Coachella Valley Weekly - January 2 to January 8, 2020 Vol. 8 No. 42

coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 2, 2019 to January 8, 2020 Vol. 8 No. 42

Top Music Picks of 2019

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Vicky’s of Santa Fe

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Animal Samaritans

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MEZZOMONDO

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

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Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Kirby, Samantha Wright, Stephanie Green Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Head Music Writer Noe Gutierrez Head Feature Writer Crystal Harrell Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Esther Sanchez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Sam DiGiovanna, Dale Gribow, Denise Ortuno Neil, Rob Brezny, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dee Jae Cox, Angela Romeo, Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Aimee Mosco, Michelle Anne Rizzio, Ruth Hill, Madeline Zuckerman Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Videographer Kurt Schawacker Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS The 31th Annual PSIFF........................... 3-4 Notable PSIFF 2020 Picks ......................... 5 Noe's Top 5 Albums of 2019 ..................... 6 Vicky's of Santa Fe ..................................... 7 Consider This - Eleni's Top 10 Albums ..... 8 Society Column - Animal Samaritans ...... 9 Pet Place ................................................... 10 The Vino Voice ......................................... 11 Club Crawler Nightlife....................... 12-13 Pampered Palate - Mezzomondo............14 Brewtality .................................................15 Screeners ................................................. 16 Book Review............................................. 17 Safety Tips ................................................17 Haddon Libby ...........................................19 Dale Gribow.............................................. 19 Health ....................................................... 20 Free Will Astrology ................................. 20 Cannabis Corner ...................................... 22

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

THE 31ST ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

he 31st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is once again poised to provide filmgoers with a visual feast of world cinema. Movies from around the globe will deliver stories about private lives, provocative cultures and precarious places.

With more than 188 films from 81 countries and 500 plus screenings held at six valley venues, there is something for everyone throughout the January 2-13 festival.

The PSIFF is the last opportunity for many of these foreign films to get noticed

by Academy members. During the festival, 51 official submissions will screen in hopes of a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar® nomination.

Also screening are 51 premieres that include 33 U.S., 6 North American, 5 international and 7 world. For most film fest goers, this is the only opportunity to see this global collection of movies.

As always, kicking off the festival is the prestigious, and often rowdy, Film Awards Gala. This year on the red carpet outside the Palm Springs Convention Center, fans can get a glimpse of A-List stars Renée Zellweger, Jennifer Lopez, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese!

According to Harold Matzner, Palm Springs International Film Society, Chairman of the Board, the Awards Gala raises more than $2.5 million, making it the Coachella Valley’s biggest fundraising event. The beloved and beautiful Mary Hart returns to host the annual awards.

The PSIFF and its summer sibling, the Palm Spring International Short Film Festival is directed by the Palm Springs International Film Society, a non-profit organization. The Film Society sponsors educational and community outreach programs throughout the year.

Part of the Film Society’s mission is: “Promoting film to the audience that inspires creativity, encourages introspection,

compels exploration and illuminates the universality of the human experience.”

Opening Night, January 3, features the Italian film, “An Almost Ordinary Summer” – a big-hearted farce that takes place on the Italian Rivera. The fun begins 6:30 at the Palm Springs High School auditorium. Tickets to Opening Night include the after party at LuLu. The festival this year has programmed eight Italian films. Check the program schedule for titles under Focus on Italy.

Student Screening Day provides 1,300 students from 15 CV high schools the opportunity to watch two specifically selected films and then take part in a Q&A with cast members and filmmakers. The event includes lunch!

Saturday, January 11, 4:00 is Community Screening Day. The Desert Care Network presents this free screening at the Annenberg Theater. Showing is the North American Premiere of “The Champion,” an Italian coming-of-age film about a young professional soccer player who must change his ways to stay on the team.

January 6, 7 and 8 are the festival’s popular Dinner and a Movie. Keeping with the Italian theme, “La Dolce Vita” will screen at the Mary Pickford Theatre followed by dinner at the nearby Piazza Trilussa Ristorante. “The Culinary Internship,” a documentary, will be shown with dinner afterwards at Eight4Nine.

A Mexican style feast at local favorite Las Casuelas Terrza starts after the film about the cookbook guru “Diana Kennedy: Nothing

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

Fancy.”

Three films highlight our desert environ this year in Local Spotlight. “The 11th Green” features Palm Desert locations and President Eisenhower’s former home in a story about extraterrestrials and Ike. “Hollywood” watches what happens in Palm Springs and participates in the fest each year.

Industry trade publication Variety picks “10 Directors to Watch in 2020” every festival. Filmmakers: Mati Diop – “Atlantics;” Shannon Murphy – “Babyteeth;” and Ladj Ly – “Les Misérables” are attending with their films and will be recognized at a special brunch hosted by the trade magazine. Past filmmakers have included Alfonso Cuarón, Olivia Wilde, and Bradley Cooper.

PROGRAMS The PSIFF celebrates with films from around the world. It is truly a global festival.

As the Academy Awards® approach, the Awards Buzz program features the best international feature film submissions.

From Iran to Ireland, India and Israel, these films deliver provocative and universal perspectives.

This is Palm Springs and the LGBTQ community rocks! Queer Cinema Today features 12 films including a North American Premiere from South Africa “Moffie;” U.S. Premiere, “Two of Us” from France/ continue to page 4

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

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The 31st Anual PSIFF continued from page 3 Luxembourg/Belgium; World Premiere, “Stage Mother” from the United States.

Seven films screen January 2 - 4 in the Talking Pictures program. This is loads of fun for film fans because after the screenings, filmmakers, cast members and authors talk about the vagaries of making a film.

Actress/director Olivia Wilde will have a conversation with Peter Debruge after her feature film “Booksmart” about best friends coming to terms with their high school graduation. Wilde directed the film.

Director Jay Roach will talk about the making of “Bombshell” that stars the talented trio Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Margo Robbie.

Actress Cynthia Erivo will share her experience playing the starring roll in “Harriet” about the life of Harriet Tubman.

“Hustlers” starring Jennifer Lopez was based on an article published in the New York Times. The journalist who wrote the story and the director will talk about the filmmaking process after the screening. (See CVW Book Review for more information.)

Author Christine Leunens’ novel Caging Skies was adapted for the feature film “Jojo Rabbit.” She will discuss turning the book into a movie.

Actor/writer/director/producer Edward Norton along with author Jonathan Lethem will have a conversation about the adaptation of the detective movie “Motherless Brooklyn.”

Actor Antonio Banderas will participate in

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a Q&A after the screening of the film “Pain and Glory” directed by Pedro Almondóvar.

Check the PSIFF schedule for time and location.

Awards Buzz is filled with the world’s best films. The movies in this category are shown throughout the festival. This is the category from which foreign films are selected and nominated by the Academy®.

New Voices New Visions curates films from first and second-time directors. Six of the 14 films in this program are U.S. Premieres. This is a wonderful collection from the world’s emerging filmmakers.

The Modern Masters programs features new films by auteurs like Werner Hertzog and the late Agnés Varda. Non-fiction stories are compiled in the True Stories program, and World Cinema Now takes filmgoers around the globe.

PANELS AND PARTIES As part of the Film Society’s mission, PSIFF hosts panels composed of industry professionals and filmmakers.

Celebrating a culture of creativity and innovation, animation experts gather for A Conversation With Weta Digital: A World’s Premier Visual Effects Company to discuss the year’s most significant digital characters that included “Alita: Battle Angel,” “Gemini Man” and “Avengers: Endgame.”

As the Academy® narrows the foreign film category down to five, festival attendees can listen to directors in the Shortlisted: Best International Feature Film Panel. The

panel will discuss the process of getting a film distributed and considered by the Academy®.

These panels are free to attend, but a ticket is required. Check with the PSIFF box office for information.

PSIFF is one of the best festivals in the world and the parties are fantastic fun. These parties require tickets, so check with the box office.

Movies & Melodies starts the party fun off at the Saguaro, January 4. It wouldn’t be Palm Springs without Toucan’s hosting Gay!la, January 9. The Ace Hotel & Swim Club in the Commune, hosts Desert Party at the Ace, January 10. Celebrating all things Italian is É qui la festa at the Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs, January 11.

Scheduled for Closing Night, January 12 is the U.S. Premiere of “Military Wives” staring Kristen Scott Thomas. Based on a true story, Thomas plays a spouse who is driven to make the most of her time while her husband is deployed in Afghanistan. The Closing Night party finishes the evening at the Hilton.

Finally, Best of Fest is Monday, January 13.

Audience picks and festival winners screen all day. Tickets can be purchased at the box office anytime.

PSIFF Artistic Director, Lili Rodriguez wrote in her welcome: “The aspect of community is what makes the festival a celebration of movies and movie-watching. This festival is about so much more than ‘just watching movies,’ (although how wonderful are the movies?!). It’s about that feeling you share

with your festival buddy while you’re in line for the next showing or the conversation that happens after watching a moving film that brings us closer together.”

For dates and times, tickets, film program and information contact the box office 760.778.8979 or go online www.psfilmfest.org.

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NOTABLE PSIFF 2020 PICKS

THE 11th GREEN (USA) When an investigative reporter’s father passes away, he (the reporter) returns to the Palm Desert home once used by President Eisenhower and where the reporter’s dad once lived. When one of his dad’s associates shows the reporter film footage suggesting Ike had an encounter with extraterrestrials, there’s a shift in the reporter’s paradigm that opens a rabbit hole that Alice would envy.

On a personal note, when I was a young boy, I remember the visit of a distant relative our family shared with Eisenhower who spoke of a similar incident. It was the first time I heard the words “flying saucer.” To this day, I have wondered about the alleged incident and believe something very weird actually happened that included Ike.

BORN TO BE (USA) This fascinating documentary follows a compassionate and pioneering surgeon as he helps his transgender patients through their transitions and identity issues.

January 7, 10:00 AM, Annenberg Theater.

ICONICITY (USA) Director Leo Zahn’s terrific documentary explores the thriving SoCal desert art scene from Slab City, the Salton Sea’s Bombay Beach, Borrega Springs, Joshua Tree and other locations where we meet a multitude of eccentric and eclectic artists who live almost entirely off the grid.

January 10, 9:00 AM, Camelot (PS Cultural Center)

MISS FISHER AND THE CRYPT OF TEARS (AUSTRALIA/MOROCCO) Based on the book series by Kerry Greenwood, this movie adaptation may have

a special appeal to fans of Downton Abbey as well as Indiana Jones.

Phyrne Fisher, the glamorous flapper detective from the hit Australian TV series and bestselling novels, makes her feature film debut set in British Palestine circa 1920s.

After freeing a young Bedouin from unjust imprisonment, Miss Fisher (Essie Davis) begins to unravel a wartime mystery involving a priceless jewel, ancient curses and the truth about the disappearance of the young woman’s village!

World Premiere.

January 11, 3:45 PM, Pickford’s D’Place.

BILLIE (UK) James Erskine’s spellbinding and unfiltered documentary on the incredible life of Billie Holiday is essential viewing for anyone who has been seduced in song by the timeless voice the great Lady Day. January 5, 4:15 PM, Regal Cinemas.

JOJO RABBIT (USA) Based on Christine Leunen’s novel, Caging Skies, writer-director Taika Waitit’s outrageous WW II satire follows a lonely boy who, when he finds out his mum (Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a young Jewish girl in their home, turns, to his imaginary friend --Adolf Hitler.

January 4, 12:45, Regal Cinemas.

MARTIN EDEN (ITALY/FRANCE/ GERMANY) Pietro Marcello’s compelling drama, inspired by Jack London’s great novel, begins with Martin breaking up a rough dockyard fight and rescuing an aristocrat’s son. Martin soon discovers a world beyond his working class blue-collar life and seeks access to it via success as a writer. Inspired by his love for

January 2 to January 8, 2020

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

upper class Elena (Jessica Cressy), he spends his nights devoted to educating himself. He finally achieves literary success but at the cost of his moral principles.

January 11, 9:00 AM, Camelot (PS CULTURAL CENTER).

GREED (U.K.) Michael Winterbottom’s latest is as funny as it is socially and politically astute.

The crazy gilded world of the super rich is the target of this bitterly hilarious satire that re-teams director Winterbottom with his thespian muse Steve Coogan. To celebrate his 60th birthday, billionaire fashion tycoon Richard McCreadie (Coogan) intends to pull out all the stops in throwing a ritzy soiree at an exclusive hotel on a Greek island.

Planned highlights include a Colosseum scene from the movie Gladiator with a live lion! Naturally, the ostentatious festivities spiral out of control just as the unrepentant tycoon’s past catches up with him in a longoverdue comeuppance.

January 4, 9:45 AM, Pickford’s D’Place.

ENDLESSNESS (SWEDEN) No one makes movies quite like Sweden’s Roy Anderson. For some, the filmmaker is an acquired taste, but his droll, sometimes acerbic but always affectionate take on the human condition with all it foibles and quirks is memorable and rewarding on many levels.

His trademark static camera that lingers on brief \, often tragicomic moments is on display here: they rang from a father tying his daughter’s shoelaces to Hitler dying in his bunker.

January 3, 2:15 PM, Regal Cinemas.

BOMBSHELL (USA) Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, John Lithgow, and Margot Robbie star in Jay Roach’ s intense look at the downfall of Fox News titan/tyrant Roger Ailes is really a look at the chemistry that gave rise to the Republican party’s current dominance and the conditions that led to Donald Trump’s election. This compelling film is a perfect double feature with Showtime’s “The Loudest Voice” available now for home video.

January 2, 10 AM, Annenberg Theater.

THE CAPOTE TAPES (UK) Truman Capote, abandoned by his rural Alabama mother, still managed to rise to the uppermost crust of New York society. Ebs Burnough’s compelling film does full justice to the singular literary icon Capote was, including startling and revealing interviews with his friends and enemies as it charts his rise and very public fall.

January 9, 1:30 PM, Annenberg Theater.

HONEYLAND (NORTH MACEDONIA) Matidze Muratova is the last of a line of beekeepers. Working on her isolated farm in a Macedonian village, she lives a life of simplicity, walking four hours daily to the nearest village to sell her honey and four hours back to care for her bedridden mother.

When a family of seven parks their camper next door, Matidze’s routine and honey business are seriously disrupted and compromised. This stunning and wondrous must-see film is a memorable meditation on the shifting intersection of nature and humanity. Don’t miss this one.

January 7, 7:30 PM, Regal Cinemas.

ROMANTIC COMEDY (U.K.) More than 160 film clips create an amalgam of the horrors and highs of relationship behavior.

January 8, 12:15 PM, Pickford is D’Place.

AGA (BULGARIA) Set in the stark, frozen and isolated landscape of Russia’s Sekha Republic, this magnificent film shows a way of life that is fast disappearing. Married couple Nanook and Sedna have chosen this primitive, minimalist lifestyle that most of the young people have continue to page 21

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

LOCAL MUSIC

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NOE’S TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2019 sensibility to the heavens and beyond. I truly feel they will carry the torch with conviction.

Noe’s Top 5 Coachella Valley Albums of 2019

KXM - Circle of Dolls Dug Pinnick (King’s X), George Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) and Ray Luzier (Korn) are maybe the best three musicians you could put in a studio and guarantee a kick-ass outcome. Circle of Dolls follows the first two standout albums Scatterbrain and KXM. I got to interview and hang out with Pinnick when his band 3rd Ear Experience performed at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert. He shared about his time in KXM, “I’m tired, excited, overwhelmed and living the dream with no complaints whatsoever. I take it all! It’s all a part of this journey.”

Tool - Fear Inoculum By far the most talked about and anticipated album of the year of any genre.

Not quite as long a wait as Guns N’ Roses’ Chinese Democracy, but a much better payoff.

Also receiving Grammy nominations for Best Rock Song and Best Metal Performance, the album is destined for inclusion in the annals of Rock as a teaching point in how to return from a long recording hibernation. I’m gladly still in the process of interpreting the album.

Bon Iver - i,i With almost 50 musicians featured on the album, Bon Iver’s boasting blend of R&B almost philharmonic arrangements earned 2020 Grammy nods for Album of the Year, Best Alternative Music Album and Record of the Year for the track Hey, Ma. Justin Vernon takes me on an adventure into sound and when I close my eyes, I feel the “good winter”.

The Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger With their last release in 2008, it’s a shame we don’t see a more regular release cycle from Jack White’s gritty quartet. Each song provides me a separate personality to be diagnosed. With over a decade since their last release Consolers of the Lonely, the album has had mixed reviews but I read through the B.S. of high and mighty analysts who attempt to tear it apart instead of piece it together.

Rival Sons Feral - Roots True American Rock is how I describe the 6th studio album from the band from Long Beach, California. Jay Buchanan’s vocals are the stuff legends are made of. That bluesy edgy Rock and Roll takes the Led Zeppelin

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Provoked - One Life You only have One Life according to Provoked and this album tells you why. It talks about his beginnings, reflection, positivity, his return, and has several reminders to persevere and have “hella-fun”.

Caxton - The Devil I Know

have illustrated what you can achieve with durability, devotion, mutual discernment and appreciation in long distance relationships.

Desert Rhythm Project - Mojave Roots The long-awaited breakthrough album from the desert’s dynamic duo of Mikey Reyes (vocals/guitar) and Bryanna Evaro (bass/vocals) along with Tyler Saraca (drums) and David Yuter (keyboards) is a soulful representation of Reyes’ purpose; Reggae, Funk, Roots and Soul.

John Garcia and the Band of Gold - John Garcia and the Band of Gold John Garcia and The Band of Gold released their self-titled album in early 2019 through Napalm Records and produced by the illustrious Chris Goss (Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age). After first listen I was convinced that the music was written and recorded with the live setting in mind. They are a band built for live performance. 30 years after forming Kyuss, Garcia continues to hold his own with Ehren Groban (guitar), Mike Pygmie (bass) and Greg Saenz (drums).

The long awaited second release from Christina Reyes, vocals and keyboards, Adam Surdin, guitar, Brett McLaughlin, bass and Brian Pelletier, drums is as much a new journey as it is a continuation of where they left off.

The album is liberal Caxton and its members

Waxy - Betting On Forgetting The album that won the 2019 Coachella Valley Music Award for ‘Best Album’ includes guest appearances from some of the desert’s most accredited musicians including Ronnie King, keys on There She Goes, Sean Wheeler, vocals on Repeater, Nick Oliveri, bass on Two Faced, John Garcia, harmony vocals on Two

BY NOE GUTIERREZ Faced and Mike Pygmie, drums on Never Was Enough, Fine, Two Faced and Vanilla.

This may have been the last album from the classic line-up of Robbie Waldman (vocals and guitar), Damian Lautiero (bass and background vocals) and Jeff Bowman (drums and background vocals).

Noe’s Top 5 Coachella Valley Music Moments of 2019 1.

Coachella Valley Music Award nominees performed All Right Now with legendary Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers at the CVMAs ceremony. Lisa Lynn Morgan (vocals), Vinny Berry (vocals), Nick Hales (guitar), Derek Wade Timmons (bass), Jeff Bowman (drums), Michael Keeth (vocals) and Tom ’T-Bone’ Edwards (guitar) did us proud.

2.

Ocho Ojos epic performance at Coachella 2019. The ‘Psychedelic Cumbia’ group earned their spot on the world stage once again and used the platform to bring heightened attention to their original intermixed music and hometown of Coachella.

With Cesar ‘El Charro’ Flores on guitar/vocals and Danny Lloyd Torres on synthesizer and relatively new members James Gastelum on bass guitar and Rafael Rodriguez on drums, they captivated the audience with their performance of Xibalba featuring Provoked, Savier1, JPatron and Verzo Loko.

3.

The loss of Steve Madaio on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at the age of 70.

He performed and recorded with artists like Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Don Henley and Gregg Allman. He played Woodstock as part of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. Locally, he performed with desert luminaries such as Pat Rizzo, Kal David and Lauri Bono, Barry Minniefield, Mike Costley, Andy Fraga Jr., John Carey and Will Donato.

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The Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival presented by Wendy Jane Productions and hosted by the man himself, Jimi ‘FITZ’ Fitzgerald. This year’s event featured Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Buddy Guy, Los Lobos, Jimmie Vaughan, Lucie Silvas, Brian Culbertson and Toby Lee. The show covered every preceding and contemporary angle; Rock, Blues, Jazz and Country. The highlight for me was seeing Toby Lee perform with Lukas Nelson and the musicianship shared between the two as they traded solos.

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The Idyllwild Strong 2nd Annual Benefit Festival was bigger and better in 2019.

The free event included performances from John Garcia and the Band of Gold, Caxton, Empty Seat, Dali’s Llama, House of Broken Promises, Courtney Chambers, Jesika Von Rabbit, Jonah Matranga and Fate DeStroyed.

Festival organizer Brian Parnell learned a lot from the first two go-rounds and established a yearly event that will help Idyllwild continue to thrive.

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

VICKY’S OF SANTA FE - MUSIC LOUNGE 9 SETS, 7 DAYS, NO COVER

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n any given night you can witness the finest in entertainment at Vicky’s of Santa Fe at 45-100 Club Drive in Indian Wells, California. With live music every night and a too die for fine dining menu, there’s no doubt that Vicky’s is the best spot in the valley for food and fun. There are no reservations in the lounge as Vicky’s provides open seating and no cover charge.

You can call (760) 345-9770 for dining room reservations 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. and their Happy Hour is 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. “Vicky’s is a great dinner spot because it’s the kind of place where everyone knows your name,” says owner Marc Laliberte. “If you love good food, wine and music and want to be surrounded by people you enjoy, Vicky’s has all that.”

The magnificent music lounge is flanked by dual fireplaces and centered with a 9-foot concert grand piano and built-in dance floor.

Majestic music director John Stanley King has spearheaded this season’s program at Vicky’s to a level of excellence. When you see the list of performers, you will agree…Vicky’s is the place to be in 2020.

2020 List of Performers: Sundays — John Stanley King & Trio Mondays — John Stanley King’s Country Cowboy Songs Tuesdays — The John McCormick Band featuring singer, songwriter John McCormick Wednesdays — 2019 CVMA Winner for ‘Best Jazz Vocals’ Slim Man and his Slim Man Band featuring Craig Chesnut on drums, Enrique Hernandez on percussion, Chase Huna on sax, Nick Sosa on guitar and the Thrilla from Manila, Tateng Katindig on piano.

Slim Man: “Playing every week at Vicky’s with the same band members is really wonderful, because Vicky’s is such an excellent venue. The band has the opportunity to keep improving from week to week and we get to keep adding new material, most of which are originals.” slimman.com

Thursdays — Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs featuring multi-CVMA Winner Lisa Lynn Morgan on vocals, percussion and keys, James St. James on drums, Bobby Furgo on keys and fiddle, Bobby Moses Nichols on guitar and vocals and Arnold Mitchem on bass and vocals.

Lisa Lynn Morgan: “JSK asked us to cover a few Thursday nights at Vicky’s in early October and November and we had a blast!

The vibe in that room is amazing, with a fun and very diverse crowd of all ages. They are so attentive to the music that it forces you to be on your ‘A’ game, which isn’t hard because they readily show their appreciation. We must be doing something right, because we were asked to headline every Thursday for the rest of the season 2020 season. Vicky’s has a long standing reputation with a regular lineup of absolutely stellar, storied music pros, so of course we were fully appreciative of the opportunity. That being said, my guys are absolutelydeserving, they too are amazing musicians with incredible backgrounds. I’m the rookie, I’ve only been fronting a band for five years, but with their encouragement and support, I’m beginning to find my own voice and discover who I am as a performer.

I am seriously fortunate. The residency happened just as we had decided to change the name of the band so it’s our first booking under Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs.” reverbnation.com/lisalynnmorgan Fridays (5:30-7:30 p.m.) — Meet the Corwins with Bob Corwin on concert grand piano, Danny Flahive on bass, Craig Chestnut on drums and vocalist Samantha Corwin.

Fridays (8 p.m.-Midnight) — The John Stanley King Show featuring vocalist and multi-instrumentalist King, Norman Merten on guitar, Craig Chesnut on drums and percussion, Malcolm Turner on bass and vocals and Richard Turner on piano.

Saturdays (5-7p.m.) — Rose Mallett & Company rosemallett.com Saturdays (7:30-11 p.m.) — Kal David * Lauri Bono and the Real Deal kaldavid.com In addition to the above performers, JSK has artists like Faults of Andreas to “fill-in” when necessary. We spoke with jimi FITZ and Jimmy Palmer of FoA about the allure of Vicky’s.

Jimi FITZ: “We love playing Vicky’s! The last year or two we’ve been working our stuff out in guitarist JP’s living room and drummer Jeff Bowman’s music room. We’re always honored to play, if they need us we’re there.

Vicky’s is a one-of-a-kind place where we can have people come and have a beautiful night; the staff, Marc and Marc, and JSK are so supportive. We currently feature Jeff on drums, Mark Fry on bass, JP on guitar and Sergio Villegas on guitar. We’ll have people sit-in from time to time like Kal David and John Carey. It’s a very unique venue, an amazing melting pot, like a music Cheers. All the credit goes to JSK.”

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

Jimmy Palmer: “Vicky’s is like a musical event in your living room where we create a show that generates an atmosphere. We try to design something special each show.

We added Sergio Villegas, which instills that Latin flavor into our music. We like to play Vicky’s because it’s a classy environment and everybody loves the music that comes there and is grateful. It’s an important place for music, great musicians go there, it’s cool.”

Vicky’s has been open for over 30 years and is a destination restaurant for locals, part-timers and visitors alike. Their filet steak with melted bleu cheese and the seasoned twice-baked colossal potato are highly recommended. With the music lounge in full swing and the food on point, Vicky’s has become the nucleus of the desert.

Marc Lodovico, Director of Sales and Marketing shared, “The level of music that goes through this venue is the best in the valley. There’s never a night when there’s no live music. We switched music programs about five years ago and made a big commitment to live music; because of this, bar sales have risen. So now, every week through June 2020, we will have some of the desert’s finest musicians perform in our lounge. We also have a supper club series that benefits the Assistance League Palms Springs Desert Area’s Arts Scholarship Program and features an array of Broadway style song and dance dinner shows.” vickysofsantafe.com assistanceleague.org

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

CONSIDER THIS

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usic can save you, take it from me.

It’s been the one true constant of my life. I have been a wildly selfconfident (ne’ arrogant) record nerd for over half a century, I can tell you what my favorite song was from age four to age nine, faster than I can tell you what I did a week ago. 2019 has been a challenging year for me, I lost a job I truly loved, family members have passed away, and shockingly, my lifelong best friend died rather suddenly in August. Still, music (along of course, with my wife and our beautiful girl, Denver), has kept me going and raised my spirits, made me laugh and cry. As much as I can’t wait for this year to be over, I still count myself lucky that the sweet kids at the Coachella Valley Weekly put up with my Bitch Goddess temperament and allow me all the space I need to share my cranky opinions with you. So here are my favorite records of 2019.

RIVAL SONS “Feral Roots” (Atlantic Records) This year has truly been a breakthrough year for the Rival Sons. The Long Beach four-piece, which includes vocalist Jay Buchanan, guitarist Scott Holiday, drummer Michael Miley and bassist Dave Beste, have been a going concern for 10 years. They have released five full-length records and an EP, mostly through the British Metal label, Earache. They were immediately embraced by critics and fans alike, especially in Europe and Great Britain. Old School Rockers recognized them as kindred spirits, which is why they’ve opened for everyone from AC/DC and Black Sabbath, to Guns N’ Roses and The Rolling Stones. Although most of the U.S. has been slow to catch on, that changed when the band signed with Atlantic Records and released their sixth long-player, Feral Roots.

The record arrived in January, a potent combo-platter of styles, from the bludgeoning crunch of the opening cut, “Do Your Worst,” to the fecund bliss of the title track, the Stax-ed, sun-kissed Soul of “Stood By Me” and the Fuzzcrusted Afro-Cuban groove of “Sugar On The Bone.” For me, this album has been in heavy rotation for nearly a year, and it continues to delight and surprise me. New favorites have emerged with repeated listenings, like the willowy “All Directions” and the majestic “End Of Forever,” which goes from zero to 60 in mere seconds.

I have been singing the praises of this band since my pal, Tom told me to check out their second album in 2011. But don’t take my word for it, upon its release, Feral Roots shot to the top of the charts, and was recently nominated for two Grammies. It can only get bigger, better, faster. Buy this album now, so you can say you knew them when.

Jimmer “Almost Home Again” (Chace Recordings) For the last five years, Jimmer Podrasky has been on a roll, Maybe he’s been making up for lost time. The former Rave-Up’s front man

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ELENI’S TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2019

walked away from the music business in the ‘90s to concentrate on being a dad. Even though he wasn’t making a living through music, the urge to make music never really left.

He returned to making music full time in 2014, embarking on a solo career, with his debut, The Would-Be Plans. Since then, he has dazzled old fans and made new ones with his 2017 album, God Like Sun and his 2018 collaboration with sui generis songstress, Syd Straw, which yielded their Shoulder To Cry On EP. Jimmer’s third long-player, Almost Home Again, arrived this summer. By turns, playful, wistful and socially conscious, the record shapeshifts from shagadelic Psychedelia, to Soul-inflected Power Pop and quavery Country Rock.

Luther Russell “Medium Cool” (Burger Records) Although he’s been around for over 30 years, I just discovered Luther last year when the Hanky Panky label released a career retrospective that spanned his entire oeuvre (yeah, I said it).

This year he released his sixth solo outing, an effortless 10-song set that showcased his Herculean talent. Lyrics mine moments of tenderness and longing with conversational grace. Unforgettable melodies are powered by souped-up instrumentation, intricate arrangements and Luther’s rough-hewn croon.

PATTY GRIFFIN (PGM Records) Patty Griffin has been a recording artist since 1996, but she waited until 2019 to release a selftitled album on her own PGM label. Following a brutal battle with breast cancer, Patty wasn’t sure she’d ever make music again. But that old adage “What doesn’t kill us, makes us stronger,” proved accurate in this case. She roared back to life, creating her most poignant record to date.

Nuanced narratives tackled the personal and political, meanwhile, the melodies are a rich gumbo of Big Easy cool, back porch rambles and full-tilt Rockers. Each song sanctified by her melismatic voice. This record takes you to church without ever leaving your house.

VAL McCALLUM “Chateauguay” (Dear Stella Recordings) Sometimes, genius hides in plain sight, such is the case with Val McCallum. A brilliant musician, he grew up as Hollywood royalty, the son of British actors Jill Ireland and David McCallum and stepson of Action movie icon Charles Bronson. He began playing guitar as a kid, absorbed some music theory, but his real education came via ‘70s radio; Top 40 and freeform FM. Pretty quickly, he was earning his keep as a session guitarist and has spent years as a member of Jackson Browne’s touring band.

In the last few years, he’s carved out time for a solo career. His 2012 debut, At The End Of The Day was a bare-bones, largely acoustic affair. His 2019 follow-up is a burst of technicolor, suffused with sadness and joy, featuring cinematic soundscapes. Lyrically, he offered tender encomiums to his late older brother and his

famous step-dad. Produced by wunderkind Chris Price, the album limns the past, appreciates the present, and manages to look forward.

THOSE PRETTY WRONGS “Zed For Zulu” (Burger Records) So, it’s Luther 2 Electric Boogaloo. Those Pretty Wrongs is a collaboration between Luther Russell and legendary Big Star drummer, Jody Stephens. The pair have been pals for years, but didn’t begin collaborating until a few years ago.

When Jody was asked to perform some classic Big Star tracks at select screenings of the “Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me,” documentary, he invited Luther to play guitar with him. Pretty soon the duo was making music under the Shakespearean moniker, Those Pretty Wrongs.

A self-titled debut arrived in 2016 and this year they followed up with the whimsically entitled Zed For Zulu. Here Jody steps out from behind the drum kit taking center stage and Luther graciously acts as his musical wing-man, co-writing songs that hew toward classic 60s/70s songcraft. Courtly Southern grace meets sunny SoCal charm, evincing an irresistible happy/ sad ache. Baroque and bespoke, plaintive and playful, sly and Soulful, it’s one of those perfect records that takes up residence on the turntable and never leaves.

RACONTEURS “Help Us Stranger” (Third Man Records) Jack White is a musical multi-tasker. How many other musicians out there have a thriving solo career, run a record label, own an upholstery shop, producer albums and also front two other all-star bands, Dead Weather and the Raconteurs? Occasionally, he spreads himself a little thin (face it, the last Dead Weather and solo albums were pretty lukewarm), but he redeemed himself on the newest Raconteurs effort.

A collaboration between Jack, drummer Patrick Keeler and bassist Jack Lawrence of the Greenhornes and Detroit-based singersongwriter Brendan Benson, the four-piece released two stellar records, Broken Toy Soldiers and Consolers Of The Lonely in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Following a 10-year hiatus the band has returned with their most adept collection to date. The melodies are raw, prickly, precise, intricate and intense. Meanwhile, the arrangements leapfrog genres from sludgy Psych to keening Country Soul to poppy ProgRock. A stellar return.

BLEACHED “Don’t You Think You’ve Had Enough?” (Dead Oceans Records) On their third album, the Clavin sisters have really come into their own. Jennifer and Jessica have been making music together for decades, Punk Rock obsessives, the girls cut their teeth in the distaff collective Mika Miko before striking out on their own in 2011 as Bleached.

Their first two albums, Ride Your Heart and Welcome The Worms (released in 2013 and 2016, respectively) achieved critical acclaim and

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN commercial success, but with this album the girls’ have scaled new artistic heights.

Reflecting on their misspent musical youth (when passing the dutchie was de rigueur), the melodies and arrangements strike the perfect Punk/Pop balance adding hints of Girl Group grandeur. Moving past the coltish growing pains of the first two records, the pair have assumed control of their musical destiny. Who knew embracing adulthood could be so much fun?

“3x4” The Bangles, The Three O’Clock, The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade (Yep Roc Records). In 1986 my friend and musical mentor Phil Liebert (R.I.P.) made me a cassette he entitled “Acid Rain From Paisley Skies.” It was filled with fairly obscure Psych and Garage cuts from bands I would grow to love like The Nazz, 13th Floor Elevators, Chocolate Watchband and Zakary Thaks, (just to name a few). I wish he were here today to hear these four bands, all pillars of L.A.’s early ‘80s Paisley Underground scene, each record three of the other bands’ songs.

All four of these bands drew inspiration from a lot of the the same ‘60s groups that Phil curated for me, yet they managed to create something new and wholly original. “3x4” is the aural equivalent of crushed velvet bell-bottoms.

In the immortal words of The Small Faces, it’s all too beautiful.

THE FLESH EATERS “I Used To Be Pretty” (Yep Roc Records) In 1981, Punk Rock Renaissance man Chris Desjardins created the most iconic line-up of The Flesh Eaters, enlisting Dave Alvin (guitar), Bill Bateman (drums) and Steve Berlin (saxophone) from the Blasters, along with John Doe (bass), and D.J. Bonebrake (percussion) from X. Thus, the Los Angeles Punk scene had it’s first official super group. They recorded one seminal album, A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die before everyone sorta returned to their day jobs.

In 2018 they reunited and it felt so good.

Following a short tour, they hunkered down in the studio and recorded a new album. The fruits of their labors arrived just ahead of the Super Blood Wolf Moon Eclipse in January.

Chris and his compadres hand-picked six songs with different incarnations The Flesh Eaters had recorded, adding three incendiary covers and two new compositions. The result is lethal and lithe, skittish and sepulchral. Beat poetry fused with blowsy melodies and razor sharp arrangements. Menace and mystery collide and it’s one wild ride.

See you in 2020.

SOCIETY COLUMN

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ANIMAL SAMARITANS’ 10TH ANNUAL MEN OF THE DESERT FASHION SHOW & CHARITY

January 2 to January 8, 2020

BY MADELINE ZUCKERMAN PHOTOS BY LANI GARFIELD

LUNCHEON RAISES $170,000 TO FUND ITS ANIMAL RESCUE PROGRAM

It was a Who’s Who of the Coachella Valley, as over 450 guests turned out for a day of fun to celebrate a decade of handsome Dudes, Dogs, and Designer Men’s Fashions. This year’s 10th Annual “MEN OF THE DESERT” Fashion Show & Charity Luncheon was billed at the most successful to date, benefitting Animal Samaritans, the Valley’s most comprehensive animal welfare organization. This event commenced with a Champagne Reception and Silent Auction, followed by a scrumptious lunch in the ballroom of the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. Following lunch, it was on to the event highlight -- the Men’s Fashion Show, featuring 20 handsome Dudes from our community, showcasing fashions from Saks Fifth Avenue, SEAPLANE, and Benjamin Perdereau.

“This year’s event was one of the most successful ever!” stated Tom Snyder, CEO of Animal Samaritans. “The proceeds will fund our Animal Rescue Program, and allow us to continue our important work of saving adoptable, at-risk dogs and cats. Our dedicated and highly-trained Veterinarians, who were honored at the luncheon, are truly compassionate about the animals they care

for,” Snyder continued.

The dynamic duo of Lori Serfling and Patrick Mundt once again served as Event Co-chairs, with Honorary Chair Shellie Reade.

Susan Stein of PALM SPRINGS LIFE and SusanSteinStyle, served as Fashion Show and Event Producer, with Patrick Evans, KESQ Chief Meteorologist and Host of “EYE ON THE DESERT” serving as the Live Auction Emcee.

“It was my honor to Co-chair this Animal Samaritans Luncheon with Patrick Mundt,” stated Lori Serfling. “This year’s program was fabulous, and the models with their handsome hounds rocked the runway! All monies raised at this event benefitted Animal Samaritans’ Animal Rescue Program, which has saved more than 14,000 adoptable, atrisk dogs and cats. This is a very worthy cause because it is improving the lives of animals and people,” she continued.

This year’s Handsome Hounds included Mark Anton, Ted Briggs, Paul Clowers, Dennis Flaig-Moore, Winston Gieseke, Ken Jesser M.D., Jamie Kabler, Garry Kief, Patrik Kocian, Manny The Movie Guy, Keyan Matinpour M.D., Jim Reed, Willie Rhine, William Squire, Patrick St. Pierre M.D., Peter Sturgeon,

Richard Vaughn, Chuck Yates, Zack Ziembo, and Leonard Zuckerman.

“We are very lucky to have such an amazing organization like Animal Samaritans in our Valley,” stated Event Co-chair Patrick Mundt. “We can rest assured that all pets will have access to life-saving medical care, no matter the ability to pay,” he continued.

Animal Samaritans’ Veterinarians honored at the luncheon included: Dr. Cynthia Albert, DVM Dr. Michelle Bousquet, CMO, DVM Dr. Nancy Carlson, DVM Dr. Monica Kocian, DVM Dr. Kevin Leiske, DVM Dr. Robert Mills, DVM Dr. Rolland Regnery, DVM This year’s Sponsors included Eisenhower Health, Helene Galen & Jamie Kabler, Harold Matzner, Len Betz, Contour Dermatology, Pet Companion Magazine, Mechanics Bank, Isning Gamez Productions, and Jacob Photography.

Exclusive Event Media Sponsors included PALM SPRINGS LIFE, THE DESERT SUN & LOCALiQ, CV 104.3 and KGAY Radio, and KESQ TV. Seen in the Crowd were Lori & Aubrey Serfling, Harold Matzner & Shellie Reade, Elizabeth Matzner, Jan Salta, Helene Galen & Jamie Kabler, Patti Grundhofer, Luci Arnaz & Lawrence Luckinbill, Selby & Curt Dunham, Suzy Leprino, Laura Fritz, Marty & Jeff Massiello, Patrick Mundt, Barry Manilow & Garry Kief, Stacey Renker, Cydney Osterman, Donna MacMillan, Yvonne & Steve Maloney, Michelle Massie, Sue Rapport & David Suss, Bill Nicholson, Renee Glickman, Betty Callies & Bonny Light, Tom & Debbie Davis, Melissa & Tristan Milanovich, Marge Barry, Kay Hanson, Peggy & Michael Berk, Mark Anton & Scott Histed, Sid Craig, Ron Celona, Gary Hall & Jerry Green, Tom Snyder & Lesley Renner, Clinton Moore, James & Lorraine Brinton, Diane Rubin & Lenny Eber, Tory Fretz & Iris Williams, Linda St. Pierre, Mayor Iris & Thom Smotrich, Lindell Campbell & Mohamed Samir.

Please SAVE THE DATE of Sunday, December 6, 2020 for the 11th Annual “MEN OF THE DESERT” Fashion Show & Charity Luncheon.

About Animal Samaritans Animal Samaritans promotes compassion and respect for all living creatures, with a primary focus on dogs and cats and the humans who love them. The organization believes pets are not just animals – they are valued family members, and as such, should be treated with care and respect. They

deserve a chance at life and to live in a loving home.

Founded in 1978 with an urgent goal of helping to find a solution to the epidemic of shelter overcrowding and the unnecessary euthanasia of adoptable animals, Animal Samaritans offers worthwhile, critical programs and services for the Coachella Valley’s pets and pet owners.

“We believe it is our duty to reduce the overpopulation and suffering of abandoned and unwanted dogs and cats,” stated Tom Snyder, CEO of Animal Samaritans. “We believe adoptable, homeless dogs and cats deserve a chance at life and to live in a loving home. We support this through animal rescuing, animal sheltering, and pet adoptions. We believe the bond between people and pets is healing, both emotionally and physically, and we provide canine companionship to residents of local nursing homes, rehab centers, and area hospitals. We believe stewardship of our animals is not innate, but learned, and we educate the pet owners of tomorrow on kindness and respect for all living creatures, so they too will become compassionate and responsible pet owners. To achieve our work, we operate two high-quality Veterinary Clinics, a no-kill Animal Shelter, an Adoption Center, an Animal Rescue Program, an Animal Companion Therapy Program, and a bilingual Humane Education Program,” Snyder continued.

For information on how you can support Animal Samaritans please call 760- 601-3755 or visit www.animalsamaritans.org Animal Samaritans is a 501(3) nonprofit.

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

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PET PLACE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS FOR DOG OWNERS

BY JANET McAFEE

T

his week, dog lovers and their 4-legged companions ring in the New Year 2020. In 2019, we made great strides in reducing the plight of homeless dogs and cats. “Rescue” is becoming the favored route to adopt a dog, as the public becomes more aware of the problems with puppy mills, backyard breeders, and online pet sales. The new California law banning the commercial sale of dogs and cats at pet stores went into effect at the beginning of the year with the aim of encouraging shelter adoptions.

Pictured here, ready to celebrate, is adorable Petunia. This Chihuahua girl was once a stray and frightened dog at the San Bernardino County Shelter in Devore. Rescued

by Loving All Animals, this little pup would not let anyone touch her when she arrived at Quannah Combs’ foster home. Gradually she began to sit next to him, moving closer each day. With her next foster mom, Jan Cooksley, she continued to trust and love humans. Now named Sammy, this sweet pup celebrates New Year Eve 2020 in her loving forever home with Linda Smith and Kurt Hanft. She will play happily with her Dachshund sister, Peanut.

MEET HEINZ This amazing and very handsome German Shepherd boy hopes to celebrate the New Year in a home with you! Heinz, a 4-yrold German Shepherd, waits to meet you at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, www.rcdas.org (760) 343-3644.

He’s dog ID#A1562023.

MEET SABINE This 2-yr-old Tuxedo girl is a gem! Sabine has the sweetest “purrsonality” and will make a loving companion. She is now vetted & spayed, a retired Mama cat. Come meet her at Petco in Palm Desert, 72453 Hwy 111. Rescued by www.

ForeverMeow.org, call (760) 335-6767.

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While our canine companions provide affection and companionship, there is a special love bestowed from rescued dogs in their “second chance” home. These animals will not only bring us increased health and happiness, but they can also be part of our New Year’s Resolutions. Here are some ideas for 2020 resolutions.

GET HEALTHY – Having a dog will improve your physical health, including reducing your blood pressure. If you decide to quit smoking this year, your pet will give you another reason because a smoke filled environment also jeopardizes their health.

REDUCE STRESS & DEPRESSION - Holding and petting a dog immediately makes you relax. Their loving companionship reduces stress, depression and anxiety. Dogs help reduce post- traumatic stress for combat veterans. They work daily miracles for all of us humans, bringing joy to our lives.

LOSE WEIGHT – Obesity decreases life expectancy of up to 14 years in humans and up to 2.5 years in their animals. As you select healthier foods, make sure to provide better nutrition for Fido. Avoid serving harmful human foods to pets. However, fresh carrots,

cooked green beans, steamed broccoli, banana slices, and apple slices are healthy options for you and your dog.

EXERCISE & GET FIT – Walking a dog keeps you both healthy and happy. If you are athletic, enjoy the outdoors even more hiking and jogging with Fido.

MEET NEW PEOPLE – Dogs are natural ice breakers, and that adorable pup you walk down the street can result in new friends or even a new love interest. You score extra points with them when they learn your dog is a rescue.

VOLUNTEER IN THE NEW YEAR – If you resolve to help people in the New Year, dogs

may also play a role. If your dog is calm and likes strangers, consider getting him certified as a therapy dog and bring joy to hospital patients and nursing home residents.

Volunteer at a public shelter or private animal welfare organization. Walk a dog for sick or elderly neighbors.

ADOPT A RESCUE PET – The New Year is always the time for new beginnings and second chances. If you are still “dogless” go visit the thousands of animals waiting at shelters and rescue organizations.

Visit the Coachella Valley’s largest county shelter, the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. View their adoptable animals at www.rcdas.com and call (760) 343-3644 for more information. Visit the Devore San Bernardino County shelter at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino or call (909) 386-9820.

View Devore’s adoptable animals at www. petharbor.com. Contact Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000 or www.lovingallanimals.org to see their available animals.

Happy New Year 2020 to you and your 4-legged family members!

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com

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THE VINO VOICE THE TRENDING MOSCATO D’ASTI J

ust over the past few years, wine folk and consumers in general, looking for a sweeter, lighter bodied wine with a low alcohol content and a relatively low price point have found their contentment with Moscato D’Asti The wine’s delicate notes, both fruity and floral, is perfect for the new wine enthusiasts on the scene.. And hooray for them!

And what about us old wine enthusiasts?

Well—those of us who’ve had the real deal Italian d’Asti, both vintage and recent, are surely fans as well. Italian Moscato is one of the oldest, most versatile grape varietals in the world. As with Spain with their Moscatel and France with their Muscat, (Americans call it Muscat as well), this is one venerable grape family.

This last summer, we spent some time in northern Italy’s Piedmont region. When this area comes to mind, we immediately think of the Nebbiolo of Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara. And goodness don’t we love these rich, powerful and complex wines!

And for all the prestige and mystique of those Nebbiolo wines, what has really driven the Piedmontese wine economy are the sweet white spumanti and frizzanti, made from moscato bianco grapes in the hills southeast of

Come discover Palm Springs’ Exciting New Lunch Destination!

Persimmon Bistro & Wine Bar at Palm Springs Art Museum

persimmonbistro.com 760.322.4895 Patio seating available Use North Parking Lot

January 2 to January 8, 2020

BY RICK RIOZZA

Asti While staying at the wonderful Hotel LIS in the beautiful and quaint city of Asti, we also enjoyed a private wine tasting luncheon at a well-known restaurant nearby. Meeting and dining with the Italian sommelier, he couldn’t hold back his pride nor his delicious array of vintage 1990s Moscato d’Asti. Yes folks, the good stuff ages magnificently; and despite some wine snobbery about, good Italian Moscato d’Asti is fun, fruity, and is often surprisingly complex.

In the USA, it’s pretty much newly produced

stuff; and many of it is just so-so, but as some famous song writers chanted: “It’s getting better all the time.” For a lot of wine lovers, (not particularly the millennials—but older quaffers) many remember the one-note sweet wine bottle of Asti Spumante that have turned them off to either the modern Asti or Moscato d’Asti.

If you’re game and so inclined, let’s have a quick discussion on the difference between the modern Asti (Spumante) and Moscato d’Asti, so to assist navigating between the two, should you wish a bottle to try—especially with spicy Asian food as we’ll mention below.

Fizzy wines or semi-sparkling wines—the Italian term is frizzante, have been around for ages when farmers tossed super-ripe grapes into open-topped wooden vats and let the grapes ferment naturally creating wines that were sweet, syrupy, oxidized and often fizzy. In the cold weather the fermentation stopped— when it warmed again bigger bubbles started again.

Learning from this practice, with science in mind, producers of modern frizzante stop the fermentation by rapidly chilling the fermenting juice so that the yeast stops working. This is how the wine retains its balance of natural bubble and residual sugar.

Vino Italiano states, “The main difference between a frizzante and a full-on spumante is that the fermentation of a frizzante is stopped earlier, usually at an alcohol content of between 4 and 6 percent. At this level the

fermentation has not yet gotten to a full boil, so the carbonation is gentler and the wine richer in sugar. Conversely, a spumante is allowed to reach alcohol levels of up to about 9 percent before it is chilled down, creating a wine higher in alcohol, with more effervescence and less residual sugar.

“Technically speaking, an Asti Spumante should be crisper and more aromatic, and, a Moscato d’Asti softer, plumper, and sweeter.

But it doesn’t always work that way. As with any wine, the best Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti are marked by balance—in this case, a balance of peach-and-apricot sweetness with a cleansing surge of acidity.”

And for all of us “dessert wine or sweet wine” enthusiasts, that’s the what’s it’s all about: we love the fruit sweetness complexities, but it has to be balanced with a fresh acidity to keep it interesting and non-cloying—as with French Sauternes, German Ice Wine, and Hungarian Tokaji.

Above, I’ve indicated “Asti” with “Spumante” in parenthesis. What I’m referring to is in the early 1990s, Asti Spumante was promoted to DOCG classification, which is the highest designation in Italian wines—quite an achievement. It was at that point, the wine officially dropped the word “spumante” to elevate the wine by getting rid of the suffix.

So now, when one looks at a bottle of Italian Asti, it’s the full-on boil of bubbles with crispness and complexities, where the Moscato d’Asti is soft with an easy effervescence. Look for Moscosto d’Asti brands by Basasiolo, Bricco Riella, or Gione. Michele Chiarlo, whose “Nivole” bottling is one of the best and can be found around town. I just tried the Cupcake Moscato d”Asti for kicks and it was just a onenote soda-type wine—just not comparable to the Italian stuff. Risata wasn’t that impressive either.

For gatherings, a Moscato d’Asti and cheese combination is a classic Italian endeavor that never fails to impress—but you will want to pick cheeses that are light and fresh, rather than aggressively sharp and smelly. Your best bet will be gorgonzola or a crescenza. Top off with some fresh figs, grapes, nuts or whatever else sounds good and you’ve got the perfect party platter.

This column has always urged Asian cuisine restaurants to have some Moscato d’Asti on their wine list. Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian and Modern Fresh Chinese, all work really well with this wine. The high aromatic content of these regional cuisines balance out the natural sweetness in the wine. Further, because the alcohol volume is so low, it pairs well alongside spicier dishes—the sweetness of Moscato is the perfect choice to balance out the spiciness of a dish such with ginger, cinnamon and hot chili peppers.

Felice Anno Nuovo!

Bon Appétit & Cheers!

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

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THUR JANUARY 2

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Mr. Goodboy 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill and Doug Duo 6:30pm ALIBI; PS; 760-656-1525 TBA 8:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Horace Miller, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 6:30-10pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm THE CASCADE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 Ladies Night w/ Bianca from 92.7 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Michael D’Angelo and Jimmy Street 6:30-9:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 MOD Squad Variety Show w/ Francesca Amari, Jeff Stewart and Wayne Abravanel 5:30-7:30pm, Lipstick hosted by Bella Da Ball 8pm, DJs Banks and Ax 10pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Barry Baughn Blues Band 5:30-8:30pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760656-3444 DJ 10pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; TBA 4-7pm

LA QUINTA RESORT; LQ; 760-564-4111 Steppin Out 6-9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Guerrero Fireside Lounge, Scott Carter Patio 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Doo Wah Riders 7pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 Live Music 6:30-10:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The LP’s 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Live Music Presented by Desert Noise 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Keisha D 6:30-9:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 7:30pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 VooDoo Hustlers 7pm STACY’S; PS; 760-620-5003 Matt Coleman 7pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke 8pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Lisa and the Gents 6:30-10pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans and Rick E. Taylor 6:30pm

DESERT BEER CO.; 760-360-5320 TBA 7-9pm DESERT FOX; PD; Hover 10pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Gina Carey 5:30-8:30pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 TBA 8pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760656-3444 Karaoke w/ KJ Marjovi 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Drag Queen Bingo 6pm, Hip Hop is Alive hosted by Versastyle 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Keisha D 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 6-9pm HOT SPOT@SPOTLIGHT 29; Coachella; 760775-5566 Fresh Band 8:30pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke w/ Troy Michaels 7pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 TBA 8:30-11pm LA QUINTA BREWERY; PD; 760-200-2597 Instigator 7pm LA QUINTA RESORT; LQ; 760-564-4111 Steppin Out 6-9pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 7:30pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Guerrero Fireside Lounge, Scott Carter Patio 5:30pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 TBA 8pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 TBA Six Hot Live 9pm 6:30pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 TBA 6:3011pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Steve Gun 10pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Eevaan Tre 6-9pm, IW; 760-674-4080 Avenida 7-11pm DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke Live Music 6:30pm 8-1:15am ALIBI; PS; 760-656-1525 Host Family and THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry Kamikaze Palm Tree 8:30pm 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Back to O’CAINES; RM; 760-202-3311 DJ Tone 10pm the 80’s w/ DJs Ax and Wall-E 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Patrice Morris, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 6:30-10pm 4080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; pd; 760BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Brad 345-0222 RoadRunners 6:30pm Mercer Band 8:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Paul BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Chesne Band 8pm Butler Trio 6-10pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 THE CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT Karaoke 7:30pm CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Chase Martinez 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Rockstar Karaoke 9pm Tuzzolino 5:30pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Lainie CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Kazan 8pm Myx 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 TBA 9pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm RENAISSANCE; PS; 760-322-6000 Live Music 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Michael D’Angelo and Jimmy RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth Street 6:30-9:30pm 8-11pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Viva SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Derek Jordan Friday’s w/ DJ Banks 9pm Gregg 12-4pm, Evaro Brothers 8:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S Bill Baker 6pm MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn

FRI JANUARY 3

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 2 to January 8, 2020

THE VINE WINE BAR; PD; 760-341-9463 Desert Crows 7-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 6:30pm WESTIN; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm Blues Band 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SONOMA GRILLE@EMBASSY SUITES; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Pezzin 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm STACY’S; PS; 760-620-5003 Krystofer Do 4:30-7pm, Mark Lee 8pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm TWELVE ACOUSTIC UNPLUGGED; IND; 760345-2450 Mark Gregg and Misty Howell 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Meet the Corwins 5:30-7:30pm, John Stanley King Show 8pm THE VINE WINE BAR; PD; 760-341-9463 Vinny Berry 7-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 DJ Galaxy 5pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Cynthia Thomas 6:30pm

SAT JANUARY 4

19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Live Music 8pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev and Bill 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ noon poolside, and 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Steppin’ Out 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic 7:30pm ALIBI; PS; 760-656-1525 TBA 8:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 The Get Down w/ DJs Rich Brandon and CieloHigh 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Horace Miller, Brian Denigan and Leon Basquera 6:30-10pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Flogging Seagulls 8:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx 7pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Michael D’Angelo and Jimmy Street 6:30-9:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ Banks and Mr. Miami 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EN VIVO@SPOTLIGHT 29; Coachella; 760775-5566 Banda Reyna Del Valle 9:30pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Jack Ruvio and Tony Bolivar 5:30-8:30pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 TBA 8pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760-

656-3444 DJ Ray 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Slipping Into Darkness, The Flusters and Cakes & the Assholes 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 The Carmens 7pm HOT SPOT@SPOTLIGHT 29; Coachella; 760775-5566 Fresh Band 8:30pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 JB and Rob Martinez 8:30-11pm LA QUINTA BREWERY; PD; 760-200-2597 Trivia Night 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 PS Sound Company 1pm, Hot Roxx 8pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Abie Perkins Fireside Lounge, Mark Guerrero Patio 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 TBA 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio Envy 6-10pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Derek Jordan Gregg 6-9pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm O’CAINES; RM; 760-202-3311 DJ Tone 10pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Mr. Combo 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys 8:30pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Lady Luck 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 TBA 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Derek Jordan Gregg 12-4pm, Evaro Brothers 8:30pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues Band 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Smooth Brothers 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SONOMA GRILLE@EMBASSY SUITES; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Pezzin 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm STACY’S; PS; 760-620-5003 Jessica Bridgeman 8pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm TWELVE ACOUSTIC UNPLUGGED; IND; 760345-2450 Mark Gregg and Misty Howell 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rose Mallett 5-7pm, Kal David, Lauri Bono and the Real Deal 7:30-11pm

SUN JANUARY 5

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Lust in the Dust w/ David Oh noon poolside and 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Sunday Brunch w/ Live Music 11am BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Noche Latino w/ DJ LF 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Patrice Morris 6:30-10pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 5-9pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Latin Night w/ Nacho Bustillos and Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP; 760-343-5973 Acoustic Afternoon w/ Lance Riebsomer, Matt Claborn and The Sieve and the Saddle 3-6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 CV Music Showcase Round 2 w/ Lonnie Castro, Anthony and Red, Lance Riebsomer and Symara Stone 9pm continue to page 18

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

THEPAMPEREDPALATE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

MEZZOMONDO “TRATTORIA VA BENE”

BY DAN PARIS

T

he perpetual quest for our ultimate dining experience drives us to seek a restaurant in which food, ambience, personal attention and value converge to create a memorable meal. Mezzomondo gets it.

Co-owner Luba welcomed us at the door with genuine warmth and provided personalized care throughout our meal. We felt as if we were long-lost relatives attending a family dinner. The small venue was at capacity with several waiting for their turn to join the party. I was impressed by the collective good will evident among the staff and diners. Stress was nonexistent.

We were seated immediately (make reservations) and treated to attentive, well-timed service. Luba presented an enthusiastic description of the specials that made us want to order them all. The menu features the Italian menu progression of Antipasti, Zuppa, Salada, Pasta and mains of meat and seafood. The pasta is made daily by Chef Elio also known as Luba’s husband.

We started with a Calamari Steak Milanesa on a red pesto sauce accompanied by lightly dressed mixed greens and a House Salad with a bright vinaigrette dressing and pear. The Calamari was cooked perfectly tender and the salad was crisp and lively. A basket of warm fresh-baked ciabatta was included. As

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soon as our plates were cleared, our pasta dishes appeared. My companion ordered the spinach and cheese ravioli with a sagebutter sauce and I opted for the spicy penne Arrabiatta topped with freshly made soft mozzarella and basil. The spicy tomato sauce was light and fresh and the sage-butter sauce had an herbal, complex depth. These flavors

are the legacy of recipes handed down from generations of Italian kitchens. The clean plates of the surrounding diners confirmed the excellent choices across the menu.

There are excellent choices of wine by the glass with very generous pours and many bottle options.

Mezzomondo is the restaurant you hope

to discover when travelling the back roads of Italy. Lucky for us it exists here in a Palm Desert strip mall.

Mezzomondo 73850 Hwy. 111 Suite A Palm Desert, Ca. 92260 (760) 636-0575 Open: Tues.-Sat. 5 p.m.- 9p.m.

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

ON TAP Award-Winning micro-brews VOTED Best of the Best Bar-B-Que SMOKIN’ Baby back ribs, pulled-pork, cornbread, made from scratch pies, premium steaks & fresh fish

babesbbqbrewery.com

BREWTALITY

I

remember being 12 years old and at a used record store, buying CDs based on how badass the cover art was. I’d discovered Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Slayer all based on the promises of violent fantasy, horror, and action that the illustrated album art invoked. Hard rock and heavy metal music in particular have always had ties to darker themes of death and the occult. Elvis Presley grinding his hips as he performed represented a rebellion against the social norm of his time, as music got more abrasive so too did the level and manner of rebellion associated with the image.

Craft beer has always viewed itself as a rebellion against the accepted standard of mass-marketed American lager, so there should be little wonder that a number of breweries have chosen to market their products with the same horrific and morbid imagery that heavy metal uses. Indiana’s 3 Floyd’s Brewing has long factioned itself with the heavy metal community, even collaborating itself with underground grindcore band (and a personal favorite of mine) Pig Destroyer on their Permanent Funeral IPA. California’s Stone Brewing has long used a gargoyle as their mascot, adding an element of heavy metal fantasy to their

THE LABEL MADE ME DO IT product since 1996.

Soma Brewing Co. is a bay area-based brewery that invoked the spirit of skull and bones fantasy with the can art for their Hazy IPA. With a tattoo parlor approach to illustration, the box of beer caught my eye as it sat amidst a sea of traditionally benign packaging. I mean, a hop flower within a skull, within a bloody, shredded eyeball, covered in smoke tendrils is pretty hard to miss when it’s sitting next to Anchor Brewing’s cheerful (and non-threatening) yellow and red anchor art. Knowing nothing about Soma Brewing, I picked up a six pack of their Hazy IPA to review, based on the artwork alone. The label made me do it.

Hazy – Soma Beer Co. IPA – New England, 7% ABV, 35 IBU Appearance: Pours a barely-golden, straw colored yellow, fuzzy more than hazy; the unfiltered murk of a hefeweizen more than the swirling juice of some other NE IPAs on the market. Capped by a head of white

foam that dissipated quickly, leaving within a couple of minutes like it was never there. 3/5 Nose: Mango, pineapple, nectarine and stone fruit; tropical hop aromas dominate.

Some orange zest, but no other citrus notes detected, and none of that danky, resiny stuff found in a west coast IPA. In other words, on the money. 4.5/5 Flavor: oily, fruity, myrcene forward, with cereal grain in the back. This is not at all a hop juice bomb, with a nice balance between floral, tropical flavors, a light spicy bitterness, and bready, cracker-like wheat flavors. 3.75/5

@babesbbqbrewery

BY AARON RAMSON Mouthfeel: Thin enough to emphasize the carbonic sting of a beer more attenuated than most NE IPAs. No malty sweet sugars or caramelized grains to thicken the mouthfeel, leaving this beer feeling bright and lively.

3.5/5 Overall: While not reinventing the style or even adding anything new, Soma’s Hazy IPA brings a restrained and balanced beer to a category that more often than not tends to parody itself by looking and tasting like an Orange Julius inspired beverage. This beer succeeds in being tasty and refreshing without causing mouth fatigue, giving it a solid 3.7/5 By the time I got to the 9th grade, I had a pretty good idea that I could pick up a CD with a cool cover, and be satisfied that I’d be having a musical journey worth experiencing.

Up until I bought Molly Hatchet’s self-titled album that is. The Frank Frazetta illustrated album cover of a dearth dealing, axe wielding horseman completely belied the wimpy, uninspired, chicken-fried country rock that the album contained. Fortunately, Soma Brewing’s Hazy is not that case, with the beer being an enjoyable IPA that was well made and easy to return to.

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

SCREENERS

A

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 402

FAVES OF THE DECADE

t least 1,000 films have been released in Southern California over the last year. Now is the time when critics and film buffs weigh-in with their top 10 lists. What are your favorite films of 2019?

Space does not allow for a full inventory

of the dozens of worthy titles, including the bounty of obscure foreign and art films on my personal list.

Whether on the big or little screen, the following six films linger in my memory and are worth finding, especially if they are new to you. All are available for the home theater, either via streaming or physical media (including the super sharp 4K UHD format).

THE WITCH Robert Eggers’ (THE LIGHTHOUSE) unsettling and visually rich debut horror film is set in 1600s New England and concerns an English farmer relocating his family to a remote and sinister forest where a palpable evil lurks and seems to influence his teenage daughter.

SHAPE OF WATER Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy fable stars Sally Hawkins as a worker in an isolated and super secret government facility who falls in love – or has a meaningful relationship – with a humanoid lab specimen not unlike the amphibious (?) “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” The great cast includes Octavio Spencer, Richard Jenkins, Michael Stuhlbarg and Michael Shannon.

JOKER The infamous comic book arch nemesis of Batman is given a gnarly origin story that lets Joaquin Phoenix unleash his formidable arsenal of performance magic to create a deeply affecting portrait of a troubled human adrift on the margins of civilized society.

THE IRISHMAN Streaming now on Netflix, Martin Scorsese’s portrait of an ageing mobster hit man is among the director’s best movies.

The thing that makes it great, besides the masterful performances of the leads, is the

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BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

moral center of the drama when De Niro’s character, at the end of his life and all alone, is unable – and unwilling -- to even acknowledge his dark and bloody life and seek some kind redemption when offered the opportunity.

This Greek tragedy set in modern times is the best movie of the decade. And a reflection of our troubled d times.

KNIVES OUT Rian Johnson’s great cast brings life to this brilliant mix of Agatha Christie and Alfred Hitchcock murder mystery tropes.

Unquestionably among the most entertaining of 2019 films. Can you solve the murder of famed crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) before detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig)? Please don’t miss this good old fashioned who dunnit.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD… Quentin Tarantino’s tremendously entertaining film about the movie biz and Hollywood of the late ‘60s captures the sadness, dreams and horrors of the players living lives peripheral to the nightmare of Charles Manson’d murderous band of acolytes.

It’s not really a movie about the horrific Manson murders, but rather a peek into an alternate world where on-screen justice (or is it revenge?) can finally be meted out after almost 50 years of festering in the back of our minds. This surprising witty, maybe even meaningful movie, is among, if not the best of the year. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margo Robbie are perfect in this fable about the death of innocence and the factory that manufactures our collective dreams, desires and fears.

Here’s to a decade or great new films.

Remember, movies matter.

Happy New Year. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

BOOK REVIEW

T

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 2 to January 8, 2020

BOOKS ON THE BIG SCREEN

he 31st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival begins this week with over 125,000 movie buffs in attendance. Part of the fun of the festival is the wait in line. Yes, you read that correctly. While waiting for a festival movie, there is always a queue, and it is an absolute delight to engage with the folks standing near you in a conversation about the films they have seen and are looking forward to seeing.

Cinephiles are eager to share their thoughts and opinions, and are quite articulate about film narrative. When a favorite book is made into a movie, the conversation is especially engrossing and entertaining.

The timeless story Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is once again on the big screen. It is the sixth film iteration of the literary classic. Auteur Greta Gerwig brings her creative spirit and modern sensibility to the material, which is certain to draw attention and entertain a new generation of moviegoers. The beauty of great books is they continue to reach into our lives and be meaningful.

One of my favorite features of the PSIFF is the “Talking Pictures & Book to Screen” segment. This is where the pavement hits the ground. The festival turns its focus on the all-important source material.

PSIFF hosts discussions with directors, writers and actors from the year’s top titles.

This event is a great way to hear about the process of turning a book or article into a big screen production.

The film “Hustlers,” which stars Jennifer Lopez, is based on the magazine article The Hustlers at Scores written by journalist Jessica Pressler. The story is about exotic dancers who turned their line of work into a profitable business by bilking men out of their money with the promise of “private entertainment.”

Pressler’s article was nominated for a National Magazine Award before it was developed for the screen. Pressler, and “Hustlers’” director Lorene Scafaria, will participate in a discussion about making the movie from the New York Times article.

“Jojo Rabbit” tells the tale of a boy, and member of the Hitler Youth, who discovers his parents are hiding a Jewish girl in his

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

home. The movie is bases on the novel Caging Skies by Christine Leunens. Author Leunens will share what it’s like to have a novel adapted into a major motion picture.

Author Jonathan Lethem will talk about his detective novel Motherless Brooklyn with actor/writer/director/producer and allaround awesome dude Edward Norton!

The movie follows the character Lionel Essrog, who makes a local street gang his family. When the leader -- his mentor -- is killed, he seeks the truth about the man he held in such high regard. Essrog manages to be a very good detective, his OCD along with Tourette’s syndrome – a condition where he uncontrollably shouts out nonsense – perhaps enhances his ability to control and understand his environment.

Filmmaker Norton and author Lethem will have a conversation about the creative challenges to bring the book to the big screen.

PSIFF will screen “Harriet” about American hero Harriet Tubman, which was adapted from the novel The Tubman Command by Elizabeth Cobbs. Leading actress Cynthia Erivo will answer questions

SAFETY TIPS

after the showing.

There is always a debate about movies vs. books -- which is better? I like to think movie adaptations are an interpretation of a book – a visual short story of the full-length literary narrative.

A book always remains unchanged and can be interpreted over and over as long as the narrative continues to engage readers.

Like Little Women, some books have timeless themes and that’s why many novels continue to be made into films and filmmakers look to adapt books into films.

Movies and books are two dynamic mediums that continue to inspire and entertain.

PSIFF provides our community with a wonderful opportunity to hear directly from authors and filmmakers. Many festival events feature Q&As in Palm Springs venues.

For the next 11 days, film (and book) lovers will be moving about our valley excited to see great stories come to life on the big screen.

Here’s hoping you find yourself in a PSIFF line passing the time with a great conversation about books and movies.

Enjoy!

FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER

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ooking for a New Year’s resolution?

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17

January 2 to January 8, 2020

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 13 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325by Touchtunes 7pm 2794 PS Sound Company noon, Hot Roxx BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Eddie Gee 6:30pm 6:30-10pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Abie Perkins Fireside Lounge, Scott Carter Tuzzolino 5:30pm Patio 5:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 TBA 6:30Banks and Mr. Miami 8pm 10:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; Bill Baker 6pm 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 3:30-7:30pm, LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325Mikael Healy 8pm 2794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Karaoke 8pm Mark Gregg Fireside Lounge, Mark Guerrero THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Sunday Jam Patio 5:30pm Session 2-5pm, Finesse 7-11pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 TBA 6:30PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 76010:30pm 327-4080 Sunday Jam Session 7pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm The Sunday Band 7:30pm MORGAN’S; LQ; 760-564-4111 Michael PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Keeth 6-9pm Judy Show 7pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Derek Karaoke 8pm-1:15am Jordan Gregg 12-4pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S 7-11pm MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Jack Ruvio and PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Tony Bolivar 5:30-8:30pm Open Mic 7pm STACY’S; PS; 760-620-5003 Ron Pass 2pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John Stanley King 6:30-10pm John Stanley King Trio 6-9:30pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Gina Carey Motown Mondays 6:30pm 5-10pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Hannans and Company 6:30pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bill and Bob Duo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Steel the 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Night: A New Year’s Eve Spectacular w/ The Luminators 6pm Helado Negro, Tinsel Mammals and DJ AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jeremy Sole 8pm Bill Marx 6:30pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Music TBA 8pm

TUE JANUARY 7

MON JANUARY 6

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 New Year’s Eve Party w/ DJs Dxsko, Imdead and Addemup 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Kristi King, Leon Bisquera and Brian Denigan 6:30-10pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Big Rock New Year’s Eve Party 8:30pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Lizann Warner 6:30-9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HENRY’S SPORTS BAR AND GRILL; CC; 760-656-3444 Karaoke w/ KJ Danny 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Drag Queen Bingo New Year’s Eve Party 9pm HOT SPOT@SPOTLIGHT 29; Coachella; 760-775-5566 New Year’s Eve Party w/ Adrian Crush 8:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic 7pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Abie Perkins Fireside Lounge, Mark Guerrero Patio 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Brad’s Pad 7pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 Finesse 6:3010:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson

7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 12th Anniversary New Year’s Eve Bash 8pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-345-0222 New Year’s Eve Party w/ Babyboomers 6:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 New Year’s Eve Party w/ DJ 8pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 New Year’s Eve Party w/ Rose Mallett 6:30-9:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Roaring 20’s New Year’s Eve Party w/ Desert DJ 8pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 New Year’s Eve Party w/ John Stanley King 6:30-12:30am WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 New Year’s Eve Bash w/ Yve Evans and David Ring 6:30pm WED JANUARY 8 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam w/ Doug MacDonald & Friends 7pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Gamer Night w/ DJs 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Kristi King, Leon Bisquera and Brian Denigan 4-9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Flashback Boyz 7-10pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHEF GEORGE’S PICASSO LOUNGE; PD; 760-200-1768 Barry Minniefield 6:309:30pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP;

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nother year and another set of new laws set to take effect thanks to our legislators in Sacramento.

In 2020, minimum wage increases to $12/hour at businesses with 25 or fewer employees and $13/hour for larger employers. To be considered an exempt employee, you will need to earn more than $54,080 at a large company and $49,920 at a smaller shop.

Employees can no longer be forced into mandatory arbitration language in order to get a job. AB51 ends this practice although it does not apply to any agreements that already exist.

Get use to sexual harassment training at work. SB1343 requires most employers to provide education every two years with the first training session required within six months of hire.

In a law that would make Vidal Sassoon happy, SB188 makes it illegal to discriminate against or ban someone from a job due to their hairstyle.

Lactating mothers need not be relegated to the bathroom stalls for nursing breaks anymore. SB142 requires that employers provide a nicer, private space near the mother’s work area.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 2 to January 8, 2020

NEW CALIFORNIA LAWS FOR 2020

Renters should be happy that the state is going to provide rent control protections where none exist. Unless your city has its own rent control rules, retroactive to March 15th of 2019, your rent cannot go up by more than 5% per year plus the rate of inflation with the absolute cap in one year equaling 10%. There are many loopholes with the biggest related to buildings built in the last fifteen years. Those newer buildings are exempt from this law for their first fifteen years.

Landlords and homeowner associations often ban individualization of one’s front door or yard. AB652 protects religious displays like a cross or menorah so long as it is no larger than 26” by 12” in size.

Dog lovers will like that AB1762 requires the California Department of Parks and Recreation to produce a full list of all parks

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

and trails where dogs are allowed.

While at a state parks and beach, you will not be smoking anymore. The penalty for breaking this law is a $25 fine.

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) goes into effect January 1st and allows internet users more control over their data.

Not only can you find out what data Google or Facebook are collecting on you, but you can reject the sale of that information and require its deletion.

In nine months, AB602 will go into effect and make it illegal to use a person’s likeness in porn without their consent. This legislation was needed as many online sites use “deepfake” porn to drive traffic to their site. Deepfake porn occurs when an image is altered so that the face of one person is placed on the body of another.

In a move that most animal lovers will like, the use of exotic animals like elephants will no longer be allowed at circuses. From now on, circus acts will be limited to dogs, cats and domesticated horses. I believe that this means that the lion taming act will be replaced with kittens chasing laser pointers.

In a law that has the National Rifle Association concerned, AB12 will allow a family member, roommate or law

enforcement officer the ability to petition the court to have a person’s gun rights suspended if there is a concern that gun violence might occur.

The statute of limitations on sex assaults is suspended for the next three years. As a result, victims of any age can bring about civil lawsuits from any point in life. At the end of three years, the statute of limitations on these assaults will be five years from the discovery of the assault or until the victim reaches the age of 40, whichever is longer.

SB970 requires hotel and motel operators to train their staff on how to spot human trafficking.

Southern Californian and Riverside County have some of the highest levels of human trafficking in the United States.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management, a fiduciary-only investment management practice. For more information, please visit www.WinslowDrake. com or email hlibby@WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

ARE NEW YEARS DUI CHECKPOINTS LEGAL?

D

UI sobriety checkpoints are legal and not a 4th Amendment illegal search and seizure violation... if they comply with all the regulatory rules. Turning onto a side street or turning around before passing through a checkpoint is generally not against the law. Turning around should not, in and of itself, give the police a reasonable suspicion to make a DUI stop. However, the officer may be able to stop you if he observes any driving that would be sufficient for reasonable suspicion. Thus, slow or erratic driving, straddling the line or making an illegal turn could attract the officer’s attention, and he then could stop your car.

Did you encounter a NEW YEARS DUI Checkpoint? To address holiday drinking, Checkpoints are implemented to meet the increased number of people who will be drinking and driving.....A word of advice, Use a Taxi, Uber or Lyft. They are a lot cheaper than having to call me the next morning.

Checkpoints: What You Need To Know!

1. Sobriety checkpoints are a technique by which law enforcement officials evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment at specific points on the roadway.

2. Vehicles are stopped in a specific sequence. The average stop time is about the length of a cycle at a stoplight.

3. Checkpoints are typically publicized in advance...SO LOOK

4. The primary goal of a sobriety checkpoint is not to arrest people, but rather to deter people from committing a DUI. The publicity from checkpoints reminds people who drink that drinking and driving don’t mix.

5. Sobriety checkpoints help to stop drunk drivers who would likely remain under the radar.

6. Checkpoints reduce drunk driving crashes and fatalities by 20% on average.

7. Research shows that for every dollar invested in checkpoints, communities save between $6 and $23 in costs from alcoholrelated crashes.

8. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes to society is over $100 billion.

9. Research shows that checkpoints, if done correctly, can be effective with as few as three to five officers.

In the Coachella Valley, few realize we have more DUI FATALITIES...per capita, than anywhere else in California. That makes DUI Checkpoints and Saturation Patrols essential to save lives......the drivers and ours. A saturation patrol is a large number of law enforcement officers making their presence known by conducting stops, targeting inebriated, distracted, aggressive and speeding drivers, as well as those with seatbelt or cell phone violations....the whole nine yards of traffic violations.

Remember: Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver so DON’T TALK to POLICE without your lawyer’s permission.

Though often referred to as a DUI criminal defense lawyer, I choose to not view my DUI clients as “criminals”. I prefer to view them, and more importantly to treat them, as good, honest people that have found themselves in a scary and unfortunate situation after screwing up.

I look upon my job as protecting the Constitutional Rights of every American who drinks, drives and gets arrested for a DUI or has an ACCIDENT. I do however “Change Hats” when I SUE

Drunk Drivers for damages to my Injured or Deceased (Wrongful Death) clients.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ARTICLE? CONTACT DALE GRIBOW 760-837-7500/ dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-20 “TOP LAWYER” - Inland Empire Magazine 2016- 2019 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating

19

January 2 to January 8, 2020

HEALTH

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MICHELLE BORTHWICK

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM KETO IN 2020?

A

re you thinking about jumping on the Keto Train in 2020, then read on!

The Keto diet has gone mainstream, and it isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.

As a matter of fact, it’s gaining steam. Even though the diet has been around since the 1920’s why has it become so popular in the last few years?

Once it was revealed that medical studies couldn’t prove that saturated fat was linked to heart disease a major shift happened. The media educated us on good fats vs. bad fats.

We examined carbs and sugar and realized they have a damaging effect on our health.

The apple cart had been turned over with all kinds of new information spilling out. New research opened the door for the Keto diet to prove how effective it is for weight loss and overall health. It’s been the perfect storm of medicine, science and nutrition contributing to our love of all things Keto.

You might still be asking yourself what is so attractive about Keto? It’s simple really.

Results! Once you cut carbs and adapt to burning fat for fuel the results happen quickly.

Weight loss happens without counting calories or exercise. You have increased energy, reduced bloating and inflammation, balanced blood sugar, lack of hunger and mental focus. Your life begins to change almost overnight.

I’ve had clients say things like: “I never thought I’d lose this weight and I’d carry it around forever. I now have hope for a new life.”

“My body used to hurt all over and now I don’t have pain anymore.”

“I no longer have pre-diabetes and I have energy again. I now realize just how badly I was suffering.”

This isn’t a Cinderella story. The Keto diet brings miracles, hopes, dreams and tears…

20

tears of happiness!

What Does the Keto Forecast Look Like?

There’s never been a better time to enjoy the Keto lifestyle. There are now more restaurant items and packaged foods marketed as being keto-friendly. People want and demand keto options in the grocery store, and it’s starting to happen slowly but with a lot of energy behind it. Keto will be easier as more products hit the shelves this year.

A word of caution, though, you still need to read your labels carefully and look for hidden ingredients. Keto has become so popular that there is a sub-culture of products that are not Keto even though the label says so.

Expect to see meal planning, prepared food and baked goods that revolve around Keto expand this year. Along with coaching and added support for newbies or those who tried Keto and want to give it another chance.

Expect Keto to continue to gain popularity and increase its reputation as a healthy longterm lifestyle, not as a fad diet or quick fix for weight loss. Expect there to be new medical science backing up the power of Keto and the many diseases it has reversed, especially Type 2 Diabetes.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get in shape and shed some weight give Keto serious consideration and hop aboard the Keto Train.

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

Week of January 2

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “We are all hostages of the joy of which we deprive ourselves,’ wrote poet Odysseus Elytis. Isn’t that an astounding idea?

That we refuse to allow ourselves to experience some of the bliss and pleasure we could easily have; and that we are immured inside that suppressed bliss and pleasure? I call on you, Aries, to rebel against this human tendency. As I see it, one of your main tasks in 2020 is to permit yourself to welcome more bliss, to aggressively seize more pleasure, and thereby free yourself from the rot of its nullification.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): At age 22, Taurusborn Dutch citizen Willem de Kooning sneaked into the United States. He was a stowaway on an Argentina-bound freighter, and stealthily disembarked when the ship made a stop in Virginia.

As he lived in America during subsequent decades, he became a renowned painter who helped pioneer the movement known as abstract expressionism.

His status as an illegal immigrant rarely presented any obstacles to his growing success and stature.

Not until age 57 did he finally became an American citizen. I propose we make him one of your role models in 2020. May he inspire you to capitalize on being a maverick, outsider, or stranger. May he encourage you to find opportunities beyond your safety zone.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When British novelist E. M. Forster was in his late 30s, he had sex with another person for the first time. Before that he had published five novels. After that, he produced just one more novel, though he lived till age 91. Why? Was he having too much fun? Looking back from his old, age, he remarked that he would “have been a more famous writer if I had published more, but sex prevented the latter.” I suspect that sensual pleasure and intimacy will have the exact opposite effect on you in 2020, Gemini. In sometimes mysterious ways, they will make you more productive in your chosen sphere.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Every part of our personality that we do not love will regress and become hostile to us,” wrote poet Robert Bly. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t suffer from this problem at least a little. That’s the bad news. The good news for us Cancerians (yes, I’m a Crab!) is that 2020 will be a favorable time to engage in a holy crusade to fix this glitch: to feel and express more love for parts of our personality that we have dismissed or marginalized. The result? Any selfsabotage we have suffered from in the past could dramatically diminish.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): As a young adult, Leoborn Raymond Chandler worked as a fruit-picker, tennis racquet-stringer, and bookkeeper. At age 34, he began a clerical job at the Dabney Oil Syndicate, and eventually rose in the ranks to become a wellpaid executive. The cushy role lasted until he was 44, when he was fired. He mourned for a while, then decided to become an author of detective fiction. It took a while, but at age 50, he published his first novel. During the next 20 years, he wrote six additional novels as well as numerous short stories and screenplays—and in the process became popular and influential. I present this synopsis as an inspirational story to fuel your destiny in 2020.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The fame of Virgoborn Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto (1474–1533) has persisted through the ages because of Orlando Furioso, an epic poem he authored. It tells the story of the Christian knight Orlando and his adoration for a pagan princess. This great work did not come easily to Ariosto. It wasn’t until he had written 56 versions of it that he was finally satisfied. I suspect you may harbor an equally perfectionist streak about the good works and labors of love you’ll craft in 2020. May I suggest you confine your experiments to no more than ten versions?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Leonardo da Vinci worked on his painting The Last Supper from 1495 to 1498. It’s a big piece—about 15 by 29 feet.

That’s one reason why he took so long to finish.

But there was another explanation, too. He told his patron, the Duke of Milan, that he sometimes

© Copyright 2019, 2020 Rob Brezsny

positioned himself in front of his painting-inprogress and simply gazed at and thought about it, not lifting a brush. Those were times he did some of his hardest work, he said. I trust you will have regular experiences like that in 2020, Libra. Some of your best efforts will arise out of your willingness and ability to incubate your good ideas with concentrated silence and patience.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): By 1895, Henry James had already published 94 books. He was renowned in the U.S. and England, and had written the works that would later lead to him being considered for a Nobel Prize. Then, at age 52, although he was not physically fit, he decided to learn how to ride a bicycle. He paid for lessons at a bicycle academy, and cheerfully tolerated bruises and cuts from his frequent falls as an acceptable price to pay for his new ability. I admire James’ determination to keep transforming. Let’s make him a role model for you in 2020. May he inspire you to keep adding new aptitudes as you outgrow your previous successes.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): When Sagittarian composer Ludwig van Beethoven created the Eroica symphony in the early 1800s, many observers panned it. They said its rhythms were eccentric, that it was too long. One critic said it was “glaring and bizarre,” while another condemned its “undesirable originality.” This same critic concluded, “Genius proclaims itself not in the unusual and fantastic but in the beautiful and sublime.” Today, of course, Eroica has a different reputation. It’s regarded as a breakthrough event in musical history. I’ll go on record here, Sagittarius, to say that I suspect you created your own personal version of Eroica in 2019. 2020 is the year it will get the full appreciation it deserves, although it may take a while. Be patient.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m going to speculate that sometime in the next six months, you will experience events that years from now you’ll look back on as having been the beginning of a fresh universe for you. What should you call this launch? I suggest you consider elegant terms like “Destiny Rebirth” or “Fate Renewal” rather than a cliché like the “Big Bang.” And how should you celebrate it? As if it were the Grand Opening of the rest of your long life.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In 2020, I believe you will be able to summon the insight and kismet necessary to resolve at least one long-running problem, and probably more. You’ll have an enhanced ability to kick bad habits and escape deadends and uncover liberating truths about mysteries that have flustered you. Frustrations and irritations you’ve grudgingly tolerated for far too much time will finally begin to wane. Congratulations in advance, Aquarius! The hard work you do to score these triumphs won’t always be delightful, but it could provide you with a curiously robust and muscular kind of fun.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Let’s say you wanted to dress completely in silk: shirt, pants, vest, scarf, socks, shoes, hat, underwear all made of silk. And let’s say your dream was to grow and process and weave the silk from scratch. You’d start with half an ounce of silkworm eggs. They’d hatch into 10,000 silkworms. Eventually those hard-working insects would generate five pounds of silk—enough to create your entire outfit. So in other words, you’d be able to generate an array of functional beauty from a small but concentrated amount of raw material.

By the way, that last sentence is a good description of what I think your general approach should be in 2020. And also by the way, dressing in silk wouldn’t be too crazy an idea in the coming months. I hope you’ll have fun cultivating your allure, style, and flair.

Homework: I declare you champion, unvanquishable hero, and title-holder of triumphant glory. Do you accept?

Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 2 to January 8, 2020

Notable PSIFF 2020 Picks continued from page 5 rejected, including their daughter. When Sedna falls ill, Nanook departs to honor Sedna’s wish and find their daughter. This heartfelt film is about globalization’s impact on our already diminishing resources and concerns for humanity’s hesitant but essential interface with the natural world.

January 3, 9:00 PM, Regal Cinemas.

37 SECONDS Yuma (Mei Kayama) is a talented 23-yearold artist with cerebral palsy who has always lived under the care (domination?) of her very protective mother. When her YouTube star friend begins taking credit for her work, Yuma decides to break free from her guarded life and make a name for herself.

She takes her portfolio to the editor of an erotic “manga” who tells her tells Yuma her work is technically good but lacks “real world authenticity” and to come back after she’s explored her sexuality.

As luck would have it, in the hallway of a “love hotel” she meets Mai (Makiki Watanabe), a sympathetic sex worker who

befriends Yuma and helps her “expand her horizons and gain confidence.” This sensitive coming of age story is writer/director Hikari’s first feature film.

January 9, 5:45 PM, Regal Cinemas.

BURNT ORANGE HERESY (UK/ITALY) Strongest recommendation for this seductive tale of art world treachery and murderous motives.

Set on the glamorous shores of Italy’s Lake Como where a charming, ambitious and amoral art critic (Claes Bang) and his American girlfriend (Elizabeth Debicki) are summoned to the estate of wealthy art collector Joseph Cassidy (Mick Jagger).

Before much time passes, the nefarious and avaricious Cassidy blackmails the critic into a scheme to steal a painting by the legendary reclusive artist Jerome Debney (Donald Sutherland) who hasn’t shown his work or even granted an interview for decades. Thus the mechinations for this twisty noirish tale are set in motion. This tight adaptation of Charles Willeford’s classic

novel changes the locale from Florida to Italy.

January 8, 4:15 PM, Camelot Theaters (PS Cultural Center).

I AM NOT ALONE (ARMENIA) Question: Can one uncompromising idealist inspire his fellow countrymen to overthrow a tyrant? Consider the following.

When the corrupt Republican Party of Armenia bestowed near-dictatorial powers on Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan, former journalist and member of Parliament Nokol Pashinyan, who had served time in prison for his resistance to the leader, began a two-week march through Armenia, picking up fellow resistors on his way to the capital, with the dream of stopping the election. The turnout was a disappointment, but Pashinyan was undeterred, and as his acts of resistance turned bolder – storming the national broadcasting network, putting his body on the line against brutal police repression – the tide took an amazing and unexpected turn.

American filmmaker Garin Hovannisian, with access to the key players on both sides, captures the rousing epochal events with

first-hand immediacy, producing one of the most inspirational and relevant political documentaries of the year.

If bringing down tyrants is of interest, don’t miss this great film that resonates in our chaotic and divisive culture.

January 6, 9:45 PM, Camelot Theaters (PS Cultural Center).

QUEEN OF HEARTS (DENMARK) Anne (Tring Dyrholm) has it all: a great job as an advocate for abused kids, a loving husband, twin daughters and a beautiful home. But when her husband’s 17 year old son from his ex comes to live with them, she crosses the line in an effort to get closer to him. Anne thinks she can do whatever she wants without suffering any consequences.

January 7, 3:30 PM, Camelot Theaters (PS Cultural Center).

GAZA (IRELAND, CANADA, GERMANY) Gary Keane and Andrew McConnell’s eyepopping documentary about the incredible struggles of the beleaguered Gazans to live ordinary lives amidst the hate and bloody violence is a worthy entry in helping us understand why this strip of land is such a flashpoint. At it’s heart, this compassionate film is about the perpetual human struggle to simply provide for one’s family and the right to exist.

January 11, 4:00 PM, Regal Cinemas.

Be sure to check PSIFF.org for additional screenings and more film info. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

CANNABIS CORNER

THE YEAR IN REVIEW FOR CANNABIS PRACTICES

Looking back on 2019, I am amazed by the advancements in cannabis/marijuana science that has changed current practice. In January there was resistance to receiving education by hospices home health agencies outpatient clinics and hospitals. Dispensaries had very few medicinal products, state and federal governments vetoed bills, businesses were being kicked off PayPal and other banking apps.

America still had concerns about legalization for recreational use, children suffering from major diseases who use cannabis were required to be home schooled. Patients going to medical institutions had to stop their cannabis use for pain nausea vomiting or seizures, and a vape crisis sent waves of government legislators enacting bans on all vape pens.

Statistics lag. The latest from 2017 shows there are over 55 million users almost as many users of cigarettes (59 million). In CA there are 915,845 users of cannabis. Maine and California have the highest number of medical cannabis users.

Physicians for several years no longer prescribe opiates even for acute pain postsurgery leaving patients with no option for their chronic pain and suffering and disapproving of the cannabis alternative. Insurance companies stopped reimbursing for opiates, even practicing the cruelest policy of limiting the quantity of opiate supplies in stock for pharmacies who dispense to terminal patients contradicting the government’s policy of waving these restrictions for hospice.

Now at the end of the year with state nurse licensing boards publishing marijuana guidelines more medical providers are recognizing their educational responsibility asking for lectures on cannabis and palliative care. One oncology clinic has a kiosk in their clinic that allows patients to purchase products and receive medical guidance during their chemo treatment.

The vape crisis exploded in June when Kings County, California first reported seven cases where people affected with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) had purchased vaporizer cartridges from unlicensed “pop up” dispensaries. The New England Journal of Medicine published a communication from several doctors who reviewed lung biopsies from 17 patients. None of their cases showed histologic

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BY MICHELLE ANN RIZZIO

evidence of exogenous lipoid pneumonia and no radiologic evidence has been found. The CDC is still not able to determine a single cause of the vaping associated lung injuries or deaths.

Dispensaries in December have changed since January. Responding to the market we now have lounges attached to dispensaries that provide a safe comfortable place to ingest cannabis socially, watch TV, receive lectures, hold events and become a permanent fixture in the community. A study done by James Cochlen shows single family property values have risen to 8.4% if located within 0.1mile from a dispensary.

A study published in Regional Science and Urban Economics, September 2019, shows an additional dispensary in a neighborhood leads to a reduction of 17 crimes per month per 10,000 residents, which corresponds to roughly a 19 percent decline relative to the average crime rate over the sample period.

Other exciting changes since January are the new laws allowing parents to come to school and administer medical cannabis to their children.

This development allows children with major diseases like seizures or cancer to remain in school instead of being home schooled.

The federal government is softening on regulation. In September, the House overwhelmingly passed the SAFE Banking Act, which would end federal rules that prevent banks from offering financial services to statelegal cannabusinesses. The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of 321-103. President Trump stated he would sign the law if it reached his desk.

Dispensaries offer more medicinal products developing wellness clinics with chiropractors who treat patients with the broad-spectrum cannabis now sold everywhere since the passage of the farm bill. In my practice I find an increased response to consultations on medical cannabis as users find self-titration complicated.

In summary I look back at where we were in January and realize we have come a long way in dispelling the myths about cannabis. The future is bright for this sacred plant. I look forward to new discoveries.

Happy New Year to my CV Weekly readers.

Ruth Hill lectures and consults through holisticcaring.com email at hilruth@gmail.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 2 to January 8, 2020

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January 2 to January 8, 2020

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