Coachella Valley Independent April 2017

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT | APRIL 2017

VOL. 5 | NO. 4

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PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS* Contributing 100% The Barn Kitchen at Sparrow Lodge L Pho 533 D Ristretto for Coffee Lovers All Day Townie Bagels BL Contributing 75% Spencer’s Restaurant BLD Contributing 60% Trio Restaurant LD Contributing 50% Acqua California Bistro BLD Alicante Spanish American Cuisine LD Bongo Johnny’s Patio & Grill BLD Chill Bar All Day Lulu California Bistro BLD Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill D Sunshine Café BLD Zin American Bistro LD

On Thursday, April 27, select Coachella Valley restaurants will donate 33% or more of the total food and beverage sales at their location supporting Desert AIDS Project’s mission to enhance and promote the health and well-being of our community. Make one meal matter by gathering your friends to enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at participating locations.

Presented by

diningoutforlife.com/palmsprings/restaurants CVIndependent.com

Contributing 33% Appetito Deli LD Aspen Mills BL Bonta Restaurant & Bar D Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant D Chicken Ranch LD Copley’s on Palm Canyon D Dickey’s Barbecue Pit LD dish Creative Cuisine D Draughtsman D Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge LD El Mirasol at Los Arboles LD El Mirasol Cocina Mexicana LD Escena Lounge & Grill D Firehouse Subs - Palm Desert LD Firehouse Subs - Palm Springs LD Fox and Fiddle LD Georgie’s Alibi/Azul LD Guacamoles LD Hilton Palm Springs LD Hunters Nightclub All Day Jake’s LD JT’s Diner BL Kaiser Grille - Palm Desert D Kaiser Grille - Palm Springs LD King’s Highway at the Ace Hotel BLD Maracas - Palm Springs LD Maracas - Rancho Mirage LD Over the Rainbow Cupcakes All Day Pinocchio in the Desert BL Purple Palm LD Reservoir at Arrive Hotel D Slice - Rancho Mirage LD Tipper’s Gourmet Marketplace BLD The Tropicale D Vicky’s of Santa Fe D Watercress Vietnamese Bistro D

*as of 3/22/17

Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 3

APRIL 2017

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

Editor/Publisher Jimmy Boegle Assistant Editor Brian Blueskye cover/Cover Story design Mark Duebner Design Contributors Gustavo Arellano, Max Cannon, Kevin Carlow, Cory Courtney, Kevin Fitzgerald, Bill Frost, Bonnie Gilgallon, Bob Grimm, Dwight Hendricks, ValerieJean (VJ) Hume, Brane Jevric, Steve Kelly, Keith Knight, Erin Peters, Dan Perkins, Sean Planck, Guillermo Prieto, William Bryan Rooney, Anita Rufus, Elizabeth Shogren, Jen Sorenson, Christine Soto, Robert Victor, Baynard Woods The Coachella Valley Independent print edition is published every month.

All content is ©2017 and may not be published or reprinted in any form without the written permission of the publisher. The Independent is available free of charge throughout the Coachella Valley, limited to one copy per reader.

Additional copies may be purchased for $1 by calling (760) 904-4208. The Independent may be distributed only by the Independent’s authorized distributors.

The Independent is a proud member and/or supporter of the Association of Alternative Newsmedia, Get Tested Coachella Valley, the Local Independent Online News Publishers, the Desert Business Association, the LGBT Community Center of the Desert, and the Desert Ad Fed.

A few weeks back, a fantastic discussion ignited in one of the alternative-newsmedia e-mail groups to which I belong. The topic was readership campaigns—advertising campaigns by newspapers to promote themselves to their own readers.

Some of the slogans being used in these campaigns are brilliant—especially the ones created by our friends at The Austin Chronicle in Texas.

You need us. We need you. Support free press. Read us, follow us, advertise with us.

No news is bad news. We need each other.

Truth is truth. Whether you like them or not, facts aren’t fake. We report the news at no cost to you, and no matter the cost to us.

Starting this month, we here at the Independent will be, uh, “borrowing” some of these ideas (with The Austin Chronicle’s blessing, of course).

These truly are unprecedented times in which we’re living. The attacks on the press by the Trump administration are simply shocking.

Beyond the insults and slights, Trump and other members of his administration are picking and choosing which reporters get basic access—of course, less-critical media sources get dibs—that is, if any reporters get access.

(The same thing happens on the local level.

We recently reached out to Palm Springs Mayor Rob Moon to talk about the downtown redevelopment project and its current entanglements; we got a response from the city PR person saying Moon and other city officials were not giving any interviews regarding the criminal proceedings involving the downtown redevelopment project. Three weeks later, Moon and others sat down with KMIR for a special regarding these very topics. Apparently, Moon and the city PR folks feared what types of questions we’d ask. Read more on Page 7.)

On the positive side, these unprecedented times have forced many media sources to drop the outdated, dishonest myth of “objectivity,” and instead start calling, as the saying goes, a spade a spade. It’s been downright refreshing to see CNN, The New York Times and other mainstream media sources start calling lies, well, lies. Sometimes, there is no “other side” to a story. Truth is truth. Whether you like them or not, facts aren’t fake.

As another of those Austin Chronicle ads says … we really do need you. Without our readers, the Independent is just paper or pixels.

I hope you feel like you need us, too. Please, tell your friends about us. Give us feedback.

Support our advertisers—and tell them you saw their ad in the Independent. And if you’re feeling particularly generous, please go to CVIndependent.com/Supporters and sign up for our Supporters of the Independent program.

Welcome to the April 2017 print edition of the Coachella Valley Independent—our special Music Issue. As always, thanks for reading, and don’t hesitate to contact me at the email address below.

—Jimmy Boegle, jboegle@cvindependent.com CVIndependent.com

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OPINION OPINION

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/OPINION

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

BY ANITA RUFUS

T

he service people you encounter every day, to most, are basically invisible: the clerk at the cleaners, the waitress at the café where you get your morning coffee, the plumber who comes to fix a clogged drain, the salesman at the pro shop, the person who checks you in for your doctor’s appointment.

Most of us never know who these people really are, or what their lives are like, until the moment one of them displays the kind of interpersonal skills that make them not only personal to you, but also highly effective representatives of the organizations with which they work.

One such individual is Carlos Castro Jr., property manager with Public Storage in Palm Desert on Fred Waring Drive.

Castro was born 44 years ago in Indio, where he still lives. He is the oldest of four children, who grew up with the understanding that own home and her own car and independence. as the oldest, he had a responsibility toward I’ve always looked up to her. She’s really my his younger siblings—Monica, Vanessa and hero.”

Raymond.

Castro’s mom, Dora Rodriguez, was born in “My mom had me at 18,” he says, “and I saw, Waco, Texas. She came to the Coachella Valley after she and my father divorced, how, with and met Castro’s father at Coachella Valley no marketable experience, she moved from High School. welfare and Section 8 housing to owning her “It’s really some coincidence,” he says,

The

CENTER

Mission

Creating vibrant community by enriching the lives of LGBT people.

Vision

Thriving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, living authentically in supportive, inclusive communities.

THE SCOTT HINES

THE COMMUNITY

FOOD BANK

The

CENTER

@ THE CENTER

The McDonald/Wright Building 1301 N. Palm Canyon Dr., 3rd Floor | Palm Springs, CA 92262 760-416-7790 | www.thecenterps.org

CVIndependent.com Ctr_Ad_CVI_4(8612)x4(7399)_0317_a.indd 1

3/17/17 10:38 AM

Meet Carlos Castro, a man who understands the meaning of ‘service’

“because I also met the woman in my life at CVHS, but our story took a lot longer to work out.”

Castro had a crush on Claudia Macias in school, but life took them in different directions.

“What got us back to each other about six years ago, after we were both divorced, was Facebook,” he recalls. “I came across a profile of her and sent a message: ‘This is Carlos, who sat behind you.’ She was blown away, because a friend of hers had read my father’s obituary.

She responded, ‘Oh, my God, I thought you were dead!’ We talked a lot after that, and then she said we should get together some time. I told her, ‘I’m available right now. Let’s get a drink.’ Then we started seeing each other.

“Claudia reminds me of my mom in so many ways. She also grew up the product of a divorce and found a way to end up owning a house and a car, raising her kids, and making her own place in the world.”

Coming from an extended family that included relatives who got into trouble and even spent time in jail, “I really decided to be just the opposite,” says Castro. His father was a strong influence to stay clean and straight.

“I was raised to be respectful, to have a sense of responsibility toward others, to always act with integrity, and be self-aware. And if I did something wrong, I had to pay the consequences, at a time when that went well beyond a time-out.

“My family was somewhat reserved, a pretty typical Mexican family, so I wasn’t really raised to show my emotions. I developed that on my own. I was always interested in knowing about other people. You have to find things you may have in common. I trust people until someone gives me a reason not to. Sometimes, that backfires, and it really hurts. People can try to manipulate you, but you have to be strong and true to yourself.”

When it comes to being an asset to a company with a job that requires constantly interacting with people who may be upset or are often unsure of what they want or need, Castro could teach others how it’s done.

“I love my job,” he says. “I love meeting people and learning their history and the different experiences they’ve had. I tend to share myself, and then others share themselves with me. And I love being able to help them.”

Carlos Castro (right) with Claudia Macias (left) and his mom, Dora Rodriguez (center).

After high school, Castro continued his education at Mt. San Jacinto College, studying information technology. He then moved on to College of the Desert to study psychology.

He plans to continue on to a bachelor’s degree and hopes to go into social work to help others as a counselor, perhaps focused on substance abuse.

Castro’s bucket list? “I want to travel to Australia. It’s a very unique place. I’d like to go to the Outback and see kangaroos and koalas.

I’d also like to go south and see the Mayan ruins.”

What advice would Castro give to others?

“Be yourself. Be proud of where you come from. There are always going to be obstacles in life, but whatever you do, you should never change who you are just because of the actions of others. That just gives them control over you. And, of course, it’s easier with someone there with you.

“My mom always took care of us. She’s always there. I probably don’t tell her often enough.”

The next time you’re running errands, take the time to notice who is helping you, and realize how little you know about who they are, where they came from, and what their hopes and dreams might be.

That person, like Carlos Castro, might be someone you should take the time to know.

Anita Rufus is also known as “The Lovable Liberal,” and her radio show airs Sundays at noon on KNews Radio 94.3 FM. Email her at Anita@LovableLiberal.com. Know Your Neighbors appears every other Wednesday at CVIndependent.com.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 5

APRIL 2017

OPINION OPINION

ASK A MEXICAN!

My Mexican boyfriend broke up with me because of his immigration status; how do I deal?

BY GUSTAVO ARELLANO DEAR MEXICAN: A Mexican man recently broke up with me. We had great sex but a somewhat distant relationship. Anyway, the reason he left me was his immigration status.

He says he can’t “be with me mentally,” because he’s somewhere else mentally—not knowing where he might be living in the next days and months is really bothering him.

There is also the fact that he can’t find work now because of E-File.

I’m trying to find closure. It’s only been a few days since he left me, but I’m struggling with finding peace in myself. My friends say things like, “You’re better off without him,” and, “Things happen for a reason.” I miss him, miss the great sex (adventurous, great oral, got very close to anal) and most of all, I miss the idea of him. He’s liberal politically, helps his family here and in Mexico, is a good person, helps others and is very organic. I forgot to mention he has beautiful long hair and is “como un tren,” which means he’s solid like a football player and made me melt when I touched his “guns.”

Please help me deal.

La Heina No More DEAR YA NO THE CHICK: Man, you know Trump is destroying lives when Mexicans can’t even have sex with gabachas anymore without deportation on their mind. (Quick thought, gents: Think of 45’s blobbish physique to hold out just a bit more.)

It seems like the two of you had a great relationship outside of el sexo, and he’s obviously concerned about his livelihood and those of his fellow undocumented friends and family, so don’t take it personally. The most important thing right now is for you to be there for him, even if he’s unavailable physically. Protest whenever the inevitable migra raids inflict terror on the barrios in your city. Bombard your congressman and senators, demanding they oppose Trump’s wall of shame. Donate to nonprofits designed to help out people like your hombre.

Remember: The most important body part of his to have right now is his back. Oh, and #fucktrump.

DEAR MEXICAN: The sentiment among most U.S. citizens is that new Mexican arrivals in the U.S. should immediately learn

‘SPRING CLEANING’ FOR FACIAL REJUVENATION

By Shonda Chase, RN Co-owner and aesthetic director of Revive Wellness Centers Palm Springs and the South Bay area of Los Angeles

“If all you do is injectables, you’re going to have old skin with fewer wrinkles.” —Dermatologist Macrene Alexiades

H to speak English. (It’s the least that they could do.) How easy would that be for the Mexicans? Would it be easier for us to learn to speak Spanish? Are there more Spanish words than English words? Is it fair to even ask that question?

Tongue Tied Gringo DEAR GABACHO: All’s fair in love and etymology, son!

Gabachos don’t realize how pinche hard it is to learn how to speak English. The Oxford English Dictionary currently has 171,476 words in its Second Edition that it categorizes as “current use” (and this is not including tenses and obsolete words), while the Real Academia Española estimates about 100,000. That said, Mexicans do learn how to speak English, if slowly: A 2016 study by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) showed 69 percent of Mexican immigrants “reported limited English proficiency, compared to 50 percent of all immigrants.” That might seem high, but compare that to another immigrant group that came from similar poverty: Vietnamese. The MPI showed 67 percent of Vietnamese report LEP, but I don’t hear people freaking out about them. Maybe because they historically voted Republican?

Catch the Mexican every Wednesday at CVIndependent.com. Ask the Mexican at themexican@askamexican.net; be his fan on Facebook; follow him on Twitter @ gustavoarellano; or follow him on Instagram @ gustavo_arellano!

ave you been asked by your friends, family or co-workers lately if you’re feeling irritable or angry, �red or discouraged, weary or unhappy—when you’re actually feeling happy, eager, rested, animated and/or mo�vated?

If you’re like me, you might be confused by ques�ons that misrepresent what we are feeling. If we get a ques�on like this, it’s probably �me to consider doing something about our facial aging.

I’m sure you already know that dermal fillers can help improve our appearances so we look as rested and happy as we’re feeling. This year, we have a number of new injectables that do a be�er job of rejuvena�on and last longer—some�mes, a lot longer.

Volbella can rejuvenate tear troughs, fine lines and lip lines, and can last a year or more. With the older fillers we would use for the same areas, we would be lucky if they would last 4-6 months. We also have Vollure to rejuvenate moderate lines; it lasts from 12-24 months.

A second secret is that these newer dermal fillers are ini�ally more expensive than older fillers. However, because they all last longer, you end up saving money and need fewer treatments to look naturally refreshed, rested and happier.

The third secret this month amplifies Dr. Alexiades’ introductory quote about the importance of effec�ve skin rejuvena�on.

Having youthful skin is as important as restoring wrinkles. The short answer is to use the proper energy-based medical devices to help your skin restore its own collagen and elas�n. At Revive Wellness Centers, our go-to medical devices are radio frequency and appropriate lasers.

Next month, I’ll discuss the most cost-effec�ve ways to help your skin be more youthful. Un�l then, keep the secrets.

Read the en�re ar�cle at www.revivecenter.com/blog.

Email your individual appearance and aging ques�ons to Ms. Chase at Shonda@revivecenter.com.

CVIndependent.com

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CVIndependent.com

APRIL 2017

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 7

APRIL 2017

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS

A chat with lawyer Judy Deertrack regarding the downtown Palm Springs redevelopment mess

BY BRANE JEVRIC

J

ohn Wessman was a mighty developer, known for his lucrative deals across the Coachella Valley—and his significant influence at Palm Springs City Hall.

The high point of his career was supposed to be the Palm Springs downtown revitalization project, currently estimated by experts at $350 million in value.

Today, however, Wessman is better known for being indicted on numerous counts of alleged bribery involving former Mayor Steve Pougnet—and involving that downtown development project.

Wessman effectively retired upon the indictment and is not talking to the media. So, in an attempt to find out the latest news regarding the downtown development project—which has benefitted from millions of dollars from Palm Springs taxpayers via Measure J—we reached out to city officials, all of whom still publically support the downtown project. We started by trying to talk to Mayor Robert Moon. have added about another $20 million.

We received this response from Amy Wessman has also gotten an additional Blaisdell, the city’s communications director: $150 million in hotel subsidies coming to “Mayor Moon asked me to reach out to you him through a bed-tax rebate. This project regarding your request for an interview. He and originally did not anticipate hotels. That is the other councilmembers along with the city inching toward a quarter-billion in subsidies. manager will not be granting interviews at this time regarding the investigation and recent Has the $47 million been spent by indictments.”

Wessman, and has it been spent solely on This was a lie: Three weeks later, Robert capital improvements?

Moon, City Manager David Ready and City No one knows, but $32 million went into a Councilman J.R. Roberts sat down for a chat private escrow account owned by Wessman for with KMIR. this project, and the city claims it has no access In any case, we reached out to Judy to know the status of that account currently.

Deertrack, a local urban lawyer and activist.

She is a land and government-affairs How did the city of Palm Springs end up in consultant, and a legal specialist in land-use such a mess? law. She is a Palm Springs resident and has I can’t in a few words give an exact story of lived and worked in the Coachella Valley since what happened. Suffice to say, the permits 2004. Here’s an edited version of our chat. started going through as project finance agreements rather than engineered diagrams.

Let’s dig in from scratch: When did the The city and Wessman kept the conceptual trouble start brewing with the Palm plans fairly private and vague enough that the Springs downtown project? dimensions could be changed at will, and there The problem with the downtown plan is that was no clear planning process in sight. A lot of it was processed as … a relatively modest this bypassed public hearings, except for the redevelopment project for the Desert Fashion hotels.

Plaza that involved demolition and renovation.

So Wessman was also given a lot of How was Measure J entangled with the freedom? downtown project?

There appeared to be no upper limits …

In early 2012, the state of California (ended because the city used and abused the planned cities’) redevelopment powers and financing, development permit (PDD). The specific plan but the city went on to enlarge this project set limits on height… and setbacks, and bulk, anyway, and financed it with a municipal bond and floor-area ratio. Then the PDD took those issuance for $47 million that is paid back limits away. through Measure J funds at $3.3 million per year for about 25 years.

Is it possible the city violated any significant regulations and laws?

What was Wessman’s cut in the whole California’s environmental-review laws say deal? that when cities set limits in their general plan Since the original release of $47 million in and specific plan, it creates an environmental 2012, change orders, (the) purchase of the threshold for impacts, and when they build in event center lot, and its proposed approvals excess of those limits, violating the threshold

Judy Deertrack: “The city over time absolutely bastardized the development restrictions on this project.” BRANE JEVRIC

is a “significant environmental effect” that creates the need for further data, evaluation, public hearings and mitigation of project impacts.

How exactly did the city get away with such inconsistencies?

Palm Springs exceeded the limits of its plan on downtown, and then concluded there was no significant environmental effect of doing so—and made what I consider to be false findings that the project “was consistent and in conformity” with the general plan and specific plan, when, in fact, using the PDD and the project finance agreements to set the project development standards and requirements was a violation of those mechanisms.

The resulting “inconsistency” between the project and the specific plan is why in January 2016, the new City Council went back in and re-did about 50 percent of the wording of the specific plan to eliminate all of the outstanding inconsistencies. It was a major cleanup—but is not allowed in the state of California. A plan cannot be later amended to conform to illegal approvals that violate the plan.

It appears that the whole downtown affair is far from over.

Well, the original specific plan is lost to time and many, many changes. All of this occurred during an alleged racketeering scheme between the mayor (Pougnet) and the developer where the mayor, in the words of District Attorney (Michael) Hestrin, was paid to influence the vote of a majority of the sitting City Council.

And no matter what was happening, and how illegal the permit processing became, there was always a majority vote—and tremendous pressure put on the architectural and planning

commission boards to pass this project up and along, not on evidence, but on influence.

There were some attempts by the city to clean up the mess, correct?

That awful specific plan cleanup … in January 2016 was the tail wagging the dog! … The city over time absolutely bastardized the development restrictions on this project, and now City Hall is bragging they have cut the size by 49 percent. How unique! This sounds like a retail fire sale where the prices are increased 100 percent, and then cut back 50 percent, and we are told we just got a bargain.

What can be done to remedy this downtown quagmire?

This city and its citizens should be demanding change—a lot of change—and a lot of explanation for what has happened. Instead, we are allowing ourselves to be bullied and hoodwinked. The citizens of Palm Springs have been far too compliant with this outrage. Part of the problem is that no one is demanding information. Virtually no one is challenging the inconsistencies and untruths that abound on the public record. Just a few have stood up—too few!

If you were on the City Council, what would you do?

It is an obligation of the sitting City Council to first order a full accounting of expenditures and funds from Wessman on the project to date. Then, audit all accounts, and confer with the state of California on compromised public funds, such as municipal bonds or subsidies.

Identify notification responsibilities to the bond-holders. The city has not acknowledged these obligations to date.

CVIndependent.com

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APRIL 2017

NEWS NOT AN OPTION AT EMC

BY KEVIN FITZGERALD

T

he quiet bustle outside of Eisenhower Medical Center’s medical campus in Rancho Mirage was disturbed by the old-school call and response of an organizer’s bullhorn and a crowd of protesters on the morning of Thursday, March 2.

“What do we want?” shouted Joe Barnes, the California outreach manager for Compassion and Choices, a national advocacy group for terminally ill patients.

The crowd of 100 or so enthusiastic supporters of the California End of Life Option Act responded: “Access!”

Barnes continued: “When do we want it?”

“Now!” hollered the crowd.

The protest on the sidewalks alongside the Bob Hope Drive entrance to EMC was organized by, and for, Coachella Valley residents frustrated by the refusal of EMC administrators to allow any of their doctors, other professional staff members to speak with their doctors about what their and facilities to participate in the new state law, priorities are at the end of their life, and really which lays out the strict guidelines under which become a team with their doctors rather patients can obtain life-ending prescriptions, than accepting everything that the medical should they so choose. (Full disclosure: My community just pushes out to them,” said Joan mother-in-law utilized the law last year.)

Stucker, the chairperson of the Coachella Valley Signs were waved; short and impassioned Access Team for Compassion and Choices, to the speeches were given; chants were raised; and Independent during the rally. “We have a hold-up then the group headed into the hospital building (in patient access to End of Life Option services) to meet with an EMC representative. with Eisenhower Hospital, because their doctors “We encourage members of our communities are employed by the hospital, and even though

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CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

Residents protest Eisenhower’s refusal to support California’s new death-with-dignity law some of their physicians want to give their patients access, they (EMC leaders) refuse to let them do that. We want them to change that position.”

The other major-health care provider in our valley, Tenet Healthcare, operates the Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, the JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio, and the Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree.

These facilities will not be a target of pro-End of Life Option demonstrations, because Tenet administrators recently clarified publicly that they will allow their personnel, including doctors in their networks, to support a patient’s End of Life Act rights.

The newly released official policy statement stipulates that any Tenet personnel who choose to engage in the End of Life Option procedures must record patient interactions in the Tenet health-records systems. While Tenet physicians may write prescriptions for the life-ending drugs described in the California law, patients may not fill those prescriptions in Tenet pharmacies, or take those drugs in any of Tenet facilities.

Tenet is clearly doing more to address the needs of the terminally ill patients than EMC, which refuses to cooperate with the California law on any level.

“It just doesn’t seem that they (EMC) are providing the good care that they claim to give,” Stucker said. “They’re supposed to give incredible care to their patients, and yet they’re refusing to let them have this option.”

Idyllwild resident and EMC patient Francoise Frigola turned out for the rally.

EMC patient Francoise Frigola. kevin fitzgerald

“I asked my doctor what her position was (regarding the End of Life Option Act), and she was furious,” Frigola explained while leaning forward in her wheelchair. “She was part of writing the law, and because she’s affiliated with Eisenhower down here, she cannot do anything.”

We asked Stucker what steps would next be taken regarding the lack of End of Life Option access at EMC. “We know that getting access to medical aid in dying takes time. We know there’s a certain amount of resistance,” Stucker said. “It’s very difficult, because physicians and hospitals have not really been trained in end-of-life care.

They’re very uncomfortable doing something that they’ve actually been trained not to do.

But Eisenhower Medical Center is such a major player in local health care, serving a lot of patients all over the valley. We think it’s only right that their patients have a chance to get access (to medical aid in dying assistance) with the physicians that they are seeing.”

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 9

APRIL 2017

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS

Out of Standing Rock, the birth of a new environmental movement

BY BAYNARD WOODS

I

t is snowing in Washington, D.C.—strange in early March after an insanely warm winter, but nothing compared to the cold many of the activists and tribal members gathered here endured in North Dakota while fighting against the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

Kristen Tuske, a 39-year-old woman from the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, stands with several other women in front of the White House, her back to it, fist raised in the air. She has pink hair, sculpted arches for eyebrows and tattoos on the side of her face. She lived at the camp where thousands of “water protectors” gathered to fight the pipeline for seven months.

“The last couple of weeks at the camp were sad, and everyone was a little angry,” she said. “A lot of feelings are hurt. ... That was our home, and we got kicked out.”

The last protesters left the camp on Feb. 23.

The struggle started last summer when the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes sued the Army Corps of Engineers Trump know that this is not just a Standing to stop the construction of the oil pipeline, Rock or a Washington, D.C., or a politics issue. claiming it could contaminate their water This is for the whole Earth. We’re trying to supply and destroy significant archeological save the water, because water is life.” sites. That kicked off months of protests, often Little Thunder says he is a single father of pitting camps of indigenous people—and the six children, four of them living at Standing environmentalists and veterans who had come Rock. His voice is high and pinched; he’s to fight with them—against an increasingly almost singing as he speaks. militarized police presence. President Obama “Once he let (Standing Rock) go through, twice ordered construction stopped, but, after they think they can destroy the water, which taking office, Trump gave the go-ahead to is life every place else on this Earth, not just the pipeline, insisting publicly that it must Standing Rock,” he says. be constructed of American steel (a stance he David Kenny, a member of the Seneca quietly reversed).

Nation, is standing with a sign that reads The evacuation of the camp may be a “Water Is Life.” defeat for Standing Rock, but, in the eyes of “It’s not just about Native Americans those gathered in front of the White House, anymore. It’s about everyone,” he says. it may also signal the beginning of something “Because if you keep poisoning the water, greater—the possibility of a real environmental you’re going to start paying for it, and they’re movement in America. going to shoot that price up. You’re going to be “The reason I am here is to represent our paying $20 for a bottle of it. It’s not just about future generations and be their voice, part of the tribes anymore.” the resistance in decolonizing our minds,” said He turns his attention toward the White JoRee LaFrance, a member of the Crow tribe House and the white man inside it. “Can you from Montana. “Protecting our waters should stop this pipeline, please?” he asks, his voice be our No. 1 priority, and that’s why we’re all soft. “It’s not about business anymore. It’s here is to unite and protect tribal sovereignty not just us that’s going to fall—it’s you, too. and to protect indigenous people and their Everybody is going to die if this continues. The waters. People need to realize indigenous Earth is dying.” people are doing this for all people, not just There is no indication that Trump or anyone indigenous people. We’re here to protect the else in the White House hears this, despite water for all people.” the fact that native nations have spent the As I talk to people at the rally, I hear that last four days with teepees set up on the sentiment again and again. It is not just about mall, raising awareness of indigenous and the water at Standing Rock. It is a symbolic environmental issues. On March 9, the day battle, a turning point. Indigenous people are before the gathering across from the White stepping forward to save the planet—and to House, Environmental Protection Agency save us from ourselves.

Administrator Scott Pruitt said he would not Little Thunder, an elder from South Dakota’s agree that climate change caused by human Rosebud Indian Reservation, is standing apart activity is “a primary contributor to the global from the crowd in full ceremonial regalia: a warming that we see.” feathered headdress, a circular feather shield, But as the Native Nations Rise rally went and some mirrored sunglasses. He came all the down, thousands more people were calling the way to Washington to “let people know and let EPA to complain about Pruitt’s disavowal of

Protester David Kenny: “It’s not just about Native Americans anymore. It’s about everyone. Because if you keep poisoning the water, you’re going to start paying for it, and they’re going to shoot that price up.

You’re going to be paying $20 for a bottle of it. It’s not just about the tribes anymore.” BAYNARD WOODS

accepted science.

On the very same day as the rally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released a study reporting that carbon dioxide levels rose at a “record pace for second straight year.”

“The two-year, 6-ppm surge in the greenhouse gas between 2015 and 2017 is unprecedented in the observatory’s 59-year record,” the report read.

Trump’s budget proposal, released a week after the rally, slashed the EPA by more than 30 percent. The NOAA is not included in the final proposal, but a leaked draft showed a 17 percent decrease in funding.

Back at the rally, the snow falls on the demonstrators, as well as the dancers and the speakers on the stage. Taboo from the Black Eyed Peas takes the stage. He is part Shoshone and organized the release of a song recorded by a collection of mostly native artists to bring attention to Native American issues.

It is a strange moment, watching the snow

fall as this pop star in a floppy hat sings over a recording of his band’s song “I Gotta Feeling,” and people sway and dance and sing along, making it feel, for a moment, more like spring break than a deadly serious fight for the fate of the world.

Looking over at the White House, I have a feeling that tonight’s probably not gonna be a good night. But if we listen to the water protectors, we may still have some good nights left.

Democracy in Crisis is a joint project of alternative newspapers around the country, including the Coachella Valley Independent. Baynard Woods is editor at large at the Baltimore City Paper.

His work has also appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times, the Washington Post, Vox, Salon, McSweeney’s, Virginia Quarterly Review and many other publications. Send tips to democracyincrisicolumn@gmail.com. Twitter @demoincrisis. Podcast every Thursday at www. democracyincrisis.com.

CVIndependent.com

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APRIL 2017

NEWS

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/NEWS

APRIL ASTRONOMY I

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

By Robert Victor

n April 2017, bright and steady Jupiter is likely the first “star” to be spotted after sunset, south of east. Twinkling, blue-white Sirius, in the southwest quadrant, is next. Jupiter is at opposition to the sun, and above the horizon all night, on April 7-8; you can estimate the hour by noting the planet’s location—low in the eastern sky at dusk, high in the south in the middle of night, and low in the western sky at dawn.

As morning twilight brightens, we find an even more spectacular planet, Venus, rising in the east, as Jupiter slinks off toward the western horizon. Before dawn brightens too much, locate Saturn in the south.

Our evening sky chart plots daily positions of the brightest objects in the current month’s sky at mid-twilight. As April begins, the mostAs the sky darkens, notice Spica 7 degrees to the prominent objects, in order of brightness, are lower right of the moon-Jupiter pair. steady yellow-white Jupiter, climbing in the east After the full moon of early spring, the moon to southeast as the month progresses; twinkling rises later and farther south nightly. On Tuesday, blue-white Sirius in the south-southwest to April 11, moonrise occurs at 7:52 p.m.; on April southwest; golden Arcturus ascending in the 12, at 8:47 p.m.; on April 13, 9:41 p.m.; on April east-northeast to east, to the far left of Jupiter; 14, 10:34 p.m.; and on April 15, 11:25 p.m. and Capella, high in the northwest.

The moon in morning sky: From the full Sirius and Capella mark extreme south and moon onward, it may be more convenient follow north points of the huge Winter Hexagon, the moon at dawn. On Sunday, April 10, one encircling Betelgeuse and Orion’s three-star hour before sunrise, find bright Jupiter low in belt inside. The belt points the way to Sirius, the west-southwest to west, with Spica 7 degrees the Dog Star, and in the opposite direction, to to its left. The nearly full moon will be 7 degrees Aldebaran, eye of Taurus, the Bull. In clockwise to Jupiter’s lower right. On the next morning, order around the hexagon from Sirius, locate April 11, the moon, just past full, will appear Procyon, Pollux (with his fainter twin brother 7 degrees to Jupiter’s upper left. By Saturday, Castor nearby, not plotted), Capella, Aldebaran, April 15, the waning gibbous moon will appear Rigel and then back to Sirius. in the south-southwest, about 10 degrees above Preceding the Hex across the sky in April Antares. On Easter Sunday, April 16, the moon 2017 is faint Mars, itself preceded by Mercury, will appear closely to the upper right of Saturn as bright as zero-magnitude Arcturus on April in the south, and on April 17, farther to Saturn’s 1, but fading to first magnitude by April 6, and upper left. While you’re up early enjoying the very sharply thereafter. The trailing Polluxmoon and Saturn those two mornings, add to Procyon side of the Hex crosses due south into your total of solar system objects by spotting the western half of the sky in twilight at the start brilliant Venus low in the east before Jupiter of April. Following is Regulus, heart of Leo, sets in the west-southwest to west. Our morning reaching south at month’s end. Still farther east twilight sky chart at CVIndependent.com shows in April 2017, we find Jupiter, with Spica close all these stars and planets, plus Arcturus in the by, and Arcturus. west, to the upper right of Jupiter, and Vega, The moon in evening sky: On the evening passing just north of overhead. High in the of April 1, the crescent moon, about one-third eastern sky, Altair and Deneb complete the full, appears several degrees to the upper left of Summer Triangle with Vega.

Aldebaran. The waxing moon, moving eastward, By the morning of April 19, the moon will remains within the Winter Hexagon for two reach last quarter phase, half full and 90 degrees more evenings, but by April 4, the now-gibbous or one-quarter of a circle west of the sun. After moon has exited (in a maneuver known as April 19, the moon is a waning crescent.

Hexit), appearing to the left of the PolluxOn Saturday, April 22 there won’t be much Procyon line. On April 6, the moon passes closely moonlight to interfere with the peak of the south of Regulus. On the evening of Sunday, Lyrid meteor shower, best in the hour or two April 9, the moon appears about 9 degrees above before first light of dawn. To see the greatest Jupiter, and on Monday, April 10, the full moon number of meteors, observe from a dark place, appears 3-4 degrees to the lower left of Jupiter. and get most of your viewing in before 4:30 a.m.

That evening, the moon rises about 17 minutes On Sunday, April 23, moonrise occurs at before sunset. Using binoculars, can you spot 4:27 a.m., with sunrise at 6:05 a.m. Look an Jupiter in daylight to the moon’s upper right? hour before sunrise, and you’ll see a 12-percent CVIndependent.com

Jupiter pulls an all-nighter, while

Planets and Bright Evening‘star’ Mid-Twilight Venus is nowStars the in morning For April, 2017

April's evening sky chart.

ROBERT D. MILLER

N

Arcturus

29 22 Mars 15 8 1

Your Support of D.A.P. Creates a Healthier Community Capella

E

8 1 Mercury

Pollux

1

8

Spica

15

Aldebaran

Regulus

Jupiter

W

Betelgeuse

22

29

Procyon

Rigel

Sirius

Your donations of clothing, furniture, small goods, and home décor help Desert AIDS Project to provide our community with needed medical, dental, counseling, and social support services including nutrition housing, and much more.

Canopus

Desert AIDS Project has received a 5-Star rating from S in a row — a distinction Charity Navigator Evening occurs Stereographic crescent moon verymid-twilight low in the east tofor east-5 years season’s monthly public star partiesProjection at the O horizon. when Sun 9to below Map by Robert Miller 6%is of alllower non-profi northeast,only 7-8 degrees the right of ts receive.

Visitor Center of the Santa Rosa andD.San Jacinto Apr. 1: 40 minutes after sunset.

Venus. Slight optical Venus itself is Mountains National Monument, on Saturday, 15: 41 aid " will " reveal " a crescent,Donate 20 percent illuminated April 1, from 7 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday, May 30: 42 it " to" Revivals. " that morning.

The Venus-moon pairinga onhealthier April 23 isn’t community.

17, from 8 to 10 p.m. The Visitor Center is on Help create particularly close—the next one, on May 22, Highway 74, within four miles south of Highway will be much tighter and more impressive—but 111 in Palm Desert. Check www.astrorx.org for this is the first of eight monthly predawn Venuslistings of our regular star parties and our high moon pairings through November. altitude star parties at Sawmill Trailhead starting Visitstarour On Monday, April 24, moonrise occurs at 5:06 at dusk. The next high-altitude party (at a.m., with sunrise at 6:04 a.m., so look about 40 4,000 feet; wear warm clothes!) will be held on NEW minutes before sunrise, at 5:24 a.m., to catch the Saturday, April 22.

DesertStar last old moon, a 5 percent crescent, 3 degrees Also, check the linkPalm to our “Impromptu location! up just south of due east, and 11 degrees to the Parties,” which could be announced on short lower left of Venus. notice at any time.

Star parties provide wonderful opportunities to join with other folks who love to share their Robert C. Victor was a staff astronomer at Abrams interest in observing the sky, and to get great Planetarium at Michigan State University. He views of astronomical objects through a variety is now retired and enjoys providing skywatching Palm Springs Cathedral City Palm Desert of binoculars and telescopes. The Astronomical opportunities for school children in and around Palm Palmwill Canyon Dr.last of68-401 Hwy. 111 72-885 Hwy. 111 Society of611 theS.Desert host the the Springs.

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APRIL 2017

CVI SPOTLIGHT: APRIL 2017 Meet Songwriter Jack Lawrence, a Man Before His Time

H

ow much history can one man touch?

Meet songwriter Jack Lawrence.

Born to modest beginnings in 1912, at the age of 20, he graduated from the First Institute of Podiatry. However, it turns out this would-be doctor was also a budding songwriter—and in the same year, his first song, “Play, Fiddle, Play,” was published.

Songwriting won out.

Lawrence was openly gay at a time when this was a dangerous admission. His surviving partner, Richard Lawrence, said Jack frequented so many clubs in Harlem, so often, that he was known by a pet name that he refused to let me print.

I had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Richard Lawrence, Jack’s longtime partner and—because they were together at a time before marriage equality—adopted son. (This made Richard his legal heir.) I also talked with Burt Peachy, with 100 Hundred Miles From Hollywood Productions. They’re the team behind They All Sang My Songs—A Musical Tribute to the Composer/Lyricist Jack Lawrence, coming to downtown Palm Springs Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15.

Richard moved to Rancho Mirage after Jack’s death in 2009. He told me how they meet at a Fourth of July party in Hollywood back in the 1970s.

“I didn’t want to go. A friend of mine dragged me there,” Richard said. “On the way out, I saw this guy. I went to the hostess and asked, ‘What was this man’s name?’”

Turns out Jack had asked her the same question about Richard.

“One Saturday, he called me and asked what I was doing for lunch. I didn’t have anything to do, but I wasn’t going to commit, so I said, ‘I will call you back,’” Richard remembered. “I thought about it

CVIndependent.com

and said, ‘What the hell?’ and I called him back.”

They were together for 34 years, right up until Jack’s death.

Richard and Peachy based They All Sang My Songs on Jack’s book, which has the same title. The show is a musical revue with a storyline, they told me, with a feel like “you’re sitting in a supper club like Chi-Chi’s.”

Peachy said that after he wrapped up work on his short film Faces of 8, about opposition to California’s anti-gay-marriage Proposition 8, made in 2012, he was hoping to take a break. “And this guy comes into my life,” he said, pointing at Richard. “Jack was one of the cornerstones of America’s songbook.”

That’s no hyperbole. During World War II, Jack served as a lieutenant in the Maritime Service and wrote the official song of the Maritime Service and Merchant Marine, “Heave Ho! My Lads! Heave Ho!” The successes kept coming. Dinah Shore sang his song “Yes, My Darling Daughter” on Eddie Cantor’s radio program, and later put it on her first record.

He wrote the lyrics for “Tenderly,” which became Rosemary Clooney’s trademark song.

“This song helped revive Rosemary’s career,” Richard said. “It was on the rocks, and this song bought her back to the top. She was really a nice lady.”

Jack Lawrence also helped introduce The Ink Spots to the world with the song “If I Didn’t Care.” Even Old Blue Eyes sang a song of his, “All or Nothing at All,” which became one of Frank Sinatra’s first solo hits.

Oh, and then there’s his song “Linda,” which he wrote for his attorney’s infant daughter, Linda Eastman. Years later, she became Paul McCartney’s wife.

They All Sang My Songs will feature many

Jack Lawrence

of his hits, as well as three unreleased songs—including one sung by Jack himself, from a recording done in London.

Performers include Darci Daniels, Keisha D, Charles Herrera, Phillip Moore and Bill Lohnes, who will play Jack Lawrence.

They All Sang My Songs—A Musical Tribute to the Composer/Lyricist Jack Lawrence will be performed at 7:30

p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15, at the Pearl McManus Theater at the Palm Springs Woman’s Club, 314 S. Cahuilla Road, in Palm Springs.

Tickets are $20. For tickets or more information, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/2837455.

—Dwight Hendricks

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APRIL 2017

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APRIL 2017

ARTS

SPLENDID ‘SISSIES’ Desert Rose’s take on Del Shores’ Baptist boys is a pure delight By bonnie gilgallon

G

iven the hatred and divisiveness our country’s socio-political climate has stirred up, Desert Rose Playhouse’s current production, Southern Baptist Sissies, seems timelier than ever.

Del Shores’ play, which won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding L.A. Theatre Production during its original run in 2000, skillfully illustrates the painful conflict faced by homosexuals of faith who long to remain part of a church community that rejects the very essence of who they are.

The play tells the stories of four young men coming of age in Dallas. Each boy is trying to come to terms with his burgeoning homosexuality while also remaining an active member of the congregation at Calvary Baptist Church.

Mark (Joseph Tanner Paul), who also serves as the narrator, is sarcastic and bitter over the church’s narrow-mindedness about gays and its rigid rules for life—“So in God’s eyes, eating shrimp is just as bad as sucking cock.” Mark is a pivotal role, and Paul nails it. He’s a strong presence onstage—funny, acerbic and angry, yet often incredibly vulnerable.

Mark is strongly attracted to T.J. (the charismatic, well-built Cody Frank), who is in major denial about his own preference for men: “I am living a normal life with a woman—the way God intended, and I am happy!” T.J. spouts Bible verses and feigns interest in women, while brushing off a youthful sexual encounter with Mark as insignificant. Frank makes T.J.’s inner turmoil quite believable.

The sensitive, guilt-ridden Andrew (German Pavon) is the first of the quartet to accept Jesus as his personal savior. He prays fervently by day and secretly explores gay nightclubs by night. Andrew’s nightly fantasies are not of sweaty sex, but of caresses and a gentle male voice assuring him that he will always be taken care of. Pavon’s acting is quite effective; he makes the audience want to wrap him in a giant hug.

By far, the boldest of the four boys is Benny (the amazing, androgynous Ben Heustess), who wholeheartedly embraces his gayness, dressing in drag and lip-syncing to Shania Twain songs with great glee. I cannot imagine anyone else playing this part. Heustess is riveting—you cannot take your eyes off him. He excels not only as a female impersonator, but also at revealing the character’s deep inner pain.

CVIndependent.com

A scene from Desert Rose Playhouse’s Southern Baptist Sissies.

Calvary’s preacher (the perfectly cast Larry Dyekman) holds forth with typical fire and brimstone, adamant that obedience to God is always the answer.

Local favorite Joey English is effective and holds her own as the mothers of each of the four young men. She has some of the show’s best lines. When discussing her trailer-park neighbor with the preacher, she quips, “She’s Catholic, you know—just one step off from them Jee-hovah’s Witnesses.”

Steve Fisher’s direction deserves special mention: He brings out the best in his cast.

There are some profoundly emotional moments in this production, and each actor hits just the right notes without going over the top. The set, lights, sound, hair and makeup (particularly Benny’s drag get-ups) are all spot on.

Desert Rose Playhouse’s production of Southern Baptist Sissies is not just a play about homosexuality and religion. It’s about the universal fear of letting others see who we really are. Perhaps Benny sums it up best late in the play when he muses: “Maybe the world is just the way it should be. … Maybe we are ALL right … the gays, the Baptists, the Muslims, all of us.” What a different world, indeed.

Southern Baptist Sissies is performed at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m., Sunday, through Sunday, April 9, at the Desert Rose Playhouse, 69620 Highway 111, in Rancho Mirage. Tickets are $32 to $35, and the running time is about 2 1/2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission.

Contains nudity and adult situations. For tickets or more information, call 760-202-3000, or visit www.desertroseplayhouse.org.

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 15

APRIL 2017

ARTS

SEXISM IN THE ART WORLD

‘Women of Abstract Expressionism’ shines a light on artists who haven’t gotten the respect they deserve

From Botox to Cosmetic Surgery and Everything in Between

By william bryan rooney

Y

ou are in an art gallery, taking in all the intricacies of a certain painting, when you overhear someone say: “My 4-year old could do that.”

It’s that kind of broad-stroke dismissal that many women painters in the 1940s and 1950s experienced in the art world.

Although many women had thriving art careers at that time, they were never taken as seriously as their male counterparts. Today, the exhibition Women of Abstract Expressionism, at the Palm Springs Art Museum through May 28, shows just how influential these artists are.

The exhibit contains more than 50 major paintings by 12 artists of the Abstract Expressionist movement of the 20th century, an era recognized as the first fully American modern-art movement. Curated by Gwen Chanzit of the Denver Art Museum, it’s the only exhibition to present works by these artists together. Chanzit told artnet News, “Except for a very small number of scholars who have spent their lives working in this field, there will be people you haven’t heard of (in this exhibit).”

In preparation for the exhibition, Chanzit looked at the work of more than 100 women, about 40 of whom she says would have been a good fit for the final show. “This is not about pushing a feminist agenda; it’s about taking another look,” Chanzit added.

Each of the artists represented in the show has a fascinating history, Mary Lee Abbott, a direct ancestor of John Adams, formed a friendship with Willem de Kooning, who was a major influence in her artistic development. She later joined the infamous “Downtown Group,” founded by a group of artists who lived in lower Manhattan.

Elaine de Kooning, an editorial associate for Art News magazine and wife of Willem de Kooning, signed her artworks with her initials instead of her full name to avoid her paintings being labeled as “feminine” or having them confused with her husband’s work.

Grace Hartigan, a close friend of Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko and Adolph Gottlieb, is known for a series of gestural abstractions. When once asked if a male artist ever told her she painted like a man, Hartigan replied, “Not twice.”

Lee Krasner worked with the Public Works of Art Project and in the mural division of the Federal Art Project/Works Progress Administration. She was married to Jackson

Elaine de Kooning, "Bullfight," 1959. Oil paint on canvas. Denver Art Museum, Vance H. Kirkland Acquisition Fund, 2012.300. ©Estate of Elaine de Kooning.

Pollock and is one of the few female artists to have had a retrospective show at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. “I’m always going to be Mrs. Jackson Pollock—that’s a matter of fact— but I painted before Pollock, during Pollock, after Pollock,” she said.

Joan Mitchell, a member of the “second generation” of American abstract expressionists, formed friendships with poet Frank O’Hara and Grace Hartigan and referred to her own work as “very violent and angry.”

Deborah Remington belonged to the Beat scene in San Francisco and was the only female founder of the Six Gallery, where Allen Ginsberg first read his incendiary Howl in public.

This exhibit displays the influences of this movement, from Tolstoy (Sonia Gechtoff), to Rimbaud (Krasner) to modern-dance innovator Martha Graham (Judith Goodwin). “The King Is Dead” by Hartigan is about Pablo Picasso and strives to make a larger point.

Krasner’s “Cornucopia” was inspired by nature and expressed by the arabesques that come from the physical movement of her whole arm, not just the hands and wrist. Jay Defeo’s “Incision” contains waves of oil paint that feel as if one could climb onto the composition—as if it were a force of nature. Remington’s “Apropos” displays bold areas of scarlet intertwined with serpentine areas of green and black.

Walking around these paintings, ranging from the large canvases to smaller scale statements, is like walking through a garden in a dreamscape.

Do not miss this show.

Women of Abstract Expressionism is on display through Sunday, May 28, at the Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 Museum Drive, in Palm Springs. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday through Tuesday; and noon to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday.

Admission is $12.50, with discounts and various free days. For more information, call 760-322-4800, or visit www.psmuseum.org.

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APRIL 2017

FOOD & DRINK

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/FOOD-DRINK

the

BEER GODDESS

W

By Erin Peters

hether you’re new to craft beer or are already familiar with some of the best and brightest brewers across our 50 states, this non-comprehensive and unofficial list of 20 great craft beers is a good start.

Keep in mind there are now more than 5,000 breweries nationwide, so this is just a taste of all the amazing beers available. and toasted malts, and mild notes of dark fruit.

1. AleSmith Old Numbskull: American Alcohol warmth gives it a gorgeous, long finish.

Barleywine (11 percent ABV): This 6. Cigar City Guava Grove: Farmhouse barleywine has won three Great American Beer Ale (8 percent ABV): This award-winning Festival awards and two World Beer Cup medals. brewery brews Guava Grove in tribute to It’s extremely well-balanced and full-bodied, and Tampa, Fla.’s fruity nickname. It’s made with a can be paired with anything from roasted meats French strain of Saison yeast, with a secondary and stews to a variety of pungent cheeses. fermentation with pink guava puree. With this 2. Allagash White: Witbier (5 percent beer, experience barnyard flavors, carbonation, ABV): Spiced with a special blend of coriander guava (of course), pepper, citrus, watermelon, and Curaçao orange peel, this Belgian-style wheat beer has won numerous awards, including clove and wheat.

7. Deschutes The Abyss: American gold at the Great American Beer Festival in Double/Imperial Stout (11 percent ABV): 2015, and gold at the World Beer Cup in 1998, You’ll want to dive into The Abyss at least once, 2010 and 2012. Clove, banana and orange notes dominate the taste, in a deliciously balanced way. thanks to its nearly immeasurable depth and 3. Allagash Black Ale: Belgian-Style Stout complexity. This is barrel-aged for 12 months in bourbon, Oregon oak and pinot noir barrels.

(7.5 percent ABV): Allagash brews some of 8. Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA: India the most delicious craft beers on the market.

Technically, there is no such thing as a traditional Pale Ale (9 percent ABV): It’s named after the amount of time it’s continuously hopped, Belgian stout, but the good folks at Allagash providing smack-you-in-the-face hop bitterness, don’t always necessarily follow the rules. This while a good amount of malt sweetness provides beer is a little easier to drink than some regular balance. Notes of pine, pineapple and honey lend stouts and finishes clean. to its drinkability.

4. Bell’s Expedition Stout: Russian 9. Firestone Walker Union Jack IPA: Imperial Stout (10.5 percent ABV): American IPA (7.5 percent ABV): This is Chocolate, dark fruits, coffee and molasses come pretty darn close to a perfect beer, in my book. together in this warming, super-smooth and The bouquet is crammed with Pacific Northwest complex beer. This is one of the best Russian hops. Notes of lemon, pineapple, papaya and imperial stouts on the market, and one that gets pine give it a juicy and resinous quality. even better with age.

10. Founders KBS: Imperial Stout (12.4 5. Brauerei Aying Ayinger Celebrator: percent ABV): This world-class beer is available Dark Doppelbock (6.7 percent ABV): This is starting this month (April), so mark your a full-bodied beer showing off notes of caramel

Our intrepid staff beer expert picks 20 craft brews you really should try

calendars. Take your time to fully taste all of the layers: coffee, brown sugar, chocolate, vanilla, licorice, charred nuttiness and bourbon. After sitting in oak bourbon barrels for a year, KBS emerges with a boozy sweet bourbon profile.

11. Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout: Imperial Stout (13.8 percent ABV): From the bottle: “The original bourbon barrel aged Stout”; “Since 1992”; “Stout aged in bourbon barrels.” It smells like a bourbon dessert with sweet caramel up front. The complex notes include plums, figs and milk chocolate. This is decadence in a glass.

12. Green Flash Palate Wrecker: Double IPA (9.5 percent ABV): The appropriately named Imperial IPA has thick, sticky, chunky lacing and pistol-blazing intense bitterness. The pineapple, mango and grapefruit sweetness perfectly balance with the high number of IBUs. 13. Jolly Pumpkin La Parcela: Pumpkin Ale (5.9 percent ABV): This is a perfect fall beer (that’s also good now!) with notes of pumpkin, cinnamon, brown sugar, chocolate, caramel, lemon zest, sour cherries and toast.

This isn’t your average pumpkin ale, as it finishes with a refreshing tart sourness.

14. Lagunitas A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’ Ale: Pale Ale (7.5 percent ABV): The balance between malt and hop makes this wheat ale outstanding. With grapefruit, pine, mandarin and a hint of wheat malt sweetness, the flavor is bright and clean, with an excellent harmony of citrus hops and sweet malts.

15. Pizza Port/Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme: American Wild Ale (11 percent ABV): The brewery made famous for Belgianstyle beers decided to brew an unconventional sour brown ale in 1999. Made from four fermentable sugars, it is fully fermented before being placed in bourbon barrels, where it ages

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16. Russian River Pliny the Elder: Double IPA (8 percent ABV): Beer-drinkers have been known to stand in line to enjoy this limitedsupply double IPA. This is the easiest IPA to imbibe. It’s powerful, fragrant and amazingly complex, yet smooth and clean. Worth the hype.

17. Saison Dupont: Saison (6.5 percent ABV): This must-try beer is a top fermentation beer, with re-fermentation in the bottle.

Since 1844, this beer has been brewed at La Brasserie Dupont’s farm-brewery. Hints of banana, pineapple, tropical fruit, pear and black pepper finish with a German hop flavor. In the background hangs a light barnyard funk.

18. Stone Brewing: Imperial Russian Stout (10.6 percent ABV): Go ahead and enjoy this decadent, black-as-night beer now, or age at cellar temperature. Or buy two and do both!

This is heavy on dark fruits, molasses, chocolate, coffee and licorice, with a hint of alcohol burn.

19. The Bruery Black Tuesday: Imperial Stout (19.2 percent ABV): Released on the final Tuesday of October every year, this beer is The Bruery’s take on a bourbon-barrel-aged imperial stout. The nose is dark chocolate, roasted coffee, toasted oak and bourbon.

20. 3 Floyds Zombie Dust: Pale Ale (6.2 percent ABV): This intensely hopped undead pale ale pours peachy gold and gives off big aromas of citrus and tropical fruits. The taste is toasty buttered breadiness, and ripe tropical fruitiness. This is an exceptional beer.

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APRIL 2017 2017 APRIL

April in the Palm Springs Oasis

By Brad Fuhr, e-publisher, GayDesertGuide.LGBT

Dinah, Dining and Divas, bloom in April April plants the seed of new beginnings in our minds. Perhaps that’s because the name of the first full month of spring is derived from the Latin Aprilis: to open. Think a budding flowers’ first hello. And like our wildflowers this year, the Coachella Valley is bursting with April events.

That includes the eighth annual Brew at the Zoo, April 1 at the Living Desert in Palm Desert. Our opening April weekend is also Club Skirts Dinah Shore weekend welcoming the women to town. Plus, NCLR (National Center for Lesbian Rights) hosts their annual garden party. As always, our online and mobile events calendar has complete event details, links to buy tickets and directions. Just go to GayDesertGuide.LGBT and look for our EVENTS channel.

The following week, music lovers can have a wholly different experience at the 19th annual Opera in the Park at 1 PM April 9 in Sunrise Park on Ramon Road in Palm Springs. This outdoor event features up-and-coming opera singers accompanied by a live orchestra.

The Dinah

Want music that rocks this spring? The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival – or just plain Coachella -- fits the bill. Held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Coachella runs April 14 through April 16 and April 21 through April 23. With such performers as Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Radio Head, The XXs and celebrity sightings galore, Coachella promises to be the biggest playdate around.

#ILoveGayPalm Springs Because…

Journalist Brian Blueskye Loves Coachella! “

By Nicholas Snow Brian Blueskye, the Assistant Editor of the Coachella Valley Independent, is a longtime journalist with an emphasis on music, so we thought we’d devote our #ILoveGayPalmSprings column to showcasing his views on the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.

Brian (center, in the cap and blue t-shirt with the band Skinny Lister at Coachella 2013) in his early teen years discovered a love for music and still hasn’t been able to stop collecting records… Inspired by various music journalists and writers such as Gore Vidal and Chuck Klosterman, Brian began writing blogs in 2000 on various subjects.

“Music is a universal language,” writes Brian, “and I think at Coachella, there’s a lot to admire about that.

The DJs that play the festival are usually big names in dance music and have hits that play in clubs all around the world, which includes gay bars. The dance music culture has always been something the LGBT community has embraced when you look at Studio 54 and the disco era and it’s continued on through the years. So I think a lot of the people who go there that are all about dance music come from all different backgrounds, ethnicity, political views and all sexual orientations. No one cares in the world of dance music and I think that’s why it’s here to stay. I’m kind of blown away by that when you walk into the Sahara Tent - it’s all these different people dancing and reacting to the music.”

Well written, Brian! Find the rest of his take on Coachella at GayDesertGuide.LGBT.

In an effort to keep the valley humming with budding new talent, McCallum Theatre’s Open Call competition is scheduled for April 13 through April 15 at 7 PM with an additional performance at 2 PM April 15. The shows have a variety feel similar to America’s Got Talent with contestants vying for prizes ranging from $500 to $2,500.

It wouldn’t be a Coachella Valley spring without plenty of opportunities for serious fun.

By that, I mean events that offer opportunities to kick up your heels while contributing to causes that are close to your heart.

And there’s plenty of loving fun to choose from. The L-Fund’s third annual Gumbo Gala will be held April 2 at the Palm Springs Pavilion. The L-Fund offers financial relief for lesbians in crisis. The fundraiser honoring novelist Katherine V. Forrest, who penned gay detective Kate Dellafield, features award-winning gumbos by Chef Betty Berrysmith.

The other big food event is one we’re sponsoring – Desert AIDS Project’s Dining Out for Life on Thursday, April 27th. See our special channel on GayDesertGuide.LGBT for participating restaurants, specials and videos from the chefs who will be creating special menus.

The FIND Food Bank, which addresses local hunger and food The Dinah insecurity, holds its annual telethon from 5 PM to 11 PM April 7 on CBS Local 2 News. While most of us never experience hunger, the lines outside our food banks tell a different story.

Whether you support AAP’s Evening Under the Stars, The Center’s Thursday food bank, or Meals on Wheels your contributions help those in need. So “open up” and help during April.

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Welcome to GayDesertGuide.LGBT Welcome to the Palm Springs Oasis and the one website and app that will “Guide” you to everything you need to know while visiting or living in the Coachella Valley.

GayDesertGuide.LGBT is a mobile-first online guide to LGBT-friendly businesses, events and activities in and around the Palm Springs area.

We’ve put together this “Quick-Start Guide” with a map and some of the top LGBT-friendly places to frequent.

Follow Us. @GayDesertGuide

@GayDesertGuide

@GayDesertGuide

Photo of the Month

Dining Out For Life is now produced in more than 60 cities throughout the United States and Canada. More than 3,000 restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds from this one special day of dining to the licensed AIDS service agency in their city. More than $4 million dollars a year is raised to support the missions of 60 outstanding HIV/AIDS service organizations throughout North America, including D.A.P.

DAILY • 6AM - 3PM

262 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 760.318.YOLK (9655)

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Dine

18

Pedego Electric Bikes

30

The Steakhouse at the Spa Resort Casino

19

EOS Fitness

50

Appetito Deli

20

LGBT Community Center of the Desert

51

Bongo Johnny's Patio Bar & Grille

21

Camelot Theatres

53

Johannes Palm Springs

22

Desert Rocks Indoor Climbing Gym

54

LuLu California Bistro

23

Escape Room Palm Springs

55

Pinocchio in the Desert

24

CCBC Cathedral City

56

Peabody’s Café

25

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

57

Hoo Doo Patio Restaurant & Bar

26

Palm Springs Air Museum

58

The Tropicale

27

Architecture and Design Center

59

Trio Restaurant

28

Palm Springs Art Museum

60

Wang’s In the Desert

29

Palm Springs Convention Center

61

Broken Yoke

30

Spa Resort Casino

62

Copley’s Restaurant

31

Bike Palm Springs

63

Koffi North

64

Koffi South

65

Manhattan in the Desert Rio Azul Mexican Bar & Grill

RetroRoom Lounge

67

33

Chill Bar/Scorpion Room

68

Watercress Vietnamese Bistro

34

COPA Room

69

Reservior, The Draughtsman

35

Hunters Nightclub

70

The Kitchen at Hard Rock Hotel

36

Oscar's Cafe & Bar

71

Thai Smile

72

Ristretto Coffee

73

Zin American Bistro

74

Bontá Cathedral City

32

April brings “Dining Out for Life”, an annual fundraiser for Desert AIDS Project and your opportunity to try new restaurants while helping our community. As you plan your 2017 #DOLFCV experience, We’re giving away a “Day of Dining” valued at $150 to the winning photo posted on Instagram or Twitter. Just hashtag BOTH #ILoveGayPalmSprings AND #DOFLCV and tell us your plans with a photo, caption and tags!

& LUNCH

Attractions

Nightlife (See our Happy Hour Finder online)

Foodies – Foto of the Month is 4 U !

BREAKFAST

Your Map & Guide to palM SprinGS

37

Purple Room Supper Club

38

SpurLine Video Bar

39

Streetbar

40

Tool Shed

41

Toucan’s Tiki Lounge

42

Score Bar

61

Moxie

10

Destination PSP

Trunks Cathedral City

11

My Little Flower Shop

44

Symbol Keys Grocery Store Hospital / Urgent Care Pharmacy Post Office Tennis Visitor Center

BYC FAVORITE

Golden State Benedict and many more!

THEBROKENYOLKCAFE.COM

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Shopping

12

Bear Wear

13

Motif

14

Hephaestus

15

Geras Toussant Gallery

16

Revive Salon & Day Spa

17

Antique Galleries of Palm Springs

VALLEY INDEPENDENT \\ 4 COACHELLACOACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // GDG3

APRIL APRIL2017 2017

Ramon

Indian Canyon Dr 61

23

26

72

27

N Palm Canyon Dr

24

Gene Autry Trail

16

57

44

Dinah Shore

18

60

74

Mesquite Ave

68

10 56

15

14 73 54

67

Camino Parocela

70 71 3 1 53 38 36

13

Calle Encilia

35 39 42 51 33

55 32

El Segundo

Saturnino

58 34

Arenas

30

Tahquitz Canyon

Andreas

Amado

Downtown Palm Springs

19 Kirk Douglas Way

Belardo Rd

El Cielo Rd

65 37

28

Cahuilla Rd

E Palm Canyon Dr

66 Via Soledad

La Verne Way

17

14

Belardo Rd

50

Ocotillo Ave

Saturnino Rd

Calle Encilia

Ramon Rd

Belardo Rd

Andreas Rd

Amado Rd

Alejo Rd

59 63 62 11

El Segundo

Arenas Rd

El Alameda

Tamarisk Rd

Tachevah Dr

Mel Ave

Vista Chino

E Via Escuela

Racquet Club Rd San Rafael Dr

Indian Canyon Dr 69 20 68 N Palm Canyon Dr

40

64

S Palm Canyon Dr

m Tra

ay W

41

Camino Parocela

Grenfall Rd Warm Sands

Avenida Caballeros

22

San Lorenzo Rd

29

Farrell Dr

S Sunrise Way

Sunny Dunes

Ramon Rd

N Sunrise Way

Baristo Rd

Tahquitz Canyon Way

21

Mesquite Ave

Farrell Dr

Mesquite Ave

Farrell Dr

Map courtesy of HunKa Concepts

25

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APRIL 2017 APRIL 2017

Bongo Johnny’s

214 E. Arenas Road, Palm Springs (760) 866-1905

2017 “Save the Date” Coachella Valley Events

Bongo Johnny’s Patio Bar & Grille is one of the best neighborhood restaurants in Palm Springs. Located in the middle of the Arenas area, Bongo Johnny’s is fun and relaxing with GREAT food.

The menu is fresh, but it’s not just about breakfast and lunch, we’ve got dinner too.

Come dine with us inside, or out on the patio, and experience a mini vacation with crave-able food, signature cocktails, and stellar service.

Get Fresh!

March 29-Apr. 2 The Dinah Apr. 1 The Living Desert’s Brew at the Zoo Apr. 1 NCLR Palm Springs Garden Party Apr. 1 Desert Symphony Gala Apr. 2 L-Fund 3rd Annual Gumbo Gala Apr. 7 FIND Food Bank Annual Fundraising Telethon Apr. 9 19th Annual Opera in the Park Apr. 13-15

McCallum Theatre’s Open Call

Apr. 14-16 Coachella Music Festival –Weekend #1 Apr. 16 Easter Apr. 18 National Transgender HIV Testing Day Apr. 20 JFS of the Desert 10th Annual One Night Only Apr. 21-23 Coachella Music Festival –Weekend #2

#ILoveGayPalmSprings @Destination PSP!

Now available at DestinationPSP - new #ILoveGayPalmSprings merchandise. Visit DestinationPSP in downtown Palm Springs.

Gay Wine Weekend

We’ve moved to JULY so you can celebrate PRIDE & join us Out In The Vineyard! It’s a weekend of Wine & Celebration with new winemaker dinners, winery tours and events.

Visit GayWineWeekend.com

Apr. 22-23 PSGMC “Palm Springs Pops” Concert Apr. 27-30 Blatino Oasis Apr. 27 Desert AIDS Project’s Dining Out for Life Apr. 28-30 Stagecoach Music Festival May 5-8 Jeffery Sanker’s White Party Weekend

Hephaestus Jewelry

132 La Plaza, Palm Springs - 92262 760-325-5395 We are Palm Springs premier designer jewelry gallery, featuring artisan created wearable works of art, blended together with flair and sophistication to fit everyone’s fashion taste and budget.

We are known for our extensive and exclusive mens jewelry design collections that run from casual and fun to exotic and distinctive as well as one of the largest selections anywhere of gay marriage and commitment rings.

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May 6 1st Annual East Coachella Valley Pride Festival May 6 AAP’s Evening Under the Stars May 12-14 Palm Springs Hot Rodeo May 19 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast at PSCC May 31 Queen of the Desert Pageant Aug. 25-27

2nd Annual Comic Con Palm Springs

Oct . 26-29

Palm Springs Leather Pride

Nov. 3-5 Palm Springs Pride 2017

For More Info & Events visit GayDesertGuide.LGBT

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 19

APRIL 2017

FOOD & DRINK

ON COCKTAILS I

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/FOOD-DRINK

Tips and tricks on how to make the most of your bar experience, no matter where you are

By kevin carlow

t’s time to take a break from walking around town, grabbing drinks at local establishments and pontificating. Instead, let’s talk cocktails and cocktail culture for a bit!

Tipplers of all types can enhance nights on the town by being savvy about what to expect from an establishment. How do you know what a bar does well? Well, there are certain tells, and with just a little knowledge, you can get the most out of your night, no matter where you go.

Just like you would have more fun off-road with a Jeep than a Porsche, and the opposite on a racetrack, understanding what a bar does best is easy to discover once you learn what to look for.

First, look at the back bar (what we bartenders call the shelves behind the bar). There is no truer sign of what the bar director envisions for the bar program: How much room is given to flavored vodkas? How many labels are program! This is a truer sign than twisty variations of the same brand? If the answer mustaches and suspenders. Are the bottles to either is more than a few, you are not in a mostly whiskey, gin, tequila or rum back there? craft-cocktail bar. You are in a bar that has Maybe they’re dominated by bittersweet probably been in business for a long time bottles with Italian names, or mescal—that (there’s nothing wrong with that) and that would tell you how the program is grounded. doesn’t want to challenge guests (which, again, A whiskey bar should still be able to make makes business sense). The guest wants a a margarita, of course, but chances are the “(blank) and soda,” and they get it. This bar is bartender is more proud of his or her classic not trying to make the guest read a menu of sour. Looks can be deceiving, of course; we Prohibition-era variations. Don’t see a bottle only have two mezcals at Seymour’s, for of Green Chartreuse? Then don’t order a Last instance, but I am super-proud of my mezcal Word at this bar. Don’t see little bottles of drinks. Nine times out of 10, though, the bitters on the bar—or at least that stalwart extent of a bar’s selection is a good sign of its white-paper wrapper of Angostura? Then this strength. place is probably not going to make a good old So, how do you make the most out of your fashioned. I spent a lot of time over my long experience? Well, firstly, please don’t ask which career working at places like this, and plenty drinks are “sweet.” A good craft program is of good bartenders still do. Maybe they make going to have balanced drinks—sweet, tart and great money; maybe they have fun at work, a bitter, all in the right proportions. Save that good relationship with ownership, or aren’t question for the flavored-vodka bars! into cocktails. In any case, there’s no sense Secondly, if you normally drink vodka, trying to embarrass him or her by ordering a please give gin a chance. I have drinks that use Penicillin. gin and taste nothing like that plastic-bottle So … how do you make the most out of stuff you got sick drinking in 1988. Yes, I can drinking here? Be specific: “A Manhattan, two substitute vodka, but I promise it won’t taste parts to one rye whiskey to vermouth, with as good; vodka gets pushed around by strong three dashes of bitters, stirred, with twist of flavors, trust me. Start with a Bee’s Knees orange.” If the bartender says they don’t have or a Corpse Reviver No. 2, and you will be rye, gives you a blank stare, or says they don’t pleasantly surprised. If gin is still too scary, have bitters, perhaps you should just have a maybe try a fruit brandy. They are generally bourbon and soda. We are past the point where clear and like vodka in many ways, but retain this should still be excusable, but it will happen. some of the natural flavor of the fruit. I use If this is a restaurant you really like otherwise, Clear Creek pear brandy often; pisco (a South let the bartender or manager know that you American brandy made with grapes) used to would come in more often if they could make make a classic sour is another great choice for your drink. They may take the hint! those who don’t like brown spirits.

Also: The next time you have a great … let’s Thirdly, please don’t rewrite a recipe you say a Manhattan, ask the bartender for the haven’t tried. We get people all the time asking recipe. (Say: “This is great; what are your specs for “no simple syrup” or “no egg white” or on this drink?” You’ll sound like a pro.) That whatever. If you have dietary restrictions, way, you can get it the way you want anywhere, just let us know, and we can tailor a drink just theoretically. for you. Just want rum and lime juice? Cool; Now, let’s say the back bar is super-varied, I think it would be better with a little sugar, perhaps with brands you aren’t familiar with, but if you insist, I will be happy to make it. and lacking some of the famous labels. It But, really, there’s no need to deconstruct a would seem you have found yourself a craft balanced, complicated drink to get something

the bartender won’t be proud to serve.

Besides, egg whites are delicious in cocktails, so give them a chance! Trust me—it’s a lot more work to put them into drinks, and I wouldn’t recommend them if I weren’t convinced they make a better product.

I know I sound preachy or fussy, but I promise you most of us are not stuck up divas.

I drink a beer and a shot when I go out after work much of the time, and so do most of my bartender friends. We just are proud of what we make, and want you to enjoy our drinks.

(That said, if you see the bartender up to his or her eyeballs in drink orders, ordering a vodka soda instead of a Ramos fizz is just fine!)

Wait … did I say I was going to take a break from pontificating? Well, sorry, I can’t help it, and here’s just a little more before I conclude: Not every place needs a craft program, but

every place should make balanced drinks, and have pride in what they do. It’s nice to see that here in the Coachella Valley, there is an honest desire on the part of the service industry to raise the quality level of the local cocktail scene.

In the upcoming months, I will be exploring two different approaches by two of the bigger players in town: Workshop’s new endeavor at Truss and Twine, and the Taco Maria-designed program at the Ace Hotel and Swim Club. I will also be checking out smaller bar programs around the valley that are taking pride in what they do, and I am always happy to hear suggestions of places that might not be on my radar.

Kevin Carlow is a bartender at Seymour’s/Mr. Lyons and can be reached via email at krcarlow@ gmail.com.

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APRIL 2017

FOOD & DRINK

WELL RED

CVINDEPENDENT.COM/FOOD-DRINK HAIR STUDIO An interview with Christina Hammond, the national sales director for Red Car Wine LOVE YOUR HAIR

By christine soto

S

elling wine is not for the faint of heart. The travel schedule is grueling; the competition is fierce; and the customer base varies wildly—from masters of wine to … well, the uninformed.

However, Christina Hammond makes it looks easy. She shows up energetically to dozens of appointments and tastings and trade events each week, always touting her Red Car Wine.

Good wine needs good people fighting the good fight—and Hammond is one of the good ones.

She’s not a wine snob, but she knows her stuff. She cut her teeth working for a big wine distributor (where, in her words, she learned to “show up” to her accounts each week), then transitioned to a finer wine distributor, Henry Wine Group. Red Car is distributed by Henry, and after four years at Henry, she began to work for Red Car directly. Now she travels the country, extolling the virtues of the special Sonoma Coast AVA (American Viticultural Area) and the deliciousness of Red Car Wine.

Hammond and I chatted and sipped a Red Car rosé. We followed up by phone. And texted. And e-mailed.

You get the picture—she’s a busy woman!

When did you first start getting into wine?

My family always loved good food and wine.

Vacations were centered around where we were going to eat. My dad did client liaison, and took clients to eat and drink a lot, and loved

the finer things. I personally got into wine, embarrassingly enough, when in college at (the University of San Diego). It was a dry campus, but I would buy a whole case of two-buck chuck, and it would be party favors for anyone who came to parties. I got into good wine when I was in restaurants in San Diego, then through working with Henry Wine Group.

What was your first wine love?

Grenache. It reminded me of my grandmother’s

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JASON DAVID

strawberry rhubarb pie. It was more than the wine; it was that moment that made me realize the way I taste and experience wine is very different from many people. I smell memories and visualize the entire situation I was in, and see the food, place and item, and break it down from there.

What’s exciting about wine to you right now?

Transparency and access to information.

Producers and consumers are giving and getting more information than ever before. So many people freak out about what’s in their food, down to knowing the name of the animal their meat came from … yet with wine, we have a long way to go. I think we are getting there and unveiling the mystery. I applaud those who inform and give information and seek out truth about what’s in their wine, because there’s so much crap in wine. … Let’s not forget to mention the arsenic: Kevin Hicks, a former wine distributor who started BeverageGrades, a Denver-based lab that analyzes wine, tested 1,300 bottles of California wine, and found that about a quarter of them had higher levels of arsenic than the maximum limit that the Environmental Protection Agency allows in water.

Why did you decide to go to the distribution side? What do you like about it?

The hours, and connecting to the producers and to the vineyards. Traveling and connecting with people throughout the country, after I had really only traveled internationally, gives you perspective, good and bad. I love it when people and places surprise me by doing good work and pursuing great wine.

Your desert island wine?

Desert islands are hot, and I am pretty simple.

You’d find me sunning on my MacGyver’d chaise lounge, with some bamboo-speared fish and cold rosé! I’m not sure how it would be cold, but we’ll go with that. … One of my favorites is the Clos Sainte Magdeleine Rose AOC Cassis. … Or, you know, Red Car rosé would do just fine!

Country Club and Cook Street Palm De sert

760-340-5959 www.jasondavidhairstudio.net Christina Hammond

recommend: The World Atlas of Wine, Reading Between the Wines by Terry Theise, The Wine Bible and so on.

What are you drinking now?

Lots of rosé. I’m trying to will the weather into full-swing spring. Actually, I drink rosé yearround and think everyone should offer it yearround.

What do you love about the desert?

The sun and the pools. The vibrations are totally different there, and I love the energy of the natural desert; it’s beautiful.

Your favorite food pairing?

Champagne and potato chips, and if I’m really lucky, there is caviar and crème fraîche around for those chips!

Favorite places to go in the desert?

Dead or Alive, or course. I love the Sparrows (Lodge) and the soon-to-be Holiday House Hotel. Mister Lyons and the back bar, Seymour’s, is top notch.

Your favorite wine book?

For beginners, I always say Windows on the World

by Kevin Zraly. … But there are many I love and

Palm Springs native Christine Soto is a co-owner of Dead or Alive wine bar in Palm Springs. She can be reached at christine.soto@gmail.com.

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the

FOOD & DRINK INDY ENDORSEMENT This month, we enjoy upscale bar food, and a cheese steak in Cathedral City

By Jimmy Boegle

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Willkommen im Johannes Restaurant.

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196 S. INDIAN CANYON DRIVE, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262

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WHAT The Philadelphia-style cheesesteak WHERE Apong’s Philly Steak, 68444 Perez Road, Cathedral City HOW MUCH $8.49 CONTACT 760-770-0229; www. apongsphillysteak.com WHY It’s delicious simplicity.

I walked up to the counter at Apong’s Philly Steak, and I was greeted by a smiling employee.

I told him I wanted a cheese steak, and asked what specifically he recommended.

Hoagie-style, perhaps, with lettuce, tomato and “special sauce”? With bacon, maybe, or jalapenos, or multiple kinds of cheese?

“Just Philadelphia style,” he said—meaning just meat, cheese and grilled onions on the bread. Nothing more, nothing less.

He made the right call: My cheese steak was delicious.

Tucked into one of those industrialish Perez Road centers—this particular center also features an all-American combination of a strip club, a bakery and a marijuana dispensary—Apong’s is not a place you’ll go for the atmosphere (though it’s perfectly pleasant inside). You’ll go there for the food, which includes an unusual mix of sandwiches, salads, Mexican specials and Krispy Krunchy-brand Cajun fried chicken.

Apong’s also offers a lot of Filipino fare, including breakfasts, noodle dishes, soups, meat entrées and desserts; I’ll order from the Filipino portion of the menu the next time I’m there. (I am dying to find out more about “sweet Filipino style” spaghetti.)

But for this visit, since “Philly Steak” is part of the restaurant’s name, that’s what I ordered—and I loved every bite. The pipinghot beef, grilled onions and melted provolone (American and whiz are also available; the aforementioned man behind the counter selected the cheese for me) on the bun were all this sandwich needed. It was warm, meaty, gooey goodness. Any other additions would have been needless at best, or detracting at worst.

Don’t let the odd, off-the-beaten-path location of Apong’s Philly Steak deter you; it’s worth your time and effort to check out this family-owned joint … especially if you like a simple, damn tasty cheese steak.

WHAT The ahi nachos WHERE Moxie Palm Springs, 262 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs HOW MUCH $15 CONTACT 760-318-9900; www. moxiepalmsprings.com WHY It’s a big plate of yumminess.

It was Saturday, and we’d had a late and rather massive lunch. When dinnertime came around, we weren’t all that hungry; we wanted drinks and small bites.

What better time to try out Moxie Palm Springs, on the second story above the Broken Yolk Café, overlooking downtown Palm Springs? I’d been hearing raves about the great cocktails, the fun vibe and the—as the Moxie website calls it—“creative cuisine served social style in the form of bar bites, shareable plates and salads.”

The Hive Minds were playing as we were seated at our table. There were seven in our party, and we got all sorts of things to sample and share. While everything we had was decent or better (especially the toasted brie bread, $12, which was endorsement-worthy itself), my selection became the star of the table: I picked the ahi nachos, and they were fantastic.

At first, I wondered whether the $15 price tag for a “shareable plate” was too high, but when the nachos arrived, I wondered no more: If anything, $15 is a bargain, given the quantity of delicious fish and other goodies on the large plate. As for those other goodies: The wonton chips were nice and lighter than, say, tortilla chips would have been; the amazu sauce added a nice bit of sweetness; the avocado offered up a pleasing soft texture and richness.

While my fellow diners sampled the nachos liberally, I ate the bulk of them, and I was definitely full afterward—and I have a hunch that would have been the case even if I hadn’t had a gargantuan lunch.

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Restaurant NEWS BITES

By Jimmy Boegle DINING OUT FOR LIFE BENEFITS THE DESERT AIDS PROJECT ON THURSDAY, APRIL 27 Dining Out for Life day is one of my favorite days of the year. Why, you ask? Well, when else can you eat at one or two (or, uh, like seven?) of many, many Coachella Valley restaurants—and say you’re doing so not due to gluttony, but instead to benefit a great cause?

The great cause in this case is the Desert AIDS Project, and this year’s DOFL date is Thursday, April 27. On that day, participating bars and restaurants will donate anywhere from 33 percent to 100 percent (!) of the day’s sales to DAP. Earning special mention are the four (as of our press deadline) restaurants giving their entire days’ sales to DAP: The Barn Kitchen at Sparrow Lodge, Pho 533, Ristretto and Townie Bagels.

You must participate in this. I mean, you dine out anyway, right? We’ve said it before, and we’ll say again: It’s literally the least you can do.

For more information, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/palmsprings—and on that special day, follow the Independent’s Facebook page as we chronicle our various visits to Dining Out for Life restaurants.

NEW: TRUSS AND TWINE, SISTER RESTAURANT OF WORKSHOP KITCHEN + BAR When Michael Beckman’s Workshop Kitchen + Bar restaurant opened in the historic El Paseo building at 800 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, in 2012, it earned a lot of much-deserved buzz thanks to its innovative menu, its stark industrial décor and its fantastic craft-cocktail offerings.

Now Beckman has a second buzz-worthy restaurant in that building. Truss and Twine opened March 13, offering “classic cocktails broken down by era, alongside a desert-inspired menu using ingredients from the Coachella Valley,” according to a news release.

Wait … cocktails broken down by era? Very cool! According to that news release, bar managers Dave Castillo and Michelle Bearden broke down their menu into five eras of cocktail culture: the “Golden Age,” “Prohibition,” “Tiki,” “Dark Ages” and “Originals” (featuring new in-house creations).

As for the food, expect upscale bar/snack offerings, including jamon iberico, the amazing ham that caused me to put on several pounds the last time I was in Spain.

We had not checked out Truss and Twine in person as of our press deadline—but trust me, we will soon.

Truss and Twine is open at 4 p.m. daily, and stays open late. Details at trussandtwine.com.

IN BRIEF Early readers of this column, here’s an event you won’t want to miss: The lovely Purple Palm Restaurant and Bar, at the Colony Palms Hotel, 572 N. Indian Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is hosting the Pink Party. It takes place from 6 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, March 29. The event, featuring chef Nick Tall’s cuisine and a variety of rosé wines, is a benefit for the Annette Bloch Cancer Care Center at the Desert AIDS Project. Admission is $50; call 760-969-1818 for reservations. … Pete’s Hideaway, at 665 S. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, is the home of the new Club Rouge. The “secret underground nightclub and showroom” is a joint product of PS Underground, the group that puts on various themed dinners at top-secret locations around the valley. Club Rouge is currently hosting the Lost Cherry Cabaret every Saturday at 10:30 p.m.; $47 will get you “gourmet appetizers and sinful desserts” as well as the show, featuring performers Francesca Amari, Robbie Wayne and Siobhan Velarde. A full bar is available, of course. Get tickets and info at www.rougepalmsprings. com. … Coming soon to Rancho Mirage: House of Poke, a restaurant serving the raw-fish salad in various forms. It’ll be at 42500 Bob Hope Drive, Suite B; info at www.hausofpoke.com. … The old Café Europa space at The Corridor, at 515 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs, will soon be the Mod Café. A menu at ToastTab.com shows it’ll offer all three square meals, with salads, stuffed pitas, burgers, melts and bowls as the main lunch and dinner fare. Visit www.toasttab.com/mod-cafe for more. … The Noodle Bar, which was our favorite place to eat at the Spa Resort Casino, 401 E. Amado Road, in Palm Springs, has closed. … Coming soon: Vinny’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, to 190 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Attendees of the LGBT Center of the Desert’s recent Red Dress Dress Red Party got to sample some of Vinny’s frozen fare; expect an opening around May 1. Details at www.vinnysitalianice.com. … The L Fund, a local nonprofit that helps out lesbians in crisis, is having its Gumbo Gala fundraiser at noon, Sunday, April 2, at the Palm Springs Pavilion, 401 S. Pavilion Way, in Palm Springs. Tickets are $75; get details at www.facebook.com/Palmspringslfund. … Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza has opened its doors in the West Elm building in downtown Palm Springs, at 201 N. Palm Canyon Drive. It’s the second valley location of the highly regarded pizza franchise. Details at www.blazepizza.com/locations/palm-springs. … Brunch has returned to The Saguaro, at 1800 E. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs. Outside of El Jefe, the hotel’s culinary offerings have been in flux since the departure of Tinto. People can now enjoy brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends on the courtyard patio; get menus and more info at thesaguaro.com/palm-springs.

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Justin Townes Earle returns to Stagecoach, PREPS a new album T.S.O.L.’s Jack Grisham talks about his wild past The Interrupters bring their female-fronted punk-ska to Coachella poet Waddie Mitchell IS BACK AT Stagecoach—to emcee, not perform

www.cvindependent.com/music

The Blueskye REPORT APRIL 2017

By Brian Blueskye

THE MUSIC ISSUE Chicano Batman brings its increasingly popular brand of multiculturalism back to Coachella

29

Lucie Arnaz

The biggest month for music in the Coachella Valley is here, thanks to Coachella and Stagecoach—and even if you’re not going to either of the fests, there are still plenty of other things to do.

The McCallum Theatre has a variety of shows in April, the last big month in the theater’s 2016-2017 season. At 8 p.m., Thursday, April 6, the daughter of Lucy and Desi, Lucie Arnaz will be performing her favorites from the Great American Songbook, backed by the Desert Symphony. Tickets are $67 to $115. At 8 p.m., Friday, April 7, get ready to laugh with Rita Rudner. Rudner is a legendary comedienne and will have you in stitches. Tickets are $37 to $87. At 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 22, actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth will perform songs from Glee, Wicked and various Broadway standards.

Tickets are $57 to $97. McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert; 760-3402787; www.mccallumtheatre.com.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has a great April schedule. At 8 p.m., Friday, April 7, Kenny Loggins will be performing. Loggins has had quite a career, including “Danger Zone” from Top Gun (and, more recently, Archer), “I’m Alright” from Caddyshack, the main song for the Footloose soundtrack—and a lot of hits that weren’t in movies. Alas, when I interviewed Loggins at Stagecoach in 2013, he was more interested in the M&Ms he was eating off of a napkin than my questions.

Tickets are $39 to $69. At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 8, Creedence Clearwater Revisited will be returning to the desert. The PR rep told me the group has a new singer, Dan McGuinness, who had subbed at various times for former vocalist John Tristao. Tickets are $39 to $59.

At 8 p.m., Friday, April 21, David Crosby will be stopping by for a solo performance. On continued on Page 28

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MUSIC

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THE DEFINITION OF ‘PROLIFIC’

A STAGECOACH GENRE-BENDER

At long last, Guided by Voices is making its Coachella debut

Robert Ellis returns to the Polo Grounds with his unusual mix of music

B

By Brian Blueskye

lending country music with jazz and pop is not easy—but for Robert Ellis, it seemingly comes naturally; just check out his latest (self-titled) album.

Ellis will be making his second appearance at Stagecoach on Saturday, April 29.

During a recent phone interview, Ellis said he did not use a specific formula while recording his latest album, which was his fourth.

“As much as I’d like to take credit for every decision and say that it’s all premeditated and conscious, a lot of what happens in making music is pretty accidental,” Ellis said. “You just chase down a vibe, and you go in a direction of things that excites you. At the end of the process, you can turn around and say, ‘I intended to make it this way,’ but in reality, it’s not always like that.

It’s more about what your boundaries are and what your parameters are. If you have decided that you want to make a very Americana album, and the only instruments you want on it are acoustic guitar, stock electric guitar and harmonica, you sort of (have) a narrow window as to what can happen. But we didn’t have any of those boundaries when we started recording. We ended up with this weird thing.” time-consuming. But the actual performing As far as the Americana genre goes, Ellis isn’t and improvising never gets old, especially after really a fan, and doesn’t consider his music to you’ve been driving for 8 or 9 hours. All I want be a fit. to do is be in the moment, improvise and play “I find most Americana music to be pretty music.” boring,” he said. “It doesn’t interest me. I Ellis said he’s consistently writing, too. understand the reason why what I do is grouped “I have a lot of records in me that I really into that genre; I get it. I think people tend to want to do,” he said. “I guess if I get enough have superficial reasons as to why they group coffee in me, I have 10 albums I wish I could do things together. I am from the South, and I in the next five minutes. I’d love to do a record write songs that are sort of story-based. At least of jazz standards. But I have no idea what the in the past, there were some country and folk next record will be like—but it definitely won’t elements to what I was doing. So I can see why sound like the last one.”

I was thrown into that category, and it makes Stagecoach’s lineup is usually weirdly perfect sense. But I don’t listen to that music. I diverse. Ellis said that he finds Stagecoach to be like a lot of music that is described as folk music, inexplicable—but in a good way. like Joni Mitchell, but I think what she does is “A lot of the artists at Stagecoach are these weird and progressive. If you look at the players weird left-of-center artists,” Ellis said. “I know on her records, like Jaco Pastorius and Michael Phosphorescent played Stagecoach a few years Brecker, these are not big names in folk music; ago. The last time, I played Stagecoach, Toby they’re jazz players. Everyone remembers Joni Keith was the headliner. Nora Jones’ country Mitchell as this flower-power folk artist.” band was there, and so was Old Crow Medicine Ellis explained how he approaches Show. There’s a wide variety of artists that songwriting, and what he thinks makes a good play that thing. I definitely don’t think Toby song.

Keith and Old Crow Medicine Show play the “It could be anything. I like a lot of different same genre of music. … It’s California, so it’s all music for a lot of different reasons,” he said. kinds of different people.”

“What I try to do in my songs is communicate Robert Ellis a story and choose the music to go along in telling that story. We listen to a lot of jazz, and a lot of rock ’n’ roll, and we just improvise.”

Ellis spends a lot of time each year on tour.

“Three hundred days,” he said. “I have good days and bad days. Generally, the time onstage is the best thing in the world. It feels right, and I feel time passing effortlessly while I’m getting to play music. It’s all the other shit that gets old. It’s all the driving and the other bullshit you have to do to make this work—like figure out how to sell music. It feels pretty tacky and

B

By Brian Blueskye

efore Nirvana took the world by storm, a band from Dayton, Ohio, called Guided by Voices was creating innovative post-punk rock—what would come to be known as “alternative rock.”

Guided by Voices will finally be appearing at Coachella for the first time on Friday, April 14 and 21.

The history of Guided by Voices is a bit hard to explain. Robert Pollard founded Guided by Voices in 1983. The group, amidst varying lineups, broke up in 2004, reunited in 2010, broke up again in 2014, and reunited last year. The prolific band has produced music that one could call lo-fi, psychedelic rock, garage rock, punk rock and post-punk rock. The group has released 23 albums (not counting various “unofficial” releases), at one point putting out as many as three albums in one year.

The current lineup includes Robert Pollard (lead vocals), Doug Gillard (guitar), Bobby Bare Jr. (guitar), Mark Shue (bass) and Kevin March (drums).

During a recent phone interview with Doug Gillard, who was a member from 1997 to 2004 before rejoining the band in 2016, he said the band still calls Dayton home.

“I’m personally from Cleveland, so I still love Cleveland, even though I don’t make it back there that much, but Bob (Pollard) still lives in Dayton,” Gillard said. “That’s kind of where we’re still based. We still rehearse there, and that’s where we start every tour. We still like Dayton, but there are not a lot of venues for Guided by Voices to play, or the venues are booked.”

One of the best-known and least-lo-fi albums Guided by Voices from Guided by Voices’ heyday is Do the Collapse, from 1999, which was produced by Ric Ocasek, most of the stuff he writes.” guitarist of The Cars. The album received a Last year, Guided by Voices released a new mixed reception. album, and will be releasing yet another new “We were a four-piece back then,” Gillard said. album on April 7.

“We did the basic tracks, and that left Bob and “That’s pretty much Bob solo under the I doing most of the overdubs; we came back to name of Guided by Voices,” Gillard said of last oversee the mixing a couple of weeks later. We year’s Please Be Honest. He recorded everything even did some recording at Ric’s house, because himself. … He even played the drums and was he had a tape machine there. The rest we did going around the studio in Dayton playing at Electric Lady Studios in New York. We had a everything. We have a double album coming pretty fun experience at that time. I personally out in April, August by Cake. We recorded that wasn’t down with some of the production things in New York as a band, and five of the songs are that were happening, but Bob sort of wanted songs that Bob did in Dayton by himself, oneto see where it would go. That’s the record that man-band style. I added some guitar to those came out—but I personally had fun recording it.” finished mixes. Eight of the songs are two songs Amid all of the lineup changes and reunions, I each by the other band members to fill out a asked what keeps Guided by Voices going. double album. That was a lot of fun. … It’s kind “I think Bob enjoys touring, and touring with of a sprawling double album.” the band behind him,” he said. “He does enjoy Guided by Voices has been on many Coachella putting out records under the name Guided fans’ wish lists for many years. Gillard said he’s

by Voices, so it’s sort of like, ‘Why not just use not sure why the band has never played the that name all the time?’ He still records solo festival in the past. albums, (has) solo ventures and (has) side “I’m always up for playing festivals,” Gillard bands, too, but under Guided by Voices, we can said. “In my tenure with Guided by Voices, we’ve do the whole repertoire and the whole history. played quite a few. I don’t know if the band has We can play all the songs from the records that been asked to play Coachella in the past or not, have come out, all the fan favorites—and Bob is but maybe it was during a time when Bob was always writing. He writes songs every day. I’d say on a hiatus from touring. I know we’re very Guided by Voices is probably the best outlet for excited to be playing.”

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MUSIC THE SON IS

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ALL GROWN UP

By Brian Blueskye

T

he name Justin Townes Earle tells several stories. The middle name pays homage to Townes Van Zandt, and his last name … well, yes, he’s Steve Earle’s son.

But Justin Townes Earle has made a name for himself; his music is truly his own. Like his father, he’s a country musician who frequently strays from the Nashville mainstream. Like both his father and his father’s mentor, Townes Van Zandt, he’s battled drug addiction.

He’ll be returning to Stagecoach on Friday, April 28.

His most recent albums, released in 2014 and 2015 respectively, were titled Single Mothers and Absent Fathers. During a recent phone interview, Earle talked about the differences between the similar albums.

“I ended up getting frustrated with the first record, Single Mothers,” Earle said. “I ended up writing Absent Fathers during (a) second year. They ended up coming together, because they were written really close to each other. I wouldn’t haven’t written Absent Fathers if I didn’t have that second year of frustrations I had with Single Mothers.

“I think, as an artist, I listen to a lot of taking two. It’s definitely time (for a new different types of music. I think my records record).” definitely have more of an Americana sound I asked whether taking more time between or whatever it is. … I paid more attention to records helps or hinders his creative process. my Replacements records and things like that.

“Really, I found it more frustrating to wait The new record I’ve made is more of a blues more than a year,” he replied. “I get a group of record, more along the lines of the Harlem River songs done, and I have time to second-guess Blues album. Nobody should ever expect me to them. I end up doing rewrites, edits and all make the same record twice, or (for the records kinds of things that maybe needed to be done, to) even to be in line with each other. I’m a and maybe didn’t. But that’s up to the individual whimsical motherfucker.” song. I do prefer the faster pace of work, but life As for that new record, just a couple of days doesn’t allow for that too much anymore.” after our interview, it was announced that Kids While he respects his father’s political music, in the Street would be released May 26.

Earle said he’s not a big fan of mixing politics “During my early career, I would take a year and music. between records,” Earle said. “Then I started “It’s not that I’m not interested in it; it’s

Justin Townes Earle returns to Stagecoach in advance of a new album

something I think for me, personally, I would approach it very carefully,” he said. “I’m not happy about either political party. It’s been, ‘I’d rather vote for Jeffrey Giraffe instead of this person.’ It’s been like that my whole lifetime.

I’ve always seen music as the Grand Ole Opry, the Louisiana Hayride, and this thing where everyone can go, which is a high for society.

I want my music to be where you don’t have to believe what I believe to feel comfortable at one of my shows. I think we have very few bonds between Americans today.

“I don’t disagree with my father’s music, because that’s what he does. He’s really good at it. But it’s just not what I do. I feel like it works its way into my songs, but I tend to use more social ideas, and it tends to be buried. I write about people issues, everyday life issues and local issues.”

Earle said his father pays a price for his politics.

“I think that after years, you can’t go to a Steve Earle concert expecting anything different. But recently, it doesn’t go over very good for him in the South,” he said. “People will get up and leave one of his shows pissed off. It does happen, and that’s only because they didn’t do their homework, and they only remember ‘Copperhead Road’ and nothing else. But I wonder how big his crowds would be had he not gone that direction. Those people

Justin Townes Earle

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don’t come to the shows anymore.”

Justin Townes Earle now lives on the West Coast, after living in New York City. However, Earle said he misses the South.

“I’ve always missed things about the South, no matter where I’ve lived. It’s what I grew up with,” Earle said. “People aren’t as communal anywhere else as I’ve seen growing up in the South. I don’t know what it is, but there’s a certain niceness to Southern people that doesn’t exist anywhere else, and it’s a certain kind of nice. It’s just familiar to me.

“I miss Nashville—and that’s not anything you can see anymore. It’s gone. It’s buried, and the rate at which Nashville gentrified is just astounding. It’s not that it was a better place when I grew up. It was rough, and it was a dangerous city in the ’80s and ’90s. There was no industry; most of the inner city was poor and rough. … But my mom always got to take me back to the place where she got a burger when she was a little girl and the toy store where her dad bought her toys. I got to do all that stuff with my mom when I was growing up, and I can’t do that with my kid.”

As for his addiction days, Earle said they are behind him.

“I was 24 years old when my first EP came out, and I’m 35 now. There’s a drastic difference,” he said. “I’m also a married man now, and definitely a lot more stable of a human being than I used to be. I guess the selfdestructive bomb found its way out of me. I do believe it has a lot to do with my wife, and if we’re happy with life, we’re not going to try to alter it. But I’m also not going to start writing songs about walking on sunshine and things like that.”

The last time Earle played Stagecoach, in 2013, his tour bus was parked right next to the Palomino stage. He said he enjoyed the diversity of the festival.

“For as big of a festival as it is, it’s laid out very well,” he said. “I’ve never played a large festival like that where I could put my bus right by the stage. I love that about it. It’s set up very well, and it’s very easy to get around. It’s really interesting how that festival is evolving in a big way. There’s definitely been this new look in the past several years of looking at the popular country vibe and doing that because people love that, but also bringing in some obscure acts that sound different. I think that it’s become a very progressive festival; a lot of other festivals get stuck in their ways.”

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T.S.O.L.’s Jack Grisham talks about his wild past, his political views and how it feels to be on the Coachella lineup

By Brian Blueskye

T

.S.O.L. helped define the Los Angeles punk scene after the band’s start in 1978.

However, its initial punk success was short-lived: After frontman Jack Grisham, drummer Todd Barnes and keyboardist Greg Kuehn left in 1983, T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty) reconfigured as a rock band.

After a legal battle over the name, Grisham became part of T.S.O.L. again in 1999, with Kuehn rejoining in 2005. They’ve been performing together ever since—and recently released a new album, The Trigger Complex.

T.S.O.L. played the first-ever concert that Coachella promoter Goldenvoice put on, so it’s appropriate that T.S.O.L. will be playing Coachella on Sunday, April 16 and 23.

During a recent phone interview with Grisham while he was in traffic driving home to Huntington Beach, he was an open book. Grisham’s history includes a love for drugs and alcohol, legal issues, a marriage to a 16-year-old girl in Mexico, and eventually sobriety, which he achieved in the late 1980s.

“I believe I would have been dead if I didn’t changed, but—I hate to sound like Austin stop,” Grisham said, “not because I was a big Powers right now, but along with free love drug-addict guy, because I really wasn’t. I’ll comes responsibility. Now, I’m just more tell you exactly what I was: I was a high school responsible with the same ideals.” idiot who had gotten out of control. I was Grisham has spoken out in the past about hanging out with people who were like me—a political issues, and was one of the 135 mess. Everyone was drinking, snorting coke candidates who ran in the recall election for and taking pills or whatever the fuck was going governor of California in 2003. Grisham said on. I would say to myself, ‘I don’t really have a it’s hard to say whether he’s always considered problem, because I don’t really shoot up. I’m himself “informed.” not really an alcoholic, because I live at my “That’s a hard one. I don’t know how mother’s.’” informed a lot of us were,” he said. “I Grisham recalled one of his early arrests. was pretty ill-informed, saying, ‘Fuck the “I was actually arrested in Palm Springs for government!’ I had a dad who was 30 years disturbing the peace,” he said. “Luckily, they in the Navy. Attacking what he stood for was didn’t get me for impersonating an officer, part of being a young man growing up and which is what they originally wanted me for. turning against your father. How informed was “I did little bits of time in jail, but no prison I, really? I don’t know. Sometimes, I think we’re sentences—just a bunch of stupid arrests for fighting the wrong demons at times. I don’t dumb stuff. But there were a lot of people who think people realize that some of these issues weren’t happy with me, and I was drinking we’re dealing with, many of them are things large amounts and taking pills to go with it. that have been going on for thousands of When you’re 24 or 25 years old, is it a recipe for years—fear, greed and these kinds of things. disaster? Yes. Pills and booze is a bad combo.”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s Grisham still believes in punk-rock ideals, actually pretty frightening. Who isn’t scared? even though he’s now a responsible member of But you can be conservative and liberal at the society, a husband and a father. same time. It might sound a little crazy, but I “It’s kind of funny, because I have the same love helping people who have been harmed by outlook now that I had back then,” Grisham circumstance. I’m in, and I’m 100 percent in. said. “To me, punk rock was always this family Those who have (been) put out by their own kind of thing. My family and I were not on choice, I’m not really a big fan of. I think they good terms. The punk-rock thing was this cool should teach courses in religious tolerance family thing where everyone was an idiot and in schools and start teaching tolerance and out of control. A lot of it was kind of a hippie understanding. These are things we’re not movement, too. We were inclusive. Men and teaching our children. A lot of people who women were equal; no one cared who you were believe in a higher power are basing their into sexually, so it was really wide open, and I political decisions on those beliefs, yet we still think like that. I still think that you should refuse to look at other people’s beliefs and challenge old ideals, conflict, experiment, understand what we’re dealing with.” keep an open mind and all that stuff. It hasn’t As far as Goldenvoice goes, Grisham said

T.S.O.L. John Gilhooley

he’s had nothing but positive experiences with the group over the years.

“T.S.O.L. played the very first Goldenvoice show in Santa Barbara. I’m still friends with those guys,” he said. “(Goldenvoice president) Paul Tollett wanders around Coachella, and you wouldn’t even know it was him. I was out there for Desert Trip, and he was really nice, and he invited my family out. He’s wandering around in jeans and a T-shirt; all these people are there to see these bands and have no idea he’s the guy running the show. He walks up to my wife and said, ‘I still remember having to call Jack’s mom’s house,’ and rattles off my mother’s phone number. My interaction with them has been great. They’ve treated my family with respect, kindness and love, and that’s what I like about them.”

However, Grisham conceded he’s not a fan of large festivals.

“I’m not a big concert guy. For me, I’ll probably wander around, play and then go back to wherever I’m staying and go to bed,” he said.

“I’ll probably hang out during the day and visit people in town. If I’m going to listen to music, I like listening to it at home. I think it’s really cool they asked us, because not a lot of bands of our type have been asked. Yeah, the Vandals and the Damned have played, but it was really nice (for them) to ask us to do it, and I’m stoked to see people and my friends. That’s what I’m looking forward to. My kids are more stoked about it than I am—not that I’m not stoked; it’s an honor, but I like being at home. I shoot photos, too, and people have to come to me, because I don’t go anywhere. I get asked to go to studios to shoot so and so, and I say, ‘No, tell so and so to get in their fucking car and come to Huntington Beach, and I’ll shoot ’em over a cup of coffee.’”

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NEW HOUSE

continued from Page 24

top of his work with Crosby, Stills and Nash, he was a member of The Byrds, and he’s been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with both bands. Tickets are $39 to $59.

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio; 800-827-2946; www. fantasyspringsresort.com.

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa is hosting several sold-out shows in April, but as of our press deadline, there was still one show with tickets left: At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 22, actor and comedian Kevin James will be appearing. James had a successful run on the show The King of Queens, and achieved some degree of movie fame by playing Paul Blart: Mall Cop. It seems in recent years that he’s been in too many bad projects produced by Adam Sandler. It should be interesting to see how his stand-up comedy will be after years of sitcoms and films. Tickets are $65 to $95.

The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage; 888-9991995; www.hotwatercasino.com.

Spotlight 29 casino has a couple of events to consider. At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 22, ’80s/’90s R&B sensation Keith Sweat will be performing. Some of the best R&B music of that era was written and performed by Sweat; he’s released 12 albums and won the Favorite Male R&B/Soul Artist Award at the 1997 American Music Awards. Tickets are $25 to $45. I can’t believe I am about to write this sentence: At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 29, Extreme Midget Wrestling will be returning to Spotlight 29. I honestly don’t know what to say here. Like anyone else, people with dwarfism are doctors, scientists, actors and actresses—yet people often first think of crap like this when it comes to dwarfism. Also, most people with dwarfism prefer the term “little people.” Whatever entertainment floats your boat, I guess. Tickets are $20. Spotlight 29 Casino, 46200 Harrison Place, Coachella; 760775-5566; www.spotlight29.com.

Morongo Casino Resort Spa, much like Agua Caliente, is hosting a lot of great April shows that are already sold out. Get ready for glistening beefcake when Thunder From

Keith Sweat

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DJ Alex Harrington produces his own music in between gigs at the Saguaro, Avalon

Katchafire

Down Under returns at 8 p.m., Friday, April 7. Tickets are $25—and the show was close to selling out as of our deadline, so act fast. At 9 p.m., Friday, April 28, Jana Kramer will take the stage. You may know her from One Tree Hill or (gag) Dancing With the Stars, but both her albums have reached the Top 5 on the U.S. country charts. Tickets are $29. Morongo Casino Resort Spa, 49500 Seminole Drive, Cabazon; 800-252-4499; www. morongocasinoresort.com.

Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace is the place to be in April, especially during Coachella and Stagecoach, when a lot of the festival acts stop by. At 8 p.m., Thursday, April 6, the band named after a KCRW DJ, Cherry Glazerr will be performing.

Considering KCRW has been playing the band quite a bit, and Chery Glaser herself said she’s honored by the band’s name, it’s worth going to check them out. Tickets are $14. At 4 p.m., Saturday, April 8, Brant Bjork will be bringing back his Rolling Heavy-sponsored Desert Generator festival. On the bill this time are Earthless, Orchid, The Shrine and Black Rainbows. Tickets are $55 to $295. At 9 p.m., Sunday, April 30, hot off a Stagecoach performance, Son Volt will perform. Tickets are $25. Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace, 53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown; 760-365-5956; www.pappyandharriets.com.

Take note of this Coachella-related event: At 9 p.m., Thursday, April 13, Goldenvoice and FYF will present Young Turks in Palm Springs at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The show will feature Ben UFO, Four Tet, Francis and the Lights, Jamie xx, Kamaiyah, and Sampha with special guests PNL. Tickets are $30. Palm Springs Air Museum, 745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs; 760-778-6262; aeglive.com.

Date Shed has one event scheduled. At 8 p.m., Saturday, April 8, Katchafire will be performing. The reggae band from New Zealand is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and the stop at the Date Shed should be pretty epic. Tickets are $25 to $35. The Date Shed, 50725 Monroe St., Indio; 760-775-6699; www.dateshedmusic.com.

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By Brian Blueskye

ocal DJ Alex Harrington has made a name for himself as one of the Coachella Valley’s most in-demand DJs—but he’s also been spending a lot of time on the production side, creating his own house music.

It appears that hard work is starting to pay off. He recently released a new EP, and has yet more new tracks in the works. During a recent interview in Palm Springs, Harrington—a former Independent contributor—discussed his recent goings-on.

“I’ve been trying to focus on my production work, doing remixes, putting out EPs of originals, and also keeping up a presence with live gigs,” Harrington said. “As before, there was exploration involved. Now, I know the ropes and what I can do with them.”

After doing some work with nu-disco and tropical styles, Harrington said he’s currently focusing on house music. Harrington added that stepping up his production game helped him grow as a DJ. “When I changed from All Night Shoes to Alex Harrington, that was a big decision to dedicate myself more to house versus what I called myself before, ‘indie dance music,’” he said. “It was a mix. I think that when I changed over to Alex another track; Alex Harrington Harrington, which is my real name, I decided to it’s about focus more on my production. Instead of (my matching songs) being 3 to 4 minutes long, structured beats, and like a radio song, now they’re more made for it’s not about clubs. That became my focus, and I think that pressing my production work evolved, because the target buttons. changed. Before, I’d put it on the Internet. …

When Now, a lot of this is mostly for clubs and for the crowd people into this sound.” engages, Harrington has DJ’d beach houses in Malibu it’s magical, and clubs in Los Angeles, and is regularly but there’s a performing locally at venues including the stigma (about Saguaro and the Avalon. being a DJ), and you have to overcome it by not “What I do is a little different, and it’s very being obnoxious. similar to what an indie rock band does,” “I’m also not going to put on a helmet or Harrington explained. “You play those small anything like that,” he continued with a laugh. gigs; you build up; and last year, I had the chance Has the term “EDM” died with the rise of to go out to Los Angeles a lot. Even if it’s an house music? unpaid gig, I’ll head out there sometimes to “The term ‘EDM’ was created because they play. We’re in a bubble out here, and we’re still tried to make dance music corporate, and evolving. I’m grateful for places like the Saguaro EDM was a tagline. I think that house music and the Avalon. I’d describe it like ‘Frankenis different. People who say ‘house music’ gigging,’ because you patch together the good either love it or hate it. But people should do ones moneywise, and try to make it all look themselves a service and step outside the box. … good as best you can, if you can.”

When you walk into the café, and there’s a guy Harrington explained what he does to win playing guitar or a girl singing, you don’t know over a crowd. who they are, but you think, ‘This is good,’ and “I try to bring a stage presence,” he said. you’re engaged by it. That’s what I’m trying to “Some DJs rely on song selection and play what do with my music.” the crowd wants to hear. There are people who Harrington has more new music to come. are really good at that and know what to play.

“I have another EP coming out on April 5,” For me, that wasn’t natural, and I wanted to do he said. “In May, I have a single coming out on something different and engage the crowd. I Nylo Music, which is based out of New York find it more challenging, because it’s like a DJ and Europe. It’s kind of nice this year, because trying to be a band. People walk in and already instead of me releasing my own music, I’m have a stigma of, ‘Oh, he’s pressing buttons.’ I having labels come to me.” passionately try to think of what songs to mix, and a lot of it is similar to what bands do. I For more information, visit use a four-count on a lot of songs and bring in www.alexharrington.co.

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THIS IS NOT DONALD TRUMP’S BAND

By Brian Blueskye

S

ince the Los Angeles-based band Chicano Batman started in 2008, the group has taken a long and interesting path to success—and after years of independent EPs and album releases, the group recently signed with ATO Records.

On the heels of new album Freedom Is Free, which dropped March 3, the group will be making its second appearance at Coachella on Saturday, April 15 and 22.

During a recent phone interview with guitarist Carlos Arévalo, he discussed the recording of Freedom Is Free.

“The album was recorded in January 2016 over the span of two weeks,” Arévalo said. “The album was recorded at the Diamond Mine studio in Long Island City, N.Y., with the producer, Leon Michels. Leon Michels is a former member of the Dap-Kings and played with Sharon Jones when he was 16 years old. He’s appeared on numerous recordings, and he was a member of the Black Keys. … We had been writing for (the album) since the summer of 2015.”

The recording process with Michels was different for the band, Arévalo said.

“There was a bit more of a direction figure that out for a live setting later. We also involved,” he said. “Before, we would just tightened up our songwriting. We wrote more record with songs we had, and we would record concise songs and said what we needed to say.” them the way we’d play them live. For better The support of ATO Records is obviously or worse, that’s what you hear. This time, we beneficial, Arévalo said, but he added that he had a producer, and we would bounce a lot and his fellow band members are thankful to of ideas off of him. He acted as a fifth voice. those who helped them in the past.

Often times (before), it’d just be the four of us “Everything we’ve done up until we started going democratically. So if there’s something working with ATO was pure self-release and not happening, and there are two saying, ‘Go completely independent,” he said. “We had the this way,’ and two going another way, we kind help of managers and booking agents … and of go nowhere. But it was nice having Leon all of those people before who helped us get to say, ‘No, it should go this way.’ We respect his where we are now with a label. The label is very résumé and his musical abilities, so that made supportive and gives us our creative freedom, it really easy to move forward in finishing the and they are going to put our music on a arrangements in some of the songs. There platform that we couldn’t put it on ourselves are also backup singers; there’s flute and a lot financially, or without those networks being in of instrumentation on it, and we said we’d the music industry.”

Chicano Batman

Chicano Batman brings its increasingly popular brand of multiculturalism back to Coachella

Chicano Batman has played numerous times in the Coachella Valley, most recently last year in October at The Hood Bar and Pizza. There has never been a gig too big or too small for Chicano Batman over the years as the group built its fan base.

“We’re older guys. We’re not 21-year-olds who get in the van and tour the country for three months straight,” Arévalo said. “We have wives and families, and we were really mindful of how we’ve toured. We would do touring in two-week spurts. We’d hit up markets that we knew we’d do well in and places we knew there was a fan base. We’d play San Francisco in a 500-capacity room, but we’d go to Atlanta and play to a 250-capacity room, because we hadn’t put in the work yet out there. Also, we’ve been asked to play big festivals and open for big bands. Right now, the way things are looking, we’re going toward the bigger rooms.

We’ve been selling out nice-size rooms along the West Coast.”

In this age of Donald Trump, Arévalo sees Chicano Batman’s multicultural fan base as a beautiful thing and hopes that it inspires people.

“The goal has always been to reach people through art and have a positive message,” he said. “That’s always been our reality and where we’re from. I think being in the music industry and coming up in it, you see that not all stages represent people who look like us. We try to change that and be the best we

can be musically, and as people promoting diversity through our music. It’s beautiful that we can bring people of all cultures together.

If you ever come to a Chicano Batman show, it’s a beautiful sight. There are people from all cultures and ethnicities being represented as we grow in popularity. That’s a special thing to cherish in these divisive times and people drawing lines in the sand.”

The band last year took part in an ad campaign for which it recorded a cover of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”

“During the summer of last year, Johnnie Walker approached us about being part of their ad campaign called ‘Keep Walking America,’” Arévalo said. “The idea was to promote and celebrate diversity, which has always been the M.O. of this group, obviously. They approached us, and we thought the message was a strong one, and they were the ones who suggested we record Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land Is Your Land.’ This happened when Trump was running for president. We were really starting to see the ugliness of people identifying other people by race and trying to differentiate themselves from other people. We thought it was a good message, and the song is a protest song, so it speaks to those ideals about this country, and we felt like it’s a big statement for us to be part of something like that. People who look like us aren’t really represented in commercials and movies, and we thought it would be an important campaign to take part in.”

After its 2015 Coachella debut, Chicano Batman is hoping to make a bigger impact this year.

“We’re hoping we get a better time slot this time,” Arévalo said. “Last time, we played at 1 in the afternoon, and we were hung over. Aside from that, we’re really excited to bring this new production to fruition. We’re also touring with backup singers to sing on many of the new album tracks.”

Arévalo added that the band is forever thankful to the Coachella Valley for support.

“We have a lot of love for the Coachella Valley. We always make it a point to go out there and play whenever we can,” he said. “The Coachella Valley is one of those places that gave us chances when other places weren’t giving us chances. We’re not going to forget the places that gave us chances when we’re playing the Fillmore. People always come up to us and tell us how meaningful it is that we played there, and we’re always humbled by that.”

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SERIOUS MESSAGE, FUN SOUND

MASTER OF THE MUSTANG TENT Renowned cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell returns to Stagecoach—to emcee, not perform

The Interrupters bring their femalefronted punk-ska music to Coachella

C

By Brian Blueskye

an a punk band have a serious message and still be a fun listen? The Interrupters have answered that question—with a resounding yes.

On Friday, April 14 and 21, the Los Angeles two-tone punk band will be making its Coachella debut.

Fronted by female vocalist Aimee Interrupter, the band also includes the Bivona brothers: Kevin (guitar), Justin (bass) and Jesse (drums). You may recognize Kevin Bivona; he is also a member of Transplants (with Tim Armstrong of Rancid and Travis Barker of Blink-182), and he played on Jimmy Cliff’s 2011 EP, Sacred Fire.

The Interrupters have addressed political subjects on the band’s first two albums. The 2014 song “Take Back the Power” includes the lyrics: “What’s your plan for tomorrow? Are you a leader or will you follow? Are you a fighter or will you cower? It’s our time to take back the power.” The 2016 track “She Got Arrested” addresses the subject of domestic violence.

During a recent phone interview, Kevin Bivona said that while the band addresses political subjects, it isn’t entirely political. ’Em the Boot compilations started coming out, “I wouldn’t put (politics) first, because we’re we wore those out back in the days of CDs, musicians, and we’re a band, but we’re not when they’d get all scratched up and you’d have politicians,” Bivona said. “Some of our songs are to go get another one. Plus, Epitaph putting definitely politically charged, but not all of them. out all those Punk-O-Rama compilations—that I think it’s a spectrum, and I think everyone is was how we discovered music back then. I political to a certain degree. Maybe we are more remember the first time I heard Hepcat on the political than some bands, but in our genre of first Give ’Em the Boot, and the first time I heard punk rock, it’s actually pretty common to have “Sidekick” by Rancid was on Punk-O-Rama. a stance, at least. But not all of our songs are Being part of that legacy is the coolest thing.” based around politics or government. (We also While The Interrupters are new to Coachella, do songs about) any general injustices, general Bivona is not: He played the festival with Tim relationships with people, and standing up for Armstrong when they performed as part of yourself. Everybody is a little political, and we’re Jimmy Cliff’s backing band in 2012. on the spectrum.”

“It’s a very California festival, and we’re Bivona was a professional musician long looking forward to the whole experience of before helping form The Interrupters and has the thing,” he said. “(We’re looking forward to) appeared on numerous albums by other artists. playing to audience that may have never seen He said he tries to create a healthy balance with us before, (people) who go to that festival just the other projects in which he takes part. to discover new music, because a lot of people “It kind of balances itself out,” he said. buy a ticket before the lineup comes up, because “Being that we’ve been so lucky with the they love discovering new music and being at touring opportunities that we’ve gotten with the festival all weekend. We hope to grab some The Interrupters lately, it’s been my primary of them. We also want to check out the festival. focus. Sometimes, it works out where I can Toots and the Maytals is performing. We want go do a couple dates with Rancid in between to see Dreamcar, which is the new band with the Interrupters tours. There hasn’t been anything No Doubt guys and Davey Havok, so that’s also conflicting yet, knock on wood. I kind of take a cool experience for us.” each thing as it comes and just try not to get bombarded. It’s something I think about, though, having that kind of a balance.”

The Interrupters are signed with Hellcat Records, a label founded by Tim Armstrong of Rancid that is an offshoot of Epitaph Records, which was founded by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz.

“The best part for us was when we got our first pressing of our first album, and just seeing The that Hellcat logo on there,” he said. “We all grew Interrupters up as such big fans of that label. When the Give CVIndependent.com

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By Brian Blueskye

poet at Stagecoach? Yes, indeed.

Renowned cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell will be returning to Stagecoach to serve as the Mustang Tent’s emcee for the entire weekend, April 28-30. Mitchell, who has recorded eight albums, is known for his poems such as “Story With a Moral,” “The Bristlecone Pine,” “The Rawhide Braider,” and “Night Before Christmas on the West Texas Plains.”

During a recent phone interview, he discussed his love for poetry that goes back to his childhood in Elko County, Nev. “It was just always there for me,” Mitchell said. “I grew up on a ranch that was really remote. We were 60 miles from town and about 30 miles from a dirt road. We were 14 miles away from the nearest neighbor. We didn’t even have electricity, and we did the strangest things at night: We sat around and talked to each other. People have forgotten this, but it was very common practice when people would come to visit for (hosts) to be playing a musical instrument, singing a song or reciting poetry. I got into kind of the last of that, I think.

“Some of the old cowboys my dad hired would Waddie Mitchell actually recite a poem or two. If you want to get a kid’s interest, give him a rhyme and a meter.

Look at Dr. Seuss. That was something special when they would just tell me the story of ‘Casey at the Bat’ or ‘Cremation of Sam McGee,’ and all those things just resonated and became part of my life.”

I mentioned to Mitchell that poetry seems to be, frankly, a dead or dying art form.

“I think that it’s died more than once,” he responded. “I think human nature and human experience is like history repeating itself. I think one time, I premiered a book at City Lights for a guy who is fairly uneducated as to who’s bookstore in San Francisco, which is owned the newest big shot in Nashville, I still love it,”

by Lawrence Ferlinghetti. He and I got to sit he said. “I still think that the people who put it down for a long time. Lawrence Ferlinghetti on are good at what they’re doing—very good. is one of the great beat poets of the time. We They make it very comfortable for people to be visited, and he said to me, ‘I’m really glad you there and make it very comfortable for you to guys are coming along and giving poetry back find the type of entertainment you want. You to the American people. I’m afraid I was part of can have the biggest of the modern Nasvhille a movement that actually removed poetry from stars on one stage, and the greats of yesteryear the common person.’ Many people who love on another stage. Then you can come to my beat poetry are going to argue about that. If you stage and have everything from the greats of think about it, the few surviving poets of that bluegrass to the upcoming types of music that time were the Robert Frost-type of poet. Robert Frost was asked about this free-verse poetry, and are bluegrass and the old-Americana type. But we’ve had Garrison Keillor up there, too.” his answer was great. He said: ‘Very interesting, If you’re expecting a full cowboy poetry set isn’t it? It’s like playing tennis with the net from Mitchell this year … sorry, but you’re out down.’ I thought: That is part of poetry. Poetry of luck. doesn’t have to make you feel sorry for the poet “It’s a funny thing: This year, they are or sorry for yourself, or let you know how bad bringing me in strictly to emcee the stage, just the world or humankind is. It doesn’t have to do because they’re good people,” he said. “They that. It can bring joy and comedy, and can touch didn’t want to leave me out and had filled the all facets of life. We need poetry to tell us the roster. They realized that my name wasn’t on it, politics of the day and remind us of feelings.” and they hired me to come and be the host of Mitchell said he has enjoyed the wide the stage. I generally know the artists and get to variety of acts he’s encountered in the past at introduce them in a way that the people who are Stagecoach.

“For a guy who completely dreads crowds, and there are actually introduced to them.”

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the

LUCKY 13 This month, meet two local women who are making fantastic music

By Brian Blueskye

NAME Kate London MORE INFO Kate London is a local artist on the rise. After performances at The Date Shed, The Hood Bar and Pizza and Bart Lounge, and winning second place at the CV Open Mic Competition, she just released a new single, “Love Me Right.” For more information, visit www.facebook.com/katelondonmusic.

Kate London.

Jaycee's Photography

What was the first album you owned?

I think it was Reba McEntire, or Garth Brooks on cassette. Ha ha!

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

Hmm … that’s hard. I think everyone gets moved by music in different ways, and that’s cool. Right now, I don’t think there is a trend I don’t get or dislike.

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

Lana Del Rey. She is so inspirational to me, and I love her sound and style.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

Probably Beyoncé. I slay!

What’s your favorite music venue?

House of Blues in San Diego. I grew up there and saw a ton of shows. My favorite was seeing Britney Spears there right after she went crazy and cut her hair off.

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

For some reason, it’s Beyoncé, “Crazy in Love”: “Got me lookin’, so crazy my baby.” For some odd reason, I’ve had that stuck in my head for about a year.

What band or artist changed your life? How? Gwen Stefani comes to mind. No Doubt was my first real pull into knowing I wanted to be an artist. As a teenager, we can feel uncertain about who we are and like we don’t fit in. I was so drawn to her and their music; I feel like it got me through high school. I still feel so connected to her; it’s like we grew up together.

She inspires me with her fashion, music and faith. When I listen to them today, I can see myself in my room as a teenager. It takes me back and also shows me how far I’ve come and makes me smile. I’m still just a girl!

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

I’m going to go with Jay-Z, and what I would ask is: “What’s the No. 1 mistake you made or think artists make in their career that prevents them from getting where they want to be?” I think he’s been so instrumental in developing some of the major artists of our time and would have some great insight to share.

What song would you like played at your funeral?

I always loved the song “The Funeral” by Band of Horses. Seems appropriate.

Death Valley Ali

What song should everyone listen to right now?

Solange from the A Seat at the Table album, “Cranes in the Sky.” It’s so beautiful all around and moving.

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What was the first concert you attended?

This one is a little fuzzy. My parents are total music-lovers, and they, thankfully, hauled me out to all of their concerts with them when I was young. My very first concert was either Elton John or Bob Dylan. … The first concert I actually bought my own ticket for was AC/ DC in ’83.

What was the first concert you attended?

The first one I can remember was Reba McEntire in the fifth-grade. I loved country as a kid … wore Wranglers and everything.

What bands are you listening to right now?

These aren’t really bands but artists: Banks, Solange Knowles, Rihanna, Bethel Music.

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

There are so many! Probably No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom.

What was the first album you owned?

Oh, how I miss record stores—thumbing through records and trying to pick your next soundtrack to life based on the album cover! I was in a dilemma over what to spend my allowance on: Pink Floyd’s The Wall, or Blondie’s Eat to the Beat. Blondie won out.

What bands are you listening to right now?

I just got a trial subscription to satellite radio, and I’m constantly listening to the new wave station. I’m really digging on bands like Squeeze, New Order, The Police, Devo, Psychedelic Furs and Echo and the Bunnymen right now.

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

Let me preface this by saying that I absolutely believe music of all kinds is artistry. …

Modern-day pop, I guess, would be the biggest one that I don’t get. Don’t people know that they are being spoon fed pre-packaged crap?

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

Queen. Out of all the concerts I’ve seen in my life, I somehow missed out on Queen, and it kills me.

What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?

I like what I like and make no excuses for it.

Would some people be surprised that I go to Air Supply concerts and sing along to every word? Probably! I really love, love looove

ABBA. I mostly grew up in the ’70s, so all of that cheesy music you hear on the “oldies” stations—that’s the stuff I love.

What’s your favorite music venue?

I’m a lucky gal who’s been to many venues around the world. I think the one that’s probably nearest and dearest to me would be Slim’s in San Francisco. It’s a great venue (despite the stage pole), and I have many great memories from there.

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

If I am ever looking at you with a semi-vacant expression on my face, it’s a guarantee that I’m singing it to you silently: “Whataya Want From Me,” Adam Lambert.

What band or artist changed your life? How? The Damned, in many ways. They were one of my first introductions to English punk—well, punk in general when I was a teenager. It was a total attitude change. Their music brought a sense of rebellion and resistance and fun and letting go and just being yourself. … Some of them are actually my friends now, and it’s hard to believe sometimes when I’m face to face with my teenage idol. It’s a bit surreal.

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

Mick Jagger: “Will you be my boyfriend?”

(Sorry, Greg.)

What song would you like played at your funeral?

“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”

Bonus if Eric Idle is still alive to sing it at the memorial.

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

The Damned, Machine Gun Etiquette.

What song should everyone listen to right now?

“Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” by the Rolling Stones. Because it’s a brilliant effing song!

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OPINION COMICS & JONESIN’ CROSSWORD

Across 1 Actor John of the Harold and Kumar movies 4 Boxer’s blows 8 Equipped for 14 Kurosawa’s adaptation of King Lear 15 Math class calculation 16 Situated 17 Protestant denom. founded in Philadelphia 18 Genre for bands like Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, in the wrong (keyboard) key?

20 Chess side 22 Bluish duck 23 Places for MDs and RNs 24 Get Shorty sequel 26 Hall of Famer Carew 28 ___ Boot (1981 war film) 29 “You too?” a la Caesar 30 Villainous 33 “Why am ___? What does it all mean?”

35 Screw-shaped pasta

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37 MTV cartoon with the show-within-a-show “Sick, Sad World” 38 Metallica hit, in the wrong key?

42 Looks at lewdly 43 Relate a story about 44 Go no further 45 Cookie with a Peepsflavored 2017 variety 46 Brats 50 “The Star-Spangled Banner” lyricist 51 “Neither snow, ___ rain ...”

53 Catch cunningly 55 ___ for Alibi (Sue Grafton mystery) 56 Unwell 59 The Jetsons pet 60 “Runaway” singer, in the wrong key?

64 Meal starter?

65 “That makes sense” 66 “Eso ___” (Paul Anka hit) 67 Fuss 68 City where Canada’s parliament meets 69 2.0 grades 70 Man cave, really

Down 1 Early Tarzan actor Buster 2 “To be or not to be” soliloquist 3 Way shorter than 2-Down, say 4 The King of Pop, in tabloids 5 Aesthetic pursuit 6 “Doin’ the Pigeon” singer 7 Toyotathon, e.g.

8 Olympic speed skater ___ Anton Ohno 9 “Hit ’Em Up Style (Oops!)” singer Cantrell 10 Office PC hookup 11 Outer skin layer 12 Homes for some lizards 13 Like an epic voyage 19 “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” singer Belinda 21 College catalog listings 25 Dallas Buyers Club actor Jared 27 “I ___ such thing!”

31 Melbourne is its capital 32 Comic book line

artist 34 Got cranky 36 Jimmy who works with Lois Lane 38 Mixed-breed dog that sounds like a bird 39 Upper limit for a jungle gym, maybe 40 Lingerie item similar to a romper 41 Antiseptic gel source 47 Character in The Wind in the Willows 48 Victory celebration 49 Exactly correct 52 Ice Cube’s real first name 54 Small iPods 57 Closing Bell network 58 ACL’s location 61 Free ad, briefly 62 Fasten fabric 63 Verb suffix? ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@ jonesincrosswords.com) Find the answers in the “About” section of CVIndependent.com!

COACHELLA VALLEY INDEPENDENT // 33

APRIL 2017

CANNABIS IN THE CV FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT

As Jeff Sessions equates marijuana to heroin, support organizations that fight for cannabis legalization

BY SEAN PLANCK

O

n March 15, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, while addressing a law enforcement conference in Richmond, Va., said: “I realize this may be an unfashionable belief in a time of growing tolerance of drug use, but too many lives are at stake to worry about being fashionable. I reject the idea that America will be a better place if marijuana is sold in every corner store, and I am astonished to hear people suggest that we can solve our heroin crisis by legalizing marijuana—so people can trade one life-wrecking dependency for another that’s only slightly less awful.”

Yes, the attorney general of the United States just said marijuana is “only slightly less awful” than heroin.

This isn’t a question of being “unfashionable,” but of the AG being factually wrong about the effects of two very different drugs. While tinted picture of states’ rights, Trump likes some cannabis industry and advocacy groups medical cannabis, it’ll all be OK, yadda yadda have forced a smile and tried to paint a green- yadda, how can we not see a difficult future ahead for cannabis when America’s top cop is so glaringly ignorant in his crusade against it?

“With over 600,000 arrests a year, the only thing life-wrecking about marijuana is its prohibition,” said Erik Altieri, NORML’s executive director, in a statement the day of Sessions’ speech.

Sessions spoke with reporters after his speech in Richmond.

“I think medical marijuana has been hyped, maybe too much,” Sessions said, according to various media sources. “Dosages can be constructed in a way that might be beneficial, I acknowledge that, but if you smoke marijuana, for example, where you have no idea how much THC you’re getting, it’s probably not a good way to administer a medicinal amount. So forgive me if I’m a bit dubious about that.”

Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access, countered Sessions’ remarks in a statement issued the same day.

“Statements like these from the Attorney General are factually inaccurate,” Sherer said. “In January, the National Academies of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering released a report that reviewed over 10,000 research articles, which states there is conclusive, moderate and substantial evidence for benefits of cannabis in several conditions.

Sessions needs to stop spreading unfounded, This smiling man unscientific theories about medical marijuana thinks marijuana and take the time to actually meet the and heroin are pretty much the millions of Americans who are benefitting same.

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CANNABIS IN THE CV

continued from Page 33

from its use before making comments about it being over-hyped.”

President Trump said he was “100 percent” in favor of medical marijuana during the campaign. But White House press secretary Sean Spicer recently clarified that the president sees a “big difference” between medical and recreational use.

As we’ve seen in the days since the inauguration, things are moving fast on all fronts in the Trump era. Those wishing to preserve and even further legalization must not be reactionary in their activism. There is too much at stake to take a wait-and-see position.

One productive way to be proactive in the defense and progress of legalization is to participate in and support the organizations that have been fighting this battle for decades—and will be on the front lines in the coming years.

National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws norml.org

Keith Stroup was smoking with Ralph Nader’s legal team in 1970 when someone suggested he ask Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Foundation for a grant to fund his fledgling pro-pot organization. Hefner approved a grant of $5,000, and NORML was born. By the mid-1970s, Hef was donating $100,000 a year to NORML. It was this support that helped make NORML the premier pro-pot organization.

NORML now boasts 135 chapters and a network of more than 500 lawyers. With legalization becoming more of a reality, NORML has edited its mission to “move CVIndependent.com

public opinion sufficiently to legalize the responsible use of marijuana by adults, and to serve as an advocate for consumers to assure they have access to high quality marijuana that is safe, convenient and affordable.”

Americans for Safe Access www.safeaccessnow.org

The ASA is a medical marijuana advocacy group founded in 2002 by medi-pot patient Steph Sherer. The mission is “to ensure safe and legal access to cannabis (marijuana) for therapeutic use and research.”

ASA is the largest national memberbased organization of medical professionals, patients and scientists promoting medical use and research, with more than 100,000 active members in all 50 states.

Brownie Mary Democratic Club of Riverside County www.browniemaryclub.org

If you’re looking for a way to get involved locally, stay informed on the latest developments, and meet like-minded individuals, check out the Brownie Mary Democratic Club of Riverside County. Founded by activist Lanny Swerdlow, it is believed to be the first political-party-affiliated cannabis-advocacy group in California. It is named for Mary Jane Rathbun, who got the nickname “Brownie Mary” for illegally baking and distributing cannabis brownies to AIDS patients while volunteering at San Francisco General Hospital.

Meetings are held the first Saturday of every month at 11:30 a.m. at Crystal Fantasy, 268 N. Palm Canyon Drive, in Palm Springs.

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APRIL 2017

NEW Marijuana Policy Project mpp.org

Founded in 1995, the MPP deals with lobbying and ballot initiatives. The MPP PAC, founded in 2003, donates to key congressional candidates. The mission is to affect federal law, to allow states enact to their own marijuana policies without federal interference, and to regulate marijuana like alcohol nationwide. In terms of budget, members and staff, the Marijuana Policy Project is the largest national organization working specifically on marijuana policy reform.

Drug Policy Alliance www.drugpolicy.org

The DPA takes an active role in the legislative process, and its goals include rolling back the excessive laws of the War on Drugs, blocking harmful initiatives, and pushing for sensible drug-policy reforms.

Considering the mixed (or worse) signals we’re getting from the current administration, it is clear that the fight for legalization and acceptance is far from over.

We must not rest on recent victories. We must remain vigilant, and we must let our representatives know that we support the legalization of cannabis. When the will of the people is ignored in favor of a self-righteous crusade with no base in science or democracy, we must resist. Joining, supporting, and participating in these organizations shows that we are unified—and that we are not going anywhere.

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