Coachella Valley Weekly - January 6 to January 12, 2022 Vol. 10 No. 43

coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 6 to January 12, 2022 Vol.10 No.43

C.O.D. Street Fair

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Desert Arc “Champions Of Change” Warzart at Flat Black Gallery pg5

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Brandi Carlile

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

BY DENISE ORTUNO 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, Raymond Bill Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Head Music Writer Esther Sanchez Head Feature Writer Crystal Harrell Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Noe Gutierrez, Tricia Witkower 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, Esther Sanchez Videographer Kurt Schawacker Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS In Memory Of George Ristich .................... 3 C.O.D. Street Fair.......................................... 4 Society Scene - Desert Arc.......................... 5 Club Crawler Nightlife ................................ 6 Warzart at Flat Black Gallery ...................... 7 Consider This - Brandi Carlile ..................... 8 Travel Tips 4 U .............................................. 9 Screeners.................................................... 10 The Vino Voice ........................................... 11 Pet Place ............................................... 12-13 Safety Tips .................................................. 14 Cyber Corner .............................................. 14 Haddon Libby .............................................15 Dale Gribow ............................................... 15 Free Will Astrology ................................... 16 Cannabis Corner ........................................ 18

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hef George’s restaurant in Bermuda Dunes has been at the forefront of must dine at establishments in the Coachella Valley since it opened in 2003.

The recent passing of its founder George Ristich on Friday, December 31st, 2021, has left a community of patrons and friends heartbroken, but no one as much as his loving, and devoted wife Lana. Theirs is a love story of true dedicated love, and admiration, one that made all those who knew them hopeful that true love not only was possible, but was being lived out in real time before their eyes.

Like a story with movie script bones, their tale inspires the magic and belief that love can be found anywhere, when least expected, and can be life changing, and everlasting.

It was Valentine’s Day 2000 in Serbia.

Lana was a Physical Rehabilitation Specialist Therapist at a hospital in Belgrade, when she met the man who would become the love if her life. George, a successful, and respected restaurateur in the U.S., was in Serbia to meet with President Slobodan Milosevic, the president of the country at the time. George was meeting with him, as he had interested parties from Las Vegas, who wanted to build a Euro-Vegas in Montenegro, and George was their connection to the government. But three days before George was to meet with the president, his back went out, and was in need of immediate help. That was when Minister of Defense, Zivota Panic called Lana at the hospital, and asked her to see George, “Lana, we have a very important guest from America, and he can’t move, you have to help him out because he has an important meeting with the president”, he implored. Panic, was a patient of Lana’s, and knew of her expertise.

George arrived at the hospital and could barely walk. Lana worked with George for two hours, helping his back to the point where he was able to walk again, “This is a miracle!” George exclaimed. Afterwards, they went to the hospital cafeteria for coffee, and

conversation. A couple of hours later, George proposed to Lana, “Yes”, she said jokingly, “….but no politics”. They saw each other a few more times before George went back to the U.S., and Lana was sure that she would never see the charismatic man again, but fate would prove her wrong. A week later, Lana received a call from George’s secretary, asking Lana for her passport information. Lana was amazed at the call, and wasn’t quite sure what was transpiring, but she trusted George, and knew in her heart that she was meant for him, and him for her.

George came back to Serbia for another visit with Lana, a week to spend with her, chaperoned by her friends so that they could meet George, and give their blessing. Her friends, like most people who met George, fell captive to his charm, and approval was given with overwhelming zeal. The course was set for Lana and George to be together.

However, the road to their union would hang on the necessity of getting a tourist visa for Lana. At the time, there was not an American embassy in Belgrade, and Lana had to travel to Budapest. She, along with 500 others, waited outside the embassy. Lana was called in first, and spoke to one of the representatives who asked her, “Who is George Ristich to you?”, “He is my patient”, she answered. They didn’t ask her anymore questions, and asked her to return that afternoon to pick up her visa. She was in shock, as America had only been an intangible fantasy to her in the past, and now not only was she going there, but going there to be united with the man of her dreams.

In June 2000, Lana landed in Los Angeles, and there was George waiting for her, welcoming her to the America, and into his life. George whisked Lana off to Las Vegas, where she was dazzled by the bright lights and glitz of the city, she could not believe that she, a girl from Yugoslavia, was living the life that was now hers. After Vegas, Lana became part of George’s restaurant in Newport

Beach, George’s Camelot, where she learned how to speak English, and the restaurant business. On their down time, George and Lana would take adventures, traveling around the United States, racking up 60,000 miles in one year, Lana was the happiest she had ever been. In 2003, the couple moved to the Coachella Valley, and opened Chef Georges.

One morning, George surprised Lana with an array of red roses (the Mr. Lincoln variety which are her favorite and smell the best) they were all around her, everywhere she looked, and she was overwhelmed with the love that George showered over her. Every day since, George would awake Lana with a red rose, and coffee. They would have their own “board of directors” meetings in the morning, just the two of them to talk about the business of the day, their goals, dreams, and to just be in each other’s presence.

Wherever they went, be it to the store to pick up provisions for the restaurant, or to Hawaii on vacation, all that mattered was that they were together. He was everything to her, and her to him. He was her best friend, husband, lover, and confidant, giving her the ultimate in unconditional love, and she thanked God every day for him, “I was so proud of him, he spoke five languages, and had friends all over the world, and everybody loved and respected him”, she said. It is easy to find those who loved George, such as entertainer Marc Antonelli, who performs at Chef George’s Picasso lounge, “His love, guidance, life lessons, kindness, and the incredible stories of his life that he would share with all of us were one of a kind”, said Antonelli. Michael D’Angelo, who also performed at Chef George’s said about George, “He was larger than life, such a wonderful person who we love and who will be greatly missed”. Former employee Colette Del Braccio-Stanley said, “The world was a better place with George in it, he was loved by all, soft spoken, but commanded attention”, and long-time employee Brooke Walker commented, “George was an amazing man, chef and husband to his wife Lana, the love they had for each other gives hope that real love still exists”.

On a personal note, I had the pleasure of knowing George and Lana for many years, first as an employee many years ago, and later as a friend. They are like extended family to me, and George would always impart such wisdom, helping me though life’s hiccups. Like others, I was always in awe of the love that George and Lana shared, and it was beautiful to watch. It was almost as if you were special just to be in the presence of such human admiration, it was an honor. The legacy for George is not only his restaurant, but more importantly the love that he shared with all who knew him. For Lana, the red rose bush that he planted in their backyard will continue to grow, as the love that they shared, everlasting, and undying. For the love of George, RIP.

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

LOCAL BUSINESS

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he Street Fair at College of the Desert has been a trademark of Palm Desert ever since its establishment in 1983, inviting vendors and small business owners to share their wares with the public.

The COD Street Fair was closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19 public health mandates.

After almost two years, it has finally made a return this month.

“Our team has been working tirelessly to reopen since we closed. We are proud to have overcome the obstacles the pandemic presented us with and reopen in the new year,” stated Betsy Young, the Executive Director of the College of the Desert (COD) Alumni Association.

The COD Alumni Association is a non-profit and proceeds from merchant booth rents support students attending the College. To date, the Alumni Association has contributed

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14 million dollars to support students through scholarships, financial aid and other programs.

The COD Alumni Association is responsible for putting on the Street Fair, with three fulltime staff members who work year-round toward a successful event that supports COD students through scholarships and merchants who are small business owners. In addition, there are several part-time staff members who work on the weekends.

“It is absolutely wonderful to be able to hold the Street Fair again. We are thrilled to be open in 2022. The community’s response has been great and we appreciate their continued support for our merchants, which in turn helps students attending College of the Desert,” said Young.

Many of the veteran merchants from past

years have returned for the 2022 season, including several new vendors, which brings a total of 130 vendors currently at the Street Fair. One of the prominent appeals of the COD Street Fair is the fact that there is something for everyone to enjoy. From clothing, jewelry, accessories, and tools, to kitchen gadgets, cars and tasty food, this is a one-stop shop for most residents.

“I have always enjoyed coming to the COD Street Fair throughout the years. The food can’t be beat and you are sure to find something that you’ll be interested in,” explained Palm Desert resident Ruben Garcia.

The COD Street Fair committee is always staying up-to-date with city, county and state guidelines as they relate to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of its visitors, merchants and staff— especially as the Omicron variant continues to

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL spread.

“Visitors of the COD Street Fair can create their own experience with each visit. From strolling through the aisles of vendors filled with merchandise and services for all ages and any budget, viewing unique vintage cars, and gathering fresh produce at the farmer’s market, to enjoying live entertainment, tasting delicious gourmet food and much more, you’ll want to come back and join us again and again,” explained Young.

There are currently many volunteers who help at the Street Fair. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the COD Alumni Association for more information.

Anyone interested in becoming a merchant at the Street Fair at COD can also visit their website for more information and applications.

Booths are 530 dollars each month and are available in a variety of sizes from 20′ X 20′ to 20′ X 100′. Those interested can purchase the booth space seasonally, monthly, or be a stand-by merchant and purchase space for the day, based on availability.

The Street Fair at COD is open on Saturdays and Sundays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., through the month of May. For more information on memberships or street fair applications, call 760-636-7957 or visit codaastreetfair.com to get in touch with the Alumni Association.

SOCIETY SCENE

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BY MADELINE ZUCKERMAN

PHOTO BY LANI GARFIELD

D

esert Arc has announced plans to host its Fourth Annual “Champions of Change” Recognition Awards Luncheon, which honors local companies and individuals in our Valley who champion Desert Arc’s mission. This not-to-be-missed Recognition Awards Luncheon will be held at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. The luncheon will commence at 11:30 am and conclude by 1:30 pm.

Distinguished Awards will be presented at the luncheon to recipients in the following categories: Champion of the Year – Jay Chesterton, longtime friend of the nonprofit organization and former Desert Arc Board Member Business Star of the Year – The Management Trust Business Services Partner of the Year – Rivco Mechanical Services Outstanding Volunteers of the Year – Ernie Rubin and Teddi Rozell Clients Of The Year – People With Disabilities Served By Desert Arc’s mission – Essential Workers in the Community employed by Desert Arc’s BUSINESS SERVICES Divisions including Janitorial, Landscape Maintenance, Shredding, Recycling, and Fulfillment. Representing the group of 70 clients who continue to serve on the various work crews are Vickie C., Mario M., Dulce P., Casey W., and Joseph M. “Desert Arc’s annual fundraising events are vital on two primary fronts,” notes Board Chair Damian Jenkins. “They accomplish the need to broaden awareness of our cause and long-time commitment to serving people with disabilities. And, tantamount in importance, is the fact that both the awards luncheon and the golf tournament raise monies to support our non-funded offerings, critical program and service components such as the on-site nursing staff,” Jenkins continued.

Emcee of this year’s CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE Recognition Awards Luncheon is Brooke Beare, Emmy-Award Winning Journalist, who is a Board Member and Immediate Past Chair of the Desert Arc Board.

“It is again my honor to Chair this very special event for Desert Arc,” stated Nancy Singer, Board Member and Past Board Chair of Desert Arc. “Showcasing the great work of our clients helps to shed light on the wonderful programs and activities Desert Arc provides for people with disabilities.”

The Auen Foundation is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2022 Awards Luncheon.

Media Sponsors for the Luncheon include: Presenting Sponsor - THE DESERT SUN & LOCALiQ Exclusive TV Media Sponsor – KESQ NEWS CHANNEL 3 Exclusive Radio Media Sponsor – Alpha Media – Palm Springs Individual luncheon tickets are $100 per person, with sponsorship opportunities

January 6 to January 12, 2022

(left to right) Richard Balocco, President/CEO of Desert Arc, Victoria, one of the 2020 Client of the Year Awardees, and Dawn Donelson, Case Manager in Desert Arc's Adult Day Program. ranging from $1,500 to $ 10,000. For additional event information on Desert Arc’s Fourth Annual “Champions of Change” Recognition Awards Luncheon and/or information on Desert Arc, please call 760-404-1368 or visit www.desertarc. org.

“We are hoping again to receive a tremendous outpouring of support and attendance from the community,” stated Richard Balocco, President/CEO of Desert Arc. “Since 1959, Desert Arc has championed the rights of people who were born with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Currently, there are nearly 700 people, ages 18 and older, who are enrolled in Desert Arc’s life-changing programs. The future of Desert Arc will require us to be creative and grow our Business Services to create more community awareness, while creating employment opportunities for those with disabilities,” Balocco continued.

ABOUT DESERT ARC Desert Arc is a leading nonprofit, with an impressive 62-year history of providing comprehensive services for nearly 700 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities within the Coachella Valley, the Morongo Basin, and outlying desert communities. Since its founding in 1959, Desert Arc has been offering people-centric programs and resources designed to meet the needs of its clients.

For more information on how you can assist Desert Arc with its vital programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, please call 760-404-1368 or visit www.desertarc.org.

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

Thursday, January 6

Casuelas Café – Avenida – 5:30pm Chef George’s – Marc Antonelli – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewery – Open Mic – 6-8pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Jazzville @ Agua Caliente – Angel & His Mambokat Combo – 7pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Neil Morrow – 7pm O’Caine’s – Midlife O’Crisis – 6pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Intimate Acoustics w/ Krystofer Do, Lance Riebsomer, and more – 8pm Shanghai Red’s (Palm Springs) – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 7pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King Trio – 6pm

Friday, January 7

Bart Lounge – DJ Manny – 8pm Casuelas Café – Mod Professor – 7pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Four Twenty Bank – TBA – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Six Hot Live – 9pm

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O’Caine’s – Craic Haus – 6pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm The Village – Rob & JB – 5:30-8:30pm, Rapmarz – 10pm, DJ LF – 10pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm Twelve @ Fantasy Springs – Mark Gregg and Co. – 7-10pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Kal David Trio – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm

Saturday, January 8

Bart Lounge – EDM Machine w/ DJs FrankthaDank, Meowsenburg, Chicosounds, Moeski and GED – 8pm Casuelas Café – The Myx – 7pm Chef George’s – Michael D Angelo and Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Acoustic Evening w/ Tim Scott, James Johnson, and The Sieve & The Saddle – 7pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm The Hood – Delta Fuzz, Mario Quintero and Saints & Rebels – 9:30pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Six Hot Live – 9pm O’Caine’s – California Celts – 6pm

Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Derek Jordan Gregg Band – 9pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Rose Mallett’s Company – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm The Village – Rob & JB – 1-4pm, Rapmarz – 10pm, DJ LF – 10pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm Twelve @ Fantasy Springs – Mark Gregg and Co. – 7-10pm

Sunday, January 9

Bart Lounge – Latina Night w/ DJ LF – 8pm Casuelas Café – Guadalajara Kings – 12pm, Barry Baughn Blues Review – 5:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Acoustic Afternoon w/ Adam Gainey, Josh Heinz and Switcharoo – 3pm Kitchen 86 – Jojo Malagar – 7pm Melvyn’s – Mikael Healey – 5pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Sunday Night Jam – 4-9pm The Nest – Jojo Malagar – 7pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – Rapmarz - 10pm

Monday, January 10

The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Tuesday, January 11

Casuelas Café – Desert Suite Band – 5:30pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Brad’s Pad – 7-10pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Slim Man Band – 6pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Wednesday, January 12

Casuelas Café – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 6pm Chef George’s – Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm, Banda Revolucion – 10pm

ARTSCENE

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estled in a prominent corner of the Westfield mall in Palm Desert, Flat Black is an art supply store that also functions as a tattoo parlor and art gallery that proudly showcases pieces from up and coming artists and has become a general hub for artists of all styles throughout the community. I remember attending their grand opening a few years ago where they hosted performances by local musicians as well as showcasing multiple visual artists and I knew they had something special up their sleeves. The brainchild of owner and artist in his own right, Pete Salcido, Flat Black is not only about giving local artists access to supplies, but more importantly, opportunities to showcase their work in an environment worthy of what they can do in order to receive recognition they deserve.

After so many months of uncertainty due to covid shutdowns, the good people at Flat Black are proud to present their first art show of 2022 featuring the creations of lifelong artist and Coachella Valley native, Fred “Warzart” Warzecha.

Warzecha: “Art was just something that I have always done. As a kid, I was always drawing. From the time I was a toddler up through ages 5, 6 and 7 years old…If it got too quiet in the house my parents automatically knew they could find me behind the drapes or underneath the table drawing on something with crayons or markers. I was always getting

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REFLECTION - FLAT BLACK GALLERY PRESENTS THE WORK OF FRED “WARZART” WARZECHA

into trouble for damaging walls, furniture, etc.

Basically, the desire to create art has just been deeply ingrained in me since I was little.”

CVW: “More often than not, those types of talents tend to be inherited and fostered through family. Is that true in your case?”

Warzecha: “Oh, definitely. It does kind of run in the family. My mom was very crafty. She hand-painted t-shirts for all of the local sports

events that I did growing up as a kid. My dad is an architectural draftsman who is big into interior and exterior design.”

CVW: “So what you’re saying is that regardless of how much of their property you may have damaged with your childhood scribblings, they pretty much always nurtured the artist within you?”

Warzecha: “They always did. They never

January 6 to January 12, 2022

ARTICLE & PHOTOS

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ once said anything along the lines of, ‘You need to focus on this and stop playing with pens and pencils.’ I mean, my grades had to stay at a certain standard but they never stopped me from drawing or painting. They encouraged me to go to art school. I always had full support from them.”

Warzecha continues: “I attended San Diego Art Institute and ended up getting my degree in graphic design from here at COD, although eventually, I got out of graphic design. Chasing money can be the downfall of a lot of graphic designers. It was just one of those things. I got tired of chasing money. That’s when I decided to pick up my paint brushes again…and my airbrush.”

CVW: “Do you feel as though your time in art school made you a more well-rounded artist compared to how you may have turned out if you were mainly, ‘self-taught?’”

Warzecha: “I would say it helps, yes. You get to play and explore a bit more and then you have instructors who are critiquing from an academic standpoint. They can be very helpful in pushing you towards your niche, you know?

Helping you find your strengths. I mean, I can’t paint abstract styles to save my life. To me, it’s just like flinging paint. I mean, don’t get me wrong…It’s beautiful and I love the colors with abstract art. But for me, my realm of style falls into realism with a slight illustrative style to it.”

CVW: “I know that a lot of artists go through phases with their style. Is that something you do?”

Warzecha: “NO, because up until the last couple of years I have been a commission artist. People come to me for portraits or maybe a particular landscape that they want.

So with that, I never really find myself in the position of getting bored because a commission piece always has its own battles. Especially if someone is handing you a photograph of say, their grandparents from the 1930s and I’m having to pull a lot of information from that picture because it’s not digital. In all honesty, I’ve been doing portraits since High School so a lot of those things do come a little easier to me like being able to wrap my head around painting something when all of the information isn’t completely clear. When you draw something thousands of times you become proficient at it.”

CVW: “Seeing as how you have been making art on some level throughout your life, if you could go back in time, what type of advice would you give yourself as a young artist trying to make his way?”

Warzecha: “Just keep going. Just keep doing it. I said before that if I’m not creating something I get depressed. If I were to go back in time and advise myself to do something else I would probably be miserable. Everything in this show is something that I actually painted for myself because I was inspired and wanted to do it. That said, because of that fact…not everything is even for sale.”

Warzecha continues: “I am grateful for the opportunity that Pete (Salcido) has created here not only for myself, but the rest of the local art community in general.”

Facebook.com/warzechaartworks IG @warzart Flatblackonline.com

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

CONSIDER THIS

B

randi Carlile has come a long way since her 2005 debut. A selfdescribed “queer kid” who grew up in a conservative Christian household in rural Washington state, music quickly became a salvation. Early obsessions included Patsy Cline and Elton John. She made her singing debut at age eight, performing Johnny Cash’s “Tennessee Flat-Top Box.” By her teens she taught herself piano and also learned guitar. Soon enough, she was writing her own songs. She dropped out of school with the intention of pursuing music full-time. After paying her dues for years in Seattle clubs and coffee houses she connected with twins, Phil and Tim Hansroth. The pair had been playing in the band Flying Machinists.

She was so taken with their musical prowess she promised “if you start a band with me, I’ll get us signed and on the road within a year.”

In 2003, Dave Matthews caught an early set at a music festival and became an ardent supporter. The following year they signed with Columbia Records. Her self-titled debut was warm and intimate, a sharp amalgam of Country, Rock and Folk, it was powered by Brandi’s powerhouse vocals, the Twins’ adroit musicianship and their combined strength as songwriters. The musical cognoscenti took notice, and the record received rave reviews.

Also paying attention were Heavy-hitters like T-Bone Burnett, who produced her second album and Rick Rubin, who was behind the boards on her third effort. Critical acclaim remained unanimous, and her music gained exposure on TV series like Grey’s Anatomy and several cheesy Nicolas Sparks’ movies. Her fifth long-player, The Firewatcher’s Daughter received a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album.

By 2018, she connected with Dave Cobb who had been making a name for himself by producing Rival Sons, Shooter Jennings, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton, Jason Isbell and Lori McKenna. Partnering with Shooter Jennings, the pair produced Brandi’s By The Way, I Forgive You. The watershed record not only popped up on myriad Top 10 lists, it hit #5 on the Billboard Top 200. It also garnered six Grammy nominations; including Record of The Year and Song of The Year (it won Best Americana Album, Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance).

Along with Amanda Shires, Maren Morris and Natalie Hemby, Brandi co-founded the distaff Country-Rock super group, The Highwaywomen, who’s self-titled debut arrived in late 2019. She and Shooter also found time to produce Tanya Tucker’s 25th studio album, While I’m Livin which netted Tanya her first Grammy since 1991. By the end of the year, Brandi was onstage at Disney Hall in Los Angeles, performing Joni Mitchell’s epochal Blue album front-to-back. It was a triumphant performance made all the sweeter because both Elton John and the doyenne of Laurel Canyon, Joni herself, were in the audience cheering her on.

When the pandemic hit, she hunkered down at home with her wife Catherine and their young daughters, and wrote her memoir, Broken Horses. By turns candid, funny, poignant self-effacing and introspective, the book revealed Brandi to be a talented author. The book debuted at #1 on the New York Times non-fiction Best Seller list. Once

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BRANDI CARLILE

the book was done, she and the Twins were back at it, creating 10 indelible songs. Soon enough they entered the studio with again with Dave and Shooter and the result is her seventh long-player, In These Silent Days. The record opens with the bravura turn of “Right On Time.” Burnished piano chords connect with intimate vocals, catching Brandi midconversation. Initially apologetic; “Come back now, even if you call me out, you might be angry now, of course you are/I’m scared too, didn’t mean to take it out on you, I know I always do, you’re the strongest person in the room,” there’s an undercoat of unrepentance beneath the contrition. A bedrock beat falls in line on the second verse, along with swooshy electric riff-age, strummy acoustic notes, wily bass lines and churchy organ, as she quietly asserts “I don’t take it back, I did what I had to do.” The Rock & Roll gets somewhat rococo on the break, swelling to a stunning instrumental apogee, echoing the flair and flamboyance of Elton and Freddie Mercury. But Brandi’s acrobatic vocals have the final word, as she somersaults over the arrangement and sticks the landing.

Written at the height of the pandemic, several songs navigate emotional minefield that compulsory Covid confinement can create. They also revisit and reevaluate old psychic wounds. Take “You And Me On The Rock,” the jingle-jangle acoustic riffs that start it off, recall the fleet dulcimer notes that characterized “Carey,” (one of the sweetest songs in Joni Mitchell’s oeuvre). Cascading piano notes, a wash of organ, tensile bass and a propulsive beat augment the buoyant melody. She avoids the outside world, where her every move is scrutinized; “Nobody asks why she’s looking so thin, why she’s laughing so hard, why she’s drinking again..” she basks in the simple pleasures of domesticity; “I build my house up upon this rock, Baby, every day with you, there’s nothing in that town I need after everything we’ve been through/Me out in my garden and you out on your walk, is all the distance this poor girl can take without listening to you talk, I don’t need their money, baby, just you and me on the rock.” A testament to faith and family, the song is ridiculously irresistible.

Conversely, there’s “When You’re Wrong,” which opens tentatively, just plucked guitar strings and Brandi’s plaintive voice. Spare and skeletal, the melancholy melody mirrors the lyrics’ embittered rapprochement.

Estrangement, anger and pain quietly coexist with acceptance and empathy; “You may be here today, but tomorrow you’re a ghost, I guess the most anyone can hope for is to find a place to lay, someone to tell your secrets to when the nights get long and blue/Someone strong enough to lean on when the roses fall away, strong enough to love you when you’re wrong.”

The inspiration behind “Stay Gentle” came about through her friendships with artistic titans like Joni, Kris Kristofferson, Mavis Staples and the late John Prine, as well as the tenderness exhibited by her youngest daughter. Feathery acoustic guitars lattice atop supple electric riffs. loose-limbed bass and shadowy keys. A Folk-flavored lullaby it offers some hard-won wisdom; “Stay gentle, keep the eyes of a child, don’t harden your heart or your hands, know to find joy in the darkness is wise, although they will think/

IN THESE SILENT DAYS (LOW COUNTRY SOUND/ELEKTRA)

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

Don’t let the world make you callous, be ready to laugh, no one’s forgotten about us, there is light on your path.” It’s a sweet and affectionate encomium.

On a record stacked with superlative tracks, stand-outs include “Letter To The Past” a wistful piano ballad that addresses her younger self, as well as her older daughter, who has inherited some of Brandi’s headstrong impulses. It also makes no apologies. Stately piano notes wrap around her powerful contralto for the first couple verses until the instrumentation is buoyed by honeyed acoustic guitars, an array of keys, thumpy bass, a rock-steady beat and Gospel-inflected backing vocals. She quietly imparts some coping mechanisms she never got as a kid; “You can cry, you know it’s always okay to cry, you don’t even need to know why, but don’t you ever feel alone inside, if you need to know the truth, I still haven’t got a clue, if the blind can lead the blind, then baby, I’m just like you.” Piano and Wurlitzer partner for a graceful pas de deux on the break. Vocally, Brandi opens up the throttle, soaring over the reined in instrumentation.

On “This Time Tomorrow” sunshiny acoustic guitars, septa-toned keys, sinewy bass and a tip-toe beat cocoon Brandi and the Twins’ ethereal croon. The lyrics offer a soupcon of spirituality divorced from the hypocritical, um, rigid confines of organized religion with no apologies; “When the hope that you hold tightly to has all but vanished, and there are no words of comfort to be found, you will know what it means to be lost and without love, may you fight to kill that deafening sound/But our holy dreams of yesterday aren’t gone, they still haunt us like the ghosts of Babylon, and the breaking of the day might bring you sorrow, you know I may not be around tomorrow, but I’ll always be with you.”

Finally, “Broken Horses” (which takes its name from her brilliant memoir), connects the dots of her childhood. Giving herself permission to be angry while gaining some much-needed perspective, she kind of cuts loose. Braided acoustic riffs give way to shards of electric guitar and driving piano, tethered to coltish bass lines and a galloping beat. Brandi’s banshee wail rides roughshod over the arrangement. Lyrically, she pulls no punches offering a stinging rebuke; “I have ever so politely treaded softly for your grace, I have whispered through the tears and pleaded sweetly to your face, it’s time to spit you out like lukewarm water from my mouth, I will always taste the apathy, but I won’t pass it down, it dies with you.” It’s an epic track that shapeshifts from crunchy, ‘70s AOR, as a serpentine guitar slithers through the verses,

and the chorus winnows down to a willowy lament. Downshifting completely on the break, the instrumentation is reconstructed, brick-by-brick until it builds to a shattering cri de Coeur.

There’s a yin yang duality found on both “Mama Werewolf” and “Sinners, Saints And Fools.” The former is a bit of a ridge runner.

Sun-dappled guitars are anchored to sinewy bass lines, winsome keys and a cantilevered beat. The lyrics speak to generational dysfunction and offer this wry mea culpa; “When I awaken and I’m reborn, my body aches and my soul is torn, I search the void for any clues and I feel ashamed for what I put you through/The curse again from my father’s kin, they fought the beast I feel within, but we don’t talk about it and we don’t call it’s name, we just carry on hoping it will change, but we know it’ll never change.”

The latter evokes a grandeur and heaviosity that fuses Metallurgic thunder with back porch Country comfort (hinting at a Rock Opera in her future). Slashing guitars crash over tsunami of strings, tangled with prickly bass lines and an urgent backbeat. A narrative rich in Biblical allusions offer a blistering diatribe on the Religious Right and their sanctimonious stance on immigration. It tells the story of a righteous, holy fool; “To the weary, desperate souls who washed up on the sand, he said we haven’t seen your paperwork, and he withdrew his hand, you know he never felt safer, or the peace he hoped to find, and up until the day he died he never changed his mind/ You can’t break the law there are reasons for the rules, we gotta keep things safe here for the sinners, saints and fools, to the poor and huddled masses, who are hungry and afraid, you gotta do it by the book, and they’ll be no exceptions made.” As the instrumental break slips into interstellar overdrive, Brandi’s melismatic croon breaks through the sonic sludge with a final yowl of indignation Following this penultimate track, the record powers down with the quiescent piano ballad, “Throwing Good After Bad.” Strippeddown and bare-bones, it’s basically piano, bass and synth. Suitably Joni-esque, the song feels confessional and confrontational, layering themes of grief acceptance, rejection and redemption. The first song she wrote after finishing her memoir, it summons old ghosts allowing “you got a beautiful mind and a soul of a Coyote.” Intensely intimate, Brandi’s vocals feel thisclose. She resists any temptation to over-sing, she confidently caresses each note, deftly making her point. Dave and Shooter have produced a lean and unfussy album that relies on the singular talents of the twins, Phil and Tim adding guitars, bass, harmonies and percussion. Along with drummer Chris Powell, the band Lucius added backing vocals and Josh Neuman providing strings.

Stylistically, In These Silent Days is all over the map, and that’s a good thing. Brandi skips effortlessly from majestic, Adele-sized Power Ballads, to Folky lullabies, from Black Sabbath-y bombast to soul-searching laments.

All the while, she remains true to herself.

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TRAVEL TIPS4U

January 6 to January 12, 2022

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

L

a Quinta commissioned Nate Frizzell to do another mural in Old Town La Quinta. called, "Bird Song". It is located behind the La Quinta Museum.

The mural took approximately 3 weeks to complete. It was selected by the Community Services Commission and approved by City Council in 2021.

Nathan Frizzell is a Southern Californian through and through. Raised in Riverside, Nate took up residence in Los Angeles to pursue a professional art career, all the while the golden state’s influence can be seen reverberating through his work. Using realistic rendering techniques juxtaposed with flat iconographic shapes, Nate creates a playful tapestry which dances around the line between commercial art and gallery work.

A graduate of Los Angeles Otis College of Art and Design, Nate Frizzell has drawn international acclaim for his work, showcasing in London, Spain, Philippines, and across the US in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and at Miami for the annual Art Basel festival to name a few. Since 2009 he has held five solo shows.

For more information visit natefrizzell.com Think Artistic Talent and visit Nate Frizzell’s Murals next time you are in La Quinta!

9

January 6 to January 12, 2022

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 508

CLASSIC JAPANIMATION

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

internet sites describing every intimate detail of her life! Helpless and afraid, she watches as her associates are threatened and killed by a mysterious stalker.

In the tradition of great suspense masters, director Satoshi Kon, special advisor Katushiro Otomo (“Akira”) and Madhouse studios bring Yoshikazu Takeuchi’s thrilling suspense novel to the screen in a tour de force that imbues animation to a bold new level.

This eye-popping psychological thriller dazzles the eye and boggles the mind.

What more could you ask for? It satisfies like a superior Hitchcock suspenser. SHOUT FACTOR. Blu-ray.

PERFECT BLUE In the world of make believe, the price of fame may not be worth the cost of identity.

Pop singer Mima Kirigoe is looking forward to a bright new career when she quits her chard-topping trio to become an actress.

When she lands a role in a sexually charged murder mystery, Mima’s life begins to fall apart. Reality and hallucinations merge into a terrifying netherworld where innocence is lost and dreams become nightmares.

Quickly descending into a dangerous state of paranoid delusions, Mina discovers

10

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THE VINO VOICE

January 6 to January 12, 2022

BY RICK RIOZZA

PINOT ENVY AT THE PINOT NOIR FEST!

R

oll Up!! The 2nd Annual Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival—aka “A Passion 4 Pinot” is returning at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on Saturday January 8, 2022!!

As of our publishing time Tuesday night, the event has been moved outside due to Covid, but will still take place.

The 2nd Annual Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival, “A Passion 4 Pinot” is a premier event on the international wine calendar. Hosted in one of the world’s most dramatic and aweinspiring Hotels, this is a unique opportunity to engage with some of the top winery owners and winemakers and other leading wine personalities and enthusiasts from all over California.

During this Celebration of Pinot Noir, you will discover just what it is that makes Pinot Noir so unique. Join with other Pinot aficionados as you share tastings with winemakers and staff from over 60 top-tier and world class wineries!

Here you will profile the uncompromising characteristics and unforgettable characters, highlight the different winemaking practices and philosophies that produce wines of such distinction and enable you to “relax and unwind at the world class JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa!” Wow! Is this a great sign of great local wine events for the coming year! This Vino Voice column has consistently written on all of the previous wine tasting events produced by David Fraschetti. You loyal readers will remember when David first put on the Rancho Mirage Wine and Food Festival four years ago. And David gave me and the CV Weekly the first scoop of the festivities and has proudly utilized this column to raise awareness to all of his wine and food events these past few years. Smart Guy! Cheers!

Last month our head feature writer, Crystal Harrell, actually did an informative piece on this up-coming event. And because our Vino Voice column is probably the longest running weekly wine editorial in Coachella Valley publication history, you wine and food enthusiasts deserve to hear about this great local wine party again as a reminder! So here we go!

“The first Pinot Noir Festival event was a total success that sold out at the Ritz Carlton’s ballroom in Rancho Mirage with attendees flying from 14 different states to visit. The Festival has moved over to the beautiful J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa, and Fraschetti is absolutely delighted to partner with the property and staff.

“We do things very differently than other events. First off, we never allow Beer or Spirits at our events. Our focus is on fine wine, first and foremost. Our event is not the typical ‘Drunk Fest’ unlike so many other events both here in the Coachella Valley and elsewhere in Southern California. We never allow other types of alcohol, because one shot of hard spirits, like vodka,

whisky or tequila, numbs your taste buds so a person can never taste the unique nuances of the wonderful wines that are poured, which is a disservice to wineries,” explained Fraschetti.

The size and scope of the Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival is also limited to ensure a more intimate and enjoyable gathering of wine lovers.

“I learned many years ago that when it comes to wine festivals, bigger is not better. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. Those who have attended my events before know that our event is a first class fun event that is designed for all types of wine lovers, from novices to expert Somms.

It’s not snobbish; it’s a fun-filled afternoon that allows one to learn, taste and fall in love with amazing Pinot Noir from the best that California has to offer,” stated Fraschetti.

“We have built very strong and lasting relationships with our partner wineries. I sent out invitations back in June and the response was immediate. Wineries that know me and are familiar with the type of event that I produce signed up within minutes. As word about the event rapidly spread within the wine industry, I had requests from some of the best Pinot Noir Producing wineries from all over California asking to partner with us for this high end- high class wine tasting event. Our partner wineries love the fact that we only allow top tier wine. Unlike other events, we are not trying to be everything to everyone; our focus is on great Pinot Noir,” said Fraschetti.

Also, a silent auction will be held at the event to benefit the nonprofit, Les Dames d’Escoffier International Palm Springs, which provides scholarships to women pursuing careers in the hospitality, culinary arts, and related fields, in which 100 percent of the money raised is donated to the organization.

To comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines, fully vaccinated attendees, staff, volunteers, and winery personnel must present proof of vaccination to enter the event. For those who are not vaccinated or partially vaccinated, proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the festival that was performed by an FDA-authorized or CLIA certified lab must be presented.

A limited number of tickets are now on sale for the festival and can be purchased. Early entry at 1:30 p.m. costs $150 for attendees while general admission tickets will go for $125 with a 2:30 p.m. start. Six-person group rates are also available for $750 for the 1:30 p.m. start time, and $660 for the 2:30 p.m. start. The Pinot Noir Festival will conclude at 5:30 p.m.

To purchase tickets to the Palm Springs Pinot Noir Festival before they sell out, and to learn more about the Festival, go to the website palmspringspinotfest.com. And as always— looking forward to seeing you folks at the Fest.

Cheers!

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11

January 6 to January 12, 2022

PET PLACE

H

oliday guests have gone home and the decorations are coming down.

It may feel a bit lonely in your home.

Animals lovers are needed to add fostering a large dog to their list of resolutions. A dog in the home improves your health, lowers blood pressure, and reduces stress. They keep you exercising with walks, hikes, and playing fetch.

Fostering, when you open up your heart and home to a homeless dog, expands the walls of the shelters. For a variety of reasons, medium and large size dogs currently overwhelm our local public shelters. In 2021, some people who adopted dogs in the pandemic relinquished them when they returned to work. Others, losing their homes could not keep their big dogs in new rentals. Fostering is the key to creating a “No Kill” Coachella Valley.

Visit a large public shelter and you will see rows of kennels with large dogs. German Shepherds, Huskies, and other breeds are abundant. Vicky, pictured here, is one of the many dogs now waiting at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, our public shelter in Thousand Palms. Big dogs often become stressed as their time in shelter kennels drags on.

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NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION, FOSTER A BIG DOG!

Loving All Animals relies on foster parents to rescue large size canines, as they have only small dog kennels at their private shelter in Coachella. They rescue dogs from the crowded county shelter, abandonment on the streets, and occasionally when an owner passes away with no plan. Can you help? Can you network with friends and family to find a big dog foster? Can you volunteer at one of the shelters that have big dogs needing walks outside of their kennels?

Myth #1 about fostering is you will be too sad when the dog leaves to be adopted.

Marie Marcinko who has fostered over 100 dogs for Loving All Animals reports, “I get a little teary when they leave, but I know there is another dog that needs me. I get to be part of their adoption and meet the new family to tell them about their new pet. I get happy updates from the adopters, including Christmas cards! I’m retired, and fostering brings me great happiness and purpose.”

Fostering is a wonderful way to enjoy a dog’s company if extensive travel makes it difficult to have your own dog. Fostering is a great way to start if you have never had a dog before. It’s a great way to find out if a dog is a good match for you and your family.

Foster parents have first option to adopt their dog. They are fondly called “Foster Failures”.

Large dogs are almost always house trained immediately. With larger brains, they are incredibly easy to train with various commands. Most large dogs (other than puppies) are relatively calm inside your home, content to relax by your feet. They reserve their energy for a game of back yard fetch. Large breeds are eager to please their humans, and thrive learning new tasks.

You can help select the dog you foster. You can opt for a young lively animal. A middle aged or older dog’s calm temperament might be preferable. Fostering helps prepare dogs for their forever home, and provides vital information for the adopter.

What does it cost to foster? Loving All Animals provides food, supplies, training and adoption assistance, in addition to all veterinary care.

How long would you foster? The time varies, and as a volunteer you decide. It can be for just a few days or maybe up to a month while the dog becomes vetted. If your schedule changes, arrangements can be made for a replacement home, given a couple of days notice.

Can you foster? If not, can you network with friends to find a big dog foster? Can you volunteer at one of shelters with lots of big dogs that need walks outside of their kennels? Contact Loving All Animals, the organization I work with, at (760) 834-7000

MEET GIGI

MEET BILLY

Gigi is a gorgeous 1-yr-old Terrier mix girl hoping for a home in the New Year!

She’s dog ID#A1650459, at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, Thousand Palms, www.rcdas. org, (760) 343-3644. Come meet Gigi between 10am & 4pm Mon thru Sat.

This handsome big fellow is already neutered and ready to go home! Billy, a 2-yr-old Siberian Husky, loves other dogs and humans. Dog ID#A1653252, He’s at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, www. rcdas.org. Go meet him between 10am & 4pm Mon thru Sat.

12

BY JANET McAFEE to get more information and join their lifesaving foster team. Fostering will bring you great joy when you become part of a happy ending. www.lovingallanimals.org.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com -------------------------------------------------Here is a partial list of Inland Empire shelters and rescue groups where you can adopt a wonderful dog or cat.

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – This county shelter is now open for walk in visitors 10am-4pm Mon through Sat. You can view the animals at all four Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – This shelter is open every day except Tuesday. View their animals online at www. psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public) DESERT HOT SPRINGS ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL - Open daily 9:30-4:30. View their animals at www.cityofdhs.org/animal-carecontrol.com, 65810 Hacienda Ave, Desert Hot Springs, (760) 329-6411 ext. 450.

ANIMAL SAMARITANS – Call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www.animalsamaritans.org.

Email acorrow@animalsamaritans.org to foster.

Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand

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Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - Call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833. (Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – Call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat. This shelter has lots of big dogs and some cats. View some of their animals at www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 3290203. (Private) KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to visit and adopt a cat.

Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private) FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage. Contact them at www.ForeverMeow.org, (760) 3356767. (Private) PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private) BFF4pets – Foster based rescue for dogs and cats located in La Quinta. Email them at rescues@bff4pets.com, (310) 431-7818 (Private)

January 6 to January 12, 2022

LOVING ALL ANIMALS – Call for appointment to visit and adopt dogs.

Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000.

(Private) ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER OF CALIFORNIA (ARC), Foster based rescue for dogs and cats in Indio. www.thearc-ca.org, (760) 877-7077 (Private) LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY – Large outdoor shelter for dogs and cats up Hwy 74, Mountain Center, view animals at living-free.org, and call (951) 659-4687.

(Private) MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-2pm (760) 366-3786 (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is now open for Walk in visitors 12 – 3pm Tuesday through Saturday. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 384-7272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter is now open for walk ins 7 days a week. Call (909) 3869280. View animals at www.sbcounty.gov/ acc and get the ID number of animal you are interested in adopting, 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue. com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)

13

January 6 to January 12, 2022

SAFETY TIPS

Z

ip It! When I was a child, my siblings and I would hear that often from my parents. Constant chatter coming from five kids all in a row, age the non-stop talking and questions must have driven my parents a bit crazy.

Zip it from my folks meant to “keep it in” as a signal to stop the nonstop talking.

But there is another meaning to “zip it” and that’s to “keep it out.”

What do I mean by this? Cold weather is upon us, and people aren’t the only ones who value a dry, cozy home in cold weather.

Rodents do, too. As it gets colder, everything that was outside tends to want to find some sort of harbor inside.

They scurry in our walls and above our heads during the night, they raid our food and ruin it with their feces, and they reproduce wildly, creating more and more inhabitants for us to worry about. Rats, mice, and squirrels also do a lot of damage to your home’s structure, insulation, pipes. and even

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TIME TO ZIP IT!

electrical wiring.

It’s important to zip it with your home to prevent these rodents from getting in and causing damage. While you can repair obvious damage, it’s all too easy to miss a gnawed piece of wire when confronted with larger scale issues like insulation used as nesting, excrement contaminated floorboards and gnawed on support beams.

Rodents’ teeth are constantly growing, which forces them to have to gnaw on anything they can get their paws on to file their teeth down. Plastic insulation surrounding electrical wiring exists because electricity is quite hot when it goes through wires. The insulation protects nearby objects from getting overheated. However, when a rat or other rodent has been going after your wires, they leave nothing left but the hot, exposed metal. It’s only a matter of time before the wire either short circuits, causing a spark, or heats up and causes something nearby to ignite.

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

Because mice can enter holes of even 1/4 inch, you need to zip it and seal any exposed openings to ensure that rodents cannot enter your home. Your home should be free of exposed elements where rodents can gain entry.

Avoid storing firewood, supplies,

equipment etc., next to your house. Rodents find refuge in these first and then can move into the home. Keep tree branches away from rooflines as Norway roof rats can gain access through these and heavy vegetation next to the home.

If you already have rodents, you should call a professional pest control expert immediately. Ask your pest control expert about ways to check for and repair rodentcreated damages.

As always, install and frequently test a smoke detector in your house whether you have rodents or not. If a fire does occur, a smoke detector can save your life and the lives of your family.

It’s cold out, so make sure you zip your home up!

CYBER CORNER

O

ver the past couple of years, we have become even more emerged in the digital world, and securing your information is now more important than ever.

Our photos, passwords, bank account numbers, contacts, tax receipts, and everything else we can fit, are saved to our phone or computer, and unless this information is backed up, you leave yourself vulnerable to losing everything!

While some instances of data loss are caused by human error most aren’t even the user’s fault. 67% of these instances are caused by hard drive crashes or system failures.

Taking a proactive, multifaceted approach is the only solution to protecting your information.

In some cases, files can be recovered after accidentally being deleted but if your hard drive is destroyed there isn’t much you can do to retrieve your data.

What is a Backup? When ‘the cloud’ had a much simpler meaning, securing information meant putting it in your drawer of important things, or maybe even a safe. Widespread access to computers has created an unfathomable amount of data for every user. Because our lives have migrated online, we have more important information to lose than ever. For most of us, our physical photo collection alone would require renting an entire storage unit.

In the information age, ‘a backup’ means a separate place for your information. That includes a physical place, like an external hard drive, flash drive, or separate computer. The most common place to store your information is on an external server, also known as the cloud.

A proper system backup shouldn’t take no longer than a few minutes for the average user.

According to Microsoft, larger files will take longer, 1GB should take around 4-5 minutes. A small sacrifice to protect your information.

Everyone’s method should reflect their workflow. The backup strategy users dedicated to the Apple ecosystem will vary from those who use Android and Windows. It will also depend on how much of their life is digital. For someone who works remotely, their backup strategy is going to differ from someone just looking to secure their contacts and photos in case they drop their phone in the toilet.

One Place Isn’t Enough Find multiple

14

BY DENNIS SHELLY

places to store copies of your most important information that you are comfortable with maneuvering in. Storing your photos in DropBox isn’t going to help you recover after a data disaster if you aren’t consistently uploading to their servers. Make sure you are proficient with uploading, downloading, and moving around files within the storage system’s user interface.

A recovery should a painless process if the time ever comes.

We recommend keeping a copy of your important data in at least two places, one physical and one in the cloud. For some users, a flash drive is big enough to store all their important information. For others, the idea is laughable. External hard drives are essentially large versions of flash drives, so don’t be intimidated to use one. They are actually quite affordable as well and you will be thankful to easily recover your files in case your laptop fails to turn on one day.

Don’t rely on one ecosystem. If you have a MacBook, keeping a copy of your hard drive on a Google server will protect you in case a problem arises within Apple. 140,000 hard drives fail each week in the US, if you are only relying on your device and the manufacturers cloud services, you may not be able to retrieve your data, even if it’s backed up.

Automatic Backups One of the most amazing things about the digital age is their ability to automatically backup all your information. As long as you have enough cloud

storage, your phone and computer should be making copies of your data and storing them in the background. The most common mistake people make is not having enough storage. Your iPhone or Android device will not complete the backup if there isn’t room in your storage plan.

Modern operating systems also allow you to choose what you would like backed up. You can customize your settings to only save your photos and contacts if that is all you can fit in a free storage plan. Buying extra storage is annoying but if you’ve ever lost a phone and had to start by from scratch you know the struggle. This may not have been a big deal in the flip phone era, but when you have 50 apps with different passwords and three different credit cards saved to your phone it is a huge inconvenience.

As long as you have the storage space, setting up automatic backups is easy. If you need some technical assistance, follow this guide by Back Blaze, they cover both iPhone and Android automatic backups. To make sure your Mac is automatically backing itself up visit Apple support, for Microsoft click here.

Recovery When a file is deleted, it doesn’t just disappear from the face of the earth instantly. Both Apple and Windows operating systems send files to a recycle bin after deleting.

They are easily obtained by opening the recycle bin and dragging them back to your desktop.

There is still hope even if you deleted files from your recycle bin, but you may need to hire

a professional. Metadata is available within the computer's file system even after a file is deleted. If nothing has been written to the storage unit, you should be able to retrieve the metadata and piece together the files that were deleted.

The best way to retrieve lost data is to download it from a recent hard drive back up. Not exactly what you want to hear after accidentally deleting all your photos. We feel your pain, everyone has deleted something they didn’t mean to. There is still hope retrieving the files, just be sure not to save anything else to your computer or device after you realized you deleted something by mistake.

Be Proactive When your computer and phone are automatically backing up your data, you most likely won’t run into any issues.

However, malware and malfunctions happen.

That’s why it is important to store copies of your data in multiple places across ecosystems.

If you have automatic backups installed on your laptop and phone, keep a copy of your hard drive on DropBox, Google Drive, One Drive, or Carbonite. Also, it’s a good idea to keep an external hard drive with your important files, losing your data will be nothing more than an inconvenient afternoon.

We understand that your data (photos, documents, and personal information) is precious and irreplaceable. Our Eggsperts who have been performing data backups and data recovery since 2002, provide eggspert consultations and support that’s customtailored to you. We are the team can help prevent data loss exposure and offer education and options to keep your data and information safe.

Have a suggestion for our next article or questions about backing up your technology devices? Please contact us by calling (760) 2050105 or emailing us at tech@eggheadit.com and our Eggsperts are happy to help you with your questions or suggestions.

IT | Networks | Security | Phones | A/V | Integration

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HADDON LIBBY

O

ver the last two years, the Dow Jones Average has gone up 26%.

When you think of the economic road that we have travelled over that time period, the performance is nothing short of remarkable.

That success, as well as low unemployment rates are thanks to some of the policies needed to get through the first COVID wave. All told, the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury grew the money supply by nearly 40%. This proved that Central Bank actions have the ability to overpower markets in times of economic peril when human behavior can be expected to make a bad situation worse. If we use the general shortage of workers as our gauge, Fed policy was successful albeit at a future cost.

The near-term cost is inflation. By most accounts, inflation was well over 12% for

2021: 2022

2021. Expectations are for inflation to slow if not fully abate to 6%. This forecast is at best shaky as estimates expect that omicron will only serve to slow economic growth by three months.

Longer-term, higher debt levels make for a less valuable dollar which extrapolates out to a lower standard of living for most.

The IMF sees global economic growth of 6% for 2022. Growth is expected to be strongest in richer developed countries like the United States and the Eurozone and slower in poorer regions of the world. Some of this disparity is due to a COVID vaccination rate of nearly 60% in developed countries and less than 6% in poorer countries. Problems were exacerbated by vaccines from China, Russia and Japan that were less effective than the Pfizer and Moderna jabs.

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

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BY HADDON LIBBY highest returns each year. Growth stocks are companies like Tesla or Amazon while value stocks are companies like Bank of America or Chevron. Companies like Apple or Home Depot. In a bit of a surprise companies that were a blend of growth and value put up the best returns for the year. Value continued to lag both blend and growth companies.

This seems to make sense as banks and oil companies may be in cyclical declines to technology companies.

Looking at 2022, history suggests that it will be a good year for equities but not so good for bond holders. Investors are best served by remembering that cash flow is king.

If a stock is measured in terms its price relative to sales (vs. earnings), that stock is most likely overvalued.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more info, please visit WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

DID LAST WEEK’S RAIN CAUSE YOUR AUTO ACCIDENT?

e all know that rain means the roads will be slippery and auto accidents will follow. If you have been in a recent accident, there are 12 keys to increasing the value of your accident claim.

These will allow you to be fairly compensated by the at faults parties insurance company.

Put this information in a safe place.

Stop, take pictures and gather info at the scene: California law requires everyone in an auto accident to stop and exchange information. Cell phone pictures of both cars and all occupants will help to establish causation and the severity of the accident.

Get cell videos and statements from all parties and witnesses, before they talk to their insurance company or lawyer and revise what happened. I can’t stress how important this is!

Call the police, even when there are no apparent injuries: The police report will provide information on all parties, witnesses and liability showing who was at fault. You are not a lawyer or doctor, so don’t admit fault or say you were not injured.

Do NOT give a statement: A statement is evidence so get your lawyers permission first. If the other driver is uninsured or lacks adequate insurance, then your insurance company will pay under YOUR OWN UM policy. However, they will defend as if they are the insurance company for the other driver. REMEMBER SILENCE IS GOLDEN AND HANDCUFFS ARE SILVER. Don’t expose yourself to liability by saying something or having them THINK they heard you say something you didn’t say!

Overall, stocks globally went up by 18.5% in 2021. Growth was strongest in the United States while Chinese stocks were amongst the worst - down over 20%. Meanwhile, the Eurozone was up 13%, U.K. 17% and Japan a mere 0.6%. The general consensus is that markets will moderate in the U.S. to a 7-9% increase in stock prices with non-US markets improving as COVID enters the pandemic phase. So long as supply chains are stretched and companies can maintain current margins, 2022 is expected to be a good year for most businesses.

Long seen as a safe harbor against risk, bonds became drags on the income potential of most investment portfolios in 2021 as shown by the US bond index that was down 1.5% on the year. This decline means that the return on bonds was inadequate to offset the lost value caused by higher rates. As the Federal Reserve has not yet begun removing excess cash from the system, it can be expected that bonds will produce even weaker returns over the next two years as the Federal Reserve increases rates from nearly zero at present.

For example, a 1% increase in rates can reduce the value of an existing Treasury bond by 10%.

Equities are often referred to as Growth Stocks or Value Stocks with those in the middle being a mix of each. People looking for higher dividends typically lean toward value stocks while those looking for higher returns look at growth stocks. For more than ten years, growth stocks have produced the

January 6 to January 12, 2022

TAKE DOWN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA. Insurance companies watch your Facebook, Twitter and social media posts which may show you playing sports, talking about the accident or on a vacation. These arguably suggest you are OK or not getting medical treatment. In addition though you told the doctor you could not sit for long you did for the trip and you were able to lift luggage etc.

Get medical treatment asap: Many Victims do not realize the severity of their injury and do not seek immediate treatment. Later, they realize the pain they are experiencing is accident related. Some victims do not take an ambulance because they have to pick up their kids or because they are concerned about the hospital and ambulance costs. Absent immediate medical treatment, insurance companies argue if the victim was really injured they would have sought immediate medical treatment.

Do NOT give your medical providers medical insurance, Medicare, Medicaid information: Once Medicare/Medi-Cal is notified it takes 6-12 months to get them to respond to lien payment information... without which the case will not be settled.

New laws now control what bills can be presented to the jury as out of pocket costs for which the client is responsible.

Contact a Lawyer immediately: If not represented, the insurance company can contact you and get a statement. Your lawyer will never know what you said or “what the adjuster/investigator thought he heard you say”.

Your lawyer will get you medical care on a lien: Many doctors don’t know how to prepare a med/legal report which is essential for obtaining the full value of your case. For years, I lectured on How to Write a Medical/ Legal Report to the International College of Surgeons at their yearly conferences. The doctor’s report is almost as important as the injuries the doctor wrote down.

Physical Therapy: A family doctor often suggests you go home, take a hot bath and aspirin and then return in a month. Lawyers should urge clients to list all injuries from the top of their head to the bottom of their feet… and to take that to each doctor’s appointment.

Use your lawyer’s body shop: Insurance companies recommend body shops with whom they have a working relationship and who agree to keep the damage estimates low.

When settling the case, the adjuster argues that since the PD was low, how could you be injured. The last thing a lawyer wants is for his client to get his friend to fix the car cheaply.

Purchase high insurance limits: Unfortunately, many CV neighbors have no insurance or inadequate limits. If so, we make an uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage claim with your carrier. Thus YOUR limits are important.

Purchase Medical Payments coverage: Irrespective of fault, you can present a claim under the med pay section of your policy to pay your medical bills.

Follow your lawyers’ instructions: Agree to go to trial when necessary to maximize the value of your case.

Do not sign anything: It could be a release or authorization to obtain your medical

records. Do not trust the adjuster who says “if you have further problems they will take care of it”.

My practice is focused on people and protecting their consumer rights. We deliver results, not false promises, and get top dollar on our cases. When the case is successfully concluded, our clients tell us we were courteous, professional and caring and that we “DID TURN WRONGS INTO RIGHTS”.

DALE GRIBOW - Representing the Injured and Criminally accused “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-22 “TOP LAWYER” - Inland Empire Magazine PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating “Preeminent” Rating - Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory “Best Attorneys of America” Selected by “Rue” (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys per state) Client Appreciation Award/ Martindale Hubbell Client Distinction Award Only Attorney Selected to CVAG Public Safety and CLINTON Foundation committees Hosted weekly legal Talk Show and Legal Column “ACCIDENTALLY YOURS” DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET IN AN ACCIDENT, CALL A TAXI OR UBER………IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME For questions or suggestions for future columns contact dale@dalegribowlaw.com or 760 837 7500

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF JANUARY 6

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In the fantasy tale “The Wizard of Oz,” a tornado lifts the hero Dorothy from her modest home in rural Kansas to a magical realm called Oz. There she experiences many provocative and entertaining adventures.

Nonetheless, she longs to return to where she started from. A friendly witch helps her find the way back to Kansas, which requires her to click her ruby slippers together three times and say, “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.” I suspect, Aries, that there’ll be a different ending to your epic tale in 2022. At some point, you will decide you prefer to stay in your new world. Maybe you’ll even click your ruby slippers together and say, “There’s no place like Oz, there’s no place like Oz.” (Thanks to author David Lazar for that last line.)

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Fifty-five percent of the people who live in Toronto speak primarily English or French. But for the other 45 percent, their mother tongue is a different language, including Portuguese, Tagalog, Italian, Tamil, Spanish, Cantonese, and Mandarin. I wish you could spend some time there in the coming months. In my astrological opinion, you would benefit from being exposed to maximum cultural diversity. You would thrive by being around a broad spectrum of influences from multiple backgrounds. If you can’t manage a trip to Toronto or another richly diverse place, do your best to approximate the same experience. Give yourself the gift of splendorous variety.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): One of your primary meditations throughout 2022 should be the following advice from The Laws of Human Nature, a book by motivational author Robert Greene. He writes, “In ancient times, many great leaders felt that they were descended from gods and part divine. Such self-belief would translate into high levels of confidence that others would feed off and recognize. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy. You do not need to indulge in such grandiose thoughts, but feeling that you are destined for something great or important will give you a degree of resilience when people oppose or resist you. You will not internalize the doubts that come from such moments. You will have an enterprising spirit.

You will continually try new things, even taking risks, confident in your ability to bounce back from failures and feeling destined to succeed.”

CANCER (June 21-July 22): I would love to unabashedly encourage you to travel widely and explore wildly in 2022. I would rejoice if I could brazenly authorize you to escape your comfort zone and wander in the frontiers. It’s not often the planetary omens offer us Cancerians such an unambiguous mandate to engage in exhilarating adventures and intelligent risks. There’s only one problem: that annoying inconvenience known as the pandemic. We really do have to exercise caution in our pursuit of expansive encounters.

Luckily, you now have extra ingenuity about the project of staying safe as you enlarge your world.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): I suspect that your life in 2022 might feature themes beloved by Leo author Emily Brontë (1818–1848). “No coward soul is mine,” she wrote, “No trembler in the world’s storm-troubled sphere.” I suggest making that one of your mottoes. Here’s another guiding inspiration from Emily, via one of her poems: “I’ll walk where my own nature would be leading: / It vexes me to choose another guide: / Where the grey flocks in ferny glens are feeding; / Where the wild wind blows on the mountain-side.” Here’s one more of Brontë’s thoughts especially suitable for your use in the coming months: “I’ll be as dirty as I please, and I like to be dirty, and I will be dirty!”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): What reversals and turnabouts would you like to experience in 2022, Virgo? Which situations would you like to transform dramatically? Are there imbalances of power you would like to rectify? Contradictions you’d love to dissolve? Misplaced priorities you could correct? All these things are possible in the coming months if you are creative and resourceful enough. With your dynamic efforts, the last could

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be first, the low could be high, and the weak could become strong.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Everything good I’ve ever gotten in my life, I only got because I gave something else up,” wrote author Elizabeth Gilbert. That has often been true for me. For example, if I hadn’t given up my beloved music career, I wouldn’t have had the time and energy to become a skillful astrology writer with a big audience. What about you, Libra? In my reckoning, Gilbert’s observation should be a major theme for you in 2022.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Author C. S. Lewis wrote that we don’t simply want to behold beauty.

We “want to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.” If there were ever a time when you could get abundant tastes of that extravagant pleasure, Scorpio, it would be in the coming months. If you make it a goal, if you set an intention, you may enjoy more deep mergers and delightful interactions with beauty than you have had since 2010.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian singer-songwriter Tom Waits began his career in 1969. He achieved modest success during the next 11 years. But his career headed in an even more successful direction after he met Kathleen Brennan, who became his wife and collaborator. In a 1988 interview, Waits said, “She’s got the whole dark forest living inside of her. She pushes me into areas I would not go, and I’d say that a lot of the things I’m trying to do now, she’s encouraged.” In 2022, Sagittarius, I’ll invite you to go looking for the deep dark forest within yourself. I’m sure it’s in there somewhere. If you explore it with luxuriant curiosity, it will ultimately inspire you to generate unprecedented breakthroughs. Yes, it might sometimes be spooky—but in ways that ultimately prove lucky.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricornborn Muhammad Ali was far more than a superb professional boxer. He was an activist, entertainer, and philanthropist who gathered much wisdom in his 74 years. I’ve chosen one of his quotes to be your guide in the coming months. I hope it will motivate you to rigorously manage the sometimes pesky and demanding details that will ultimately enable you to score a big victory. “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you down,” Ali said. “It’s the pebble in your shoe.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): At a pivotal moment in his evolution, Aquarian playwright Anton Chekhov (1860–1904) swore an oath to himself. I’ll tell you about it here because I hope it will inspire you to make a comparable vow to yourself about how you’ll live your life in 2022.

Author Robert Greene is the source of the quote.

He says that Chekhov promised himself he would engage in “no more bowing and apologizing to people; no more complaining and blaming; no more disorderly living and wasting time. The answer to everything was work and love, work and love. He had to spread this message to his family and save them. He had to share it with humanity through his stories and plays.”

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Here’s what Piscean author Anais Nin wrote in one of her diaries: “When I first faced pain, I was shattered. When I first met failure, defeat, denial, loss, death, I died.

Not today. I believe in my power, in my magic, and I do not die. I survive, I love, live, continue.”

According to my analysis of the astrological omens, Pisces, you could claim her triumphant declaration as your own in 2022, with special emphasis on this: “I believe in my power, in my magic. I survive, I love, live, continue.” This will be a golden age, a time when you harvest the fruits of many years of labor.

Homework: What problem are you most likely to outgrow and render irrelevant in 2022?

Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

CANNABIS CORNER

O

n December 4th, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act, H.R. 3884, to remove cannabis from the U.S. Controlled Substances Act. What does this mean for cannabis consumers, pot convicts, and the ever-expanding gray-market industry?

The law changes make marijuana [possession, cultivation, sales] no longer a crime. Thus, we no longer discriminate against our citizens who are burdened by the criminal records they received under prohibition.

The MORE Act is the most revolutionary and socially conscious federal marijuana reform bill ever passed. It reflects the views of 62 percent of Americans who favor legalizing the adult use of marijuana, while over 90 percent want access to medical cannabis. It completely removes marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I is the most restrictive category, reserved for the most deadly and addictive drugs that have no accepted medical use.

CannaAngel wrote the above in the January 2021 edition of the Cannabis Corner, one year ago. We are still waiting for the democrats to get this passed. Votes are tied to how much the pharmaceutical industry is bankrolling our legislators and senators. The leadership in Congress attached an amendment to the defense bill but Schumer and McConnell removed it in the Senate.

There are no champions of marijuana/ cannabis in the Federal Government. While the

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FDA and the CDC are lying to us about the Wuhan virus, they are lying to us about marijuana. The cannabis industry has erroneously put their faith in the democrats every election hoping marijuana will become legal. As usual our feckless legislators’ campaign by promising to legalize marijuana, then get into congress, and cave to the pharmaceutical industry. Cannabis is inexpensive. It has already replaced numerous pharmaceuticals, thereby decreasing the profits from a plethora of drugs. While opiates are inexpensive, other drugs can cost much more.

Drugs like gabapentin, Lexapro, oxycodone, seizure medications, antianxiety drugs, and many more, can be reduced or eliminated with a medical cannabis drug. Numerous expensive new pharmaceuticals administered by veinous or subcutaneous route for epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, are being approved and on the market. All of these diseases can be ameliorated by a planned medical regimen, monitored by a medical professional expert in cannabis therapeutics.

A vivid example is the FDA approving Epidiolex, pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (CBD), manufactured by a United Kingdom drug company, costing $30,000/year, and designated as a Schedule V drug. Besides being expensive, this pharmaceutical form of legal CBD can cause liver damage. However, plant-based cannabis, found in a local, legal dispensary is around $2,000/year. Can you see why the drug industry wants to delay changing

cannabis into a legal plant? To support the M.O.R.E. Act in the Senate, and move it to President Biden’s desk, YOU need to demand it.

Do this by going to NormL website norml. org/act/federal-support-the-historic-more-act and become active in pressuring Schumer and McConnell to do their job. Bombard them with emails, calls, or letters. These measures do work. How do you think the Build Back Better bill was defeated? By pressure from voters.

Make 2022 the year you become actively engaged.

According to the CDC, drug overdose deaths in the United States rose 29.4% in 2020 to an estimated 93,331, including 69,710 involving opioids, mostly due to the lockdowns preventing treatments, and fentanyl dumped on the American soil from China. Now the pharmaceutical industry wants to develop a “vaccine” for opiate addiction, and you know

BY RUTH HILL R.N. how much that will cost. Are you kidding me? There is no end to their greed. Like all our vaccines, it will be paid for by the federal government. Will they mandate this if an addict gets arrested? If there are lethal side effects from this opiate vaccine, is there accountability? NO. Like all vaccines currently used or in the pipeline, the industry is protected from lawsuits, by federal laws, just like the Covid-19 vaccines. We are in a fight to protect our freedom to choose or refuse treatment.

We do not need the government telling us how to medicate ourselves. Make 2022 the year you become a cannabis activist.

For comments email cannaangel16@gmail. com

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

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January 6 to January 12, 2022

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