Coachella Valley Weekly - January 1 to January 7, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 41

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 1 to January 7, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 41

THE

26TH ANNUAL

PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL

FILM FESTIVAL

GOODBYE WINTER,

JANUARY 2-12, 2015

Feisty Joe

pg 10

Mike Pygmie

pg 11

HELLO WORLD.

John Stanley King

pg 13

Recovery Conference For Women

pg 30

January 1 to January 7, 2015

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

Palm Springs International Film Festival 2015

Coachella Valley Weekly

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly

760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Alaina Majiros, Raymond Bill, Jorge Gutierrez, Edward L. Prichard III Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons, Kira Golden, Rich Henrich Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Sunny Simon, Karen Creasy, Richard Weiss, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dr. Maria Lombardo, Bruce Cathcart, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, Laura Hunt Little, Rebecca Pikus, Monica Morones Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Scott Pam, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery, La Maniaca Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

Contents

Paml Springs Intl. Film Festival...............3 PSIFF Top Pick...........................................5 PSIFF Film Schedules...............................6 Don’t Be Cluless In The CV.......................8 Galen 5K - .................................................9 Desert DJs - DJ John Paul......................10 LMS - Feisty Joe......................................10 LMS - Mike Pygmie.................................11 LMS - John Stanley King........................13 Consider This - .......................................14 Art On El Paseo.......................................15 Pet Place..................................................16 The Vino Voice........................................17 Club Crawler Nightlife...........................18 Screeners................................................22 Book Review...........................................23 PS Local - La Plaza Theatre....................26 Desert Rose Theatre...............................26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local...................27 Dale Gribow............................................27 Safety Tips...............................................28 ShareKitchen..........................................28 Sports Scene...........................................29 Sports......................................................29 Health&Fitness- Recovery For Women...30 Free Will Astrology.................................31 Mind, Body & Spirit................................31 Life & Career Coach................................32 Ask The Doctor.......................................32

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t’s that wonderful time of year when the stars descend and movie buffs arrive to celebrate cinema. The 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival begins on January 2 and runs through the 12th. Over the 10 days, 192 films from 65 countries will show in four different venues on 14 different screens.

Attendees are expected to number more than 135,000 valley visitors.

“This year’s lineup is particularly noteworthy not only for the overall excellence of the 190 plus films included, but for the extraordinary quality of storytelling involved,” said Darryl Macdonald, Festival Director. “In this era of mega-blockbusters, filmmakers worldwide seem to be reacting by eschewing traditional genres and formats in favor of innovative and audacious new approaches to storytelling, with newly emerging talents from regions like Eastern Europe, the Arab countries and Latin America leading the charge.”

One of the largest film festivals in North America, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) celebrates foreign films, documentaries and new industry voices. With movies from all over the world, this is a festival filled with a multitude of cinematic treasures.

The 87th Academy Awards are just around the corner and the PSIFF is the first award program of the year. It will certainly generate a buzz about potential nominations for stars, filmmakers and movies.

Opening Night features Selma, directed

by Ava Duvernay and stars David Oyelowo as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “The timing could hardly be better with the upcoming 50-year anniversary of the historical voting rights marches from Selma to Montgomery,” said Helen du Toit, PSIFF Artistic Director. The screening is followed by a reception at the Palm Springs Art Museum.

The Awards Gala, Saturday, January 3, at the Palm Springs Convention Center is a black tie, red-carpet event that recognizes the best achievements of the cinematic year. As always, the list of recipients is packed with major talent, and honorees are often frontrunners for Academy Award consideration.

This year, Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award. Moore is currently in Still

Alice and Redmayne plays Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything.

Rosamund Pike and David Oyelowo will be honored with the Breakthrough Performance Award. Pike plays the missing wife in Gone Girl.

Reese Witherspoon will receive the Chairman’s Award for her title role in Wild. The Spotlight Award will go to J.K. Simmons whose current film is Whiplash.

Acting giant Robert Duvall will be honored with the Icon Award. Duvall stars with Robert Downey in The Judge.

The Ensemble Performance Award will go to the cast of The Imitation Game, which includes Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley.

Filmmaker Alejandro Iñárritu will receive the Director of the Year Award for his amazing work on Birdman. It is his second time winning the award. Director Richard Linklater will be honored for his achievement writing and directing Boyhood.

“Boyhood is a one-of-a-kind epic, shot over the course of 12 years with the same cast,” said Harold Matzner, Festival Chairman. “It’s for his creative innovations in filmmaking that we are proud to present him with the Sonny Bono Visionary Award.”

Beyond the studio and independent movie contenders currently in theaters, the festival has 50 films that qualify in the Academy Awards Foreign Language Film Category. With the field narrowed to nine, eight of the PSIFF films have been selected to advance in the next round of Academy voting.

The Festival will spotlight Central and Eastern European filmmaking in a special program titled Eastern Promises. Many of the films in this event are also candidates for Oscar© consideration.

“Change is in the air and circulating around the globe at warp speed. Under-represented countries are making themselves heard in the Oscar© race,” said du Toit. “Filmmakers are mining the personal stories behind political movements. Marginalized women are asserting their rights. Emerging directors are staking their claims. These are exciting times in cinema and we are thrilled to be sharing them with our international audience.”

The PSIFF will include 65 premieres: seven world, five international, 20 in North America and 33 in the United States. This is what makes PSIFF such an important event to the industry as well as to visitors.

by heidi simmons

The PSIFF stands out in its ability to choose important as well as entertaining films. The Palm Springs International Film Society, the nonprofit organization that coordinates the PSIFF, has made part of its mission to cultivate and encourage new talent.

Through the New Voices/New Visions Award, one of 10 films from top emerging international directors will make its feature film debut at the Fest. The main criteria for films selected are those that are currently without US distribution.

This year launches a new venue. A symposium called The Power of Words: Books to Screen, which will be held January 8 at the Palm Springs Hilton. With a record-breaking year of book-to-film adaptations, this will be a timely and engaging event. Select films from the program will screen on January 7.

A Festival favorite is the Talking Picture events where some of the year’s most acclaimed films are screened, followed by conversations with the filmmakers, directors or actors. The Theory of Everything and Citizenfour are two of the films. There is also an Awards Buzz At Full Gallop discussion moderated by the Hollywood Reporter’s Scott Feinberg.

Even at regular screenings, filmmakers are often on hand to introduce and take questions about their films.

As a tradition, the PSIFF has a Secret Screening. And it’s a well-kept secret! No media, no Facebook, no Twitter or texting is allowed before, during or after. This makes the event an intimate experience for all those in attendance.

On January 12, as part of the Film Society’s outreach, the Student Screening will be held at the Palm Springs High School auditorium. The attending kids will be treated to lunch and two movies. The screening includes an Argentina film called Natural Sciences and Keep on Keepin’ On from the US. Other events include the Closing Night Gala, a Free Screening, special presentations and industry parties. There are so many movies to see and things to do during the PSIFF. It is a fun and hectic ten days of cinema bliss. For more information on any of the events, a schedule, description of films and tickets go now to www. psfilmfest.org For additional help call 800 898 7256 or 760 778 8079.

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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Film

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

By Robin E. Simmons

TOP PSIFF PROGRAM PICK: “MODERN MASTERS”

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he first PSIFF program selection I always check is for “Modern Masters.” This year’s selection showcases 12 excellent films from acclaimed international directors who have raised the standards bar in contemporary cinema. I have yet to be disappointed with the overall satisfaction of previous selections and this year’s choices are greatly anticipated by film buffs. As of this writing, tickets are available for all showings, although in some cases only a few remain. (The lesson is to reserve yours as early as possible. Like now.)

Consider these intriguing films in this year’s “Modern Masters” program.

Additional screening times and venues may be listed at psfilmfest.org. Stand-by tickets (as available) at the door.

CHAGALL - MALEVICH (Russia) Legendary director and screenwriter Alexander Mitta breaks a 10-year absence from the screen with his latest film about the intermittently violent ego clashes between the two great opposite Russian artists Marc Chagall and Kazimir Malevich during the early years of Soviet rule between 1917 and 1920. Don’t miss the engaging, complicated story of love and passion and how a friendship can become hostile. More than 140 detailed copies of paintings by Chagall and Malevich were made for this richly atmospheric film. Sunday, January 11, 2:00 PM. Camelot.

CLOUDS OF SILS MARIA (France) Director Olivier Assayas’ film was triggered by a conversation with Juliette Binoche. She said she called Olivier Assayas and gave him the idea and he wrote a beautiful script. “I gave him a sprout and after that he just went with it.” Here’s the story: At the peak of her international career, Maria Enders (Binoche) is invited to perform in a revival of the play that made her famous two decades earlier. Originally she played the role of a seductive young woman who drove her female boss to suicide. Now she’s been asked to play the older boss. She goes with her assistant to remote Sils Maria in the Alps where she rehearses with a young Hollywood starlet who has a scandalous history. Suddenly, everything is reversed as Maria finds herself facing a confusingly charming young woman who is a disturbing reflection of her former self. The cast includes Kristen Stewart as the assistant and Chloë Grace Moretz as the young starlet. Binoche is an authentic creative force. In last year’s popular PSIFF entry WORDS AND PICTURES, Binoche, as a physically challenged artist, did all her own on screen painting. Saturday, January 3, 10:AM. Regal 9.

DANCING ARABS (Israel) Director Eran Riklis (THE SYRIAN BRIDE) has created a timely and engaging film that follows an unnamed narrator who naïvely recounts his own history. Obviously smart and eager to assimilate into Israeli society, he’s also acutely aware that as an Arab he’ll

never be a true part of it. Despite his true identity, he wins a place at an elite Israeli boarding school and assumes the JewishIsraeli persona of a friend who’s confined to his home. I was moved by this unabashed, heartfelt look at the stresses of ordinary life for Arab Israelis. The movie “is a brave and necessary film” says Aaron Katsman in “The Jerusalem Post.” Saturday, January 3, 1:00 PM. Regal 9.

AN EYE FOR BEAUTY (Canada) Luke is a brilliant young architect whose talent has not yet been recognized. He leads a tranquil life with his beautiful wife sports writer wife Stephanie in the picturesque Charlevoix region. Luke has a perfect life, wife, house, and friends. But when he has an affair with a mysterious woman while attending an architectural event in Toronto, it turns his life upside down and threatens to change everything. This deft exploration of the fault lines that run under a seemingly perfect surface is from director Denys Arcand. Saturday, January 10, 7:00 PM. Regal 9.

GEMMA BOVERY (France) Director Anne Fontaine resurrects Gustave Flaubert’s “Madam Bovery,” the once shocking story of a rural doctor’s wife who has an affair to relieve her abject boredom. In the movie, based on the graphic novel by Posy Simmons, Gemma Arterton’s anglo Bovery is luminously beautiful and properly voluptuous. Set in Normandy, local baker Raymond Joubert fears English

import Gemma is fated to relive the tragedy of Emma since everything in her beautifully bored life fits her literary predecessor. Ray decides if he can’t have her, at least he can save her from herself. I loved this delightful mix of light comedy and romance. Tuesday, January 6, 4:00 PM. Palm Springs High School.

THE HUMBLING (USA) Director Barry Levinson’s latest film is an adaptation of Philip Roth’s same-titled novel. Buck Henry wrote the screenplay and Al Pacino stars. There’s a lot of ambiguity here, probably intentional. Sometimes it’s funny, often it’s confusing but I think that’s also intentional since it’s about an ageing actor (Pacino), losing his mind but is dragged back from his madness by love from a young woman. Or at least I think that’s what’s going on here. The exceptional cast includes: Greta Gerwig, Charles Grodin, Mary Louise Parker, Dan Hedaya and Dianne Wiest. I couldn’t take my eyes off Pacino as he deftly inhabits -- or reveals (?) -- the jagged inner gears of an increasingly out-of-control actor on a self-made road to ruin. Friday, January 9, 7:00 PM. Palm Springs High School.

IN ORDER OF DISAPPEARANCE (Norway/ Sweden) In this violent thriller, mild-mannered snowplow driver Nils (Stellan Skarsgard) goes Dirty Harry when his non-drug taking son turns up dead from a presumed overdose. I loved the unhinged gangster war triggered by Nils between rival drugsmuggling factions. Director Hans Petter Moland’s breathtakingly gorgeous revenge thriller is loaded with very dark humor set against stunningly photographed Norwegian vistas. A rare and satisfying treat in the crime comedy genre. Tuesday, January 6, 2:00 PM. Camelot.

IRIS (USA), Director Albert Maysles When the irreverent, elderly Iris Apfel

talks, New York fashionistas listen. And when she places a piece of jewelry piece of jewelry on a manikin or wraps a swath of cloth around her neck, they sit up. Iris is well past 90, but her unique “eye” and sense of style has not diminished in the least. With her 100 year-old husband of 66 years by her side, legendary documentarian Albert Maysles captures the essence of life as celebration. And it’s a beautiful thing dripping with warmth, wit, intelligence and love. Especially love. Sunday, January 4, 4:00 PM. Annenberg Auditorium.

LI’L QUINQUIN (France) French filmmaker Bruno Dumont’s (LA VIE DE JESUS, HORS SATAN) latest film is a decidedly quirky story about a series of murders in a small French town where a mischievous boy and his girlfriend create another set of problems. Dumont’s previous art housework has been rather severe and somber; here he unleashes an unpredictable and unexpected comic sensibility that is as hilarious as it is unsettling. Saturday, January 10, 11:00 AM. Camelot.

THE PERFECT DICTATORSHIP (Mexico) Director Louis Estrada’s tale focuses on the most powerful Mexican television corporation disclosing a scandalous story involving a Mexican governor Carmelo Vargas’ crimes and illicit businesses. Worried about his political future, Governor Vargas tries to clean up his image by negotiating a big bucks secret agreement with the same owners of the TV corporation that exposed him. That’s when ambitious young news producer Carlos Rojas and star TV reporter Ricardo Diaz create a campaign to change the public image of the corrupt Governor and make him, no matter the cost, a great presidential candidate and perfect dictator.

Already a huge hit in Mexico, don’t miss this fine satire of big media and corrupt politicians. Tuesday, January 6, 9:30 AM. Regal 9.

QUEEN AND COUNTRY (United Kingdom) John Boorman’s quasi sequel to his semi-autobiographical 1987 film HOPE AND GLORY is a “gently comedic memoir” about Englishman Bill Rowan who grew up in London during World War II and joins the military with his best pal Percy to fight in the Korean War. Soon, the conjoining circumstances of love, war and friendship force Bill to decide where his loyalties truly lie. Sunday, January 11, 1:00 PM. Regal 9.

RED AMNESIA (China) Chinese “Sixth Generation” master Wang Xiaoshuai’s melodramatic thriller has a not unexpectedly strong political subtext. This admittedly challenging work requires close attention as it builds to its powerful climax in which a retired widow has her daily routine derailed when she starts receiving mysterious, anonymous phone calls. Friday, January 09, 4:30 PM. Regal 9.

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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Palm Springs International Film Festival 2015 - film schedules

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

REG - REGAL THEATRE CAM - CAMELOT THEATRE ANN - ANNENBERG THEATRE PALM - PALM CANYON THEATRE PSHS - PALM SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

Happy New Year!

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e breathed our last “Goodbye” to 2014 last night before drifting off to sleep, and this morning greeted the New Year with all the enthusiasm of a day off. All the resolutions that were carefully pondered and penned on a list have been, I believe thankfully lost in all the wrappings, ribbons and tissue that were tossed in the trash. If any escape, we have made our usual resolution to ignore them. My life, my rules. (Why keep losing the same ten pounds? Well okay, five.) It’s been an interesting year. Thanks to Sony’s flip-flop, releasing “The Interview” for showing on Christmas Day, our American rights to free self-expression are safe. In the film, two journalists are hired to “take out” (assassinate) the psychotic Pillsbury Dough Boy North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

It’s a comedy. Don’t hold that against it. At the beginning of the year, we’ll take laughs where we can. If that doesn’t tickle your funny bone, here we list more things to do.

BTW, we hear the film makers are making a film on the making of the film---including the pleasures of hacking. We’re excited now! Again, Happy New Year 2015!!

Saturday, January 17, 2015, 7:30 AM – last event 2:30 PM. “City of Palm Spring’s Mayor’s Race and Wellness Festival, Healthy Planet, Healthy You Event.” Whew, we’re exhausted already. But this is exactly what we need after a season that ran from Fall’s welcome back, to Thanksgiving to Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, Happy Harvest, or by any other name given to a celebration of food, glorious food, festivity and frolicking from dawn to dusk and beyond, er, way beyond to the next dawn on the schedule, and beyond that… well, you get the drill. In any case, back to the subject at hand. Join fitness experts Scott Cole and Craig Ramsay for The Festival taking place with walking, running, swimming events at the Wellness Park at Ruth Hardy Park and the Palm Springs Swim Center. Register for all events easily and quickly online at www. active.com or www.racewire.com or www. healthyplanethealthyyoups.com. There. We feel better already.

Sunday, January 18, 2 PM. European Masters Concert by the Coachella Valley Symphony at the symphony’s new home, the Helene Galen Performing Arts Center in the Rancho Mirage High School. This

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season’s novel theme, “Music By Request,” reflects the repertoire suggestions made by CV Symphony audiences as well as selections suggested and played by the symphony musicians. Featured will be Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 performed by Scott Cuellar first place winner in the Virginia Waring International Piano Competition.

Violinist Alan Busteed, CVSymphony’s guest concert master, will be featured on the Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns. This concert’s Guest Conductor is Vance Reger, principal oboist for the Coachella Valley Symphony, who has an extensive musical background as both a performer and conductor. This afternoon of classical music showcases a fulfilling menu of favorites, including Mozart’s Divertimento No. 2 in D Major, K.131, and the Polonaise from Tchaikovsky’s opera, Eugene Onegin, with educational snippets interjected by Maestro Reger. The symphony will also perform Polovtsian Dances by Borodin.

Individual ticket prices are $45 (front), $35 (middle), and $25 (rear). Ticket prices for students and active duty military are $10.

To purchase tickets either go to hgpac.org or call the HGPAC Box Office (760) 202-6482 ext. 3 or the CVSymphony (760) 360-2222.

Sunday, January 18, 3 PM. Entertaining “family style” should include this special program: “Jungle Jack” Hanna returns to the McCallum Theatre with his popular show “Into the Wild Live!” featuring many of his favorite animal friends as well as fascinating and humorous stories and footage from his adventures around the world. From the jungles of Rwanda to the Australian “Savannahs,” and beyond, Hanna has become one of the world’s most visible and respected animal ambassadors. As a child growing up on a farm, Jack spent

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

his days cleaning animal cages for a local veterinarian and exploring the creek behind his house. As America’s favorite zookeeper, the director emeritus of the famed Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, his adventures ranged from brushing a hippo’s teeth to eating with wombats. Today, Jack explores the wide wilds of the world with a “hands-on” approach to wildlife conservation which has won him widespread applause, made him a TV personality, author of ten books including “My Wild Life,” and he is known to have an infectious energy. Tickets are $75, $45, $30 and $20 and are available at the Theatre’s web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260, accepts payment by cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Tuesday, January 20, 8 PM. Itzhak Perlman plays the McCallum! Need we say more? No. But we will, because Perlman is worth it. A classical violinist Superstar, this violinist/conductor/music advisor/teacher has gathered the world’s most prestigious honors and is winner of multiple Emmy and Grammy Awards. He is known for his natural charm, the joy he brings to his listeners, the acclaim he receives for his achievements, humanitarian awards and the downright magic he produces with a delicate bow, an expertly carved instrument and superior educated talent and passion honed at the famed Julliard School. Born in Israel, we might offer that Itzhak Perlman was” Made in America” after his appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show brought him national recognition. Yet even with his rigorous global performance schedule, Mr. Perlman is very much still actively involved in music education, including his close involvement in the Perlman Music Program. And he currently holds the Dorothy Richard Starling Foundation Chair at the Juilliard School.

Tickets for the performance by Itzhak Perlman, accompanied by Rohan De Silva on piano, are priced at $125, $95, $75 and $65 and are available at the Theatre’s web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm

events

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“Don’t Be Clueless” wants to remind you that press releases for inclusion should be in to the Coachella Valley Weekly at least two weeks ahead of the scheduled event!

Thanks!

January 1 to January 7, 2015

by kira golden

Galen New Year’s Resolution 5K

Desert CA 92260, accepts payment by cash, personal check, VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

Wednesday, January 21, through Sunday, February 8, 2015. Evenings Wednesdays – Saturdays, 7:30 PM. Matinees on Saturdays and Sundays, 2:00 PM. In keeping with its 2014/15 American Melting Pot theme---a look at four distinct cultures by four critically-acclaimed playwrights--The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre (CVRep) will present their second main stage production, “Having Our Say, The Delany Sister’s First Hundred Years,” written

by Emily Mann and adapted from the book of the same name by real-life sisters, Sarah L. and A. Elizabeth Delany with Amy Hill Hearth. The play tells the compelling story of the hardships and extraordinary achievements of the Delany Sisters. Artistic director Ron Celona says, “Having Our Say is a significant and entertaining theatrical work with broad Universal appeal. It is a powerful play that celebrates women and men, African Americans, our country, and the invincible human spirit.” The Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre is located at 69930 Highway 111, Suite 116, Rancho Mirage.

Tickets are $45:00. To purchase tickets or more information, call 760-296-2966, visit www.cvrep.org or purchase them at the CVRep Box Office. An educational and dramatic theater organization, the CVRep is a (501)©3 non-profit presenting innovative productions and children’s outreach programs designed to enrich the quality of life for Coachella Valley residents and visitors.

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n the brisk morning of December 27th, about five hundred runners gathered at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert to participate in the Galen 5K. This marks the second annual run of this marathon, which was thought up and sponsored by Helene Galen. “This museum isn’t just a museum, it’s a community spot,” Galen said. Arlene Armick, Director of the Palm Desert Museum, and the woman responsible for putting together this event, echoed Galen’s sentiment.

“We really wanted to do something that would welcome the community and drive attention to a larger portion of what we do here, which is a lot of educational and community programs. We thought, what better way to do that than with a 5K? And what better timing than for a New Year’s Resolution?” Armick went on to say that the 5K is a fundraiser, but that all the funds go to support the museum’s free educational and community programs.

The event was a full-blown affair, complete with healthy food and beverage stands, a warm-up area with guided exercises, T-shirts for the participants, as well as art activities in the Sculpture Garden to follow the conclusion of the race. “We increased it a little more from

the community perspective by going to all of the schools in Desert Sands; we offered sponsorships… and just by going to all of the schools, we had a lot of kids sign up.”

Hoover Elementary had thirteen kids sponsored by the committee to enter the race. Patricia Schoenfeld, the head of Hoover’s Running Club, now in its third year, also joined in the marathon. “We’ve run 5,500 miles so far this year. Our goal is 12,500 miles to make it halfway around the world.” Schoenfeld went on to explain that the entire school—including the principle— participates in the club. They get credit for running before school, during recess, and during P.E. The students have chains to wear, and they receive charms to commemorate every five miles they run, and also monthly charms based on reaching monthly goals.

“It’s just healthy,” she said of the club.

“Our behavioral problems are down. The first year we had about five kids pass the physical fitness in fifth grade, and last year we had forty-two kids pass.” Her long-term goal is to make it a district-wide program.

“There are other schools asking about our club, but no one is doing it the way I do it.

We do it every day, and it’s a lot of work.”

She is also hoping to draw awareness to the program to inspire funding for rewards and for participation in events like this 5K. She was not the only runner trying to raise awareness for a cause at this event.

Peggy Abundiz, who is also known as the Running Bride, participates in marathons nationwide—and she runs in full firefighter’s regalia. She does this—despite two knee surgeries—to support the Code 3 for a Cure Foundation, which raises awareness and gives financial aid to firefighters with cancer. Her husband, Lorenzo Abundiz, served 27 years as a firefighter, and as a result has had three separate battles with cancer. “It’s sad because we all assume they get all the support they need when they fight cancer, and that’s not always the case.

That’s why we started this foundation. The toxins they’re exposed to are really what cause their cancer—they’re much more highly susceptible than the average citizen.”

they ran for a cause or simply to accomplish an important personal goal, the overall attitude was one of a community working together to achieve something greater— making it safe to say that it was a resounding success!

She explained that often the cancer doesn’t manifest until years after a firefighter retires, and it is often hard to prove to a departmental committee that the cancer was job-related. Not to mention the large percentage of volunteer firefighters who have no department whatsoever to fall back on if they are diagnosed with cancer for their heroics. Peggy and Lorenzo have made it their mission to help as many suffering firefighters as possible. For more information, visit their website at www. code3foracure.org.

The Galen New Year’s Resolution 5K had a huge turnout this year, from dogs, to children, to spry elderly folk, and whether

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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desert djs

By craig michaels

DJ John Paul is Quickly Making a Name for Himself

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orn in Bronx, New York, John Paul spent his teen years in Hastings, Florida before signing a contract to become a Marine stationed in 29 palms, CA. John would frequent the night clubs in his free time in search of some good music to dance to. After finishing his contract with the USMC in 2002, John settled in the Coachella Valley full-time and continued to hit the club scene watching and listening to the DJs behind the music.

Just a short year ago, John describes how he decided to become a DJ; “I was at a night club and just wasn’t getting the vibe from the music that I wanted so I felt I should change that. I did some research on equipment, bought some and haven’t looked back since. Once I got behind the turntables for the first time, I knew I was meant to be there!” John’s real last name is Sessions but after going through a process of elimination, decided to use Paul, which is his middle name.

Having been an avid dancer for years, John implements that perspective when programing his dance floor music. “I don’t just hear and play music, I feel it!” John says.

“Knowing that I can express myself through the music with everybody, there’s no better feeling for me!” he adds with excitement.

While his favorite genres of music to play are Hip-Hop, R&B, and Dancehall, John can play it all.

John has learned a lot in the last 12 months, including the challenge of trying to make everyone on the dance floor happy.

His main goal is to leave everyone with a smile on their faces at the end of the night.

In addition to mobile gigs, his skills have opened the doors for him to frequently spin in bars and nightclubs both in and outside the Valley. He’s a house favorite at the Village Pub in Palm Springs and recently performed at “Club Bounce” in Riverside for New Year’s Eve. When he’s not spinning music for live crowds, you can also hear John entertaining audiences with his online radio show

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every Thursday from 10am-12pm on www. blazemupradio.com. John enjoys the flexibility of being able to travel around but his aspirations are to eventually settle in as a resident DJ at a hot spot here in the Coachella Valley. His plans don’t stop there; this ambitious DJ wants to share his feelings of music throughout the world as one of the best in the industry. “The doors keep opening and I’m not hesitating to get through them!” John exclaims about his future.

If you would like to contact John about having him DJ at your event or night club you can email him at: djjp5150@gmail.com.

Written by: Craig Michaels Craig Michaels Productions (760) 880-3848

Local Music Spotlight

by Lisa Morgan

Tom Edwards’ Battle Winning Feisty Joe

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here was a surprise winner in the Red Hot Battle of the Bands last Sunday, where 22 bands competed for prizes and trophies for first, second and third place. Winners were selected based on the number of votes that could be purchased for $1 each. The proceeds were to benefit Red Hot Ball Room, an after school program where kids can learn ballroom dancing.

Tom Edwards entered the contest with the band he’s been playing with for several years - The Mighty Delta Tones, as well as with a project he recently revived - Feisty Joe. He simply entered the Battle of the Bands for the fun of it, never buying a single ticket to add to his numbers, and never expecting to place. But when all was said and done, Tom Edwards’ Feisty Joe placed third, to the joy of those who had the pleasure of enjoying the band’s performance, and to the utter shock of its originator.

“I started Feisty Joe several years ago with Terry Dubas on drums (Refills), Tom Collins on guitar (Pictures from Eden), Glen Woods on bass (Bone Thumpers) and myself (Mighty Delta Tones) in 2005. We always did original music, co-written usually by Tom Collins and myself. We won the Coachella Valley Music award for best Country Rock Band. We went on to Vegas and recorded two songs at the same studio where Barry Manilow and Celine Dion recorded. Tom and I even played through the same amp that BB King used. But shortly after, the band split up. I had two bands going at the time, so I just continued on with Mighty Delta Tones,

a blues cover band. But I have always had a passion to do original music - sharing my own feelings and expressions. So, this year, I decided to start it back up again with Joe Espinoza on drums and Axel Buche on bass.

Axel travels to Germany often, so I enlisted Rick Stephenson (Mighty Delta Tones) for a few shows including this one. Some of the songs are from the original line up, and some are new. Winning was a total fluke. It was weird. I never expected to win. I didn’t buy any tickets myself. I’m just an old guy that has been doing this a long time. There’s a lot of new up and comers that are really talented, so I was just shocked.”

Edwards performed a 25 minute rock opera of a life unfolding from something very sweet, turning gradually into a song and performance that depicted a tragic overdose on heroin. Makeup was applied to Tom’s face by Jim Swayne during this performance to reflect the transition of a life taking a left turn. “I was just attempting to add a little theater to the music. I didn’t expect it to win me votes. I just wanted to get people thinking and talking.”

Tom Edwards is easily one of the most highly respected guitarists in the valley, who is passionate about his art. He is also one of the nicest people you could ever meet.

You will truly enjoy this musician’s work, no matter what genre he is performing. You can see him and Feisty Joe at Plan B Live Music and Cocktails this Friday, January 2nd, starting at 9pm.

Plan B Live Music and Cocktails is located in Thousand Palms on the corner of Monterey and Ramon Road.

Follow Tom Edwards at the following links: facebook.com/pages/Feisty-Joe Search for The Mghty Delta-Tones on Facebook.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

January 1 to January 7, 2015

by Lisa Morgan

A Musician’s Musician Coming Into His Own in 2015 - Mike “Pygmie” Johnson “

M

ike Pygmie is a ‘Whizard’ on the guitar. He writes melodic songs that are very complex, original and inspiring - Rush meets Black Flag, Minutemen and Descendants. ‘You Know Who’ - Mike Pygmie, that’s who!” - Nick Oliveri (Uncontrollable, Mondo Generator, Queens of the Stone Age)

by Lisa Morgan The Johnson’s may not have realized the monster they were creating when they took their son, Michael with them to see the Jackson Five with Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, and Gladys Knight. They did, however, figure out pretty quickly, that they could keep him working hard at school if they threatened to take away his guitar and extra-curricular activities. Surely they had to know something was up when, at the tender age of 14, their son’s favorite extra-curricular activity was his “after school program” at Mario Lalli’s Rhythm and Brews, jamming with and learning from some of the best musicians around. These were the beginnings of an incredible music career that has taken Mike Johnson all over the world, touring and playing music; a career that stands on the precipice of becoming even greater in 2015.

It all began in middle school, when Mike Johnson became known as Mike “Pygmie” after forming the band Melodious Pygmies, with band members that at various times included John Dean, Eli Cohen, Steven Hall, Brant Bjork, Rob Peterson. The band continued until he was 16. Pygmie had picked up the guitar after getting a Jimi Hendrix box set that he listened to constantly. “Once I got a guitar, I never put it down,” he shared. “I’d even sit on my couch and learn and play the theme songs I heard while watching TV.” CVW: What were your earliest influences and sources of inspiration?

Pygmie: We were underage, so we’d only get to play private parties. But there was this one big party in the La Quinta Cove - one of the last big parties I remember up there (we’d never get away with a party like that now).

This big dude came up to me and started telling me about how he was going to open up an all-ages club in Indio: Turns out that big dude was Mario Lalli, and the place was Rhythym and Brews. I felt really lucky to be

part of that scene. That’s what solidified it for me. On top of Mario’s musical skills, we were always around great players and bands because he also did the booking. It was really a huge influence on my music at a critical age. Fatso Jetson was pretty much the house band and I got to jam with them. A lot of SST bands would come through, because Fatso was on that label. I got to meet Black Flag’s Greg Ginn, George Hurley of Minutemen. All the punk bands I grew up loving would come through with their new bands. I saw Unsound and The Fixtures there for the first time, and that was a huge influence.

CVW: You’ve been in a number of bands following Melodious Pygmies, right?

Pygmie: Yes. The Agents started up after Melodious Pygmies. I played guitar and sang backing vocals, Scott Nelson sang lead, and Charlie Ellis (of Mighty Jack) played bass. Scott and I played little league together as kids. He had started jamming with Jeff Bowman from Unsound, and asked if I wanted to join them. I was like, ‘Jeff Bowman from Unsound? Crazy!

Yeah, I want to jam with you!’ Jeff actually played guitar in the beginning of that band, and Mike Webb was on drums, but eventually they switched. That was the band I cut my

first album with. Chris Haines had discovered us, taken us under his wing and produced it for us. We recorded it in a room above my parents’ flower shop.

There were a whole slew of bands I played in after that: I started playing drums for the first time with Brothers from Different Mothers. I took over Rob Peterson’s spot on the drums in The Pedestrians when he went to school for a bit. I started playing in The Operators about that time. Brant Bjork (Kyuss, Fatso Jetson, Mondo Generator, Vista Chino) and I would switch off drums and guitar. We played the Troubadour, opening for Monster Magnet. I was in my early 20’s at the time. I had also started working on my own project, writing and recording for the Whizards. I put everything into the Whizards; there were a few members in and out of the band including Jeff Bowman and Charlie Ellis, but most people remember the Whizards as Benny Cancino drums, Billy Cordell on bass, and myself on guitar and vocals. About this time, Brant asked me to play with him in Brant and the Bro. I did both for a little while, until Brant said I had to make a choice between the two. I was doing bigger things touring with Brant, but Whizards was my baby, and I really believed we could have done just as much. I chose Whizards, and we probably could have if we didn’t break up.

Mikey Dolan, from the band Snot, sat in during some of the recording of the Whizards, and he wanted to produce it. But then, his band broke up, the Whizards broke up, so we ended up starting a band together called Invitro. I toured more heavily with Invitro than with any other band. We made a record that I’m really proud of called, When I was a Planet. Brad Dujmovic was on bass, Benny Cancino was on drums and Jeff Weber was on vocals. We did our first tour with Endorphin, then went on with Seven Dust, Static-X, and just went from tour to tour. We ended up

Photo by Chris Miller/Imagine Imagery

on the Family Values Tour. We were on big stages opening for bands like Evanescence and Hellyeah. In 2007, I think I was on tour 9 months out of the year. Then that band broke up (he chuckled).

Following Invitro, I had just had a baby, and was happy to be home, but still recorded and played. Eventually, I had an album worth of material. Greg Saenz, who was playing with the Dwarves at the time, and Dylan Brown were both interested in playing. They both really impressed me with their skill and dedication. I gave them a CD and they came back having really done their homework. That was the start of You Know Who. Greg got busy with the Dwarves for a while, so Rob Peterson played on drums for a bit - he’s a guy who can play anything. Greg’s back now and we’re working on an album that will come out some time in 2015.

CVW: How did you find yourself in Mondo Generator?

Pygmie: I remember seeing Nick (Oliveri) at the Hope for Isaiah concert, and was really impressed with him. It wasn’t long after that, I heard Mondo Generator was looking for a new guitar player. I figured I’d write Nick, and just put it out there - I was looking for some serious gigs and wanted to tour again. I didn’t hear anything back, so I figured they had someone.

True to Nick Oliveri fashion, he called me the day before and said, ‘Hey, can you make it. I drove to LA the next day. Nick told me all his plans over pizza, and I said, ‘Cool man! So should I come back? He said, ‘You want to be in the band don’t you?’ I said, ‘Yeah!’ That’s when he finally told me that they had already talked it over and I was in - everybody knew but me! I played some awesome tours with Nick. We opened for Clutch, Jello Biafra, and Black Flag in Belgium. I was stoked. They were bands I really respected and listened to. Nick continue to page 12

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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continued from page 11

made a lot of special things like that happen.

People really want to play with him.

(Pygmie also played on Nick Oliveri’s solo project, Uncontrollable, “Leave Me Alone”, and played guitar with him at the LA Forum for Oliveri’s highly publicized brief reunion with Josh Homme and Queens of the Stone Age.) CVW: How did you end up on tour with John Garcia (Kyuss and Vista Chino) for his solo tour, and on bass of all things?

Ehren Groban (the first official member of Garcia’s band) asked me if I would consider playing bass for a band. I didn’t even know at the time it was for John Garcia. I went and auditioned, and it just worked. I had played bass for my own songs recording, but never played it in a band situation. It felt pretty natural; John is a very calm and easy dude.

I felt comfortable with him right off, and of course, I did my homework. If anything, I was focused on the fact that I didn’t want to sound like a guitar player. I wanted to sound like a bass player. Other than that, it came pretty natural. The first night we got together, John said, ‘If you want it, you got the gig.’ We tried out a couple drummers who were really good, but it didn’t feel like a band; it felt like a project. John had said, ‘I don’t want to do a project - I want to do a band - a real band where we hang out and jam.’ I thought that was cool, because that’s what I wanted too. I told him, ‘If you trust me, I know a guy.’ So we tried Greg (Saenz) out, and it just fit. For such a new project, with a tour already booked, it just really felt solid. Now we’ve got a couple of tours under our belt. It’s crazy to see how the fans in Australia and Europe love John and Nick. They do so much research and know so much about their music. It was a blast. It’s like going to camp with your best friends.

You have a job to do for a couple of hours but otherwise, you’re just hanging out with your friends.

CVW: With all the music you’ve done, have you had to balance it with a day job?

Pygmie: Oh yeah! I’ll be at work tomorrow morning, on top of a roof at 7am. I work for Budget Roofing. I’m very fortunate to have this job. My boss is cool enough to let me take off when I need to go, and I always have a job when I come home. That’s been real important.

CVW: So what is coming up for you in 2015?

Pygmie: Before I took off with John Garcia and Uncontrollable, we started working on the new You Know Who record with Brad Garrow producing it. It will be released on Self Destructo Records. We have instruments done on 8 songs; there will be 11 altogether.

Nick came with me right after the CV Weekly Benefit show. We pulled a late night, and he sang on a couple tracks. We recorded his signature Oliveri screams, as well as some of his more melodious background vocals. John will be coming in and singing on it too, as well as Sean Wheeler. It should be released sometime next year. There’s already been some good response to it, thanks to some download cards I was able to take on tour.

Uncontrollable will be playing the Viper Room New Year’s Eve, opening for Helmet.

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

John Stanley King We’ll play the Viper again on January 28th.

You Know Who will play in LA at the Redwood with the Chuck Norris Experiment. And You Know Who will be playing with the Chuck Norris Experiment again at the Hood, January 30th along with the Hellions and Monolith.

CVW: Any advice for those considering trying to follow in your footsteps?

Pygmie: The only reason to do this is because you love it. It’s hard to make a living at it. It’s not impossible, but it’s very tough. I see so many people that are so amazing and talented who are struggling. But if you love it and you’re going to do it anyways, you might as well give it your best shot.

I’m very lucky to have a really understanding wife. I get depressed when I’m not playing, but there have been times when it’s been a real struggle and I’ve thought, ‘I’m going to quit this and get a regular job.’ My wife would just look at me and say, ‘You can’t do that. I would never ask you to, nor would I let you. That would be like asking you to stop breathing.’ I’m very lucky and blessed to have her.

Mario Lalli on Mike Pygmie: “I remember back in ‘93 or so, there was a house party with bands right down the street where we all lived in our band compound in La Quinta. We all cruised down to hear these kids that were just incredibly talented maniacs - really young dudes who were 13 years old. We walked in, and they were just slaying this very complex rockin twisted stuff. The musicianship was so advanced and they were so intense, I was shocked! That was the Melodius Pygmies.

Mike and I have been friends ever since. He and his folks were at my club all the time, soaking in the music. He performed there often. He is one of the most talented musicians in the desert. Progressive, aggressive, dedicated, Mike is the real deal. That’s probably why he plays in at least four bands - guitar and vocals in one, bass in another, drums in another...it’s pretty insane. The best part is he has no ego about all that talent. Mike just loves music and splitting skulls.”

With more shows piling up in 2015 and a new record coming out, Pygmie should have very little to be depressed about. Perhaps this will be the year when all the work and sacrifice will be rewarded. But no matter what the year has in store for him, you can bet it will all be worth watching and listening to.

Follow Mike Pygmie and check out his music at the following links: facebook.com/youknowwhomusic reverbnation.com/artist/nickoliveri666 facebook.com/JohnGarciaOfficial

A

fter cutting back on his bookings to spend more time with his kids, John Stanley King, one of the most awarded, respected and working-est musicians in the Coachella Valley, is back to playing regular nights. The lucky venue hosting him is Vicky’s of Santa Fe in Indian Wells. King will play Friday nights beginning January 2nd, 2015 from 8pm until midnight.

Vicky’s will be keeping their kitchen open late on Friday nights, in honor of their star troubadour. King’s incredibly talented, five piece band, will be providing a tasteful mix of self-penned melodies as well as classic fan favorites that range from R&B to Reggae.

January 1 to January 7, 2015

by Lisa Morgan

Set to Pack the House Every Friday and Sunday Night @ Vicky’s of Santa Fe in 2015

Joining him on Friday nights, will be Norman Merten on lead guitar, coming from the Los Angeles beach area, Malcolm Turner on bass, from Orange County, Derek Organ on drums from Inglewood, and Monty Seward on keys, also from the LA area. Sunday’s will be a different vibe and crew, as King, along with a stand-up bass player, a grand piano player and drummer, will pull pages out of the Great American Song Book. This will be an all jazz night. Rest assured that not only has King’s individual talent proven him to be a crowd favorite, but the musicians he works with are also the best of the best.

“The last time I played a steady nightclub gig was at the Village Pub back in 2008. I was there every Tuesday night. I decided to take it down a notch and help raise my two sons. It was more in the plan to work during the weekdays and be with them in the evenings and weekends when I could. I was blessed to do that all these years and now they’re old enough to give me a night or two to come out and play. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

When it comes to awards and popularity, John Stanley King has the market’s largest share of both, and for good reason. Highly respected among other musicians, the man is simply talented. With the ability to deliver many styles of music soulfully and with authenticity, with or without a band, King is deeply dedicated to his craft. King is known for his unmistakable ability to read and engage any crowd. He is an entertainer in the truest sense. His extended talents range in all styles of music from Jazz, Acoustic to Classic Rock and even Reggae.

He was raised in the Southern California desert. His musical family dates back generations with hillbilly music on the one side of the family and the depths of jazz on the other. “My mom’s side of the family

were all Jazz Musicians,” shared King to CV Weekly. “My Grandpa Danchack lived in Beaumont and was a trumpeter and bass player. My mom met my dad when she was seventeen and he was eighteen. They got married and moved to Cathedral City where he was a butcher by day, and performed in local venues and private parties at night. I learned all the standards from him.” A multiinstrumentalist and accomplished vocalist, you must see for yourself why this artist has held the title of the Coachella Valley’s Best for so long.

Vicky’s of Santa Fe is located at 45-

100 Club Drive in Indian Wells. It is recommended that you call for reservations at (760) 345-9770. Happy Hour is from 4:306:30pm, dining rooms are open 5:30-10pm.

They are open 7 days a week. www.vickysofsantafe.com www.johnstanleyking.com

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

ANGUS & JULIA STONE

Self-Titled (Republic Records)

Consider This

WESTFIELD MALL 72840 Hwy 111 #171 Palm Desert, CA 92260 760-341-2017 www.recordalley.com

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At first they would perform their own songs separately, supporting each other instrumentally. They officially became a duo in 2006, releasing an EP of early material entitled Chocolates & Cigarettes.

Once Angus and Julia relocated to England, they received enthusiastic support from Fran Healy, founder of the band Travis.

Ultimately, they recorded their second EP, Heart Full Of Wine in Healy’s home studio.

The duo’s first full-length effort, A Book Like This was released in their native Australia in 2007. Their sweet sound created considerable buzz, the album was released internationally in March 2008.

They immediately received airplay on tastemaking radio stations like KCRW. Their follow-up, Down The Way, arrived in 2010. It expanded their sound without sacrificing the dreamy Folk-Pop that had become their signature. Suddenly, their music was featured commercials and television shows like “Revenge.” (There was a time when song placement in commercials would have been anathema for many musicians. Today, pragmatic bands welcome the exposure and the paycheck).

After some extensive touring, that included sets at Coachella and Australia’s Big Day Out fest, the duo took a much deserved break. They began to collaborate on a third album, but suddenly it seemed more sensible to record separately. Angus had already released a solo project, Smoking Gun, under the pseudonym Lady

Sunshine in 2009. Julia’s solo debut, By The Horns, came out in late 2011. Angus’ proper solo album, Broken Brights, appeared at the close of 2012.

The duo seemed intent on pursuing independent careers until they each received word that Rick Rubin wanted to produce an album for them. Rubin, along with T-Bone Burnett is the most sought after producer in the music industry.

Rubin has worked with everyone from Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys, to the Dixie Chicks, Tom Petty and Black Sabbath.

His stripped-down production resurrected Johnny Cash’s moribund career and he has provided similar jump starts for Neil Diamond and Yusef, (ne’ Cat Stevens).

Retreating to Rubin’s Malibu studio, Shangri-La, Angus and Julia each brought a few fledgling compositions of their own.

They also ended up creating a few together, which was a first. The result is their eponymous third record.

The album opens the shimmery shufflestomp of “A Heartbreak.” Thumpy piano runs and prickly guitar notes collide with a hand-clappy beat. Both share vocals as they quietly insist true love is fairy-tale crap.

As with their previous efforts, the album is evenly divided between Angus songs and Julia songs. Each take center stage on their individual compositions.

On the swoony “My Word For It,” Julia’s vocals are impossibly fey. Over stinging, circuitous guitar riffs and synths that sound like a theremin, she attempts to suss out a one-night stand. “..All the books upon your shelf, tell stories of who you are/But there’s more to the picture son.”

Both “From The Stalls” and “Main Street” paint vivid portraits of relationships in flux.

The former opens tentatively with hushed, strummy acoustic guitars that sketch out the melody. As the tune gathers steam, percussion pianos and synths are added.

The lyrics offer a ‘wild horses’ metaphor for sexual freedom.

Cloaked in plangent guitar chords and percolating synths, the latter is an urgent plea for reconciliation. “My heart is aching

for yours…my bones are aching for yours.”

Julia truly shines when she drops the little girl mannerisms and really explores heart break. “Death Defying Acts” opens with dour acoustic notes and adds searing, fractious electric riffs to a kick-drum beat.

The mood is melancholy and desolate as Julia attempts to resuscitate a dying relationship. Her vocal cadences slip from bluesy to jazzy to torchy with each turn of phrase. It’s a tour de force performance.

Angus is more laid back. The languid “Grizzly Bear” has an early ‘70s A.M. pop radio sheen, anchored by plucky guitar arpeggios, sweet organ and Fender Rhodes interplay, plus frothy “bah-bah-bah-bah” backing vocals.

Super-twinkly instrumentation and the jaunty arrangement of “Get Home” belies lyrics that bemoan a long distance relationship. Conversely, on “Please You” the melody is suffused in sadness while the lyrics offer an urgent tale of sexual concupiscence.

The most winning moments on the album come when the siblings really share the vocals, rather than just chiming in on each other’s songs. “Heart Beats Slow” blends jangly, amplified acoustic guitar, tinkling piano notes, slashing power chords and a heartbreak beat. The lyrics walk the listener through a civilized break up. “Well, I wish you, I wish you well/All the best.”

The pastoral “Wherever You Are”recalls the ethereal grace of Nick Drake. Honeyed guitar licks power the melody. The lyrics recall a romantic road trip. Finally, “Other Things” wed angular guitars, kalimba and tambourine to Angus and Julia’s off-kilter harmonies.

The album closes with “Crash And Burn.”

Here, Angus unleashes his inner Neil Young and Crazy Horse. The melody is a downward spiral, the rhythm stop-start deliberate. As the tempo accelerates, guitars joust and parry with a thrashy agility. It’s an ambitious finish to a satisfying effort.

Props to Rick Rubin for not altering, but enhancing Angus and Julia’s sound.

Hopefully, this proves that the siblings continue to collaborate as well as maintain independent solo careers.

Angus And Julia Stone is simply a gorgeous hang, gauzy and hypnotic. A perfect companion to a lazy, rainy day.

January 1 to January 7, 2015

By rebecca pikus

Art on El PAseo

E

A

ngus and Julia Stone grew up surrounded by music. Their parents, John and Kim, were a Folk duo before Julia, Angus and elder sister Catherine were born. As the kids grew up, their dad fronted a successful cover band.

Growing up in Northern beach towns in Sydney, Australia, their father taught each of the kids to play instruments. Catherine learned saxophone, Julia trumpet and Angus trombone. They would entertain at family gatherings, but none of them ever really nurtured musical ambitions.

During Angus and Julia’s teen years, their parents divorced. The teens stayed with their dad and Angus tentatively began writing songs. After graduation, Angus worked as a laborer and Julia taught trumpet. While recovering from a snow-boarding accident, Angus taught himself guitar.

The siblings spent a few years apart, but reconnected after Julia moved to South America. Angus gave her guitar instructions and shared some of his nascent compositions. When they returned to Australia, she encouraged him to begin performing.

By 2005, he was haunting Open Mic nights. Julia would occasionally provide back-up vocals at these gigs. It was during this period she also began writing songs as well.

art

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

very two years the City of Palm Desert’s Art in Public Places Commission selects 18 Sculptures to be proudly displayed on the median on El Paseo. Applicants are not only from Southern California, but from all over the country, (& they receive hundreds of submissions). The finalists’ sculptures -- exciting, powerful, & eclectic -- will be displayed on the El Paseo median for two years: 2015-2016. The Sculptures are on El Paseo between Highway 74 and Portola.

The winners each received a Bonus award of $2,500 -- all Sculptures are for sale to the public, and the artists are allowed to keep 100% of their commission from the sale of their Sculptures. The sculptures chosen for this 2 year exhibit are: BRIAN SCHADER (Sentinel); DAVID REID-MARR (Cloudburst); RICK RANDALL & JAYDON STERLINGRANDALL (Pinwheels); DIXIE JEWETT (Clippity-Clop); JANIS OSBORNE (Galaxy of Colors); ANITA EDMAN (Pirouette); CATHRIN HOSKINSON (The Wind in the Trees); ROBERT CRAIG (Sea-Saw); MARIE HUNT (Birdie on the 18th); TOM BOLLINGER (Gaia); ROLLIN KARG (Canteano’s Son); GERALD CLARKE JR. (Enduring Traditions); MINEKO GRIMMER (Fountain); JOE FORREST SACKETT (Four, Three, Two, One); DAVID THEFELD (Blue Korn); MITCHELL TAYLOR (Joshua Tree Now); MARIA HUNT (Smoketrees); HENRY McCANN

(Clifford Henderson Bust); CRAIF FRENCH (On Point); JOHN RICHEN (Legends); & MARIO PIKUS -- the only Artist to have 2 Sculptures in the Exhibition -- as a pair (Crazy Horse 2 and Thunder Horse).

All of the above artists have individual Websites, which can be accessed on Google through their names!

The popular El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition and the City’s extensive public art collection are reasons why the City of Palm Desert was named one of five art destinations in America.

The residents of Greater Palm Springs area will delight in bringing their friends, family, & out of town guests to see these spectacular art pieces! Deborah Schwartz Glickman, head of the Palm Desert Arts Commission, has put together an amazing collection. In addition, Docent-led walking tours are available for these featured collections -- These tours are free and open to the public -- call (760) 3460611, ext. 664, to schedule a Tour, or visit www.palmdesertart.org The public is invited to a free Dedication Ceremony of the debut of the 2015/2016 El Paseo Sculpture Exhibition on Monday, January 5, 2015 at 6:00PM at The Gardens on El Paseo (73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, Ca) -- featured Artists will be introduced on the lawn in front of Saks Fifth Avenue.

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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PET PLACE New Year’s Resolutions for Animal Lovers A

nimal lovers are special people with wonderful hearts who appreciate the affection and companionship our cats and dogs provide to us throughout the year. Pets can also help us enjoy keeping our New Year resolutions. Setting goals to improve your health and happiness will also improve the health and happiness of your pets. You may want to include some of these resolutions on your list for 2015.

1. GET HEALTHY There are a dozens of reasons why having a pet will automatically improve your health, including reducing your blood pressure, stress, and loneliness. If you resolve to quit smoking this year, you are also taking a step to improve the health of your fur friends who share your home. A smoky environment is particularly harmful to cats that ingest carcinogens during grooming. Improving your diet and that of your animals can work toward better health and cancer prevention.

2. GET FIT Taking your dog for walks keeps both of you healthy, alert, and happy. Athletic

folks can enjoy jogging and hiking with their pups. If you resolved to lose weight this year, your overweight status may be shared by your pet. I was amazed to learn that 50% of all cats and dogs are overweight to some extent. Obesity in pets and in their people is linked to cancer, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and decreased life expectancy of up to 14 years in humans and up to 2.5 years in their animals.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Janet McAfee

A pet offers you new opportunities to get fit, get outdoors, and in doing so enjoy a greater bond. As you select healthier foods, make sure to provide better nutrition for Fluffy and Fido. Watch the portions you give your pet, and avoid serving high calorie and potentially harmful human foods. Fresh carrots, green beans, steamed broccoli, banana slices, and apple slices are great diet options for both you and Fido.

3. MEET NEW PEOPLE, MAYBE A SPECIAL PERSON? Having a domestic pet will open new horizons and adventures that you did not anticipate. Pets are natural ice breakers.

That adorable dog you walk down the street or take to the dog park might result in your meeting a new love interest with whom you have something in common. You score extra points with new friends when they learn your dog is from a shelter or rescue group. Walking a dog provides seniors new opportunities to meet neighbors and make new friends.

4. VOLUNTEER IN THE NEW YEAR! If you resolved to help other people in 2015, pets may also play a role in that resolution. If you have a calm dog who likes strangers, consider getting him certified as a therapy dog and bring some joy to hospital patients or seniors in assisted living. If you want to help homeless pets, volunteer at one of the many shelters and private animal welfare organizations in the Coachella Valley. Walk a dog for your sick or elderly neighbors. Offer to cat sit for someone who is in the hospital. Help with litter box changing and cat feeding for someone who is physically disabled.

5. DECREASE STRESS AND ENJOY LIFE It is no surprise there is a proven link between stress with obesity, depression, heart disease and many other human ailments. A domestic animal in your home can help reduce all these medical problems.

Service dogs are trained to help combat Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Toyota Enjoy your New Year 2015 with a new Toyota! This 3-yr-old pretty kitty will playfully and gratefully join your household.

At the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave. www.psanimalshelter.org (760) 416-5719

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by Rick Riozza

The Last Picture Show Wine Pairing

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cope with anxiety as they readjust to civilian life. Our animals are there to support us all during difficult times. Their antics make us laugh, and laughter is the best medicine of all.

6. ADOPT A PET IN THE NEW YEAR! A New Year is a time for new beginnings and second chances. That applies to both humans and our treasured cats and dogs. If you are still “petless” as 2015 arrives, there are hundreds of wonderful animals waiting for you at our public shelters and private rescues. Adding a second animal to your home usually works out well. A previous article discussed how to add a second cat, even if you think Fluffy prefers to be the only spoiled feline. Adding a second dog usually works out well, as long as you thoughtfully plan and introduce them on neutral turf.

Visit our largest public shelter, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, or view their adoptable animals online www.rcdas. com . Call (760) 343-3644 for shelter hours.

Call Loving All Animals in Palm Desert at (760) 834-7000 for a list of all local shelters and rescues.

Happy New Year 2015! My wish for everyone is that you get to experience the unconditional love and companionship of an animal this year.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

January 1 to January 7, 2015

ey! Once again we vino literati get to dream out loud with our favorite film and wine pairing schemes as we join in the glam and glitz of the 26th Annual P.S. International Film Festival.

With over 190 films from over 65 countries during the next 12 days, this desert’s world-famed event is further enhanced when we open up our imagined international wine-bar—which, as you’ll notice is fully stocked with any conceivable wine you may wish to enjoy. (Film notes quoted herein are provided by psfilmfest. org.)

Actually, since we’ve been doing these film & wine pairing articles, it appears more and more movie houses have been increasing their business by transforming their snack bar to an open bar. And we’ll put up with those clear plastic cups as long as the good vino continues to pour.

As we like to say, the Arts mix well: the art of film, the art of wine—it’s a natural. And you readers already know, as with food & wine pairings where one teams the different combinations of flavors, densities, touch, and nuance of the meal to the flavor points and counterpoints of a designated wine, movies offer us the same if not a broader matrix of jump-off points: Film origins, story lines, titles, geography and even character names can imaginatively take us to a myriad of wines around the world.

In some years, this film fest offered movie with titles like “Cooking History” and “Mediterranean Food” that screamed out for wine and dispensed easy pairings on a silver screen platter. And some years, movie titles were more quipping and less descriptive—but no matter, subject material abounds! Indeed! this may well be my last picture show wine pairing article because you readers can now do this in your sleep— enough with my tongue-in-cheek antics!

The easiest of pairings of course, are the films, “The Duke of Burgundy” and “Excuse

My French”, where probably a glass of wine is de rigueur upon entrance into the theatre!

The original home to our favorite red Pinot Noir and white Chardonnay, “La Borgogne” or “Burgundy”, as we call it, is the “Queen” of all wines—if you will, because of all the power, class, nuances, fragrance, and range that these fantastic reds & whites bring to our earthly domain.

On the other hand, arguably, is Bordeaux, the “King” of the wine world. Its red, white, and sweet wines have reached to the ends of the world with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carménère, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillion. No excuses here, Bordeaux is a blend of all these.

Notes from “the Duke of Burgundy”: “…a sly, wry, but surprising tender account of a perverse lesbian SM relationship, played in the style of decadent Euro-porn of the 70s… it’s a thinking woman’s 50 Shades of Grey.”

Two famous wine areas in Burgundy, Volnay and Pommard, sit as boundary neighbors.

The ruddy terroir of Pommard makes for a “sauvage” of a red wine—dark, heavy, and tannic. Volnay, on the other hand, makes for some of the lightest reds, soft textured but very fragrant, ethereal, pale but with great personality with a long perfumed aftertaste.

Forget the glass, let’s take the whole bottle of Volnay in.

In the film “Cowboys”, “A nifty blend of social drama and absurdist comedy about a bunch of small town no-hopers who stage an American Western as a musical.” It’s from Croatia and we’re told “just hearing the name Johnny Nebraska with a Croatian accent is pretty entertaining.”

If there was any one wine that made it out successfully from hooch, bad whiskey and rye in the 1800s, it’s California’s own dead bolt red Zinfandel. It was one of the most durable vines planted in Northern California and surrounds and kept the real cowboys quenched and nourished during the rough and tumble Gold Rush Days.

We still hear about those “ancient old vine” Zins that continue to be the rage with all “zinners” looking for those boot-strapping black, blue, and huckleberry flavors melding with prunes, tobacco, black pepper, leather, hay, molasses notes. Hey! Pardner! Now that’s some cowboy swill there!

Adding more persuasive reasoning to our complement is the fact that according to the findings at UC Davis along with the lifelong determination of famed Napa Valley winemaker, Miljenko “Mike” Grgich (parttime La Quinta resident), we come to find that the Zin vine originated in Mikes nativehomeland of Croatia.

And please, when walking into the US Premiere of the Indian film, “Margarita, With A Straw”, dump the wine list and be sucking on a very tangy-sweet Cazadores blanco cocktail.

So many movies, so little time—but so much wine!

Finally, we must pay homage to one of the icons of American cinema. Part of that 70s new wave of directors in Hollywood that included Friedkin, de Palma, Scorcese, Coppola and the like, Peter Bogdanovich came on the scene with the 1971 The Last Picture Show, that bleak, gritty and authentic black & white film depicting a wistful dying tumbleweed town with an ensemble cast for the ages.

Here in Palm Springs is the North American premiere of Bogdanovich’s “She’s Funny That Way”. “Whiplash fast

and ferociously funny…it harks back to the Golden Age of Hollywood madcap comedy…”

One of the very few wines that can match the madcap intensity, artistry, and overall success of the art & wine genre, are those wines from Orin Swift. He dresses his bottles with the best images and fills them with the best grapes possible for wine, like Palermo, Mannequin, Papillon, Machete, etc.

See you at the movies! Cheers!

17

January 1 to January 7, 2015

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

Club Club Crawler Crawler Nightlife Nightlife

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 John Bolivar 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Courtney Chambers 5pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Chad Freeman & Redline 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-

999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Jazz and Supper Club Night w/ Barry Baughn 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Palominos 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Hebrew Hillbilly 5:30pm, Kal David Unplugged 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Tony DiGerlando 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 3:305:30pm, Stan Watkins Latin Swing 6:3010pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Tropicana Nights 9pm

FRI JANUARY 2

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bob Garcia Band 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Noches Azul Latin Night 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 The Hive Minds 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333

Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 6:30pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Jump Off” DJ 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Latin Night 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 7:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Six Hot Live 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Meltdown 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Solid Ray Woods’ Raw Soul Revival 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Dueling Pianos 5:30pm, Shirley King 8:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, TBA Sidebar Patio 7pm, TBA Sidebar Lounge 10pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 T.B.A. 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 In the Name of the Dead and Elektric Lucie 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Ron & Peggy “Heart to Heart” 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm

VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Trish Harley & Barney McClure Duo 6:3010pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 T.B.A. 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night Out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT JANUARY 3 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Highlife w/ DJ Day 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Chix Mix-LAW 7pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 9pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Music 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Blu Saturdays 9:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Karaoke 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid” Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Rockabilly Night w/ The Deadbeat Daddies 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 6pm, Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the

afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Six Hot Live 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 TBA 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 212 Band, Palm Springs Fallen Hero’s Calendar Signing 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Radio 60 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Three Chord Justice 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Satellite Dogs, Feisty Joe and Braun Fraulein 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext230 Shirley King 8:30pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, TBA Sidebar Patio 7pm, TBA Sidebar Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Aphrodisiac Jacket and Mighty Jack 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Salsa Night, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-8744 Scott Carter 7:30pm

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

The Pampered Palate

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

By Raymond Bill

Happy New Year!

From the Publisher: On behalf of our Pampered Palate writer, Raymond Bill, along with the whole CV Weekly team, we would like to wish all of our readers a Happy New Year! The Pampered Palate column will return next week. Please visit us at www. coachellavalleyweekly.com and click on Pampered Palate at the top of the page to read previous restaurant reviews.

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

“BOYHOOD” -- BEST MOVIE OF 2014?

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his wonderful film doesn’t just follow the youthful life of six yearold Mason (Ellar Coltrane) and his family, it fully enters it. During the running time of 164 minutes – which passes quickly -- 12 real years flash by as the family deals with both life’s mundane and singular issues and Mason becomes a person.

We first meet the family living in Houston in 2002. Mason’s sister Samantha (director Richard Linklater’s daughter Lorelie), is two years older. His divorced mom (Patricia Arquette) is struggling. Dad (Ethan Hawk) works in Alaska, although he eventually returns to Texas and attempts to reconnects with his family.

What makes this film so breathtaking is not just the risky, long-range vision of Linklater, but how he manages the accumulation on film of mostly ordinary, mundane events into something quite extraordinary in the shaping of young Mason. And we see it happen on screen.

In the introduction to his soon-to-be published screenplay, Linklater writes: While the foundation [of the screenplay] was autobiographical, I wasn’t precious

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about it because I knew my script would be shaped by the ongoing process of working with my actors plus placing the story in a modern setting would sublimate it all. It would be personal to me, but also to my cast. Ethan and Patricia jumped in with an intense honesty not only about themselves as parents but as the kids they once were.

Everything was on the table, and one of the greatest joys was watching Ellar and Lorelei grow up and begin to participate in this same process.

Astonishingly, even though the film covers 12 years of actual time, the shooting days numbered only 39! Linklater writes: I used the time between the shooting of each section to contemplate all the edited footage and talk with my collaborators. It was in this process where so many of the “bigger” ideas or standard “firsts” of a life went to die. For instance, I remember high school graduation, but it now means so little to me it was like being an extra in an event of my own life. But why am I still thinking of hanging out in my buddy Danny’s car, listening to music and taking swigs of alcohol in our graduation robes? Maybe it’s the expectations that go along with certain milestones (first kiss?), but what I sought to distill down in this story were the little intimate moments that linger in the memory far longer than you’d have ever expected.

I can think of no other film that resides in the memory and heart like this one. It touches the soul in way we all share as the forces of time and circumstance conspire to make us who we are -- for better or worse.

Patricia Arquette delivers an understated, unfiltered performance as a loving, concerned mom. It’s a brilliant performance. And Ethan Hawke is just right as the uncomfortable dad awkwardly trying to find an inroad back to his family. They and the two kids have long arcs that are immensely satisfying and honest.

Richard Linklater will receive the Sonny Bono Visionary Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival during the Awards Gala on January 3. The home video will be available January 6. Nice extras include a featurette on “The 12 Year Project” and a

Screeners No.145

Book Review

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By Heidi Simmons

Great Adaptations

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Q&A with Linklater and the cast. This is one for the digital library.

And yes, it’s the best film of 2014.

Paramount. Blu-ray.

ALSO NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: TIME BANDITS

Terry Gilliam’s solo feature debut, disguised as a children’s film, is in fact a dark fantasy that’s relevant, funny, stylish and -from all evidence -- is very personal.

Join Kevin (Craig Warnock) as he runs away from his gadget infatuated parents and time travels with a band of dwarfs who have stolen a map from the Supreme Being (a wonderful Ralph Richardson) that reveals great treasures from history that they plan to loot. This singular film, written by director Terry Gilliam and Monty Python’s Michael Palin is equal parts fairy tale, farce and satire.

Along the way, we eventually meet Evil (David Morgan), who mocks the Supreme Being, saying, “God isn’t interested in technology. He knows nothing of the potential of the microchip or the silicon revolution. Look how he spends his time.

Forty-three species of parrots, nipples for men!” But it can all be summed up when the troop finally encounters the Supreme Being and Kevin asks why we have Evil.

The Supreme Being replies, “Ah, it has something to do with free will.” The new hi-def transfer looks great and the generous extras include a wonderful commentary with Gilliam, cowriter-actor Michael Palin, and actors John Cleese, David Warner, and Craig Warnock. This timeless gem is worth re-discovering. Criterion. Blu-ray Comments? robinesimmons@aol.com

January 1 to January 7, 2015

f you go to the movies during this award season, you will most likely see a movie adaptation from a book. Over thirty-five books were made into movies last year.

I find it a cop-out to say the book was better than the movie, because what’s really being said is the movie failed the book.

It is commonly thought that a book is always better than the movie. That may be the case, but I don’t believe that has to be the standard. The two mediums need not be compared if you consider that each is a unique art form and deliver a very different experience.

For a book, the depth and detail of the written narrative can spend as much time as the author desires exploring and explaining.

A movie however has time limitations -- over 120 minutes and there’s a fear of losing the audience.

When it comes to the visual component, films have shown that with today’s technology, they can go far beyond what the author describes on the page. Anything one imagines can now be created on screen.

Whether book or movie, for me, the most important consideration should be the emotional narrative. Cinematic adaptations fall short when they miss the larger meaning of the text or disconnect

from the protagonist’s emotional world. Too often, adaptations fail to find the movie in the book.

I wonder if Hollywood’s interest in adaptations is simply because a book is vetted and has a built in audience of readers.

Does one million copies sold equate to movie tickets sold? I don’t know. But it seems that best sellers do become box office success regardless of the quality of filmmaking.

I like to think that someone involved in the film industry falls in love with a book and then nurtures it to the screen protecting its integrity and honoring its intentions.

Hopefully, that someone sees the movie potential when they read it. After all, isn’t that what happens when we read a book we love? See it on the 4D screen of our mind’s eye.

Here are a few examples of books that successfully made it to the big screen.

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Those who didn’t read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, but saw the movie mostly thought it was an entertaining film. But the movie did not live up to the suspense that was the primary thrill of the read. With every chapter the reader was left wondering “did he or didn’t he do it.” The movie adaptation failed to equate the suspense of the book. It was only a matter of waiting to see how the drama would unfold.

Casting Ben Affleck may have contributed to the problem. In real life, he seems like a good guy, how could he do anything horrible to his wife?

Author Flynn wrote the screenplay.

Although she was true to the book, she failed to shift scenes to fit the structure of a suspense thriller movie. Just because I read the book doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be on the edge of my seat in the theater.

Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken is an epic story of resilience and redemption. It’s rich with historic details of the Pacific Theater in WWII. Hillenbrand recounts the life of Louie Zamperini, an Olympian and war hero who survives a plane crash, endures Japanese torture and eventually returns home with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Now an alcoholic he’s about to lose his family when he finds God and forgiveness.

Angelina Jolie directs Unbroken from a screenplay by Joel and Ethan Cohen and others. This is a beautifully made film.

However, creative decisions had to be made to make the book fit the time constraints of a film. It had to show a lifetime in less than three hours.

The heart and soul of this book is Zamperini’s survival, not only during his captivity, but also after he returns to civilian life. When he starts his life again, his desire for revenge is overwhelming, and his feeling of being powerless to do anything nearly destroys him.

Director Jolie centers the film on his imprisonment using flashbacks to show Zamperini’s life growing up and running in the Olympics. The film ends when the war

ends. Zamperini endures the torture and so does the moviegoer. It’s hard to watch. Jolie concludes the film with photos of the real Zamperini with on screen notations about the final chapters of his life.

Hillenbrand captured the tenacious spirit of Zamperini and his will to live. In my opinion, the movie version didn’t manifest that beautiful spirit. But Jolie clearly loved and respected Zamperini and her tribute to him is sincere.

The Theory Of Everything is based on Jane Hawking’s memoir first published as Music to Move the Stars. She is Stephen Hawking’s ex-wife. The movie is a romantic story of idealistic college kids who decide to make their lives work regardless of Hawking’s developing disease. Stephen, at first is only given two years to live. Jane fights to keep Stephen functioning, productive and hopeful. They have three children together.

As are most memoirs, Jane’s story is a first person one-sided point of view. In the book, she shares a much more complex and detailed life together than is depicted on film. Her book reflects the intensity and volatility of their relationship as well as animosity from putting her own career aside.

The movie version, of course, is simplified and condensed. But the film brilliantly combines her story with his pursuit of understanding the secrets of time and space.

Thematically, the filmmakers successfully merge their two worlds to create a beautiful story of love and cosmic mystery.

Great film adaptations always consider the book’s narrative and honor its theme. A book works best as a film when it combines amazing visuals with a captivating story.

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January 1 to January 7, 2015 continued from page 19 WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

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327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Jam Session 5-9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Michael Bolivar 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6-9pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony DiJerlando 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

MON JANUARY 5 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am

THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Spencer Day 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony Grandberry 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley & Barney McClure 6pm

TUE JANUARY 6 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Paul & Jo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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the palm springs Local

La Plaza Theatre

By Denise Ortuno Neil

I

f you close your eyes you can almost see it. A long red carpet laid out as some sort of landing strip for the Hollywood elite, and bright spotlights that lit up the sky above.

No, I’m talking about the Oscars or some current movie premier. I’m talking about 78 years ago when the La Plaza Theatre opened in Palm Springs.

The theatre was part of La Plaza Shopping Center, built from the vision of Julia Carnell.

The theatre was owned by Earl Strebe, and opened in December 1936, with the premier of the film Camille, directed by George Cukor and starring Greta Garbo, Robert Taylor and Lionel Barrymore. Greta Garbo was not seen attending the premier by the public, but Strebe did claim that the aloof actress snuck up to the balcony and watched the film in secret (I guess she really did want to be alone).

Strebe is said to have worked at the Desert Inn as bellboy in the 20’s, long before opening La Plaza Theatre. While working at the Desert Inn, he would often show movies to the guests in the lobby…as entertainment was not as prominent as it is today in downtown Palm Springs.

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It was his love for movies that led Strebe to open the La Plaza Theatre. Besides being the theatre where Camille was premiered, the theatre was also used in the 30’s as a radio broadcasting location for the Amos & Andy shows, and in the 40’s for Jack Benny, Bing Crosby and Bob Hope.

Strebe owned 8 theatres in his career, but always had a special spot in his heart for the La Plaza Theatre.

In 1990, the theatre became home to the Palm Springs Follies. The iconic show featured talented singers and dancers in the prime of their life…the oldest performers in their eighties. The show went strong until May of 2014, when they closed their doors. The fate of the La Plaza Theatre is uncertain, but is protected as it is part of the La Plaza Shopping Center which is a Class 1 Historical Site.

With the Palm Springs International Film Festival starting soon, it is interesting to think about where the glitz began…at a theatre in downtown Palm Springs, where a man with a love of movies made his dream come true, laying out the red carpet and shining a spotlight in our sky.

For more information visit www. pshistoricalsociety.org

THE DESERT ROSE PLAYHOUSE TO theatre PRESENT LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION!

T

he Desert Rose Playhouse, the Valley’s live stage company serving the LGBT community, will present Terrence McNally’s LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! opening Friday, January 16, 2015 for a five-week run. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM. Old friends can be a blessing and a curse. When famous dancer/choreographer Gregory opens his Dutchess County summer house for three summer weekends, his old friends troop out from law offices, rehearsal studios and AIDS clinics to sun themselves by the lake. John, Gregory’s rehearsal pianist and a frustrated composer, introduces his young lover Ramon and his dying twin James to the company resulting in uproarious humor and abundant pathos.

Contains nudity and adult situations.

The ensemble cast includes Mark Demry,

John Ferrare, Terry Huber, Jason Hull, Richie Sandino, Kam Sisco and J. Stegar Thompson.

The Desert Rose Playhouse is a project of Desert Rose Productions, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation. LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! continues Desert Rose Productions’ mission to produce and present literate, relevant and entertaining plays and musicals to LGBT and Gay-Friendly theatregoers in the Coachella Valley.

DETAILS: Where: The Desert Rose Playhouse, 69620 Hwy 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 When: January 16 – February 15, 2015; performances Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 PM; Sundays at 2 PM. Tickets: $30 Friday & Saturday evenings; $28 Sundays matinees To order: www.desertroseplayhouse.org or call 760-202-3000.

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Haddon Libby:It’s alllocal

January 1 to January 7, 2015

Lower Oil Prices = Prosperity and Peace?

A

s we start the New Year with the hope and promise of a better tomorrow, we have some very good news on the economic and political fronts the drop in oil prices has helped to improve the economy here in the United States while causing havoc on the economies of rogue nation states like Russia, Iran and Venezuela.

With national and local economies that are heavily reliant on consumer spending, the rapid oil price decline from $115 a barrel in June to under $60 a barrel has served as a welcomed relief to consumers and businesses alike. The fall in oil prices is a key reason that the national economy is currently growing at a 5% clip. This level of growth creates more jobs and wage increases.

One of the key reasons for the fall in oil prices is the increase in U.S. oil production by

4 million barrels a day to 9 million barrels a day since the start of the Obama Administration.

This near doubling in production is due to increased oil production from shale as well as the technological advances such as fracking.

Despite the continued increase in oil demand worldwide, the world currently produces 2 million barrels of oil a day more than it needs.

While the fall in oil prices will inevitably lead to the decrease in production from higher cost oil producers of which many are here in the United States, no significant oil producers are cutting back production. This means that oil prices will continue to remain under pressure for the near future - good news to you and me.

Our good news causes economic strife for rogue nations like Iran, Russia and Venezuela.

Because of the economic pressure caused by lower oil prices, Iran may agree to a deal restricting their nuclear ambitions. Iran’s budget deficit is estimated at $1 billion a month - more than they can sustain for any significant period of time. One small thing that Iran has done to offset the decline in their coffers is allowed young men to buy their way out of mandatory military service.

Lower oil prices are also expected to cause

Iran to funnel less financial support to radical organizations in the Middle East meant to destabilize the region.

Other Middle Eastern oil exporters like Saudi Arabia have massive cash reserves and have made it clear that they will not cut their production levels. The Saudis reason that past supply reductions meant to prop up the price of oil were violated by other nations like Russia and Iran - two countries that have caused the Saudis regional political problems. As such, the Saudis are content to let the price decline. Like Iran, it is anticipated

that the price decline in oil may cut back on the financial extortion that nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pay to radical groups in return for domestic stability.

A lower oil price puts pressure on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to stop acting like Al Capone of the East. The effect of Western economic sanctions when combined with lower oil prices will cause a serious recession in Russia in 2015. This combination has already destabilized the Russian currency while leading to the flight of hundreds of billions of dollars from their economy. Only last week, Putin put a freeze on vodka prices - a sure sign that their economy is in trouble.

Apple recently stopped shipping their products to Russia due to a currency that is in free fall.

Lower oil prices means that Venezuela may not subsidize Cuban oil as they have in the past. Could this be a reason for Cuba’s softening of its opposition to the opening of relations with the United States? Many experts in Cuban-American relations believe this to be the case.

not allowed to drive at any time. The driver should however go to DMV and request a DMV Identification Card as it will be needed during the next few months.

A DUI kicks in two proceedings, the court and DMV. Unfortunately here in the CV we do not have adequate transportation as is the case in NY or SF. When your license is suspended there is almost no chance of getting a restricted license to drive from the California DMV. Your license is a necessity in the desert but it is just gone. Our laws are tougher out here in the CV than in many other parts of California. The courts in Indio even demand Jail on a first offense DUI with a low reading.

Please do not ruin your holidays! DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI or UBER......IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME! If you have any questions regarding this

column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow, Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760 837-7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com Dale Gribow : 1) TOP LAWYER rating by Palm Springs Life 2011-2015 (DUI) 2) Perfect AVVO 10.0 Peer Review Rating by fellow attorneys 3) Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell 4) Selected for Best Attorneys of America (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys in each state.).

Sole attorney appointed to study DUI for: 1. Coachella Valley Association of Governments Public Safety Committee.

2. Clinton Foundation’s Health Matters Committee re DUI.

Dale Gribow On The Law

DUI? REFUSE THE FST OR BREATH TESTS

M

ost readers of CV Weekly do not realize that the Breath test at the scene and (FST) Field Sobriety Tests (finger to nose, walk the line and balance) are OPTIONAL. Most lawyers do not know this either so do not feel bad. It is probably the least publicized law and it is obvious why. The breath test at the scene, unless you are on probation, is an elective/optional test, as are the FST’s but you do then have to take a chemical test if the officer suspects you of consuming alcohol.

We used to have our choice of Blood, Breath or Urine, however the Urine Test was eliminated as an option a few years ago. This is because it was not accurate… though police testified for years that it was accurate. Thus we are left with the Blood test. I always advise my clients and the readers of my weekly legal column in the CV Weekly, to politely ask for the BLOOD test. This means you will be taken to the police station or hospital for a blood draw.

Since the results will not be known for weeks the police will book you into custody.

If you had been drinking enough to be a little buzzed then RSO or CHP would probably have booked you anyway after your breath test.

However, either way, you will be released after 4-6 hours. This is the amount of time they assume is necessary for you to sober up.

A driver stopped and offered DUI tests should be cooperative and politely say that their attorney is Dale Gribow and he has advised them not to talk without calling Dale

(Read how herein)

Gribow for permission (of course they will probably not let you call me). Explain “you have been advised these Field Sobriety Tests and the Breath Test at the scene are optional.

If that is correct Mr. Officer, then I elect not to take them (unless the driver is on probation).

Then explain that you are happy to cooperate with law enforcement and take a blood test.”

In this regard please cut the card out at the bottom.

After the driver bails out of jail or gets an OR release they should call a local DUI attorney. The attorney, not the driver, must request the DMV hearing within 10 days. The driver received a pink piece of paper which is a Temporary License good for 30 days. This is in exchange for the California Driver’s License which was taken when arrested.

In my office I have the driver sign a 977 waiver of their personal appearance. This allows me to appear for the driver without their ever going to court… unless there is a trial. This way the drive does not have to be embarrassed by going to court and running into friends let alone spending many days in the courtroom…waiting. In my firm we also have the client sign an OR paper which says the driver promises to appear in court if requested by the judge.

By requesting a DMV hearing and a STAY (freeze), the license remains good until after the results of the hearing. IF the license is suspended it is for 4 months and you are

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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safety tips

I

New Year’s Resolution or Rookie Firefighter?

W

traditional.

Before recruits learn basic firefighting skills, the first thing they learn and develop are fire academy “Integrity Agreements.”

Actually our Fire Academy Integrity Agreements are like “New Year’s Resolutions.”

We develop and own these agreements while holding ourselves accountable for success. If you don’t live up to the agreements, you have no one to blame but yourself. You own them, custom made by and for you!

The first one is to have respect. Respect for yourself first, and then respect for others.

If you don’t respect yourself, you certainly won’t respect others.

Have a positive attitude. If your attitude is negative, it’s certain you won’t not succeed.

Support and help each other. Firefighting is

a team effort and so is life. No one can do it alone, no one!

Don’t judge. There’s an old saying “when you spot it, you got it.” What you dislike in others is likely something that resides within yourself that you don’t like. Give grace and learn a little patience for both yourself and others.

Don’t gossip. If you have an issue with someone or something, the only one that can do something about it is yourself and the other person. Go to that person and discuss it with them not others.

If you make a mess, clean it up! If you spilled milk, what do you do? You clean it up or it gets harder to clean up the longer you wait. The same goes when you make a mess with another person. Clean it up and say I’m sorry. Don’t wait too long you’ll create permanent damage. Being prideful makes even the best looking appear ugly.

These are a few examples of Integrity Agreements that work for the Recruit Firefighters. Your probably not much different.

What are some Integrity Agreements or Resolutions you can make this year?

Happy New Year, Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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want to write about the deep, searing pain I feel right now as Jim Harbaugh prepares to move to Ann Arbor and become the University of Michigan head coach, but by the time you read this, that’ll be old news and the NFL playoffs will be the top story, so I’ll save you the traumatizing task of walking through my therapy session and just talk football.

Wait… just have to wipe up the tears so I can type properly…

Ok… That’ll have to do…

The Seattle Seahawks are looking to become the first team in a decade to repeat as the Super Bowl champs. That’s pretty rad. My team punts the only head coach that made us relevant in nearly a decade and our top rival is looking to be only the 9th team ever to win back-to-back Lombardis. Sweet.

And while many prognosticators and pundits are sounding off, proclaiming the Seahawks to be the best team in the land, there are a couple key considerations to examine before you do the same.

(And before you declare this column hopelessly biased because I’m a die-hard Niners fan swimming in emotional turmoil, I’m simply presenting some fascinating facts and you can decide where to go from there. Me? I’m going somewhere I can by more beer.)

Since our current playoff system was developed in 1990, 18 of the 24 teams to win the Super Bowl were 1st or 2nd in the most important stat: Point Differential.

It’s the one stat that takes into consideration the margin of victory, margin of defeat, how well a defense plays and how strong an offense is in one singular number.

In essence, it’s the one stat that showcases how strong a TEAM is.

Plenty of top-flight offenses or top-flight defenses fall short in one way or another, they can

January 1 to January 7, 2015

by Julie Buehler

NFL Season Wrap Up- Can The Seahawks Repeat??

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna e always to start a recruit fire academy every January. Like a New Year’s Resolution, it’s

sports scene

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

get hot or go cold, but over the past 24 seasons, the most reliable stat for forecasting postseason success is regular season point differential.

And looking at that stat after the season finales, you’ll find the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are #1 and #2 respectively. You’ll also find the top 7 teams in point differential are all playoff teams and 6 of them won their divisions.

Again, it’s the single best measurement of how complete a team is.

So this is great for Seahawks fans, right? Let the trend continue. They were 2nd in point differential last year before beating the top-ranked team in the Super Bowl.

And even more impressively this year, they are the ONLY team in the NFL to boast a Top-10 finish in every major statistical category on both sides of the ball.

Specifically, they finished Top-10 in: Turnover Margin (5th), Total Offense (9th), Scoring Offense (10th), Passer Rating (8th), Total Defense (1st), Scoring Defense (1st), Rushing Defense (3rd), Passing Defense (1st) and more. Lots more actually.

So you’re probably thinking, “Gosh Jules, why are you piling the praise on the Seahawks… didn’t they rip your heart out in last year’s NFC Title Game?”

The answer is no, Kaepernick did that by throwing the football rather than handing it off, but more importantly, I’m pointing out that the Seahawks are doing EVERYTHING right. Everything.

Hottest team in football. In fact, they have the longest winning streak in the NFL right now.

Haven’t lost in 6 games.

So the problem?

They’re winning too much. I realize you might think this sounds ridiculous, but the NFL is about parity, not dominance.

Don’t believe me?

sports

Let’s look at the past decade of teams that finished the season with the longest winning streak heading into playoffs, and for good measure, we’ll look at the teams that won the Super Bowl that year.

2004- the Pittsburgh Steelers took a 14-game winning streak into the playoffs and lost to the New England Patriots in the AFC Title Game. The Pats won it all that year, they headed into the playoffs with a swell 2-game winning streak.

2005- The Washington Redskins lost in the division round to eventual NFC Champion, the Seahawks after walking into the playoffs with a 5-game winning streak. The Steelers, who beat the Seahawks went into that postseason as a 6-seed on a 4-game winning streak. Hardly world beaters, but The Bus got his ring. And that 4-game winning streak is the longest going into the postseason by any Super Bowl winning team this past decade.

2006- The Chargers carried a 10-game winning streak into the top seed where they lost to the Patriots in the divisional round. The Colts, Super Bowl champs that year, limped into playoffs 2-3 in their last 5 games.

2007- The Patriots were looking for a perfect season. They went into the postseason on a 16game winning streak. That streak ended against the Giants in Super Bowl XLII who lost their regular season finale.

2008- The Colts were the NFL’s hottest team on a 9-game winning streak to finish the season. They lost in the Wild Card round. Steelers won in all, got to the dance winning their final game.

2009- Once again the Chargers were on fire, ending the season on an 11-game winning streak.

They still lost in the divisional round, but this time to the Jets, not the Pats. Oh, the Saints that year, finished the regular season on a 3-game losing streak. Still won the Lombardi.

2010- The Patriots were once again on a roll, capped the season off on a 10-game winning streak.

Their efforts were rewarded with a divisional round loss. Packers finished 3-2 in the final 5 games and winners of their last 2.

2011- The Patriots once again finished the season on the NFL’s longest winning streak, this time tied with the Saints at 8 games. New England lost the Super Bowl, New Orleans lost in the divisional round, the Giants enjoyed a 2 game winning streak to end the year.

2012- The Broncos, with their shiny new quarterback blazed a trail into the postseason with an 11-game winning streak to lead the NFL. And they lost in the divisional round, at home, to a Ravens team that would win the Super Bowl but fell into the playoffs having gone 1-4 in their final 5 games.

2013- My Niners had the NFL’s best winning streak going into last postseason, like this year’s Seahawks, it was an impressive 6 game-stretch.

And as I previously mentioned, Colin Kaepernick threw the ball to the wrong guy to seal the NFC Title Game and the Niners lost.

Last year, the Seahawks had won their season finale, but went 3-2 in their final 5 games. Not bad at all, but not great either. But when they turned up the juice in the postseason, they hit all time highs.

But the last 10 years the team that finished with the NFL’s longest winning streak did not win the Super Bowl. Only 2 Patriot teams even made it that far.

Call it fatigue, call it burn out, call it what you will, but the challenge to repeat as champions is tough enough, but to also do so while careening into the postseason on a winning streak means the margin of error is increasingly slim.

Can the Seahawks buck the trend? Of course. If any team can, it’s one led by Russell Wilson.

But it’s too striking a trend not to be aware of.

So enjoy the playoffs as each team gets to reset the season and move on one week at a time as their talent allows.

by Flint Wheeler

Buckle up, NFL Playoffs are here..

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egas Insider released its end-ofthe-season odds for each team winning the Super Bowl, and the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are tied (5/2) for top honors. However, I can’t bring myself to see that match up. Seattle is primed and their timing couldn’t be better.

But the all-important ‘Chip’ on their shoulder last year was wiped away this season with the locker-room drama and over paid contractual obligations made after last year’s Super Bowl victory. They come in being “expected” to win. That’s a far cry from last years under dog labeled Seahawks squad.

Along with a first round bye, both the Seahawks and Patriots have home field advantage throughout the postseason which plays into their favored odds. The teams are a combined 14-2 at home this season. One team that may not matter to is the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys (8/1) beat the topseeded Seahawks in Seattle in Week 6, and are a perfect 8-0 on the road.

The Arizona Cardinals began the season with 65/1 odds and are trying to be the first NFL team to host a Super Bowl in their own stadium. Despite an over achieving 11-5

record, the Cardinals’ woes at quarterback have Vegas doubting Arizona (75/1). They face the seven-win Carolina Panthers in the first round who are slated with better Super Bowl chances.

Below is the complete list of updated odds, as well as the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend playoff schedule provided by nfl.com.

Odds to win Super Bowl XLIX New England Patriots 5/2 Seattle Seahawks 5/2 Green Bay Packers 11/2 Denver Broncos 6/1 Dallas Cowboys 8/1 Pittsburgh Steelers 12/1 Indianapolis Colts 30/1 Baltimore Ravens 40/1 Carolina Panthers 40/1 Cincinnati Bengals 40/1 Detroit Lions 50/1 Arizona Cardinals 75/1 NFL Wild Card Weekend Saturday, Jan. 3: NFC: 4:35 PM (ET) (5) Arizona at (4) Carolina (ESPN) AFC: 8:15 PM (ET) (6) Baltimore at (3) Pittsburgh (NBC)

Sunday, Jan. 4: AFC: 1:05 PM (ET) (5) Cincinnati at (4) Indianapolis (CBS) NFC: 4:40 PM (ET) (6) Detroit at (3) Dallas (FOX) Byes: AFC: (1) New England Patriots and (2) Denver Broncos NFC: (1) Seattle Seahawks and (2) Green Bay Packers Note: The division champion with the best record in each conference will host the lowest seeded Wild Card survivor in round 2. Once teams are seeded for the playoffs, positions do not change.

I love the Patriots going deep. They made some key acquisitions on defense in the off-

season, Tom Brady is still Tom Brady and Bellicheck is one of the best in the business.

I do not think Peyton Manning is playing on all cylinders and let’s face it, 2 neck surgeries, and nothing but ice cold weather ahead, he is NOT the same Peyton in 40 degree temperature. This year’s sleeper; be careful of the ravens. That franchise has toughness, savvy, experience and in the post-season Flacco has a tendency to wake up. However, for the fans and with the NFL oddly always giving up the best product, look for Aaron Rodgers and the Pack to take on “Americas Team, the Dallas Cowboys in what’s sure to be one of the all-time great Super Bowl match ups.

Founder of Silex Strategies L.L.C. providing sales and consulting in Insurance, Retirement, Real Estate and Taxes through A.I.G./Valic.

PGA Class A Member and T.P.I. Certified Golf Trainer. Host of “The Tilted Sports Radio Show” on Fox Sports 1270 from 3-7pm on Thursdays, Live from The Kilt. Contact at 760409-4612 www.flintwheeler.com

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

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Health&Fitness

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here are all kinds of addictions. From drugs, to alcohol, gambling and even sex. For women, there has been a sort of closet effect to dealing with their addictions.

Many women feel stressed about admitting that they have a problem, and even once they do, they may feel pressured to keep it a secret.

The Beautiful Face of Recovery Conference for Women on January 24th, 2015 is geared to change all of that, and to encourage women to embrace their recovery and face it head on.

The conference is organized by psychotherapist, Carol Teitelbaum MFT (Marriage and Family Therapist), co-founder along with her husband, Robert Teitelbaum, of Creative Change Conferences. The 501 c3 non-profit organization is a subsidiary of Palm Springs Theatre Sports Inc. Creative Change Conferences focuses on providing Education Workshops and Conferences to the Coachella Valley area, as well as other places and offers scholarships to children raised in foster care.

Carol Teitelbaum has been a licensed psychotherapist since 1985. She moved to the Coachella Valley in 1993 and opened her private practice in 1999 in Rancho Mirage. She specializes in working with men who have been abused as children and women who are going through recovery from addiction. She is cochair of Prevent Child Abuse, Riverside County and past President of Desert CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists).

The Teitelbaums have had great success with their It Happens to Boys Conference which will be coming up on its 7th year this coming March.

The Beautiful Face of Recovery Conference for Women takes place on Saturday, January 24th 2015 from 8:30 to 5:30 at the Desert Princess Hotel in Cathedral City. The tickets for the event are $125.00 and include lunch. Carol Teitelbaum is proud that her inspiration behind the conference is fueled by Betty Ford, one of the first prominent women to step forward in the spotlight about her own addition. The Betty Ford Center is one of the sponsors of the conference. There will be an impressive line-up of speakers at the conference.

Keynote speakers are, Two Addiction Ladies, Candy Finnigan and Jeanie Griffin. Finnigan is an interventionist and has appeared on A&E’s hit show Intervention. She is a recovering alcoholic herself, and wrote the book, When Enough is Enough: A comprehensive guide to successful intervention.

Griffin is the Founder and Director of FRESH OUTTAPLANS, an addiction assessment, consulting and counseling service in Grapevine

Texas. She is also a faculty member at UCLA addiction counselor training program.

Featured speakers will be, Christine Stevens, Mary Gordon M.A., Kimberly Nichols and Alyssa Farrell.

Christine Stevens is co-founder of UpBeat Drum Circles, which offers diversity training, teambuilding and wellness presentations around the world.

Mary Gordon M.A., is the Director of Family and Out Patient Services at the Betty Ford Center. She also has a private practice where she incorporates movement and dance for healing.

Kimberly Nichols has her company, Tapping the Inner Palette, which helps guide people to heal themselves through creative and spiritual outlets.

Alyssa Farrell, is a Fitness Therapist with almost two decades of experience behind her in her field. She helps to encourage her students by guiding them to connect with their bodies.

There will also be a panel which will be interviewed by Carol Teitelbaum that include, Susan Moffitt, Josie Ramierez-Herndron, Yvette Patterson M.A., Melissa Thornburg and Rena Rodman.

The conference invites all sorts of women who are in recovery. The event also offers continuing education credits for professional counselors, therapists and nurses.

Carol Teitelbaum points out that the conferences main focus is on women coming forward and working towards recovery, “We want them to be able to talk about, and for them to know that they are not alone,” said Teitelbaum.

In a world where outside perception seems to be everything, it is hard to sometimes see behind the façade that people hide behind.

Women in particular fall victim to this harness, choosing to try and deal with their addiction on their own, than exposing their problem to friends and family in fear of shattering the idea of how people see them. But like Carol Teitelbaum stresses, the stereotype of someone who is struggling with addiction is not reality. It could be anyone around you who is suffering and needs help. We are fortunate to have a conference such as the Beautiful Face of Recovery Conference for Women in the Coachella Valley, hopefully it will help those who have been towing the hard line of addiction in the dark, finally see the light of recovery.

For more information visit www. creativechangeconferences.com

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of January 1

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Most salamanders reproduce by laying eggs, but the alpine salamander doesn’t. Females of that species give birth to live young after long pregnancies that may last three years. What does this have to do with you? Well, I expect you to experience a metaphorical pregnancy in the coming months. Even if you’re male, you will be gestating a project or creation or inspiration.

And it’s important that you don’t let your the incubation period drag on and on and on, as the alpine salamanders do. I suggest you give birth no later than July.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Maybe you have had a dream like this: You’re wandering around a house you live in, and at the end of a long hallway you come to a door you’ve never seen before. How could you have missed it in the past? It must have been there the whole time. You turn the knob, open the door, and slip inside. Amazing! The room is full of interesting things that excite your imagination.

What’s more, on the opposite wall there’s another door that leads to further rooms. In fact, you realize there’s an additional section of the house you have never known about or explored. Whether or not you have had a dream like that, Taurus, I’m betting that in 2015, you will experience a symbolically similar series of events in your waking life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Greek god Zeus had seven wives. Themis, Leto, Eurynome, and Hera were among them. Another was his older sister Demeter, and a sixth was his aunt Mnemosyne. Then there was the sea nymph Metis.

Unfortunately, he ate Metis -- literally devoured her -- which effectively ended their marriage. In 2015, Gemini, I encourage you to avoid Zeus’s jumbled, complicated approach to love and intimacy. Favor quality over quantity. Deepen your focus rather than expanding your options. Most importantly, make sure your romantic adventures never lead to you feeling fragmented or divided against yourself.

This is the year you learn more than ever before about what it’s like for all the different parts of you to be united.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Here are three of my top wishes for you in 2105: You will have a clear, precise sense of what’s yours and what’s not yours... of what’s possible to accomplish and what’s impossible... of what will be a good influence on you and what won’t be. To help ensure that these wishes come true, refer regularly to the following advice from Cancerian author Elizabeth Gilbert: “You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. That’s a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.”

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Author Robert Moss has published 27 books. When he talks about the art of launching and completing big projects, I listen attentively. There’s one piece of advice he offers that would be particularly helpful for you to keep in mind throughout the first half of 2015. “If we wait until we are fully prepared in order to do something, we may never get it done,” he says.

“It’s important to do things before we think we are ready.” Can you handle that, Leo? Are you willing to give up your fantasies about being perfectly qualified and perfectly trained and perfectly primed before you dive in?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The fish known as the coelacanths were thought to have become extinct 66 million years ago. That was when they disappeared from the fossil record. But in 1938 a fisherman in South Africa caught a live coelacanth.

Eventually, whole colonies were discovered in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa and near Indonesia. I foresee a comparable phenomenon happening in your life during the coming months, Virgo. An influence you believed to have disappeared from your life will resurface. Should you welcome and embrace it? Here’s what I think: Only if you’re interested in its potential role in your future, not because of a nostalgic attachment.

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Nothing brings people closer than business,” said composer Arnold Schoenberg. You could be living proof of that hypothesis in 2015, Libra. Your drive to engage in profitable activities will be at a peak, and so will your knack for making good decisions about profitable activities. If you cash in on these potentials, your social life will flourish. Your web of connections will expand and deepen. You will generate high levels of camaraderie by collaborating with allies on productive projects.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Deathwatch beetles have a peculiar approach to the mating game. Their seduction technique consists of smacking their heads against a hard object over and over again.

This generates a tapping sound that is apparently sexy to potential partners. I discourage you from similar behaviors as you seek the kind of love you want in 2015. The first rule of romantic engagement is this: Sacrificing or diminishing yourself may seem to work in the short run, but it can’t possibly lead to lasting good. If you want to stir up the best results, treat yourself with tenderness and respect.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) was a German composer whose organ music is still played today. He was a major influence on a far more famous German composer, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).

When Bach was a young man, he decided it was crucial for him to experience Buxtehude’s music first-hand. He took a leave of absence from his job and walked over 250 miles to the town where Buxtehude lived. There he received the guidance and inspiration he sought. In 2015, Sagittarius, I’d love to see you summon Bach’s determination as you go in quest of the teaching you want and need.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Even in normal times, you a re a fount of regeneration. Your evergrowing hair and fingernails are visible signs of your nonstop renewal. A lot of other action happens without your conscious awareness. For example, your tastebuds replace themselves every two weeks. You produce 200 billion red blood cells and 10 billion white blood cells every day. Every month the epidermis of your skin is completely replaced, and every 12 months your lungs are composed of a fresh set of cells. In 2015, you will continue to revitalize yourself in all these ways, but will also undergo a comparable regeneration of your mind and soul. Here’s my prediction: This will be a year of renaissance, rejuvenation, and reinvention.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Sometimes I can feel my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I’m not living,” says a character in Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. If you have ever felt that way, Aquarius, I predict that you will get some relief in 2015. Your bones won’t be straining as much as they have in the past because you will be living at least one of the lives you have wanted to live but haven’t been able to before. How you will handle all the new lightness that will be available?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Erotomania” is a word for the erroneous fantasies people entertain when they imagine that a celebrity is in love with them. Laughable, right? Just because I have dreams of Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey texting me seductive notes doesn’t mean that she genuinely yearns for my companionship. And yet most of us, including you and me, harbor almost equally outlandish beliefs and misapprehensions about all kinds of things. They may not be as far-fetched as those that arise from erotomania, but they are still out of sync with reality. The good news, Pisces, is that in 2015 you will have the best chance ever to become aware of and shed your delusions -- even the long-running, deeply-rooted kinds.

Homework: Send me a list of your top five New Year’s resolutions. I’m at Truthrooster@gmail. com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

January 1 to January 7, 2015

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

POSTURE YOURSELF

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tand up straight, draw your shoulders back and pull in your stomach. These commands may resonate and be familiar words you heard as a child. Your parent or grandparent was advocating proper posture. Each reminder I received about my posture felt burdensome.

As I grew into an adult I comprehended better the health benefits. Do you know the spine has a powerful relationship with the brain, spinal cord, and overall organ function? This intimate connection means that poor posture and spinal health will lead to an overall decrease in brain and organ function.

The yoga posture Tadasana, is a foundational posture, feet grounded and arms straight down one’s side for balance and alignment. Eliminate anterior or posterior tilt in the pelvis. One stands firm, strong and straight. Tadasana (aka, Mountain Pose), whether you practice yoga or not this is a posture we are familiar with.

Practice this with diligence daily.

Observe those around you and recognize one’s posture. Many lack a healthy stance.

Poor posture is easy. Strong and healthy posture requires work. It is also easier to regress to poor posture due to the daily trends in our society. Finding yourself hunched over a computer for hours can eventually challenge your posture. Your back begins to curve, shoulders round forward and your head juts forward.

Thinking about this stance just hurts. Taking small breaks throughout your day is a good habit to acquire for a healthy back. Children also form poor postural habits from carrying heavy backpacks. Subtly reminding your children will assist them in developing healthy posture.

Do you experience back pain? There are myriad reasons why you may feel pain.

Check in with your posture. Be honest with yourself. If you have poor posture then it’s time to take action. Back pain is often experienced due to tight hamstrings

and hips. Begin your day with a few quick stretches to aid in healthy posture. Give yourself a hug. Wrap your arms around your self and twist from left to right. Abdominal exercises to strengthen your stomach will be essential to healthy posture. Develop a regular abdominal routine. You will recognize a surmountable result if you stay on task. Ladies, avoid wearing high heels.

Your body will experience misalignment and this is taxing on the body. Do away with loading too much into your big purse.

Uneven weight on one side of the body is exhausting for the neck, shoulder and arm.

Be sure to take short breaks throughout your day while working. Get up and walk around. Engage in a few stretches. Improve your posture while sleeping. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. If you must, place a pillow under your ankles. If you sleep on your side, use a pillow assist in between the knees. Sleeping on your back is your best option. You can also place a pillow or rolled blanket underneath your knees to ease back tension.

Establish a regular exercise routine.

Yoga and Pilates are exceptional in aiding with healthy posture. Healthy posture also means a healthier you. Stand up straight and exude confidence!

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January 1 to January 7, 2015

Life & career Coach

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by Sunny Simon

Giving a Nod to Nostalgia

Soon the dismantling will begin. Trees with sparking lights will vanish. Fancy holiday wrappings and greeting cards with lovely sentiments will be relegated to recycle. The last of the Christmas cookies and honey crusted spiraled hams will be consumed and radio stations will return to normal programming.

Although the physical evidence of the wondrous holiday season will no longer be evident, we can carry the memories with us in our hearts.

I’m a memory keeper. On Christmas day, relaxing in a cozy setting content after consuming our fill of food and drink I began the process. Tell me your stories I urged my friends. Mentally rewind the year, stopping to pause and reflect on the highlights I coaxed. Then I peppered the group with questions like what was your happiest moment? When during 2014 did you experience your proudest moment, give me a teachable moment. I longed to share in the events of their lives now considered history.

Smiles began to appear all around. Carolyn and John both identified celebrating milestone birthdays with surprise parties thrown by friends in their honor. Barbara and Jim’s happiness quotient peaked the day they purchased a summer getaway in Idyllwild. Michael deferred.

He held my gaze explaining he rarely looks back. A highly pragmatic guy, Michael lives life by staying in the moment. Certainly I could not

argue with the wisdom of living in day tight compartments and being present wherever you are both physically and mentally. I applaud mindfulness. In my coaching practice I preach it.

But, I wasn’t giving up on Michael that easily. Life is about balancing the moment and the memory I countered.

What is the point of making memories if they are never revisited? On a physical level, isn’t the reason we snap a picture to capture the moment? Isn’t the point of the capture to retain a glimpse for posterity? Don’t travelers journalize to document their experiences then share the journey with friends upon their return? My belief is that 2014, or any year, should not to be tossed aside lightly. Granted there are times in life when we are happy to see December 31st arrive so that we can start anew, yet within each twelve month period we all experience joyful moments.

Want to end the year on a high note? Make time to recall the best of 2014. Reviewing those magical moments offers a sense of wellbeing and encourages your inner optimist. Then move on. Embrace the New Year. May 2015 bring you wondrous moments of great joy. Capture them and hold them close to your heart.

Good health and happiness wishes are sent from Sunny Simon, owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com

Ask The Doctor

January 1 to January 7, 2015

by dr peter kadile

Dr. Peter M. Kadile is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He has an integrative, osteopathic medical practice and is also known as the local, house call doctor; Desert House Call Physician. He is on staff at Eisenhower Medical Center and medical director for Serenity Hospice. His office is located in beautiful Old Town La Quinta, 78-100 Main Street, Suite 207, La Quinta, CA 92253. (760) 777-7439. DesertHouseCalls@aol.com. www.deserthousecalldoc.com.

Styes, Headaches & Arthritis

Dear Dr. Kadile, I noticed a painful, red bump on my lower right eyelid this morning, It looks like a pimple near the eyelashes, but my friend said it is a stye and I would need antibiotic eye drops.

Should I be worried? - Tracy, La Quinta Tracy, sounds like you are describing a stye. A stye is like a pimple in which a small oil duct is blocked resulting in a small infection caused by the accumulation of the local superficial bacteria on the eyelid and surrounding dead skin cells. The stye may become bigger and more painful before spontaneously bursting and resolving.

The best initial treatment is to apply a warm compress to the area for 10-15 minutes 4-5 times a day. Do not rub the area and do not wear any makeup. You should also not wear contact lenses if you have them. If patients are diligent with the warm compress, the stye will usually resolve by the next morning. You can also clean the area with a Q tip soaked with a diluted mixture of baby shampoo and water. If the stye persists or worsens, you should see your doctor because antibiotics may be needed.

Dear Dr. Kadile, can I take Advil and Tylenol together for my headaches? -Joe, Rancho Mirage Joe, the combination of Advil (ibuprofen)

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and Tylenol (acetaminophen) can be an effective pain reliever. The maximum dose of ibuprofen you can have in one day is 2400mg. The new recommendation for the maximum amount of acetaminophen in one day is 3,000mg. You should avoid ibuprofen if you have kidney disease or history of bleeding ulcer. Acetaminophen should be

avoided if you have liver disease.

Dear Dr. Kadile, I suspect I have arthritis in my knees after years of playing sports when I was younger. I don’t want to have to take prescription pain medication or a lot of over the counter Tylenol or Advil because of possible side effects. Are there any supplements you recommend for the pain? -Ray, Cathedral City Ray, Tumeric is a supplement that I have recommended to my patients. It is a spice commonly found in curry powder. Tumeric has a substance in it called curcumin that may reduce inflammation and pain. It generally does not work immediately like an Advil or Tylenol, but would need to be taken on a regular daily basis to provide decrease in pain over a period of time. Tumeric is a spice commonly used in Indian cooking, but you don’t have to eat a lot of Indian cuisine if you would like to explore it’s pain relieving benefits. Tumeric/curcumin can be found as a supplement in many health food stores or nutritional supplement stores. It is generally safe but may cause stomach upset or diarrhea in high doses.

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