Coachella Valley Weekly - January 17 to January 23, 2019 Vol. 7 No. 44

coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 17 to January 23, 2019 Vol. 7 No. 44

Perfect Arrangement

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CV Music Showcase

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Captain Ghost

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Empty Seat

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Cork & Fork

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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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 Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Noe Gutierrez, Avery Wood, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Olga Rodriguez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Dale Gribow, Laura Hunt Little, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Flint Wheeler, Denise Ortuno Neil, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Angela Romeo,Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Elizabeth Scarcella, Aimee Mosco, Matt Claborn, Michelle Anne Rizzio Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS

Paul Rodgers & Bad Company............... 3 The Desert Classic.................................. 5 Breaking The 4th Wall - Review of "Brighton Beach Memiors"................. 6 Breaking The 4th Wall - Review of "Perfect Arrangement"....................... 6 Ladies Day at Venus De FIdo.................. 7 Coachella Valley Women's March .......... 7 CV Music Showcase 2019 - Round 2..... 8 Captain Ghost......................................... 9 Empty Seat.............................................. 8 Consider This - The Flesh Eaters ......... 10 Travel Tips 4 U - The Astoria Column... 11 Pet Place ............................................... 12 The Vino Voice ...................................... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife .................... 14-15 Pampered Palate - Cork & Fork............ 16 Brewtality .............................................. 17 Screeners .............................................. 18 Book Review......................................... 19 Safety Tips ............................................. 19 Haddon Libby ....................................... 21 Dale Gribow........................................... 21 Sports Scene......................................... 22 Mojave Desert Land Trade .................. 22 Ask The Doctor..................................... 23 Mind, Body & Spirit.............................. 23 Free Will Astrology............................... 24 Life & Career Coach.............................. 24 Cannabis Corner................................... 26

January 17 to January 23, 2019

LEGENDARY BAND BAD COMPANY WILL BE PERFORMING AT THE 60TH ANNUAL DESERT CLASSIC CONCERT SERIES

BY TRACY DIETLIN

THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 AT 5PM AT THE STADIUM COURSE AT PGA WEST

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ad Company has had a successful career that began in 1974 when they released their self-titled album that went 5 times platinum and spawned hits like “Can’t Get Enough,” “Ready For Love,” “Rock Steady” and “Movin’ On.” That album was followed by Straight Shooter, that went triple platinum and produced the hits “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” which was a Top 10 hit and Grammy nominated, and “Shooting Star.” Run With the Pack followed in 1976 and was the band’s third consecutive platinum selling album and then in 1979 came Desolation Angels, which produced the classic hit “Rock & Roll Fantasy.”

Frontman for the band, Paul Rodgers, has also had a successful career with his bands Free (pre-Bad Company), The Firm (with Jimmy Page), as well as a solo career, and he also fronted the band Queen for a bit after Freddie Mercury passed.

Rodgers recently released a CD/DVD titled “Free Spirit,” which celebrates his music with Free and was recorded live at London’s Royal Albert Hall on California based record label Quarto Valley Records Icons Label, which hit #2 on the Billboard chart for 3 weeks. Label president Bruce Quarto, created the Icon label, with Rodgers being the first icon on it.

Rodgers took time over the weekend to chat with me about his past year and what he has in the works for 2019.

“I did a tour in Europe this past year called Free Spirit, which was the music of Free and I really wanted to bring it to the States,” shared Rodgers. “Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson and Deborah Bonham jumped on board and the tour here in the States was called the “Stars Align Tour.”

I asked Rodgers if they all got to jam together.

“Actually Deborah Bonham and Ann Wilson came up and had a little jam session with me on “Rock & Roll Fantasy.” Ann

Wilson is such a powerful singer and a lovely lady and Deborah actually came along with us on the Free Spirit tour in Europe and she got a standing ovation every night. It was quite amazing.”

Deborah is the late John Bonham’s (Led Zeppelin) sister and Jason Bonham’s aunt.

Jason will be performing with Sammy Hagar on Friday night at Desert Classic.

“The Desert Classic show will be the first show of 2019 for Bad Company and it is one of only 10 selected shows that we will be playing this year and 3 of those will be with ZZ Top in Texas celebrating their 50 year Anniversary and 3 of them will be with Lynyrd Skynyrd as they finish up their Farewell Tour,” shared Rodgers.

I mentioned to Rodgers that I had seen Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top all on the same bill more than once back in the 1970s. I wondered what it was like playing with those bands all these years later.

“It’s fun. Lynyrd Skynyrd have such a great show and we love to go out and play with them, we’re compatible in lots of ways and we’re really good friends and they’re like family. We’re not as close with ZZ Top, but I think if you put a Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top album on, that they are

all in the same ballpark as we all have that same blues, rock feel with soul,” shared Rodgers.

I asked him if he was a golfer to which he said no. So I asked how this Desert Classic gig came about.

“Someone contacted our agency and asked if we’d like to play and we said ‘yes, absolutely.’ Being invited to play for the 60th Anniversary is very dear to us. I have a lot of respect for the late Bob Hope who started this event many years ago to give back locally to charities. He was such a special person and great performer. He went out to entertain the troops, wherever they might have been, and during Christmas. Not everyone would do that.”

Rodgers shared a bit about the recording of the Free Spirit disc. “We recorded the Live album at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the atmosphere was so beautiful in there you could cut it with a knife and put it in a bag and take it home. I really wanted to bring the music of Free to the people. Have the music recognized more because they’re kind of like the most famous unknown band in the world. A lot of bands come up to me and tell me that they’ve really been influenced by them,” shared Rodgers.

“When I came to the States my management told me that the people here really wanted to hear the Bad Company material, so I merged the two together and they really do complement each other well.

I was able to create a compelling set when I combined the music of both bands when I toured here last year. Brian May told me that Queen was very influenced by Free and that Freddie used to come to our shows,” shared Rodgers.

Not only has Brian May had nice things to say about Paul Rodgers, but his fellow musicians like Eric Clapton have called him “the real deal” and Robert Plant has called him “the real voice of all British voices.” I asked the very humble Rodgers what that means to him.

“Well, I mean what can I say, it’s absolutely wonderful. I mean I love Robert.

I met him years ago in England when I was on tour with Free before Led Zeppelin was a band. We met afterwards and had a cup of continue to page 5

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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BAD COMPANY continued from page 3

tea and he was telling me ‘I’ve been invited to come down and jam with this guy Jimmy Page and he’s a big session musician have you heard of him?’ and I said ‘yes’ chuckling and he said they’ve offered me 15 quid a week or a percentage’ and I said ‘you should definitely take the percentage,’ and he did.

Robert’s really never changed he’s still the

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same guy I knew back then, a rambling hippy,” Rodgers said with a warm-hearted chuckle.

So who are some of the people in the industry he most respects or listens to?

“I loved Amy Winehouse, even though she’s passed, she was one of my favorites.

She was such a lovely singer. What ever

happened to her band? They were so good too. As a teenager I listened to a lot of soul like Otis Redding, John Lee Hooker, Alvin King. I can still put those records on and get a recharge because they were so great. I also like Adele, she has nice chops.”

Even though Rodgers will be doing fewer shows this year, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be slowing down that much. I asked him if retirement ever enters his mind?

“Yes,” he laughed. “Every time I’m delayed at an airport and I have to spend the night somewhere I don’t want to be, but then as soon as we get on stage my whole mood changes. Last year we promised ourselves we would cut back on shows, but we didn’t so this year we’re going to because I also want to spend some time creating new music and not just playing shows. So I really want to move forward creatively. I’m working on a bunch of new songs and I can’t wait to have the time to get the guys in the studio to record them.

January 17 to January 23, 2019 They will be Bad Company songs.”

Rodgers says that there is a bit of a difference when he does solo shows from when he performs with Bad Company.

“When I do solo shows it’s a mix of all the music I’ve done with all my bands; Free, The Firm and Bad Company and my solo blues albums, but when I’m with Bad Company I try to keep it strictly to those songs. But having said that I just started slipping the Free song “Alright Now” into the mix and the fans seem to really enjoy it.”

People connect with the hit songs of Bad Company. Having the song “Alright Now” included also resonates with the fans.

Rodgers also has one of the best power voices in rock, so being able to see him with Bad Company is not to be missed. You can still get tickets - Daily tickets ($30) include concert, week-long tickets ($75) and all other tournament information is available at the Desert Classic’s website, www.DesertClassic.com.

THE 60TH ANNUAL DESERT CLASSIC

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he last two spots of the 156 spots for this week’s 60th-anniversary Desert Classic, the PGA TOUR’s first U.S. mainland golf tournament of 2019 have been finalized and went to 2008 Desert Classic champion D.J. Trahan and Jason Gore. And with Trahan’s inclusion, that now makes 12 past Desert Classic champions in this week’s field.

The other 154 spots in the player field (listed below) are: 11 past Desert Classic champions: Defending champ Jon Rahm, Hudson Swafford (2017), Jason Dufner (2016), Bill Haas (2010, 2015), Brian Gay (2013), Mark Wilson (2012), Jhonattan Vegas (2011), Pat Perez (2009), Charley Hoffman (2007), Phil Mickelson (2002, 2004), Mike Weir (2003)

9 major champions: Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Justin Rose, Jason Dufner, Lucas Glover, Graeme McDowell, Charl Schwartzel, Mike Weir, Danny Willett.

2 PGA TOUR FedExCup champions: Justin Rose (2018), Bill Haas (2011).

An overall field amassing 239 PGA TOUR wins.

43-time PGA TOUR winner and five-time major champion Phil Mickelson is once again the Desert Classic’s ambassador for the 2019 event. He owns the most wins and majors of any golfer in the field.

World No. 1 Justin Rose, from England, returns to the tournament for the first time since 2010, and will be the first golfer to tee it up in the Desert Classic while holding the world’s top ranking since the Official World Golf Ranking was introduced in 1986.

The $5.9 million Desert Classic is a 72hole tournament played Jan. 17-20 at the Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, Calif. The Desert Classic is open to spectators from Wednesday, Jan. 16-Sunday, Jan. 20, and features two postround concerts (approximate start times 5 p.m.) at the Stadium Course at PGA WEST – Sammy Hagar & The Circle on Friday, Jan. 18 and Bad Company on Saturday, Jan. 19 – which are free with paid tournament admission.

Daily tickets ($30), week-long tickets ($75) and all other tournament information is available at the Desert Classic’s website, www.Desert-Classic.com.

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

‘BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS’

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erhaps the sexual awakenings of horny teens are of interest and amusement to some. Unfortunately I am not one who gets a kick out of watching a 15 year old drop his napkin a dozen times so that he can look up his 16 year old cousin’s skirt. “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” the first installment of Neil Simon’s semiautobiographical ‘Eugene’ trilolgy, (The following two plays in the trilogy are Biloxi Blues and Broadway Bound,) had its first preBroadway production at the Ahmanson in Los Angeles. Not a bad start for a new play. It opened on Broadway in 1983 and went on to win several Tony’s.

Brighton Beach, currently in production at Desert Theatreworks, is narrated by 15 year old Eugene, performed wonderfully

by Angus Feath. It’s the story of his teen years in Queens, New York during the Great Depression, right before the onset of WWII. Eugene’s family; mother Kate, (the very talented Daniela Ryan,) dad Jack (Stephen Blackwell,) and brother Stanley, (Lee Padick) had in recent years made room in their small brownstone, for his mother’s sister, Blanche, performed by one of the Desert’s standout talents, Leanna Rodgers. Blanche and her two daughters, Nora (Bella Oden,) and Laurie (Cameron Trubee,) became destitute after the death of her husband and doing what close knit families do, they made room for one another. The family is struggling to keep a roof over their heads as most in the country were at that time.

I did appreciate some of the deeper elements of the story, the relationship between Kate and Blanche was honest and real in their attempt to maintain their

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BY DEE JAE COX

‘PERFECT ARRANGEMENT’

“I cannot and will not cut my conscience to fit this year’s fashions.” – Lillian Hellman, Playwright. Her response when called before the ‘House Committee on Un-American Activities’ during the McCarthy era. enator Joseph McCarthy, (R-Wisconsin) will forever be known as the instigator of one of the darkest periods in American History. Between the late 1940’s and mid 1950’s, the United States experienced what was called, ‘The Red Scare.’ It began as oppression and fear mongering against anyone suspected of being a communist, (with or without proof,) and eclipsed into the persecution of anyone thought to be a degenerate; Drunkards, loose women, and those with general moral turpitude. This of course included gays.

Though primarily referencing gay men, since misogynistic men could hardly fathom women having sex without them.

It is against this backdrop that Topher Payne’s dramedy, “Perfect Arrangement,” is set. Currently in production with Dezart Performs at the Pearl McManus Theatre, Perfect Arrangement, tells the story of two couples, Norma Baxter, (Olivia Saccomanno) and her husband, Jim Baxter, (Hanz Enyeart,) Millie Martindale, (Phylicia Mason,) and her husband Bob Martindale, (Adam Jonas Segaller.) In a time of crushing homophobia, these four have worked out a perfect arrangement. In truth Norma and Mille are lovers and Bob and Jim are, as well.

Each couple shares one half of a duplex, appropriately separated by a closet with a secret passageway that allows them to go back and forth between the two homes when heterosexual appearances need to be made.

Bob works for the government and it’s his job to investigate all of the suspected subversives and ensure that they are fired and never hold another respectable job.

Norma is his secretary who painfully comes to realize the hypocrisy between their private lives and their work.

Dezart hit it out of the ballpark with this play. Payne’s script, the ensemble of actors and the production value of this show are absolutely phenomenal. Olivia Saccomanno,

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closeness while coming to terms with long buried grudges. Kate’s distrust of the Irish in their neighborhood reveling the not so subtle prejudices and Jack’s open concern about the approaching war in Europe and how it would impact their Jewish family.

Neil Simon, is a highly regarded playwright and so each time I see one of his plays I go with the hope that maybe this one I’ll like better than the last. But instead, I usually find his work to be dated and sexist. The saving grace for this production is the talented cast, Lance Phillip-Martinez’s wonderful set and Rebecca Havely’s direction, which kept the action and the story moving forward and as engaging as this script could be.

Brighten Beach Memoirs is appropriate for family members of all ages and can be seen through January 27th, at The Indio Performing Arts Center, located at 45175 Fargo Street, Indio, CA. For show and ticket info: dtworks.org Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org palmspringstheatre.com

BY DEE JAE COX

as Norma, is a talent that I sincerely hope we see a lot more of in the desert. Her performance makes even an oppressive black and white era such as the 1950’s, seem like it’s in living color. Yo Younger, as the loose woman, Barbara Grant, owns the stage when she walks through the door. It’s not just Michael Mullen’s breathtaking costumes that draw your attention, Younger is stunning as a woman who defines confidence and takes no prisoners. Adam Jones Segaller as Bob Martindale, gives an outstanding performance as a truly sympathetic man imprisoned by the times and his own selfdoubts.

Deborah Harmon, as Kitty Sunderson, (the easily distracted wife of Bob’s boss, Theodore Sunderson, Hal O’Connell,) was the personification of class and elegance.

Harmon’s performance was a throwback to Bette Davis in her prime.

Michael Shaw’s skilled direction kept the staging balanced and moving at a pace that fit perfectly with the comedy and/or drama of the scenes. I was engaged and captivated every moment that there was movement on the stage.

There was not a single production element that was lacking in this show. Clark Dugger’s sound design, Thomas Valach’s set design, Mathew Garrett’s lighting, James Geier’s wigs and as previously mentioned, Michael Mullen’s gorgeous costumes, all came together like a fine symphony to produce a stellar production.

Perfect Arrangement, is highly recommended. They are no doubt close to being sold out for this run, so get your tickets now. This is a show you don’t want to miss.

Perfect Arrangement can be seen through January 20th, at Dezart Performs, located at the Palm Springs Women’s Club, 314 S Cahuilla Rd, Palm Springs, CA Show and ticket info: dezartperforms.org Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director for The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomentheatreproject.org palmspringstheatre.com

PHOTOS BY DAVID A. LEE

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LADIES DAY AT VENUS

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hether you enjoy great entertainment or personal bonding with positive like-minded women, you’ll want to join us for all of that and more. It’s time to release the stress, the worry, the fear and step into your calling for 2019 with clarity, support, and love! What is Happening at Venus on January 20, 9 am - 5 pm?

Deborah Harlow, world renowned master life coach, along with Sistership Circle Facilitators from all over the world have cocreated a day that grounds your vision for 2019. These Sistership Circle Facilitators have created a program that showers you with support, love, connection, free-flow journaling, dancing, and fun! Visionary sisterhood has been forgotten and it’s needed now more than ever. As modern day women, many times we are isolated, spending hours in front of the computer, living in a vacuum. Who supports YOU as you support everyone??? It is your turn!

Are you ready to…

• Ground into your vision for 2019?

• Step into clarity!

• Connect to your body, voice, truth, and power!

• Come together with the tribe of ladies to feel the power of one woman/one tribe/one community!

• Celebrate the old and bring in the new!

• Allow yourself to be cocooned in a bubble of love!

If this is the only thing you do good for yourself on January 20th, then do it, space is limited. RSVP Tickets are $47.00 or $77.00 with a Trifecta package that includes Brunch and a Salt Cave Meditation Session.

There are two circle times being offered.

Select the time that works best for you.

Morning Circle: 9:30-11:30 am or Afternoon Circle: 2:30-4:30pm.

Ready to join us in the fun? Share this with a sister who also needs this right now: SistershipCircle.com.

Get to know your sistership circle facilitator Deborah Harlow: sistershipcircle.com/ facilitator/deborah-harlow #sistershipcircle @sistershipcircle

JANUARY 20, 2019 - A DAY OF SISTERSHIP, CELEBRATION AND A WAY TO SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE CHARITY

And there’s MORE… Sharon Sills is the Headliner for our Brunch performing her One Woman Act, Songs My Mother Hated, on January 20th. “Sharon is much more than an entertainer, she’s spine tingling inspirational,” acclaims, Lorie Loftis, CEO of Venus de Fido. Sharon has been entertaining audiences in Southern California and Las Vegas for more than 3 decades and recently began performing in Palm Springs and Palm Desert. With her huge powerful voice, delivered with total control, Sharon shares an extensive and diverse repertoire covering the spectrum from standards and golden oldies through blues, Show Tunes and rock ‘n’ roll.

She impresses and comforts with songs such as “Wind Beneath My Wings,” “Send in the Clowns,” “When You’re Good To Mama,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “I Feel Good,” “Whole lotta Shakin’ Goin On,” “All That Jazz,” and many more. Sharon is a must see entertainer that always keeps us wanting more. Facebook. com/SillsKills.

The Champagne Brunch will feature Bountiful Buffets featuring an “If you Dare” spread of Southern Comfort Foods with a glass of Champagne as well as an “If you Care” buffet for the health conscious to enjoy with an Elixir Spritzer. The gals that come early can sign up to model for 35% off their outfits and we will start our Brunch with a Fashion Show featuring the Dress to Express fashions of the Venus Boutique and accessories from our guest vendors.

RSVP by Jan 18th; Tickets are $35.00 for Brunch only and includes reserved Brunch seating.

Brunch Service starts at 11:30 pm. Show starts at 12:00 pm Lorie Loftis, who often states her title of CEO, stands for “Creator of Exciting Opportunities” also invites the Non-Profits of the desert to utilize this event as a Turnkey Fundraiser. Venus is a gathering place, a healing arts center and a feel good playground for our community. By bringing in Sharon Sills’ stage show, known to exude feminine strength and encourage self-appreciation and feminine encouragement, we have established a theme to empowering women’s groups. Venus

January 17 to January 23, 2019

BY AMANDA DORTA

invites 501c3’s to purchase brunch tickets with a $10 discount in order to sell tickets at face value and raise money for their charity. Your charity will have an exhibit table to promote their cause with a minimum of 8 guests. It’s a no risk, no brainer for non-profits. Call Lorie at 760-834-7001 to find out how to participate in the Turnkey fundraiser program.

And last but not least, on this special day we will be collecting clothing donations for Desert Best Friend’s Closet (www.bfcloset.org) where

2019 COACHELLA VALLEY WOMEN’S MARCH

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n Saturday, January 19, women from across the Coachella Valley and others who cannot sit idle while the president and his administration advance policies harming women, ignore laws protecting minorities, and erode the norms of our democracy, will march in solidarity with millions of people around the world.

The 2019 Coachella Valley Women’s March comes two years after the historic worldwide protest the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration. Since then, the movement has inspired thousands of women to speak out, vote, and run for office. And today the US Congress has more women members than at any point in history.

Yes, there are reasons to be hopeful, but 2019 is no time to slouch off. This year you can keep celebrating by staying involved, volunteering for your favorite nonprofits,

giving to women support services, or signing petitions to stop harmful legislation.

“We want the big takeaway for participants in this year’s Women’s March to be that the Coachella Valley needs to use 2019 to prepare for the Census and the presidential election in 2020,” said Karen Borja, Director of Community Affairs in Riverside County for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest and one of the valley residents organizing the event. “The speakers at this year’s rally are prepared to be more than inspiring. They are prepared to talk about their own participation in their places or work, in their families, and even in their schools. It will be up to everyone in the Coachella Valley to exercise our activist muscles in 2019.”

Ruth Debra, a local activist and march organizer, added: “We are organizing the Coachella Valley Women’s March because

many local women want to be part of this worldwide movement. Under the current administration, women’s visibility and rights are at an all-time low. Racism and bigotry of all kinds are given permission to flourish. We must show up and speak out again and again, and we hope many in the Coachella Valley will join us. This March is open to all people.”

So on January 19, hundreds of people are

EVENTS

the mission is to educate and empower (their) clients for success in employment and life. In order to evolve we must shed the old to make room for the new. During this Ladies Day at Venus you can enjoy donating your perfectly good used professional clothes that no longer express the woman you are today and receive a $10 off voucher in the Venus Boutique!

More Venus happenings can be found at venusdefido.com/events/RSVP. 760-834-7070.

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going to flood the streets of Palm Springs as millions of others do the same in cities across the globe. The #WomensWave is coming, and we’re sweeping the world forward with us.

2019 Coachella Valley Women’s March WHEN: Saturday, January 19, 2019, 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (The rally begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the march along Palm Canyon Drive at 1 p.m.)

WHERE: Frances Stevens Park, Palm Springs (Alejo Road between Palm Canyon and Indian Canyon) WHO: Speakers will include Coachella City Council member Megan Beaman Jacinto, Desert Healthcare District Director Evett PerezGil, Elvira Herrera with Lideres Campesinas, Kate Castle with the Human Rights Campaign, Silvia Paz with Alianza Coachella Valley, and local students and educators.

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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4TH ANNUAL CV MUSIC SHOWCASE ROUND 2 WINNERS:

GISELLE WOO & THE NIGHT OWLS

BY TRACY DIETLIN

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his past Sunday night the 2nd Preliminary Showcase of the 4th Annual CV Music Showcase took place at The Hood Bar & Pizza. Four bands competed for $200.00 cash and the chance to advance to the Finals, which will be held on Saturday, May 4, where the Winner will take home $2,000 cash, a professional photo shoot and 4 hours of recording time at Melrose Recording Studios.

The 4 bands were: Cody White & The Easy Ride: Cody White, vocals/guitar; Samantha Clark, bass; David Driver, drums. Giselle Woo & The Night Owls: Giselle Woo, lead vocals/ guitar; Jose Ceja, drums; Cesar Flores, vocals/ percussion; Marco Murrieta, bass; Christian Colin, lead guitar. Cakes & The Assholes: Monica Morones, lead voaclas; Aaron Ramson, bass; Joshua Fimbres, drums; Nick Hales, guitar; Rene Almodovar, percussion. Reborn

By The Sunshine: James Dorris, vocals/guitar; Chelsea Dorris, banjo/tambourine; Brett McLaughlin, bass; Scott McLaughlin, drums; Brian Gelesko, lead guitar.

The winner of the evening (just 4 points shy from a perfect score) was Giselle Woo & The Night Owls.

Judges for the evening were: Todd ‘TK” Killiam, Program Director for 93.7 KCLB; David Williams, Owner of Melrose Studios, Julie Montante, Owner of PSA Organica and the 420 Lounge in PS and Lynn Wiley, musician/ frontwoman of the Inland Empire band One-2-Many. Sound was provided by Nigel Dettelbach and photos by Robert Chance.

Below are my comments along with the judges.

Cody White & The Easy Ride- This band had a late 60s early 70s heavy rock sound

GISELLE WOO & THE NIGHT OWLS with a bluesy feel. They really don’t sound like anyone else in the desert which was refreshing. Their last song had a Tom Petty vibe to it.

TK- The whole set had a good texture and feel to it. Good songs. Maybe just involve the audience a little more.

Lynn- You had a nice tight groove and the female bass player was right in the pocket.

Julie- I would have liked to see more eye contact with the audience.

David- You have that power trio going on, the holy grail with that guitar sound and the bass and drums being super locked.

Giselle Woo & The Night Owls- Woo has crystal clear powerful vocals and is a badass on the guitar. The band is very cohesive and play to each other very well with impeccable timing.

TK- That was such a great performance.

Lynn- I loved your chemistry. Your guitar player was able to step up and shred and then give you your space to do the same.

David- You were all having such a good time. The musicianship was beautiful. I loved the percussionist. You guys are concert ready.

CAKES & The Assholes- Monica Morones is a sultry, charismatic frontwoman. Nick Hales

(Sleazy Cortez and a slew of other bands) is a beast on the guitar and let loose like I’ve not seen him do in such a way before. It was fun to watch. With Aaron Ramson (Perishment) on bass and Joshua Fimbres (Thr3Strykes) on drums this band is definitely of “Supergroup” status.

TK- That performance was badass. The voaclas were great and the band was tight.

Lynn- You guys rocked it! I loved your original songs and you have a great stage presence.

David- That was an electric performance.

The guitar player took me back to Hendrix.

Very strong drummer too. I was impressed.

CODY WHITE & THE EASY RIDE

CAKES & THE ASSHOLES

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CV MUSIC SHOWCASE

Reborn By the Sunshine- This band has a country, rock sound with a bluegrass twinge.

Very melodic, well-crafted songs that I could easily hear on the radio right now.

TK- You are going to be the first out of format band to be on the radio at KCLB. You make me want to go home and listen to Ryan Adams. Strong vocals! Nice job!

Lynn- Very original! Loved the banjo and harmonies.

David- Loved the musicianship and your high lonesome voice. It had a Grateful Dead feel.

Julie- You have a New Orleans country vibe and I loved it.

REBORN BY THE SUNSHINE

LOCAL MUSIC

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BY NOE GUTIERREZ

EMPTY SEAT– FILL ‘ER UP WITH ROCK!

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

CAPTAIN GHOST

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uch like a phantom ship, the band Captain Ghost has ridden into the Coachella Valley desert music scene virtually undetected. Their single, “Poison Skies,” available on all major music platforms, is the perfect introduction to a sound that is pretenseless as it is convincing. Captain Ghost is Bradley Burton (Songwriter, Lead Vocals and Guitar), Corwin Hendricks (Drums), Mikey Hendricks (Bass) and Nick Hales (Lead Guitar).

Captain Ghost will be performing with The CMFs, Stevieraps, Yakúb, Arsk, Tommy Hillz, Alec, Sonny D Heavy, Slum G and D.O.M. on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at The Hood Bar & Pizza. The diversified Rock and Hip-Hop event is presented by Most Infinite Records and G.O.O.N.S. Entertainment.

The show is 21 and over only and begins at 9 p.m. There is no cover charge.

CVW: You have your first single, “Poison Skies,” available on all major music platforms. The song is admirably up-tempo and keeps its timbre until the breakdown and outro; I love it! What can you tell us about the essence of the song and recording?

Brad: “Well, thank you for the kind words. I think the essence I tried to capture here was urgency, that’s honestly one of my favorite themes throughout the years of being a music fan and these seem to be urgent times in a way, with all that›s going on in the world. I think that influence comes from being a fan of Punk Rock. History is reciprocal; like with 80›s Punk Rock, the era can influence the artwork. As far as the recording process, it was a lot of fun and actually one of my first experiences in the studio.”

CVW: What was it like to have the song played by T.K. on 93.7 KCLB? Brad: “It was an honor to be on 93.7. T.K. came out to our last show in time to catch a few songs and he heard “Poison Skies” at the end of our set. He told us he wanted us in studio the following week and asked if we had the last song recorded for him to play. Luckily, we did so we set it up. It was a blast!”

Corwin: “It’s surreal to think we have a song on the same airwaves of the station I grew up listening to. The opportunity T.K.

E

and KCLB is providing us is super helpful to get local music out to a large amount of listeners in our community.”

CVW: You have a show at The Hood on Saturday 1/19 with The CMFs. What can you tell us about the show?

Corwin: “Were excited! We love playing at The Hood. We hope to provide a highenergy performance. Our first show was with The CMFs in the CV Music Showcase about a year ago. They are a killer band and we enjoy sharing the stage with them anytime.”

CVW: You recently shot a video for your single. Tell us about the pre-production/ production process of developing a music video.

Mikey: “Well, the video is a dual concept fitting for the song. We chose a cool spot in Sky Valley to shoot. While in the middle of production a local elderly couple yelled, ‘We approve!’ so that felt welcoming. I managed to use iconic imagery to portray and push the concept forward. It was entertaining to create with these guys and we’re looking forward to making future videos.”

CVW: When will you be releasing your EP/LP? Tell us about the songs and the writing/recording experience.

Brad: “We don›t have a definitive date to announce at this time, but keep checking in on us because we plan to get our debut EP out soon. A few of the tracks were written and recorded before the band actually started. I had written some songs and was originally thinking of being a recording artist primarily, but the stage called me back. I performed a few solo acoustic shows here in the desert, met a few really cool people including Corwin and Mikey and started bugging them relentlessly to jam, ha ha.

Now, with the addition of Nick on guitar the dynamic has changed; some songs have changed and would benefit from a rerecording. We›re entering the studio in a few weeks to complete the EP.” Find out more about Captain Ghost on Facebook and Instagram. Their website, CaptainGhost.com, will be up very soon!

Email them at CG@CaptainGhost.com Upcoming Show Sat. 1/19 – The Hood Bar & Pizza – Palm Desert, CA

January 17 to January 23, 2019

MPTY SEAT is fronted by one of the strongest female voices I’ve heard in quite some time; Erin Marie aka “Red”.

The band has had the opportunity of performing as support for rock legends Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats, Bow Wow Wow’s Anabella Lwin and Cherie Currie of The Runaways as well as 60’s soul singer Brenton Wood. They’ve rocked some of the finest live music venues in Southern California including the House of Blues in Hollywood & Anaheim, The Viper Room, Whisky A Go-Go, The Roxy Theatre, The Galaxy Theater, Safari Sam’s, Chain Reaction and The Key Club.

The band’s 2003 debut release, Number 9, was featured on Los Angeles’ KLOS 95.5 FM. Empty Seat has also previously made the Top 10 on L.A. TV’s Battle of the Bands television broadcast.

The band obviously thrives on the main stage to share their passion for music.

Closing out 2018, the now Coachella Valleybased band and their music were featured on KCLB 93.7 by Todd T.K. Killiam as a rising artist and they won the first round of the 4th Annual CV Music Showcase locking musical horns with 2018 CVMA Winner for ‘Best Youth Band’ FrankEatsTheFloor, ‘Best Rock Band’ nominee The CMFs and Krystofer Do. The band is currently planning to record new material for a 2019 release. Their next scheduled show is Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Hood Bar & Pizza for “The Rock Show” along with Aphrodisiac Jacket and FrankEatsTheFloor. The show starts at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover.

Coachella Valley Weekly spoke with Red’s hubby and Empty Seat guitarist Anthony Ferrer.

CVW: Please share with us about the Empty Seat band members and a little history.

Anthony: “Erin Marie, aka Red, is the creator of the band along with myself and Spade, the bass player, who is also my cousin. We all met back in early 2000 or so. Rickey, on drums, came in to really drive the band with his love and passion for drumming that he’s had since a child.

He drives in from L.A. He’s really dedicated to his craft for sure. He sees us playing festivals soon. I think we are heading towards that as well. Red and I live here in the Coachella Valley with the idea of expanding our minds to get more creative and enjoy the alive, yet low-key scene of artists and musicians; that’s what we are, painters, designers and musicians most of all. Spade is

out in Hesperia and just rejoined the group. He is dedicated to the love of playing music live, in studio or wherever.”

CVW: In anticipating your potential release this year, where are you at in the process and who’s involved with production/recording/ mastering?

Anthony: “We are currently recording demos on phones, small equipment and whatever we can. We may have an EP started but for now it’s heading towards a two-song release ‘Side A/Side B’ like the old 45 record kinda thing. As soon as a good offer comes about we will hit the studio.”

CVW: The music I’ve listened to thus far has a great attitude and force. I hear streaks of Punk, Rock and Indie. What should we expect with your release?

Anthony: “We all listened to 90’s era music, punk, old school punk, classic punk along all rock genres, even Sinatra and many classic sounds of yesteryear. It’s all in Empty Seat’s music!

CVW: After taking a break then coming back on the scene, what have you seen change within the desert music scene?

Anthony: “After this long break I see no huge changes other than old classic spots that are no longer around but as long as people still feel a connection with music being played live and we play our hearts out, we may have a big future ahead of us out here. The desert has made myself a better listener and the creativity is thriving here.”

CVW: How do you feel about performing at “The Rock Show” on Sat. 2/23 at the Hood and how are you preparing?

Anthony: “The Hood is awesome! I remember driving by many times saying we need to play there someday. We just learned planning and practice makes a better show. Most of all, feel it when you play live, don’t fake it to make it.”

CVW: Who are some of your favorite artists from the Coachella Valley?

Anthony: “We met Mega Sun and they’re good! We just got here so...we also like Black Water Gospel too!”

CVW: What do you hope to accomplish in the near future?

Anthony: “We just want to release the best pieces of music we have ever worked on while keeping our punk-influenced DIY-attitude and push it further than we ever have. For the love of the music.”

CVW: How do fans access your music online, physical copies, merch, etc.

Anthony: “For now, we have our FB page and Reverbnation. There’s new music, merch and a website coming soon! Empty Seat is planning big for 2019!”

Upcoming Shows: Saturday 2/23 – The Hood Bar & Pizza – Palm Desert, CA – The Rock Show Saturday 3/30 – Brew Rebellion – San Bernardino, CA

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

CONSIDER THIS

I

’m so sick of all you angry people, killing each other for the sake of your god, You just can’t seem to understand, your enemy is a god-made man/So get off your goddamn cross, and let go your fetish of loss, you better get busy being grateful for every precious breath you take.” That’s Chris D. unspooling a bit of righteous indignation on the song “Miss Muerte.”

Chris Desjardins has excelled at so many careers, it might be simpler to list what he hasn’t done. He has been a writer, a music journalist a film critic/historian, a record producer, a poet and an actor, but he is probably best known as a musician.

Chris grew up in Riverside and following college, he relocated to Los Angeles in the mid ‘70s. An aspiring filmmaker, he was making ends meet as a high school English teacher. While attending a poetry workshop in Venice, he met John Doe and Exene Cervenka. Concurrently, the Los Angeles Punk scene was taking shape as John and Exene formed the band X, with guitarist Billy Zoom and drummer, D.J. Bonebrake.

As X was getting off the ground, Chris began contributing to Slash, a Punk fanzine that spotlighted the primitive sounds that spilled out of unconventional clubs like the Masque and Madame Wong’s. By 1978, Slash released a 7” single from the Germs.

Suddenly, they became a full-fledged label, issuing the Germs’ first long-player a year later and X’s seminal debut, Los Angeles, in 1980. By this time, Chris began performing around town as Chris D., fronting the first incarnation of his band The Flesh Eaters.

The band recorded a single and a follow-up record, released through his own Upsetter label.

Not long after, Slash tapped him to be their de facto A&R guy. Rather quickly, he also became a sought-after producer, making iconic records with bands like The Dream Syndicate, Green On Red and The Gun Club.

In 1981 he assembled the most acclaimed line-up of The Flesh Eaters, recruiting Dave Alvin (guitar) and Bill Bateman (drums) and Steve Berlin (saxophone) from the Blasters plus John Doe (bass) and DJ Bonebrake (percussion) from X. Their album, A Minute To Pray, A Second To Die incorporated a plethora of styles, from Punk to Stax/Volt to Blues, Country “

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THE FLESH EATERS

and Rockabilly, still they managed to sound like nothing else in L.A. It was lightning in a bottle, they played a few incendiary shows before each musician returned to their day jobs in their own bands. Chris led other versions of the band recording an additional four albums between 1982 and 1991.

In 1983 he began a new band, Divine Horsemen with then-wife, Julie Christensen.

Their sound is best described as literary Roots Rock, they were active from 1984 to 1987, releasing four records. In between musical activity, Chris carved out an interesting acting career, starring in Alison Anders’ debut film, “Border Radio,” as well as playing integral parts in the Kevin Costner thriller, “No Way Out,” and the original “Lethal Weapon.” In the mid ‘90s he released a solo album.

For the last several years, music has been sidelined, as Chris pursued more literary and cinematic paths. He’s written poetry, along with several novels. He published “Gun And Sword,” an exhaustive encyclopedia on Japanese gangster cinema, and directed his first feature film, “I Pass For Human” in 2004.

A year later fellow Punk compatriots Mudhoney were curating the All Tomorrow’s Parties music festival and managed to corral The Flesh Eaters’ storied ’81 line-up to participate. It went well enough to foster talks of a real tour. At this point, Dave Alvin had become a critically acclaimed solo artist, John Doe toggled between a solo career, playing with DJ Bonebrake in the reconstituted X and acting in films. Bill Bateman continued to pound a kit for The Blasters and Steve Berlin had been Los Lobos’ sax man since 1984. Coordinating a Flesh Eaters tour between commitments proved Impossible.

But then in early 2018, the impossible became possible, Dave, John, D.J., Bill and Steve became available and the band booked their first honest-to-goodness tour.

The energy onstage was so electric, Chris suggested they collaborate on a new album.

They hit the studio in April and the result is a scorching, 11-song set epigrammatically entitled I Used To Be Pretty.

The record gets off to a suitably sinister start with “Black Temptation,” A joint effort between Chris and Dave. It unfurls slowly with foreboding percussion and mournful sax cloaking the track in a Film Noir patina. Chris doesn’t so much sing as growl out a time worn tale of unrequited love and romantic confusion. The band barrels in full-bore on the chorus, along with Julie Christensen (who adds her sultry talents to four other songs). Dave’s guitar see-saws over ricochet bass lines and a tick-tock rhythm. Steve’s saxophone provides a sympathetic Greek chorus to labyrinthine lyrics like “Knockdown drag-out animal machine, I need to separate myself from the dream, stop surrendering up minutes in a whirlpool of false confidence/ Death smell under the scent of roses, a stampede of fear-maddened horses dream of the sun in eternal light after all the time we’ve had.” The instrumental break feels cavernous yet compact.

“I USED TO BE PRETTY” (YEP ROC RECORDS)

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

Chris has cherry-picked six songs from the Flesh Eaters’ oeuvre that felt ripe for reinterpretation. The oldest, “Pony Dress,” dates back to 1979. Whiplash guitar riffs ride roughshod over searing sax notes, corrosive bass lines and a hell-for-leather backbeat.

Chris’ frenzied method of seduction leaves a little to be desired; “Stick a mirror between the bars, see what’s happening to me, you and your pony express, looking up into my face/There’s a nasty little tear before the sheets hit the floor, a sticky gleam of sweat like the firemen get, I’m going to trip my holster, draw the bell spur, blur with the ringing in the pony dress.” Predictably, it’s over in a little more than two minutes.

Both “My Life To Live” and “The Wedding Dice” were written in 1982. On the former, throbbing bass gives way to blitzkrieg guitar, stentorian sax, a driving rhythm and propulsive percussion. The anthemic melody is surprisingly catchy even with Chris’ strangulated vocal delivery and cryptic declarations; “We can’t live without talking, sometimes pleasure’s no fun/When friendly conversation puts you under the branding iron!” The band’s muscular attack offers a welcome distraction.

The latter opens with blowzy sax before the band roars in, accelerating the staccato tempo. Love, lust, matrimony and murder is sketched out in an economic fashion; “They buried her embraces in a white coffin, gave me two bits of lead, a jealous father’s souvenir/That’s when I took a gun into the liquor store, the cops to this day say ‘it’s no heartwarming story’.” As the calibrated cacophony reaches a fever pitch, the saxophone wails, over raspy guitar and a pounding beat, and then, just as suddenly, it stops on a dime.

A martial cadence and shards of squally guitar anchor “The Youngest Profession,” which dates back to 1991. Swampy and sepulchral, lyrics only hint at the title’s seedy vocation, but every time Chris utters the simple command “get crazy” the band obliges, synchronizing into an explosive Free Jazz freek-out. The arrangement and instrumentation bear passing resemblance to the tripwire Psychedelia of “When The Music’s Over” by The Doors.

Meanwhile, the syncopated swing of 1999’s “House Amid The Thickets” features strafing power chords over a chunky

backbeat, rippling percussion, bramble-thick bass lines and sinewy sax. Chris rants and raves about a fiery femme fatale; “Then she starts going back to bars, before you know it she wrecks all her cars/How does she stay so beautiful, why am I such a goddamn fool?”

His fervid prose recalls the telegrammatic style of authors like Jim Thompson and James Ellroy. Dave’s scorching solo doubles down on the angst.

Finally, on the aforementioned “Miss Muerte,” D.J.’s sunny marimba and Bill’s chromatic meter are juxtaposed with Dave’s savage shards of guitar and Steve’s keening sax. Written in 2004, the lyrics mirror that turbulent time of terror attacks and unnecessary wars. (In these “peachy dory” days that era seems almost quaint). Dave matches Chris’ righteous indignation with an eloquent solo.

The Flesh Eaters salt three telling covers into the mix. First up is a menacing take of Fleetwood Mac’s “Green Manalishi.” A tribal tattoo connects with rev’d up guitars as a serpentine sax slithers behind each verse.

The lyrics split the difference between hallucinatory fever dream and cogent commentary on the root of all evil: money.

Marimba and saxophone intertwine on the break, sending the song down the rabbit hole.

The band acquits themselves mightily on the Sonics’ Garage Rock classic, “Cinderella.” Although they increase the beat slightly, the song is a sweat-soaked workout accentuated by incendiary guitar and shadowy saxophone. They also offer up a ferocious rendition of the Gun Club’s “She’s Like Heroin To Me.” Locomotive rhythms collide with sandblasted guitar, caffeinated percussion, roiling bass and honking baritone saxophone. Chris’ vocal gymnastics completely convey the power of carnal addiction.

The album closes with another new number. “Ghost Cave Lament” was inspired by the Flamenco classic “Moritas Moras.”

The guitar is lithe and lethal and the swirly sax notes, rumbling bass, click-clack percussion and rock-steady beat provide ballast for Chris’ shamanistic fervor. Clocking in at more than 13 minutes, this track doesn’t fuck around.

Although the term Punk Rock Super Group seems like an oxymoron, that’s exactly what The Flesh Eaters are. Coincidently, I Used To Be Pretty will be released just ahead of the Super Blood Wolf Moon eclipse. That feels wildly apropos. Perhaps this will pave the way for more albums to come. As Chris succinctly states in the song “My Life To Live,” Honey, masterpieces can be coaxed.

(The Flesh Eaters will play a sold-out show with special guests Mudhoney at Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace on Friday January 18th).

TRAVELTIPS4U

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 17 to January 23, 2019

BY LYNNE TUCKER

HILL IN ASTORIA, OREGON THE ASTORIA COLUMN COXCOMB

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he Astoria Column is a tower in the northwest United States, overlooking the mouth of the Columbia River on Coxcomb Hill in Astoria, Oregon. Built 92 years ago in 1926, the concrete and steel structure is part of a 30-acre city park.

It might surprise you to find this imposing monument on a windswept hill in the northwestern tip of Oregon in a town of a population of 10,000 in a part of the country that, at first glance, could appear to be the end of the road.

In fact, this is no lonely outpost, but the cradle for America’s claim to the Pacific Coast.

The Astoria Column is an artful summary of the triumphs, conflicts and turning points of the frontier. And the 400,000 annual visitors who are drawn to explore the jewel on the hill will invariably discover fascination pieces of American Indian, U.S. and Oregon history.

The murals on the Column celebrate the earliest moments of Northwest history. Most of the imagery deals with events between 1792 and 1818 - pivotal years in American’s history from Captain Robert Gray 1792, Lewis and Clark expedition 1805, Coming of the Pioneers 1834 and the arrival of the railroad 1880’s Some Column Facts: Depth of foundation: 12 feet Height: 125 feet Number of steps: 164 Number of cartoons: 12 Number of brown figures: 200 Decoration at top: State Seal of Oregon Original cost: $27,133.96 Weather repair: 1936 Column restoration: 1995 Plaza restoration: 2004 Staircase replacement: 2008 Column restoration: 2015 Plaza upgrades: 2016 There is no cost to visit the park site or to enter the Column. Parking is $5 per vehicle and constitutes a one-year pass. They ask buses and school groups to please contact them prior to your visit.

Hours: The Column is open from dawn to dusk. The park closes at 10pm Gift Shop Hours: April - September 9:00 am to 7:00 pm October - March 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. For more information please visit: astoriacolumn.org Think travel and enjoy the journey.

Lynne Tucker is a travel writer and photojournalist based in Palm Desert CA

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

A MIRACLE FOR MEGAN!

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he tiny Terrier was wedged against the back of the kennel wall at our local county shelter, frozen with fear and shaking. Meredith Greenwood spotted the dog during her volunteer shift at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus. She took a closer look at the little pup, scanning the information on her kennel card, learning that she came in as a 3-yr-old stray. Meredith noticed there was something wrong with her right eye.

While the other shelter dogs wagged their tails greeting prospective adopters, this dog was unresponsive. The days passed and no one adopted Megan, and Meredith worried that adopters would be put off by her bad eye. She decided to take the dog outside for some exercise. Meredith recalls, “Megan was so frightened that it was difficult to get her out of the kennel. Once we were outside, I could feel her finally relax, and she nuzzled against my chest wanting to stay with me. We sat there for over an hour. When I returned her to her kennel, she began shaking again.

I hated to leave her there, scared, confused and lonely. When I went home that night, I could not get this dog out of my mind.”

Meredith volunteers for Loving All Animals, a local animal welfare organization.

MEET RILEY Riley dreamed of a home for the holidays, now hopes for a family in the New Year.

This loveable Tuxedo cat was rescued by www.ForeverMeow.org.

5-yr-old Riley would like a home where he is the only cat. Call (760) 335-6767.

MEET SPIRIT This handsome Siberian Huskie mix would be a great dog for your family. 2-yr-old Spirit waits for a home at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus shelter, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. www.rcdas.org Call (760) 343-3644, refer to Dog ID#A1488533.

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She reached out and asked them to rescue Megan, adding that she would gladly foster her. Loving All Animals agreed to take her. It took about a week in Meredith’s loving home for the tiny dog to relax and know that life could be okay. Meredith recalls, “She really didn’t know how to be a dog at first.”

A trip to the vet confirmed that Megan was blind in her right eye, and there was no treatment for this. However, it turned out that the eye issue was secondary to a major medical problem no one had anticipated.

Meredith noticed something seriously wrong with Megan’s gait when she ran in the backyard, using only three of her legs, and holding up one of her rear legs. An x-ray revealed a fractured femur bone hitting her pelvis and causing that to fracture as well. We suspect the tiny pup was in considerable pain, but of course dogs cannot let us know. Some sort of blunt force trauma caused this injury, and sadly this confirmed fears that Megan may have been abused.

Desert Dunes Animal Hospital generously provided us with a “rescue discount” for the surgery Megan needed, a Femoral Head Arthroplasty, also known as a FHO procedure.

Megan is pictured here with her wonderful surgeon, Dr. John Howarth. The bill for this

surgery was still quite costly, but the results very successful.

Today Megan is free from pain and happily romping with other dogs. Megan’s miracle was not just her physical healing. The emergence of her loving spirit was another miracle. Meredith recalls the first time she came home and was welcomed by Megan wagging her tail, the dog’s entire body moving in a joyful greeting. Megan always had love to give. Now through receiving it for the first

time from humans, she became the dog she was meant to be.

Megan found a wonderful forever home with dog lovers Charlotte and Jim O’Callaghan.

They were not looking for the perfect dog, and thought one-eyed Megan would be a good fit for them. When they called Loving All Animals and were told the dog also had an issue with a leg, they were not the least hesitant to meet her. Charlotte reports, “She is a little treasure! She melted our hearts, and it seems like Megan’s been with us forever.

Every Sunday I make a homemade breakfast for her and the other pups. Megan sleeps with us every night.”

Your donations enable Loving All Animals to provide a safety net and medical care to give homeless animals like Megan a second chance. The dogs they rescue often have received no previous veterinary care. The animals also need to be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. You can donate online at www.lovingallanimals.org.

Checks can be mailed to Loving All Animals at 73550 Alessandro, Palm Desert, CA 92260, or contact (760) 834-7000. Please designate the reason for your donation as “Megan” or “dog vet fund”.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com

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THE VINO VOICE

BY RICK RIOZZA

TAKING A STAGS’ LEAP AT SPENCER’S

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or you wine travelers who’ve visited Napa Valley once or often in these past decades where California has become a wine mecca, the Stag’s Leap District is the de rigueur haunt for those hunting the best wines in the Valley. So hold that thought.

Sitting by the beautiful sunlit patio at Spencer’s Restaurant in Palm Springs, Paolo Maximilliano, from the Palm Springs Wine Blog, and myself were treated to a wonderful wine tasting luncheon provided by Treasury Wine Estates, who have the famed Stags’ Leap Winery in their portfolio. And seated at our table was the esteemed winemaker and General Manager of Stags’ Leap, Christophe Paubert, along with his proud line-up of stellar wines situated around us. If you will, hold that scene in your mind.

(Hey—if we wine columnists can’t have a little fun with you readers, then let’s drink up, dance, and have a ball for that’s all there is.)

So let’s get the confusion out of the way quickly: Many of you already know that there are two “Stags Leap” venues, always at issue. There’s “Stags’ Leap” and then there is “Stag’s Leap!” Did you catch the difference?

It’s where the apostrophe is placed! That was the remedy the California Supreme Court issued in the 1980s when both wineries sued for the right to use the name. These days, there is no angst between them, indeed, they’ve gone on to collaborate on a wine or two.

Actually, we do have two distinct full names: there’s “Stags’ Leap Winery” and “Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars”. Like it or not, wine lovers refer to them both as “Stags Leap” in the spoken language, which again, adds to the confusion. Many times, wine lovers think they’re drinking one brand when they’re drinking the other!

Things are most crazy when I see the one brand on the market shelf and the tag saying the other brand. But my favorite faux pas occurred when at a very upscale hotel restaurant in our valley (a name that I’ll

January 17 to January 23, 2019

withhold because I like the chef there—and, the mistake wasn’t his fault) that advertised a wine-pairing dinner featuring Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, when it was the wine from Stags’ Leap Winery that they were pouring.!! (by the way, when I alerted them about the mistake, they should have hired me immediately—for something!)

Both wineries make world class wine, but I find the Stags’ Leap Winery wines to be more earthy, powerful and elegant—especially bringing out the terroir of the Stags Leap AVA wine region. I have to say that Stags’ Leap’s original claim to fame was their Petite Sirah.

Back in the day, it was one of my epiphany wines experiences and I’ve always been a devoted fan.

So cut back to the scene at Spencer’s Restaurant. We are enjoying a lively discussion with Winemaker Christophe Paubert along with the lovely ladies, both Kim and Taylor, from Treasury Wine Estates, as we hear a confirmation of Paubert’s viticulture philosophy. “What I like, is our wines have power—but power without elegance is no use. We have such a unique area when it comes to land, sun, air currents, and temperature—so let the terroir speak for itself.” (Paubert was born and raised in Bordeaux and was the Cellar Master for the

famed Château d’Yquem.)

Andre de Carteret is the wine and spirits manager at Spencer’s Restaurant, home to one of the most expansive wine lists in the desert. During the season, this venue hosts many winemaker dinners featuring world class wineries. It was great to meet Andre, but he was quite busy attending to his beverage programs and no doubt preparing for the restaurant’s next wine dinner event.

I look forward to getting to know him better and perhaps covering an up-coming wine event—stay tuned.

And now, let’s share Christophe’s and our table’s comments on some of the new Stags’ Leap’s vintage wines we tasted through: 2017 Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Chardonnay: This wine opens with a bouquet of delicate orange blossom, citrus fruits, and fresh white peach. It has the gravitas of a rich wine but is very crisp, refreshing and vibrant.

It owns layers of lemon citrus, passion fruit, and guava, along with a great balance of vanilla and caramel oak notes with tasty acidity and minerality. It’s a dreamy Chard with complexity and depth and freshness all around!

2015 Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: Simply taking in the aromas we could tell the wine is typically rich and complex with blackberry, cherry, dark plum, and nuances of violets, sweet cinnamon and clove spice. The palate shows dark berry fruits with blackberry, plum and cassis, along with notes of leather, tobacco and earth, giving this Cabernet a classic old-world feel and elegance with a spicy lengthy finish. Delish!

2015 Stags’ Leap The Investor Red Blend Napa Valley: I wasn’t savvy to this wine until I began my wine steward gig with Ralphs. I saw the label and I immediately lusted after it.

What a treat to be sitting with the winemaker at my first go-round with The Investor. This wine, “beautifully blends together the unique flavors and expressions of Merlot, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, The Merlot’s fresh with red berry aromatics, the Petite Sirah, adds concentration, tannins, spice and blueberry flavors. The Cabernet Sauvignon adds complexity and the Malbec’s vibrant floral aromatics heighten the blend’s freshness.” I ditto that!

2016 Stags’ Leap Petite Sirah Napa Valley: As I mentioned, this is one of my favorite wines ever—so again, what a treat for me to taste the new vintage with Monsieur Christophe at the table. The 2016 is made up of 79% Petite Sirah, 8% mixed Rhône varieties, 7% Grenache and 6% Syrah.

As you’d expect, it’s deep purple-black and opens with notes of freshly crushed black cherries and black berries while catching notes of baking spices, plum preserves and that Petite Sirah tar. It’s a medium to fullbodied wine with that peppery black fruit finish we all love!—Cheers!

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THUR JANUARY 17

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill and Doug Duo 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 The Seven/Six Presents: Jakkz, D.S.P., MCKG and Cheez Sama 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield and Brian Dennigan 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Industry Night 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 Johnny Meza and Co. 6-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Lipstick hosted by Bella Da Ball 8pm, DJs Banks and Ax 10pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PD; Tony Bolivar and guest 9pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Jack Ruvio 5-8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 8-10pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 Barry Baughn Blues Band 5:30-8:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Patricia Welsh 6-9pm 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; Michael Keeth 4-7pm

HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 TBA 9pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 DJ Alex Harrington 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Jimi Nelson 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 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 PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Pablo Dylan and Daytime Moon 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Comedy Showcase 9pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Symara Stone 6-9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Cosley 6:30pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 College Open Mic Karaoke w/ Marcus Harvey 6-9pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Robert Salisbury 4:40-6pm, The Steve Oliver Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Trio NV 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Linda Peterson 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Banda Night w/ Banda Sin Nombre and DJ Markuz Area 9pm

FRI JANUARY 18

14

19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Live Music 8pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 8pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 TBA 7-11pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Live Music 6:30pm AMERICAN LEGION; PS; 760-325-6229 TBA 5:30-7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Intergalactic Planetary w/ Bass Nurds, A.M.F.M., D Gates and RowLow 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Barry Minniefield, Brian Dennigan and Leon Bisquera 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Flusters Digital Record Release Party w/ Rival Alaska and Reborn by the Sunshine 8:30pm, After dark w/ Alex Harrington 11pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ Double A 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Chase Martinez 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm

CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx 6:30-10pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George Christian 6-9pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Viva Friday’s w/ DJ Banks 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Slim Man 5:30-9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 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 FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie DiSalvo 6-9pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 Grady James Single Release Party 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Desert Reggae Night w/ Crucial Culture, Raztecalii and Unity Frenzy 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Keisha D 7pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke 7:30pm KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 Morgan Ashley 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Roxx 7:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Six Hot Live 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MASTRO’S; PD; 760-776-6777 Finesse 6:3011pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio NV 5-9pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Eevaan Tre 6:30pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Off Da Cuff 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Flesheaters and Mudhoney 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Clint Holmes 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Jimi Nelson Band 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth 8pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Stereoflux 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Reggie “Vision” Alexander 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 TBA MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Smooth Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm 6-9pm Brothers 8-11pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6534 VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK Jack Ruvio 5:30-8:30pm Rose Mallett and Co. 5-7pm, Kal David, Lauri CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Frankie Bono and the Real Deal 7:30pm 9pm DiSalvo 6-9pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music SOLANO’S BISTRO; LQ; 760-771-6655 6:30pm GADI’S BAR & GRILL; YV; 760-820-1213 Michael Madden 6-9pm Karaoke 8pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 SONOMA GRILL; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny Michael Keeth 6pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; Pezzin 7-10pm INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm HARVEY’S LOUNGE; PS; 760-320-6868 SLS Rock 10pm Event Group Presents: Vinyl DJ Sets 9pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Snapchat SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Captain Ghost, Saturdays w/DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm 3560 Demetrious and Co. 6:30pm The CMF’s, Stevieraps, Yakub, Arsk, Tommy Hillz, TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Alec, Sonny D Heavy, Slum G and D.O.M. 9pm Hotwyre 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 The Carmens 7pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Dennis Michaels 6:30pm HOTEL PASEO; PD; Michael Keeth 4-10pm Garcia 6pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ 11am 328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760poolside, Intoxica radio Live w/ Howie Pyro VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 345-6466 Bob Allen 6pm 9pm “Meet the Corwins” 5:30-7:30pm, The John JC’S CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0733 Vinny Berry AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Stanley King Show 8pm 3-7pm Sunday Brunch w/ Live Music 11am WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 DJ Galaxy and the KILO’S CANTINA; TP; 760-835-1363 TBA 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 TBA 7pm House Whores 5pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Patrice Morris WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 7pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 Michael Keeth 5-7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Eevaan Tre 7pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Songwriter’s Spotlight Hosted by Lance Rose Mallett 6:30pm Riebsomer 9pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Fantasy Friday w/ PS Sound Company 1pm, Hot Roxx 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 DJ LF and Cali Redd 9pm 5pm Six Hot Live 9pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm 999-1995 TBA 9pm continue to page 20 MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm and Bill 6:30pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Trio NV ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Heat-Wave 6-10pm noon, poolside, and 9pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 Derek Jordan Gregg AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 6pm, DJ Pedro Le Bass 9:30pm 760-674-4080 Steppin’ Out 7-11pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 8pm Cabaret on the Green Open Mic 7:30pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Baile 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm Trankis w/ Ocho Ojos, Gallo Negro and DJ ODC PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3277pm 4080 Melrose Music Presents: LA Bands: The BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202-4499 Barry Nesting Dolls, Circa 62, Melissa Moshe Shackett Minniefield, Brian Dennigan & Leon Bisquera and Krystofer Do 9pm 7pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Thomas 345-0222 DysFunksion 6:30pm Gabriel and Grady James 8:30pm, After Dark PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 w/ Alex Harrington 11pm Lauren Ruth Ward, Moonhoney and Jenny O. BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7759pm 5566 DJ 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gennine Karaoke 7:30pm Francis 6-10pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Red’s Rockstar PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am Karaoke 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Clint Tuzzolino 5:30pm Holmes 8pm CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 The Myx RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Grady James 6:30-10pm 9pm CATALAN; RM; 760-770-9508 George ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Lance Riebsomer Christian 6-9pm 6-9pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP; 760- SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 343-5973 Reggae Night w/ Higher Heights and 8pm Unity Frenzy 7-9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Banks and Mr. Miami 9pm Blues 8-11pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S Baker 6pm MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Smooth DESERT FOX; PD; Vinny Berry 9pm Brothers 8-11pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK Philip Poe Epstein 5:30-9pm CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm SONOMA GRILL; PD; 760-340-6600 Denny DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm Pezzin 7-10pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm Music 10pm

January 17 to January 23, 2019

SUN JANUARY 20

SAT JANUARY 19

15

January 17 to January 23, 2019

GOOD GRUB

W

ithin its refined and modernistic walls, Cork & Fork in La Quinta pleasantly provides a perfect dining experience.

As you open the door entering the restaurant, first thing you will notice is just how dainty and intimate this restaurant is.

I immediately felt welcomed into the dim crepuscular light as we were escorted to our seats. At 7:30 on a Friday night this place was packed with fellow diners enjoying the aroma and bouquet of a fine wine, or the mouthwatering tapas that awaited my fiancé and I. Happy hour is served nightly until 6pm, with an array of wine, beer, and small plates to sample, with 15% off all wine by the bottle. As we were seated, I found myself browsing over a very well thought out menu that just about anyone would be happy to choose from.

We started with a couple drinks to kick things off, I was recommended a glass of 2015 Domaine Drouhin ‘ROW 503’ Pinot Noir. The glass was filled with quaint notes of red fruit and ripe plum, generously filled, this glass lasted me the entire dinner. My better half opted for an iced tea, but not just any ordinary glass of tea. The Republic of Tea’s “Republic Darjeeling,” honestly lived up to its name of being “The champagne of tea!” Additionally I ordered up a butter poached lobster shooter as well. Served up in a sparkling shot glass, this lobster was masterfully cooked, floating in a pool of luscious drawn butter, accompanied by a lemon wedge and small teaspoon for devouring. It was an excellent way to start the meal.

The next few items that caught our eye

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

CORK & FORK IN LA QUINTA

on the menu were the Thai shrimp cakes and the crispy Brussels sprouts. I’d have to consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of the sprout, sampling them from any menu I come across, I can vouch for Cork & Fork and say that they’ve got something special with this dish. Packed with what I describe as “familiar flavors,” these are rich, creamy, evenly balanced and have a great texture overall. Applewood bacon, cabernet onions, manchego cheese, and a smoked paprika aioli are all amazing players on the plate, a winning combination in my book, any day of the week.

Next up were the astounding and addicting Thai shrimp cakes. These little fried beauties were in all honesty the highlight of my meal, having 4 on the plate really had me debating whether or not to place another order. Lightly breaded and full of big, bold flavors, a slight, limited heat begins to muster its way onto your palate. A sublime togarashi aioli, sweet soy, sesame, topped with microgreens, and a hint of citrus for sharpness, I can’t wait to return and enjoy this dish again and again.

The real beauty of a place like this is that with the perfectly portioned plates, you can

BY MATT CLABORN

really try so many things on the menu and not break the bank doing so. Of course, I had to grab a couple more plates before we called it quits. Gorgonzola stuffed turkey meatloaf and lettuce-wrapped filet mignon tacos seemed to fit the bill. Seasoned marvelously, the turkey meatloaf was exceptional. Placed neatly upon a bed or super creamy polenta, plated nicely with a red wine demi and truffled arugula, this dish is a wonderful rendition of a classic “homestyle” dish. Finishing up with the filet mignon tacos, these little guys were nothing short of sensational. Sriracha aioli, pickled red onion, avocado, and micro cilantro piled up on a bed of lettuce. The simplicity of this dish is really all you need, and it would be really hard

to ask for anything more.

Our overall experience throughout the evening was nothing short of fantastic. I would say everything here seems to be prepared fresh off the menu. As an aspiring chef myself, I can only hope to one day have a restaurant anywhere near the caliber of this place. From the greatly gracious wait staff to the inviting ambiance of the restaurant, I can easily give Cork & Fork in La Quinta a 10/10, fork yeah!

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BREWTALITY

S

o, last Friday, South Carolina’s newly elected congressman, Joe Cunningham, generated some controversy by trying to walk a six-pack of craft beer onto the House floor. Some people thought it was cute, others were annoyed at the publicity stunt, but no one can question the fact that beer and politics have a long and storied history of going hand in hand.

The Boston Beer Company’s flagship brew, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, isn’t just a cleverly named brew. The real Sam Adams came from a family of maltsters; the people who grow, harvest, and kiln the barley malt used for making beer. He seriously loved the shit out of beer. As did his cousin and fellow signer of the Declaration Of Independence, John Adams. So much so that he put quill to parchment and actually wrote in a letter to his wife: “I drink no Cyder, but feast upon Phyladelphia Beer, and Porter. A Gentleman, one Mr. Hare, has lately set up in this City a Manufactory of Porter, as good as any that comes from London. I pray we may introduce it into the Massachusetts. It

AS AMERICAN AS BEER AND POLITICS

agrees with me, infinitely better than Punch, Wine, or Cyder, or any other Spirituous Liquor.”

— John Adams to his wife Abigail Adams on September 29, 1774. He later became the 2nd president of the U.S. Seriously, how annoyed must his wife have been reading this? Like, he’s been gone for I dunno, pfffft-probably months? And the first letter she gets isn’t him saying he misses her or anything. No, it’s just John Adams gushing to her how the beer in Philly is so rad, thanks for asking. The beer in question was an excellently made, English style dark porter created by one Robert Hare, and the only person that loved it more than John Adams was probably George Washington.

Washington was such a fan of Hare’s porter that he made it a point to have it shipped to the front lines of wherever he was stationed during the Revolutionary War. After the war was over, he had strict orders to have the porter shipped to his home in Mount Vernon, to be waiting for him during his breaks from governing. George became a well-known homebrewer, with one of his recipes on display in the New York Public library. It’s been said that recreating Hare’s English-style porter was a something he spent years trying to do, and even got close to making his own clone of it.

Frederick Louis Maytag II was a businessman who often served beer during his business meetings to create a more relaxed and level playing field during discussions. I mean, that’s just a nice way of saying he liked to get potential investors and customers buzzed while he pitched sales, but having a beer with

someone while you discuss business doesn’t sound as overt as having highballs and martinis I suppose. This is the same Maytag whose name is on washers, driers, and home appliances, so beer apparently was good for his business.

His son, Fritz Maytag III, was inspired by his father’s enthusiasm for beer, so much so that he purchased the faded and poorly-rated Anchor Brewing Company in 1965. The company had a reputation for making sour, infected beer, and the American public was in the honeymoon phase of its love affair with insipid, light lager.

Maytag learned how to brew professionally, invested heavily in revamping the company’s equipment, and created the first batches of Anchor Steam. Taking inspiration from a style of beer popular in the 1800’s, Maytag turned the brewery around, and recreated a style of beer that is now synonymous with California.

To be fair, it’s because he trademarked the historic name of “steam beer”, and everyone else brewing the style had to call it a California Common instead. So yeah, a California Common is the same style of beer as Anchor Steam, and we owe that confusion to Fritz Maytag II. The more you know!

Maytag serves as an inspirational figure for John Hickenlooper; former mayor of Denver and governor of Colorado, who, before delving into professional politics, was simply known as the founder of the Wynkoop Brewing Company.

Hickenlooper might have the most impressive political resume amongst contemporary brewers, but it’s not uncommon for beer-related interest groups to routinely seek access to policy and lawmakers to advocate for their needs.

January 17 to January 23, 2019

BY AARON RAMSON

Joe Cunningham’s six-pack stunt last Friday wasn’t just for social media brownie points.

His mission was to get the attention of Oregon congressman Peter DeFazio, who co-heads the House Brewer’s Caucus, and secure himself a place as an advocate for craft beer. In a series of tweets to each other, DeFazio welcomed Cunningham aboard, and joked that six-packs should now be allowed on the House Floor, but only if it’s small and independent craft beer.

Here’s to the politicians of today who fight to keep the brewing industry alive and well in 209, Prost!

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 352

LAUGHING MATTER

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

NOW SHOWING: STAN & OLLIE

are devoid of caricature and so utterly convincing you will forget you’re watching actors and not the real thing.

Don’t miss this poignant and moving love story about the two greatest of all movie comedians. Be prepared to laugh and cry.

It’s been said that every second of every day, 24/7, someone somewhere in the world is laughing at a Laurel & Hardy comedy. What a magnificent legacy for these two enormously gifted performers who have hundreds of millions of fans.

Laurel and Hardy matter now more than ever. Their unique brand of timeless comedy is much more about mirroring the human condition than engaging in slapstick or “getting even” for some perceived slight. In many ways, Stan and Ollie are the prototypes of Samuel Beckett’s two “Waiting for Godot” characters Vladimir

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and Estragon.

Stan and Ollie are indeed two tattered souls just trying to fill up the time that has been bafflingly granted them – and us – during their, and our, short stay on earth.

But what is so engaging about Laurel and Hardy is that despite their constant quibbling and set backs, their on-screen friendship is never permanently broken.

In real life Stan Laurel and Oliver “Babe” Hardy remained friends to the end. That bond bled through the screen and audiences

recognized it, however subliminally. Maybe that’s why they are embraced with such affection by hundreds of millions of global fans. The camera does not lie.

Director Jon Baird’s new film, based on Jeff Pop’s insightful screenplay, is a bittersweet and heartfelt look behind the scenes of the friendship of the great comedy duo as they begin a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953.

Aging now, their golden era behind them, the uncertain future awaits. Their, at first, poorly attended stage performances soon re-connected with adoring fans and the tour became a big hit.

As Stan & Ollie deal with health matters and old business issues, they discover how much they mean to each other. And the secret of their on-screen popularity.

This wonderful film about the mysterious business of being funny contains great truths. Our shared laughter is a healing balm that soothes the pain and despair triggered by the chaos of the world. It unites us with reminders of universal truths embedded in our common humanity and fragile mortality.

The triumphant performances of Steve Coogan as Stan and John C. Reilly as Ollie

NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER: X Y & Zee (1972) Love, desire and star power intersect in a caustic marital -- and extramarital -– triangle now striking scorching sparks on hidef Blu-ray in a weirdly compelling drama featuring the acclaimed leading players of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? And Tom Jones, three movies in whose anarchic spirit and combination comedic/dramatic fireworks this scintillating tale follows!

The screenplay allowed Elizabeth Taylor to come out. Pauline Kael said, “The aging beauty has discovered in herself a gutsy, unresrained spirit that knocks two terrific performers off the screen – and, for the first time I can recall, she appears to b having a roaring good time on camera.”

Taylor’s exhuberance is almost palpable it’s so visceral.

Edna O’Brien adapted her own campy soap opera of a novel novel starring Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine and Susannah York as the three points of a triangle that has very little to do with love.

Taylor’s a sharp-tongued vulgarian, determined to break up her architect husband’s latest affair, even if it means seducing his mistress hrself! Direcor Brian G. Hutton coaxes out every bit of sophisitcated/smartypants humor his trio of superb stars can provide; cinematographer Billy Williams and composer Stanley Myers bring on the gloss. Twilight Time Movies. Only 3,000 units available at www. screenarchives.com Once they are gone – they are gone! robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

BOOK REVIEW

-----------------------------------------------------

"INSOMNIA"

BY MARINA BENJAMIN NONFICTION -----------------------------------------------------

T

o wake up refreshed, energized and ready for the day ahead is a beautiful but often rare thing. For many, sleep doesn’t come easily and the ability to doze off quickly and sleep all night sounds more like a dream than a reality. Insomnia by Marina Benjamin (Catapult, 134 pages) reveals a hyper wakeful mind and the long hours of darkness when one cannot sleep.

The statistical data on insomnia is significant enough to call it an epidemic. Sixty million Americans suffer from the sleep disorder.

Fifty percent of adults experience occasional symptoms of insomnia. Eighty-three percent of people who suffer from depression also experience symptoms of insomnia. Insomnia is one of the major contributing factors to fatal car accidents. Those over 60 years old and people with a higher level of education are more likely to experience insomnia.

If you haven’t had to deal with insomnia you are fortunate. If you want to know what it feels like or if you have suffered from sleeplessness, author Benjamin’s Insomnia is not only a meditation but also a respite from the long, lonely nights.

Benjamin explores insomnia through literature, art, philosophy, psychology,

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SWEET SLEEP

pop culture and a myriad of other notions, thoughts and ideas as she takes apart nights without sleep.

Poetic and insightful, profound and magical, personal and universal, Benjamin nails insomnia in short paragraphs and extended passages. The book has no chapters or headings. This memoir is not an organized narrative that leads to a cure, but rather an honest voice of one who suffers in the dark without sleep.

Benjamin delivers so much truth on the pages, that if you suffer or have suffered insomnia, you will quickly recognize and instantly relate.

Benjamin admits, “The matter of what to do with a overactive brain determined to forge ideas and connections in conditions of sensory blackout troubles me.”

In another paragraph, Benjamin says: “It is as if all the lights in my head had been lit at once, the whole engine coming to life, messages flying, dendrites flowering, synapses whipping snaps of electricity across my brain; and my brain itself, like some phosphorescent freefloating jellyfish of the deep, is luminescent, awake, alive.”

Benjamin gets personal and considers a lifetime of sharing a bed and the way she uses her bed: to sleep, to relax, to contemplate, to have sex, to watch her husband in a deep, quiet sleep.

The beauty of Insomnia -- the book -- is that the author is not angry or bitter about her sleepless condition, it is an acceptance.

January 17 to January 23, 2019

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

Benjamin examines sleep illness, sleep theories, sleep therapies and sleep stories, not to just inform the reader but to consider the nature of how and why we do or do not sleep.

Benjamin concludes in her sleep memoir/ manifesto: “This is what I wish to effect in my own life, so I might better discern the flicks and flecks of pink so casually strewn across my fields of vision and experience. I want to flip disruption and affliction into opportunity, and puncture the darkness with stabs of light. This is the song of insomnia, and I shall sing it.”

SAFETY TIPS

I love this little book and have a deep appreciation of how succinct Benjamin articulates the intense feeling of getting through the night without any or very little sleep. She is acutely aware of the sounds and colors of night that is both intense and soothing.

Insomnia now has a permanent place on my nightstand. It is there for me to pickup before I try to sleep or to remind me I am not suffering alone. If there is a cure, it is to not fight against insomnia, but go along for the strange, dark – perhaps magical - ride. In the darkness, there is enlightenment.

Insomnia may be a gift as much as it feels like a curse. Rest well dear readers and may you have a sweet night’s sleep.

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

ARE YOU READY TO SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL INTO PREPAREDNESS?

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ith recent wildfires, storms, mass shootings, political differences, we seem to forget that about 25 years ago this month was the Northridge earthquake.

The 6.7 quake killed 58 people and damage was reported up to 85 miles away while being felt as far away as Las Vegas!

“We are way over-due for an earthquake and we all live near an active fault line in Southern California. Now is the time to prepare, not afterwards,” reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

How well are you prepared? Being prepared now is “key” to your survival whether an earthquake, power outages, windstorm, wildfire or any disaster natural or man-made!

What to Do Before an Earthquake • Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home. Learn first aid. • Be prepared for up to 72hrs afterwards with food, water and supplies. • Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity. • Make up a plan of where to meet your family and neighbors after an earthquake. • Don’t leave heavy objects on shelves (they’ll fall during a quake). Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.

What to Do During an Earthquake?

• Stay calm! If you’re indoors, stay inside. If you’re outside, stay outside. • If you’re indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors. If you’re outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (things might fall off the building). • Don’t use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don’t mix! • If you’re in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops. Don’t use elevators (they can get stuck).

What to Do After an Earthquake?

• Check yourself and others for injuries.

Provide first aid for anyone who needs it.

•Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage.

If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Do not touch any downed lines! Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else’s phone). • Turn on the radio. Don’t use the phone unless it’s an emergency. • Stay out of damaged buildings.

• Be careful around broken glass and debris.

Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet. Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you). • Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking. • Stay away from damaged areas. • If you’re at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge.

• Expect aftershocks.

Remember, it’s not a matter of “if” an earthquake strikes but “when”.

Earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/preparedness.php for additional earthquake preparedness info!

Contact your local fire department of community Emergency Services Director for additional information.

Let’s Roll and Get Prepared!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15 CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Tuzzolino 5:30pm John Carey and Friends 6:30pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Ted Herman 6-8pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Comedy AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Night w/ Neil Singh 8pm Bill Marx 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Risque’ Drag BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Meh Show 9:30pm Mondays 7pm LANDMARK LOUNGE; LQ; 760-289-6736 CASUELAS CAFÉ; PD; 760-568-0011 TBA Scott Carter 7pm 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick 2794 PS Sound Company noon, Hot Roxx Tuzzolino 5:30pm 6:30pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJ MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; Banks and Mr. Miami 8pm 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 3:30-7:30pm, DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Mikael Healy 8pm Sergio Villegas 5:30-9pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 DJ Journee 9pm Karaoke 8pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Larry THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Sunday Jam Capeloto 6-9pm Session 2-5pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The 2794 PS Sound Company 6:30pm Sunday Band 7:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND 760-325-2323 Mikael Healey 8pm COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Open Mic w/ NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Rockin’ Ray 7pm Karaoke 8pm-1:15am SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Jack Ruvio 7:30pm 6-9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Open Mic 7pm 3560 The Myx 6:30pm ROWAN; PS; 760-904-5015 Michael Keeth THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 6-9pm Darci Daniels and Reggie Vision 7pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Jazz VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Sharon and Fashion Party 5-7pm Sills 10:30-1:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Deanna Bogart 6:30pm The John Stanley King Trio 6-9:30pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Nick Sosa 7pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Live Music 5pm WILDEST GREENS; PD; 760-636-0441 Lance WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Riebsomer 11-2:30pm Motown Mondays 7pm

MON JANUARY 21

ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ LF hosted by Cali Redd 8pm

TUE JANUARY 22

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Micha Schellhaas 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Shelley Yoelin Group 9:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 TBA 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Chris Lomeli 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Big Rocking Country Tuesdays 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 John Carey 5:30-9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Terri Olsen and the Perfect Blend 6-9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Bingo Tuesdays 9pm 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 LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Brad’s Pad 7pm 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 Acoustic Music Lounge w/ Grady James 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-3432115 Game Night w/ Luke 8pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Cinch 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John McCormick and The Shelly Scott Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Alex Santana 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans and John Bolivar 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Coachella Tuesday w/ DJ Jeezy and Cali Redd 9pm

WED JANUARY 23

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 Whiskey Wednesdays w/ Touchtunes 7pm BERNIE’S; RM; 760-202 4499 Chris Lomeli 7pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Kal David Trio 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING CO; TP; 760-343-5973 Open Mic 6-8pm COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 DJs Banks, John Paul and Ax 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660

Bill Baker 6pm DESMOND’S @ THE S; RM; 760-328-2111 Joe Baldino 5:30-9pm DRINGK; RM; 760-888-0111 S.I.N. w/ DJ Mirage 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7:30pm FRANK’S PLACE; IW; 760-797-8700 Terri Olsen and Patricia Welsh 6:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic Hosted by Josh Heinz 8pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Karaoke 7:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Roxx 6:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Latin Night 7pm 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 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Roger & Friends 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Katheryn White 6:30pm VENUE@VENUS; PD; 760-834-7070 Naturally Hi Bar w/ Live Music 4-6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The Slim Man Band 6:30-10pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Jeff Bonds 5-8pm WOODY’S PALMHOUSE; PS; 760-230-0188 Shelley Yoelin’s Jazz Showcase 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Calentura Nights w/ DJ LF 9pm

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PUMPING SERVICE

Septic Tank & Grease Trap Pumping Sewer & Drain Cleaning Odor Control

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760-404-6325

HADDON LIBBY

M

ost of us have heard the 1887 words of British politician Lord John Acton, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The third sentence is seldom remembered, “Great men are almost always bad men.”

While there are many great people who are not bad people (e.g. Warren Buffett or Bill Gates), it would be hard to call the ex-Chairman of Nissan and current CEO of Renault, Carlos Ghosn anything but bad. He has been held in a Tokyo jail since November on charges of falsifying financial reports so that he could underreport his income by $88 million over eight years. Because of powers granted to him by the Board of Directors (and with the help of Board member Gene Kelly who is also jailed), Ghosn was able to conceal his actions from others at Nissan.

Additionally, Ghosn transferred personal investment losses to Nissan in 2008 and engaged in other financial malfeasance for personal gain.

Ghosn incarceration while awaiting trial shows an interesting difference between the U.S. and Japanese systems of justice.

In Japan, suspects typically stay in jail until their trial date with minimal contact to family and attorneys.

Ghosn is not the first auto executive jailed in the last year. Rupert Stadler,

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THE THIRD SENTENCE

the CEO of Audi and board member of Volkswagen was jailed for his part in the 2015 diesel-emissions scandal where German carmakers conspired to cheat exhaust measuring systems in the United States and around the world.

Moving from jailed auto executives to fallen Kings, the “Bond King” and billionaire, Bill Gross, is having his share of trouble

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

these days. Investors in his Janus Henderson Global Unconstrained Bond Fund are leaving in droves. The fund that once held over $2.2 billion dropped under $1 billion at yearend as 80% of all similar bond funds have done better. Gross who turns 75 in April, co-founded PIMCO in the 1970s and left in 2014 amongst a management shake-up.

With a personal net worth of $1.7 billion, Gross has been distracted of late as he is in an ugly divorce from his wife of thirty-two years, Sue Frank. Following court orders to surrender the Malibu beachfront house to his wife, Gross put a dead fish and fart spray in the air vents. Part of Gross’ ire may relate to the $37 million Picasso that he states that his wife stole and replaced it with a replica.

With a net worth of $1.7 billion, did Gross’ personal life impact his performance? It is hard to know but investors are following Sue Frank out the door.

Sometimes success brings out the demon within. Take the case of Henry Nicholas III, billionaire and co-founder of semiconductor company Broadcom. Nicholas was arrested in Las Vegas in August on suspicion of drug trafficking as he was found with heroin, cocaine, meth and ecstasy in his hotel suite. Nicholas escaped a prison sentence ten years earlier when he was found not guilty on two dozen counts including stock fraud and drug distribution. At that

January 17 to January 23, 2019

time, he checked into substance abuse treatment centers including Betty Ford.

Vanity Fair calls Nicholas, “Dr. Nicholas and Mr. Hyde,” for his split personality between entrepreneur and philanthropist and his sex-addled, drug-crazed alter-ego.

While all of these men showed bad character, it is doubtful any can be characterized as great.

Great people like Warren Buffett or Bill Gates use their financial might and influence to help those who cannot help themselves without an assist from a benevolent hand.

Lord Acton seems wrong as great men can indeed be good men and it is hopefully the case more often than not despite daily headlines that would lead us to thinking the contrary. That is probably why Acton’s oftrepeated phrase never references his third sentence.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management and can be reached at HLibby@WinslowDrake.com.

For more information, please visit www.

WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

12 SECRETS TO WHAT HAPPENS IN A 2019 HOLIDAY ACCIDENT CASE

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y office focuses on representing clients for Accidents & DUI’s in addition to suing Drunk Drivers who injure our clients. These 12 Secret Stages explains the process IF our office accepts the case.

1. We assist clients in obtaining medical help from providers that know how to treat and how to write a med-legal report and request clients update us with new docs. Medical records are collected at the conclusion of treatment but because of third party reimbursement, we sometimes don’t want to request them ourselves.

2. A settlement demand is professionally prepared and sent to the defendant’s insurance company in an attempt to get a positive resolution of the case without filing a lawsuit and increasing costs.

3. If no settlement is reached, or before the two year Statute of Limitations has passed from the date of the accident, a lawsuit (Summons and Complaint) is filed with the Court we chose, to protect our client’s legal rights.

4. The lawsuit is served on the defendant by the Sheriff or PI. 5. Once served, the defendant has 30 days to file an Answer with the Court.

6. The Plaintiff and Defendant exchange discovery in the form of Interrogatories (written questions), Request for Documents,

Depositions and Request for Admissions. The defendant may also schedule an Independent Medical Examination (IME) of the Plaintiff.

This process can take up to several years.

7. The court may order the case to nonbinding Arbitration. The arbitrator renders an award within 30 days and one of two things happens at this point: The award can be accepted by both Plaintiff and Defendant and the case is over or either Plaintiff or Defendant has 30 days to file a request for a Trial de Novo with the Court.

8. If either Plaintiff or Defendant requests a Trial de Novo, a Mandatory Settlement Conference (MSC) is scheduled 4 to 6 months before a Trial date.

9. The MSC is the last court hearing before Trial. It is where all attorneys make one last formal attempt to resolve their case before the judge.

10. If no agreement is reached at the MSC, the case proceeds to Trial where a verdict is rendered. This is the final outcome of the case, absent an appeal.

11. When a settlement or verdict is reached, we await the insurance company’s settlement draft. It can take 30 days or more to receive this draft. Unfortunately insurance companies continue to “deny and delay “in order to stall paying the money and allowing the insurance company to get the “float” on the money.

12. Once the draft is received, with the client’s permission, we endorse and deposit it into our Trust Account. Our Accounting Department then prepares a Disbursement Sheet showing the draft amount and who gets what! We arrange for our client to come in to approve this and execute their Disbursement Sheet. We then tender the net amount to our client, for which we suggest checking with your CPA to confirm the money is TAX free.

We then mail checks to the medical providers as itemized on the Disbursement Sheet. This concludes the case with our office.

Suggestions for future articles? Contact Dale Gribow (760) 837-7500 or dale@ dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-19 “TOP LAWYER” - Inland Empire Magazine 2016- 2019 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT. CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER. THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME”. SO DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER.

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

SPORTS SCENE

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he first major of 2019 takes place in Melbourne Park with Roger Federer & Caroline Wozniacki hoping to retain their titles. There are plenty of players who will be standing in their path with Novak Djokovic hoping for a third consecutive major title after regaining form in the second half of 2018, and Serena Williams hoping to go one better after losing the Wimbledon & US Open finals.

CV Weekly has you covered as we breakdown the men’s and women’s draws with some value selections on the first major winner for 2019.

MEN’S DRAW Favorite: Novak Djokovic +111 Six months ago, Djokovic was +700 to win Wimbledon after a dismal start to 2018.

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2019 AUSTRALIAN OPEN UNDERWAY

How quickly things change. After winning back-to-back majors in London & New York along with completing the Golden Masters (first player to win all nine Masters events). he’s now barely plus money to lift a seventh Australian Open title.

While it’s hard to argue such a short price for such a long event is value, there is little standing in his way right now. Nadal & Murray continue to battle injuries, US Open runner up Juan Martin Del Potro has withdrawn from the event and Federer’s best chance of beating Djokovic remains in the best-of-three set format, not in the best-of-five used at majors.

Djokovic has taken some losses to the next generation of talent, with Tsitsipas, Zverev & Khachanov all beating the Serbian

NEWS MDLT RESPONDS TO DAMAGE IN JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN

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eports have shown environmental damage inside Joshua Tree National Park during the current government shutdown. This includes Joshua trees being cut down, out-of-bounds camping, extensive vehicle traffic off roads and in wilderness areas, new roads created around gates, and graffiti.

Statement from the Mojave Desert Land Trust: “We are very concerned about the effects of the shutdown on the natural resources of Joshua Tree National Park. It has become clear that despite the efforts of local businesses and other volunteers to augment the law enforcement rangers considered essential during the shutdown, there is currently not enough manpower to prevent irreparable damage to the iconic Joshua trees the Park was named for as well as other Park resources. Although we are thankful to see additional new Park resources being added to limit the damage, without the full staff of Joshua Tree National Park, we cannot hope to really protect this important resource.”

“We support a temporary closure of Joshua Tree National Park to protect its resources from further lasting damage.

Leaving the Park open without adequate

22

protective resources could result in the longterm loss of some of the very values the parks were established to preserve, and which people come to see.”

“We applaud the herculean efforts of local businesses, volunteers, Native American communities, and the Marine Corps to maintain public areas. While we are very concerned about the impact of a closure on the local economy, it has become clear that without adequate staff, the Park remains vulnerable and must be protected, even if that means a temporary closure. Protection of the irreplaceable natural resources of Joshua Tree National Park and other desert parks during the government shutdown must be the priority.”

in recent months. Again, the best of three set format was a huge help to his opponents and given that he’ll be 32 in May you feel Djokovic is saving his biggest performances for where it matters most, the majors.

Unless he suffers a shock early exit it’s very hard to see anyone coming through the draw and beating him in a final.

Underdog to watch: Roger Federer +529 Federer struggled with an injury in the latter half of 2018, bowing out to Kevin Anderson at Wimbledon & John Millman in Flushing Meadows. His performances improved in the latter stages of the season, narrowly losing to Djokovic in Paris and looking extremely comfortable at the Hopman Cup last week, beating Norrie, Tiafoe, Tsitsipas & Zverev without

BY FLINT WHEELER dropping a set.

Seeded at No.3 he’s not guaranteed to avoid facing Djokovic in the semi-finals (draw will be released on Friday Jan. 11th).

Realistic hopes of winning a 21st major title will hinge on luck of the draw, if Djokovic faces a tougher and more fatiguing path to the final it will be a huge help, especially considering 2012 was the last time Federer defeated Djokovic in a major.

Live Longshot: Kei Nishikori +2,800 Nishikori wasn’t even present at this event in 2018, recovering from a wrist injury. He slowly & steadily improved as the season progressed, finishing as a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon and a semi-finalist in New York before beating Federer at the ATP World Tour finals. He’s continued that progress already this year, beating Dimitrov & Medvedev to lift the title in Brisbane.

His main weaknesses are fatigue and proneness to injury, so he’ll need a favorable draw to have a realistic chance of making the final. But he’s a former major finalist, which is invaluable experience to have, and the quick conditions will suit his game. G’Luck!

Tune in next week for the breakdown of Women’s Draw.

ASK THE DOCTOR

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BY DR PETER KADILE

WE’RE COUNTING ON YOU TO CLEAN YOUR HANDS..

D

r. K, I’m seeing more of those fancy hand dryers in public restrooms. Are they better than the paper towels? – Lawrence, Rancho Mirage Lawrence, while hand dryers may be better for the environment since they don’t use paper, they are not as effective as paper towels in keeping your hands bacteria free after washing them. Hand dryers will also tend to spread bacteria around the area because it is also blowing whatever germs are left on your hands after washing.

An interesting statistic about hand washing is that while 95 percent of men and women surveyed say they wash their hands after using a public restroom, only 67 percent actually do.

Remember that after you shake someone’s hands. Some people also consider that simply wetting your hands without soap is effective, which it is not.

If you are going to use a public bathroom, I recommend you initially wash your hands when you first get there because you don’t know what you were touching and you are going to be handling your intimate body parts. When you are done with your business, wash your hands again with soap and water. If paper towels are available, use them to shut off the faucet. If you have to use a paper towel dispenser, try and use your elbow on the handle to avoid touching it with your newly cleaned hands. Also remember to use a paper towel to grab the handle of the restroom door when you leave. If 33 percent of people don’t wash their hands after using the restroom, I can only imagine what kind of bacteria live on a restroom door handle.

Since I’m going on another rant about the importance of washing one’s hands, especially after using a public restroom, have you ever used your cell phone in the restroom? Have you ever seen somebody using their cell phone in the restroom?

Whatever our hands touch, our cell phones touch. Cell phones have been found to have 18 times more harmful bacteria than a public restroom. Our phones get warm from the battery and we also tend to store them in warm, dark places such as purses and pockets. The warmth or heat can make them good breeding grounds for bacteria. So if you are diligent about washing your hands, don’t forget about your cell phone!

Rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs can be used to clean your phone and there are also cleaning products specifically available for use on cell phones.

Dear Dr. Kadile, I work in the fitness industry as a personal trainer. I frequently work at several different gyms with different clients in one day.

Is using hand sanitizer between gyms and clients as good as washing my hands? –Lyn, La Quinta Lyn, gyms and fitness equipment are notoriously full of nasty germs, since not everybody uses a towel or wipes down the equipment after using it.

Hand sanitizers are generally made up of alcohol, glycerin, water and maybe some fragrance added. The alcohol is the main germ fighter. A good hand sanitizer should have an alcohol concentration of at least 60 percent.

Hand sanitizer is beneficial if hand washing is unavailable, but it is not as good. Using a hand sanitizer is good in addition to hand washing.

Really, the best way to clean your hands is with soap and water. Washing gets rid of most germs and breaks up oils and removes dirt, which can hide bacteria and germs. Hand sanitizer simply works on the surface of the skin, whereas hand washing will get the water and soap into the small cracks and crevices of the skin. You’ve got the right idea in cleansing your hands between clients, but hand washing is better than hand sanitizer.

Dear Dr. Kadile, is antibacterial soap better than regular soap? –Glen, Palm Desert Glen, research has shown that plain soaps are just as effective as antibacterial soaps in reducing bacteria related illnesses. As I’ve said in previous issues of CV Weekly, most upper respiratory infections are caused by viruses, thus antibacterial soap wouldn’t help in preventing colds and flu. Proper and thorough hand washing is the key, so make sure you wash your hands for at least 20-30 seconds.

January 17 to January 23, 2019

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY BRONWYN ISON

LIVING BALANCED THROUGH SELF-CARE

W

e hear the suggestions of living balanced and applying self care, but what exactly does this mean?

Both could mean anything that requires you to do something kind for yourself and doesn’t allow you to feel overwhelmed and stressed.

We are living in precariously accelerated times. Our fast paced lives rarely allow us to make time for ourselves. Plus, most of us find ourselves trapped doing more for others than we do for ourselves.

As an entrepreneur, single and busy mother to two teenage girls, I know first hand what is required of me. Day in and day out for more than a decade I’ve been blessed to provide for my family. It’s not always been easy. I’ve not always been able to provide self care for myself because I didn’t know what that looked like in my past. Plus, I was not in a headspace to even acknowledge I needed to help myself.

Therefore, how do you know when you are in need of caring for you? Great question. I can almost guarantee you will miss the signs. Take a look at this short list of a lack of self care…

•You feel depleted and deprived of rest/sleep •You feel under appreciated or undervalued •You place others’ needs ahead of your own •Your schedule does not reflect your priorities •Your to-do list continues to grow (all to keep you busy) •You trouble with slowing down •You feel you have to do everything on your own •You lack a support group •You lack compassion for yourself •You’ve allowed your spiritual life to suffer Based upon my past experiences I can share with you that living a well balanced life is an essential ingredient. Self care is also a need

and goes hand in hand with living a healthy and well-rounded life. I was terribly depleted a decade ago. I wasn’t sure how I would survive, mentally and emotionally. You may have experienced a crisis or something traumatic and you were unsure how you could rise above.

You may be in the middle of something as you read this column. Wherever you are, you still need to apply healthy self care. Whether you have a budget or not… here are some simple self care ideas for you to apply to you your life.

•Make time to be alone •Take a bath •Meditate or Pray •Get a pedicure •Get a massage •Turn off all means of technology for an hour or more •Go for a hike •Do yoga •Read a book •Take a drive Most of the above only require that you make time to care for you.

The past decade I’ve been able to learn so much about myself personally and professionally. Often, I’ve been asked… “how have you done it all?” My answer used to be… “I don’t know, I’ve just done it!” I’ve been wrong all along. It’s factual that I’ve applied very specific principles to my life. In fact, I’ve developed a specific program to help other woman who are entrepreneurs, single and busy moms to seek a life they want to live. “Better For It Now,” if you apply the principles properly, it will transform your life.

Here’s how to access transformation, www. betterforitnow.com Bronwyn Ison is the owner and founder of Evolve Yoga, bronwynison.com, Yoga On Demand and “Better For It Now,” a 7-Principle program that includes yoga an audio meditations. e-volveyoga.com

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of January 17

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1917, leaders of the Christian sect Jehovah’s Witnesses prophesied that all earthly governments would soon disappear and Christianity would perish. In 1924, they predicted that the ancient Hebrew prophet Moses would be resurrected and speak to people everywhere over the radio. In 1938, they advised their followers not to get married or have children, because the end of civilization was nigh. In 1974, they said there was only a “short time remaining before the wicked world’s end.” I bring these failed predictions to your attention, Aries, so as to get you in the mood for my prediction, which is: all prophecies that have been made about your life up until now are as wrong as the Jehovah Witnesses’ visions. In 2019, your life will be bracingly free of old ideas about who you are and who you’re supposed to be. You will have unprecedented opportunities to prove that your future is wide open.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Movie critic Roger Ebert defined the term “idiot plot” as “any film plot containing problems that would be solved instantly if all of the characters were not idiots.” I bring this to your attention because I suspect there has been a storyline affecting you that in some ways fits that description. Fortunately, any temptation you might have had to go along with the delusions of other people will soon fade. I expect that as a result, you will catalyze a surge of creative problem-solving. The idiot plot will transform into a much smarter plot.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1865, Prussia’s political leader, Otto von Bismarck, got angry when an adversary, Rudolf Virchow, suggested cuts to the proposed military budget. Bismarck challenged Virchow to a duel. Virchow didn’t want to fight, so he came up with a clever plan. As the challenged party, he was authorized to choose the weapons to be used in the duel. He decided upon two sausages.

His sausage would be cooked; Bismarck’s sausage would be crammed with parasitic roundworms. It was a brilliant stratagem. The proposition spooked Bismarck, who backed down from the duel. Keep this story in mind if you’re challenged to an argument, dispute, or conflict in the coming days. It’s best to figure out a tricky or amusing way to avoid it altogether.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): An imaginative 27-yearold man with the pseudonym Thewildandcrazyoli decided he was getting too old to keep his imaginary friend in his life. So he took out an ad on Ebay, offering to sell that long-time invisible ally, whose name was John Malipieman. Soon his old buddy was dispatched to the highest bidder for $3,000. Please don’t attempt anything like that in the coming weeks, Cancerian. You need more friends, not fewer—both of the imaginary and non-imaginary variety. Now is a ripe time to expand your network of compatriots.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In December 1981, novice Leo filmmaker James Cameron got sick, fell asleep, and had a disturbing dream. He saw a truncated robot armed with kitchen knives crawling away from an explosion. This nightmare ultimately turned out to be a godsend for Cameron. It inspired him to write the script for the 1984 film The Terminator, a successful creation that launched him on the road to fame and fortune. I’m expecting a comparable development in your near future, Leo. An initially weird or difficult event will actually be a stroke of luck.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Psychologists define the Spotlight Effect as our tendency to imagine that other people are acutely attuned to every little nuance of our behavior and appearance. The truth is that they’re not, of course. Most everyone is primarily occupied with the welter of thoughts buzzing around inside his or her own head. The good news, Virgo, is that you are well set up to capitalize on this phenomenon in the coming weeks. I’m betting you will achieve a dramatic new liberation: you’ll be freer than ever before from the power of people’s opinions to inhibit your behavior or make you self-conscious.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): What North America community is farthest north? It’s an Alaskan city

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© Copyright 2019 Rob Brezsny

that used to be called Barrow, named after a British admiral. But in 2016, local residents voted to reinstate the name that the indigenous Iñupiat people had once used for the place: Utqiaġvik. In accordance with astrological omens, I propose that in the coming weeks, you take inspiration from their decision, Libra. Return to your roots. Pay homage to your sources. Restore and revive the spirit of your original influences.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The Alaskan town of Talkeetna has a population of 900, so it doesn’t require a complicated political structure to manage its needs. Still, it made a bold statement by electing a cat as its mayor for 15 years. Stubbs, a part-manx, won his first campaign as a write-in candidate, and his policies were so benign—no new taxes, no repressive laws—that he kept getting re-elected. What might be the equivalent of having a cat as your supreme leader for a while, Scorpio? From an astrological perspective, now would be a favorable time to implement that arrangement. This phase of your cycle calls for relaxed fun and amused mellowness and laissez-faire jauntiness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Trees need to be buffeted by the wind. It makes them strong. As they respond to the pressure of breezes and gusts, they generate a hardier kind of wood called reaction wood. Without the assistance of the wind’s stress, trees’ internal structure would be weak and they might topple over as they grew larger. I’m pleased to report that you’re due to receive the benefits of a phenomenon that’s metaphorically equivalent to a brisk wind. Exult in this brisk but low-stress opportunity to toughen yourself up!

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Writing at ThePudding, pop culture commentator Colin Morris reveals the conclusions he drew after analyzing 15,000 pop songs. First, the lyrics of today’s tunes have significantly more repetitiveness than the lyrics of songs in the 1960s. Second, the most popular songs, both then and now, have more repetitive lyrics than the average song. Why? Morris speculates that repetitive songs are catchier. But in accordance with current astrological omens, I encourage you Capricorns to be as unrepetitive as possible in the songs you sing, the messages you communicate, the moves you make, and the ideas you articulate.

In the coming weeks, put a premium on originality, unpredictability, complexity, and novelty.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In May 1927, Aquarian aviator Charles Lindbergh made a pioneering flight in his one-engine plane from New York to Paris. He became instantly famous. Years later, Lindbergh testified that partway through his epic journey he was visited by a host of odd, vaporous beings who suddenly appeared in his small cabin.

They spoke with him, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of navigation and airplane technology. Lindbergh’s spirits were buoyed. His concentration, which had been flagging, revived. He was grateful for their unexpected support. I foresee a comparable kind of assistance becoming available to you sometime soon, Aquarius. Don’t waste any time being skeptical about it; just welcome it.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): More than four centuries ago, a Piscean samurai named Honda Tadakatsu became a leading general in the Japanese army. In the course of his military career, he fought in more than a hundred battles. Yet he never endured a major wound and was never beaten by another samurai. I propose we make him your inspirational role model for the coming weeks. As you navigate your way through interesting challenges, I believe that like him, you’ll lead a charmed life. No wounds.

No traumas. Just a whole lot of educational adventures.

Write a one-page essay entitled “2019 Is the Year I Figure Out What I Really Want.” Share if you like: FreeWillAstrology.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

FINDING YOUR TRIBE

I

t’s January and I’m on my annual epic purging and organizing mission. In my quest to clear up clutter crowding my closets, I came across a little brown book containing sincere heartfelt writings of The Sisterhood of Traveling Hearts. Who are those sisters? A diverse group of friends who developed a deep bond during early morning hikes here in the Coachella Valley. We gave ourselves the name and the assignment of writing about what being together meant to us on an individual level.

Regarding my personal contribution, I did not write about how immensely difficult it was to keep up with these strong vibrant women.

(Yeah, leave it to me as a hiking novice to join a group of serious athletes.) In fact, I still have the book Cathy gave each of us deeming it required reading, “Younger Next Year for Women: Live Strong, Fit and Sexy Until You’re 80 and Beyond.” I smile remembering being so wiped out from hiking I could barely turn the pages.

Getting back to our written words, there is a common theme. Most pages contained the phrase “life changing,” and reference the fact we each hold a special place in our hearts for our fellow sisters.

Well, advance the clock eight years to 2019.

Since our hiking days, life events occurred and

the group no longer hikes together, or has many get-togethers, but I can assure you the deep bond remains. And even if it didn’t, the time spent together sharing our triumphs and sorrows was truly “life changing.”

Yes, I’m am taking a long time getting to the life lesson of this article, but you might have guessed, it’s about the importance of forming friendships. It’s no secret that friends increase your sense of wellbeing and purpose.

According to experts at the Mayo Clinic, friends play a significant role in your overall health.

(Especially the Cathy’s of the world.) But developing and maintaining friendships takes focus. If you’re new to the area, it takes some effort to find you’re tribe. You know, those people who care about and really “get you.”

So, if you’re looking for a groups to gather with, whether is over coffee, book clubs or fitness events, be present. Reach out and join www.meetup.com groups, attend community events and volunteer. Indulge in new interests, like art, drama and Zumba classes. Join a church or synagogue. Make yourself available and be ready to open up and share your life.

Time spent with friends will make your 2019 one of your best years yet.

Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

CANNABIS CORNER

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BY MICHELLE ANN RIZZIO

JOY OF LIFE WELLNESS

J

oy of Life Wellness is a sweet family owned dispensary off of N Indian Canyon and Oasis Rd right before San Rafael. Mother and daughter team, Joy and Sara Meredith, have been operating their dispensary through the changes in the cannabis industry from medical to recreational and their team still maintains the compassion from the medical Prop 215 that most shops miss in the new recreational Prop 64 landscape.

Walking into the family shop is much like being welcomed home, a security guard opens the door for you and greets you. The waiting area has soft chairs, plants, crystals, and a television playing education. Behind the glass window sits familiar faces from Palm Springs landmark Crystal Fantasy ready to check you in.

Once you are checked in you are called back to the dispensary showroom where the rest of the family waits to educate, recommend brands, and hook you up with your new favorite product. Joy of Life Wellness offers regular weekly in store events featuring their brand partners where a representative from a brand visits the shop and offers education and deals. The host a variety of flower, vapes, edibles, sauces, and their prices range from inexpensive quality options to more curated experiences with higher end options. I caught up with Sara and Joy of Joy of Life Wellness for an interview, read on to check it out.

CVW: What was your inspiration to enter the cannabis industry?

Meredith: “We wanted to help people through the healing properties of cannabis.

We also wanted to be the first local family owned & operated cannabis dispensary in the Coachella Valley.”

CVW: What has the most inspiring customer feedback been?

Meredith: “When a customer/patient with a chronic illness, physical or mental comes back because the products we sold them helped them feel better.”

CVW: What can customers expect when they visit your dispensary?

Meredith: “We Pride ourselves in our excellent customer service with a very knowledgeable staff and a great selection.”

CVW: What are your favorite brands?

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Meredith: “Henry’s Original, Cru/High Garden, Papa & Barkley, Raw Garden, Heavy Hitters, and Kanha Treats.”

CVW: What does the future look like for Joy of Life?

Meredith: “The future looks very bright!

We are fully licensed and have several other cannabis projects in the works, right here in the heart of this beautiful city of Palm Springs.”

CVW: Will Joy of Life be hosting any upcoming in store events?

Meredith: “Yes, join us for flower company Henry’s Original on 1/17/19 from 3-6pm and tincture company Yummi Karma on 1/19/19 from 4:30-6:30pm.”

Check out Joy of Life Wellness at 142 W Oasis Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 17 to January 23, 2019

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January 17 to January 23, 2019

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