your life. Plus, I will reveal the secret new injectable treatment for cellulite. Un�l then, keep the “Secrets.”

You can email your individual ques�ons to Shonda Chase FNP, or Allan Y. Wu MD, Revive’s cosme�c surgeon, at shonda@revivecenter.com.

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COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 19

JUNE 2021

ARTS & CULTURE

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THE MCCALLUM’S GREATEST HITS

J

The performing-arts theater plans to kick off a new season (pandemic permitting) of fan favorites in December

By jimmy boegle

amie Grant, the president and CEO of the McCallum Theatre, has Dec. 3, 2021, circled on his figurative calendar in bright-red ink.

After being dark for 632 days, the Palm Desert theater will welcome back full live audiences on that date for the start of a three-day run of Hairspray.

“Although Hairspray is set in 1962, I get a feeling that there are a few messages that we could still hold on to in 2021 that remind us that we haven’t gone as far as we thought, and remind us that we have made some movement in some places,” Grant said during a recent interview. “Hairspray still holds up—and I can’t wait. Just that experience of sitting down, and that moment when the Grant said. “I’m a theater guy, and if you love houselights go to half, and you know that theater, you can’t go wrong with Patti LuPone something special is about to begin. It’s hearing (Jan. 18, 2022) or Kristin Chenoweth (Feb. that first downbeat from the maestro’s baton.

18 and 19, 2022) or Vanessa Williams (Jan. “I’ve worked at this theater since Sept. 14, 22, 2022). … It’ll be interesting to see Fiddler (2020), and it’s going to be over a year before on the Roof in this space (Jan. 28-30, 2022), I get to see a performance here. And if you because this is the new production of Fiddler do what I do, that simply never, ever, ever that was on Broadway when it closed, and it’s happens.” a really wonderful artistic team. Chris Botti’s Tickets for the 2021-2022 season at the a star (April 9, 2022). Linda Eder is a star McCallum went on sale on May 13—and (March 18, 2022). Steve Tyrell is a star (Feb. 24, Grant said he can’t wait for the new season.

2022). There’s nobody funnier alive than Jay He came to the McCallum after a four-year Leno (Feb. 20, 2022). … Voctave is spectacular stint as the president and CEO at the Ordway (March 10, 2022). I’m a huge fan of Straight No Center in Saint Paul, Minn. He also worked as Chaser (Feb. 23, 2022); they’re wonderful.” the president and CEO of the Long Center for In a different vein, the McCallum will be the Performing Arts in Austin, Texas, among welcoming back the National Geographic Live various other theater-leadership gigs. series for the third consecutive (non-cancelled) “I’ve had lots of opening nights in my career. season, this time with four programs: Secret I don’t think I’ve had any that are quite as Lives of Bears, featuring carnivore ecologist impactful and important as this one,” he said.

Rae Wynn-Grant (Jan. 24, 2022); A View From After the McCallum lost a month of the Above, with former International Space Station 2019-2020 season, and then the entire 2020Commander Terry Virts (Feb. 28, 2022); 2021 season, Grant said he asked artistic Nature Roars Back, with wildlife filmmaker Bob director Mitch Gershenfeld—the longtime Poole (March 14, 2022); and Skiing the Dream McCallum president and CEO who still books Line, with mountaineer Hilaree Nelson (April the shows—to focus on longtime audience 4, 2022). favorites for the post-COVID-closure return.

“We have to remember that (being in a “I went to Mitch and said, ‘I want a greatesttheater) is a shared experience,” Grant said. hits season. I want it to be about 80% of the “Yes, it’s a shared experience between an dates that we normally do. I want you to focus audience member and an artist, but the part those dates into the winter/spring slot and that’s actually stronger is the shared experience away from the fall,’ which he’s done,” Grant with whomever you’re with: ‘Do you remember said. “And I feel very confident that Dec. 3 is that night we went to see’ whatever? … NatGeo going to be fine. In fact, if you ask me today, is a hugely successful franchise in virtually it is likely that we’re going to add a few more every market, and it’s successful because shows between now and that start date, so people can share it with their kids and their that we have a few more performances as a soft grandkids.” opening to get ready.”

The McCallum schedule includes a new Indeed, the McCallum schedule is packed show that is of particular significance to the with names audiences know and love. Grant said he’s particularly excited to see Pink Martini theater’s history: A Tribute to Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé. Back in April 2019, we wrote: (March 25-28, 2022) and The Ten Tenors (Feb. “Gormé passed away in 2013, and Lawrence has 9-14, 2022) on the McCallum stage. He then retired from performing; this show will feature rattled off a list of highlights. their son, David Lawrence, and Tony Award“I think Wynton Marsalis (Jan. 23, 2022) winner Debbie Gravitte, along with a 32-piece hasn’t been here in too long of a time, and he’s orchestra and vintage video clips.” one of the finest jazz musicians in the world,”

If current schedules hold, Hairspray will reopen the McCallum Theatre on Dec. 3—after the theater was dark for 632 days due to the pandemic. Chris Bennion and Jeremy Daniel

“We have all of their original music charts,” Gershenfeld told us at the time. “… This is the first place this show is going to play. There’s no place (Steve Lawrence) would want to do the first show other than (here).”

Well … that show was scheduled for April 4, 2020. When the pandemic forced it to be cancelled, Gershenfeld scheduled the show for the 2020-2021 season—which was wiped out entirely. So, keep your fingers crossed that the third time is the charm for the Jan. 21, 2022, date.

“Mitch came to me and said, ‘We just simply have to do this show. The show has to play at the McCallum. It has to play in the Coachella Valley, and it has to play now,’” Grant said.

While California is certainly trending in the right direction regarding a recovery from the pandemic, the last 14 months have proven that nothing is certain, and Grant said that people can buy tickets knowing that if anything (or, heaven forbid, everything) is cancelled again, they’ll be issued a full refund.

Grant said he knew of just one colleague in the performing-arts world who had prepared for something like COVID-19—and even that preparation was somewhat accidental.

“He runs a repertory theater, and he had a problem in his first year there, which was two seasons ago, where a flu bug ran through the company—and he actually got insurance,” Grant said. “As a result, his actors all got paid last year by insurance. He would love to tell you that he was a savant when it came to the pandemic, but he was lucky. So, the fact of the matter is, I haven’t met anybody whose crystal ball is particularly clear on how this all works. What we have done is stayed on top of the information as it’s current. What we have been given, through our board of directors,

is a commitment to make the necessary investments to ensure not only that the facility is safe, but that people feel safe.”

Those preparations include a 125-page report on upgrades to the theater’s HVAC system; the addition of an entrance, recommended by Eisenhower Health after the theater asked for guidance; and making surfaces, doors and other things as touch-free as possible.

“I have the commitment and the resources that whatever exceeds the standards of health that are required at the time—not just meets, but exceeds—that’s what we’re going to do,” Grant said. “We’ve signed contracts, for example, on touring shows coming in next season that require that everybody who works backstage is vaccinated. We have set a staff policy now that says being vaccinated for COVID-19 is part of your requirement for employment, unless you have a medical reason or a religious reason.”

The McCallum recently did an online survey of ticket-buyers—and received a whopping 3,100 responses, which, as Grant points out, “is a larger number than required for a national survey in the U.S.” That survey, Grant said, combined with the brisk early ticket sales, gives him confidence that audiences will be ready to return to the McCallum on Dec. 3—and that the McCallum will be ready for them.

“Ninety-three percent of the people said that they were vaccinated or planning to be vaccinated,” Grant said. “So, we knew that that was a good sign; 78% said that coming back to the theater by December felt safe; 18% said coming back by January felt safe. Zero percent said they’re not coming back to the theater.”

For tickets or more information, visit www. mccallumtheatre.com.

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JUNE 2021

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COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 21

JUNE 2021

ARTS & CULTURE SIGNALING AN ART OPPORTUNITY

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A

The city of Indio enlists the help of local artists to beautify traffic boxes

By MATT KING

rt is a vital part of the fabric of the city of Indio; it’s known as the City of Festivals, after all.

The importance of the arts in Indio extends all the way to … traffic-signal boxes? Yes, traffic-signal boxes: Indio just revived its Traffic Signal Box program, paying local artists to feature their work on traffic boxes in the city.

“The Traffic Signal Box program is not new to the city,” said Debra Alleyne, the city’s management analyst of public art and historic preservation. “I’ve only been here since 2019, so I don’t have all of the information about the genesis of the program, but from what I can see in the records, they’ve done it before, in 2015. … The boxes that exist right now have been we think about our individual cities, and how weathered, and the community has had the we’re providing that sort of landscape for opportunity to enjoy that artwork, so we just artists to thrive, we need to think about it want to take this opportunity to switch those as a sector, and not just as an add-on. When out, and be more intentional about giving we think about it in that holistic way, we opportunities to local artists.” see opportunities like the Indio Food Park, The first two boxes—“The Good Hug,” by where you’re blending culinary arts with local Janet Zepeda, and “Conclave in Eden,” by artists. One of the things that the commission Jaye Elle—have already been finished. has realized is that we really want to provide “We’re starting to get some applications more opportunities for local artists, and and starting to get some calls and inquiries start building that base within our city and about it,” said Alleyne. “The first two artists the valley as a whole for art opportunities. that we’ve used are in the local art collective, By doing that, we’re providing jobs for local so I know that (artists) are aware of the artists, as well as creating social and cultural opportunity. It’s a really good opportunity vibrancy for our city.” for emerging artists and professional artists Alleyne said the arts, as an industry, needs alike, and people who just really want to get support now more than ever, as the world the opportunity to put their art out there.” recovers from (what was hopefully) the worst Alleyne said 16 signal boxes will eventually of the pandemic. be completed, and that her team will review “I love the arts,” Alleyne said. “When applications on a rolling basis. Each artist will the pandemic happened, I knew it would be paid $750. be devastating for the sector, but I also “One of the things that the (city’s Public know that they are huge when it comes to Arts) Commission has been talking about is revitalization. After 2008, there was a lot of being really intentional about having some small community art, and you started seeing sort of opportunity for the community in a lot of individuals create like a gig economy, each area of the city,” said Alleyne. “Right but with art, and create small experiences now, a lot of art is concentrated downtown, for their community. I saw opening up as which is normal for most cities. We really an opportunity for the same thing, because want to provide arts and culture for everyone people will be devastated financially in so in the city, so our ad hoc committee, many ways. Artists, by design, are creative, so a committee derived from the Arts we don’t need to tell them what to do; we just Commission, wants to make sure that there need to provide opportunities for them to do are at least a few (painted signal boxes) in what they do, which is create.” each community or sector of the city. So first, Alleyne hopes that there will be more we’re going to deal with replacing existing opportunities for art to flourish in the near boxes, and then we’re going to try to branch future. out from there.”

“We’re just hitting the ground running Alleyne said the city wants to see the arts right now,” said Alleyne. “We have to sort of treated like a vital part of Indio’s economy. return to projects that we were hoping to do.

“I think it all climaxes around the idea that During the shutdown, access to materials and arts and culture are an industrial sector,” personnel just became slim, and we didn’t Alleyne said. “A lot of people don’t think want to create something where we made a about it like that. People do like to think bunch of people sick. Now that things are about the arts as this extra thing that people opening up again, some of those projects that do, but being an artist is a job. … The U.S. are on ice might be coming back.” has identified that it brings in billions of One of the first artists to participate in dollars to the country every year, so when

“The Good Hug,” by Janet Zepeda, is located on the corner of Highway 111 and Oasis Street.

this revived project is Janet Zepeda. Her work is on the corner of Highway 111 and Oasis Street.

“I was very fortunate,” said Zepeda. “I have a friend who actually recommended me for the box. She sent me an email telling me that the city of Indio was looking for artists, and asked me if I’d be interested. I was very fortunate to have someone recommend me. …

This would be my first official time I worked with any city.”

Zepeda said she gave the city an entire portfolio of options.

“This one was actually an old design I already had,” Zepeda said. “They actually chose it out of my portfolio. I told them to take a look, and it came down to that one.

I’m super-surprised, but I guess it has a good message.”

Zepeda said “The Good Hug” is influenced

by Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, Wuthering Heights.

“The quote is, ‘Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same,’” she

said. “I thought about that a lot. With COVID happening, a lot of people lost a lot of family members, a lot of loved ones, a lot of friends.

It made sense to make something like that.

Even though they’re gone, there’s still a piece of them behind.”

Zepeda said she feels honored to have her art included in the Traffic Signal Box program, but she has her sights set on the future.

“I really want to work more with local shops and make bigger walls and things,” Zepeda said. “Getting hired to make murals would be my next step, and I’m very fortunate to know the guys at Flat Black Art Supplies, who have always helped me get opportunities in the graffiti world. My next step would be murals and probably out-of-town stuff—but this piece is really nice, because Indio is my home. It is very rewarding to see my art being displayed in one of my favorite places.”

For more information on the Traffic Signal Box program, visit www.indio.org/tsb.

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22 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

JUNE 2021

ARTS & CULTURE

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SHORTS CELEBRATED O

By MATT KING

ne of the staples of Palm Springs film culture is returning: The Palm Springs International ShortFest will be back—and in-person—for its 27th year, from June 22-28.

Festival passes are currently on sale. The schedule will be released in early June, with individual tickets going on sale at that time.

ShortFest will be slightly smaller this year than it was during its last in-person iteration in 2019, said Liliana Rodriguez, the festival’s artistic director. She talked about how much the festival has grown over the years.

“The first edition of the festival was in 1995,” Rodriguez said during a recent phone interview.

Camelot Theatres requires,” said Rodriguez.

“There were around 80 short films that were “We’re going to be requiring masks for entry available, and I think you could pay $5 to watch and masks at any popular point, like the all of the films. It started pretty low-key; before concession stand and the bathrooms. We’re then, they would only show short films during going to be encouraging mask-wearing, but the bigger festival, the Palm Springs Internaonce you go in, if you’re sitting in your seat and tional Film Festival. … Now we do more than you have snacks, it’s kind of like a restaurant, 300 short films a year. This year, we’re a little bit under 300, because we’re looking at all of the so you’re able to take your mask off. We, of course, are going to have some hand-sanitizer COVID protocols and making sure that we’re stations—but the biggest difference is going not screening things too close to each other.” to be in how many things we’re playing. The Rodriguez said safety is very much on the last time we did in-person events, we did well minds of festival organizers this year. over 56 programs. This year, we’re doing 50, “We’re basically doing everything that the

CVIndependent.com

The Palm Springs International ShortFest is back in person for its 27th year

After going virtual in 2020 because of, well, you know, Palm Springs International ShortFest has returned to the big screen for 2021.

including opening and closing nights. Things are just a little bit more spread out.”

The festival’s parties are being handled differently this year as well.

“Usually, every night of the festival, we have a big ShortFest party; we invite the filmmakers and industry, and we all meet in one place,” Rodriguez said. “This year, we’re going to choose a handful of bars and restaurants— places that are close to each other—each night, and we’re going to send people to these places.

Hopefully, that’s also a way to bring back some more business into the downtown area in Palm Springs. It’ll be a little different, but it’ll still have a lot of good energy and be fun.”

While the films will be screened in-person, the festival’s panels and classes will be held virtually.

“The panels and classes have been around since the second edition, in 1996,” Rodriguez said. “… Because we are doing in-person screenings, we want to focus 100% on doing that to our best abilities, and then the forums can be virtual. In that way, filmmakers and people who can’t attend in person will have a chance to participate. I think it is great for accessibility.”

Even in the dark days of 2020, Rodriguez said she and her team were preparing to be back in the theater for ShortFest 2021.

“We haven’t really stopped preparing,” said Rodriguez. “Even before our last (virtual) edition in 2020, we figured that at some point, we were going to be back in the theaters, so we’ve been thinking about that plan. In the end, it wasn’t a scramble, because our plan was always to pretend that we were going to be able

to do this in person. Because we were able to do that, we knew that we would be looking at a program that is slightly smaller.”

I asked Rodriguez if that smaller program made the selection process more difficult.

“We’re only doing about 30 fewer (shorts),” she said. “We’re a short-specific festival, so we have way more room than Sundance or South by Southwest, which do about 70 films.

Even with such a large number that we can do, there are always things that stay behind. … The more we watch, the more we try to fit one in here and there. It’s a natural thing that happens every year, even with a lineup as big as ours.”

While the schedule was not available as of our press time, Rodriguez promised that the program would be incredible.

“We’re really choosing the movies that either are excellent movies by themselves, and we know that audiences are going to love them, or we’re choosing movies that are great, but there’s also something about the filmmaker that we want to make sure we can champion,” she said. “… The program is really informed by the format, and we’re really just choosing the movies that speak to the programming team. That’s one of the really nice things about programming for ShortFest—the movies really do speak for themselves.”

Palm Springs International ShortFest 2021 will take place from Tuesday, June 22, through Monday, June 28, at the Camelot Theatres at the Palm Springs Cultural Center, 2300 E. Baristo Road, in Palm Springs. For more information, visit www.psfilmfest.org/2021-shortfest.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 23

JUNE 2021

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JUNE 2021

FOOD & DRINK

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A NIGHT IN BRUSSELS O

BY andrew smith

ver the past year, opportunities to travel have been rather limited—but there’s still the possibility of experiencing other cultures through our palates.

Neighboring writers Katie and Brett have been exploring the world through wine and beer, respectively. So this month, I figured I’d head to a place close to my heart (and once close to my home): Belgium.

Since opening in 1999, Pomme Frite has created a virtual Belgian experience in Palm Springs. You may be familiar with Belgium’s world-class chocolate, pastries and beer—but with its proximity to France, it’s also a country of haute cuisine. Some have said Belgian cuisine melds French quality with German quantity. enticing.

As such, Belgian food paired with Belgian beer You’ll be tempted to start with the (or French wine) is a memorable affair. It’s an eponymous pomme frites. The Belgians did affair I used to enjoy more frequently when invent them, after all. Confusion over the I lived in England, but Pomme Frite, a bistro name is an American misnomer; this the only founded by two Belgian natives, is as good as country where they’re called “French” fries. the real deal.

It was a name tagged by American soldiers The quaint bistro on Palm Canyon Drive during World War II, as the Belgians were provides an immersive experience with its French-speaking. But hold off on the fries for rustic brickwork and mustard-painted walls, now, for reasons I’ll explain momentarily. along with a multitude of Belgian beer signs Instead, choose between the frog legs, and mirrors to admire as jaunty French imported escargots, country pate, warm music plays in the background. There’s even brie—or my favorite, the steak tartare with a fountain in the main dining room evocative mayonnaise, shallots, capers and Worcestershire of a continental marketplace. My favorite sauce, with an egg on top. The salmon tartare is touch is the “Manneken Pis” on the bar, a perfect for sushi-lovers. The French onion soup miniature of the famous Brussels statue. If is hard to pass up, too. It’s truly delectable—so you’re unfamiliar, the work looks like its name decadently topped with gruyere that it comes sounds; it’s a symbol of Belgian humor and with scissors. There’s also an array of baked eccentricity. mussels on the half-shell.

The expansion of outdoor seating over the Glance over the entrées, and you’ll find past year, stretching out across the sidewalk, familiar fare like the steak frites, coq au vin, adds to the continental feel. Servers bustle and sole Grenobloise. The Flemish-style with brisk energy and urgency. They may be beef stew is a signature; it’s similar to boeuf a little abrupt at times—but, hey, I did say it Bourguignon, but soaked in Belgian ale rather was an authentic European experience. than wine. Daily specials may include osso Diners are greeted with a list of more buco, duck confit and a Belgian waterzooi, a than 30 bottled beers, and it’s all Belgian. seafood stew similar to bouillabaisse, but with If you’re a light-beer drinker, there’s Stella a creamier broth.

Artois or Bavik Pils, as well as the legendary All those main dishes considered, I’m Hoegaarden witbier. Pomme Frite also offers dining Belgian for one reason alone: The a few sweet and fruity lambics. For the beer indelible image of cafés across Belgium is of hunters, there are plenty of Trappist ales, tables filled with moules-frites. Traditionally, saisons, dubbels, trippels and quads, beers it’s mussels steamed in a white-wine that rank among the finest in the world. sauce and served in the same pot, with an The Belgians take their beer so seriously accompanying side of fries. In Belgium, that breweries design their own glasses to moules-frites is what fish and chips are to optimize aroma and flavor, and Pomme the English. It’s a dish that found popularity Frite serves each of its beers in the original due to Belgium’s coastal access and expansive glassware. network of canals, reinforced by the scarcity The wine menu is also pretty impressive of other seafoods in the winter. There was a for such a quaint spot. It’s split between long-running debate as to whether moulesCalifornia and French wines, with a good frites originated in France or Belgium. That selection of Champagne, rosé, Muscadet, was eventually “settled” via the discovery of a Chablis, Sancerre, Beaujolais and Bordeaux.

1781 Flemish manuscript.

It’s all reasonably priced, with nothing In true style, Pomme Frite’s mussels arrive more than $100. That makes some of the in the pot. Upon removing the lid, you’re Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines especially greeted by an ethereal aroma that instantly CVIndependent.com

Pomme Frite offers a taste of Belgium in downtown Palm Springs

transports your mind to the ocean. The lid is set aside for discarded shells as you set about the mussels, infused with shallot, leek, wine and garlic. That’s the traditional preparation—moules marinière—that I’m recommending, although there are 10 variations ranging from Roquefort to Thai and Vietnamese. It’s an indulgent experience that starts with the fleshy but soft texture of the mussels, giving way to sweet and slightly salty oceanic flavors. The accompanying baguette is a perfect vessel to mop up the sauce. Oh, and the fries are great. In true style, they’re twice-fried to achieve the ideal soft interior and crisp exterior. Served in a cone, they’re accompanied by sides of mayo, ketchup and a spiced diablo sauce. The presentation misses a little authenticity— albeit in way that most will appreciate: Many Americans visiting Belgium have watched in horror as street vendors dump a heavy dollop of mayo on top of the fries. Pomme Frite’s mayo is served on the side.

I’d be remiss not to offer a beer pairing.

Mussels are well suited to pilsners, but I

wouldn’t travel all the way to Belgium (or downtown Palm Springs, for that matter) for a Stella Artois. There are more creative options like a farmhouse Saison DuPont; the pale amber Kwak (which also has the most interesting glass); the acidic, tart Lindemans Gueuze; or the classic golden Duvel. White wines work well with mussels, too, especially the less-oaky French chardonnays, the Alsace rieslings, or Sancerre from the Val de Loire.

As for dessert … that’s another area where the Belgians really excel. Among a dozen options, there’s profiteroles (cream puffs), a floating island (poached meringue that literally floats atop crème anglaise), crêpes Suzette, tarte Tatin with Chantilly, Grand Marnier crème brûlée and, of course, the quintessential Belgian chocolate mousse.

Pomme Frite makes for an impressive and immersive dining affair, all set inside a quaint, casual bistro. The food is every bit as good as the fare you’d enjoy during a trip to Belgium. You’ll be grateful for the experience—as well as the money you saved on airfare.

The expansion of outdoor seating over the past year, stretching out across the sidewalk, has added to the continental feel of Pomme Frite. Andrew Smith

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 25

JUNE 2021

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Big crowds have our bartending scribe dreaming of escaping to a desert island— but only if he can take Negronis with him

BY kevin carlow

oachella Valley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County—you sure seem to want to go out!

That is, you seem to want to come to Palm Springs to go out.

While I am still heading up the cocktail program at the Cole Hotel (mostly remotely), I was recently offered a position at Seymour’s, the bar where my Palm Springs adventure began. As a result, I’ve been on a recent human-energy bungee-cord ride. I’ve been going from sending out mimosas and handing out towels in the afternoon to being at a full-on late-night busy cocktail Negroni.” You could change the Campari bar right out of the gate. Phew! It’s a blast. for green Chartreuse and add some orange It’s also a lot. In the last 15 months, my bitters, and you have a bijou, which is fine, brain has gotten used to social distancing, I guess, but it doesn’t have any bite. Even and my psyche is used to service from afar. the mighty boulevardier, with rye whiskey There is no vaccine for that. Everyone is instead of gin, can’t quite hold a candle, in my chatty; everyone is storming the bar—and I’m opinion, but it’s the best of the cousins. honestly not used to it. I’m sure this will pass.

I have never written about the history of The most important gain I’ve made in the Negroni in this column, probably because the last year was finding some balance in it’s such a mess that it would take a book to my health, physical and mental. I hope my sort it out. Difford’s Guide does a fair (but friends in the industry stay healthy, too, but messy) job, and the late Gaz Regan (known I already see broken relationships piling up for stirring them with his finger) has written in my social circle. A lot of friends want to about the subject extensively, if you want a pack up and run … anywhere. It’s not just deeper dive. The story I have always heard is the pandemic that’s caused a psychic strain; that in 1919, at Caffé Giacosa in Florence, a it’s been the reopening, too. We went from certain count by the name of Negroni asked “shelter in place” to “olly olly oxen free” the bartender to substitute the soda water in seemingly overnight. his Americano (Campari and vermouth with The staffing shortage in town is soda) for gin, for a little extra “giddy up.” The making things even crazier—but before classic was born, and all the patrons wanted anyone blames lazy loafs for collecting to order the “count’s drink.” unemployment instead of working, two I have always found it unlikely that anyone things: One, I don’t know a single serviceof royalty ever invented a cocktail (maybe industry person who isn’t working at except for the Prince of Wales cocktail/ least one job. There are simply too many punch), and this is no exception. It seems opportunities here in Palm Springs, and far more likely that someone named the anyone sitting at home was probably never drink after the flamboyant count to curry very useful in the first place. Two, this has favor and tips; I have seen drinks named that been an issue for years in this area. I got here way for far lesser big-wigs. As usual with in 2016, and there’s always been a shortage cocktails, the combination of the ingredients as new places opened, and more and more in the recipe were around well before the tourists flocked in. Additionally, a lot of “official” story and seem to have an origin in servers here are working full time—but the “Milano-Torino” or the “Camparinete.” they’re serving meals, ordered on apps, out Milan was famous for its bitters, specifically of their cars, something they prefer because Campari, and Torino for its vermouths. The they have neither a boss nor a set schedule.

Milano-Torino might have had soda water Since it doesn’t look like this bartender is added to it, or not, depending on the bar, but going to be able to get away anytime soon, it the base was equal parts vermouth and bitter. might be time to revisit my Desert Island List The Camparinete had gin and might have had of Cocktails … or at least the drink that’s first soda water. The Negroni might even have had on that list—which has to be the Negroni. soda water in it at some point, but thankfully, Yes, the daiquiri and the Sazerac are it does not anymore. The boulevardier might also favorites, but there is something so … have been created first, so this drink, like calming about the Negroni. It’s analgesic or many others, might have jumped the pond for something. I even feel good making them for a facelift and a new name. people. It’s three ingredients, equal parts— The thing is … we just don’t know. Does it gin, Campari and sweet vermouth. Now, you really matter, though? The important thing could substitute the Campari for Aperol, is that you use equal parts … or don’t, but but it’s not as good. I call that a “bubblegum

definitely make sure it’s on the rocks. Use gin, never vodka, and don’t get me started on mezcal Negronis. Always orange, never lemon—hell, you can even add an orange squeeze if you fancy it. Stir it with your finger, or your partner’s, or even with the orange twist. Use a faceted glass, if you have

one, and admire the beauty.

This drink was a gift from the cocktail gods—and ordering one will make the grumpiest bartender smile.

Kevin Carlow can be reached at CrypticCocktails@gmail.com CVIndependent.com

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CAESAR CERVISIA T

As people start to get out and about more, there are plenty of places to get good beer in the Coachella Valley

BY brett newton

here is a light at the end of the tunnel—just in time for the hot weather, as luck would have it.

More and more of us—who are not swayed by misinformation—are getting vaccinated, and businesses are being allowed to further open up. That means it’s again possible to go to a bar or brewery and have a pint, if you’re so inclined. I am excited to be able to do this without risking my life and the lives of my loved ones.

Now is a good time to take a look at the landscape locally to see what’s happening—and learn where you can go to scratch that itch of camaraderie that can often only be found when going out for a drink. and juicy, and the orange maibock had a Despite the long lockdown, there are some bright, citrus, floral smack to it. One of my new experiences to be had out there. I’ve personal joys pre-COVID was having a pint seen local distribution of more and more at O’Caine’s Irish Pub in Rancho Mirage. beers from breweries that I love; have heard They keep the taps mostly Irish—to the point about but haven’t tried; or haven’t even of having no American light lagers, of which heard of before. University Village Food I’m a huge fan. (You can, of course, get those Mart in Palm Desert is a favorite of mine to in bottles or cans.) I love the St. Patrick’s browse. This unassuming store has someone Pennies fried pickles, and their version of a carefully selecting stock—and keeping it all Reuben sandwich with Irish corned beef is cold. Similarly, Ranch Market and Liquor insanely good. in Thousand Palms has many doors of Just outside of the valley, The Craft refrigerated shelves dedicated to beers you Lounge in Beaumont has made it through won’t see anywhere else. Both stores deserve this mess and still carries a largely Southern more props for their beer selections, and I will California-centric tap, can and bottle list. be looking more closely at that topic in this Back in Palm Springs, Revel Public House’s column soon. name entices me, but a glance at the tap list As for having a drink out somewhere deflates that enticement a bit. If they can get … we’ve been lucky, because many places someone to curate the selection, it could be were able to stay in business through the very promising. (On a totally unrelated side pandemic. note, I am available for consultation.)

Dead or Alive has pivoted toward being This summer will hopefully see the return more of a retail shop and less of a bar (though of beer festivals. If it does, perhaps the Ace the patio is currently open for drinks), and Hotel and Swim Club will decide to bring as a result has also pivoted toward more back its annual festival that took place in canned offerings. As of this writing, DoA had August. It’s appropriate to question how a selection including a couple of El Segundo wise it is to hold a beer festival when it is Brewing double IPAs; a Hop Concept IPA; and 120 degrees outside, but the last one was Reissdorf Kölsch, which I shouted out in my well worth attending despite the weather. column on the style last year.

I will be fervently wishing for Modern La Quinta Brewing’s Old Town Times’ Festival of Dankness to return for Taproom in La Quinta has a hefeweizen from vaccinated people, as I lamented its absence Enegren Brewing (maker of brilliant examples last August. After two Firestone Invitational of German styles in Thousand Oaks); Or Xata cancellations, I would be very disappointed to from The Bruery in Orange County; Blind miss another Dankness trip to San Diego.

Pig IPA from Russian River out of Sonoma It’s good to be able to see people again— County; and a barreled peach sour ale from and this is coming from an introvert.

Almanac in Alameda. As you might have noticed, these are all California breweries. n closing, I want to talk about Joshua Eureka! has carried on—and there are spots Kunkle. Yeah, I know his face is on the available at the bar now! I hope they do more cover, and I am even quoted in Andrew with their tap lineup, like some of their sister Smith’s wonderful story about him, but I’d locations do, but the staff is great, and the feel remiss if I didn’t mention how important food is often very good as well—a shout he was to both me and the Coachella Valley out to their fried chicken sandwich with beer world. “firecracker” aioli.

He took over for me as president of the Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewery is Coachella Valley Homebrewers Club and improved; their hazy IPA was tropical continued to fly its flag enthusiastically for CVIndependent.com

I

Dead or Alive has pivoted toward being more of a retail shop and less of a bar, and as a result has also pivoted toward more canned beer offerings.

the past seven years. The old guard of the club—myself included—had left to do other things, and I’m not sure there would still be a club without him.

When I was the club’s president, I had to put together a homebrew competition, and Josh took time away from his job to come help me when no one else would. What’s more, if you enjoy this column, it was Josh who recommended me to the editor of this fine

paper. Everyone who had something to say about him at a recent memorial talked about his indomitable spirit; he will be sorely missed.

My deepest condolences go out to his family, fiancée and friends. Farewell, Josh.

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.

JUNE 2021

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 27

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Riesling can be dry, sweet and everything in between—and it’s a perfect wine for the summer

HAIR STUDIO

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By KatieLOVE finn YOUR

HAIR

re you ready for the Summer of Riesling?

Oh, c’mon … yes, you are.

What’s that, you say? You don’t like riesling? It’s too sweet? It’s too heavy? It’s only for dessert?

Country Club and Cook Street Oh dear. It looks like we need a riesling reboot! sert unbearably When the weather warms up (or, in our case here in thePalm desert,De becomes scorching), the world of wine professionals reaches for cool, crisp rieslings—so much so that a 760-340-5959 campaign was launched about a decade ago riesling, it’s been successful growing around officially titled, you guessed it, “The Summer the world. Australia, France, Austria and the www.jasondavidhairstudio.net of Riesling.” Every year, restaurants and United States all create beautiful examples wine bars around the country feature several that brilliantly highlight the areas from which rieslings by the glass for the entire summer. I they come. get giddy just thinking about it!

If you care to join me on my summertime This riesling lovefest is designed to bring riesling adventure, here are my favorites that awareness to this tragically overlooked grape I will be sipping. through a slew of high-profile wine dinners, Forge “Classique” Riesling, Seneca tastings and, in years past, some pretty epic Lake, Finger Lakes, N.Y. ($18): You may be wine parties. thinking to yourself: Wine from New York? Yes! This noblest of noble grapes has slipped As a matter of fact, New York is home to the past the radar of even the savviest wineoldest winery in the U.S.—but Forge Cellars drinkers. It seems to be shrouded in is a young operation, established in 2011 by misconceptions about its sweetness and 14th-generation vigneron Louis Barroul, who is drinkability. The mere sight of that tall, responsible for the great wines of Chateau St. skinny bottle is a nonstarter for a lot of Cosme in Gigondas. His love affair with riesling people—and as a result, there are a lot of prompted him to explore new regions where people missing out on wine bliss. this grape could thrive. He discovered that the Riesling is a true chameleon. It’s capable Finger Lakes in New York would be an ideal of being so dry that it will rattle your bones; second home—not only for him, but for this it is capable of being dessert in a glass—and cool-climate-loving grape. The lake helps keep it can be everything in between. But no the winter frosts at bay and promotes a great matter what style you try, the one thing that temperature shift at night. This wine is so dry is consistent is its electrifying acidity. This that it has less sugar than a New Zealand sauone component is what makes this wine so vignon blanc! With mouthwatering flavors of truly special. It’s what keeps those sweeter white peaches, grapefruit and chamomile tea, rieslings bright and fresh, preventing them this wine will leave you speechless. from being cloying and overly sticky. It’s what Leeuwin Estate “Art Series” Riesling, makes the dry versions taste like lightning in Margaret River, Australia ($16): Back in a bottle, waking up your palate and quenching the ’70s, Napa Valley pioneer Robert Mondavi your thirst. It’s what makes these whites so was the first to identify this vineyard site age-worthy. I’m not talking about a few years in the Margaret River region in Western here; I’m talking about decades in the bottle.

Australia as a grape-growing paradise.

They stay bright, focused and laser-sharp; He even stayed a while and mentored the this age-worthiness is a trait we don’t see in owners of this special place as they planted any other wines made from white grapes. the vines and created Leeuwin Estate; it’s The acidity also makes these wines the now considered one of the greatest wineries ultimate companion to spicy, salty or fatty in Australia. Every vintage of this wine has foods. This is why any Japanese restaurant received critical acclaim. The glass bursts with worth its weight will have an extensive aromas of fresh-squeezed lemons and limes, riesling selection. There is no better foil for with hints of orange blossoms and jasmine. salty soy sauce, spicy wasabi or fatty tuna.

It’s positively tingly on the palate and goes Indian food, Thai cuisine, Mexican dishes— down the gullet-frighteningly fast. Thank God hell, even good ol’ American barbecue is ideal it only has 12% alcohol! for the low-alcohol, high-acid freshness that Dunham Cellars Lewis Estate Vineyard riesling brings to the table.

Riesling, Columbia Valley, Wash. ($20): While Germany is the original home to Eric Dunham is considered a legend in Walla CVIndependent.com

Walla. His winemaking skills were intuitive, and he consistently put out Washington state’s best bottles. Dunham was responsible for helping actor Kyle MacLachlan launch his Pursued by Bear wines, and he mentored Trey Busch of Sleight of Hand Cellars. Dunham was only 44 years old when he left this world, but his winemaking style lives on through the dedicated team at Dunham. In my opinion, this wine is where they shine. The Lewis Vineyard has long been considered the best

site for riesling in the state. Elegant and silky, this wine is layered with green apples, lemongrass, that beautiful smell of wet stones, and a touch of honey on the finish.

So, that Summer of Riesling is starting to sound pretty good now, isn’t it?

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.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 29

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A good friend’s birthday arrived during the dark, early days of the pandemic. We didn’t want his special day to go uncelebrated, so we threw him what has to be the dumbest birthday party ever: About 10 of us met at a park, and everyone stayed at least six feet apart, wearing masks, the entire time—except for when we ate our pieces of cake, which had been cut out of a sheet cake sitting on a thoroughly sanitized folding table by a glove-wearing friend. As we ate, we stayed at least 10 feet apart.

I pondered this as we celebrated another friend’s birthday a few days ago at Shame on the Moon. What a different occasion this was: We were close together at a table, eating real food, at a real restaurant.

Shame on the Moon is one of several places in the Coachella Valley that acts as a sort of culinary time machine: The second you walk in the door, it feels like you’ve been transported back 40 years. (The restaurant opened in this location in 1995, yet somehow, it feels older than that.) Tablecloths, waiters dressed in their finest, and martinis that are large and strong—the vibe is all there.

This classic feel extends to the menu, where you’ll find old-school dishes like shrimp scampi, Caesar salad, lots of steaks and even sautéed calf’s liver. (The surprising outlier: the gluten-free chicken ravioli with kale. Alas, they were out of it when we were there.) The highlight of this wonderful meal was also a classic: the crab cakes.

The nice-sized cakes were flawless—so many crab cakes have too much filler, but not these—and the lemon-dill sauce was tasty.

However, the element that pushed this dish over the top was the tart, vinegary slaw. The menu calls it “celery root and cucumber salad,” but there was a lot more going on than that.

It’s so nice to be able to properly celebrate special occasions again. Cheers to Shame on the Moon.

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WHAT The side dishes WHERE K-Tofu House, 72817 Dinah Shore Drive, No. 103, Rancho Mirage HOW MUCH $16.99 CONTACT 760-656-8886; www.k-tofuhouse.com WHY These sides make the meal.

The task at hand was furniture-shopping. Our reclining sofa broke, and we needed a new one.

But first, we needed lunch.

I dislike furniture-shopping; it’s no fun to deal with pushy sales people, delivery schedules and whatnot (#firstworldproblems).

So I wanted something comforting for lunch, and the soon tofu—the menudominating specialty at K-Tofu House—seemed like it would fit the bill.

As the menu describes it, soon tofu is a “spicy homemade soft tofu stew.” I ordered the seafood version—and it was delivered to the table still boiling. The server then added a fresh egg (which cooked quickly in the bubbling water, of course), which was a nice touch. I added some rice to the bowl, as the server recommended … and then waited for it to cool down enough to consume.

As I waited, I munched on the four complimentary side dishes (banchan): kimchi, a pickled cucumber salad, a bean-sprout salad, and a fish-cake stir fry. I also occasionally stole a bite of my husband’s bulgogi (marinated barbecued beef).

Eventually, the stew cooled down, and I dug in. All in all, our lunch was rather enjoyable.

We ate; we paid our bill; we went furnitureshopping.

On the way home, I pondered our lunch … and my brain kept flashing back to neither the stew nor the bulgogi: I kept thinking about those delicious sides. I mentioned this to my husband. He was thinking the same thing.

All of them were fantastic, and it’s hard to pick a favorite. The kimchi was spicy delightfully crunchy; the cucumbers were tart and refreshing. I’ve never had a more flavorful anything that starred bean sprouts, and the fish-cake strips offered just the right amount of umami.

At K-Tofu House, the supporting players definitely upstaged the headliners.

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Restaurant NEWS BITES By charles drabkin

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LOCAL RESTAURANTS PREPARE FOR AN ATYPICALLY BUSY COACHELLA VALLEY SUMMER This time of year usually sees the Coachella Valley transitioning from a bustling tourist destination into a much-quieter place: Rising temperatures keep many tourists away, while locals rejoice in the lack of traffic, more accessible parking, and the ability to nab reservations at our favorite restaurants—all while we complain about the 110-degree heat.

But this year … things are looking quite different. The tourists keep coming, filling vacation rentals and hotels—and local restaurants are booming, in some cases getting as much business as they normally do during the height of season.

Meanwhile, a big change is coming: The state intends to drop the county tier system on June 15, assuming COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates remain low. That means that for the first time in 15 months, establishments will have no COVID-related capacity restrictions.

One hiccup: Restaurant owners keep reporting that they are having a hard time hiring. We know of some service-industry workers who have left the valley, pushed out by ever-rising housing costs.

Whatever the reason, restaurants owners are being forced to pay more to the employees they can find (higher pay that’s much-deserved, by the way)—so expect to see higher prices at local restaurants, if you’re not already.

Of course, this all could change in a heartbeat if COVID-19 rates start to rise. So, please: Continue to wear your mask (even though the CDC has changed its guidelines for vaccinated individuals).

Keep washing your hands and social distancing. In a community as close-knit as ours often is, it can be challenging to remember to keep up the good habits we acquired during this last year. Please keep your guard up for everyone’s safety and security.

One more thing: Do NOT hassle the servers, hosts and restauranteurs who are doing their best to follow the constantly changing guidelines as they navigate through these undeniably weird times.

IN BRIEF Fabio Viviani, a fan favorite from Bravo’s Top Chef—as well as a cookbook author and an international restaurateur—will bring his culinary vision to Morongo Casino Resort and Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, in Cabazon. Viviani has opened 41 restaurants in his lifetime, according to a news release; the name and details of his venture(s) at Morongo have not yet been announced.

Watch www.morongocasinoresort.com. … Craving sweets in La Quinta? Tiffany’s Sweet Spot has settled into new digs at 78590 Highway 111. Fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, churro cupcakes and cookies for any occasion are on offer, as are gluten-free and vegan offerings. Call 760-360-1329, or visit www.tiffanyssweetspot.com to learn more. … The Wrap Shack, a Mediterranean falafel and gyro restaurant, recently opened in Bermuda Dunes, at 40100 Washington St., Suite 109. The menu features healthy eating—with a side of French fries—and the restaurant offers mint lemonade, one of my personal faves, which is perfect for cooling one down on the hot summer days ahead. Call 760-360-8178, or visit www.itsawrapshack.com. … The Atrium in Rancho Mirage, at 69930 Highway 111, is home to a new restaurant. Pangea has an eclectic menu befitting its name, featuring everything from fish tacos to chicken pesto pasta. It’s in a space that has been difficult spot for restaurants in the past, so stop by and show some love; 760-832-7246; www.pangaeacuisine.com. … Lee and Joel Lovitt, who have owned AJ’s on the Green, 36200 Date Palm Drive, in Cathedral City, for four years, have announced the restaurant is being sold to a new owner. It remains open through the transition, and we have no word on the new owner’s plans; watch www.facebook.com/ AjsOnTheGreenAndSplashBar. … Also changing hands: Copa Nightclub, at 244 E. Amado Road, in Palm Springs. The venue, which had yet to reopen as of this writing, was a sister property to The Tropicale, which sits right next door, and served food from Tropicale’s kitchen. Follow www. facebook.com/CopaNightclubPS for updates. … The owners of Chill Bar Palm Springs, at 217 E. Arenas Road, have plans to open Reforma, a restaurant, nightclub and cocktail lounge, next to BevMo at 333 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Although it is still early in the process, we hear the owners are concerned about delays caused by the nationwide shortage of building materials.

Watch this space for updates. … La Quinta’s Torakichi Ramen, at 79775 Highway 111, is set to open a Palm Springs location in mid-June at 5001 E. Ramon Road. To our knowledge, this would be the first ramen-focused restaurant to open in Palm Springs. Visit www.torakichiramen.com for more. … Finally, many of the local farmers’ markets are beginning to transition into their summer plans.

After taking June 5 off, the Palm Springs Certified Farmers’ Market will move indoors into the Palm Springs Pavilion, at 401 S. Pavilion Way, on June 12. The Indian Wells market is rumored to be moving indoors for the summer as well, although the organizer has not yet responded to our inquiries. Most of the valley’s other markets are going on hiatus until October.

Got a hot tip? Let me know: foodnews@cvindependent.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 31

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Circles Around the Sun emerges from tragedy to perform two shows at Pappy and Harriet’s Justin Ledesma and Allies make a short film to go along with new song ‘Love Me, Then Die!’ the venue report: june brings just like priest, superwolves, melissa manchester—and more!

The lucky 13: the woman with the Lost Keys, and a man you may have seen in a 7-Eleven commercial

www.cvindependent.com/music

SIX DECADES OF MUSICAL HISTORY

The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere heads to Fantasy Springs for a special Rock Yard performance

34 CVIndependent.com

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MUSIC

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MUSIC

A COSMIC JOURNEY

Circles Around the Sun emerges from tragedy and the pandemic to perform two shows at Pappy and Harriet’s

By matt king

T

here’s something special about instrumental jam-band music. The cosmic sounds that can be produced when songs are stretched out more than 10 minutes can create such a feeling of euphoria—and transport one to a place of serenity.

Circles Around the Sun is one of the bands that comes to mind first when I imagine the beauty of jam bands. The group has released three albums filled with instrumental grooves; the most recent and self-titled LP dropped on March “We usually have a set list, and we try to get 13, 2020. The album is a true journey from a good flow,” Horne said. “You don’t want to front to back, and tracks like “Babyman,” “You be up there worrying about what you’re going Gotta Start Somewhere” and “Leaving (Rogue to play next. We want to have a formula, but Lemon)” are standouts. then also leave spaces for leeway to see if we The group is bringing its tranquil music to want to go somewhere else. We also always set Pioneertown for a two-show stint at Pappy and aside time to improvise. We try to keep people Harriet’s on Sunday, June 6. As of our press on their toes, for sure. We try to interact with deadline, tickets were available for the reduced- everyone in the crowd as much as we can and capacity, socially distanced show at 3 p.m.; the go with the feel of the night. It’s pretty crazy 7 p.m. show is sold out. how, even after doing this for so long, every “I’ve played there many times, but this will night is different. You never know what you’re be the first for Circles,” said bassist Dan Horne gonna get.” during a recent phone interview. “I’ve played Circles Around the Sun’s unique spin on there a bunch with Grateful Shred (a Grateful music creation has spilled over into the band’s Dead cover band). I’ve been playing there for pandemic projects. The group’s live streams years. I actually got married there, too. It’s have included various visual effects. such a cool family vibe. It’s really in the DNA.” “It’s fun being able to control it and do This band also started out as a Grateful some movie magic,” said Horne. “The last Dead tribute act; founder and lead guitarist thing we did, we weren’t all together, so we Neal Casal was asked to create Grateful Deaddid it on green screens and then overdubbed influenced instrumentals to be piped in during each part separately. It was really fun. We’re the Grateful Dead’s “Fare Thee Well” tour. going to do one where we’re actually all in the The band has since continued to keep things same place, and we’re building a set with a strictly instrumental. light show right now.”

“It’s a fun challenge,” Horne said. “We enjoy The last two years have been beyond setting the limitations of that and working difficult for the band. In August 2019, Casal within those parameters. It drives a lot of took his own life shortly after finishing the the inspiration. Trying to figure out how tracking for Circles Around the Sun, leaving to make an exciting song while it’s entirely behind a note asking the band to continue on instrumental is a cool challenge. We’ve made without him. The remaining members have instrumental music before, but mostly just decided to keep the guitarist position open from sitting in our garage and jamming. for now and have experimented with a few Sometimes three hours will go by—and you’re different members. Their current guitarist is still jamming!”

Scott Metzger.

Horne said the band members don’t have a “We’re just going with the flow, to be set formula for creating new music. honest,” Horne said. “We played with Eric “It’s always different,” he said. “Sometimes Krasno right off the bat, and that was so great. we’ll start a song in a practice out of a jam.

He just came in and brought this fire to the Other times, somebody brings in a little lick show. When it was pretty bleak and uncertain or idea. It can also come from when we’ll be about how we would proceed, and he just came playing a show. We set aside tons of space in in and brought that energy. (Who the guitarist our shows for improv, and sometimes we’ll is) has a lot to do with scheduling. Scott came come up with a new idea in a show, which is along, was available, and we started playing always cool. We’ll come back to it, listen to the with him. We did a whole tour, and it just kind recording of the show, and turn it into a song. of clicked, and right now, we’re just riding that … It’s so much fun to just explore.” wave as much as we can. Scott’s super into it, Considering the band is known for the art and he wants to keep playing, so we’re going of improvisational jamming, I was surprised to to do it as much as we can. He fits right in and learn that a set list is key. doesn’t try to do anything that’s not himself.

CVIndependent.com

Circles Around the Sun. mckenna kane

He’s not copying anyone or trying to fill anyone’s shoes. He’s just doing his thing, and it fits so much.”

The band has been easing its way back into touring.

“We just did a weekend tour, and it was great, man,” Horne said. “It doesn’t feel rusty or anything; it’s just, like, back. Obviously, dealing with people being all in a room is kind of weird. It’s been a lot of pod shows, and limited capacity, but it’s great to be back.

There’s still some uncertainty because of planning reasons and logistics and all that, but as far as we—and I think most musicians— are concerned, we’re all ready to get back out there playing shows as soon as possible. The hesitancy is mostly from the industry; people don’t want to commit too hard. But stuff is popping up really quick, and it’s cool to have outdoor shows. The outdoor venue at Pappy’s will be really cool.”

The group is making plans to write and record new music—while simultaneously

trying to relearn songs that were released not too long ago.

“We’re actually been talking a lot about writing new stuff and making a new album,” Horne said. “That’s the plan as soon as possible. I’m ready and have a whole bunch of ideas. It’s kind of funny, though, because the last record kind of just came out. If you subtract 13 months (for the height of the pandemic), it just came out. We’re still just getting into playing those songs; nobody’s heard those songs live yet, especially out on the West Coast, so it’ll be fun to play everything for everyone, for the first time.”

Circles Around the Sun will perform at 3 and 7 p.m., Sunday, June 6, at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. The late show is sold out; tickets remained for the early show as of our press deadline, for $85. Shows will be socially distanced.

For tickets or more information, call 760-2282222, or visit www.pappyandharriets.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 33

JUNE 2021

MUSIC

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MUSIC

FROM SONG TO FILM

Justin Ledesma and Allies make a short film to go along with new song ‘Love Me, Then Die!’

By matt king

L

ocal music fans are quite familiar with Allies. The group, formerly known as Sunday Funeral, has been polarizing local audiences for more than 14 years—making it one of the valley’s longest-running groups—and leader Justin Ledesma has established his group as more than just a band, experimenting with various forms of visual arts.

The band has returned to the spotlight with another impressive combination of music and visual media. Allies’ brand new single, “Love Ledesma said. “When I got into this valley, I Me, Then Die!” is a head-banging track with wanted to make a movie. I thought that’d be lyrics that describe a tumultuous relationship. kind of a neat way to get some different kind of The band went out and created a five-minute- publicity. It was about a two-year project, and it long music video for the song—and then was my very first film. I’d never done anything fleshed that out into a short film. like it—so it was pretty darn amateurish.”

“I made the song, and it was kind of for Ledesma’s love of creating is apparent. You one specific person,” Ledesma said. “The can find hours of content on his YouTube bassist, Andrea (Taboada), and I were talking, channel. and she came up with the idea of ‘love me “When I was in third- or fourth-grade, I then die.’ We were just joking and bitching took acting classes,” Ledesma said. “I just about significant others and that sort of really loved TV and movies, and it was kind of thing, and she said we should write a song a natural progression. … I got it into my head called ‘Love Me, Then Die!’ so we did that. how all the tropes work, and I kind of started I thought it was a really good idea, so I just making things click. Before I knew it, I started ran with it—but she was just joking. I don’t making shows. I do reviews of rock movies exactly remember how we got to that point of on YouTube called Bad Rock Films, and I also making it into a film noir sort of thing, but made a cartoon a few years ago called Elliot COVID hit, and I was just looking for some Family Farms.” kind of project to do.”

Full disclosure: I appear in both the This is far from Ledesma’s first foray into music video and the film, playing the role of the world of multimedia.

“Murder Victim.” (Blink, and you’ll miss me.)

“I made a short, 45-minute film around Ledesma got help from talented people across 2010 to 2012 when we were Sunday Funeral,” the valley—and beyond.

A scene from Love Me, Then Die!

“There are a lot of friends (in the movie), but obviously the band was going to be the main attraction,” said Ledesma. “We’re trying to get people to notice us a little bit. There’s a lot of friends of friends, and some of the major parts, like the part of ‘Ghost Fiancée,’ was outsourced. We found her up toward Joshua Tree, and we shot part of her scenes in Pioneertown. We also had some shots from an earlier music video, and we ended up reusing that footage. My friend Courtney— she was in my original amateur 45-minute movie, and she was one of the first people I started working with when I came out here— played the part of the murderer. It was kind of filling out friends who I know could be fun and act, and then when I needed to, I kind of looked on Craigslist and stuff like that.”

One of the things I appreciated was Ledesma’s accommodation of the fact that, well, I didn’t want to leave the house to be a part of the video; COVID-19 was running amok, after all. Instead, he allowed me to send in a few pictures, making my effort very COVID-cautious. Ledesma said most of the scenes were filmed with minimal contact.

“It was fairly easy, because a lot of it was filmed at home,” Ledesma said. “I got a lot of location shots; all I had to do was drive there.

It’s set in Los Angeles in 1947, so I got a lot of location shots in Los Angeles, near City Hall and down in the river valley. (The film) kind of revolves around the Sixth Street Viaduct before they made the new one. It’s kind of neat. I have it all plotted out on a little map where the fictitious club is, and it was sort of serendipitous how everything ended up being close. Things ended up just clicking.”

Ledesma has set his sights high for this project; he has even submitted it to some film festivals.

“People have been telling me for a while that I should do it, but I never quite got around to it,” Ledesma said. “I’m no James Cameron or anything, but I’m pretty proud of this work, and it’s something that I actually want to present to give it a shot.”

Ledesma and the rest of Allies are looking forward to finding out what happens next.

“From the beginning, I meant to make it a movie. By the time we finished the music video, it was for sure going to be a movie, so we shot about five or six more scenes just to explain a little bit more. It was so much fun to make—and I can’t wait to make another.”

For more information, visit alliesmusic.com.

The Venue REPORT June 2021 By matt king

Last Train to Memphis

Summertime officially arrives this month! Of course, we have what much of the country would consider summer weather 10 months out of the year, so, yeah.

June is also supposed to bring one more notable arrival: the end of the COVID-19 county tier system, and the “full reopening” of the economy, on June 15. Presuming that happens, it’ll be interesting to see how the local entertainment venues respond. Stay tuned.

Here’s what some local venues have to offer for the month of June.

Every Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m., the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs pays tribute to some of the best music acts in history. On Friday, June 4, Judas Priest cover band Just Like Priest is set to perform. If you’re looking for something a little more contemporary, Saturday, June 19, brings a Bruno Mars tribute, Bruno and the Hooligans. Country Night rambles on every Tuesday from 7 to 11 p.m., with a Johnny Cash tribute, Last Train to Memphis, on June 15, and Neil Morrow on June 29. You can also fiesta ’til you siesta every Wednesday and Sunday, from 7 p.m. to midnight, with Noches de Fuego. Catch Outlaw Mariachi With Orchestra Los Ibarra on Sunday, June 13, and Los Cancinos on Wednesday, June 23. Admission is free; you must be 21 or older to attend any event, except for the classic-rock series at the Rock Yard, for which you must be 18-plus.

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

The new Agua Caliente location in Cathedral City is finding its entertainment footing nicely. Every Thursday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., catch DJ Day for a night of dancing!

Every Friday from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., attend Oasis de Noche, the hottest Latin-dance party around, featuring performances by Nacho continued on Page 36 CVIndependent.com

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SIX DECADES OF MUSIC F

By matt king

elix Cavaliere, the founder and frontman of the Rascals—known for hits like “Groovin’,” “Good Lovin’” and other songs whose titles don’t start with G—seemingly hasn’t stopped for a second since the 1960s.

He continues to tour—and is making a stop in Indio for a special night at the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs on Saturday, June 5. During a fascinating phone interview, Cavaliere discussed some perks he managed to find within the pandemic.

“The good thing is that we can make music on computers now,” said Cavaliere, 78. “That’s really been a lifesaver for me, because I was the last pandemic 100 years ago, the Roaring in the midst of doing a new album when this ’20s came out, and people really wreaked happened. I was able to finish it, and that was havoc. It should be really fun out there.” a tremendous help.

Playing live is Cavaliere’s bread and butter, “We (normally) travel all the time, so we he said. never really have the time to learn some of “You’ve got to play, man,” Cavaliere said. the programs that we want to use. I’m doing “It is one thing to make music inside of a tutorials and just trying to keep my mind computer, but you need to have interaction active. If you don’t do that every day, it gets a with other people, other musicians, and you little stale. Keyboard players, we have a little certainly need interaction with audiences to bit of an advantage, because we’re so used to tell you whether you’re good or not. When reading manuals and doing electronic things the Rascals started performing ‘Good Lovin’’ because of the synth. I’ve been enjoying it, onstage, from the first day we played that actually, because there’s so much to learn.” song, people went crazy—jumped up and After 60 years of touring, Cavaliere and his danced. We knew then that we had a hit. If band experimented with virtual performances you don’t have that, and just have a damn for the first time. computer, and you get no reaction.”

“There’s an organization that started up After growing up in New York, Cavaliere now called Hellooo TV,” Cavaliere said. “Their considers Nashville his music headquarters. premise is that they are going to film groups “There are a lot of really fine musicians doing a virtual concert with no audience. down here in Nashville; it’s one of the nice We did that in October, and it was a big things about this town,” said Cavaliere. “It success as far as the feedback I got from the really is like what L.A. is to the film industry; audio, and the video was phenomenal. It was (Nashville) is the same thing to the music really interesting for me, because without an industry. It’s not just country, either.” audience, I was really tired after it—putting Over his long career, Cavaliere has enjoyed out without any feedback really drained me. numerous experiences, including a mid-1990s After a long show, I really felt it, but it went stint with Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band. over well. The band was elated to be playing, “It was really interesting,” Cavaliere said. and everybody was really motivated.

“He’s a really good guy, and he and his wife, “I did another thing for the St. Jude Barbara, are so in love. He’s got a great family organization about a month ago where I just did life. … We had Billy Preston, John Entwistle, a couple of songs. I’ve been trying to keep busy.” Randy Bachman and Mark Farner. It was a gas.

Cavaliere said he and his band are excited We’d all be talking, and all of a sudden, Ringo’s that live shows are finally returning. He talked in the back of the room. Somebody would ask about one of the handful of shows his band a question, and as soon as he started to talk, has played in the last year, outdoors at a casino everybody stopped talking. They wanted to near San Diego last October. hear what he had to say, because there was a “The weather was gorgeous. The place was tremendous amount of respect for him.” beautiful, and my band just really, really, really Cavaliere’s history with The Beatles goes enjoyed playing,” Cavaliere said. “You could back to when he saw the band play in Europe tell, because the soundcheck never ended. before it took the U.S. by storm. … I (finally) said, ‘You guys have got to get “Before they came to the United States, I dressed.’ They just barely had time to put on saw them with a group I was playing with in the stage clothes.

Germany called Joey Dee and the Starliters,” “People are starving for live stuff. I really Cavaliere said. “It really made an impression think there’s going to be a tremendous boom; I on me, because everybody was screaming and think people are going to really rock out. After hollering like crazy. The guys had long hair, and CVIndependent.com

The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere heads to Fantasy Springs for a special Rock Yard performance

I had never seen anybody like that. It really kind of cemented the idea that I would be a musician, because prior to that, I was a premed student in Syracuse. I said, ‘Hey, I can do this. I see what they’re doing.’

“They opened up for us, believe it or not.

When they played American music, they weren’t that good. … But when they played their music, that was it. I really thought they were more of a singing group than a band.

They were very stiff white guys playing soul music. When they did their thing—wow.

What you could hear over all the yelling and screaming, I thought was cool.”

I was curious whether Cavaliere ever felt the pressure of being a star and competing with the chart-topping giants of the 1960s.

“If you’re going to have a hit record in that climate of the ’60s, with the English Invasion, you’d better have a damn good record,” Cavaliere said. “The bar was way up there, so that pushed us all to survive and do better work.

“People don’t really realize the contribution that The Beatles made. … When they came out with a sound, or a new nuance, or a new genre, I was then able to do that. In other words, when they came out with ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Michelle,’ I came out with ‘How Can I Be Sure.’ … Today, the variety that existed in those days is nonexistent: Everybody does the same damn thing over and over and over. But those guys jumped around from different styles … and the radio stations were primed for it. It really helped us all to be more kind of rounded creators.”

Cavaliere expressed pride regarding the mark he’s made on music history.

“I do this as part of my stage shtick where I tell people that one of the reasons I love playing for everybody is because they know the songs, and they want to re-create that time in their life,” Cavaliere said. “What I do is I throw in pieces of other people’s songs. First of all, it stops them from going to sleep, and second of all, for 10 seconds, it stirs their memory to some really cool places where we used to go.

I try to at least mix up the set. I know they want to hear the hits; I just make them kind of like new. Sometimes I take a little criticism for that, because some people are purists, and they want to hear it the way they heard it. I just try to have a good time out there, man.”

Cavaliere said the pandemic drove home the lesson that you don’t realize how much you love something until you stop doing it.

“It’s like when you go to your parents’ house,

and everybody welcomes you with open arms and hugs,” he said. “That’s what it’s like playing for an audience that wants to see you—they give you this kind of feedback of joy and love. … It’s kind of euphoric and is kind of addictive.

It was fun then, and it’s fun now.”

Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will perform with Thank U Drive Thru at 7 p.m., Saturday, June 5, at the Rock Yard at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, in Indio. Admission is free and open to attendees 18 and older. For more information, call 800-827-2946, or visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Felix Cavaliere.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 35

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The Venue REPORT continued from page 33

MARKET

GET 25 TO 50 PERCENT OFF GIFT CERTIFICATES TO SOME OF THE VALLEY'S TOP RESTAURANTS!

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Melissa Manchester

Bustillos and Quinto Menguante. Saturdays offer two chances for entertainment: DJ C headlines Agua Island Saturdays from 2 to 7 p.m., and from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., you can attend Super Sondio With Alf Alpha and Friends. Every Sunday offers a chance to relax, as from 2 to 6 p.m., you can catch Rewind With Rafa, an afternoon of relaxing classical guitar from Rafael Soto. Admission is free, but you must be 21 or older. Agua Caliente Cathedral City, 68960 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Cathedral City; 888-999-1995; www. aguacalientecasinos.com/cc.

Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage is easing back into ticketed entertainment a few tribute shows. On Saturday, June 12, pay tribute to Tom Petty with The Pettybreakers. Tickets range from $5 to $15. If you’re looking for something a little more soulful, pay tribute to Tina Turner with Simply the Best, on Saturday, June 26. Tickets range from $20 to $30. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com.

Agua Caliente Palm Springs hosting a few events of note. Every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., DJ Jerry headlines a night of dancing. If salsa dancing is more your speed, then Sunday Latin Nights are for you. Catch Nacho Bustillos and Quinto Menguante from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is free, but you must be 21 or older. Agua

Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 East Amado Road Palm Springs, 888-999-1995; www. sparesortcasino.com Pappy and Harriet’s is slowly bringing back live entertainment—with some powerful billings. On Wednesday, June 16, from 7 to 10:30 p.m., catch a socially distant show featuring Superwolves. The duo is comprised of Matt Sweeney and Will Oldham, aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy. Tickets are $133.

Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.

Oscar’s Palm Springs has a busy month ahead. On Thursday, June 3, from 6 to 9 p.m., join vocal coach Michael Orland for an open-mic event. Tickets are $35 (which includes a $20 food and beverage credit). You can also catch a two night stint with Melissa Manchester, who’ll be hosting intimate evenings on Thursday, June 17, and Friday, June 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. The first night is sold out, but tickets for the second night were available as of this writing for $69.95.

Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, No. 108, Palm Springs; 760-325-1188; oscarspalmsprings.com.

Coachella Valley Brewing Co. is doing a lot to show off and support local bands. On Friday, June 11, at 7 p.m., the brewery hosts Bands in the Beer Garden with performances

by James Johnson and Switcharoo. If you’re looking for a full day of local bands, then you need to attend CVB’s “We’re Back” Brews, Food and Music Fest. From 1 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 19, enjoy performances by Switcharoo, Adam Gainey, Matt Davin, Krystofer Do, Allies, Uncle Ben’s Thrice, Yoves, Wayland, The After Lashes and Sleazy Cortez. CVB is also hosting a Father’s Day Acoustic Afternoon on Sunday, June 20, at 2 p.m., with featured performances from The Sieve and the Saddle and Josh Heinz.

All shows are free and open to all ages.

Coachella Valley Brewing Company, 30640 Gunther St., Thousand Palms; 760-343-5973.

Jonah Freeman and Justin Lowe

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JUNE 2021

MUSIC

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the

LUCKY 13

Meet the woman who plays with the Lost Keys, and a man you may have seen in a 7-Eleven commercial by matt king super-talented. She can sing, but I’ve never really been a fan.

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

Adele! I’ve always wanted to see her in concert.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Country and Broadway tunes! I love singing country, and I’ve been in musical theater for over 20 years.

What’s your favorite music venue?

It has always been the McCallum Theatre, because I have seen concerts and musicals there, but I just recently discovered Big Rock Pub, and I think it’s my new favorite.

NAME Christine Michele GROUPS Christine and the Lost Keys, Chrissy and Matt MORE INFO Christine Michele is one of the premier vocalists in the Coachella Valley. She competed in the annual Open Call talent competition at the McCallum Theatre, and performs regularly with her two cover bands, Chrissy and Matt, and Christine and the Lost Keys. Learn more at www.facebook.com/ christineandthelostkeys.

What was the first concert you attended?

NSYNC! It was in Irvine, and we sat on the grass! I think I was 12. I was such a teeny bopper.

What was the first album you owned?

I’m going to be honest: I can’t remember that far back! But I’m going to take a wild guess and say Jewel, Pieces of You. What bands are you listening to right now?

Demi Lovato, Luke Combs, and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Honestly, I listen to everything. I have Apple Music, so I’m always looking up new artists and genres.

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

Ummm, Beyoncé. Don’t get me wrong; she is

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

It’s from “Beez in the Trap” by Nicki Minaj, so I can’t say which lyric it is, but my best friend and I have been singing it for nine years—so it’s stuck in my head, unfortunately!

What band or artist changed your life?

Adele. The first time I heard her, I just fell in love—her voice, her personality, and her songs, all about heartbreak and love. She inspires me as a songwriter. I love writing about that lovey-dovey stuff.

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

I’m asking LeAnn Rimes if we can sing together. I actually posted it on my old Instagram account a few years ago and tagged her in it, and she liked it. So I’m just waiting.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“Dancing in the Sky,” and I want my friends Tabitha Torres and Leslye Martinez to sing it!

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

Adele, 25.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

Well, recently, “Uninvited” by Alanis

Morissette has been on repeat in my car, and I just recently posted a video of me practicing that song with my vocal coach. A friend commented, saying she forgot how much she loved that song! So that song!

hannah mills

NAME Ross Murakami GROUP Yip Yops MORE INFO The Yip Yops have been one of the most experimental and notable names in the local music scene for quite some time.

The band has performed at Coachella, enjoyed success in the Tachevah festival, and even went on a U.S. tour in late 2019. Their latest bit of excitement: Yip Yops Ison Van Winkle and Ross Murakami, along with Hannah Mills, were recently featured in a 7-Eleven commercial. Learn more at www.facebook. com/yipyopz.

What was the first concert you attended?

My first concert was AFI! I was in fifth-grade.

I don’t remember what venue, but I got to be a part of their meet-and-greet, and that was huge for me, because I was obsessed with them at the time, Davey Havok haircut and all.

What was the first album you owned?

The Beatles, Meet the Beatles!, their first U.S. album. It was originally an anniversary gift from my grandpa to my grandma, and then she passed it down to me decades later. My grandpa wrote, “From me, to you,” on the front of it in pen.

What bands are you listening to right now?

I’ve been listening to some H.E.R., Little Simz, and the latest Jessie Ware, Remi Wolf, and HMLTD records. I’ve also been on a Roxy Music kick for a hot minute, for some reason.

I love what Andrew Marshall does with his electronics for Billie Eilish, so I’ve been listening to her a little more lately also.

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

Hyperpop. The majority of it just isn’t for me, and that’s OK. To each their own!

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

DAFT PUNK DAFT PUNK DAFT PUNK. What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

I don’t listen to all that much Top 40. For the most part, I feel pretty disconnected from it, but every once in a while, I get sucked into a guilty-pleasure pop song. For the moment, it’s “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo.

What’s your favorite music venue?

I love the Gothic Theatre in Colorado— definitely my favorite show from the last tour.

Fantastic crowd, really great place to play.

Take us back, Denver.

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

It’s all about that “YEET YEET,” by Pete Davidson and Timothée Chalamet: “You never loved me mom, but I needed you woahhh.”

Such talent.

What band or artist changed your life?

There are multiple levels here! Prince and Depeche Mode made me fall in love with music as a kid. MGMT exposed me to a more underground world of music as a teen.

Radiohead cracked everything open and made me want to play music, which changed my life completely.

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

Maybe I’d ask Bono if he’s found what he’s looking for yet. I personally am still searching, so some clues would be nice.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

I’d like this on record. To whoever shows up to this thing: Please have someone play “Birthday” by the Sugarcubes (Björk). This is my all-time favorite song, and I listen to it every birthday I have. I intend to listen on my death day as well.

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

Prince, Purple Rain. Best album of all time.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Wicked Game” by Chris Isaak.

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CANNABIS IN THE CV

A BAD BAN

A prohibition on most highway billboard advertising could hurt legal cannabis businesses—and bolster the black market

by jocelyn kane

I

f you’ve driven down Interstate 10 in recent years, you’ve seen many billboards advertising various retail cannabis businesses and brands.

But have you looked lately? Those billboards are all gone, save one or two, due to a legal battle that rages on regarding cannabis advertising.

Adult-use cannabis was approved by voters via Proposition 64 in 2016. The state then created regulations—which have been continuously interpreted and re-interpreted by the three state agencies that issue cannabis licenses. The California Bureau of Cannabis Control (BCC), in charge of retail licensure, made a determination early on that billboard advertising was allowed everyBecause it took away one of the relatively where except within 15 miles of state borders, few advertising venues cannabis businesses based on language set forth in Prop 64. currently have.

However, everything changed on Jan. State law allows cannabis ads on billboards 11, 2021. In the case of Farmer v. Bureau or bus stops along city streets—but not of Cannabis Control and Lori Ajax, the within 1,000 feet of daycare centers, K-12 San Luis Obispo County Superior Court schools or playgrounds. However, localities entered a formal judgement that the BCC’s can choose to ban such advertising. You can interpretation of the law was invalid. get a sense of which cities allow it in the This ruling means that a licensee may not Coachella Valley by simply driving down currently place advertising on a billboard Highway 111. anywhere along a state or interstate highway Further, state law limits physical and that crosses the California border—some digital cannabis advertisements to places 4,315 miles of highways in the state. where at least 71.6 percent of the audience The lawsuit was filed by Matthew Farmer, is reasonably expected to be 21 or older. This a construction contractor who is the father standard is applied to all ads, in physical or of a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old digital form. Yes, that is a weird standard, but son. Farmer said that he was concerned the it offers a sense of the intended purpose of billboards exposed his children to cannabis these prohibitions. advertising.

As for other traditional advertising and Why is this ruling such a big deal?

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marketing options? Television and radio outlets generally prohibit ads, since those media outlets are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, and they are afraid they will lose their licenses, because cannabis remains an illegal Schedule 1 drug under federal law. In addition, newer marketing platforms—including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok—do not allow mentions of cannabis sales, prices, discounts, store locations or links. Some print-media publishers allow cannabis ads, but it is hit and miss. Because of all these limitations, billboard advertising is extremely important to the industry right now.

According to Pedro Fonseca, the director of retail at Harborside—which operates the drive-through cannabis retail store in Desert Hot Springs—between 60 and 75 percent of customers surveyed over a recent two-month period visited the store based on seeing a highway billboard. Another 17 percent used Weedmaps, a tech platform created to serve the cannabis community. Fonseca said customers at the DHS store came from 919 different cities across the U.S.—the majority from the bordering states of Arizona and Nevada—meaning billboards are a vital pipeline for Harborside’s existence.

In an attempt to respond to concerns on both sides of the argument, two state legislators have rolled out competing bills that are moving through the legislative process. Assembly Bill 273, proposed by

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), would create an outright ban on pot billboards on all interstate and state highways. Alternatively, Assembly Bill 1302, introduced by Assemblymember Bill Quirk (D-Hayward), would change the law so it matches the BCC’s initial interpretation of Prop 64, again allowing cannabis billboards along highways unless those billboards are within 15 miles of a state border.

Whatever happens will have a major impact on California’s legal cannabis industry.

The legal, licensed market heavily relies on outdoor advertising to drive consumer demand and purchases.

The black market for marijuana is thriving, with some estimates saying that more than half of the cannabis sold in the state by 2024 will be done so illegally.

Meanwhile, legal cannabis businesses follow the rules. Companies comply with “agegating” on websites; target adult consumers in the small number of media sources that allow cannabis advertising; and continue to push against incredible amounts of fear and historical stigma. The advertisement and marketing of a legal consumer commodity is vital—and should be protected as commercial speech.

Agree or disagree? Educated feedback is more than welcome.

Jocelyn Kane can be reached at jocelyn@ coachellavalleycan.org.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 39

JUNE 2021

OPINION COMICS & JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

“Free Game!”—It’s themeless time again.

By Matt Jones Across 1 Garden fixture 8 It’s not the R in “MMR,” but another name for measles 15 Before 16 Maroons 17 Misheard phrase such as “nerve-wrecking” 18 Thought that one could 19 Complete beginner?

20 Martial arts-based Lego set that launched a cartoon and subsequent movie 22 Req. for a restaurant to serve alcohol 23 Eric who said “I believe in the separation of church and planet” 25 Spread for some bougie brewpubs 26 Dal ___ (Rajasthani dish with wheat bread and ghee) 27 Barbarella actress 29 Heart diagnostic, for short 30 Lammermoor bride of

opera 31 Virtuoso guitarist Malmsteen 33 Use your break time, in a way 35 In the meantime, in Latin 37 How Waiting for Godot was originally presented 40 Jays’ and Yanks’ div.

44 Gotta-haves 45 ’50s Dem. presidential candidate 47 Chilean pianist Claudio 48 E. ___ (rod-shaped bacteria) 49 Award given to Nomadland for Best Film in April 2021 51 Line parts (abbr.)

52 Dijon’s here 53 Santa Monica area in early skateboard documentaries 55 Biden, to GIs 56 Beauty chain since 1970 58 Model who’s the daughter of Wayne Gretzky 60 About .035 ounces 61 Connecticut-born cartoonist known for

big stripey cats 62 Say again 63 Like old parchment

30 Ali who had a perfect record in the ring 32 One, in Bonn 34 La la leader?

Down 36 March Madness event 1 Spell out 37 Canine neighbor 2 Rooted for 38 Division of the Tertiary 3 Malaysian-born period comedian who gained 39 Former Mexican fame in 2020 for president Calderón his online cooking and baseball manager reviewer persona Alou, for two Uncle Roger 41 Puerto Rico 4 Happy coworker? observatory site where 5 About 90% of all refined a notable telescope metal collapsed in 2020 6 Places in the heart 42 City north of Flint 7 Johnson who invented 43 Chianti’s region the Super Soaker 46 Visit 8 Harmful bloom makeup 49 He was in a 9 Long sushi order?

Subsequent Moviefilm 10 Ballpoint pen, in the 50 Caffeinated U.K. 53 ___ and the Lost City of 11 “Taiwan” suffix Gold (2019 film) 12 Arsenic partner, in film 54 Lacking value 13 Wright who played 57 Companion of wt.

Shuri in Black Panther 59 Rapper ___ Dicky 14 Withdrawn, perhaps 21 Big no-no for stand-up © 2021 Matt Jones comedians 24 King nicknamed Find the answers in “Longshanks” the “About” section at 26 Sucky situations CVIndependent.com!

28 Professional staff

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