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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 Max Cannon, Kevin Carlow, Melissa Daniels, Charles Drabkin, Katie Finn, Bill Frost, Bonnie Gilgallon, Bob Grimm, Valerie-Jean (VJ) Hume, Clay Jones, Matt Jones, Matt King, Keith Knight, Cat Makino, Brett Newton, Greg Niemann, Dan Perkins, Theresa Sama, Jen Sorenson, Robert Victor The Coachella Valley Independent print edition is published every month. All content is ©2022 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The Independent is available free of charge throughout the Coachella Valley, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies may be purchased for $5 by calling (760) 904-4208. The Independent may be distributed only by the Independent’s authorized distributors. The Independent is a proud member and/ or supporter of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, CalMatters, DAP Health, the Local Independent Online News Publishers, the Desert Business Association, and the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.
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When it comes time to look back on the current decade, what will the top news stories have been? Climate change, certainly. The Trumpization of the Republican Party/the big lie about election integrity? It’ll be up there. The pandemic? Most definitely. Within the overarching topic of the pandemic, however, I think there may very well be a huge story—a positive one—that will, on its own, make many Top 10 lists at the end of the 2020s: the near-miraculous effectiveness of the vaccines and other treatments in the battle against SARS-CoV-2. I was pondering this as I perused the latest Palm Springs wastewater testing results for SARS-CoV-2 levels. As we approached our print deadline, it appeared the most recent COVID-19 wave may have been cresting. (I say “may have,” because previous waves have included some brief decreases that were just temporary.) What strikes me is how bad, according to these wastewater-testing numbers, this wave has truly been: The only periods in which there was more SARS-CoV-2 found in wastewater samples were during the awful, deadly December 2020-January 2021 wave, which overwhelmed hospitals, and the December 2021-January 2022 omicron wave, during which case-count records were obliterated. A lot of people have been sick with COVID-19 in recent weeks, and a lot remain sick. I started doing a mental tally of friends, colleagues and acquaintances who have had COVID-19 over the last month or so, and I lost count. Yet … the hospitalization numbers remain low. As of this column’s deadline, 19 people, total, were in our three local hospitals with COVID-19. Compared to previous waves, that number is tiny. (It’s very possible this number will increase—and it had been trending upward—because hospitalizations lag behind cases, which lag behind wastewater testing.) Why? Partially, it may be because the current dominant variants, while incredibly contagious, aren’t as deadly as previous editions of SARSCoV-2. The immunity from the insane O.G. omicron wave is playing a part, too. But the biggest factor may very well vaccines. All of the people I know who’ve had COVID-19 in recent months were vaccinated, and most of those people were boosted. None of them were hospitalized, and most of them were only mildly sick. These vaccines were based on a version of COVID-19 which is no longer really circulating—updated vaccines are likely on the way—yet these shots have saved, and continue to save, millions upon millions of lives. The fact that these vaccines were developed and deployed in about a year is amazing. In fact, it’s pretty much a miracle. Science works—and we all owe our thanks to the people responsible. Without them, life would be unbearably worse right now. Welcome to the June 2022 print edition of the Coachella Valley Independent. As always, thanks for reading, and don’t hesitate to drop me a line at the email address below if you have questions or comments. —Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com
JUNE 2022
COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 3
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OPINION OPINION
HIKING WITH T A
CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION
Thanks to the Oswit Land Trust, we can enjoy the preserved Oswit Canyon and Palm Hills areas
BY THERESA SAMA
re you ready for hiking in the extreme desert heat? Make sure you have what it takes to survive and enjoy the trails during this time of the year—because the heat is on! According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, summer temperatures will be hotter than normal, with the hottest periods from mid-June to late August … which is not a surprise. First and foremost, don’t hit the trails without the 10 essentials for desert hiking. The Friends of the Desert Mountains website offers a comprehensive list of those 10 essentials (www. desertmountains.org/10-essentials), and pay particularly close attention to the No. 1 item on the list—water! Remember to take more water than you think you should need. I suggest carrying at least one liter of water per hour during heat above 90 degrees, and drink about one liter of water canyon walls. Simply breathtaking! before you get started. During the hike, take I used to spend a lot of time wandering frequent sips of water rather than drinking a through this canyon at a time when the lot of water at once. trail was not always obvious. But there is a While we’re on the topic of water, there notable difference since the 2020 acquisition are some desert trails in and around Palm by the Oswit Land Trust (formerly known Springs that have a refreshing amount of as Save Oswit Canyon): The trails today both running water and shade—but you may are immaculately maintained and perfectly need to hike a bit to find this water, and you marked with signage. A big thank you goes to probably should only hike during certain the volunteers of OLT for their tireless efforts times of the day. (I highly suggest starting as and abundance of trail work and love brought early as possible, and try to be off the trail by into the canyon. mid-morning during summer months.) There is parking along south Palm Canyon Two of these most famous areas are Oswit Drive, near the bridge at Bogert Trail. Dogs Canyon, and Palm Hills/Goat Trails. Both are not allowed on these trails or in Oswit are in south Palm Springs and offer some of Canyon, as it is home to the endangered the most precious and pristine hiking in the peninsular bighorn sheep, among other Coachella Valley—but both offer so much wildlife. more than trails. Most people will agree that The 114-acre purchase to preserve Oswit these are majestically healing places, too. Canyon and keep it open to the public was If you hike into Oswit Canyon far enough, merely the first success story of founding it will end at a waterfall. It is an amazing president Jane Garrison and the OLT team hiking experience, with a bit of rock(oswitlandtrust.org/oswitcanyon), as the scrambling needed to achieve this cool and group just purchased nearly 4,000 acres of most rewarding break before starting the hot land which includes Palm Hills and the Goat journey back. It’s a moderate 4 miles out and Trails. It’s also located in south Palm Springs, back, with an elevation gain of around 900 just above the Rimrock shopping center, along gradual feet, if you continue past the Palm Highway 111, near the end of Gene Autry Oasis and choose to do a little bouldering. Trail. Dogs on leash are currently allowed in Then, continue to the waterfall, with cool the Palm Hills area. running water trickling down the green
CVIndependent.com
Water in Oswit Canyon. Theresa Sama
Garrison stated that OLT will have signs at Palm Hills in the coming months, as well as a comprehensive plan to make the trails and trailhead beautiful and welcoming. You can read details of the land acquisition at oswitlandtrust.org/palm-hills. “This is the largest single land-conservation acquisition in the history of the Coachella Valley,” Garrison said. “And it will now be enjoyed by generations and generations of humans and wildlife!” Thanks to Garrison and her team at OLT, we can all safely enjoy these trails while taking in the majestic beauty of the surrounding flora and the spectacular views of the Palm Springs area—while also being mindful of wildlife. I have seen many snakes,
especially rattlesnakes, on the trails in these areas. They are definitely out and about during the extreme heat and at dusk. Please be mindful of the snakes, the bighorn sheep, and all wildlife. Remember: They share their trails with us. Please be considerate to them. Paisley Ramstead, OLT’s executive assistant and staff biologist, shared this important piece information: “The best piece of advice is to always give wildlife adequate space. Admiring from a distance keeps both hikers and wildlife safe—and the more we do to show wildlife that we aren’t a threat to them on the trail, the more opportunities we will have to view wildlife on the trail.” Learn more about the Oswit Land Trust at oswitlandtrust.org.
COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 5
JUNE 2022
WANNA LIFT?
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
W
e all hear about “li�s” in the aesthe�c medical field all the �me. There are a lot of “li�s” out there, and trust me, it confuses all of us at �mes. Here are a few you might have heard men�oned: insta-li�s, lip li�s, ver�cal li�s, liquid li�s, breast li�s, thread li�s, neck li�s, face li�s, brow li�s, etc. The “li� ” list is almost endless. “Li�s” can be solu�ons to the descent we all deal with due to aging. Descent is o�en blamed on gravity, but the truth is, facial descent is due to fat and bone loss, muscle laxity and skin deteriora�on. None of us want to visually age like our parents—and now we don’t have to. The ques�on I get every day from pa�ents is, “Do I need a face li�?” What they’re really wan�ng to know is: Do I need to get surgery, or can you turn the clock back 10-20 years with just Botox, fillers and thread li�s? The answers are different for each pa�ent. Secret No. 1: If you “chose” the wrong parents and have inherited condi�ons not age-related, get a surgical solu�on ASAP. The earlier you get your deficits corrected, the sooner you will improve quality of life. Examples of these condi�ons include breast size, breast li�s or reduc�ons; heavy eyelids; a receding chin; and so on. It’s not fair that we’re mostly evaluated by our appearance. Our character, personality and values are so much more important. But reducing the affects our “appearance” has is a responsible set of decisions to make. Secret No. 2: If you’re blessed to have “chosen” the right parents, and you’re only dealing with aging issues, here are my rules of thumb to help my pa�ents evaluate the choice between surgery. 1. If you’re in your mid-40s to mid-50s, thread li�s might help delay a surgical solu�on. From your mid-50s and beyond, start planning for a surgical solu�on. Secret No. 3: Even with a surgical li� for men or women, you’ll need to con�nue non-surgical healthy aging injec�ons and energy treatments to help you look your best. Our Revive Wellness Center loca�ons are in Palm Springs (760325-4800) and Torrance (310-375-7599); www.revivecenter.com. Our Medweight, Lasers and Wellness Center office is in Irvine (949-586-9904); www.medweightandlasers.com.
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 // 7
JUNE 2022
NEWS
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CIVIC SOLUTIONS T
by melissa daniels
he last Saturday in April seemed like an ordinary hot and dry spring day in the Coachella Valley—the kind where the temperature starts climbing early in the day, and hints that the triple-digit summer isn’t far away. But for about four dozen people who gathered in a field of graded dirt that morning, it was not an ordinary day: They were at the long-awaited groundbreaking of the Mecca Regional Sports Park. This celebration marked the pinnacle of nearly 20 years of planning, money-wrangling, politicking and government navigating required to create a safe place for local families to gather community workers canvassed Mecca and and play in an under-resourced community held focus groups to find out what kinds of that has a median household income of about development people wanted to see. $25,000. A library. A clinic. An Avenue 66 overpass. “Today is about the community of Mecca,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, whose And a park. “These were all projects the community wanted,” she said, adding that district includes unincorporated areas of the some people doubted the plans would ever be eastern Coachella Valley, including Mecca. realized. “It’s about the residents of Mecca, who have Located next to the Mecca Boys and Girls been waiting for quite some time.” Club at Avenue 66 and Dale Kiler Road, the Leticia De Lara, a director for the Desert park is adjacent to that aforementioned Healthcare District who attended the groundbreaking, said that about 20 years ago, overpass, which was recently completed and
Officials hope the Mecca Regional Sports Park will be completed by the end of 2022.
A long-awaited park being built in Mecca is a significant step toward equity
now helps alleviate traffic pressure, improving safety conditions in the area. The sports park will be managed by the Desert Recreation District. Amenities include sports fields, playgrounds, volleyball courts, walking paths, exercise stations, a splash pad, picnic tables, a snack bar and restrooms. Shade structures, green space and natural landscaping round out the plans, to make the park as usable as possible year-round— not unlike the public parks in the wealthier communities of Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs. The park’s development was catalyzed by a $5.8 million grant from the state awarded to Riverside County, covering the bulk of the $6.7 million price tag. Those funds come from Proposition 68, the Parks and Water Bond Act, which state voters passed in 2018, authorizing $4 billion in spending for infrastructure and parks. Recreation funds from the bond are
metered out through competitive grant rounds—a long and arduous process that requires significant paperwork and waiting periods. The Mecca project was one of 112 projects that received money out of 500 applications during that round, said Armando Quintero, the director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. “You designed this park; this is really funding your idea,” he said at the groundbreaking. “We are standing in what will become a heart for your community.” Quintero was a guest of honor among the local elected officials and community leaders in attendance. He made the trip down to Mecca specifically for the groundbreaking, saying he frequently stopped in the area as a child with his father—and he commended the area for its strong collaboration. Garica has represented the 56th Assembly District—which includes the eastern Coachella Valley, Cathedral City and Imperial County—since he was first elected in 2014; he’s currently running for re-election. He said local collaboration and relationship-building in Sacramento are important for communities that have been historically underserved and under-resourced, like Mecca, to receive state resources. “We’ve made it a point to ensure that all programs at the state level look at things through the lens of equity, and look at communities like ours as a priority,” he said. Even the loveliest of green spaces cannot make up for the lack of investment in the eastern Coachella Valley’s housing and infrastructure. And waiting 20 years to get a community park in a rural community that’s home to many families is also not equity. But from here on out, the plan is to work quickly and get the park completed by the end of 2022. Sofia Saenz, who helps run after-school and summer programs at the Boys and Girls Club and has heard about park plans for years, said she can’t wait. The club serves hundreds of students in the area, providing low-cost childcare, as well as crucial socialization and support for young people. Saenz said the park will open up more opportunities for workshops in art, science and fitness—plus the sweet and simple joy of enjoying the great outdoors. “It’s going to be amazing for the community, to spend time outside breathing in the air and enjoying life,” she said. That’s something we could all use more of—regardless of our zip code, race, ethnicity, religion, or household income. CVIndependent.com
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NEWS
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DEVELOPMENT DRAMA A
by cat makino
fter the April 26 meeting of the La Quinta Planning Commission, the group La Quinta Residents for Responsible Development (LQRRD) demanded that Kevin McCune, one of the commissioners, immediately resign. At that meeting, the commission voted to recommend approval of the controversial Coral Mountain Resort. The proposed 386-acre private resort would include a half-mile-long wave pool, containing 18 million gallons of water, along with 600 homes; a 150-room hotel; hiking and biking trails; spa and wellness facilities; adventure-sports facilities; and a restaurant and market. The commission voted 4-3 to recommend a zoning change from low-density residential Alena Callimanis, spokesperson for to tourist commercial, and 5-2 to certify the LARRD, said the quote shows that McCune environmental impact report. believes he should rubber-stamp all developer The matter now moves to the La Quinta applications. City Council for a final decision. The vote “Commissioner McCune mocked residents had not yet been scheduled as of our press who are opposed to the water surf park,” deadline; the next scheduled La Quinta City Callimanis said. “He abused his position, Council meeting is on June 7. which severed our confidence in him as a The resignation demand came in the form planning commissioner. McCune’s comments of a letter filed at a public meeting on May 3. violated La Quinta’s rules (on) decorum At issue is that McCune is recorded as having and order, which state, ‘Council members said at the April 26 meeting, while allegedly shall accord the utmost courtesy to each pounding the table, “If a private owner wants other, to city employees, and to the public to develop a gated, walled community by his appearing before the council and shall own money, who am I to say no?”
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After the La Quinta Planning Commission OKs a proposed development, opponents demand a commissioner resign
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An artist’s rendering of the proposed wave park at the Coral Mountain Resort. Courtesy of Meriwether Companies
refrain at all times from rude and derogatory remarks, reflections as to integrity, abusive comments and statements as to motives and personalities.’” Callimanis said her group also objected to McCune’s comment that “people who are for the project are very quiet, because they have to live in the same communities as those that don’t support the project, so you never hear from them.” Said Callimanis: “There were many presentations from supporters as well as the opposition during public testimony on March 22, April 12 and April 26.” McCune declined to talk to the Independent regarding the resignation demand. City Attorney Bill Ihrke has said he believes that McCune acted in a professional manner. La Quinta Mayor Linda Evans defended McCune, saying that his comments were generalizations and were not directed at members of LQRRD. “He is an experienced commissioner who has participated in a variety of projects over the years,” Evans said. “Our commissioners read, study, listen and ask good questions. They do their due diligence and take their role seriously. I appreciate that.” Evans said she agreed with McCune’s comments about mostly hearing from the opposition on controversial projects. “I have experienced the same on some projects while serving as mayor,” said Evans, who has held the office since 2014. “We welcome all comments. … Applicants submit
a project, and the process begins—staff application review, environmental reports if needed, study sessions, commission meetings, public hearings, City Council meetings and hearings, and then a decision. Several steps occur before a final decision is made. To think that there is an automatic response with a yes or no is naïve—and with this project, it’s still undergoing the process. The beauty of the process is getting feedback, both support and opposition, before a final (decision).” LQRRD claims to have more than 1,500 residents’ signatures on a petition opposing the project, and has mailed postcards explaining their opposition to all city residents. Ramon Baez, another member of LQRRD, said the group is concerned, among other things, about the amount of water the Coral Mountain Resort will use—especially the wave pool—at a time of record-breaking drought and water-use restrictions. “Water is the most precious resource in the Coachella Valley, and when we bring up the wave project to the (Coachella Valley Water District) leaders, their response is that they are not responsible for approving this project; the City Council is,” Baez said. “When we bring it up to the Planning Commission and City Council, their response is that they trust CVWD, so they can approve this project. They will approve a frivolous surf wave project when people can surf in the Pacific Ocean less than 2 1/2 hours away. “Who will take accountability for this bad decision? It is mind-boggling.”
COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 9
JUNE 2022
NEWS
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CV HISTORY J
In the summer of 1905, John Muir created a stir when he visited Palm Springs
by greg niemann
ohn Muir was a naturalist, an author and a co-founder of the Sierra Club; he’s also the man most responsible for preserving California’s wilderness. While usually associated with his work in the Sierras and other mountain wildernesses—Alaska’s Muir Glacier is named for him—the Scotsman also visited California’s low desert and camped out in the Palm Springs area. It was 1905, and his wife, Louisa Wanda Strentzel Muir, had just died, leaving Muir with his two daughters: Wanda, born in 1881, and Helen, born in 1886. Muir also inherited the Strentzel family’s orchards in Martinez, Calif., at that time. Helen was in poor health, and Muir had been seeking a healthful climate for her. A couple of Native Americans hastened to His colleague and fellow writer, historian help clean, and the other guest—Miss Helen Charles F. Lummis—whose home is now a Los Angeles museum—recommended the dry desert Lukens, daughter of Theodore P. Lukens, a grower and pioneer of Pasadena, Calif.—was air of Palm Springs. Muir definitely appreciated asked to accompany hotel employee Willie the recommendation, as can be seen in this Marcus to meet the Muirs at the train station. letter to Lummis, dated June 13, 1905: It turns out Miss Lukens was a friend of the Muirs; she had previously been on outings with Dear Mr. Lummis— the family. (Her father had met Muir in 1895 in You made no mistake in sending us here. The Yosemite.) Later, as Helen Lukens Gaut (1872water is cool and delightful, as are the nights. 1955), she became a renowned photojournalist The days (are) hot enough and dry enough to and contributed to numerous prestigious evaporate every disease and all one’s flesh. On publications. our arrival the first night we lay down under the According to an article she wrote in the olive tree in the sandy orchard, and the heat of the sand brought vividly to mind Milton’s unlucky October 1948 Palm Springs Villager, Gaut noted that Mrs. Murray initially quickly prepared a angels lying on the burning marl. But O the simple dinner. After that, Muir’s older daughter, beauty of the sky evening and morning and how Wanda, sort of took over and prepared the charming the old doctor and his wife. Helen is group’s meals. better already … Gaut added: “During the meal the two Faithfully yours, opinionated old Scotchmen had a lively talkfest, John Muir. exploding (sic) their theories, sometimes in cordial agreement, sometimes in heated That “old doctor” referred to was fellow argument.” Gaut commented that Muir even Scotsman Dr. Welwood Murray, one of the chastised Murray for his pompous language, Palm Springs founding fathers, who established especially in talking to the Native Americans. the Palm Springs Hotel in 1887. Murray came For example, Muir heard Murray instruct a to the U.S. from Edinburgh in 1858 at age man named Ramon on digging a tree hole: “You 26. Highly literate, he worked as a copyreader must make the excavations of greater radius at for a New York publishing firm. He was not a the lower extremities than at the upper, in order medical doctor, receiving the honorary title for that the wide-spreading roots will have greater rendering aid to wounded men during the U.S. opportunity for expansion.” Civil War. Murray was also heard, to the consternation The visit of the esteemed John Muir to of his guests, telling the Native Americans, in Palm Springs created a lot of excitement. It appears that the telegraph from Muir to Murray his thick Scottish brogue, to “exterminate the superfluous accumulation of dirt.” Regardless requesting accommodations only arrived on the of the apparent pomposity of Murray, the two morning of their arrival by train. It was summen enjoyed each other’s company and talked mer—and the Palm Springs Hotel was officially into the night. closed. However, Muir was a prestigious guest, With summer daytime temperatures hoversomeone who had dined and camped with presing between 100 and 120 degrees that year, the idents (and he was a friend of another promigroup made daily forays into the nearby cannent Scotsman, the industrialist Andrew Carneyons for picnics. Then Muir—against Murray’s gie)—so Murray knew he needed to get busy. protestations that it might be too arduous for All the cottages, except for one being used by Helen—decided to camp in Andreas Canyon, another summer visitor, were dusty from recent which they did for six carefree days. Muir was sandstorms and needed cleaning. Food had to an outdoorsman above all, and he thoroughly be prepared, too, and the place was quickly in a enjoyed his time in a different type of wilderwhirlwind.
ness, where palm trees and a small stream provided refuge from the unremitting sun. After his Palm Springs visit, Muir returned to Martinez (located in what’s now considered the East Bay, not far from San Francisco). In 1907, he came back south and found a desert place for Helen, this time in Daggett, near Barstow. Wanda remained in Martinez, later marrying one Thomas Hanna, while Helen stayed in Daggett, where she married Buel Funk. In December 1914, Muir was visiting Helen and his new grandson in the cold high desert when he became ill with pneumonia. He died a few days later in Los Angeles, on Christmas Eve of 1914. Glaciers, groves, peaks, trails and schools today are all named after Muir, honoring the man who made the whole country take a look at its natural resources. A few years ago, I was fortunate to spend time with Robert Hanna, the great-greatgrandson of John Muir, while he attended our Outdoor Writers Association of California outing. The descendent of Thomas Hanna
John Muir in Palm Springs. Photo courtesy of the Palm Springs Historical Society
and Wanda Muir, Robert often spends time backpacking in the Sierras, and is very much active in outdoors preservation—keeping the legacy of John Muir alive. Sources for this article include Palm Springs: First Hundred Years by Frank Bogert, Palm Springs Heritage Association, 1987; Palm Springs Villager, October 1948, in which Helen Lukens Gaut wrote a firsthand account of the 1905 visit; and California Classics by Lawrence Clark Powell, Ward Ritchie Press, Los Angeles, 1971.
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NEWS
CANDIDATE Q&A L
by Kevin fitzgerald
ara Gressley is an appellate attorney with more than a decade of experience. Burke Strunsky stepped away from his California judgeship after almost five years of service to run for Riverside County district attorney. Mike Hestrin is the incumbent district attorney who’s been in that position for eight years. These are the three candidates who appear on this year’s primary ballot. The top two vote-getters on June 7 will advance to the general election—unless one candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, in which case that candidate will earn election to the office. Raised in Northern California, Gressley was a standout student at the University of California, Santa Cruz, before studying law at Oxford University in London. She began her career in Riverside I discovered is the way County as a deputy public defender, before to do that is to serve becoming deputy county counsel, and then a as the district attorcourt-appointed trial attorney. Today, she and ney. Then, I began to her husband live in the Temecula Valley, where realize all the different they’re raising their son. reasons why being Incumbent Mike Hestrin was born in the a D.A. makes sense Coachella Valley. After graduating from the from the standpoint University of Arizona with a degree in history, of wanting to bring he went on to study law at Stanford University, much-needed reform before beginning his professional career as a to our criminal-justice line prosecutor in the Riverside County District system. It really all Attorney’s office. Today, Hestrin lives in begins with the D.A. Law enforcement arrests Murrieta with his wife and children. people, but the D.A. has the ultimate decision Burke Strunsky, obtained his bachelor’s on how to file a case, and how to handle a case, degree at George Washington University before how to prosecute it, and what type of punishearning his law degree at the University of San ment. Many, many times, the prosecution has Francisco School of Law. He has taken a leave the ultimate say in even the punishment, and of absence from his Riverside County Superior Court judge position to run for district attorney. they are certainly very persuasive with the judge when it comes to punishment. Prior to being elected a judge in June 2016, So it really made sense for me, because I want he worked in the Riverside District Attorney’s to use my career to just make positive changes Office for 15 years as a prosecutor. He created to the criminal-justice system, and to undo the the nonprofit organization The Humanity of wrongs that have occurred, and also to start Justice Foundation with his wife, Geraldine. prosecuting in a holistic way where we take The Independent asked each candidate the everything into account. And it makes sense. It same six questions; here are answers to two makes sense for public safety to prevent crime of those questions, edited only for style and before it happens, and then when it does hapclarity (save one small edit we made to Lara pen, to charge appropriately, and then see it Grassley's first answer, to get things to fit). Visit through to the very end and prevent recidivism CVIndependent.com for all six questions and on the outside. So, after the punishment hapanswers. pens, and the time is served, (we need to make) sure that we do what’s necessary to prevent the Lara Grassley person from re-offending, because then they Why do you want to become the Riverside would just be re-victimizing people in our comCounty District Attorney, and what will be your two major priorities if you are elected? munity. So, because I have that perspective, I felt I have been an attorney working in the crimicalled to stand up and do something about nal-justice system for most of my over-19-year it. I’ve been in Riverside County primarily for career, and during that time, I have seen a most of my 19-year career. I’m very familiar whole lot of injustice. I’ve seen guilty people set with everything that goes on here, and I believe free. I’ve seen innocent people convicted. And I in the law. I love the law, and I feel that this is realized, over the course of my career, in doing criminal defense work and trial work, and in the what I’m called to do. Now, I’d like to do a whole lot of things when last decade or so, focusing on post-conviction I get in there, but you asked for the top two (priwork trying to undo wrongful convictions, and orities). I think the No. 1 thing would be that trying to set innocent people free, that it is we need to end the practice of over-charging absolutely an extremely difficult task to undo a criminal offenses. For as long as I can rememwrong, to undo unrighteous convictions. What CVIndependent.com
Meet the three candidates running for Riverside County District Attorney ber, there has been a kind of “win at all costs” mentality that I’ve witnessed in the D.A.’s office. It stems from just wanting to get convictions, wanting to keep the stats up, wanting to win versus what is justice in this particular case. I believe that we need to re-program the whole thing to be, ‘What should we charge?’ and not, ‘What can we charge?’ There might be five different crimes that we can file in a particular case given what the police report says. But if we delve a bit deeper into the case, and we look at who the suspect is, and (look) into the defendant, we find that maybe only one felony is appropriate. Or, maybe it’s a misdemeanor that’s really appropriate. What’s happened with this over-charging is that it creates leverage. So, it gets quick guilty pleas from people who are in jail, and they want to get out. Or, if they’re facing a huge amount of time—let’s say 20 years, and then they’re offered five—then they say, ‘OK, let’s take five, because I don’t really want to risk (a longer sentence) going forward.’ So people end up pleading a lot of times to things they didn’t do, and it contributes to our jail overcrowding problem, which is a huge other issue that I want to tackle. So, there are all sorts of reasons why over-charging is bad. It’s wrong, and it’s injustice. I want to immediately correct that, and give the line deputies the incentive to always do what is right. It’s not about winning; it’s about justice. From the very beginning, we’ll make sure that we’re serving justice by filing appropriate charges, and maybe by giving second chances to those who deserve it, like youthful offenders, to prevent them from having a record if they deserve to go through the diversion process, or something like that. We can actually try to let young people have a second chance at making it right without having a criminal record. which then leads them down a whole different path in their lives. The other big topic would be crime prevention and rehabilitation. I think I can put those into one category, which is part of my holistic approach to prosecution. We’re going to do some major crime prevention work. What that will look like is essentially really engaging with the community. My vision is sort of a big round table in the office, and inviting people to come in from various agencies, but really people who are on the front lines dealing with homeless crime, and figuring out what causes these problems, and getting to the root of these problems. We need to really ramp up rehabilitation and deal with mental health more effectively. You know, the running joke is that someone gets 51-50’d (involuntarily restrained), and they go downtown. Then they make it back to the
location where they were picked up before the law enforcement officer does. So, what is going on that’s preventing us from actually having an impact in a positive way? It kind of goes in line with rehabilitation, but we really need to ramp up our rehabilitation efforts. For some time, it has been sorely lacking in Riverside County. We now have collaborative courts, finally. This has been a long time coming, and the D.A. needs to play an active role in that process to make sure that people are getting rehabilitated. Historically, rehabilitation has been objected to by the prosecutors. So, there’s been this sort of tough-on-crime mentality where they don’t accept residential rehabilitation in lieu of jail, because they want the punishment over the rehabilitation. And what has happened is that we’re incarcerating people, and like I said before, they’re getting out and just re-offending, because they’re not rehabilitated. So those are my general perspectives on things that I need to accomplish and really start creating guidelines for line deputies in how to handle cases. Again, I’m proposing a homeless crime task force that would essentially bring together all the players in the criminal-justice system, as well as nonprofits and rehabilitation programs, to find solutions. Do you believe the state should end or de-emphasize cash bail? We need to reform our cash bail system. That much is clear, and the reason is that it’s just an absolute discriminatory practice when you have one person with money, and one person without money, and the person with money gets out, even though they’re both charged with the same crime. So, we have to do something. We can’t have people being incarcerated merely because they’re poor, and it also relates back to the jail overcrowding problem which we want to solve. My perspective is that we cannot end it overnight. If you remember, the proposal (Senate Bill 10) didn’t pass. It was not the right solution for various reasons. One problem is that judges do not feel safe in allowing people to get out, and the D.A. doesn’t either, sometimes. So we have to deal with that fear. We have to recognize that’s a real fear, that someone’s going to commit another crime, or hurt somebody, or drink and drive again, or whatever the case may be, and we have to protect the public. That has to be of utmost concern always. What I would like to do is start finding ways to make sure that the public is safe, so that people who can’t afford bail can still get out. So, we need to start looking for monitoring programs. We need to start looking for ways to make
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CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS sure that individuals are supervised and monitored, so that they can be released if they can’t afford bail. The reason is because the California Supreme Court case “In Re Humphrey.” Basically, that case held that if a person cannot afford the bail, then the court is to go to the least-restrictive alternative means of keeping the public safe. The problem, though, is because we don’t have those monitoring programs and supervision (solutions) in play, then we have judges who say, “Well, even if they can’t afford it, I’m just going to preventively detain them.” So then you’re going to have so many preventive detentions that the jail overcrowding problem is going to get way, way worse. So, we have to do something. We have to start moving in that direction. We cannot end it overnight, because if we did, we would have judges preventively detaining people, and we need to make sure that the public is safe. So, we need to have something else in place to do that. As far as ending cash bail, yes, I think ultimately, in an ideal situation, we would have a different system. But like I said, we cannot do that overnight, because we need bail. It serves a very valid function. For the people who can afford it, it does serve a purpose. It’s important, too, that you can put conditions on bail if there are extra measures that need to be taken. But ultimately, we need to work toward that goal, and we need to be cognizant of the fact that there’s a real fear on the part of the D.A. and judges that public safety could be harmed. Judges do not want to be in the headlines of the newspaper the next day if they let a person out who went and killed somebody. So there’s always this fear, and we have to be real about that. We have to recognize these fears and deal with them, and address them, in appropriate ways. So my solution is to begin that process of looking for the right program, looking for ways to supervise people, and finding creative, innovative solutions to the problem, because we absolutely cannot be incarcerating people merely because they’re poor. It’s just wrong. I am in favor of reforming it.
Michael Hestrin
Why do you want to remain the Riverside County District Attorney, and what will be your two major priorities if you are re-elected? I’ve been the district attorney for eight years, and I’ve been with the District Attorney’s Office 25 years, and I think I’m the best person and the best qualified to continue to lead the District Attorney’s Office through what has been a very tumultuous time in, not only our history, but in the evolution and growth of California’s criminal justice system. You know, when we look around at how the state is doing, and how other counties are doing in terms of criminal justice, I think there’s some reason for alarm—not panic, but there is some reason for alarm. We’ve seen crime rates going
up in other counties, and Riverside County has stood out. We’ve remained a safer county than many of our neighbors, specifically Los Angeles (County) and San Bernardino County, which is similarly situated. So, there are many reasons for that, but I think primarily, the main reasons are that in our county, we have leaders here that have not cut police resources, and have not gutted the D.A.’s office. We have sheriffs and police chiefs who enforce the law. And, of course, in my office, we enforce the law as it’s written, and not as anyone wishes it was written. We take a hard line on violent and serious offenders. So, I think at a time when there’s now a debate in the country about prosecutors, and the so-called progressive-prosecutor movement, I want to make sure that I stay in office to keep the people of this county safe. I feel very strongly that our criminal-justice system can be, and should be, reformed, but the current batch of reformers and progressive prosecutors are not really seeking to reform. They’re seeking to tear down, and so far, their model has been a disaster. And I’ll stand by that statement. So my two main priorities would be to continue proactive efforts, such as the gang task force—we have a gang impact team—and then, for example, our task force that goes after online predators. So (we should) continue those kinds of proactive efforts to make sure we take the most dangerous individuals off our streets. And then, secondly, I think we need to expand our efforts (around) what are called “collaborative courts.” Collaborative courts are veterans court, mental health court, drug court and now we have a homeless court. When I say expand those efforts, I’d like to see more people included in those, because those are innovative programs that really get to the heart of recidivism. So those are going to be my two main goals: expanding our collaborative courts, and our efforts to deal with things like homelessness, an issue that’s plaguing everybody across the state, and making sure we keep the pressure on the most serious and violent offenders. That means those criminals out there who are using guns, committing acts of violence, rapists and predators, and things like that. Do you believe the state should end or de-emphasize cash bail? It’s hard to answer that, because it’s such a complicated question, but I don’t in any way want to dodge a question, so as of right now, I would say, no, I don’t favor ending cash bail, because all of the proposals I’ve seen in California to end cash bail have not (provided) any alternative other than just, “Hey, we’re going to release a bunch of people with a prom-
ise to return and just hope for the best.” And where ending cash bail has been tried in other parts of the country, it’s not an exaggeration to say that it’s been a disaster. We’ve seen people who are coming into the criminal-justice system and then waltzing out the same day. We seem to be emboldening their criminal activity rather than diminishing it. I think it’s a fair proposal to say that we’d like to make the bail system more fair. I don’t oppose that, and we should be trying to make it more fair. But I think that we have to balance that impulse and desire with public safety and protecting the public. I’ll give you an example: I don’t believe that the federal system uses cash bail. They use a different system, which is really based on (whether or not) this person is a threat to public safety. But, in the federal system, a lot more individuals end up waiting for their trial in custody. I think the problem with the federal system is that they don’t deal with the volume (of cases) that we do at the state level. So it’s a thorny issue, and I’m not going to pretend it’s easy. I don’t favor the current proposals for ending cash bail, because I don’t think we’ve thought enough about how we do this in a way that doesn’t endanger the public.
Burke Strunsky
Why do you want to become the Riverside County District Attorney, and what will be your two major priorities if you are elected? I’ve been a judge for the last five years, handling principally serious criminal matters, and before that, I was a prosecutor for 15 years, so I’ve handled some of the most serious cases here in Riverside County. But the reason why I stepped down from my judgeship (is that) I had a front-row seat to some tremendous injustices, inefficiencies, and the ineffectiveness of our current district attorney. This was causing great injustices and public-safety issues within the county, and I felt I could no longer stand aside and watch as these bad things happened. Therefore, I stepped down from my judgeship to run for district attorney. Now, as to the second part of your question, my No. 1 priority is public safety. We know right now that Riverside County’s homicide rate has gone up 70% since Mike Hestrin was elected. So it’s time that we focus resources on prosecutions proven to make us safe, rather than mindlessly racking up statistics and headlines. One of the promises or vows that I’ve made if elected is not to pursue the death penalty, and the reason is because we know that the death penalty has not been actually implemented on a Riverside County case since 1961; that’s 60 years. Yet we spend millions of taxpayer money on those cases every year—money that could be spent on victim services, prosecutions of crimes that actually make us safer, and (going) toward doing things like testing rape kits and other really good criminal-justice measures that get justice for victims and do make us safer.
Another priority that I’ll work on Day 1 is to create a “second look unit.” I call it a second look unit, because it will combine what are typically called conviction-integrity cases and prosecutor-initiated re-sentencing cases to make sure that we haven’t made mistakes in the past, and to correct those mistakes when we have. It’s critical that we always recognize that confidence in our current justice system always means that we’re correcting past mistakes—and having confidence in the justice system is what makes it much more effective, whether that’s in picking juries, or in getting cooperation with the public in the investigation of cases. When the public has confidence in the justice system, we, frankly, become safer. Do you believe the state should end or de-emphasize cash bail? This is a very contentious issue. Let me define what it means to end cash bail: Ending cash bail does not mean that everyone is released pre-trial. I think that’s the common misunderstanding, that if we end cash bail, everybody who’s pending trial will be released, and that’s not what ending cash bail means. Ending cash bail means that we are no longer going to link someone’s freedom to money. We’re going to use other metrics to decide whether that person should be in custody, or out of custody. Those metrics will look principally at two things: whether that person’s a public safety threat, and whether that person will reliably return to court. Those are the core (reasons) why we have bail in the first place— one, to make sure that the public is kept safe, but two, also to make sure that people come to court. We are not prepared to come off of, or no longer have, cash bail, because we don’t have the infrastructure of a pre-trial service department that will allow enough home detentions, drug testing and other monitoring to make sure that the public is kept safe when someone is released from custody. But fundamentally, if you link money to freedom, you’re always going to have an inequitable system. So, we need to look at that and say, “We need to find a way, so that everyone—no matter what their income or the money in their bank account, or whether they own a home—is treated the same way when they come before a court. They’re judged, not on the money that they have in their pocket, but on whether they are a public-safety threat or whether they will reliably come to court.” So we need to work to scale off cash bail, but we’re not quite ready to abolish it. Let me restate that: We are not ready to abolish it, because we do not have a robust pre-trial service department that is capable of protecting the public. CVIndependent.com
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COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 13
JUNE 2022
NEWS
CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS
JUNE ASTRONOMY I
As summer begins, the morning
Planets and Bright Stars in Evening Mid-Twilight offers a rare all the bright For view June, of 2022
planets—in proper order
This sky chart is drawn for latitude 34 degrees north, but may be used in southern U.S. and northern Mexico. N
By Robert Victor
n June 2022, all the bright objects to be seen at dusk are stars, plus the moon in the first two weeks, culminating in a “Supermoon.” Where are all the planets? Cooler mornings and a rare lineup of four to all five bright planets in “correct” order across the sky before dawn are rich rewards for early risers. The moon, waning from full to a thin crescent June 14-27, adds daily interest as it passes the five bright planets from June 18-27. Summer begins on June 21. Evening sky: At dusk in early June, it’s still easy to find the Spring Arch in the west to northwest. From left to right, its stars are Procyon in the west, Pollux and Castor (the Twins of Gemini, 4.5 degrees apart at the top of the Arch), and Capella, low in the northwest. By month’s end, only the Twins remain, very low in the west-northwest. Regulus, heart of Leo, is high in the west-southwest to west, to the upper left of the Twins. Blue2 degrees up, 30 degrees north of west, with white Spica, the spike of grain in the hand of Pollux 5 degrees to its upper left. On June 30, Virgo, and golden Arcturus—the brightest star you can look an hour after sunset for an easier 4 of June evenings—pass through their highest percent moon, 6 degrees up in the west-northpoints in the south. Antares, the red supergiwest, with Pollux 8 degrees to its lower right. ant star marking the heart of the Scorpion, and Mornings: Don’t miss the spectacular, rare ascends through the southeast at dusk in June. predawn display of planets! Throughout June, E Altair rises a little north of east, completing the four or all five naked-eye planets form a long Summer Triangle with Vega and Deneb farther line across the sky in morning twilight. On June north, to Altair’s upper left. 1, the lineup is 69 degrees long, from Venus, There are no planets at dusk in June 2022. very low north of east, through Mars and Look nightly, and follow the moon for the first Jupiter (within 2 degrees in the east-southtwo weeks. On Wednesday, June 1, an hour east), to Saturn, well up in the southeast to after sunset, the 7 percent crescent moon is low south-southeast. The two brightest planets, in the west-northwest, 12 degrees below Castor Venus of magnitude -3.9 and Jupiter of magand 14 degrees to the lower right of Pollux. At nitude –2.3 to -2.4, are 30 degrees apart on the same time the next evening, the 12 percent May 31, 45 degrees apart on June 15, and 60 moon passes within 3 degrees to the lower left degrees apart on June 29. Mars, of magnitude of Pollux. On June 5, look for Regulus 5 degrees +0.7 to +0.5, widens its distance to the lower to the lower left of the 36 percent moon. On the left of Jupiter, to 4 degrees on June 5, 15 Monday, the fat crescent moon, 46 percent full, degrees on June 23, and 20 degrees on July appears 12 degrees to the upper left of Regulus. 1. Saturn, of magnitude +0.7 to +0.6, appears An hour after sunset on Thursday, June 9, the 39 to 43 degrees west of Jupiter. Bright stars 76 percent gibbous moon is high in the south, visible every morning in June are the Summer with Spica 6 degrees to its lower left. Triangle of Vega, Altair and Deneb passing west An hour after sunset on the 12th, the 97 of overhead; Capella low in the northeast; and percent moon is accompanied by Antares, Fomalhaut to the lower left of Saturn. 7 degrees to its lower left. The moon is full Mercury is too faint to be seen in early June, overnight Monday, June 13, to Tuesday, June but brightens to magnitude +1.0 by June 11, 14. On the 13th, the moon rises about 20 min+0.5 on June 16, 0.0 on June 21, and -0.7 at utes before sunset, some 31 degrees south of month’s end. Mercury remains low through this east. In the gathering dusk, look for Antares apparition, so binoculars are recommended to 9 degrees to the moon’s upper right. An hour catch it in the twilight glow. Look to the lower before sunrise on Tuesday the 14th, look for left of Venus, by 12 degrees on June 11-12; and the full “Supermoon” low in the southwest, only by 11 degrees on June 13-15. Mercury is highest about 11 hours before the closest approach to in morning twilight June 21-23. On June 23, Earth. Look again, almost an hour after sunset Venus passes 6 degrees south of the Pleiades, on Tuesday, for a 99 percent moon rising 33 while Mercury passes within 3 degrees north of degrees south of east. Though not quite full, the Aldebaran. On June 29 and 30, Mercury is again rising moon will be marginally larger in appar12 degrees to the lower left of Venus. ent diameter. Once Mercury becomes visible, all five naThe moon returns to the early evening sky ked-eye planets are in fine display, from Mercury on June 29. You’ll need an unobstructed view, and Venus low in the east-northeast, to Saturn and very clear skies. Binoculars will help spot well up in the south, in the correct order of the 1 percent crescent 40 minutes after sunset, their actual distances from the sun. The moon,
June's evening sky chart. ROBERT D. MILLER Deneb
Capella
Vega
Castor Pollux
Altair
W Arcturus
Procyon Regulus
Spica
Antares
Evening mid-twilight occurs waning from toisa9thin crescent, whenfull Sun below horizon.can be seen simultaneously all fiveafter planets June 14-27. June 1:with 46 minutes sunset. 15:summer 47 " begins " " at 2:14 a.m., as On June 21, 30:directly 46 " over " the " Tropic of Canthe sun stands
cer; on that date, we’ll experience our longest day and highest midday sun of the year, passing about 10 degrees south of overhead. In morning twilight on the 21st, the 46 percent fat crescent moon, just past last quarter phase, appears within 4 degrees to the lower right of Jupiter. On June 22, the 36 percent moon appears within 4 degrees to the right of Mars. During June 23-25, the waning crescent moon appears between Venus and Mars (on the 24th about midway between them). Standing in for Earth, the moon on those three mornings joins the five bright planets in the correct order of their actual distances from sun. On June 25, the 12 percent crescent stands 8 degrees to the upper right of Venus. On the 26th, the 6 percent cres-
S
Stereographic Projection
cent stands 3 or 4 degrees rightD.ofMiller Venus. Maptobythe Robert That morning, Mercury appears 8 degrees to the lower left of the moon. On June 27, the last old crescent moon rises within 14 degrees to the lower left of Venus. Look for Mercury 4 degrees to the right of the moon, and Aldebaran 6 degrees below Venus and 7 degrees to the upper right of Mercury. In morning twilight on June 29, the panorama of planets, Mercury to Saturn, now stretches 115 degrees across the sky. To subscribe to the Sky Calendar or to view another sample issue, visit www.abramsplanetarium.org/skycalendar. Robert Victor originated the Abrams Planetarium monthly Sky Calendar in October 1968, and still produces issues occasionally, including the June 2022 issue. He enjoys being outdoors sharing the wonders of the night sky. CVIndependent.com
14 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT
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ARTS & CULTURE
EASTER SUNDAYS
An excerpt from Alden Reimonenq’s novel ‘The Upside-Down Tree’
he Upside-Down Tree, by Alden Reimonenq, is a powerful look at the worst of racial hatred and violence during the early Jim Crow years, a time rarely addressed by historical-fiction authors. The novel stems from the horrific Colfax massacre in Louisiana on April 13, 1873, but is primarily set between 1900-1908 in rural Louisiana. The plot twists through lynchings, cross-burnings, love between the races, gay love, religious intolerance, poverty, illness and death. Full of African spirits, mystical images, magical trees and dynamic characters, The Upside Down Tree is a novel of enduring hope. Despite a storyline that can at times seem dark and disturbing, it remains positive, reaffirming the overarching goodness of most people.
in that graveyard, forget us.” Carl eyed the burning pine branch, mystified that nothing had fallen. The fire was a fierce and cacophonous burst of orange and gold luminosity that transfixed him. Avery’s gasping and heaving broke his gaze. The gun’s weight pulled Avery’s arm to the ground, and a weak moon cast a pale, angry light on his corpse. Slowly, the branch extinguished itself. Carl picked up his gun and headed to the church, now ablaze in the Colfax town square.
Christ’s resurrection that Sunday. But evil can be too good at being itself, and that massacre fueled its energy in a destruction that crossed generations that day and into the future. Two Colfax citizens participated in breeding and cultivating this evil. Feverish Avery Barjone stumbled into an enormous pine silhouetted by weak moonlight. He heard the hammering of horse hooves, but that was not nearly the worry the bullet in his chest caused. He turned his back to the pine and sat buttressed by its strength. With raised arms, he cried, “Eshu. Eshu. Eshu. I need fire.” The tree, still dripping from an earlier rain, shook itself, enkindling energy in him. “Fire! And light, Eshu!” At just 20 and already full of arrogance and contempt, Carl Keller found Avery. Sitting erect on his horse, he drew his gun, ready to riddle Avery’s skull with bullets. He hesitated. “Daddy would’ve killed you by now for destroying our peace. Ain’t enough we saved your Black ass before?” “You too young to know yo’ daddy. He was too evil to ’bide the law.” “Well, Sheriff Nash won’t be taking no surrenders at Grant Parish courthouse. They all burning. Because of you niggers, there’s fire everywhere.” “Gonna be fire here. Ain’t nobody owning me no more. Eshu, fire! Eshu!” “Call your spirits, n-----. They don’t scare me.” The pine shuddered its reply, and a branch flamed over. Its force knocked Carl off his horse and threw his gun inches from Avery. The horse sprinted into the woods. The blaze lit the metal, and Avery grabbed the gun and pointed it at Carl. “You, listen! I’ll die under this tree, but you gonna walk like death if you don’t do like I say. This fire’s my curse on you. Go to the church graveyard and look for my boy Kebbi. If he’s there, his mama’s dead. Care for him till he can care for hisself. Do good by him, and you’ll find some peace. You don’t, my curse will hang ’round your whole life like misery. If Kebbi ain’t
Easter Sunday April 15, 1900 Carl walked slowly across his front porch, drawing heavily on his cigarette while spitting loose bits of tobacco. He scanned the bank of pines across the road and scrutinized the biggest. Several times, he had planned to raze them and plant pecans. His butler echoed his groundskeeper’s caution against this, claiming that too many young men played with their whores in those pines, which kept “that sinning” out of sight. “Pecans don’t grow dense enough to hide all that,” the groundskeeper pronounced. Carl, who never intended to marry, respected a man’s right to whore around unhindered—no matter the location. Carl inherited his father’s height. Even in a sitting position, he resembled a column— capped with a face chiseled in a scowl. His aquiline nose elongated his face, slenderized his lips, and made his eyes squint into slits. This long head was covered with red hair, streaked with gray and perfectly parted down the middle—groomed against any attempt to muss it. There was, in his shoulders, a broadness that seemed unnatural: he was not a muscular man, but shoulders that resembled armor framed his chest. No matter the weather, he always wore a suit that fit like wet sheets on a clothesline. His constant grimace was perhaps caused by his belt’s tightness—despite which he was constantly tugging upward, fearing his pants would fall. This gesturing produced pinched pleats in his trousers and kept him in perpetual agitation against himself. Very little moved him to peace or contentment other than his satisfaction in making others feel small in his presence. Hence, the best company he kept was his own. The evening’s coolness, the sky’s clearness, and the jasmine’s fragrance reminded him of longed-for peace. After 27 years, his fear was that he had allowed Kebbi too much latitude, trusted him too much, and defended him too often. Colfax whites had lost their patience. In
By ALDEN REIMONENQ
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Alden Reimonenq is a New Orleanian transplant who lives in Palm Springs. He writes reviews, poetry, short fiction, and has published the collection Hoodoo Headrag, Poems. The Upside-Down Tree is his first novel. Learn more at www.aldenreimonenq.com. Here is an excerpt from The Upside-Down Tree. Easter Sunday April 13, 1873 Evil hurricaned its way through all the open spaces in Colfax, Louisiana. It burned houses and shook Black lives; it brutalized children, caused them to go missing. It lynched fathers and brothers, raped mothers and sisters, and emptied churches. Whites held runaway power that engaged Colfax in a long-standing battle that pinnacled in a bloody massacre that left only those few Black survivors who sheltered themselves in homes with barricaded windows and doors. This evil was slow and menacing; its fury lingered, careful and deliberate, disposing of Black bodies as if litter from the town’s square to the countryside. Evil is not a consort with peace; therefore, Colfax’s town history was marked forever with Black blood that dripped mercilessly from false white hands celebrating
Alden Reimonenq. Willard Photos
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worsening economic times, whites had no will to lose control and money. For most, these were the same. Avery’s curse spurred Carl’s adherence and threatened his standing. As he stubbed out his cigarette on the porch railing, he watched the moon’s lazy rising—the same lazy moon that had accompanied him the previous night, when he had knocked on Kebbi’s front door. As if giving an order, he said, “I know it’s late, but we need to talk.” Kebbi stepped onto the porch and closed the door. His body hardened at the sight of Carl, who always read this anger-ridden face as on the verge of rage. Carl heard voices inside the house. Conversations with Kebbi were always short. He began, “They know what you’re planning for tomorrow night. Get out of Colfax before you get killed like your daddy. You fucking insist on making pigs squeal around here. Think of your boy. You can’t win, and people have had enough.” “Maybe we can’t win, but we can fight. One day, we might win. Don’t know about no plans. Go now, Carl.” Even standing below Kebbi, Carl was eye-toeye with his enemy. Still, Kebbi felt his position on his porch gave him power. He peered into Carl’s eyes. Maybe for the first time, Carl noticed just how black Kebbi was, how perfect his white teeth were, and how brilliant his eyes. Although Carl would deny it, there was intelligence and beauty in this man that was unquestionable. His muscled body was an outward sign of the
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CVINDEPENDENT.COM/ARTS-AND-CULTURE strength within. Even the fullness of his lips seemed formed by a power bent on creating perfection. Around Carl, such lips functioned not for smiles but for tightness ready to spew hatred when provoked. It could not be ignored that Kebbi possessed an astounding representation of Africa in color, strength, and hot energy. His masculinity diminished Carl’s, who appeared whimpering in Kebbi’s presence. Carl’s focus was how bull-like Kebbi appeared—this notion invigorated by Kebbi’s anger, always expressed in a loud air-filled snort. With meekness subduing him and rage pushing him, Carl had walked away in an envelope of tension. Hearing Kebbi’s door slam signified an inevitability. He thought, N-----, you’ll die like your daddy. His curse will curse your stinking life. Your n----- son will pay for what you stole. Peace proved impossible if Kebbi would not leave Colfax. Carl determined that to release himself from the curse demanded Kebbi’s death. He also knew that recovering the stolen money was impossible in the current climate. He vowed to deal with that later and cautioned himself, One step at a time. He left Kebbi’s house, and his contempt directed him headlong into the quarters to Ike Singleton’s. Two weeks earlier, after the bank had declined his mortgage application, Ike had begged Carl for a loan to buy the place he rented for his blacksmith shop. Carl refused to loan him the money then, knowing Ike remained allied to Kebbi. Fueled by Kebbi’s arrogance, he thought, Ike’s a desperate n----- with the right kind of collateral. He’ll talk. That very night, Ike Singleton had unwittingly signed for the loan with Kebbi’s blood. On the moonlit porch, Carl recalled his history with Kebbi. He never believed him to be honest; it was hard for anyone like him to survive by honesty. He could suffer dishonesty if Kebbi had not made public his malicious and uppity ways. He had given him acres to farm, a small house, and a reasonable sharecropper’s rent that some thought too generous. Kebbi had, in Carl’s view, abused this generosity by denouncing the rent as equivalent to enslavement. If the argument had been kept between them, there might have been some reconciliation. Kebbi, however, used the rent as a cause to unite all Black tenant farmers to demand livable terms for the lands they farmed. If that had been the only problem Kebbi caused, Carl might have been able to endure. Kebbi, however, renewed his appetite for resistance with any perceived gain. When Carl had had enough ridicule from his peers, he strategized that it would be best to send Kebbi away for a time. The family pecan business in southern Louisiana presented an opportunity. Hébert Bellocq had provided a contact who was interested in buying enough pecan trees to create a grove. The client was also willing to pay for the installation, for which Kebbi was perfect. Carl hired a lawyer to draft the contract that was
agreed to by all sides. Even with his suspicions against Carl, Kebbi agreed to perform his part of the bargain, including collecting and returning cash payments to Carl. When he returned from the installation to Colfax, bloody and injured, without any money, Carl faced a barrier he could not cross. Kebbi claimed that he had almost lost his life, having been robbed of all the money he was carrying. Carl was forced to lie to convince whites that Kebbi had not stolen his money. He also repeated what he knew to be Kebbi’s lie that white trash outlaws had robbed him. This only fueled the town’s anger. These lies bolstered Kebbi’s lust for power and money. Limits were dangerously tested and ignored because Carl’s fear gave continuous life to Avery’s curse. Carl tried to hide his trepidation, but Kebbi sniffed it and made it a weapon. White’s suspicion against Carl was fortified with Kebbi’s frequent and public agitation in the Black part of town. Kebbi also pressed limits by organizing Blacks to demand higher wages, land ownership, and their right to vote. Black Colfax made Kebbi their leader, and whites depended on Carl to manage this because the Kellers had owned the Barjones as slaves. Yet, the present warred with the past, and peace was always on the brink of fracture. In fact, Kebbi was gaining control over Carl. Both knew that they had reached a line that only one winner could cross. Kebbi’s recent plotting against white farmers was the last test of their fictional trust. Carl, therefore, feigned protection for Kebbi whose banishment or death he wished for and planned. Nagged by anticipation, Carl sat, equestrian-like, smoking till he heard a horse in a gallop approaching his house. He reached in his suit pocket for a fold of bills fastened with a rubber band. The henchman was winded and stood on the bottom step. Before he could report anything, Carl held up his hand to silence him, handed him the money, and turned away. The rider pocketed the money and faded into the night. He stared at the moonlit pines in a deep cast of yellow. The curse and Kebbi are dead. Too hungry to sit longer, he headed inside, ate leftover Easter capon, and went to bed. He hoped to sleep peacefully, something he craved since he pulled 12-year-old Kebbi from behind a tombstone 27 years earlier. By midnight, all Black neighborhoods were swallowed up by a terrifying silence. Meffre, Kebbi’s son, hid in the crawl space under the house. He shivered with April’s chilly dampness and the prospect that his father had been killed. He waited there for over an hour until the slow thudding of an approaching horse startled him. He knew that the rider was Ossi, the Choctaw, who would bring dreaded news and carry him on a long journey to southern Louisiana. Excerpted from the book The Upside-Down Tree, with permission. Copyright 2022, Alden Reimonenq.
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VINE SOCIAL JASON DAVID
A Wall Street Journal writer who pointed out Napa’s sky-high prices has a point
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By KatieLOVE finn YOUR
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HAIR
here’s some drama brewing among wine columnists. Not this particular wine columnist—at least not this time. One of the most respected wine journalists in the business, Lettie Teague of The Wall Street Journal, wrote a piece recently on the inflated prices and extreme costs associated with a and Cook Street trip to Napa. Titled “Who Can Afford Napa Now?Country Not This Club Wine Columnist,” it’s a great read. Palm De sert She begins the article by writing about the newest Auberge Resorts Collection hotel that opened in April at the south end of the valley. It’s called Stanly Ranch, and entry-level rooms start at around $1,300 a night. Lettie goes on to “basic760-340-5959 tasting.” Want the higher-end juice? state that the “no-frills” hotel where she used According to Lettie’s article, you can expect to www.jasondavidhairstudio.net to stay, in a room overlooking a gas station, pay anywhere from $83 per person to $1,000 now charges double what it did pre-COVID. depending on where you go. Yikes. She states that room prices have increased by Nothing in this article that Ms. Teague wrote 51% year over year from ’21 to ’22, according is untrue. She did her research. She looked at to the local tourism bureau, Visit Napa Valley. statistics and facts. She interviewed the right Her article also goes into some detail people for the information she sought. about the exorbitant price of wine tastings So where does the drama come from? Well, nowadays. Where you used to be able to she included one part-sentence that got the taste four to five wines at a winery, in a locals (read: winemakers, winery owners, and vineyard setting, for around $25 to $30, you journalists from the San Francisco Chronicle) all can now expect to pay anywhere from $40 twitterpated, hot and bothered: She writes, “I to $150 per person for what is considered a can’t help feeling that the region’s main crop is
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cash, not grapes.” Whoa! Oh, no, she didn’t! To say that this statement created a defensive and hostile reaction is putting it mildly. Jess Lander and Esther Mobley of the San Francisco Chronicle, in a co-bylined piece, were swift in their response to Lettie Teague’s article. They begins their retaliatory piece by stating: “Visiting Napa Valley is expensive! So The Wall Street Journal reports, stating the obvious.” Oooh, things are getting tense. Lander and Mobley were quick to put together a piece highlighting affordable finds in Napa, including an English muffin for $2.50, and lunch at various taco trucks around town. For more economical tastings, they suggest skipping the wineries and vineyards, and heading to downtown Napa, where one can visit myriad tasting rooms and have wine flights starting at $30 to $35 per person. They concede that finding a hotel room during the weekend in Napa for less than $500 a night will be a challenge. I’m a little surprised, given the other recommendations, that the idea of pitching a tent and camping in Skyline Wilderness Park wasn’t on the list; it really is a lovely park. Having lived in Napa, and not being a millionaire, I know there are plenty of dining and drinking options that won’t break the bank. In fact, most people I know who live and work in Napa are not millionaires, yet they still manage to live and have a social life. That said, Ms. Lander and Ms. Mobley completely missed the point of The Wall Street Journal article. Yeah, you can go just about anywhere on a shoestring budget (anyone remember Rachael Ray’s $40 a Day?)—but the question is: Why would someone want to do that? I used to love grabbing a Kickin’ Kelley sandwich for lunch from Sunshine Foods Market in St. Helena and eating at the utilitystyle tables behind the store. Or bellying up to the bar at Norman Rose, and having a cold Pabst Blue Ribbon in the can with some disco fries. Or grabbing a burrata pizza from Foodshed with a bottle of something Italian from the wine table and heading home for the night. But this was life in wine country … not a vacation to wine country. Does anybody really want to plan a trip to Napa Valley to eat food from a taco truck on the side of the road? Or taste wine in a strip mall on First Street? Or stay in a motel overlooking the neighborhood Chevron station? Or do people want to plan a trip to the famous and iconic Napa Valley to walk the
vineyards, to soak up all the romanticism of drinking a wine while standing in the place where it’s made, to sit in a restaurant and have a winemaker at the table next to you, to have your wines curated and presented by a master sommelier? Of course they do. Lettie Teague was merely pointing out how that’s no longer attainable for most people. The idea of experiencing Napa in the way that people think about Napa is out of reach for most. Obviously, there are people willing to pay $1,000 for a tasting at Heitz Cellar, and couples who can afford the $1,500 tasting at Theorem Vineyards, or they wouldn’t offer them. But it sure doesn’t sound sustainable to this wine gal. Ms. Teague ended her column pointing out that there are many other wine regions in California where tourists can find genuine affordability. I find it ironic that this piece of advice was given to her by a Napa winemaking legend. I’m not sure why a winery owner would encourage wine lovers to go to Santa Barbara or Mendocino instead of Napa, but then again, maybe Lettie is right … this might be a place with more money than good sense. 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.
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CAESAR CERVISIA JASON DAVID
Some brain droppings on the current craft-beer landscape
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By brett newton
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nce-thriving breweries are now struggling, and consumer tastes are changing. Hmm. Since I have no active social-media account (this column’s Twitter feed exists almost solely to post the latest entry every month), you shall be the victims of my brain droppings, as George Carlin once put it in a book title, on the current craft-beer landscape. Let us begin where I’m sitting now … figuratively, at least: It’s the time of year when maibocks Country Club and Cook Street have hit the shelves. A bock is a style of German lager with its own interesting history and various PalmofDe styles that have spawned from it. The maibock is a paler version its sert cousin, but stronger and more hoppy (by German flavor standards, mind you). There is some dispute as to how the style 760-340-5959 came into being, but many sources claim it Ballast Point and Green Flash, this has had was made in celebration of spring weather, more to do with acquisitions. Ballast Point www.jasondavidhairstudio.net and that people wanted the qualities of a was bought and sold after a push by a large bock (like its lovely browned-bread flavors), conglomerate to nationalize the brand—at but something more quaffable, yet strong at the expense of cheapening the product. The the same time. Enegren Brewing, one of my current owners say they are getting back to faves, has one out right now that I’ve picked Ballast’s roots, though, so there is a chance for up multiple times already at Trader Joe’s, and I a comeback; I will reserve judgement for now. would highly recommend you do the same. The As for Green Flash, they acquired the onceHofbräu and Einbecker versions are available ascendant Alpine Beer Co., and (if you’ll forgive at Total Wine if you want a comparison point the expression) absolutely shat the bed when from Deutschland. It’s a lesser-known style, trying to make its beers on a larger scale. but well worth picking up to go with grilled They got better at it eventually, but none of it sausages—or even a nice grilled Black Forest comes close to what Alpine’s beer one was. As ham-and-Swiss sandwich. I’ve mentioned in a previous column, Alpine’s Next up: Many larger craft breweries are founder re-created the originals with the currently going through some interesting opening of McIlhenney Brewing in the original transitions. Some of this is understandable, location. Go there instead. after two-plus years of a global pandemic, yet Stone Brewing and AleSmith are somewhat other craft breweries I love were able to pivot, similar in my mind, because they seem to brilliantly, despite that. have sold their souls to follow the dream of The main brewery on my mind is Modern becoming bigger breweries. I feel like the Times. A couple of months ago, they exodus of master brewer Mitch Steele, in 2016, announced rather suddenly that they were was the beginning of the problems for Stone. closing down a good number of their locations, He brewed the beers that excited me and including locations with brewhouses in Los drew me to their World Bistro and Gardens Angeles and Portland, Ore. They made a big in Escondido. Outside of a few exceptions, push to expand just before the pandemic; I’ve found the magic to be lacking since then. the timing may have played a role in these Frankly, when I start seeing lime-and-salt closures. One other thing may have played a Mexican lagers, I know the Stone I loved has role: Founder Jacob McKean stepped down as left me behind. CEO after multiple allegations of a toxic work AleSmith’s allure has similarly dulled over environment. While it’s certainly good that the time to the point where I don’t even buy their culture at Modern Times is apparently getting products anymore. There are only so many cleaned up, from a beer-lover’s perspective, the chances I will give a brewery before I stop company’s problems are concerning, because trying—and it takes a lot for me to come back. they have made so many good beers across I hope that can be the case with each one of wildly different styles; they have done so much the above-mentioned breweries, but I will fun experimentation with beers (especially not be holding my breath. There are so many barrel-aged beers); and they have great alternatives to choose from, after all. locations to enjoy many of their beers. I haven’t even touched on the whole A few other San Diego breweries have been anti-harassment/anti-sexism movement rattling around inside my head recently— throughout the craft-brewery world that was namely, Stone Brewing, Ballast Point, AleSmith sparked by Brienne Allan’s Instagram account and Green Flash. These are all considered to many months ago, where so many accounts of be part of the first wave of craft brewing in rotten workplace behavior were posted. Fuck San Diego—and they all have become less that kind of behavior! Other than that, I have appealing to me in recent times. Regarding nothing else to say, because I’d just be adding
another bearded white dude’s opinion into the mix. There is more than enough of that on social media; it’s among a plethora of reasons I exist on social media as little as I possible. I also have other thoughts on current beer trends. Other than me saying, “More lagers; hooray!” those thoughts will need to be held for a later date. If you desperately want my opinion somehow, contact me through this page or my lightly used Twitter account, and
I’ll be glad to hold forth on whatever relevant topic. Until then, find a cold beer for the incoming hot weather—and join me in being glad to be a beer-lover alive at this moment. 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.
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Dreaming of opening a bar? Here’s what you’ll need
BY kevin carlow
elcome to the build-a-bar workshop! Yeah, I’m sort of being facetious; I certainly don’t have all of the answers. That said, there’s definitely a right way and a wrong way to build a bar program. So … how does one build a bar program? It’s not as easy as you might think! Anyone can go through a cocktail book and create a menu, but what else does it take to get a bar off the ground? Here is my simple (?) guide to opening a bar. Step 1: The concept the state, the city and the workforce, you’re This is the fun part, but it will make or in for delays. You’re likely on the hook for break you. The first question is: “Does this up to $100k, maybe more, between rent and community need another bar?” The second paying for the build. If you own the property, question is: “What kind of bar does this you have more money than I can possibly community need?” Do you want to make a comprehend, so stop reading now. place that’s the weekend hotspot, or “church,” where people go every day? If you say both, Step 3: Equipment you should quit now; that’s a lottery win. Are You’re going to need a ton of this. Sure, some you a craft or a volume spot, or both? (It’s used equipment can be snagged during the difficult, but doable.) Intimate or warehouse? year of delays as you build, but be warned: Do you want a dance floor? If so, your You’ll have competition. Restaurant owners insurance costs will increase significantly, as who know how to operate are always ready will the requests for ’90s Mariah Carey. with cash when a gently used walk-in fridge or ice machine is available. You are likely to Step 2: Build need to buy most things new, unless fortune I’m not here to ruffle any feathers, but be your friend—and that’s no guarantee these the local reality, at least in Palm Springs days! Be ready for months of delays on your proper, is that your build time will be about new equipment arrivals, too. a year longer than you anticipate. If I had a dollar for every program I was going to Step 4: Vendors helm that simply never opened, I’d have You’re going to need to make really good about $5. Seriously: These were five wellfriends with these chaps, or have a bar funded projects that didn’t open. Between manager who is already. These are the
relationships that will make you or break you. This isn’t buying lettuce; if you want a brand-name liquor, you have to buy it from the one company that has it. Complain about monopolies all you want; this is some The Godfather level stuff, and you have to play ball. Sorry! The upside is most of the sales people will try hard to make you a success, and will be there in a pinch—if you treat them well. Make sure you set up your accounts well before opening, and pay them on time, or risk getting caught with a Costco receipt in your books. You don’t want that. Step 5: Hiring Here’s a dirty little secret: A lot of places open with the same people. The reason is these are the people who have been fired recently, or can’t keep a job for various reasons. The current lack of a workforce (which has been a worsening issue for the six-plus years I have lived here) doesn’t help. When you do finally staff up, don’t get comfortable, because you’ll lose at least 30% of them in the first month. That’s OK, because you kept your postings up, right? Right?? Step 6: Menus So here is where you finalize your menu. I know … it was the first thing you did. Cute. But can your staff make these drinks consistently? Are they profitable? Drop the vanity, and realize that in all likelihood, vodka sodas are going to pay the bills in the long run. Anthony Bourdain covers the fate of vanity projects better than I can in Kitchen Confidential, albeit even more cynically. But if I had a dollar for every wannabe restaurateur I talked out of a venture, I’d have at least another $5. Get someone who can make you a
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menu that makes money; most drinks should be three ingredients or fewer. Charge for the ones that aren’t. Step 7: Marketing This is more important than ever: Hire a professional. Whatever cute idea you had about the place, put it in a paper plane, and cast it into the sea. OK, that was a bit harsh … so email it to a millennial who charges a small fortune, and thank me later. Customers who aren’t on Instagram or TikTok are going to be going out less and less. This is a cruel fact. Step 8: Pray Obviously, I’m joking … but not really. Whether you succeed or not is based as much on dumb luck as it is on planning. Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Fooled by Randomness applies here as well as it does with stockbrokers. If I had a dollar for every amazing concept that simply didn’t work, and another for every insane concept that did, I would now own my own place. You have to “take what the defense gives you,” as an NFL coach might say. The community will likely embrace you, or not, straight out of the gate. If you’re stubborn enough, you might find success years in … or you’ll just chase bad money with good. I’ve seen examples of both, but it’s usually the latter. This business is tougher than ever. If you are one of the many who thinks that opening a bar is a good investment, think twice. The used-equipment graveyard is full of dilettantes. Invest wisely. Kevin Carlow can be reached at inahotdryplace@gmail.com.
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FOOD & DRINK INDY ENDORSEMENT This month’s menu: Chilean sea bass for dinner, and beignets for dessert By Jimmy Boegle
according to Yelp, Tripadvisor & OpenTable WE ARE ONE OF THE VERY BEST with 9,000 Sq feet keeping you safe is easy OPEN DAILY FROM 11AM - 3PM & 5PM - 9PM 849 N PALM CANYON DRIVE . PALM SPRINGS EIGHT4NINE.COM 760.325.8490 CVIndependent.com
WHAT The roasted Chilean sea bass WHERE La Quinta Cliffhouse, 78250 Highway 111, La Quinta HOW MUCH $48 full portion (as shown); $28 half portion CONTACT 760-360-5991; www.laquintacliffhouse.com WHY It’s the perfect melding of fish and sauce. I’ve called the Coachella Valley home for a decade now, and there are few local restaurants that one could call “iconic” at which I have not yet dined—but until recently, the La Quinta Cliffhouse was on that short list. I’ve been missing out: Our visit there was fantastic. From the trickling water coming down the mountain behind us to the top-notch service, our experience was lovely— and our food (outside of an overly salty cioppino broth) was tasty across the board. Special mention should be made of the Coachella Valley Medjool dates with bacon and blue cheese ($16); the seabass ceviche ($16); and the wholly unique miso clam chowder ($11). However, the meal’s undisputed star, ordered by two members of our party of four, was the pan-roasted Chilean sea bass. Topped with a honey-soy glaze and accompanied by ginger sticky rice and baby bok choy, the fish was cooked perfectly. The element of this dish that propelled it from decent to divine, however, was the green curry-coconut sauce. It was creamy and sweet— but not too much so—and it proved to be the perfect partner for the moist, flavorful sea bass. The sea bass can be ordered in a half portion or a full portion, and this leads to my only quibble: The size difference in my full portion and my friend’s half portion did not seem substantial enough to merit the $20 price difference. When I return to the Cliffhouse for the sea bass, I’ll order the half portion. But make no mistake: I will indeed be returning to the La Quinta Cliffhouse. This restaurant is iconic for a reason.
WHAT Sam’ beignets WHERE Sam’s Place, 155 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs HOW MUCH $12 CONTACT 760-464-0024; www.samsplaceps.com WHY They’re amazingly pillowy. I’ll never forget the first time I had beignets, at Café Du Monde in New Orleans. I was so excited to finally try this legendary treat … and I was wholly disappointed by the experience. That was decades ago, and I don’t think I’ve tried a beignet since then—that is, until my recent breakfast visit to Sam’s Place, which opened a while back in the downtown Palm Springs space that was previously home to Ruby’s. Now … I don’t know what happened during that Café Du Monde visit. Maybe the café was having an off day. Perhaps I was having off day. All I know is that I had the exact opposite reaction to the beignets at Sam’s Place: They were incredible. When the plate of beignets you see in the photo arrived, my husband and I figured we’d be needing a to-go box. But these nuggets of deep-fried pastry dough—topped with strawberries, blueberries and whipped cream, with agave syrup on the side, and dusted with powdered sugar—were so addictive that we didn’t want to stop eating them. Before we knew it, an empty plate sat before us. The thing that shocked me about these beignets was how light, airy and pillowy they were. It was surprisingly easy for us to devour what seemed like a significant pile of them, and I feared we’d be suffering with not-so-thrilled stomachs later—but that was not the case. The only way these beignets overwhelmed was via their deliciousness. The rest of the fare we had at Sam’s Place—including a breakfast melt, buttermilk pancakes and a Bloody Mary—was good as well. As a result, Sam’s Place has earned a spot on our rotating breakfast/lunch spot list … our waistlines be damned.
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Restaurant NEWS BITES By charles drabkin RESTAURANT WEEK AND THE SUMMER EATS PASS RETURN Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is back this year, taking place from Friday, June 3, through Sunday, June 12. The (normally) annual event offers restaurant-goers 10 days of dining experiences. Participating restaurants offer prix-fixe menus at varying price points, meaning the week is a great chance to try out new eateries and support local restaurants. As the name implies, the week is not limited to Palm Springs proper; all nine desert cities have restaurants participating. Visit www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/restaurant-week to see a list of participants, and peruse the various prix-fixe menus. If you’re sad on June 13 that Restaurant Week is over, take heart: That’s the day when Visit Greater Palm Springs begins offering its Summer Eats Pass, which will be available through Sept. 5. All you need to do is download a mobile app that gives you access to offers from local restaurants; by using the app, you will also be entered to win a weekly drawing for restaurant gift certificates. Last year, I found what has become one of my favorite restaurants—French Rotisserie Café, in Palm Desert—thanks to the Summer Eats Pass. Watch www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com/summer-eats-gps for details as they develop. CERTIFIED FARMERS’ MARKETS MANAGER SAYS GOODBYE Megan Goehring, the longtime manager of the Certified Farmers’ Markets in Palm Springs, Palm Desert and La Quinta, has stepped down from her position. “It’s been an enormous privilege to help build and maintain this economic platform, because it’s allowed people to fulfill their dreams of feeding the community,” Goehring said. “But it’s strenuous work, being a ‘culinary construction worker.’ I’m looking forward to using different skills that haven’t gotten used as much and dedicating time to issues I’m passionate about but had to set aside. I’m still deeply embedded in the Coachella Valley.” Full disclosure: I’ve worked with Goehring at the farmers’ markets, and I’m be part of the team the Palm Springs Cultural Center has assembled to run the market in the interim. I would like to personally thank her for being instrumental in creating so many delicious meals in my kitchen! IN BRIEF This fall, La Quinta’s Cork and Fork will close its doors—and open a new, larger location in Indio! Management will be refreshing the aesthetic with a brighter and airier vibe, with a promise to keep the same great food—with the additions of a full liquor license and weekend brunch. Watch corkandforkwinebar.com for more details as they become available. … The JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, at 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, has unveiled its new JW Garden. Executive chef Eric Theiss is sourcing ingredients for recipes, cocktails and oils. Items available with garden ingredients include barramundi with celery root and sage lemon sauce, Himalayan mint and Amelda chutney; and blueberry- and sage-infused cocktails and cocktails. The garden will also play a part in the hotel’s programming, including nature walks. … Do you like cookies? Of course you do! Crumbl Cookies, a national chain with more than 200 bakeries in 36 states, has opened at 44491 Town Center Way, Suite F, in Palm Desert. A weekly rotating menu of cookies, served warm, includes the signature milk chocolate chip, salted caramel cheesecake, pina colada, and so much more. Details at crumblcookies.com. … Also on Town Center Way: Handel’s Ice Cream is opening soon; this Ohio-based chain offers more than 45 flavors served daily, including caramel latte, Raspberry cheesecake chunk, and cherry magnolia. Check out the website for a daily list of what is being served; handelsicecream. com. … Bad news: El Paseo Grill (73030 El Paseo, No. 103, Palm Desert) has closed its doors. Good news: It’s being quickly replaced by RuBerry Salsa. RuBerry has been a staple at Palm Springs Village Fest, featuring standards like chicken and al pastor tacos, and fusion offerings like “spring roll” and wasabi chicken tacos. Sounds fun and delicious to me; ruberrysalsa.com. … There is reason to rejoice for those of us who adore raw fish. Sushi Lovers has opened at 109 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. The small venue, next to El Patron, only has outdoor seating, which is limited, so I hope they have a plan for the summer. Search for them on Facebook. … I Heart Mac and Cheese at 190 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is close to opening. The restaurant was slated to open last November; now, the owners are hoping for June, fingers crossed. With promises to stay open until after the bars close, this restaurant will be a welcome fast-casual addition to the downtown food scene; more at iheartmacandcheese.com. … After much speculation, including in this column, Dan Gore, the owner of Oscar’s in downtown Palm Springs, has announced he is the new owner of Luchows Palm Springs, at 4771 E. Palm Canyon Drive. There’s no word yet on a re-opening date or planned changes, but Gore has made Oscar’s into a food and entertainment destination, so I am looking forward to seeing what he does. … Dead or Alive Bar, at 150 E. Palm Canyon Drive, is slated to close May 28. This hidden gem, which survived the pandemic by transforming into a wine shop, will be dearly missed. Got a hot tip? Let me know: foodnews@cvindependent.com.
350 S. Indian Canyon Drive, Palm Springs Open at 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday Order at rioazul.pay.link CVIndependent.com
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La Luz pushes through the pandemic and cancer to share new music After being re-discovered by crate-diggers, W.I.T.C.H. has made the most unlikely of comebacks The Witches of Mars use social media to spread the story behind their conceptual music the lucky 13: Get to know a high desert rock star, and a drumming legend who resides in La Quinta
www.cvindependent.com/music
Please do not send The Nude Party, coming to The Alibi, pictures of your erections
29 Bryan derballa
CVIndependent.com
TOURING, NOT TIKTOK
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MUSIC, NATURALLY
Failure reflects on the stresses of creation ahead of the band’s Pappy and Harriet’s show
By matt king
S
elling a bunch of records, achieving high streaming numbers, gaining recognition from other artists, and amassing a huge fanbase doesn’t make musicians invincible from self-doubt. Failure, the alternative/space-rock trio from Los Angeles, has had an interesting career path. The group exploded onto the rock scene in the 1990s, touring with rock legends Tool and receiving praise for their first few albums. The band broke up in 1997, and wouldn’t reunite until 2013. Since then, the band has toured make parts fit together. What you have to do the world, and has released three new sometimes on that end is manufacture the albums—the latest being Wild Type Droid in spontaneity and the organic naturalness of 2021—adding to their brand of subtle ethereal it—because it all needs to sound like it just fell rock, and further cementing themselves as out of the sky, or like it’s always existed. For standouts within the rock genre. me, the most exhilarating moments are when The band is headed for Pappy and Harriet’s something really special and really amazing on Friday, June 3, with a preview of a new just happens out of nowhere and takes you documentary on Failure preceding the show. by surprise. With the way that we wrote this During a recent phone interview with record, I think we had a lot more of those guitarist/bassist Greg Edwards, he said the moments than on the past few records.” writing and recording process for Wild Type It had been a while since the members of Droid marked a big change. Failure had gone back to the basics. “We just went into a room together for three “Fantastic Planet (1996) started out as weeks and recorded everything we played, some jams in a rehearsal space that we then and we didn’t really try to sculpt anything turned into songs in the studio when we into a song form; we just were playing, kind were recording it,” Edwards said. “The first of without even thinking,” Edwards said. “The record, Comfort (1992), was really all done as a idea was just to let that happen naturally, three-piece, just playing live and jamming and and then get that all on tape, and cut it down finding songs. It wasn’t an unfamiliar way to to the moments that we thought could be work.” expanded into songs. Failure created Wild Type Droid entirely on “A lot of these moments, that were just their own, to avoid the pressures of recording spontaneous jams, served as the foundation on other people’s time—with one exception. for what would become songs, and in some “We pick out a few days, and Kellii (Scott, cases, we were able to use most of the guitar, Failure’s drummer) is really prepared, and we drums and bass from the actual jam. I can go into a really nice, professional studio and hear that spontaneity and the freedom and record all the drums,” Edwards said. “But for energy of that jam setting made it into the the most part, we record at (lead vocalist and final songs. I think there’s a simplicity to the multi-instrumentalist) Ken (Andrews’) home parts; the arrangements are a lot sparser than studio. That’s how we wrote and recorded on previous records, and the instruments seem beyond the initial three weeks of jamming. to all each exist in their own space, which is There’s really no time limit except for the time probably a function of playing all at the same limit of life, the family and children. … When time in a room. … When you sit in front of you’re in a professional studio, you’re trying speakers in a studio, and you’re trying to write to write a part, or you want to get a sound a song, you tend to double things up and right, but you don’t have enough time to do overdub, so from the get-go, it’s just a different it. You have to justify how much it costs to be kind of process. This was a more pure way of in that studio … so we don’t really use the big finding the song.” professional studios in that way anymore.” Most of Failure’s music sounds like it was Edwards said that after 30 years, he still born out of a jam; consider hits like “Another feels pressure to create music that’s always Space Song” and “The Nurse Who Loved Me.” better and different. “I like the spontaneous moments when “For me, it’s always really stressful going a piece of potential just seemingly falls out into the creating/writing process, because no of the sky. That can happen alone in a room matter how many times I’ve done it now, I with an acoustic guitar, or in a room playing always feel like I don’t know what I’m doing,” with the three of us,” Edwards said. “The part he said. “There’s sort of a dark-arts element to that can be not so fun is when you then have writing songs; I don’t think you ever really feel to iron it all out and turn it into a song and like you know how to do it if you’re reaching
Failure.
for something unique and profound. I always think, ‘I don’t know how I was able to do it in the past, and certainly, this time is going to finally be the time where I can’t do it at all.’ … Somehow, within the process, it happens, but if I think about it, it’s all anxiety and stress. That’s what was great about starting the process just making noise together. It really didn’t feel like much of anything special was happening on most days, and then at the end of it all, when we went back and listened, it was a shocking relief just how many good moments there were.” Edwards said playing in front of an audience makes the anxiety and pressure worthwhile. “We haven’t done that yet for the new songs, so you never know what the reaction will be, or how playing the songs onstage will feel when it’s a new group of songs you’ve never performed before,” Edwards said. “That’s always interesting. You have certain expectations that one song should translate really well live, and another song maybe will be a bit of a sleeper—and then sometimes it turns out that the song that you thought would be a sleeper really connects with the audience, and the song you thought would kill doesn’t
necessarily get that much traction.” Setlist creation has become increasingly difficult as the band adds to its discography, Edwards said. “It’s just impossible to play all the songs that we want to play—all the songs that are our personal favorites,” said Edwards. “We just have too many songs now. … There’ll be fans in the audience for whom it will also be a disappointment that a certain song is not in the set, so it’s painful to have to cut songs. This tour, we’re changing it up quite a bit. We’re playing quite a few songs that haven’t seen the light of day before—or, if they have, it was a long, long time ago. In some ways, it’s one of the biggest departures as a set since we’ve reformed. We’re playing a song or two from the first record that we haven’t played probably since 1992. We’re also playing some songs from Magnified (1994) that we’ve rarely played.” Failure will perform at 9 p.m., Friday, June 3, at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. Tickets are $30. For tickets or more information, call 760228-2222, or visit pappyandharriets.com. CVIndependent.com
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THE POWER OF MUSIC
La Luz pushes through the pandemic and cancer to share new work
By matt king
M
usic has power. It can lift one’s spirits and encapsulate a mood—simply through instruments and vocals. For examples of this power, look no further than La Luz. The Los Angeles-based band includes guitarist and songwriter Shana Cleveland, bassist Lena Simon, keyboardist Alice Sandahl and drummer Audrey Johnson. Their sound is often rooted in surf rock, with dives into psychedelic rock and jazz spread yet more sounds while further strengthening throughout their four studio albums. Vocal the surfy psychedelia. “Watching Cartoons” duties are shared by every member, soaked in features a more jazzy vibe, while “Here on reverb to create dreamy soundscapes. Check Earth” emanates somber folk feels, and “Yuba out “Floating Features” to hear the Tarantino- Rot” is a slow surf jam that feels bluesy. esque surf rock instrumentation with a hint “I think that each record comes out of the of world music, and listen to “I Can’t Speak” time and place where I started writing the for some of those haunting vocal lines. Hear songs,” said Cleveland. “For me, that’s what them live when the band arrives at The Alibi I hear. In this record, I hear the California Palm Springs on Thursday, June 9. countryside, and I hear the isolating effects “I’m really excited,” Cleveland said during a of COVID. That time of just staying close to recent phone interview. “My partner plays in home felt really sweet and let me really lean Shannon and the Clams, and they’ve played into the intimacy of what was close by—the in the area a few times, and I’ve gone with people I love the most and the land around them. I’ve had so much fun out there; it just me. It feels like a very intimate record that is feels like such a parallel universe to me.” just full of big love.” La Luz is finally getting to fully tour The shifting sounds of La Luz can be in support of the band’s self-titled 2021 attributed, in part, to the band’s impressive release, after a tour was cut short by both the list of producers. 2015’s Weirdo Shrine was omicron surge and personal health reasons. produced by garage rock prince Ty Segall; “We did just one short tour in November, 2018’s Floating Features had Dan Auerbach of and then we had to cancel a bunch of tours, the indie/blues rock outfit The Black Keys; because I had a health issue come up, and now and Adrian Younge of the jazzy Midnight we’re just getting back to it,” Cleveland said. “I Hour produced La Luz. think the November tour just felt surprisingly “We’re just so tuned into each other that normal. A lot of people wore masks back then, I think when we go to the studio, it is kind which was comforting, but from the stage, it of refreshing to have that other voice come felt just so similar. It didn’t really weird me out in and sort of interpret the songs in their at all that people were wearing masks. It was own way, and throw in some fresh ideas,” such a relief to just get back on the road and Cleveland said. “I love that aspect of being in get back to playing shows.” the studio, and each record that we’ve done Cleveland said she appreciates being able to is sort of a different level of collaboration. properly share their new music live. I think that this album is probably, in some “It’s always such a relief to get to play ways, the most collaborative that we’ve been music right after a record comes out, with a producer.” especially because it’s all these new songs that As for that aforementioned health issue: you’ve never played before,” Cleveland said. Cleveland was diagnosed with breast cancer. “Usually, the recording process and just sort “For a while, I was in the thick of it; I of waiting for the actual record to be released wasn’t writing, and I was just sort of trying into the world is such a lengthy process of to stay sane,” Cleveland said. “It doesn’t really living in a vacuum with this music, and you’re feel like I’m totally on the other side of it, just dying to get out. Releasing the record is but I’m certainly starting to come out of the one thing, but playing the songs live feels like dark period of not knowing what was going the best way to deliver the music—and the to happen, and this really oppressive feeling I best way to feel like you have a connection got after the cancer diagnosis. with the people who are listening to it. … “It’s so hard for me to say, ‘On the other We recorded the album, and then it was just side,’ because I just don’t feel like that. I feel about a year until we finally got to play the like I’m still dealing with it every day—but songs to people.” I do feel so freakin’ stoked. I have so much On La Luz, the group experiments with energy to create now, and I’m just, like, ‘Yes, CVIndependent.com
La Luz. Kristen Cofer
let’s release an album; I’m gonna write an EP, and then I’m gonna write this other album for my solo project.’ It’s all kind of coming out, because I just went through this really intense time, but I felt like I wasn’t really able to talk about it. Now, I’m just so excited. I’m so excited to play shows for people; I’m so excited to write more records, and it feels like a time of really big energy.” Cleveland said the diagnosis reaffirmed the power of music to her. “I think that a lot of times, when you’re at a real low point, when you’re really depressed— that’s when a song can break through to you, and in the biggest way. Listening to some of my favorite music just made me realize how powerful it could be. I think that sometimes, I kind of forget to listen to music, because I’m just always writing and playing guitar, and I have a 2-year-old son, so there’s not a lot of leftover time. … In our society, we tend to value productivity over rest, but I think that rest is just as important for an artist. You
need that time for reflection to know what you want to say.” Through cancer, the pandemic and having a kid, Cleveland said remains focused on creating, even if La Luz is not as busy as it once was. “In the beginning, we just started touring right away,” Cleveland said. “I was just so stoked, and I wanted to do everything all the time. That’s how we did it for the first, at least, five or six years, and then slowly, we just started being like, ‘Oh, instead of a sixweek tour, why don’t we do, like, three twoweek tours and have a little rest in between?’ If you’re trying to make a band sustainable in the long run, if you’re trying to not go cray, then you have to learn how to schedule.” La Luz will perform with opening act Tino Drima at 8 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at The Alibi Palm Springs, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Tickets are $20 in advance. For more information, visit www.thealibipalmsprings.com.
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2022 EVENTS
DATE
EVENT
June 1
Rock the Park - Fleetwood Mac Tribute
June 3–5
WeHo Pride Weekend
June 3–5
OUTLOUD Raising Voices Music Festival
June 3–5
Sonoma County Pride
June 3–12
Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
June 4
Venice Pride and Parade
June 10–12
Splash House - June
June 11–12
LA Pride in the Park/Pride Parade
June 12
Palm Springs Young Playwrights Festival
June 13
Alzheimer's Association LGBTQ+ Forum
June 21–27
Palm Springs ShortFest
June 25–26
San Francisco Pride
July 7–Aug 12
Taste of Summer Rancho Mirage
July 15–17
Out in the Vineyard: Gay Wine Weekend
July 16–17
San Diego Pride Festival/Parade
Aug 12–14
Splash House August - Weekend 1
Aug 18-21
Big Bear Romp
Aug 19–21
Splash House August - Weekend 2
Sept 9
Out on the Mountain
Sept 15–25
Cinema Diverse
Sept 16–18
Gay Days Anaheim
Sept 17
Positively Aging Conference
Sept 21
Business Expo & Taste of Palm Springs
Sept 21–25
Club Skirts Dinah Shore Weekend
Oct 1
Pride Under the Pines
Oct 13–16
Modernism Week Fall Preview
Nov 4–6
Palm Springs Pride
Nov 6
Palm Springs Pride Parade
Nov 11–13
Palm Springs Women's Jazz Festival
Nov 18–20
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
Nov 19
Palm Springs Dance Project - The Main Event
Jan 5
Palm Springs Int Film Festival Awards Gala
Jan 6–16
Palm Springs Int Film Festival 2023
Feb 16–26
Modernism Week
Feb 23–27
International Bear Convergece / IBC
Celebrating All the Colors
in the Rainbow
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HAVOC ONCE MORE
After being re-discovered by cratediggers, W.I.T.C.H. has made the most unlikely of comebacks
By matt king
W
.I.T.C.H.—an acronym for We Intend To Cause Havoc—is a band that formed in Zambia during the 1970s. W.I.T.C.H. was arguably the most popular band in Zambia during their heyday, as they performed Zamrock, a combination of traditional African music and psychedelic blues rock. The band experimented with disco sounds as Zamrock became less favorable in the early ’80s. By the mid ’80s, Zambia was make in joining the band. It just so happened in economic downfall, and in the midst that in 1979-1980, that is when disco music of an AIDS epidemic; W.I.T.C.H. stopped came on the scene. It had a huge impact on performing, and disappeared into obscurity. the music industry all over the world, so it In the early 2010s, however, record-crate sort of killed all the Zamrock music, and diggers “re-discovered” W.I.T.C.H.; when they bands just died overnight, because people found almost no information about the group, now wanted to go to disco houses rather than they set out to find the band. What followed go to a gig. The W.I.T.C.H. band was able to is documented in We Intend to Cause Havoc reinvent themselves and produce the Movin’ (2019), a documentary about finding the only On album, which was a disco album, in order two living members: Emanyeo “Jagari” Chanda, to actually survive.” the lead vocalist during the Zamrock period; Chanda has talked about the craziness of and Patrick Mwondela, the keyboardist during W.I.T.C.H.’s popularity in the ’70s—from the disco period. This documentary, as well as wildly energetic stage shows, to drugs, to a reissues of the band’s catalog, sparked interest 1974 run-in with the law that led to some of from fans all over the world—and W.I.T.C.H., the W.I.T.C.H. members spending three nights featuring Chanda and Mwondela, is back on in jail. I was curious how Mwondela felt about tour, including a stop at Pappy and Harriet’s on joining the band. Friday, June 24. “I was a bit reluctant,” Mwondela said. “I think my music journey started when I “But it was my friend Emmanuel Makulu who was about 6 or 7,” Mwondela told me during said to me, ‘Look, these guys are a household a recent Zoom interview. “I took an interest name already; let’s join this band, go for the in the guitar, so I learned to play the guitar at ride, and see, because later on, we can do school, and by the seventh-grade, my teacher whatever we want to do, but at least we’ll actually had taught me all that he knew. have that exposure.’ In a way, he was right, When I went to secondary school, I went because that’s what he did. Eventually … to a music college—just part-time evening he went solo, and he did really, really well. I classes—and I learned to play the clarinet. was very loyal, and I stuck it out to the very, I did that for a year, and then after that, I very end—and I think it has come to pay sort of taught myself to play the keyboards, back now. … I sort of put all that down—but because I had a boy band. By the age of 14, I I’m surprised we’re here today touring and was on a children’s TV show, playing guitar, recording.” so I think that’s where the interest really Mwondela explained how the documentary started. Around 17 or 18, I had a youth band came to be. called Guys and Dolls, and we played at a “The year 2014 was the 50th anniversary concert where we actually stole the show; also of Zambia’s independence, and I just had this on the lineup of that show was the W.I.T.C.H. idea in my head to contact Jagari, the lead band. They were always looking for new singer. I said, ‘Why don’t we do a concert just talents, so they sort of headhunted me and to commemorate and celebrate the music, my friend, Emmanuel Makulu, and that’s how and just honor the guys that contributed this we joined the band. That was 1979.” music?’ He said, ‘Yeah, that’s a great idea,’” The turn toward disco helped Mwondela to Mwondela said. “So I traveled to Zambia, contribute to W.I.T.C.H. and in fact, Zambia and the organizers of “I had an interest in all sorts of music— the national program were quite interested, jazz, Motown—and I played a bit of Indian so it was a national event. Unbeknownst music as well,” Mwondela said. “We (Guys to me, Gio Arlotta, the guy who did the and Dolls) had a wide range of interests, and documentary, was also traveling. He had we were learning. … We were listening to heard about the band, so he traveled all the (Zamrock) music anyway when we were in way from North Africa down to Zambia to go school, so it was a very little adjustment to and find the W.I.T.C.H. band, and he found CVIndependent.com
W.I.T.C.H. Ian Enger
Jagari. We met up in October 2014 for this concert, and then, eventually, the idea came to do the documentary. That was good, because in the ‘80s, obviously before the digital age, nothing was really documented. We had very few photographs to sort of make reference to, so I felt that by documenting it … it’d be good to just capture that history, because it was being lost. If we only did the documentary, I would have been satisfied to say that at least we’ve got something put down that people can look to, and that will inspire the next generation—but lo and behold, things have sort of spun off from the documentary, and we seem to be going in very interesting directions.” Mwondela and Chanda represent the two different sides of W.I.T.C.H., and they work together to have the band’s live shows cover both. “We do a little bit of the disco, but we don’t do very much,” said Mwondela. “… I think it’s good for us to celebrate the two eras. Jagari was more of the Zamrock era, because he was away during the disco era, so he’s having to learn the disco stuff as well.” Mwondela said W.I.T.C.H.’s resurgence is still a total shock. “I’ve actually been totally overwhelmed,”
Mwondela said. “I think before the pandemic, when we did the European tour, we went to South Africa, Cape Town, Norway, Moscow— and the music was well received. I think in the digital age, people have researched and found the W.I.T.C.H. music, and have been following it for the last few years. What is really interesting is the age of the fans that we have; they tend to be between sort of the mid 20s and early 30s, and they’re keenly following this music. They’re serious fans; they bought all the releases, and they even know the words and sing along, which is absolutely amazing. “This time around, after the pandemic—in the U.S. especially—I just found that the love for the music has gone to another level. I was wondering whether it was a combination of having been locked down, and having no entertainment for a couple of years, and then seeing this band as well. It’s been really, really encouraging, but also quite overwhelming. … I’m just so grateful to be in these times to experience this.” W.I.T.C.H. will perform at 9 p.m., Friday, June 24, at Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, in Pioneertown. Tickets are $25. For tickets or more information, call 760228-2222, or visit pappyandharriets.com.
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TIKTOK ROCK
The Witches of Mars use social media to spread the story behind their conceptual music
By matt king
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any bands and musicians found a way to use the pandemic isolation to their advantage, making the most of the down time to work on music—and find new ways to reach audiences. The Witches of Mars is a band that emerged during the course of the pandemic. Born in Joshua Tree, the band includes Joseph William Kennedy (vocals/guitar), Anthony Ocegueda (drums), Joseph Gonzales (guitar), Jordan Bishop to the beginning of the story. (guitar) and Robert Hamilton (bass). Their The songs are meant to be universal, so sound includes elements of hard metal, pop anybody can draw meaning from them, but rock and pop punk; debut EP The Passenger there is a story taking place. The first part of features five tracks that explore and expand the story takes place on a planet called Saer, and upon different rock sounds. Check out “I Wish there’s a god named Santero. There’s a character I’d Never Known” for a sing-along chorus, and named Luke Roth, and he’s married to a woman “God Slayer” for a destructive rager. named Sirena, and Santero claims (Luke’s) wife “I had a solo project, but on the side, I was as his own property. Luke doesn’t like that, so playing bass for another local band called he makes a deal with an entity to basically have Spankshaft,” Kennedy said. “Anthony, our the power to defeat this god. He does, and then current drummer, was also in the band, and I he goes mad with the power—and he ends up showed him some stuff that I’ve been working murdering his wife as well. It’s kind of like a on. He’s like, ‘Why aren’t you doing anything hero-becoming-the-villain-type story, which is with this?’ Long story short, we ended going to lead into the first full-length album. up putting a band together to do my solo The Witches of Mars are going to be characters stuff live. During COVID, when everything who show up later in the story.” shut down, and we weren’t able to really do So far, the music released under The anything; we pretty much just decided to do a Witches of Mars name has been written and whole overhaul and turn it into a band.” recorded entirely by Kennedy. However, he One of the more interesting aspects of The said witnessing his band members create Witches of Mars is that they are a concept band. and improve upon his recordings is “the best “It’s like a sci-fi fantasy, cosmic-core concept, damn part.” and as of right now, it’ll stay that way,” “It doesn’t matter how good the recording Kennedy said. “The idea is that the story will or the writing is when it comes to the band, carry over from release to release. The EP we because it does morph and change,” Kennedy just released, The Passenger, is like an overture said. “There are songs that I can’t stand from
The Witches of Mars.
my solo project that we brought to a live setting, and now it’s like, ‘Oh, this is a million times better.’” Another interesting aspect of The Witches of Mars is their TikTok success. Kennedy has been creating TikToks featuring the band’s music, along with duets with other notable musicians. “TikTok has been a blast for us to get on and to promote music on; I don’t think we ever expected a fan base to grow so quickly, which was really cool,” Kennedy said. “Both Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine and Claudio Sanchez from Coheed and Cambria checked out a duet that I did with them, and now a bunch of their fans are fans of our music, which is awesome, because they’re a huge inspiration for us.” In a peculiar way, the pandemic was a blessing for The Witches of Mars. “I think that COVID helped us move forward as a band,” Kennedy said. “I don’t think the concept would have happened, and I got on TikTok out of boredom. I feel like having to think differently because of the pandemic is what helped us get to where we’re going.” As of now, the band has only played one live show, last Halloween at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert. “Getting new music out under the name The Witches of Mars was more important,” said Kennedy. “We started to build that rather than doing shows, because, with COVID, we weren’t sure how often shows were going to get canceled. We’ve just been focusing on the music for right now. “The full-length album is in progress, and there’s probably going to be a single from the full length very soon. When that full length drops, we’re probably going to start doing some shows around that. I do tell some people November—but things can happen, just like with COVID. We’ll see.” I will be interested to see how this concept band uses the stage to tell their sci-fi story. “In the future, I would like to do a show where we perhaps play the story—the songs in order, or something like that,” Kennedy said. “Or maybe have like projections with the artwork in the background or something, but I don’t know. I really love Pink Floyd and Coheed and Cambria shows; they feel very immersive at times, and I like that. It helps you get a good idea of the concept.” For more on The Witches of Mars, visit www.tiktok.com/@josephwilliamkennedy.
The Venue REPORT June 2022 By matt king
Josh Turner
June is here—and so are triple-digit temperatures! Stay safe; stay hydrated; and stay entertained with all that the valley has to offer this month. Fantasy Springs has a diverse musical lineup set for June. At 8 p.m., Saturday, June 4, blues-rock legend Boz Scaggs is coming to Indio. Tickets range from $49 to $69. MCA Nashville recording artist Josh Turner is bringing the country at 8 p.m., Friday, June 17. Tickets are $29 to $59. At 8 p.m., Sunday, June 26, get another chance to see Mexican singer/songwriter Carin Leon after he quickly sold out his June 24 show. Tickets are $59 to $159. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-342-5000; www. fantasyspringsresort.com. At Agua Caliente in Rancho Mirage, the entertainment is as hot as the water. At 8 p.m., Saturday, June 4, actress/singer Vicki Lawrence is doing a “two woman show” alongside her famous character Thelma Harper, aka Mama. Tickets are $45 to $75. The inseparable comedy duo of Steve Martin and Martin Short are headed out on another tour, landing in Rancho Mirage at 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18. Tickets are $130 to $170. At 8 p.m., Friday, June 24, since you can’t experience the actual Pink Floyd, check out the premier tribute band, Brit Floyd, on their world tour. Tickets are $25 to $75. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888999-1995; www.hotwatercasino.com. The Agua Caliente location in Palm Springs continues to bring in the crowds with its residency events. For Desert Blues Revival Wednesdays, check out singer/songwriter Shane Hall (June 1), the indie-rock stylings of Born Ruffians (June 8), Brazilian blues guitarist Artur Menezes (June 15), the former Jimi Hendrix bandmate-led Bill continued on next page CVIndependent.com
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Magee Blues (June 22) and the multi-genre Blue Breeze Band (June 29). Shows are every Wednesday at 7 p.m., Tickets start at $10, available at eventspalmsprings. com/blues. Jazzville Thursdays bring the return of ’20s/’30s-era big band Lizzy and the Triggermen (June 2), Sony Music recording artist and Bollywood Blues dynamo Aki Kumar (June 9), a tribute to Benny Goodman by Jonathan Stout and the Grand Slam Sextet (June 16), a night of “swing, soul and Sinatra” with the Paul McDonald Band (June 23) and the swinging sounds of Dave Stuckey and the Hot House Gang (June 30). Shows take place at 7 p.m., and tickets start at $10, available at jazzvillepalmsprings.com. Caliente Comedy Fridays means it’s nonstop laughter with Luz Pazos (June 10), Frazer Smith (June 17) and Ryan Goodcase (June 24). You must be 21 to attend, and tickets start at $19.99, available at www.eventspalmsprings.com/ caliente-comedy. Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, 401 E. Amado Road, Palm Springs; 888-999-1995; www.sparesortcasino.com. Pappy and Harriet’s has a packed month of shows. At 9 p.m., Saturday, June 4, ’90s rockers Son Volt head for the desert. Tickets are $45 in advance. The psychedelic sounds of Wand will fill the Pioneertown Palace at 9 p.m., Thursday, June 9. Tickets are $20. At 9 p.m., Friday, June 17, the dreamy indie outfit Turnover will perform. Tickets are $40 in advance. Del Water Gap intends to blends both indie rock and indie pop at Pappy’s at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, June 25. Tickets are $25 in advance. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-228-2222; www. pappyandharriets.com. Oscar’s in Palm Springs has some unique events in June, per usual. Making her Palm Springs debut at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 2, is Barbara Dixon in Broadway Barbara, an evening of song, dance and stories, Tickets are $40 to $50. Colton Ford will perform songs from his new album, Permission, at 7 p.m., Thursday, June 16. Tickets are $30. At 7 p.m., Friday, June 17, Oscar’s is hosting the Brothers of the Desert Benefit, a nonprofit that supports Black gay men and allies in the Coachella Valley. Performer Patty Cakes will be hosting an edition of The Newlywed Game, and Dion Khan will be performing. Tickets are $95. Oscar’s Palm Springs, 125 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs; 760-325-1188; oscarspalmsprings. com/events. The Purple Room has some good choices for how to spend your June evenings. At 8 p.m., Friday June 3, and Saturday June 4, pianist and singer Billy Stritch returns to the Purple Room for two evenings to put
a spotlight on the music of Cy Coleman. Tickets are $55 to $65. Recording artist and Carnegie Hall performer Jeff Harnar will dedicate an evening to the songs of Stephen Sondheim at 8 p.m., Friday, June 17. Tickets are $40 to $45. At 8 p.m., Saturday, June 18, Jonathan Karrant performs his show Anything Goes!, an evening of songs from the ‘40s to the ’90s. Tickets are $35 to $40. Michael Holmes’ Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www.purpleroompalmsprings.com. The Alibi lineup for June is eclectic and exciting! At 8 p.m., Thursday, June 2, rapper Mykki Blanco is set to perform. Tickets are $23 in advance. 1960s rock band Love is now Love Revisited, and the group is heading to Palm Springs at 6 p.m., Sunday, June 5. Tickets are $18 in advance. Ever wanted to see a legendary fiddle player? At 8 p.m., Sunday, June 12, Doug Kershaw, aka “The Ragin’ Cajun,” brings 60-plus years of fiddleplaying to town. Tickets are $22 in advance. The synth-pop goodness of Dan Deacon will electrify The Alibi at 7 p.m., Sunday, June 19. Tickets are $25 in advance. The psychedelic and world music infused jams of Los Bitchos collide with local Latinrockers Giselle Woo and the Night Owls for a special show at 8 p.m., Friday, June 24. Tickets are $24 in advance. All shows listed are 21+. The Alibi Palm Springs, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-656-1525; thealibipalmsprings.com.
Dan Deacon
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TOURING, NOT TIKTOK By matt king
T
he further you dive into the music business, the less romantic it becomes. “Success” doesn’t mean much if you’re not paying the bills, after all. The Nude Party is a rare band in that the group includes commentary about the music business in their songs. Alongside the optimistic country-garage mix of “Feels Alright,” the blistering Western “Wild Coyote” and the interesting mix of rock that is spread through the rest of their catalog, the band has tracks like everyone’s musicality has really improved. In “Nashville Record Co.,” which references the some ways, that whole COVID crisis opened up greediness of the music biz: “They don’t come some new doors.” to make sense, they come to take dollars / I asked Magee to talk about the sound of the Need a guitar player, handsome but none upcoming record, and, well, he sort of declined. too smart.” The chorus of the band’s most“I’ve never read words about music that streamed song, “Chevrolet Van,” reflects the made me want to hear it, so describing public’s perception of being in a band: “You’ll music, to me, almost always feels futile,” said never make enough money / And no one cares Magee. “I don’t really know how to describe about the things you say / You’re gonna wake it musically, but I would say that we got to up someday / And you’ll wish you got a job.” take the time to really find it, and get all the The six-piece band provides a high-energy sounds we wanted, and put songs together and enjoyable set, which you catch when they with a much-clearer ear for the parts. We have perform at The Alibi in Palm Springs on Friday, so much more space and time. I feel like in the June 17. past, we’ve had to rush through records. You During a recent phone interview with practice songs, tour them, perform them in guitarist and frontman Patton Magee, he a studio live, and then you collect it, but this talked about how the pandemic “went in time, we’ve taken an opposite approach, where phases” for the band. we wrote songs, arranged them, recorded “There was a period of time when I was just them and then built on them. I don’t want really worried about losing my livelihood; then to say how much better it is, because I don’t there was a period of time when I felt that it want to denigrate the previous two records, was kind of nice, because otherwise, we would but I’m really excited about what this process have just been touring infinitely,” said Magee. unlocked.” “We were doing, like, 150 to 200 days a year The band’s current live set features some out, which was a lot, and that halted entirely, new material, as well as a lot of songs from so in some ways, hitting the brakes was kind their 2020 release, Midnight Manor. of stimulating, because sometimes, the most “We haven’t deeply toured (Midnight Manor) interesting thing you can do is something yet, so we’re still sort of touring that material different than what you’ve been doing. Now when we come around in June, along with that we’re back at it, it feels great. It feels like older stuff and some covers, but we’re working that break allowed us to refresh what it is that in some of the new songs,” Magee said. we’re doing, and almost approach it from a “We had to spend some more time actually different angle. We’re more performative, and re-learning the new songs.” we sort of revamped our show, and we really The Nude Party’s touring schedule before strung it all together to make it as big and the pandemic was intense; the band members cinematic as we can.” have viewed their live shows as their main One of the things that allowed The attraction. Nude Party to refresh themselves was their “Touring is always going to be, like, our recording/performance studio. main bread and butter, and it’s always been “We all collected a lot of unemployment that way,” Magee said. “We’re approving of money, because we were unemployed, and we that, because I think we’re a really good live built a studio in our barn,” said Magee. “We band, and that’s what we excel at and work recorded in that studio, which was a different at. I think for that period of time, before the experience than anything we’d ever done pandemic, we were being worked too hard for before. We just finished that record, and it’s too little payoff—to maybe benefit people who getting mixed right now. … (The studio has) a weren’t doing that work. Now we’ve reshuffled full PA system; we can rehearse like it’s a show the deck and reset the structure of what we’re just like The Rolling Stones do. Musically, here, doing. Now, we can still do a lot of shows and everything is a lot more clear, and I think that be a touring band—but do less shows and
Please do not send The Nude Party, coming to The Alibi, pictures of your erections
have it be better for us monetarily. … Eight shows in a row with not a single day off, and a six-hour drive between each one, really fucks you up. … We’ve kind of learned that ‘no’ is a pretty important word to get familiar with as a musician.” I was curious to hear how Magee felt about the ways in which contemporary musicians are making a living. “Some bands won’t be able to sell very many tickets at a show and don’t have very many listeners, but they can post a TikTok—and then a million people will watch it and like it,” Magee said. “In some ways, it looks like the more successful you are on social media, that automatically translates into the other forms of musical success. I think there’s a little bit of truth to that, because if you have a viral TikTok song, that is going to be helpful for you—but I think it also gives this double impression that you can sell out shows and do big tours. Working and touring as much as we have, and putting out records and developing fans, I think we do better by action, and not by signaling ourselves in social media. That being said, it is useful. … It just gives wrong ideas about how successful someone really is.” You probably won’t be seeing The Nude Party engaging in whatever the latest TikTok trend is anytime soon. “I cringe at a lot of the TikTok stuff, to tell you the truth,” Magee said. “Part of me thinks I should try to do that, or engender some greater following online or something like that, but I’m too averse to the cringe to really put myself out there. Also, we’re shadow-banned on TikTok, because somehow, our band name got flagged as being inappropriate. That’s not in our favor whatsoever, because if we post anything, it won’t show up for anybody.” With a name like The Nude Party—which
The Nude Party. Bryan Derballa
came from when the band used to jam in the nude—the TikTok issues are not the first time their name has caused them problems. “There was a long period of time where, like, we were getting a lot of weird sexual messages from men in India,” said Magee. “They would send us pictures of their erections, and just really inappropriate things. I think they thought there was some kind of orgy organization they could join or something— but that was a boost for us early on social media, because we had hundreds of extra followers. That bolstered us in the bar scene. Little did anyone know they were just a bunch of perverts.” The Nude Party will perform with Ceramic Animal at 8 p.m., Friday, June 17, at The Alibi Palm Springs, 369 N. Palm Canyon Drive. Tickets are $20 in advance. For more information, visit www. thealibipalmsprings.com.
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LUCKY 13
Get to know a high desert rock star, and a drumming legend who resides in La Quinta by matt king
NAME Beth Allen GROUPS Mötordead, Hot Patooties, Alien Probe MORE INFO Beth Allen is one of desert valley’s true creatives. She spends time in the Motörhead cover band Mötordead, playing bass and taking on vocal duties that honor the late Lemmy Kilmister. She also plays guitar in the desert punk group Hot Patooties, and has contributed to the experimental rock sounds of Alien Probe, a four-piece band whose members wear space suits and alien masks. When she’s not crafting music, she’s often graphic-designing, as she used to create the covers for the Independent’s print edition.
never gets old for me. I just joined Spotify, and they do a pretty good job sending me daily mixes. Lots of Australian rock, old and new. Amyl and the Sniffers, Stiff Richards, and Civic are all killer.
What was the first concert you attended? Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I was 13. Stevie Nicks came out and sang “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” with him. She twirled around in her raggy dress. It was awesome!
What’s your favorite music venue? The Palms in Wonder Valley is the best dive bar in the high desert to hang out or play. Good vibes.
What was the first album you owned? Shaun Cassidy. It contained the hit single “Da Doo Ron Ron” and a special full-color autographed poster! What bands are you listening to right now? Always the Ramones; old ‘80s punk rock
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? Hip hop isn’t my favorite … or electronic dance music. What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? Hasil Adkins, RIP. A total hillbilly one-man band that was amazing. I have a few of his records. What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure? 1980s metal. Judas Priest! Mötley Crüe! WASP!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head? Dead Moon, “Poor Born”: “I’m pissed off, pissed off, pissed off; it’s just the way I aaaaaam!” What band or artist changed your life? The Ramones. They made me realize anyone can be in a band; all you need are three distorted chords.
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You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking? I’d ask Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick for one sloppy kiss. What song would you like played at your funeral? Kiss, “Rock and Roll All Nite.” Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time? The first Ramones album. What song should everyone listen to right now? Dead Moon, “Poor Born.” One of the best songs ever written. Google them. NAME Dale Crover GROUP Melvins MORE INFO Melvins are one of the worstkept secrets in rock history. Their heavy punk and sludge rock sound influenced greats like Nirvana, and while their popularity has remained substantially lower than the bands they inspired, they have amassed a cult following over 30 years of creation. The band, which just released a new EP, Lord of the Flies, is again headed to Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, on Thursday, June 16. We recently spoke to drummer Dale Crover, who is a La Quinta resident. What was the first concert you attended? My first concert was Kiss, and that was at the Seattle Center Coliseum in 1979, on the Dynasty tour. I was 12, and they were, like, everything to me back then. They were my Beatles—mine and everybody else’s.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live? The Jimi Hendrix Experience. I would have really liked to see them. All those guys are gone, which is pretty weird to think, because they really aren’t that old. What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure? Well, I suppose if you looked in my iTunes, you could probably find one, maybe two Grateful Dead songs. There’s another band that was hard for me to get. … I’ve actually seen a Grateful Dead cover band play around here, The Ghost Notes. No offense to those guys, because, actually, they’re pretty good. What’s your favorite music venue? I would have to say the favorite venue for us touring is probably the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. We’ve been playing there for a long time now, and I think we’re kind of one of the first heavy acts to actually play there. It’s really old; they used to have cancan dancers there back in the late 1800s, and it basically looks the same. What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head? “The newspapers said, she’s gone to his head, they look just like two gurus in drag,” “The Ballad of John and Yoko,” the Beatles. What band or artist changed your life? Probably Kiss. I’d already been into music; I had Beatles and the Monkees and stuff like that, but they were the band that I saw on TV.
What was the first album you owned? Meet the Beatles!, funny enough. I had Meet the Beatles! and the first Monkees record at the same time. They were hand-me-downs from my brother.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking? “Hey, Alice, what time’s our tea time tomorrow?” to Alice Cooper.
What bands are you listening to right now? I listen to a variety of stuff all the time, but lately, I was on a big Steppenwolf kick, because I was interviewed for a Steppenwolf documentary that this company in Germany is making, so I went and revisited all that stuff. … There’s also a local band from here that has a record out that I think is pretty good, Fever Dog, who I heard about from Finders Keepers Records in La Quinta.
What song would you like played at your funeral? I want some doom-and-gloom funeral hymns, and nothing upbeat at all. My mother-in-law has informed me she wants “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” by Willie Nelson.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get? I don’t know if everybody loves it, but any kind of techno or DJ-based live performance. That’s been going on for a long time, especially in clubs in Europe, and we would always have to deal with that stuff after shows.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time? The Stooges, Fun House. I was out at Coachella when they played, and that was the last time I went to Coachella. The poor Red Hot Chili Peppers had to follow these guys. I felt sorry for them. What song should everyone listen to right now? “Never Say You’re Sorry.” It’s on our EP that just came out, and it’ll be on our next fulllength.
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“Skill Sets”—going a bit squabbly. By Matt Jones
31. Territorial land grabber 35. Response to “Are my shoes really that Across waterlogged?” 1. People Puzzler airer 39. Fashionable quality 4. Adult Swim’s Joe ___ 40. NFL Pro Bowl safety Talks With You Chancellor 8. English university city 42. Albanian’s neighbor 13. Tab, for example 45. OutKast’s city, for 14. “I’m rippin’ up ___ short doll ...” (Aerosmith 46. “Fine, what’s the lyric) answer?” 15. “Ad ___ per aspera” 48. “Be right there” 16. ___ of the hat 51. Snowball thrower 17. Really close group of 52. Bathrooms in Bath friends? 53. Sound from an ocean 19. Equilateral unit of predator imitating a steam? mouse? 21. Palindromic dental 57. High-pitched cries of deg. joy during summer? 22. How cuneiform 59. London’s national art characters were often gallery preserved 60. “Arrivederci” relative 23. Dollar bill depiction, 61. They’re all mined familiarly 62. Actor Sitka (one 25. Yell after finishing a of two actors who ride, maybe appeared with all six 26. Reddit Q&A forum different Stooges on 29. To be, to Nero film) 30. They’re on all four 63. ___ Haute, Indiana Monopoly board 64. Nair rival, once edges, for short 65. Punk record label,
or a retired ultra-fast aircraft Down 1. Showed one’s ire 2. Antique book protector 3. Seaport southeast of Roma 4. “Crazy” singer Cline 5. La Salle who returned to Coming 2 America 6. Jar sold near the farfalle 7. Ottoman Empire official 8. Uses high-tech beams 9. Roman J. Israel, ___ (2017 movie) 10. Musical practice pieces 11. Stage offerings 12. Bike seat 13. Expensive eggs 18. ___TV (Adam Ruins Everything network) 20. Cattle farm 24.The X-Files program, for short 26. Former Bowl of Hawaii 27. Everest, for one 28. Tokyo Vice star Elgort
32. Sounds of dismay 33. Mensa still tests them 34. 1968 CCR hit preceded by the lyric “Baby I love you” 36. Alerts from HQ 37. Winter Olympics groups 38. Exchange blows 41. She was followed by Scholz 42. Carefree reply 43. Turn LEAD into GOLF, maybe? 44. Tend to your Crockpot stew a few hours later 47. Squat muscles 49. Suffix similar to -ish 50. Crazy Rich Asians director 51. “Hey! Over here!” 54. Many millennia 55. Like some collectibles 56. Cubism-influenced Swiss artist 58. To be, in Tijuana © 2022 Matt Jones Find the answers in the “About” section at CVIndependent.com!
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