Coachella Valley Independent October 2019

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT | OCTOBER 2019

VOL. 7 | NO. 10

The goal of Coachella Valley Sexual Assault Services’ Anti-Human-Trafficking Conference: letting people know about the terrible things happening in our own backyard

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OCTOBER 2019

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

October is a big month for the Coachella Valley Independent.

Late in the month, we’ll mark the Independent’s seventh birthday. We posted our first bit of content at CVIndependent.com on Oct. 25, 2012, which means that on Oct. 25, 2019, we’ll start our eighth year of publication.

This is also the month in which we mark the anniversary of the monthly print edition: After quarterlies in April and July of 2013, we started our monthly print-publication schedule in October 2013. The issue you’re holding is our 75th print edition!

Editor/Publisher While these milestones are certainly worth celebrating … frankly, we’re too busy to party. (However, if you want to give us a present to thank us for all of this great Jimmy Boegle content … that’d be swell. Just click on the tip-jar icon while reading any story at staff writer CVIndependent.com. Thank you!)

Kevin Fitzgerald For one thing … we’re busy because it’s Best of Coachella Valley voting season. coveR and feature design Thanks to all of you who cast your Beth Allen ballots during the nomination round! On Monday, Sept. 30, we’ll announce this Contributors year’s slate of finalists in the 130 or so Max Cannon, Kevin Carlow, Katie categories, and start the second and final Finn, Bill Frost, Bonnie Gilgallon, Bob round of voting.

Grimm, Michael Grimm, Valerie-Jean Voting will take place through Monday, (VJ) Hume, David Kenniston, Andy Lara, Oct. 28. You can only vote once—yeah, Matt King, Keith Knight, Matt Levin, Brett we’re different from other publications in that way; we prefer having a true and Newton, Dan Perkins, Guillermo Prieto, honest slate of finalists and winners L.A. Rowell, Anita Rufus, Jen Sorenson, over racking up the extra page views Robert Victor we’d get if we allowed ballot-boxstuffing. We’ll announce the winners at The Coachella Valley Independent print CVIndependent.com on Monday, Nov. edition is published every month.

25, and in our December print edition.

All content is ©2019 and may not be Congrats to all the finalists, and thanks published or reprinted in any form in advance to all of you who will vote! without the written permission of the For another thing … we’re busy adding publisher. The Independent is available writers and content. Astute readers free of charge throughout the Coachella have noticed some new bylines in recent months—and we’re still adding more.

Valley, limited to one copy per reader.

Do you think you have what it takes Additional copies may be purchased to be an Independent contributor? If so, for $5 by calling (760) 904-4208. The Independent may be distributed only by drop me a line. We’re particularly looking the Independent’s authorized distributors. for people to write about music, the visual arts, marijuana and the outdoors/ The Independent is a proud member and/or supporter hiking, plus we’re always looking for people who can write compelling, local of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, CalMatters, Get Tested Coachella Valley, the Local features.

Independent Online News Publishers, the Desert Oh, yeah, one more thing: Unlike some Business Association, the LGBT Community Center of other, skeezier publications, we pay our the Desert, and the Desert Ad Fed. writers. Yes, we pay real money! If you’re interested, drop me a line at the email address below.

Welcome to the October 2019 print edition of the Coachella Valley Independent. As always, thanks for reading; don’t hesitate to contact me with questions, comments or suggestions.

—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com Mailing address: 31855 Date Palm Drive, No. 3-263 Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760) 904-4208 www.cvindependent.com

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OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019

OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS I

BY ANITA RUFUS

n medieval times, it was presumed a son would learn the trade of his father and carry on the family tradition—as a shoemaker, carpenter, fisherman or woodworker. Even in modern culture, children are often pushed to follow in their parents’ footsteps.

Mario Ricardo “Rick” Gonzalez, 42, a Palm Desert resident for the past 15 years, was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and raised in Indio. He’s the fourth of five children, with two older sisters, an older brother and a younger brother. His father, George, was born in Texas but left for Mexico at 13, where he eventually met Gonzalez’s mother.

“My parents met because of the jewelry industry,” says Gonzalez. “They all did silversmithing in Mexico. My dad is a traditional man who commands respect. He made his own life, with After graduating from Indio High School, the odds against him, but he always came Gonzalez went to Cerritos College then into through. He grew up without his dad, so the Army Reserve. He worked for a time in he didn’t really know how to be a dad. I the hotel and hospital industries. “When I understand. He’s very old school—machismo. worked at the local hospital, I learned how I respect that to this day; he lives his life the to talk to people, and to listen, and the way he wants to.” importance of customer service,” he says.

Gonzalez describes his mother, Teresa, Gonzalez then went to work with his dad as very patient, quiet and a good listener, a woman who values loyalty to her family above at Jewels by George (jbgjewelryrepair.com) for a year before heading to the Gemological all else. “From her I got an understanding of Institute of America at their main campus in unconditional love,” he says.

Carlsbad.

“It’s the Harvard of jewelry,” he says.

After four years working for a jeweler in Carlsbad, he then returned to the desert in 2003 to once again work with his dad.

“I had more ideas and experience then,” he says, “and it was easier and more rewarding.

I listen to what people say they want, and I look at someone’s finger and can see how a ring should fit. I know what a stone can do and can’t do. When it comes to gold, I can manipulate it. I couldn’t change a sink for the life of me, but I can see what a design would look like on someone’s hand.

“I stick to what I know and what I’ve learned from my dad. He likes challenges, and I do, too. It’s about how to get from nothing to a design that will work. My dad taught me that nothing’s impossible.

“When people come in for jewelry repairs, there’s always a story. It really matters to me when a piece of jewelry means something to somebody. When it comes to repairs, my job is to make it look like nothing ever happened, that they not see any change. It’s important that they know I’m going to take good care of their piece. We also take some special pieces on consignment.

“Jewelry is sentimental. I even cry sometimes when I give it back and see their reaction. I can’t remember names, but I can remember the story of that ring or pendant.

People tell their stories through their jewelry.”

The shop is truly a family affair. It was originally established in 1984. He describes his mother as “the finisher. She has patience Mario Ricardo “Rick” Gonzalez.

Meet Mario Ricardo ‘Rick’ Gonzalez, a Palm Desert jeweler following in the family tradition

when it comes to intricate jewelry. I do everything—design, marketing, soldering chains. And people like to talk to me.”

What’s the most challenging work he’s done? “Repairing filigree,” he says. “It’s hours of work, and sometimes so fine and intricate.”

He showed me a lacy filigree pendant; it was impossible to see where repairs had been made or how anyone could have manipulated the finely detailed work.

Gonzalez had mentors—but he bitterly recalls working for jewelers who took credit for work he had done.

Gonzalez was married for 10 years and has two daughters, now 13 and 16. “They have some artistic talent,” he says proudly, adding with a laugh, “and they don’t complain when they’re here at the shop.”

Gonzalez takes great pride in showing off the Incogem pendants the shop carries, with acrylic-encased diamond initials floating inside gold pendants. They were originally designed in 1978 by Charles Weinstein, a Belgian separated from his family during

World War II (later reunited when the war ended); he eventually located in the Coachella Valley until his death in 2013.

Gonzalez is a soft-spoken young man who clearly takes his job seriously. How does he handle working with his traditional father?

He smiles as he says, “He will sometimes say to me, ‘Good job, boy.’ He probably never got that himself in his life.”

Going into the family business is not always easy, but Rick Gonzalez is clear: “When I came to work with my dad, one day, everything just made sense.”

When you see his commitment and the quality of his work, you know Gonzalez made the right choice.

Anita Rufus is also known as “The Lovable Liberal.” Her show That’s Life airs weekdays on iHubradio, while The Lovable Liberal airs from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays. Email her at Anita@LovableLiberal.com. Know Your Neighbors appears every other Wednesday at CVIndependent.com.

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OCTOBER 2019

RE-ELECT the pride of the valley

GEOFF KORS

PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT

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the pride of the valley Powered By

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COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 7

OCTOBER 2019

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

PARK PROTECTION J

by kevin fitzgerald

oshua Tree National Park received some good news recently thanks to an announcement by the Mojave Desert Land Trust (MDLT) that it had “purchased 40 acres of pristine desert within Joshua Tree National Park. The acquisition lies in an area where MDLT is helping preserve the border of the National Park.”

The press release went on to say: “The MDLT plans to eventually convey the land to Joshua Tree National Park. To date, MDLT has acquired 10,004 acres within JTNP, of which 80 percent has been conveyed over (to) the National Park Service. MDLT has donated more tracts of land to the NPS than any other nonprofit since 2006.”

Park Superintendent David Smith told the Independent that the land trust has been a strong friend significant recreational opportunities for park and partner to the park over the last decade. visitors.

“That land is down in the southern part The JTNP is enjoying yet another record year of the park in Riverside County, in the Little of visitor attendance, despite the government San Bernardino mountain range,” Smith said. shutdown that began on Dec. 22, 2018, and “It’s an isolated little pocket that did not have continued through Jan. 25, 2019. road access to it, but any inholding within the “I’ve never seen so many people climbing on park boundary holds the potential for (outside the rocks here as I have over this past year. It’s private) development.” a spectacular park for getting on the granite,” “Inholding” is a legal term for any private Smith said. “We’ve seen such a big jump in property that sits within the boundaries of a visitation over the last five years, going from national park.

1.3 million to 3 million visitors per year. That “Ever since the founding of the National Park was concerning to the management team here, Service back in 1916, the very first director but we’ve got some long-term plans in place to of the NPS determined that inholdings pose make sure that the infrastructure we have in the a significant threat to the parks,” Smith said. park can deal with that number of people.”

“Although it is highly unlikely that someone Major projects currently in the works include would put a house there, or do drilling there, a new visitors’ center in the southern portion the mere fact that it exists poses a potential of the park down at Cottonwood, for which threat to the sanctity of the park. That parcel construction should begin in 2021 or 2022; is in an area that’s all wilderness, so for a new entrance station in Joshua Tree, which someone to potentially develop that area using will create four entrance points to increase mechanized tools and machinery would violate the flow of traffic going into the park; and the whole spirit of the Wilderness Act. For the major infrastructure fixes up at the Black Rock park to acquire a plot like that helps protect Campground, which, Smith told us, will involve the wilderness, and it’s within the long-term improved access to the Samuelson’s Rocks. mission of the NPS to acquire in-holdings “Samuelson’s was one of the properties that (whenever possible).”

MDLT had acquired for the national park,” he National parks generally consider acquiring stated. “I think they got it a couple of years ago. land parcels when they’re part of a wildlife This was an historic site in the middle of the corridor that would help protect animals that park that was an inholding. It’s a significant are migrating; inholdings inside a park that location of rock art. Well, I guess rock art might someone might develop; or places that have be a bit of a stretch; it (features) prophetic sayings that were inscribed on the rocks about 100 years ago by (John) Samuelson, who was kind of a socialist/pioneer/desert rat. We’re planning on building a visitor plaza that can help guide visitors out there, (and) provide much more parking at that location and a lot more interpretive waysides and exhibits. Hopefully, if somebody doesn’t make it into our main visitor center, they can stop off at the Samuelson’s trail head and get a good feel for why Joshua Tree is special and how to protect it.”

Established in 1994, JTNP should see the A photo of the land recently purchased by the actual conveyance of this new 40-acre plot Mojave Desert Land Trust, which sits inside Joshua completed within the next few years.

Tree National Park. Courtesy of the Mojave Desert Land Trust

The Mojave Desert Land Trust purchases 40 ‘stunning’ acres to add to Joshua Tree National Park

“First, we have to make sure that there are no hazardous materials on the site. Then, we have to make sure that the property belongs to MDLT and that there are no other existing claims to its ownership out there,” Smith said.

“Eventually, it has to be approved on up the chain (at the NPS). There is a law … that states the NPS has the authority to take in small chunks of property like this one, especially when it’s within the boundary of the park.

For bigger chunks of property, or ones that are not actually touching or within the park boundaries, we actually have to get a law passed to make it part of the park. But this case is an administrative action, which is a lot easier than passing a public law.”

In the meantime, all park visitors have access to the newly purchased area—if they’re determined enough to trek out to the isolated area, which offers amazing and pristine views.

“MDLT manages their properties as if they are national park properties, so it’s open to visitors now,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t recommend hiking out there right now, because

it’s hotter than Hades. But I would say: Come back in the fall or early winter. I love that chunk of the park. It’s very seldom visited by anyone, and it does have some stunning views of the Coachella Valley, looking down toward the Salton Sea (in the east) and all the way up towards San Jacinto (in the west). It’s just a stunning chunk of property.”

Finally, the Independent asked Smith if— even as the park he oversees welcomes new land acquisitions such as this one—he worries about the possibility that the current federal administration, or future ones, might lead the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C., to sell off or otherwise harm Joshua Tree National Park.

“The current laws that exist, like the Organic Act of the National Park Service and others, protect these places for posterity,” Smith said.

“That’s the whole intent. So these places are going to be around forever. Regardless of the administration, throughout the history of this agency, every single administration has honored and supported that, and helped protect it.”

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NEWS

CANDIDATE Q&A O

We talk with Palm Springs City Council District 1 candidates Les Young, Scott Myer and Grace Garner

by kevin fitzgerald

n Tuesday, Nov. 5, Palm Springs residents living in the newly drawn Districts 1, 2 and 3 will head to the polls to elect three City Council members.

These elections are the first step in the city’s transition from at-large to district-based representation, to comply with the California Voting Rights Act. The changeover will be complete after the November 2020 election of council members in Districts 4 and 5. (To see the newly drawn districts, visit www.palmspringsca.gov/government/city-clerk/election-general-municipal-election.)

Another change: The city will no longer have a directly elected mayor; instead, Palm Springs will join most other valley cities in designating a councilmember as mayor for a year on a rotating basis.

The Independent recently reached out to the four candidates running for the new District 1 seat. of that solution seems to be (happening) in the Grace Garner, Les Young and Scott Myer all east valley, and we need to bring that solution spoke with us at length; Michael Shogren did into the west valley. It’s pretty imperative that not get back to us after repeated attempts to we do something within those confines. It’s not reach him by both phone and email. easy for a homeless person to get transported Here are their answers to four of the over to that area in the east. questions we asked, presented in the order in I’ve been assigned to the homeless task which the candidates will appear on the ballot. force, because I sit as a commissioner on the To read the complete answers to all 10 of our Parks and Recreation (Commission). Since questions, visit CVIndependent.com. Also, homelessness very much impacts our parks, watch CVIndependent.com for interviews with for the last 2 1/2 to 3 years, I’ve sat on that the candidates in District 2 and District 3. committee. One of the things that I think we Les Young, Retired Banker, 68 do very effectively is (address) what I consider What do you believe is the single most to be low-hanging fruit. We have people who important and immediate issue facing the are near homeless or just borderline homeless, city of Palm Springs? and we have plenty of services, not just within I would say that’s homelessness. I think the the city, but services like Mizell (Senior Center) City Council has done a remarkable job in and Jewish Family Services who do assist people moving the needle on homelessness. I think with things like fixing a broken air conditioner that moving to the “housing first” model is an to help avoid their becoming homeless. Then absolute requirement. I think it’s been proven there’s the next third, people who have been time and again throughout the country, and so homeless for a while, but who would do I think that migrating in that direction has been anything to be facilitated within housing. They very beneficial. Unfortunately right now, most are very much interested in making that move.

Palm Springs City Council District 1 candidates Les Young, Scott Myer and Grace Garner.

… The last third, which I don’t feel that we’ve been particularly successful (in aiding), are people who are using drugs, or are mentally incapacitated. … We need to focus more on the last third.

today is Michael’s and my 28th anniversary, and 11th wedding anniversary, so we’re going to have dinner at Spencer’s, which is a place that we very much enjoy.

Homelessness was the topic of our second planned question; would you like to talk about your next-most-important issue?

It’s affordable housing. You know, homelessness and affordable housing are sometimes interchangeable, and sometimes they are one and the same thing. As for affordable housing here, we are sorely behind in developing apartment living at a reasonable cost. But I’d like us to look at sweat-equity development of purchasable homes. I’d like to see a young family be able to put in some sweat equity, and also a reasonable amount of money, and be able to get a mortgage and create the American dream, which is to have a home you own and can build equity in. If you live in it for 10 to 15 years, I don’t feel that it should be sold at a less than market rate because you got it as an affordable house. That’s part of the American dream.

What do you believe is the single most important and immediate issue facing the city of Palm Springs?

I think that the current City Council is not really listening to the people at many times. When I was going out and talking to people while collecting nominating signatures, I found they don’t think they’re being listened to. In that regard, I think that the creation of five districts, whether or not you agree with the reasons it was done, is a good idea, because it will bring the people closer to their representatives. So, in that respect, I think the issue has already been solved by the fact that they broke (the city) into five districts.

Is the city of Palm Springs ready for an economic recession?

I don’t think any city can be ready for (a recession). But if there’s a city that’s prepped for it, Palm Springs has done a remarkable job.

Again, our City Council has set things up very effectively. Now, personally, I think that there are some areas where we have not done the work we need to do relative to the infrastructure of this city. I’m somebody who is a bit worried about our buildings and whether or not they can survive another 10 to 20 years without investment.

What’s your idea of the perfect night out in Palm Springs?

I love walking the entire length of the city.

You know, it’s not New York City, and it’s not Chicago, but it has its own charm. Actually, CVIndependent.com

Scott Myer, Civil Rights Attorney, 58

What grade would you give the city of Palm Springs regarding its response to date to the homelessness problem? What has the city done well, and what future actions and policies would you support?

Do you want a letter grade? I don’t think much has been done, but one thing that’s been done and seems to be helpful is the (opening of the overnight) cooling stations during the first week when it was 120+ degrees (during the day). That was very helpful, but Palm Springs isn’t the only city (with this challenge). Homelessness seems to be out of control, and I don’t know why that’s happened over the last two decades. But I sort of give everyone a failing grade—not just in Palm Springs, but everywhere. It seems there’s something wrong with what’s going on, because every couple of years, there are more homeless people than there were before. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some things that they are doing right (in Palm Springs).

I think there should be more cooperation with charities to try to help the people get

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OCTOBER 2019

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS back on their feet and give them some sense of well-being (and) some clothes, and help get them where they can go out and try to get jobs, and give them some (feeling of) self-worth. I think that charities might be able to help a lot in that regard. I do think the cooling stations have been very helpful. But it’s a tough issue, because Palm Springs is by no means the only city suffering from that problem, and it seems to be happening not only in small cities, but large cities as well. I don’t think there’s an easy answer to it, but I think it’s something that we’ve got to try and solve.

Is the city of Palm Springs ready for an economic recession?

Possibly not, and it seems to me that some of the elements are saying that they’re still recovering from the last recession, like the police and fire departments that are just getting back to their pre-recession levels of staffing. So if they get hit with another recession, say, next year, I don’t think the city would probably be ready for it. We have to try to make sure that our tourism-dependent economy keeps having enough tourists coming here. I think we need to try to expand the base of tourists who come here, so it’s not just people from California and the United States, but try to get people to come from international (locations) as well. The more (worldwide travelers) you have out there, the less likely it is that, if the United States is hit with a recession, there would be a large impact (on the local economy), because there would still be tourist money coming here. One idea I’ve had to increase international tourism, is to develop “sister city” relationships.

What do you believe is the single most important and immediate issue facing the city of Palm Springs?

It’s affordable housing. Right now, we have a housing deficit in Southern California and in Palm Springs. Housing prices are extremely high in relation to the average earned income, so I believe that we have to get ahead of this and make sure that not only renting is affordable, but also that purchasing a home is more affordable.

Any thoughts on how you might approach that challenge?

We’re seeing a lot more development in the area, and one thing we could do as a city is require that developers (build) a certain percentage of homes at more affordable price points. We could conduct an exit study on housing and determine exactly what percentage

What’s your idea of the perfect night out in Palm Springs?

Oh wow! That’s fun. I think … I would probably start downtown. I’ve been really liking El Patron, which is a new taco place. It’s really good and affordable, so I’d probably start there and then make my way either over to Seymour’s or to the Parker’s wine bar, Counter Reformation.

Grace Garner, Attorney, 33

THE #1 CHOICE COMFORT AIR

What grade would you give the city of Palm Springs regarding its response to date to the homelessness problem? What has the city done well, and what future actions and policies would you support?

I would give the city an A. I think they’re doing a great job of moving this issue forward.

Councilmembers (Christy) Holstege and (Geoff) Kors have been working really diligently on this along with the other members. I think that they’re on the right track and doing what needs to be done. It’s a hard issue. It’s not something that we can solve immediately, and it’s something that a lot of people have different views on and disagree on. That makes it difficult, but I think that they are doing what they need to do in order to move forward.

One of the things that I think would be great is to continue the work with the entire valley. You know, this isn’t just an issue in Palm Springs. It’s an issue for all of us in the Coachella Valley and Riverside County. I think it was great that the city reached out to the county and said, “Hey we need you, and you have to be an active partner in this.” I think more of that understanding between Coachella Valley and the county will help us move ahead. Obviously, it’s a huge issue, and there are things I don’t know about what has been tried, and I’d like to know more first before I recommend what needs to be done.

Is the city of Palm Springs ready for an economic recession?

I think the city has been doing a good job of making sure that there is funding in case something like that should happen. I know it’s been discussed during the last few budget processes, and I think that’s something we have to keep in mind even when times are good, because you just don’t know when something could change, and we’d need that additional funding. I would support being mindful of our planning and making sure that we’re repairing things before they are broken. For instance, I know that the bathrooms in our parks need to be updated, and it’s become a big concern, because some of them are often out of order. Things like that, we need to keep ahead of, so that we’re not wasting money by having to replace things completely instead of maintaining and repairing things as needed.

What’s your idea of the perfect night out in Palm Springs?

Go to Las Casuelas, the Mexican restaurant, for a margarita, an enchilada and chips with salsa.

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NEWS A HEALTHIER COACHELLA VALLEY by kevin fitzgerald

T

he last few years have been quite transformative for the Desert Healthcare District (DHCD).

First, there was the need to change the board of directors election process from an at-large standard to a district-based approach, to comply with the California Voting Rights Act. As that process moved ahead, voters in the eastern Coachella Valley last November approved the district’s expansion beyond its antiquated Cook Street boundary, creating the potential for improved health-care access and services in the eastern valley—while necessitating that the district figure out how to fully fund services in the expanded district. That voter edict resulted in the launch of yet another rezoning process, which is currently under way.

Through these administrative and organizational challenges, the DHCD has continued to provide support to local health-care providers and community-service programs, addressing Since coming to the U.S., he has held needs such as homelessness, public health and positions as a senior program officer for First 5 behavioral health.

LA (2008-2012) and vice president for Planned It was against this backdrop on July 31 Parenthood Los Angeles (2006-2008), among that the DHCD welcomed its new CEO, other work in health education and public Dr. Conrado Barzaga. He brings some 20 health. Most recently, he spent more than years of experience ranging from healthseven years as president and CEO of the Center care management and fund development to for Oral Health, where he was instrumental public-health and public-policy work. After in expanding programs to under-served completing his education as a physician and communities. working in his native Cuba, Dr. Barzaga’s During a recent phone interview, Dr. career path took him to Argentina, Bolivia and Barzaga talked about the challenges and the United States.

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responsibilities facing the district.

“I believe that addressing health-care needs requires information, intervention and ideas from different sectors,” he said. “Of course, we need the ideas of those who are the recipients of health-care services, but we also need to understand and listen to the providers of health-care services. So we will inform our work by working with all the sectors of our society that are engaged in health care in one way or another, from the recipients, to the providers, and to the systems.”

Barzaga spoke about the value of data aggregation and analysis in identifying and understanding the health-care needs and desires of the valley’s residents.

“I want to engage our community (in order) to listen and to learn,” he said. “Our board is elected by the people, and therefore, it must respond to the people. They will tell us what they perceive to be their priorities. From a data-gathering perspective, it is important that we gather as many indicators as we can.

There are different sources (from which) we can get that data, including California’s Department of Health Care Services and the federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services—you name it. But it is the community’s participation which is going to provide the best intelligence and the best approach to addressing the needs of the district.”

Barzaga addressed the expansion of the district into the eastern Coachella Valley— including some of the area’s most under-served communities.

“We need to understand how the health inequities manifest in the health disparities in the district,” he said. “We need to quantify and qualify those disparities. That will help the district understand where it can have a more profound impact, what the best approach will be, and how the limited resources that we manage can have the best outcome and the best return on the public-dollar investments in the district.” Barzaga wants to utilize surveys, town-hall meetings, focus groups and individual interviews to, in his words, “distill and construct a cohesive long-term approach to how we’re going to foster a healthy one Coachella Valley 2030/2040/2050 (strategic plan).”

Lightheartedly, he added, “I’m in it for the long run.”

The Independent asked Dr. Barzaga how he views the collaborative effort involving the DHCD, the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) and the office of

An interview with Dr. Conrado Barzaga, the new CEO of the Desert Healthcare District

Dr. Conrado Barzaga.

Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez to address the homelessness situation in a number of our desert’s cities.

“Homelessness has important publichealth implications,” he said. “At the same time, it’s a very complex issue that requires a collaborative approach to have a collective impact. Thus far, the district-commissioned report (on homelessness in our region) has been the framework for how the community can approach the issues of homelessness in the Coachella Valley.”

The district has committed $3 million to go toward addressing homelessness in the Coachella Valley.

“There was a request for proposals released very recently to invite different providers in the community to come up with ideas and plans on how to help solve the challenge of homelessness in the Coachella Valley,” Barzaga said. “I think the district has been active and has been a significant force in catalyzing and providing resources to our community partners to address homelessness.”

We asked Barzaga if he had a message that he wanted to communicate through this interview—his first since assuming the new position.

“Rezoning is another topic which is now a priority for the district,” Dr. Barzaga said. “So far, we have had (three) public hearings this year, and we have (one) more coming up, and like the municipalities that have gone through the rezoning process, our aim is to have a board that reflects the various communities in the Coachella Valley. So we are really encouraging the public to come out and help us.”

The next hearings will be held during the district’s board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

To view the initial set of proposed maps, visit www.dhcd.org/zoning.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 11

OCTOBER 2019

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THERE’S NOTHING NATURAL ABOUT AGING

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

We hear people who come to our aesthe�c prac�ce say: “I just want to age naturally.” But when I inquire about what their true goals are, here are what some of their “secret messages” are really telling me: Aging Naturally Secret No. 1: “I want to feel more confident within myself.” When I understand what is sabotaging their confidence, a treatment plan quickly emerges. Each pa�ent’s confidence usually increases greatly during their first treatment!

Aging Naturally Secret No. 2: “I want to look like myself, only be�er.” They know they don’t look like they did 10 to 20 years ago.

What they don’t realize is they might look more �red or angrier than they’re feeling. Modern medical aesthe�cs technology offers so many solu�ons. O�en, a neuromodulator with some dermal filler will help you look more closely like the way you really feel.

Aging Naturally Secret No. 3: “I don’t want to have plas�c surgery.”

What they really mean is they want to look genuine and authen�c.

They don’t want to end up like Joan Rivers or Kenny Rogers. Non-surgical aesthe�c medical treatments can accomplish “authen�city,” and micro-surgical solu�ons can o�en provide the greatest value.

Pa�ents usually think a surgical op�on is twice as expensive as the actual cost, and that recovery �mes are 4 to 6 �mes longer than they really take. An example of these beliefs is an upper bleph micro-surgery, which li�s droopy, heavy eyelids and brings people’s eyes back to prominence. A blepharoplasty’s recovery �me is usually only 4 to 7 days and costs about $4,000—and the results can last 10-30 years!

“Aging naturally” to most people really means regaining confidence, feeling genuine and authen�c, and looking more like their best selves.

Next month, I’ll share more secrets about natural aging.

Contact me at Revive if you Chris�e Brinkley at 65 is “aging naturally” … with a lot of help from aesthe�c medical providers, hair have any addi�onal ques�ons. stylists, makeup ar�sts, wardrobe consultants, I hope to hear from you soon. personal trainers and nutri�onal consultants.

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

333 N Palm Canyon Dr, Suite 112-A, Palm Springs, CA 92262

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12 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER 2019

NEWS

CURBING RENT GOUGING M

by matt levin, calmatters

illions of California renters are about to receive some of the nation’s strongest protections against rent hikes and evictions—and the primary advocacy group for California landlords is OK with that.

State legislators have passed AB 1482, a bill from Assemblyman David Chiu, a Democrat from San Francisco, which limits annual rent increases to 5 percent plus the rate of inflation (typically 2-3 percent). Modeled after a first-in-the-nation Oregon measure adopted earlier this year, the bill also requires landlords to provide a “just cause” for evicting tenants and, in some circumstances, pay for tenants to relocate.

“We do not have time for those suffering in our streets,” Chiu said after the bill’s final passage. “We do not have time for those (who are) one rent increase away from eviction and currently impose some form of traditional homelessness.” rent control on apartments, with the legally Gov. Gavin Newsom lobbied fiercely for the allowable rent increase hovering between 1 bill, arguing that the measure is necessary and 4 percent. Chiu’s bill also does nothing to combat the state’s twin gentrification and to prevent landlords from raising rents when homelessness epidemics. Half of all California a tenant leaves, a provision called “vacancy renters—more than 3 million households— control” that is often associated with how rent spend more than 30 percent of their income control worked decades ago in places like Santa on rent, meeting the federal government’s Monica and Berkeley. definition of “rent-burdened.”

“Words matter. This is not rent control. This “These anti-gouging and eviction is an anti-rent-gouging bill,” said Assemblyman protections will help families afford to keep Rob Bonta, Democrat from Alameda, a a roof over their heads, and they will provide co-author of the bill.

California with important new tools to combat So how many renters will the new California our state’s broader housing and affordability law actually help? crisis,” Newsom said in a statement.

While landlords have access to proprietary Here are some takeaways from the most data that can better answer that question, ambitious renter-protection bill the state has publicly available data can’t. A UC Berkeley passed in recent memory. study of 10 gentrifying California communities found that over a five-year period, the average The new measure would curb extreme yearly rent increase exceeded 10 percent rent hikes, and it’s stronger than what about once every three years. An analysis by Oregon passed. But it’s not conventional the real estate data company Zillow, working rent control. with admittedly incomplete data, found that Oregon made national headlines when it about 7 percent of California renters would became the first state in the country to have benefited from Chiu’s cap in 2018. While pass a statewide measure capping how a minority of California renters will enjoy much landlords could increase rents. Often real savings from the new law, those who do characterized as rent control by the national benefit are very likely to be low-income and press, the Oregon law limited yearly rent thus most vulnerable to rent hikes. increases to 7 percent plus inflation.

Mike Wilkerson, an economist with Although Chiu’s bill imposes a tighter ECONorthwest, which analyzed the Oregon cap—5 percent plus inflation—the plan with proprietary landlord data, said the assemblyman has been very careful to frame the measure as “anti-rent-gouging,” as opposed majority of major rent increases in Oregon are occurring in lower-cost units. He suspects the to typical rent control. Fifteen California cities

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Here’s what you need to know about California’s new cap on rent increases

same is true of California.

“Really, what this is doing is protecting lower-rent units, where we’re consistently seeing rents going up,” Wilkerson said shortly after the California bill was introduced. “And the benefit is preserving more units to be naturally affordable.”

Some opponents of the California legislation argue that the measure could backfire: Landlords, they say, may treat the rent cap not so much as a limit on what they can charge but as a benchmark for what they should charge— especially if they fear future unanticipated costs or having to take a tenant to eviction court.

“The large property owners can build this cost into their business because they have a lawyer on payroll,” said Sid Lakireddy, president of the California Rental Housing Association, an advocacy group for smaller landlords. “That’s not the case for mom and pop (landlords) throughout the state.”

Although the rent cap has received most of the attention, the eviction protections are arguably more controversial. And a “third rail” of California housing policy gets very lightly touched.

In most parts of California, landlords can evict a tenant without stating an explicit reason why they don’t want that renter in the property anymore.

When Gov. Gavin Newsom said in August he wanted to strengthen the rent-cap bill, he mostly meant he wanted to see “just-cause” eviction protections included. Assuming Newsom signs the bill, California landlords will have to list one of several specific reasons why they want a tenant out, such as dealing drugs from an apartment or failure to pay rent on time. Landlords who want to convert a unit into a condo or move a family member in will have to fork over one month’s rent to the displaced tenant for relocation assistance.

Marcos Segura, an eviction defense lawyer with the nonprofit Central California Legal Services, said a relatively small minority of his clients in the Central Valley are evicted without cause. Most of the time, landlords accuse them of not paying rent or otherwise breaking the lease.

But he says “just cause” protections could prove beneficial in preventing landlord retaliation. When landlords do evict tenants without cause, he says, it’s often because tenants have been complaining about shabby living conditions.

“If you take that option away from

Assemblyman David Chiu is congratulated by his colleagues following the passage of AB 1482. Anne Wernikoff/CalMatters

landlords, where they can serve no-cause eviction notices, in those cases, it would make all the difference in the world,” Segura said.

To compromise with landlords and developers, Chiu exempted an increasingly popular swath of California rental housing from his rent cap: single-family homes. While single-family homes owned by investment firms would be subject to the new measure, those owned by “mom and pop” landlords— the vast majority of the single-family-home rental market—would be exempted.

Even with that carve-out, Chiu’s bill represents the largest expansion of renter protections in recent California history, applying to 8 million renters, according to estimates from the lawmaker’s office.

Many of the renters live in cities that already have local controls but aren’t eligible for it. A state law passed in 1995, colloquially known as “Costa-Hawkins,” bans cities from expanding rent control to units built after 1995 and in some cities limits control to units built well before then. In Los Angeles, for example, rent control can apply only to units built before 1978.

Chiu’s bill would apply to all eligible California rental units built at least 15 years ago, meaning units built as recently as 2005 would be subject to rent caps.

That would be a major shift in California housing policy. Costa-Hawkins has been considered a “third rail” for the California Legislature for decades. While AB 1482 doesn’t actually touch the language of the 1995 law— cities would still be banned from expanding tighter rent limits on newer properties— millions of new housing units would be subject to a legal limit on rent increases.

CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 13

OCTOBER 2019

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OCTOBER 2019

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

OCTOBER ASTRONOMY

The moon zooms by four planets Planets and Bright Stars in Eveningevenings—and Mid-Twilight dulls during October For October, 2019 peak of the Orionid This sky chartthe is drawn for latitude 34 degrees north, meteor shower but may be used in southern U.S. and northern Mexico.

A

s October both begins and ends, the moon will be sweeping through an evening lineup of four planets.

On October evenings, bright Jupiter is in the south-southwest to southwest at dusk, with Saturn to its left in the south to south-southwest; both remain outstanding for telescopic viewing, Jupiter with its cloud belts and four bright moons, and Saturn with its rings now tipped 25 degrees from edgewise. These giant planets appear 26 degrees apart on the sky’s dome on Oct. 1, narrowing to 22 degrees apart by Oct. 31. Follow their eastward motions against background stars, until the seasonal westward drift of the constellations drags both slow-moving planets to the southwest horizon before year’s end. Note reddish twinkling Antares, heart of Scorpius, 10 to 14 degrees to the lower right of Jupiter during October. from western horizon to eastern horizon, Watch Jupiter pass 2.1 degrees north of a thirdpassing four planets along the way. In the first magnitude star on Oct. 22. five evenings its next time around, Oct. 29-Nov. Look early in the evening twilight to catch 2, the moon will pass the same four planets.

Venus; binoculars are indispensable for nearby Other bright stellar markers not in the Mercury. From the Coachella Valley, Venus zodiac are Fomalhaut, mouth of the Southern sets only 37 minutes after sunset on Oct. 1, Fish, climbing in the southeast, and golden improving to 64 minutes by month’s end.

Arcturus, the “Bear-watcher” star, sinking in Mercury, near magnitude 0 almost all month, the west to west-northwest. sets a maximum of 60 minutes after the sun

By Oct. 16, moonrise is late enough to allow Oct. 18-24; reaches greatest elongation, 25 at least a brief interval of dark skies unaffected degrees to the upper left of the sun on the by moonlight. This “window” of darkness 19th; and appears highest in twilight for a few lasts longer each evening as the moon rises days around then. But this is the year’s poorest later. If you’re in a dark place, enjoy the Milky evening apparition of Mercury, because the Way passing through the Summer Triangle of zodiac belt where the planets are found makes Vega, Altair and Deneb overhead, and the its shallowest angle with the evening horizon Andromeda Galaxy above the curved chain of when the southernmost zodiac constellation stars starting at one corner of the Great Square Sagittarius is in southern sky. Using binoculars, of Pegasus in the east. find Mercury to the upper left of Venus during Follow the moon at dawn from when it is full, the first three weeks—by 7 degrees Oct. 2-3; 8 low in the west on Oct. 13, through last quarter degrees Oct. 8-16; and back to 7 degrees Oct. (half full and 90 degrees west of the sun) on 20-21. On Oct. 23, Mercury is 6 degrees to the Oct. 21, to a thin crescent, low and south of upper left of Venus. Next, Mercury passes left east, on Oct. 26. The brightest star in October’s of Venus, by 5.2 degrees on Oct. 25, and 4.6 morning twilight is Sirius, in the southern sky, degrees on Oct. 26. Then Mercury appears to as dawn brightens. Confirm by noting that the Venus’ lower left, by 4 degrees on the 27th, and three-star belt of Orion, with stars bluish Rigel 3.4 degrees on the 28th. On Oct. 30, Mercury marking his foot and reddish Betelgeuse his passes within 2.6 degrees south of Venus, but shoulder, points directly to Sirius. Extend the has begun its rapid fade. belt in the opposite direction, and you’ll pass Follow the moon at dusk through Oct. 13, near Aldebaran, eye of Taurus the Bull, and and again Oct. 27-Nov. 12. On Oct. 3, find farther to the Pleiades or Seven Sisters star bright Jupiter within 3 degrees to the lower cluster, a wonderful target for binoculars. right of the moon. On Oct. 4, the fat (44 Four days after it’s full and low in the west percent) crescent moon is 15 degrees to the on Oct. 13, the moon is within 6 degrees to upper left of Jupiter and 10 degrees to the the lower right of Aldebaran on Oct. 17. For lower right of Saturn. On Oct. 5, the moon, 54 the next three mornings, Oct. 18-20, the percent full, is just past its first-quarter phase, waning gibbous moon moves through the huge when it’s half full and 90 degrees—a quarter of Winter Hexagon. Next, on Oct. 21, the lastthe way around the sky—from the sun. quarter moon, half full, is 7 degrees southeast On Oct. 13, watch the full moon rise some of Pollux, and in line with the “Twin” stars, 20-25 minutes after sunset, just north of due Castor and Pollux of Gemini. Our Spaceship east. As you looked daily in evening twilight Earth is heading in the direction of the half-lit through Oct. 13, the moon took two weeks to moon in our orbit around the sun. If the moon travel through a half-dozen zodiac constellations, stood still, it would take us only about 3 1/2 CVIndependent.com

N

By Robert Victor

October's evening sky chart.

ROBERT D. MILLER

Capella

Deneb Vega

Arcturus

E

W

Altair Mercury 1 15

Saturn 1 8 15 22 29 Fomalhaut

Evening mid-twilight occurs

hours to reach it.Sun is 9o below horizon. when 1: 39 minutes after sunset. meteor Our viewOct. of the peak of the Orionid 15: 39 " hours " " Oct. 22, is shower, in the predawn of 31: 41 " " " affected by moonlight. On Oct. 23, the crescent moon will pass 4 degrees north of Regulus, heart of Leo, the Lion. In just three more mornings, on Oct. 26, look for the last easy old crescent moon, 4 percent full, just south of east, with Mars 5 degrees to its lower right. The dim red planet is now at magnitude +1.8, as faint as it ever gets. In just less than a year, in October 2020, Mars will shine at magnitude -2.7, some 60 times brighter than now. At the end of October, Spica will be emerging out of the morning twilight glow, 7 degrees below Mars.

Notice the star Arcturus rising on the morning twilight chart at CVIndependent. com. Arcturus is equally visible low in the westnorthwest at dusk on Oct. 29 as it is in the eastnortheast at dawn on Oct. 30. At this time of year, Arcturus leads the stars and constellations

Jupiter 1 8 15 22 29

Venus 22 8 29 15 22 29 Mercury

Antares

S

Stereographic Projection

through the night, andMap brings up the

by Robert D. rear.

Miller Check the website of the Astronomical Society of the Desert at www.astrorx.org and come to our free evening star parties offered monthly at two locations. Our primary, more accessible venue is the Visitor Center of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, on Highway 74, within four miles south of Highway 111 in Palm Desert. Our next sessions there will be on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 7 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sawmill Trailhead, our high-altitude site (elevation 4,000 feet), will next host a session on Saturday, Oct. 26, starting at dusk.

Wishing you clear skies!

Robert C. Victor was a staff astronomer at Abrams Planetarium at Michigan State University. He is now retired and enjoys providing sky watching opportunities for a variety of groups in the Coachella Valley.

OCTOBER 2019

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 15

It

The Anti-Human-Trafficking Conference is important, Brenner said, because human was a rude awakening to examine the murky underworld of human trafficking while trafficking is not only a global problem—it takes place locally, too. working on this story about the Second Annual Anti-Human-Trafficking Conference, “Our goal is to bring awareness and knowledge about what’s going on in our own backyard,” sponsored by Coachella Valley Sexual Assault Services (CVSAS). The event will take place Brenner said. “We want people to be able to recognize what human trafficking is, and recognize Friday, Oct. 18, at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Rancho Mirage. the number of layers that human trafficking represents. Our theme this year is ‘Educate to According to a July piece at BusinessInsider.com: “The United States, along with Mexico and Eradicate.’ It’s so important that we educate to end it. … It’s going to take all of us. the Philippines, was ranked one of the world’s worst places for human trafficking in 2018. In “We work extremely hard to stage fundraisers to raise the money to keep this conference free the U.S., there is no official number of human-trafficking victims, but estimates place it in the of charge for the public. It’s really important to us to get as many people as possible to come and hundreds of thousands. … The most human-trafficking cases have been reported in California, get this information.”

Texas and Florida, but every state in the U.S. has reports of human trafficking. … More than Brenner said the conference will feature powerful presentations.

300,000 young people in the U.S. are considered ‘at risk’ of sexual exploitation.”

“One of our speakers represents an agency called Destiny Rescue that works with A large percentage of individuals who are trafficked wind up as sexual slaves— human trafficking in Cambodia and in the Los Angeles area,” she said. “They because selling sex so lucrative. A July article in USA Today noted: “Annual will be speaking about how human trafficking evolves and how people profits per victim were highest in developed countries, because get trapped in it. Another speaker will talk about the social impact traffickers can charge more for sex acts. The International Labour and advancement of human trafficking, as well as how active Organization estimates annual rates of around $80,000 per bystanders can make a difference. victim in developed countries. … In 2018, one in seven “We’ll have a session about social media and dating apps, reported runways was likely (to become) a victim of child talking about how people get involved (through those sex trafficking. … The U.S. State Department’s 2019 means) so easily in human trafficking. … Another of our Trafficking in Persons Report found the Department of speakers will be a deputy from the Riverside County Justice opened significantly fewer human-trafficking Sheriff’s Department Anti-Human-Trafficking Task investigations in 2018 compared to 2017, dropping Force, who will give a talk on ‘Human Trafficking from 783 to 657. It also reported significantly fewer 101’ and give us tips we need to know. prosecutions: 230, down from 282. Victims are still “Our keynote speaker this year is the executive arrested for crimes they were forced to commit by director of an agency named Saving Innocence. traffickers.”

He’s a very powerful speaker about human Against this disturbing backdrop, the The goal of Coachella Valley trafficking, the different layers of it and what it Independent spoke recently with Winette looks like, and what to do when you see it. We’ll Brenner, the program director at CVSAS. Sexual Assault Services’ also have Tika Thornton, who is a survivor of “Our goal is to provide supportive services Anti-Human-Trafficking human trafficking at a very young age in the L.A. regardless of your race or socioeconomic stance. area. Currently, she works for a sex-trafficking All of our services are free of charge,” Brenner Conference: letting people task force out of Long Beach. Lastly, a presenter said. “We have a 24/7 hotline, and we provide from Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Palm Desert will show individual counseling, advocacy accompaniment, know about the terrible things some self-defense (tactics) so that if you’re in a community resources and referral services. It’s (threatening) situation, you could use these tips to any help that you (the victim) need as far as we happening in our own backyard get yourself out of that situation.” can provide within our scope of (involvement in I asked Brenner for an example of how a local responding to) sexual assault, domestic violence or resident might unwittingly come in contact with a human trafficking. That’s what we’re here for—and we’re human-trafficking victim. here for the victim and the significant other and the family “When you see a child in front of a bank selling candy, as members, because when a crime is committed, it doesn’t only innocent as that seems,” she said. “If you speak to that child, you happen to the victim; it affects the whole family as a unit.” may find out that, even though they are in the La Quinta area, they Sexual-assault victims who contact CVSAS either at the La are from Rancho Cucamonga or San Bernardino. If you ask questions Quinta office or via the around-the-clock hotline (800-656-4673) like, ‘Where are your parents? Why are you out here by yourself?’ they are provided with an advocate to accompany them to Eisenhower Medical totally scramble to come up with answers, because they’ve also been groomed. You Center to meet with members of a Sexual Assault Response Team, including a can be guaranteed that somewhere in the parking lot, there’s someone watching that child, and forensic nurse (who would perform an exam and gather evidence of the assault) and a member if you talk for too long, that’s a red flag, and they’re going to run.” of local law enforcement.

Brenner said human trafficking is an issue that affects the entire community.

Brenner said that in July, 18 victims sought CVSAS support; in August, 14 victims did. Those “We have the border right here,” she said. “Straight down Interstate 10, you have all of these numbers are higher than average—but far from unusual. truck stops and places where kids can be taken. So we just want parents to be aware and gain “The number of victims each month can vary from a low of around seven to a high of around more knowledge—and it’s not going to cost you anything except a little bit of time.”

16 to 18,” Brenner said. “The fall and winter months tend to be less active, but from March through September, the numbers go higher.”

The Second Annual Anti-Human Trafficking Conference, sponsored by Coachella Valley Sexual Assault CVSAS also offers one-on-one and group counseling, and visits schools with presentations Services, takes place at 8 a.m., Friday, Oct. 18, at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort and Spa, 71333 on prevention, intervention, how to recognize healthy/unhealthy relationships, and red-flag Dinah Shore Drive, in Rancho Mirage. Admission is free. To reserve a spot, call 760-568-9071, or visit warning signs of abusive behaviors. www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-anti-human-trafficking-conference-tickets-71752641081. Seating “The presentations are for all school ages, and can include parents, because it’s important for is limited, but if space is available on the day of the conference, walk-up guests will be accommodated. parents to know the signs of their child being in trouble,” Brenner said.

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16 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

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OCTOBER 2019

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 17

OCTOBER 2019

CVI SPOTLIGHT: OCTOBER 2019 Overcoming Indoctrination: Cathy Schenkelberg Explains How Scientology Almost Ruined Her

C

athy Schenkelberg is coming to the valley to perform her renowned one-woman show, Squeeze My Cans: Surviving Scientology, for one reason: Scott Smith.

“He’s been my friend since (we both lived in) Chicago,” Schenkelberg said during a recent phone interview. “We did Hair together, the Midwest tour. He was Berger, and I was Crissy. Scott is gay, and he knew that I loved him. I was like, ‘Oh, why are you gay? I want you to be my lover.’ We made a pact that if either of us reached a certain age, and neither of us had kids, we would have a child together. I remember when I got pregnant with my daughter, I said, ‘Well, too late.

I’m pregnant.’”

Scott Smith, a beloved local performer who was on the board of Dezart Performs, died suddenly last year, after suffering a heart attack. He was 61 years old.

“I was literally getting on a plane to Ireland; it was March 1, 2018,” Schenkelberg said. “I got a call from Michael (Shaw, Dezart Performs’ artistic director). That loss was so great to me, because I had never lost anybody close to me, aside from family members. When I flew back from Ireland to be at his service, I said to Michael Shaw, ‘If you get together some kind of scholarship fund, I will make sure that I come and perform for you.’”

Schenkelberg will perform Squeeze My Cans on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 7 and 8, at the Desert Rose Playhouse.

The proceeds will go to Dezart Performs and the Scott Smith Scholarship Fund.

The show tells the true story of how, in Schenkelberg’s words, a girl from a large Catholic family in Nebraska wound up having her life nearly destroyed by spending 14 years as a Scientologist. Oh, yeah, it also discusses that one time she auditioned to be Tom Cruise’s girlfriend.

“It’s a roller coaster ride,” Schenkelberg said. “I take you down the rabbit hole of Scientology, but I also do it with humor, because how else is there to get past this loss of almost two decades and a million dollars, than being able to laugh at yourself? It was like being in a job for 18 years that you hated, or being in an abusive relationship, and going, ‘How do I get out of this thing?’ I find humor in loss.”

It all started when Schenkelberg met a Scientologist while she was in her early 20s.

“I was a successful actress in Chicago,” she said. “I did a

Cathy Schenkelberg

lot of voice-over work, and I was the first female clown at The Bozo Show. I had a steady income, but I felt like I wasn’t contributing. So when I found Scientology, it was the right thing for me. Someone mentioned to me this morning: ‘You know, you wouldn’t have been in this for 18 years if there wasn’t something good about it.’”

At first, Schenkelberg said, Scientology made her feel special. “They love-bomb you,” she said. But as

Schenkelberg’s career and income grew, the church took notice.

“On every step through the Scientology Bridge to Total Freedom, it’s called, I went to a higher level, and in this process, each level costs you more money, until (you reach) the point where you’re in ‘dianetic clear’—you’re clear of your reactive mind,” she said. “It’s an indoctrination, but it slow-burns. … I got to the point where I was afraid to lose (Scientology), because I thought I would die, or something bad would happen to me, or I would lose my friends, and my agent, and my doctor. All the people I was connected to, suddenly, were Scientologists. They isolate you in that way, but it was very slow. … If they’d have introduced the aliens early on, I probably would’ve been out of there in two seconds.”

Schenkelberg finally decided to make a break with Scientology for two reasons: She was running out of money, and the church started to come after her daughter.

“People who see the show will see, in 75 minutes, how someone can be indoctrinated,” she said. “Keep in mind (that when I started in Scientology in the 1990s), I didn’t have Google; I didn’t have the internet, and once you’re in the church, you can’t look at the internet.”

Schenkelberg said that although the show is about her experience in Scientology, its themes are universal.

“Each time I perform, I realize that this isn’t just about Scientology. It’s about anything anyone is afraid to leave,” she said.

I had to ask: What’s the story behind the name of the show?

“I was having a drink in L.A. with my agent. I said, ‘Eric I need a name for my show.’ And he says, ‘Squeeze My Cans.’ He used to always mock me when I was auditing … where you use the e-meter, which is like a lie detector, and connected to the e-meter are two metal cans. So it’s a play on words,” she said with a laugh.

Squeeze My Cans: Surviving Scientology will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 7 and 8, at the Desert Rose Playhouse, 69620 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage. Admission is $30. For tickets or more information, call 760-322-0179, or visit www.dezartperforms.org.

—Jimmy Boegle

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BACK TO THE 1960s!

By david kenniston

N

o annual event is more beloved—and as specific to Palm Springs—as Modernism Week.

The February program, a celebration of the city’s history as a playground and showcase for midcentury modern architecture and design, has long since expanded beyond a week. It actually stirs a few months early, in the form of the Modernism Week Fall Preview, which grows more and more as the years go by.

This year’s Modernism Week Fall Preview art. On Sunday, Oct. 20, one short block of will take place Thursday through Sunday, Oct. homes in the famed Canyon View Estates, 17-20, with 50 events taking place over those all designed by William Krisel, will be four days—and some of those events are transformed into a period replica outside already sold out. and in, complete with antique cars in the “Most of the events in October are smaller driveways and costumed extras. The idea versions of what you’ll see in February,” said came about when Dolle—a graphic designer Tom Dolle, creative director for Destination by trade and a classic-car lover by nature— PSP, which “produces unique, originally considered how best to give back to the city designed merchandise.” Dolle is the creative he loves. He looked at the cul-de-sac where mind behind the Modernism Week Fall he resides, which includes eight identical Preview’s immersive, Instagram-friendly Culhouses, as well as a condo complex. He was de-Sac Experience, now in its third year. once tasked with hosting a friend’s classic car, The Cul-de-Sac Experience is a compelling which, for space reasons, he decided to park hybrid of exhibit, home tour and performance in his part-time neighbor’s driveway.

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Modernism Week’s Fall Preview includes more than 50 ways to celebrate Palm Springs’ midcentury vibe

“It was one of those lightbulb moments,” Dolle said. “It was like stepping into a time capsule.”

This year, the dynamic scene will be set in 1966, two years after the famed Whisky a Go Go opened in Los Angeles, and Carol Doda started dancing topless at the Condor Club in San Francisco. In addition to this year’s selection of period cars (“perfectly curated, all convertibles,” Dolle said), organizers are bringing in a DJ and period go-go dancers to perform as visitors mill about, interacting with the houses and a bevy of models dressed in 1960s high fashion. Guests are welcome to dress to the theme, and photography is more than encouraged.

Included in the experience—tickets cost $75—are guided tours of the pool and garden areas, and a souvenir booklet complete with historical information, photos and vintage ads. There will even be a vintage ice cream cart.

“Everyone gets an ice cream—a Fudgesicle or a Creamsicle,” Dolle said.

The Cul-de-Sac Experience is one of the few Fall Preview events that isn’t replicated at the main February event.

“The Fall Preview is becoming much more important (in its own right), and sort of more lifestyle-oriented,” Dolle said, whereas the main event is “much more architecture- and design- and tour-oriented.”

Dolle added: “February really attracts people from all over the world. The fall event, because it’s a shorter time period, is traditionally more local.”

Of course, the Fall Preview will include Modernism Week staples like the doubledecker-bus architectural tours (some of which are already sold out). Also popular is the self-guided tour of Frank Sinatra’s former estate, the E. Stewart Williams-designed “Twin Palms Residence” in the Movie Colony neighborhood. It’s listed as a Class 1 historical site by the city of Palm Springs, and became listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2016. Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board members will be on hand to answer questions and provide informational handouts.

The mini-version of the Palm Springs Modernism Show and Sale will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20.

Those wanting to get a jump on shopping for vintage furniture, lighting, art, jewelry, rugs, fashion and more from 40 different exhibitors

The immersive Cul-de-Sac Experience transports attendees back to midcentury Palm Springs.

David A. Lee

can pay to attend a preview party on Friday night, Oct. 18.

Receiving special focus this fall is prolific local architect Hugh Kaptur, perhaps the last living heavyweight of Palm Springs midcentury modernism. Kaptur, 88, will be present at a free event from 10 a.m. to noon at the recently renovated Kaptur Plaza, and the subject of a free talk given by Palm Springs Preservation Foundation board member Steven Keylon at the Palm Springs Cultural Center at 11 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 20.

The new Cole Hotel, a thorough rehabilitation of the Kaptur-designed former Bahama Hotel, will hold a celebratory opening party at 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19; tickets are $55.

The events of the Fall Preview go beyond admiring buildings; for example, those 21 and older can enjoy learning—with a three-drink minimum!—as the bartenders at Mr. Lyons Steakhouse lead a Midcentury Mixology Cocktail Clinic on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19; the $62 cost includes the aforementioned three drinks.

Back to Cul-de-Sac A Go Go!: Dolle said he’s excited about creating a place where guests can “be really happy, and have a great time,” even if it is just for a couple of hours.

“It’s celebrating the concept of modernism,” Dolle said.

The Modernism Week Fall Preview, including more than 50 events, takes place Thursday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 20. For tickets and more information, including a complete schedule, visit www.modernismweek.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 19

OCTOBER 2019

ARTS

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IN PRAISE OF PLANTS

The 14th Annual Desert Garden Community Day celebrates the desert’s varied vegetation

N

By L.A. Rowell

ow that the scorching summer temperatures are (mostly) behind us for the year, it’s appropriate to think about doing things outside. Like, for example, gardening.

That means it’s a perfect time for the 14th Annual Desert Garden Community Day, taking place at the University of California, Riverside’s Palm Desert campus on Saturday, Oct. 26.

The annual event is a production of the Desert Horticultural Society of Coachella Valley, which got its start in 2005 at The Living Desert, thanks to a small group of locals who shared a love for the environment and its native plants. When the society was founded, there were only 30 members, but today, the nonprofit counts almost 500 members—and the free-to-all Annual Desert Garden Community Day is its biggest event, put on with help from UCR Palm Desert and the UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardner program.

“The focus this year will be on growing native plants and exactly how to have a successful experience,” said Tracy Merrigan, president of the Desert Horticultural Society. “There will be free classes, hands-on projects for kids and adults, and booths with environmental organizations including this year’s sponsor, the Desert Water Agency.”

Plant-health advisers will be on hand to answer questions and offer tips on how to plant vegetables and other vegetation that can thrive in the valley’s hot weather.

“You can have a lush, beautiful garden that is also irrigation-friendly to our dry environment,” Merrigan said. “The reason we are so heavily focused on desert plants this year is because last year, we received an abundance of inquiries asking how to plant flowering succulents and wildflowers. So we just bounced off that idea.”

While deserts in general are often viewed as barren, Merrigan said that is not necessarily the case.

“The one thing that has entranced me by the

desert is how lush (it can be),” Merrigan said.

“There are so many birds and lizards. You can interact with wildlife out here unlike any other place. You can get up close and see how magical it all is.”

The event will cover more than just plants and how to grow them; it’ll also include lessons on how to design gardens and landscapes themselves. Merrigan said it’s even possible to plant grass in the desert—and keep your conscience clear.

“Many of the desert plants have been hybridized from other species that have been planted,” Merrigan said. “They change; they are very adaptable. This class will show you that you don’t have to go completely native. You can still be water-friendly and environmentally friendly and have grass in the desert.”

To support ongoing education and help the future of horticulture, the Desert Horticultural Society for the last five years has awarded local scholarships to students attending the College of the Desert who are majoring in horticulture, landscaping or golf-course management. This year, two scholarships will be awarded during the Annual Desert Garden Community Day. Attendees can also enjoy food vendors, kids’ activities and a plant sale by UC Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners.

“It’s just a happy day,” Merrigan said. “Everyone has a smile on their faces. This year’s speakers and clinics will be fun and amazing.”

The 14th Annual Desert Garden Community Day will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at UCR Palm Desert, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, in Palm Desert. Admission is free. For more information, visit deserthorticulturalsociety.org.

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City of Palm Desert and The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation Present

Eighth Annual Family Fun Day

Rumpelstiltskin

City of Palm Desert Presents

The Palm Desert Choreography Festival

Sat, October 12 Performance: 3:00pm Food & Fun: 4:15pm

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OCTOBER 2019

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BEHIND THE BASH

“WHERE SESAME STREET MEETS THE EXORCIST”- The New Yorker

Party planner extraordinaire BB Ingle moves his Halloween event to The Show at Agua Caliente

B

By andy lara

B Ingle is, without a doubt, one of the Coachella Valley’s premiere partyplanners.

He’s been producing events locally for more than 35 years now, and one of his biggest events is his annual Halloween Bash. This year, he’s moved the event—taking place on Saturday, Oct. 26—to The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.

Why did he decide to move the event? The Show has the best lights and sound system in the Coachella Valley, Ingle told me during a recent interview. He added that seats will be removed to allow for the “ultimate dance party.”

“It’s like something you would see in Vegas,” he said.

What else makes for a good party?

“An enthusiastic host is crucial, since people get excited by who’s hosting the party,” Ingle said. “If you’re not in a good mood, you can’t get other people in a good mood. …

Entertainment, the dancing and the energy are important ingredients for a good party.”

Over the years, Ingle—honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year by the Coachella Valley Weekly at the CV Music Awards—has helped countless people meet each other … and sometimes even fall in love.

“That’s my No. 1 one claim to fame! I’m not exaggerating,” Ingle said. “I’ve had over 100 people who have met at the parties, got married, had kids—and it makes it really worthwhile to me to know I’ve changed someone’s life.”

Now that 35 years have gone by, he said, party-goers sometimes tell him: “My mom and dad told me to tell you hi.” Multiple generations from one family will often be present at his events, with the “parents over there listening to classic rock, and the kids will be listening to electronic music.”

Ingle said one of the reasons he’s been successful is that he doesn’t rest on his figurative laurels.

“You must always make the next party better than the last,” he said. “You can’t live on your past parties. You’re only as good as your last party.”

When asked what’s changed for him over the years, Ingle said only one thing is really different: the way in which events get promoted. Whether the year was 1987, 1999 or 2019, people have always wanted to party.

But before social media, Ingle said, he had

BB Ingle. Lani Garfield

to spend weeks on end promoting, making calls and passing out fliers across town. Even though that took a lot of time and energy, he said, it did make promoting a more personal experience.

Though Ingle spends less time on the streets promoting his parties these days, he said, he still doesn’t sleep much during the week leading up to a big event. It’s just part of the process.

“You have to visualize the party, the flow of it, and how it’s going to go down,” Ingle said.

“You have to have it all in your mind. If you don’t visualize it all, it’s going to be a disaster.

You have to see the end result and work your way backwards.”

While this year’s Halloween Bash won’t be Ingle’s biggest event—he once had 5,000 people show up to a party he put on at the Palm Springs Convention Center—he promised it will be his best. Costumes are highly encouraged, but there won’t be a costume contest. Ingle told me he has already picked out his costume, but he declined to say what it’ll be, so you’ll have to attend the party to see what he has planned.

In case you’re curious, last year, Ingle dressed up as Iron Man. RIP, Stan Lee. BB’s Halloween Bash will take place at 9 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at The Show at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, in Rancho Mirage. Advance tickets are $35, and the party is a 21-and-older event.

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

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VINE SOCIAL

JASON DAVID

How I grew to (sort of) appreciate over-the-top, high-alcohol wines

HAIR STUDIO

K

By Katie finn

LOVE YOUR HAIR

atie wine is a moniker that has followed me for years.

Sometimes it’s said as a joke, as in: “Ohh, that’s a ‘Katie wine.’ You probably won’t like it,” meaning it’s funky, earthy, savory or just plain weird. Other times, “Katie wine” has taken on a more-positive definition, like: “I grabbed this bottle of wine I’ve never heard of and want to give it a try! It looked like a ‘Katie wine!’”

Either way, it’s no secret that my wine tastes are fairly specific. myCook educational Country Club At and Streetwine tastings, I always try to represent wines that cross the spectrum Palmstylistically.

De sert For the whites, there’s always something zippy, high-acid and tart; I also include a round, full-bodied, rich style.

For the reds, I’ll show a light-bodied, fresh and I don’t find the sensation particularly 760-340-5959 fruity wine; I’ll throw in an “old-world” varietal enjoyable: Glassy eyes, slurred speech and a from Italy or France that has some earthiness wobbly stance are characteristics I don’t find www.jasondavidhairstudio.net and a rustic quality; and then to finish it off, overly attractive. I drink wine for a living. I there’s the powerhouse: the huge, extracted, meet with wine distributors often to taste over-ripe wine that is about as subtle as new wine releases. I’m also a social wine Tammy Faye Bakker’s makeup. drinker—I don’t care for beer or cocktails— It never fails: The punch-you-in-the-face and I very much enjoy having wine with my wine that resembles motor oil is always the dinner. But no matter the drinking occasion, most popular selection of the night.

I find remaining vertical and awake to be a Honestly, it confounds me. And for a long matter of great importance. If I’m at dinner time, if I fully confess my emotions, it pissed or a get-together for a few hours, and the me off. As much as I try to be the poster child only wines available have a-melt-your-face-off for wine tolerance, I wanted to smack my alcohol percentage, I’m either relegated to just forehead or roll my eyes when guests would one or two glasses (no fun), or I’m getting poo-poo anything that didn’t have at least 15 blotto drunk (also, no fun). percent alcohol and/or didn’t taste more like Then there’s the flavor issue. Obviously, Jim Beam than cabernet. this is a much more subjective concern, but I During the tastings, once we got to the stand behind my opinion that if a wine-drinker heavy red, I would hear statements like, “Now wants to become a better taster—or have a that’s a real wine!” and, “Finally, we get to the more adept palate—learning to understand good stuff!” I would pour silky and elegant and appreciate lower alcohol wines (read: pinot noirs from the Cote du Nuits and hear balanced wines) with subtle nuances is guests comment that the wine was “wimpy” or paramount to being taken seriously as a wine “it didn’t taste like anything.” As a wine lover, I connoisseur. was exasperated.

For example: Any idiot with taste buds can It took me a while to realize why I had a tell you what blue cheese tastes like. Its sour personal aversion to high-alcohol wines. And and pungent flavors and aromas scream at you it took me even longer to identify why the from the moment you open the wrapper. It average consumer gravitates toward those takes much more thought and concentration hedonistic wine beasts. to identify the delicate caramel and nutty I try to avoid getting drunk at all costs. aromas of a mild cheese like Manchego. Wine

is no different: Tasting the elusive and delicate flavors of a chardonnay from Chablis is much more difficult than simply absorbing the overt flavors of an overly ripe, forceful chardonnay from California. In short, understated, low-key, quiet flavors take work to identify.

But … who wants to work that hard to taste their drink? Really, I get it.

This brings me to the part where I finally began to understand what makes the average wine-drinker’s palate tick. What was it about the loud, blowtorch-in-your-mouth wines that made everyone get all giddy? Then it hit me: We are a cocktail culture—a cosmopolitan, Manhattan, gin-and-tonic, Jack-and-Coke country. Wine and its subculture came to us after we already had this notion of what alcoholic beverages were supposed to do— taste sweet and get us drunk. The idea that our alcoholic beverage du jour needed food properly paired with it, or the thought that we should be swirling the glass while pontificating the subtle nuances and layers of flavors—those are just not our collective forte. So … when wine bars, and wine tastings, and trips to Napa became all the rage, the natural progression was to simply substitute a glass of wine instead of a glass of bourbon—and the expectation

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was that your wine was going to be just as robust and high octane as your Maker’s Mark neat. And a lot of wineries complied.

I also realize that as we age, our taste buds become more and more muted. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why wines that have a more concentrated and fruit-forward profile become more appealing. They give a struggling palate more flavor.

I suppose, at the end of the day, we have to ask ourselves why we choose wine. If getting drunk is the purpose, there are certainly faster, cheaper and more efficient ways to get there.

Perhaps, as the cheeky cocktail napkin would have you believe, wine is simply how classy people get shitfaced nowadays.

I no longer get pissed off at people who demand over-the-top wines, nor do I feel the desire to smack my head when I’m told beautifully balanced wines are wimpy. Instead, I happily pour whatever the crowd-pleasing wine of the day is. And then I go home and open up a “Katie wine.”

Katie Finn is a certified sommelier and certified specialist of wine with more than 15 years in the wine industry. She can be reached at katiefinnwine@gmail.com. award-winning

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COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 23

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CAESAR CERVISIA S

By brett newton

ometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came …

In 2008, I was in the midst of a major life transition. I was a musician who had retreated from the wasteland that was the Los Angeles music scene a year previous, and was I wondering what my next move would be. Beer had always been a love of mine, so I found myself alongside my cousin Josh, attempting to brew it at home.

Our first beer was an IPA, and while it turned out drinkable, it wasn’t great. I needed help, and deep within the recesses of Yahoo! Groups, I found the Coachella Valley Homebrew Club. I contacted the club’s founder and was invited to a bar in Palm Desert for the award ceremony of a local homebrew competition run by the bar’s were welcome, too, but really, (it was) for the proprietor. community to have a place to go—kind of like a That proprietor’s name is Brent Schmidman, modern-day Cheers,” he explained. After some and his bar was Schmidy’s Tavern. searching, he found a location in Palm Desert Schmidy (this is, after all, how we refer to the that would be the home of Schmidy’s Tavern, man) hails from Nebraska, and in his words, beginning in 2008. he was fortunate enough to spend a little time Then in 2010 came Jonas Wilby, the Stone as a Marine stationed in San Diego at Camp Brewing Company bartender-turned-local Pendleton when not in Asia. It was then he fell representative for Stone Distributing Company. in love with Southern California.

“They presented an offer to me to move out “I loved the weather, and coming from the there and launch Stone Distributing,” Wilby Midwest, this was perfect year-round,” he said. said. “I would be the everyday distribution rep He found himself starting a maintenance and work alongside all the customers in all business in Orange County, where the stress of facets: stores, chains, restaurants and bars.” the job eventually got to him—so he sold it and He quickly paid a visit to Stone’s only IPA tap moved to the Coachella Valley. Why the desert? handle in the valley—at Schmidy’s Tavern—only “I had been coming out here so I could get back to find it wasn’t on tap anymore. “I was like, down to earth … being from the Midwest and ‘God dang! We lost this handle!’” Jonas said. not used to Orange County craziness.”

“I eventually got a chance to sit down (with He decided to take some previous experience Schmidman) and … we talked about the different with the hospitality and beverage industries brands in our portfolio, about cold storage and into a sales position with a local drinks cold delivery. And we could guarantee to have distributor, where he developed a love for super-fresh inventory.” This, combined with the “microbrew.” After eight successful years with amount of driving this would save Schmidman, the distribution company, Schmidy was ready to led to an important partnership. move on.

Shortly thereafter, Schmidy had an idea: “I “I decided I would open a place that would said to Jonas, ‘I want to build the craft-beer focus on the locals, and because of my passion, scene, and I want you to help me. … I’m going to craft beer had to be a part of that,” he said. pay for the beers, and we will give free samples.

He emphasized his desire to concentrate on I just want to educate people.’ We started it once the year-round desert residents. “The premise a week. The first weeks we did it, we couldn’t was to focus on locals. Of course, tourists give it away!”

Added Wilby: “There were people sitting at the bar, drinking a Bud Light, saying, ‘No, I’m good. I don’t want to try that,’ like I was trying to poison them.”

But with persistence, Beer School, as Schmidy dubbed it, started to gain momentum and eventually boomed. The last Wednesday of every month, for $20, you’d get four-ounce pours of four beers, alongside four courses of food—and at the end, a specially made cask that Schmidy acquired for the occasion would be tapped, and everyone would get a pour. Soon enough, Schmidy’s had to turn people away.

Before founding Coachella Valley Brewing Co. in 2013, Chris Anderson used his culinary background to help Schmidy with the dinner menus. “(Schmidman) and I really had an ability to create some unique, innovative and often incredibly well-thought-out beer and food pairings together. They were often beers and foods that you probably wouldn’t see normally in the valley,” Anderson said.

Said Schmidman: “We got really creative about it and thought outside the box and did crazy stuff. That was what it was about: to create an experience with beer that would be memorable. Then people realize beer is not just something you guzzle down while you’re mowing the lawn.”

Beer School became a “tent pole” event, even bringing in industry people to help out on occasion.

“Because we had a set time, and it was an event,” Wilby said, “I was able to go out when I was talking to other accounts, even if it was a new account, and I’d be like, ‘Hey, you gotta come out to Beer School to see what the desert beer scene is really like.’”

A group of beer-lovers were working at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club at the time, including chef Jennifer Town, who would later be the

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Jonas Wilby and Brent Schmidman.

guest chef at multiple Beer Schools.

In 2013, Schmidman sold the tavern, and Beer School eventually fizzled out. Schmidy’s Tavern itself closed in 2016, after the landlord significantly raised the rent on the space.

“I don’t think you will find another person as passionate, driven and hungry as … Brent,” Anderson said. “He put in the time and effort to make that place a beer destination. He knew that it was going to be a big effort, and it worked. I often would see him in the morning, and he would still be there in the office working well into the night.”

There has not been a local craft-beer bar like Schmidy’s Tavern since.

“What was in my head throughout this whole time was spreading the love for craft beer and spreading the culture, one beer at a time,” Schmidy said. “I’m proud of what we did … I don’t know if it would be the same now or not.”

I’d like to raise a toast to Schmidy’s Tavern.

Here’s to hoping we get something as good back here in the desert soon.

Brett Newton is a certified cicerone (like a sommelier for beer) and homebrewer who has mostly lived in the Coachella Valley since 1988. He currently works at the Coachella Valley Brewing Co. taproom in Thousand Palms. He can be reached at caesarcervisia@gmail.com. award-winning

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ON COCKTAILS W

Sangria is great—but true wine cocktails go well beyond

BY kevin carlow

ine cocktails … is there anything more disappointing?

You finally got a reservation at the hot new restaurant in town; the server hands you the cocktail list, and … wine margaritas?! I get it; if you don’t have a full liquor license, you have to work with what you have—but nobody has ever confused sauvignon blanc with tequila.

But what if, instead of trying to replicate boozy cocktails using wine (the cocktail equivalent of kissing your sister), the staff made cocktails born out of wine that embraced the subtleties of the product—cocktails that the home bartender could make just as easily, that were perfect for the fading heat of late summer?

Sangría, the most-familiar wine cocktail, has as many variations as there are people who make it. I was once gifted a Puerto Rican family recipe on a receipt from a guest that included a bottle of Manischewitz wine and a can of lemon-lime soda, so pretty much anything goes … but you didn’t think I was going to give you a bunch of sangría recipes like this was Better Homes and Gardens, did you? No, we’re gonna get nerdy here: Let me introduce you to the Colonial American version of the drink, the sangaree.

There is no record I could find of a direct “missing link” between the two drinks, but the similarity of name and the fact that they are both red-wine drinks made with sweeteners are hard to dismiss. The sangaree, however, is far easier to construct and therefore less likely to be ruined by too many cinnamon sticks; soggy fruit or what have you. Here’s a recipe for port wine sangaree:

4 ounces of Port wine 1 teaspoon of sugar Shake with ice and dump into a glass goblet; top with grated nutmeg.

This recipe is an adaptation from the great Jerry Thomas, who also recommends using things like sherry and porter (which he calls the “Porteree”); if you do so, adjust the sugar level accordingly. I like the flavor of orange and Port together, so I think a few thinly-sliced oranges around the glass make for a nice presentation.

Crushed ice would also be lovely here, although not necessary. Don’t use your fancy Port; any decent ruby will suffice. I think I might grate a little dark chocolate on mine today instead of the nutmeg, because I’m worth it.

What if you want a red-wine cocktail on the go? Don’t worry; the Basque have you covered.

Try a “Kalimotxo,” an easy mix of dry Spanish

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red wine and cola. Keep the bottles on ice in a cooler; mix them (equal parts) in a red plastic cup with ice and a squeeze of lemon. Of course, you can also make these in a Collins glass.

Trigger warning: The next drink absolutely requires a drinking straw. In fact, it was the drink that made the drinking straw “a thing”— public enemy No. 1! I am referring to the sherry cobbler, a drink so ancient, it shows up as early as 1838. Despite its nefarious deed, the drink itself is heavenly. I once referred to it on a cocktail list as a “snow cone for grown-ups” due to the use of crushed ice.

3 ounces of Amontillado sherry (others will work, but start with this medium-dry one) 1 teaspoon of sugar (or 3/4 of an ounce of simple syrup) 1 wheel each of lemon and orange Muddle the sugar and the fruit wheels; add sherry and crushed ice. Shake; dump into a Collins glass. Garnish with anything fresh— mint, berries, sliced fruit, etc. Use a straw, whichever type your conscience will allow— preferably an actual wheat straw!

The recipe I made at a previous gig in Western Massachusetts, where the clientele of professors enjoyed a dose of history with their tipple, substituted locally made preserves and lemon juice. It’s called the Bistro 63 cobbler.

1 1/2 ounces of dry sherry 1/2 ounce of Pedro Ximenez sherry 1/2 ounce of lemon juice A fat barspoon of local, seasonally appropriate preserves Dissolve the jam with the lemon juice using the barspoon in a mixing tin. Add crushed ice; shake; dump into a tumbler; mound extra ice on top. Garnish with basil and berries.

Want to go even easier? Try the Andalusian answer to the Kalimotxo, the Rebujito. It’s kind of like a mojito with sherry, but less complicated.

Smack a big sprig of mint in your hand with authority; put it in a Collins glass with ice; and add equal parts fino sherry and a lemonlime soda of your choice. You can also, as Talia Baiocchi recommends in her wonderful Sherry: A Modern Guide to the Wine World’s Best-Kept Secret, use 3/4 of an ounce of simple to muddle your mint; and substitute the soda pop with a 1/2 ounce each of lemon juice, lime juice and soda water. You could also use a nice tonic water.

So what about something a little more “uptown”? I have two that will get you respect at any cocktail bar, the bamboo and the Adonis.

Sangaree! April Rojas

The bamboo cocktail (which doesn’t appear to have been invented in Japan, but was attributed by William Boothby to a Germanborn American bartender by the name of Louis Eppinger, who ran a hotel bar in Japan) was a product of the 1880s at the latest and served all over the States by 1893, according to David Wondrich. No matter the origin, it’s a classy aperitif. This is Boothby’s 1908 recipe: 1 1/2 ounces of dry vermouth (good stuff) 1 1/2 ounces of fino sherry 2 dashes of orange bitters 2 drops of Angostura bitters (not dashes!)

Stir; strain into a cocktail glass. (A Nick and Nora is perfect.) Express a lemon peel over the top; garnish with a pimento-stuffed olive.

Try its heftier cousin, the Adonis.

2 ounces of fino sherry 1 ounce of sweet vermouth 2 dashes of orange bitters Prepare as above, but with an orange peel and no olive. Or perhaps you have a sweet tooth?

Here’s the sherry flip: 2 ounces of Oloroso sherry 1/2 ounce of simple syrup 1 whole egg Shake all ingredients without ice; then add ice, and shake the heck out of it. Strain into a small wine glass, coupe or Nick and Nora; grate nutmeg on top.

The next time you are at an establishment without a liquor license and staring at the possibility of a suspect sangría, ask your bartender for one of these gems.

Kevin Carlow is a bartender at Truss and Twine, and can be reached at CrypticCocktails@gmail.com.

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WHAT The original Musashi tonkotsu WHERE Ramen Musashi, 44491 Town Center Way, Suite G, Palm Desert HOW MUCH $14 CONTACT 760-674-7299; ramenpalmdesert.com WHY The broth is stellar.

Food trends usually arrive in the Coachella Valley about five years later than they arrive in bigger cities. Take ramen, for example: You can’t walk several blocks in any of the major West Coast cities without coming across a ramen shop or three—but here, they are few and far between.

I love a great bowl of ramen, which why I was excited when I learned several months ago about the opening of Ramen Musashi. One of the reasons for my excitement was the pedigree: It’s a sister restaurant of Musashi Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, which has been open in Palm Desert since 1996, making it one of the valley’s oldest Asian restaurants.

I went to lunch at Ramen Musashi one recent weekday with my friend Debra. While Ramen Musashi offers vegetarian, chicken and even cold-ramen options, along with a variety of appetizers, Debra and I both ordered the original Musashi tonkotsu—featuring creamy pork bone broth and thin noodles, and topped with braised pork belly chashu, onion, marinated egg, marinated bamboo, kombu, shitake mushrooms and garlic chips.

After the fantastic server delivered the gorgeous, steaming bowls of food, we dove in … and wow: The ramen was revelatory. All of the ingredients were perfect. The pork was tender and delicious; the egg was a creamy delight. The garlic chips and onion did not overwhelm, and the noodles were just right.

But for me, ramen is all about the broth— and this tonkotsu broth was stellar. It was packed with umami, seasoned masterfully and soooooo delicious.

Thanks to the amazing ramen and the great service, Ramen Musashi is pretty special—as good as any of those major-city ramen shops.

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WHAT The smoked pulled pork sandwich WHERE Unique Bite Eatery, 82900 Avenue 42, Indio HOW MUCH $10.99 CONTACT 760-342-8286; uniquebiteeatery.com WHY The quality of the food is unique.

The name Unique Bite Eatery is a bit of a misnomer.

I do not mean this as an insult in any way: In fact, I am a big fan of the entrées offered at this newish fast-casual eatery, located north of Interstate 10 in Indio … but these dishes are not unique.

A scan of the menu reveals a whole lot of classic Americana— house-smoked pork, pot roast, spaghetti, fried chicken, grilled chicken, burgers and the like.

On my recent lunch visit, I ordered the house smoked pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw and barbecue sauce. I was torn between that and the creamy chicken with creamy rice, and the lovely woman behind the counter was kind enough to allow me to order the children’s size ($6.99) so I could try it.

After a longer-than-expected wait— although a sign on the wall does warn diners that the food is fresh-made, and that freshmade food takes time—the aforementioned woman delivered my meal. The chicken was tasty—the milk-based sauce on the chicken was flavorful, as was the cooked-in-milk rice— while the sandwich was fantastic. The housesmoked pork was delicious, and the crisp, cool house-made coleslaw was the perfect in-sandwich complement.

It’s worth noting that my friend Jeff tried to meet me for lunch, but got held up; he wound up going to Unique Bite Eatery later that same day, and he offered the smoked brisket sandwich ($12.99) his own endorsement. “If (I lived) closer, I’d be a regular,” Jeff told me.

If Unique Bite Eatery happened to be in my neighborhood, I’d be a regular as well. The food offerings may not be unique—but the quality definitely is.

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Restaurant NEWS BITES

By Jimmy Boegle NOW OPEN AT PALM SPRINGS’ KAPTUR PLAZA: V WINE LOUNGE Before we get to all the sad news … let’s celebrate a little bit of good news with a glass of wine!

V Wine Lounge has finally opened its doors in Kaptur Plaza, at 600 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, in downtown Palm Springs.

Mikey Consbruck, the owner of the V Wine Room in West Hollywood, is the mastermind behind V Wine Lounge. On offer are 80 wines by the glass from California and the old world; a nice variety of craft beers; and even cheese plates, if you’re feeling a bit peckish.

Even though Independent World Headquarters is located just a short jaunt from V Wine Lounge, we haven’t yet had a chance to stop in for a drink or three. We’ll do so soon—so watch this space.

For more information, call 760-668-9665, or visit www.vwinelounge.com.

THREE MUCH-LOVED LOCAL RESTAURANTS SHUT THEIR DOORS And now for the sad news: Three well-liked local restaurants in recent weeks have announced that they’re shutting down: • Justin Eat & Drink, which had become a favorite of foodies at 68784 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Cathedral City, announced via social media on Sept. 18 that it would not be reopening for the season. The soon-to-start construction on the Agua Caliente casino in Cathedral City was cited as the reason. “Keep your eyes open and stay tuned. You never know where you might see us next!” said the Facebook post.

• Maria José Peruvian Restaurant, located in The Atrium at 69930 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage, will also not reopen after a summer vacation. In an upbeat message posted on Facebook on Sept. 14, the owner said the time had come for her to “pursue other endeavors and devote more time to myself.” However, it’s no secret that the space Maria José occupied inside the sleepy Atrium mall was a tough sell—made even tougher since CVRep moved out of the mall earlier this year.

• Frankinbun, which had delighted fans of all things sausage for five years at 540 S. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, announced on Facebook on Aug. 23: “So landlord decided not to renew our lease. ... The good news is we will be moving to the virtual world launching in 2020. All our vegan sausages and chutneys will be available. Stay tuned and thanks for all your support and love!” Watch www.frankinbun.com for updates.

IN BRIEF More sad news to report: The Coachella Valley restaurant world has lost two icons in recent weeks. Johnny Costagliola, the founder of legendary Palm Springs Italian restaurant Johnny Costa’s Ristorante, passed away on Sept. 4. He was 87 years old. His namesake restaurant remains open in the capable hands of his family. … Bill Tracy, the owner of the two Bill’s Pizza locations, passed away in early September. He fell off the roof of the Palm Desert restaurant in July, and then faced a series of complications. He was 69 years old. … Now open in Cathedral City: Bake’d Cakes and Pan Dulce, at 27800 Landau Blvd., No. 102. The bakery’s croissants, desserts and other goods are already earning raves on social media; call 760-656-0176, or visit www.facebook.com/Baked27800 to learn more. … Now open in Rancho Mirage: K-Tofu House, at 72817 Dinah Shore Drive, in the space that was briefly Sushi Arigato.

If you’re not a fan of bean curd, don’t worry: K-Tofu House offers all sorts of Korean favorites with meat and veggies—bulgogi, bibimbap and a whole lot more. Call 760-656-8886 for more details. … Our friends at the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the city of Indio, are again showing off the eats from great east valley restaurants at the Taste of Indio event. It’ll take place from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, at Jackalope Ranch, 80400 Highway 111, in Indio. Tickets are $20 and include tastes from the dozen-plus participating restaurants. For tickets or more information, call 760-347-0676, or visit gcvcc. org/event/taste-of-indio-2. … Like meatballs? Then get thee to the seventh annual Sammy’s International Meatball Festival, taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City, located at 32141 Whispering Palms Trail, in Cathedral City. The event is a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club. The $15 ticket includes meatball tastings, entertainment and access to a beer and wine garden. Kids get in (albeit not to the beer and wine garden part) for $5. Props to Sam Pace of Sammy’s Place for hosting the event!

For tickets or more info, call 760-770-4965, or visit bgcccity.org.

CVIndependent.com

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OCTOBER 2019

31 34 35 36

from vinyl to venue: Record Alley hosts local bands every Sunday The annual Indio TerrorFest promotes local artists Idyllfest’s goal—help the town heal via the power of music YIP YOPS release single ‘Sinner’ before heading on an October tour

The Venue REPORT octoBER 2019 By andy lara and jimmy boegle

www.cvindependent.com/music

DESERT JANGLE!

Ebru Yildiz

Soccer Mommy

Plastic Ruby’s John Marek supplements his band’s pleasing music with humor and video

31

Jazmine Moyano

According to the Los Angeles Times, L.A is the cultural center of the universe. As a result, the Coachella Valley, being two hours away (plus or minus, depending on how fast you drive), naturally experiences some trickle-down cool; if a star explodes in L.A., we are going to experience some of the blast.

Whether or not you agree with the Times … we can all agree there is much fun to be had this October across the Coachella Valley.

Fantasy Springs is offering a unique comedy event that you won’t want to miss.

At 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short will bring their “Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t” tour to Indio for an evening of laughs and stories, with special guests Paul Shaffer, Della Mae and Alison Brown. Unbeknownst to many, Steve Martin is an accomplished banjo player, winning a Grammy in 2010 for a bluegrass album. Both men are widely popular—and funny. Let’s hope Martin brings out his banjo. Tickets are $79 to $139. At 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, put on your cowboy boots and head to the Special Events Center for Big and Rich, with special guests Cowboy Troy and DJ Sinister. Tickets are $49 to $89. Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 760-3425000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

The Show at Agua Caliente Casino is hosting several events this month we want to tell you about. At 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 18, REO Speedwagon will bring arena-pop anthems to The Show. It’s a good thing this event is on a Friday: You don’t want to go to work the day after a night with REO Speedwagon. Tickets are $65 to $195. At 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, blues great Joe Bonamassa will take the stage. A whopping 16 Bonamassa albums have topped the Billboard blues chart! Tickets are $89 to $199. At 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, the man Pitchfork called “the face of modern reggaeton” will perform: J Balvin. He wowed audiences at Coachella earlier this year. continued on Page 33 CVIndependent.com

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presents

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2019 @ THE RIVIERA PALM SPRINGS

Honoring Brian Rix

Outgoing Board Chair

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For more information, contact The Center @

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COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 31

OCTOBER 2019

MUSIC DESERT JANGLE!

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FROM VINYL TO VENUE

Plastic Ruby’s John Marek supplements his band’s pleasing music with humor and video

T

By MATT KING

he Coachella Valley is full of musicians pushing their limits and creating heavy rock soundtracks that would make even Kyuss proud—but it’s always a treat to come across a band creating a completely different desert-influenced sound.

This brings us to the self-described “desert jangle” of Plastic Ruby.

“It’s really the only thing I can use to describe our sound,” said John Marek, the vocalist, guitarist and leader of Plastic Ruby. “If you’ve ever heard of jangle pop, it’s like that, and we also have some desert influences in our music. We associate our psychedelic sound with the desert.

Most of our sound is poppy-’60s influenced.”

The music created by Marek and co. is school, and making videos was honestly my extremely pleasing, with each song from first love before music.” the band’s self-titled EP—as well as the two A trip over to Plastic Ruby’s Facebook page recent singles, “Beach Day” and “Just the (facebook.com/plasticruby) reveals that Marek Type”—featuring dance-y and groovy guitar also creates hilarious promotional videos for lines backed by dreamy basslines and synth some shows. ambiance; Marek’s extremely distinguishable “My friends and I are all fans of alternative vocal melodies are just the cherry on top. “Bad comedy. We’re big on the Tim and Eric Show,” Conscience Blues” and “Soda” are some of my he said. “It’s what we grew up watching, and favorites. Those two new singles are signs of a it’s definitely found a way into our videos.” forthcoming album, which Marek confirms is Marek has been creating music for a long “already in the works.” time, well before Plastic Ruby’s genesis Marek’s talent also stretches beyond music, in 2017; he’s been uploading songs to his as he has been producing and editing intricate YouTube channel since 2012. An upload from music videos for some Plastic Ruby songs. The six years ago called “John Marek—Back of My release of “Just the Type” was accompanied Head (Guitar + Drums @ the Same Time)” has by a video transporting the viewer through more than 1 million views, with numerous dreamscapes, fences—and even a Plastic Ruby awestruck comments on how Marek manages practice session. to play the guitar and drums simultaneously.

“With that video, I was really inspired by the “To be honest, that video really helped old White Stripes ‘Seven Nation Army’ video,” me a lot,” Marek said. “It actually got placed said Marek. “That was my influence for it, but I in a commercial for a fiber-optics company wanted it to be sloppier, more like you’re going in Canada, and one of my other songs, the into a different room versus however they did first I ever made, was featured in an Audi it. That video took me two or three days, and I commercial. It really got my foot in the door in always wait until the last minute. We actually terms of getting my music published. People filmed the last scene the day before its release. keep telling me to make another one, but I I’ve been making skate montages since middle don’t really want to be known for that. I don’t want to box myself into a corner. I’d rather people just appreciate what I do based on the merit of what I do.

“I put a lot of effort and time into how I create songs, rather than being the biggest shredder in the world. I can appreciate technical musicianship stuff, but what I want is the catchiest, coolest-sounding song possible.

I just want to make a living off music. I don’t want to be famous or whatever. I just want to make a living off of what I love doing.”

Plastic Ruby. Jazmine Moyano

Record Alley hosts local bands every Sunday

W

By MATT KING

hile the Coachella Valley has birthed some of rock’s greatest musicians and has been overflowing with intense musicality for decades, record stores here are few and far between.

In fact, there’s really only one provider of CDs, vinyl and all other things that music fans need—and that store has been doing so since 1978.

“Record Alley is the hub of music,” said Scott McLaughlin, a Record Alley employee and local musician. “Back in the day, everybody used to come in here—celebrities and even local stars like Joshua Homme or Jesse Hughes. It was a cool hangout spot, even back when it was just CDs.” Turns out Record Alley is still a cool have regular performances at Record Alley. hangout spot: The store has started hosting “I’ve always wanted to book bands that performances by two music acts each Sunday I like and give them a platform,” said afternoon. These shows are planned by McLaughlin. “It makes the store and the mall McLaughlin; I sat down with him recently to fun on busy Sundays. I’m sick of going to discuss his musical journey and the future of Big Rock or The Hood and seeing the same Record Alley. bands all the time. I want to pull deep from “My great-great-uncle actually wrote ‘La Joshua Tree and the (Coachella) Valley to find Cucaracha,’” said McLaughlin. “Music has artists who don’t have a shot at playing some been in my life since I was born. My uncles of the venues around here. It’s a more quiet, played Mexican music, and Led Zeppelin was intimate crowd here, and it’s been working.” big in my family.

Beyond giving local artists another place “I moved here when I was in the fifthto play, McLaughlin and Record Alley are grade, and in seventh-grade, I took percussion working on providing even more for local class and learned how to play drums. I went musicians. through marching band and jazz band, then “I’m trying to get the word out more. I’ve got to my punk phase. Nothing to Lose was been working on a YouTube channel that my first punk band, and then I switched to features the performances here,” McLaughlin pop-punk with my band Losing Team, who said. “We interview the bands and show one you can still find on Spotify. I made a solo of the songs they play and upload it for them album by myself in college, and when I moved to use as promotional material. back from San Diego, my brother (Brett “If anyone wants to perform here, then McLaughlin of Caxton) asked me to start send me a message on Instagram!”

Reborn by the Sunshine with him.”

Reborn by the Sunshine has grown in Shows take place at 2 p.m. every Sunday at popularity over the last couple of years, and Record Alley, inside the Westfield Palm Desert, McLaughlin has been able to meet many 72840 Highway 111, in Palm Desert. Admission artists he admires at various shows. These is free. For more information, visit www. connections helped lead to the decision to instagram.com/recordalley.

Plastic Ruby will perform at 7 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Concert for Autism Pre-Show Party at The Hood Bar and Pizza, 74360 Highway 111, in Palm Desert; admission is a suggested $5 donation.

For more information, visit plasticruby.com.

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The October 2019 Print Edition of the Coachella Valley Independent By the Numbers 8 1/2 articles written in this issue by staff members

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9 paid freelance writers who have articles in this issue 14 1/2 total articles by those writers 1 article from our partners at CalMatters 1 paid graphic designer 5 syndicated alternative cartoons 1 syndicated sex-advice column 1 syndicated crossword puzzle 2 drivers delivered this issue to 390 locations across the valley 16,000 copies printed

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OCTOBER 2019

The Venue REPORT continued from page 29

Pamela Littky

Cherry Glazerr

Tickets are $85 to $125. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-999-1995; www. hotwatercasino.com.

At 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, the legendary Mexican norteño band Los Tucanes de Tijuana returns to Spotlight 29 and the city of Coachella, which gave the band the keys to the city in the week leading up to the band’s performance at Coachella and Chella.

Get ready to hear the smash hit about a danceaholic woman, “La Chona”; it drives concert-goers crazy, so the band is known to play it twice. Tickets are $35 to $55. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760-775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.

Morongo Casino Resort Spa is bringing a couple of old-school legends to Cabazon in October. At 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, Patti LaBelle will take the Morongo stage. Need we say more? Tickets are $69 to $79. A 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, the man, the myth, the legend, Engelbert Humperdinck will return to Morongo. The man who was born in British India with the name Arnold Dorsey has gone on to sell more than 140 million records … and baffle Eurovision audiences when the then-76-year-old was inexplicably Great Britain’s entry into the continentwide contest back in 2012. Tickets are $65 to $85. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www. morongocasinoresort.com.

Pappy and Harriet’s has a number of exciting shows booked this month. At 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, indie-rock artists Beth Orton and Mercury Rev will bring their critically acclaimed music to Pappy’s inside stage. The show promises to provide highdesert vibes: psychedelia, acoustic guitars, distortion, lots of effects, boots—all of it. They will be performing their tribute to Bobbie Gentry’s The Delta Sweete. Tickets are $35.

At 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, Pappy’s welcomes Soccer Mommy and Rosie Tucker, both critically acclaimed artists who have gained popularity in the blogosphere this year.

Tickets are $18 to $20. At 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 10, Neon Indian, one of the progenitors of the “chill-wave” genre, will bring electronic pop songs in for an intimate evening. Led

by Texas-born musician Alan Palomo, Neon Indian released its debut album, Psychic Chasms, 10 years ago, and most recently released Vega Intl. Night School in 2015.

Palomo has kept busy with filmmaking, acting and soundtracking, and this show serves as Neon Indian’s return; according to Palomo’s Instagram, the band will be playing some “nuevo fuego,” or “new fire”—in other words, new songs. Hashtag smiley-face emoji.

Hashtag fire emoji. Tickets are $20 to $25. At 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24, The Black Lips will return to the desert for a guaranteed loud evening of garage rock. Expect the unexpected, as the band is known for its wild stage antics. For fans of New York Dolls, T. Rex and Wavves. Tickets are $25. Weekdays at Pappy’s seem to be the place to be, because at 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 31, Cherry Glazerr will bring her feminist indie garage-rock songs back to the Pappy’s stage. This promises to be a fun show. Tickets are $20. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.

The Purple Room has some noteworthy events this month. John Lloyd Young will take the stage at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12.

Young performs a series of covers for fans of ’50s and ’60s rock ’n’ roll, including songs by Roy Orbison and The Platters, among others.

Tickets are $50 to $65. At 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, Kinsey Sicks will bring their famous show back to Palm Springs.

According to the Purple Room website, the show is a “mix of gorgeous a cappella, hilarious drag, obscenity and absurdity with gasp-inducing political satire thrown in for bad measure.” Tickets are $35 to $45. At 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, the Tony Awardnominated Sharon McNight will perform her “Red Hot Mama” show, which is a tribute to Sophie Tucker. Tickets are $30 to $35. Michael

Holmes’ Purple Room, 1900 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-322-4422; www. purpleroompalmsprings.com.

The Tack Room Tavern has a great month of events planned. Indio TerrorFest takes place on Saturday, Oct. 26; you can read all about that on Page 34. But first comes one of the best charity events of the year: At 5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18 and 19, the Tack Room will host the 12th Annual Concert for Autism, a benefit for the Desert Autism Foundation. Performers will include John Garcia and the Band of Gold, FrankEatstheFloor, The Hellions and many others. A $10 donation is suggested at the door. Tack Room Tavern, 81800 Ave. 51, Indio; 760-347-9985; www.facebook.com/

tackroomtavern.

Toucans is hosting some fun cabaret events this month. At 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 11, adult-contemporary singer-songwriter Tom Goss is performing along with Deven Green.

Goss’ songs are emotive folk narratives reminiscent of Mumford and Sons, and Of Monsters and Men. Goss is playing in support of his upcoming album, Territories. Tickets are $25 to $35. At 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, the comedian and entertainer Mama Tits brings her outrageous part-comedy, part-concert show to Toucans for a night of fun, laughter and risqué jokes. Tickets are $25. Toucans Tiki Lounge and Cabaret, 2100 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs; 760-416-7584; www. reactionshows.com.

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MUSIC

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TERROR, IN A GOOD WAY The annual Indio TerrorFest promotes local artists—and puts on one hell of a costume contest

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f the current state of political affairs is not enough of a horror show for you, head to the Tack Room Tavern in Indio on Saturday, Oct. 26, for the eighth annual Indio TerrorFest. It promises to be wild, ghoulish, terrifying and spectacular.

During a recent interview, event organizer Paul Zepeda explained that this year’s theme is classic monsters. Think Frankenstein’s Monster, Dracula, The Mummy, Wolf-Man, etc. The stages/event areas are appropriately named, including Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab, Phantom of Tavern, Monster Squad and the Area 51 Lounge—with the latter, a photo-booth area, named after the Facebook joke event aiming to raid Area 51.

If you leave home without having dinner, fear Will, DJ Omar, The Flashback Boyz, Mozaiq not: The Tack Room kitchen will be open all and Delgados, as well as the Desert DJs night. Additionally, TerrorFest will offer three themselves—plus special guests. Zepeda says dance floors: one inside the Tack Room, one by he’s trying to keep the music “friendly and fun Polo Pizza, and the third outside, with offerings and for everyone. We want everyone to have a ranging from classic rock, dance music and good time, which is what it’s all about.” reggae/hip-hop, to disco and Latin tunes.

While costumes are strongly encouraged, “Something for everyone!” said Zepeda.

Zepeda said it is best if party-goers leave Zepeda is the founder of the Desert DJ costume props (swords, etc.) at home. Yes, Entertainment Group, a collective of local there’s one hell of a costume contest. Zepeda DJs which includes of NickiMae, J-Sizzle, says he will have costume scouts going around Rawkwell, Luthergates and Paul Z. This local the event, identifying the best costumes and ethic carries over to TerrorFest. giving the wearers of those costumes a ticket.

“All of the artists are local,” Zepeda said.

At 12:45 a.m., those with a ticket will be asked “We support local bands and groups, and we to report to the Monster Squad Stage. Winners try to give local people a shot to perform at will receive cash prizes and gift certificates to our events.” the Tack Room.

This year’s performers will include DJ “We’re looking at giving a combination of $300 to first place, $150 to second place, and $100 to third place,” Zepeda said, adding that the competition is always fierce.

Since space is limited, it’s wise for attendees to get tickets in advance, which cost $20. They can’t be bought online—only in person either at the Tack Room or Skitzo Kitty, one of the event’s sponsors. Tickets at the door are $25. Though the event has a capacity of 1,200, many people were turned away at the door last year.

Zepeda recommends that people arrive early; doors open at 8 p.m., with last call at 1:30 a.m. Attendees must not forget their IDs, as security will be tight.

“Even (if you’re dressed like the) very frightening, 7-foot-tall warlock from last year, you must somewhat resemble your ID photo,” Zepeda said.

BENEFITING

The winner of last year’s Indio TerrorFest costume contest. Desert DJ Entertainment Group

CVIndependent.com

Indio TerrorFest will take place starting at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Tack Room Tavern, 81800 51st Ave., in Indio. Advance tickets are $20, available only at the Tack Room or Skitzo Kitty; tickets at the door are $25. For more information, call 760-218-4725, or visit indioterrorfest.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 35

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MUSIC

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COMMUNITY ROCKS The first Idyllfest’s goal—help the town heal via the power of music

I

By MATT KING

n July 2018, the Cranston Fire devastated the town of Idyllwild, burning more than 13,000 acres—and those fires were followed by downpours and that destroyed roads and created sinkholes.

Despite the chaos, Idyllwild is still standing.

“They went through a really rough time—the fires, the floods—and they’re barely recovering,” said Chris Leyva, organizer of the Idyllfest Music, Art and Craft Beer Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12 and 13.

The goal of the festival is to “bring back commerce, music and inspiration from the surrounding music community, with Idyllwild bridging the gap (between) Los Angeles, Palm Springs and San Diego.” Leyva, a musician himself, talked to me as he was finishing a tour with his band, Falling Doves.

“I offered to help out by planning a festival and inviting some of the bands I’ve booked and toured with,” Leyva said. “They’re all in different markets, from here all the way to Las Vegas.

We’re bringing everybody down for a two-day festival, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Leyva said he wants to make Idyllfest a great experience for both the audience and the performers.

“If you ever play festivals, you always feel like you have to get your gear out and go, so we’re eliminating that by having a backline for everyone, as well as providing room and board,” he said. “The event is colliding with The Falling Doves will perform at Idyllfest. the Art Walk and Wine Tasting event,” taking place on Saturday, Oct. 12, “so we’re going to make sure everyone has a good time. Ticket be able to join forces with them, and allow our sales are going to pay for production, permits attendees to attend their event, and vice versa. and port-o-potties.”

It’s all about community, about togetherness Idyllfest organizers are also selling T-shirts, and getting the word out there.” which will benefit a local charity.

The lineup features Leyva’s band, as well Leyva talked about the hopes that this first as Los Angeles’ Beck Black, San Diego punk Idyllfest will not be the last. legends Authentic Sellouts, and many others.

“Usually, you need to wait three to four “It’s a collective event,” Leyva said. “Being years before something really kicks off, but I able to tour the planet, I meet a lot of amazingly have a feeling that by keeping a low profile, talented bands that unfortunately don’t have we’ll be able to reach the proper demographic,” the opportunity to play really cool festivals, so said Leyva. “That will open up the doors for I wanted to throw a festival for them. I didn’t us to bring in international bands—Japan, want to do it in Hollywood. I’ve done a few Australia, Liverpool, etc. It’s our first year, beer festivals there, and bands always just play though, and the only thing we expect is being and leave. I want to be able to have whoever is able to bring a completely different platter of playing up there stuck up there, so they stay to music and commerce up there.” support and discover new acts.

“A lot of the bands playing are the top in The Idyllfest Music, Art and Craft Beer Festival each market, from San Diego to L.A., and a will take place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12 and few coming in from Vegas. I, as an entertainer, 13, at 25585 Alderwood St., in Idyllwild. Onedon’t believe in playing for exposure. We all day passes are $15; two-day passes are $25. For have gas; we all have to eat. It’s not cheap. We tickets or more information, visit www.eventbrite. came up with a stipend, so everyone’s getting com/e/idyllfest-music-art-craftbeerfestivalpaid the same. The point of the event is to just tickets-63618366246.

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MUSIC

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B-52’S + DEPECHE MODE YIP YOPS release single ‘Sinner’ before heading on an October tour

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By MATT KING

ew local bands have a résumé as extensive as that of YIP YOPS. After Tachevah appearances, multiple Jam in the Van sessions, a slot at Coachella and even an Independent cover story, YIP YOPS just released a new single, “Sinner,” and announced the Death of a Sinner Tour, which will take YIP YOPS all over the United States in October in support of bands Kongos and Fitness.

If you’ve somehow never seen a performance by YIP YOPS—now a duo featuring the vocals of Ison Van Winkle and the drums of Ross Murakami—you should expect eccentric, vibrant clothing that catches your eye and draws you in to witness the vivacious stage presence and staggering vocals of Van Winkle, backed by nostalgic ’80s synths … like if the B-52’s met Depeche Mode.

My favorite tracks include “Head Home” and “Heavy Soul.”

During a recent interview, Van Winkle and Murakami said they were excited about the upcoming tour.

“We’ve never been to most of the places that we’re playing, so it’s going to be fun,” Murakami said. “We’ll be able to showcase our new music to brand-new fans and just see what YIP YOPS. ZB images happens!” on them.

The release of “Sinner” was accompanied by “One of the shows that meant a lot to me a music video filled with visual effects galore. was our last residency show at the Echoplex “Both the song and the visuals play around in L.A.” said Murakami. “We were there every with the idea of the internal struggle people Monday in July last year, and those were just have over whether or not they’re a good eye openers to see what our crowd was like person,” Van Winkle said. “The chaotic and in L.A. By the end of the residency, we were stark colors really help paint a story, and a lot packing out the 800 (capacity). of the footage was filmed in and around this Added Van Winkle: “One of the most shack where we create and record the music, so memorable shows was one we did in Garden it’s very important to us.”

Grove at the Locker Room. Most of our shows It’s the lifelong dream of many local are 21-plus, so it’s tough to bring our own musicians to reach levels of success that propel age group in. At this show, though, it felt like them from our hometown. I was curious to everyone in the room was exactly who the know how the Coachella Valley—with its wide songs were meant for, and everyone was going array of international events—affected the YIP just as crazy as us. Even though it was only YOPS story.

30 to 40 people, it felt really good and really “We haven’t played a whole lot here in the organic.” past couple of years, but in the early years of “Sinner” is the first release from the YIP the band, there were quite a few opportunities YOPS since 2018’s “She.” for us, such as Tachevah, Coachella and some “You’ll have to stay tuned for an album, sold-out shows at the Hood,” Murakami said. but we are releasing another single in early “Those were kickstarters for us, and after Coachella, we had an easy place to start moving October, and we’re going to do another run to Seattle in November,” said Murakami. into different markets. L.A. has really been the Van Winkle said the duo is holding back a lot main focus since then. We’re still living in the of music. valley, though.”

“We’ve yet to release a whole lot of music, Added Van Winkle: “Coachella and those since we’re doing it all ourselves, so we want other shows were where we really got a sense to make sure we’re as ready for the record as for our passion for music and for what we’re possible,” he said. doing today.”

While the big bucket-list shows have been For more information, visit great for YIP YOPS, Murakami and Van Winkle www.facebook.com/yipyops. said smaller shows have made a bigger impact

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 37

OCTOBER 2019

MUSIC

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/MUSIC

This month, meet two stalwarts of the Coachella Valley music scene By matt king

Courtney Chambers.

MKO Photography

What’s your favorite music venue?

To perform: Spotlight 29. To attend: Hollywood Bowl.

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

I wake up every morning with a different random song stuck in my head, but the sax intro to “Careless Whisper” is what really haunts me.

NAME Courtney Chambers MORE INFO Courtney Chambers is no average singer/songwriter. She is one of the desert’s most veteran musicians; her first release came in 2001. She was recently featured on a KCOD documentary series showcasing the great women musicians of the valley, and her music has been used in many different television shows and movies. For a complete itinerary, visit courtneychambers.net.

What was the first concert you attended?

The Beach Boys, when I was 8 years old at a fair in Texas.

What was the first album you owned?

Huey Lewis and the News’ Sports (1983), a gift from my dad for Christmas What bands are you listening to right now?

I’ve been pretty inspired by current pop these days: Sidetripp, Mandy Brooke, Taylor Swift, Kasey Musgraves, Ariana Grande, Mr. Carmack, Eevaan Tre, Demi Lovato, Tove Lo, and always … Led Zeppelin.

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

Ha ha, I’m probably going to get hung for this, but I don’t get the obsession over Ed Sheeran.

I think he is insanely talented, but his music, for the most part, just doesn’t move me.

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

Led Zeppelin.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

For sure, I have to say right now, Taylor Swift … but it’s a revolving door for me.

What band or artist changed your life?

Sarah McLachlan. She was the first female musician I heard doing what I wanted to do musically. She was making music that affected me in every way: sonically, lyrics-wise, (and her) emotive deliverance. It was the first time I thought that I can do this. I used to make drives to the beach at 19 listening to Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. It’s still, to this day, one of my favorites, and one of the most powerful records I’ve ever heard.

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

Brian Wilson: “When do feel you had the best musical ideas, stoned or sober?”

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“Fumbling Towards Ecstasy,” Sarah McLachlan: “And if I shed a tear, I won’t cage it. I won’t fear love, and if I feel rage, I won’t deny it. I won’t fear love.”

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

Dang. Now that is a tough one. Well, I’ve been gushing most of this interview about Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, Sarah McLachlan.

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

Buddy Holly.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Beyonce’s Lemonade album.

the

LUCKY 13

Brian Blueskye Enoch Waters

Blueskye’s coverage of smaller bands brought them more notoriety, and his entertaining conversations with bigger acts made the Coachella Valley’s music scene pop. After writing up many Lucky 13 interviews over the years, it’s now his turn to answer the questions.

What was the first concert you attended?

Aerosmith in 1994, at what is now called the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. A band called Jackyl opened up.

What was the first album you owned?

Huey Lewis and The News’ Sports, but I put an asterisk by that, because I asked for a Metallica album for Christmas when I was 11 years old, and my mom bought me that album instead, saying, “You like Huey Lewis and the News!” as if it was a joke. I sent that CD flying into a wall and enjoyed watching it shatter into millions of pieces. I actually bought my first three albums with my own money: Nine Inch Nails’ The Downward Spiral, Aerosmith’s Pump and Metallica’s self-titled Black Album.

What bands are you listening to right now?

I’ve been getting more and more into Latin music lately and artists who were/are on the Fania record label like Willie Colon, Ray Barretto, Celia Cruz and Ruben Blades. I also got into the Chilean folk singer Victor Jara, and the Brazilian guitar player and composer Arthur Verocai.

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

I can’t stand Sublime. There’s a podcast called Your Favorite Band Sucks, and they did an entire episode on Sublime, and it was spot-on as far as their music and their antics as a band.

What’s your favorite music venue?

Pappy and Harriet’s is one of my favorite places on Earth; I love going up there. But one of the only times I get homesick for Cleveland is when I think of the Agora Theatre and Ballroom. I saw a lot of good shows there.

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

“Turn off the news and build a garden, just my neighborhood and me. We might feel a bit less hardened; we might feel a bit more free,” Lukas Nelson, “Turn Off the News (Build a Garden).”

What band or artist changed your life?

I was a closeted gay teenager growing up in Mentor, Ohio. I didn’t want to listen to upbeat pop anthems sung by divas. I was alienated and pissed off. Bands like Metallica, Motörhead, Black Flag, Dead Kennedys and the Buzzcocks were my saving grace.

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

I’d ask Paul Tollett, the CEO of Goldenvoice, why he didn’t give up and persevered to do more Coachella festivals after the first one was such a disaster.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”

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

U2, The Joshua Tree. People can rag on U2 all they want, but that album is a masterpiece.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

Durand Jones and the Indications, “Is It Any Wonder?”

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Space Cowboy,” Kacey Musgraves.

NAME Brian Blueskye MORE INFO Readers of the Coachella Valley Independent know the work of Brian Blueskye, now at The Desert Sun, well; he shared his unique view on the arts in the valley and gave local music a voice in these pages for six years.

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38 \\ COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT

OCTOBER 2019

OPINION SAVAGE LOVE

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

BAFFLED BY BONDAGE

BY DAN SAVAGE

M

y son has always liked handcuffs and tying people up as a form of play. He is 12 now, and the delight he finds in cuffing has not faded along with his love of Legos. He lobbied hard to be allowed to buy a hefty pair of handcuffs. We cautioned him strongly about consent—he has a younger brother—and he has been good about it. In the last year, though, I found out that he is cuffing himself while alone in the house—and when discovered, he becomes embarrassed and insists it’s a joke. I found him asleep one night with his wrists cuffed. I removed the cuffs and spoke to him the next morning about safety. Then recently, when returning home late, I saw him (through his window, from the back of the house) naked and cuffed with a leather belt around his waist, which seemed attached to the cuffs. This escalation was scarier. I haven’t spoken to him about it.

My concern about the bondage stuff is that there are some risks (like escaping a fire), particularly if he gets more adventurous (restricting breathing, etc.). This is something he is doing secretly and alone. He is a smart kid, an athlete, and a fairly conscientious scholar. He has friends but sometimes feels lonely. He is going through puberty with its attendant madness— defiance, surliness, etc.—but he is also very loving and kind. He is also quite boastful, which I interpret as insecurity. I can’t help feeling that this bondage stuff is related to these issues, and I worry about self-esteem and self-loathing. We are considering getting him some help.

Any advice for us?

Completely Understandable Fears For Son When a concerned parent reaches out to an advice columnist with a question like yours, CUFFS, the columnist is supposed to call in the child psychologists. But I thought it might be more interesting—I actually thought it might be more helpful—if I shared your letter with a different class of experts: adult men who were tying themselves up when they were 12 years old.

“This boy sounds a lot like how I was at his age,” said James “Jimmy” Woelfel, a bondage

porn star with a huge online following. “I want to reassure CUFFS that the discovery of things like this, even at a young age, is extremely common. We may not know why we like this stuff at the time; we just know we do.”

Jimmy is correct: Many adults who are into bondage, heavy or otherwise, became aware of their bondage kinks at a very early age.

“The vast majority of BDSM practitioners report that their sexual interests developed relatively early in life, specifically before the age of 25,” Dr. Justin Lehmiller wrote in a recent post on his invaluable Sex and Psychology blog. “Further, a minority of these folks (7-12 percent across studies) report that their interests actually developed around the time of puberty (ages 10-12), which is when other traditional aspects of sexual orientation develop (e.g., attraction based on sex/gender).”

While an obsession with handcuffs at age 6 isn’t proof a kid is going to grow up with an erotic interest in bondage—lots of kids like to play cops and robbers—a boy who’s cuffing himself in the throes of puberty and doing so in the nude and in secret … yeah, that boy is almost certainly going to be into bondage when he grows up. And that boy is also going to be embarrassed when his parents discover him in handcuffs for the exact same reason a boy is going to be

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My 12-year-old son really, really likes handcuffs; should I be worried?

embarrassed when his parents walk in on him masturbating—because he’s having a private sexual experience that he really doesn’t want to discuss with his parents.

As for your son’s insecurities and loneliness, CUFFS, they may not be related to his interest in bondage at all. They’re more likely a reaction to the shame he feels about his kinks than to the kinks themselves. (And aren’t most 12-year-olds, handcuff obsession or no, insecure?)

“People do bondage for various reasons,” said Trikoot, a self-described “bondage fanatic” and occasional kink educator from Helsinki, Finland. “It’s not always sexual, and it’s almost never a symptom of self-loathing— and a counselor will not ‘erase’ a taste for bondage. Too many kinksters had young lives full of shame and hiding, only to accept themselves years later and then discover what they’ve missed out on.”

In other words, CUFFS, parents and counselors can’t talk a child out of his kinks any more than they can talk a child out of his sexual orientation. This stuff is hardwired. And once someone accepts his kinks, whatever anxiety he feels about them eventually evaporates.

All that said, however awkward it was for you and mortifying for him when you found him asleep in his handcuffs, Jimmy thinks there may be an upside.

“I was extremely embarrassed when my mom caught me,” said Jimmy. “She didn’t know how to respond, and neither did I at the time. We merely went on as if it never happened. But it was somewhat comforting to know there wasn’t going to be a major backlash. It was better than living in fear.”

Now that you know what you know about your son, CUFFS, what do you do? Well, with the burden of knowing comes the responsibility—not just to educate and warn, but to offer your son a little hope for his future.

“Consent and safety are two of the most important universal issues in bondage, and CUFFS has wisely addressed both of them,” said Trikoot. And you should stress both in a follow-up conversation. “There are boundaries that should never be crossed, such as solo breath play, which regularly kills even experienced adults. But dabbling with wrist and ankle restraints while being within shouting distance of the rest of the family is not a serious safety issue.” (Sleeping in handcuffs, however, is a serious safety issue—they can twist, compress nerves and

damage the delicate bones of the wrist. He should not be sleeping in them.)

Now for the tricky and super awkward and what will definitely feel somewhat ageinappropriate part: At some point—maybe in a year or two—you need to let your son know that he has a community out there.

“When done safely, bondage/kink can be an extremely rewarding experience as he grows into adulthood,” said Jimmy. “Some of the most important people in my life are those whom I’ve shared this love with. It is nothing to be ashamed of—though at his age, it is unfortunately inevitable. How you react can help mitigate such a reaction.”

Oh, and stop peeping in your son’s bedroom window at night. That’s creepy.

Follow Jimmy Woelfel on Twitter @for_heavy and on Instagram @ heavybondageforlife. Follow Trikoot on Twitter @trikoot.

My 12-year-old son wants us to buy him a vibrator. He apparently had a good experience with a hot tub jet and is looking to replicate that “good” feeling. He has tried replicating it, but is feeling very frustrated. (I always wanted an open and honest relationship with my kids so, um, yay for us?) Additional information: My son is on an SSRI. My husband feels uncomfortable buying my son a sex toy, but I find myself sympathizing with my son’s frustration. But I would be more comfortable if he were 15. We are hoping to figure it out without devices. Are we being reasonable or squeamish?

Entirely Mortified Mom When this issue has come up in the past— usually it’s about a daughter who wants a vibrator—my readers have endorsed getting the kid an Amazon gift card and getting out of the way, i.e., letting them get online and buy themselves something and not scrutinizing the purchase once it arrives.

You could go that route, EMM. Or you could make an end run around this whole issue by installing a pulsating shower head in your bathroom or getting your son an electric toothbrush. (Also, antidepressants—SSRIs— can make it more difficult for a person to climax, so you may not be able to “figure it out without devices.”)

Read Savage Love every Wednesday at CVIndependent.com; mail@savagelove.net; @ fakedansavage on Twitter; ITMFA.org.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 39

OCTOBER 2019

OPINION COMICS & JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

“Evened Out”—following the sequence.

By Matt Jones

32 Some karaoke songs 34 Interstellar emissions studied by NASA 39 Former America’s Got Across Talent judge Klum 1 Enough, in Italy 40 Word on a red sign 6 Shortly, to Shakespeare 43 Pompous type 10 Gives in to gravity 46 Architect who passed 14 Groove for a letterin 2019 shaped bolt 47 Call of Duty: Black ___ 15 Setting for The Music 50 Most recent Summer Man Olympics host 16 Paris’s ___ d’Orsay 51 Unwisely responding 17 Concerned question to an online 19 “Back in the ___” troublemaker (Beatles song) 55 Pageant prop 20 Nixes, as a bill 56 “Yup” 21 Edit menu command 57 Cantos poet Pound 22 Where harmful 58 Intermediaries skin exposure may 62 Stack of paper originate 63 Map dot 26 Electrified particle 64 Basketball Hall-of27 Moines intro Famer ___ Thomas 28 270 are required to 65 Concordes, e.g. win the White House 66 Egyptian canal (abbr.)

67 Really, really tiny 29 Nine of diamonds feature?

Down 30 American Pie actress 1 “Before I forget,” in texts Tara 2 Cinders

3 Eastern European language, such as in Dvorak’s Dances 4 Sacred emblem 5 Like some retired racehorses 6 Broadcasters 7 Yogurt brand named after a Queensland beach town 8 Newman’s ___ 9 Old horse 10 Catcher’s position 11 Queensland resident, e.g.

12 Beauty and the Beast antagonist 13 Sounds in car chase scenes 18 Made on a loom 21 It may start out dry in a box 22 Tree with needles 23 Fish eggs 24 Pair, in Paris 25 Bon ___ (indie band with the 2019 album i,i) 31 Homer’s outburst 32 Half of MCCII

33 Part of PBS, for short 35 Antique photo tone 36 Appearance 37 “Got it” 38 Entered with much pomp 41 Painting medium 42 D.C. figure 43 Dessert, in England 44 Confiscates 45 Pirate, in old slang 47 “That’s awkward” 48 Flippant 49 “Victory is mine!” character 52 Small units of liquor 53 Ping-pong surface 54 Wild star Witherspoon 58 Saving Private Ryan extras 59 Beavers’ sch.

60 Rapper Lil ___ X 61 Just short © 2019 Matt Jones Find the answers in the “About” section of CVIndependent.com!

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OCTOBER 2019

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