Coachella Valley Weekly - January 22 to January 28, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 44

News

Music

Movies

Dining

Community Events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • January 22 to January 28, 2015 Vol. 3 No. 44

Southwest Arts Fest Humana Challenge pg 4

pg 6

Grooves at the Westin

pg 11

Chase Huna

pg 12

Mickey Thomas

pg 13

January 22 to January 28, 2015

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Coachella Valley Weekly

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

760.501.6228

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

Contents

Faith, Hope And Pups............................... 3 29th Southwest Arts Festival................... 4 Mardi Paws at the Living Desert.............. 5 2015 Humana Challenge.......................... 6 UCR Society Lecture Series- Immortality.. 7 Rita Rudner at Spotlight 29...................... 7 Don’t Be Cluless In The CV........................ 8 Breaking the 4th Wall- Lost in Yonkers... 9 “Hollywood’s Biggest Night” at TRIO...... 9 Valley Rhythms - Frankie Valli................ 10 Grooves At The Westin............................ 11 LMS - Chase Huna.................................... 12 LMS - Mickey Thomas & Starship........... 13 Consider This - Cisco & Dewey............... 14 Art- Cait Magraw & Aisha“Love”Ortiz... 15 Pet Place................................................... 16 The Vino Voice......................................... 17 Club Crawler Nightlife............................ 18 Screeners................................................. 22 Book Review............................................ 23 The Palm Springs Local - Vista Point..... 26 ALA’s Above & Beyond Awards.............. 26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.................... 27 Dale Gribow............................................. 27 Safety Tips................................................ 28 ShareKitchen........................................... 28 Sports Scene............................................ 29 Sports....................................................... 29 UFC Silva vs. Diaz at Spotlight 29.......... 30 Pete Carlson’s Golf Expo......................... 31 Mind, Body & Spirit................................. 31 Life & Career Coach................................. 32 Beauty...................................................... 32 Comics - Weiss Cracks............................. 34

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

By Lisa Morgan 3rd Annual Faith, Hope and Pups An Event and a Love Story Sunday, February 8th, starts 11am at the Empire Polo Club

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hree of our valley’s hardest working organizations are joining forces during the month of love, once again, to play match maker. The 3rd Annual, Faith, Hope and Pups event will bring out adoptable dogs and cats in hopes of connecting them with the loves of their lives. In fact, the entire event exists as a result of a match made in heaven between homeless Jack and a young woman making her way in a new town.

In the fall of 2011, Bianca Rae moved to Palm Springs for a new job- her first after graduating from college. Far from her midwest home and family, she dove into her new job opportunity, and spent her free time volunteering at an animal shelter. That’s where she found Jack. She adopted Jack on February 15th, 2012, and he became her lifelong Valentine.

“I started Faith, Hope and Pups three years ago to help the Indio animal shelter, where I adopted my dog, Jack,” shared CBS Local 2’s Bianca Rae. “The shelter has since shut down, but I wanted to continue helping our valley’s homeless animals. So, I decided to bring in organizations to help me. My whole goal is to make these amazing animals more visible to people, by bringing them out of the shelters and to their potential adopting families at these events. There’s such a stigma associated with animals from shelters and the shelters themselves. People think the animals from shelters, and even the shelters themselves, are scary. It’s not something that many people think positively about. I’m a big proponent of getting these animals out of the shelters and to the people so they can have a chance to be seen. It’s truly great to be working with Loving All Animals and Palm Springs Animal Shelter, because all of our organizations have the same goal: To create a ‘No-Kill Coachella Valley’, whether we do that through spay and neuter clinics, or these adoption events.”

Faith, Hope and Pups has become quite the community event, growing in its success every year. The first event found homes for 40 out of 70 animals. Once Rae was able to take pause in her grief over having to return the other 30 to the shelter, she realized just how successful her campaign had been. While Faith, Hope and Pups are celebrating its third year, the Bianca Rae Foundation celebrates its one year anniversary. “It’s crazy to me to think that three years ago, I was hoping for 50 people. Here we are now, with our third annual event, and I am amazed at how many people have come forward to help, both with this and the Bianca Rae Foundation, and our efforts to help the children and animals here in the Coachella Valley. I still have so much to learn, but so many people have stepped up mentors and friends, who have helped make the vision a reality.”

On Sunday, February 8th, the public is invited to join CBS Local 2’s Bianca Rae, Loving All Animals and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter in their efforts to raise money for our Valley’s homeless, highly adoptable animals at The Empire Polo Club in Indio. Tickets are on sale now for $95 which includes a cocktail reception from 11am-12pm, a luncheon, and two polo matches on a day that is earmarked for perfection, according to our weather professionals. Local vendors will be on hand as well with information and items for attendees who have already found their pets.

Proceeds will benefit Bianca Rae Foundation, Loving All Animals, and the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Your tax deductible gift will help raise the much needed funds to carry on

the important work of animal rescue, spay/ neuter programs, Trap-Neuter-Release feral cat programs, and adoption events. You’ll also be supporting their foster programs, temporary shelter for pets, transportation of animals, vaccinations and microchipping of adoptable pets, and ultimately, the saving of lives.

If you are unable to attend the event in February, you have an opportunity to meet Bianca Rae and Jack, along with a few of their very adoptable friends, at JT’s Diner this Saturday, January 24th, between 9am and 1pm. JT’s Diner will be giving 10% of sales generated during the event to the Bianca Rae Foundation.

More about the organizations involved in Faith, Hope and Pups: BIANCA RAE FOUNDATION Bianca Rae, newscaster on CBS Channel 2, knew she wanted to be a voice for those who couldn’t speak for themselves - in her opinion, that’s children and animals. She uniquely uses the voice she has through the media to advocate for the voiceless.

She continues her volunteerism with philanthropy, as an active member of The Junior League of Palm Springs Desert Communities, working with local charities and rescue missions to help women and children.

Bianca also volunteers with Companions Visitation Ministry of Sacred Heart church, spending time with lonely senior citizens.

The Bianca Rae Foundation provides Bianca the opportunity to be a “Rae of Hope” for those in need of light. As Bianca says, “It may be impossible to make the world a perfect place, but it is so easy to make it a better place. And if you are blessed with the ability to make the world a better place...why wouldn’t you?” www.biancaraefoundation.org P.O. Box 10096, Palm Desert, CA 92255 PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER The Palm Springs Animal Shelter is an open admissions municipal shelter, operated

by Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, serving the city of Palm Springs.

They are dedicated to building a community responsible for pet stewardship and humane

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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ARTISTS GEARING UP FOR 29th annual SOUTHWEST ARTS FESTIVAL, INDIO 2015 Festival to Showcase Works by Professional

by Cindy Duffy

art Scene

Artists in a Variety of Art Forms.

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he Southwest Arts Festival, Indio 2015, taking place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California from Friday, January 23 through Sunday, January 25, 2015, will feature traditional, contemporary, and abstract fine works of art by more than 250 acclaimed artists. A ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the 29th annual Festival will be held at 9:45 AM on Friday, January 23. The Desert Sun is the Title Sponsor of the event.

One of the area’s largest and longest running juried art festivals, submissions will be judged in the categories of clay, drawing, glass, jewelry, metal, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, textile, and other arts. Highly accomplished artists from around the country relish the opportunity to showcase their finest work at the spectacular outdoor venue, and their backgrounds and techniques are as varied and interesting as their extraordinary artwork.

Hailing from Carmel, CA, Delia Bradford prefers to create her impressionist landscape and floral paintings outdoors, applying paint to canvas without first making a sketch.

Collaborating with her husband Rick, a master giclée printer, they produce affordable giclées of her work on canvas. Another husband and

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wife team, Bozenna and Lukasz Bogucki, create stainless steel mesh handbags in their Los Angeles workshop. They have developed unique methods, incorporating gold leaf, copper, bronze and brass mesh, natural feathers, and leaves into their collection.

Hundreds of individuals and many corporations have collected Oluf Nielsen’s award winning abstract oils on canvas. The Seattle-area artist will bring his new ‘flow’ style paintings to the Festival, as well as textural oils with lush color blends that he creates with palette knives. Doug Parent, a resident of Port Angeles, WA who studied several forms of fine art, paints with acrylics on canvas and panels. He takes inspiration from the raw beauty of the area’s waterways and landscapes. Also enjoying a rural lifestyle is Utah painter Sue Kroll, who is unafraid to try new styles and techniques. Working primarily with acrylics over the years, her newest passion, scratchboard art, promises a level of detail that paints fail to achieve.

“Our festival attracts world-class artists from across the country, and it’s not surprising that several have chosen to make their home in the Coachella Valley,” explains Joshua Bonner, President/CEO of the Indio Chamber Commerce. “Perfect weather, inspirational scenery, and a sophisticated community that appreciates fine works of art make this area a haven for many forms of artistic pursuit.”

Dennis Nagatani, whose vibrant acrylic painting “Desert Falls” was selected as the signature poster of the 2015 Festival, has a home in La Quinta, as does plein air artist Silvio Silverstri who paints on location throughout the United States and Europe.

The former psychotherapist studied with acclaimed artists to hone his skills, and has been winning awards for his artwork since

the early 1990’s. Elliott Newton, whose artistic abilities have claimed him the title “Potter of La Quinta,” finds making pottery a quiet, healing and inspiring experience.

Having studied pottery at College of the Desert, he now teaches workshops during the summer months Additional local artists include Richard Curtner of Cathedral City, whose detailed collages blend art with the written word.

Motivated by a variety of themes, his works are eco-friendly, since all the materials come from donated magazines. Rancho Mirage jewelry designer Sarah Anderson finds inspiration from natural stones and unusual metals to create wearable works of art.

She has a passion for found objects, which she works into her designs to create new dimensions. Gunn Trigére, who started out as a jewelry artist, now creates ‘wall jewelry’ to hang on a wall or rest on an easel. The Palm Desert resident purchased a kiln to create her own glass cabochons, which enable her to control their shape and develop a richness and depth of color.

These artists and many more will be featured at the Southwest Arts Festival, which was named one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2015 by the American Bus Association. In addition to the art exhibition and sale, the Festival will also feature a variety of al fresco dining options and entertainment by talented local jazz musicians.

The three-day family friendly festival will be open from 10AM – 5PM daily, and

admission is Seniors $8, General $9, ThreeDay Pass $12, and Children 14 & under Free.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling the Indio Visitors Bureau at 760-3470676.

To receive regular updates follow Southwest Arts Festival on Facebook, and for more info visit southwestartsfest.com or call 760-347-0676.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com continued from page 3

treatment of animals. Since 1996 they have been actively raising funds to help the Palm Springs Animal Shelter with operational needs. On November 1, 2012 the City of Palm Springs and Friends of the Palm Springs Animal Shelter entered into an agreement allowing Friends to assume operation of the shelter. This partnership paves the way for a new model for caring for animals in need in our community, providing a safe haven for both highly adoptable animals as well as those who require behavioral training or medical treatment before they can be adopted.

Committed to being a humane and compassionate animal care and adoption center, the shelter does not euthanize animals for space, or for length of stay. To meet this challenge, the shelter relies on donations to cover the cost of “extended stays” of many of the animals, medical care and treatment, and progressive programs that are helping Palm Springs stay on track to be a community

January 22 to January 28, 2015

where every pet has a home. The shelter also counts on volunteers to help in nearly every area, including dog walking and enrichment, cat socializing, fostering, medical support, customer service and special events. Most of all, they rely on the community to ADOPT shelter pets!

LOVING ALL ANIMALS The mission of Loving All Animals is to bring together local and national animal welfare organizations to work together for the benefit of animals. They have been a dominant force in bringing our community closer to becoming a “No-Kill Coachella Valley”. They have been at the epicenter of finding forever homes for the valley’s homeless animal population for many years.

You can find out about other fun Loving All Animal events coming up in 2015, as well as purchase tickets for Faith, Hope and Pups at www.lovingallanimals.org Phone: 760-834-7000 73550 Alessandro Dr., Palm Desert CA 92260

by Kristy Kneiding events TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR MARDI PAWS MASQUERADE AT THE LIVING DESERT Zoo to Host Mardi Gras-Themed Valentine’s Day Celebration for Adults

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nspired by the culture and cuisine of New Orleans, The Living Desert will host the inaugural Mardi Paws Masquerade Party on February 14, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the zoo and gardens. Tickets are on sale now for this adults-only Valentine’s Day alternative which will include authentic Crescent City fare, a full bar and a MardiGras style parade that culminates in a lively celebration at Village WaTuTu. Guests will be able to sample classic Cajun and Creole dishes, including ChickenAndouille Gumbo, Crawfish Cakes with all

the trimmings and Muffalettas. In addition to these New Orleans favorites, there will also be three special desserts served and top bar service available throughout the evening.

“The Living Desert is really transforming into the Big Easy for this new event,” said President/CEO Allen Monroe. “We want to offer something for everyone, and this evening is a great alternative for Valentine’s celebrations and definitely fits the bill for a memorable party. It’s a great way to enjoy a new tradition and support our desert conservation mission.”

Providing the live soundtrack to this unique happening are Zulluu, an AngloAfrican fusion band fronted by a native South African, and Bonne Musique Zydeco, a Los Angeles-based sextet specializing in the Creole music of Southwest Louisiana and East Texas. Zulluu will lead the Mardi Paws Parade throughout the grounds to party central at Village WaTuTu. There, revelers will groove to the infectious rhythms and uninhibited beat of Bonne Musique Zydeco, which translates to “good Zydeco music.”

There will also be special Valentine’s Day shopping opportunities, a raffle prize drawing for a trip for four to New Orleans in the Fall and sign-ups for Behind-the-

Scenes Tours at The Living Desert slated for the Spring and Summer. Raffle tickets are available online for $25 each at www.

LivingDesert.org.

VIP and general Mardi Paw tickets are on sale now. The $150 per person VIP ticket includes a full Cajun dinner catered in the Stephen B. Chase Administration Building beginning at 5 p.m., two drink tickets and an opportunity to ride in the Mardi Paws Parade.

General admission tickets include a drink ticket for an adult beverage and are $65 per

person for members of The Living Desert and $75 for non-members.

The event benefits The Living Desert’s operations and mission of desert conservation through preservation, education and appreciation. For more information about The Living Desert and the first Mardi Paws Masquerade Party, call 760346-5694, extension 2166 or 2162, or visit www.livingdesert.org to make reservations.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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2015 Humana Challenge announces fan events and activities for tournament’s theme days

By Brian Robin

Community

From Jan. 22-25, Thursday’s opening round is Novo Nordisk Seniors’ Day; Friday is Women’s Day; Saturday is Patriot Day presented by Humana; Sunday’s final round is Kids’ Day presented by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital

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umana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation has compiled a programming schedule of events during the tournament’s four competitive days of golf that aims to keep its fans feeling as involved outside the ropes as they are with the PGA TOUR action on the fairways and greens.

The Humana Challenge has billed Thursday’s opening round of the tournament on Jan. 22 as Novo Nordisk Seniors’ Day. Friday’s second round on Jan. 23 will carry the theme of Women’s Day. Wearing the USA’s red, white and blue colors will be the order of Jan. 24 as Saturday’s third round is branded as Patriot Day – the tournament’s traditional day to honor the United States military – and is presented by Humana.

Sunday’s final round on Jan. 25 marks Kids’ Day presented by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital, a new partner of the tournament.

The tournament, now in its 56th year, returns to La Quinta Jan. 19-25, and is a 72-hole PGA TOUR event featuring 156 professionals at the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST (host course), the Jack Nicklaus Private Course at PGA WEST and La Quinta Country Club.

“The creation of our agendas surrounding our theme days at the Humana Challenge is well thought out and strategically planned throughout the year, as we have a passion to entertain

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and engage with our local Coachella Valley and Inland Empire communities and our community of Southern California golf fans,” Humana Challenge Executive Director/CEO Bob Marra said. “The Humana Challenge acknowledges and gives thanks to our wonderful, supportive partners in Novo Nordisk, Humana and Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital for their instrumental roles in enabling us to program a myriad of activities that complements our golf competition.”

Each theme day of the tournament will showcase fun activities, food trucks, live music from John Stanley King, and select shopping discounts in the official Humana Challenge merchandise store within Bob Hope Square at PGA WEST – the social hub of the Humana Challenge – for each theme day’s designated classification of honorees.

Daily activities will range from fitness demonstrations to tailored golf clinics.

Novo Nordisk Seniors’ Day (Jan. 22) will include activities in Bob Hope Square such as free health screenings, a “Keeping Your Heart Healthy” presentation, an SCPGA seniors golf clinic, and even a little bingo.

Seniors 56 and over with valid ID are eligible to secure a Seniors’ Day Ticket – good for grounds admission on Jan. 22 – in advance of tournament week for $20 (a $15 discount from the regular Seniors Grounds Ticket price of $35, beginning Jan. 19) online only at www.HumanaChallenge.com/tickets, as well as a 10 percent discount on select items at the Humana Challenge merchandise shop.

The Humana Challenge’s Women’s Day (Jan. 23) will cater to female-themed entertainment and activities in Bob Hope Square like a “Fitness Fashion Show” – featuring retailers such as Adidas, COBRA PUMA GOLF, Chase 54, Democracy, Lululemon and Palm Springs Workout Wear – as well as lifestyle presentations and an SCPGA women’s golf clinic. Female fans will also receive a 10 percent discount off select women’s apparel at the Humana Challenge merchandise shop.

The Humana Challenge is passionate about players and fans embracing the spirit of Patriot Day, presented by Humana, on Jan. 24 and donning red, white and blue in honor and support of the U.S. Armed

Forces. Patriot Day activities which celebrate the military include a “Golf Fitness” demonstration by Katherine Roberts in Bob Hope Square, an SCPGA golf clinic for military members on the PGA WEST driving range, and the annual military appreciation ceremony following play on the 18th green of the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA WEST. Military personnel will receive a 10-percent discount off select items at the Humana Challenge merchandise shop on Patriot Day and have access to the Humana Military Outpost, which sits between the first and ninth tees of the Arnold Palmer Private Course and will host military members and their families from Jan. 2225 with patio seating and free food and beverage. The first 2,500 fans attending the tournament on Jan. 24 will receive an American flag pin.

The Humana Challenge offers free admission for all Active Duty, Military Reserve and National Guard service members and Military Retirees, and their dependents (with valid ID), from Wednesday-Sunday of tournament week.

Military Veterans can secure discounted daily grounds tickets for $20 (admission Wednesday-Sunday; limit two tickets per person with valid ID). Affiliated military members must secure their tickets online by visiting humanachallenge.com/Military.

Continuing with recent tradition, the Humana Challenge proclaims its ‘Championship Sunday’ – Jan. 25 – as Kids’ Day presented by Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. Kids’ Day brings family fun and entertainment with interactive, kidfriendly activities in Bob Hope Square like a fitness obstacle course from Next Level Fitness, exhibits from The Living Desert’s Wild Life on Wheels program and the

NEWS

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by heidi simmons

UCR Seeks Immortality

January 22 to January 28, 2015

SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO PROUDLY PRESENTS LAS VEGAS’ FAVORITE COMEDIAN, RITA RUDNER

comedy

by jessica rees

Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m.

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Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert, a live musical performance from Shannon Tanner, face painting and balloon twisting.

Kids will also receive a 10-percent discount on select merchandise in the Humana Challenge’s merchandise shop.

Children 15 and under are admitted free to the Humana Challenge on Kids’ Day and throughout tournament week when accompanied by a paid adult (limit two children for each paid adult).

Among the Humana Challenge’s new features in Bob Hope Square is the introduction of “Food Truck Frenzy,” a collection of 12 renowned food trucks from all over Southern California which will offer culinary delights and comfort foods like gourmet burgers, tacos, pizza, lobster rolls, BBQ, grilled cheese, acai bowls and smoothies from Wednesday-Sunday of tournament week. Also, fans can write their New Year’s resolutions and goals on the pledge wall.

Additional information regarding tickets, Pro-Am golf tournament positions, hospitality packages and volunteer opportunities for the Humana Challenge can be sought at HumanaChallenge.com or by contacting the tournament office at 760346-8184.

Since 1960, Desert Classic Charities, the non-profit entity that organizes the Humana Challenge, has donated more than $56 million to a wide range of Coachella Valley charitable organizations and Eisenhower Medical Center. This past year, the Humana Challenge donated $800,000 to 39 local charities.

ould you want to live forever?

This was the question posed at the opening event of the Center for Ideas and Society Lecture Series held at UCR’s Palm Desert campus.

John Fischer, UCR Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Director of the Immortality Project, never asked for a show of hands from the predominantly mature audience of 135. Attendees, maybe for the first time, considered what immortality might mean and that it could be in the realm of possibility.

“Think of yourself living a thousand years into the future,” said Fischer. “Would this be a choice you would make?”

With a $5 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation, UCR has begun to look seriously at the reality of immortality and what that might mean for individuals and society. The grant money will be spread across three academic disciplines: science, philosophy and theology.

“The possibility of immortality will come from biology,” said Fischer. “It would be a medically induced immortality where we could stop disease and ageing.” More than half of the grant is invested in science and empirical data.

Biologists involved with the project are studying the Hydra, a small fresh water creature that has regenerative abilities, and appears to not age or die!

As a philosopher, Fischer thinks in terms of how life will be lived and the consequences to living forever. He divides the thinking onto three groups: The optimists, who see immortality as a good thing; the pessimists, who don’t think it’s such a good idea and the curmudgeons, who believe eternal life would become boring.

Fischer puts himself in the pessimists’ group, “I don’t think immortality would necessarily be desirable. And I just don’t think it’s necessarily undesirable.”

Immortality may be all about the quality of life. Fisher discussed the possibilities of what the world might look like if everyone on the planet had the option to choose to live forever.

Optimists believe the world would improve and the problems that exist would be solved. Pessimists think the world would be over-crowed and there would be a strain on natural resources. Curmudgeons consider immortality unpleasant and pointless, “This world’s not so great, the next world is better.”

“If we live forever, we would have many different lives,” Fischer said. “We would change as people over and over again.

There would not be the same stages in life like we have now.” Fischer added, “As human beings we are driven to manage our terror of death.”

“As a philosopher, I chip away at the consensus that immortality couldn’t be choice worthy,” said Fischer. “I don’t think that’s so obvious.”

The immortality project is studying the esoteric and the existential concerns of immortality. Included in the research are the near-death experiences and the persistent notion of the after-life.

“Something exists deep in human nature that makes immortality not choice worthy,” Fischer said. “Because the values of life or the meaningfulness of life or the compelling quality comes from death, from limitation. We don’t have endless time or opportunities.”

But Fischer confirmed that lasting –- in the case of immortality, everlasting --friendships and deep personal relationships cannot be reduced to factors that can run out over time. “What we get out of friendships and other personal relationships is not primarily, and certainly not exclusively something cognitive,” he said. “What we get out of relationships is transformative and uplifting.”

By the questions asked in the audience, it appeared that those attending were equally divided. There were those who want to live forever, those that don’t and those who will give it more thought and choose when the

potlight 29 Casino is proud to present comedian Rita Rudner on Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m. in the Spotlight Showroom. Tickets are on sale and available at www.Spotlight29.com. Spotlight 29 Casino’s Spotlight Showroom offers the premier entertainment experience in the Coachella Valley.

The nine-time Las Vegas Comedian of the Year has the longest running solo comedy show in the history of Las Vegas with over 14 years on the Sunset Strip. Known for her thought provoking one-liners and her observations on everyday life, Rudner keeps it real talking about the things that amuse her.

Rudner has had several successful HBO specials including Rita Rudner’s One Night Stand, Born To Be Mild and Married Without Children. In 2008, her Rita Rudner: Live From Las Vegas was PBS’s first-ever standup comedy special. She is also a best-selling author having written five books and she released an audio version of Naked Beneath My Clothes, which earned her a Grammy nomination.

Rudner has been a regular guest on both Late Night With David Letterman and The Tonight Show. She, along with her husband, Martin Bergman, have written and produced a number of plays and films including the 2011 film Thanks that premiered locally at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and then aired on Showtime.

Don’t miss Rita Rudner’s unique style of comedy on Saturday, March 14 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for the show are $25, $30 and $35 per ticket and are available at Spotlight29. com, Star Tickets (800) 585-3737, or the

time comes, assuming of course the option becomes available.

Whether immortality is choice-worthy or not, what’s truly exciting is that academia has decided that immortality is worthy of study. Immortality is not a new concept.

Many religions have promised immortality in some shape or form.

It will be fascinating as the research is compiled just how much immortality and the belief in immortality will be relevant to how we live our lives in the present.

The topic for the lecture series is a focus on The Things Money Can’t Buy. With the topic of immortality covered, it’s only fitting that the next lecture, February 11, will be on Longevity. Titled “More Precious than Gold: The Paths to Long, Richly Rewarding Lives,” will be given by Dr. Leslie Martin, Professor and Chair of Psychology at La Sierra University.

March 5’s subject is Democracy. This lecture will discuss finding peace in a postCold War world. At the podium for this event will be UCR’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul D’Aniere, a political scientist

Spotlight 29 Box Office and Gift Shop. Doors open at 7 p.m. The show starts at 8 p.m.

ADDITIONAL UPCOMING SHOWS January 24 - Starship Feat. Mickey Thomas February 7 - John Mulaney February 14 - Paul Rodgers, The Voice of Bad Company February 26 - Martina McBride, The Everlasting Tour March 7 - Big & Rich March 14 - Rita Rudner March 28 - Ralphie May April 17 - Los Tigres del Norte April 18 - Keith Sweat whose expertise is in Eastern European and post-Soviet affairs. He will share his thoughts on whether a new cold war is emerging and what that means for the world.

The series concludes March 11 with Ethics. Eric Schwitzgebel, Professor of Philosophy at UCR will deliver “A Theory of Jerks.” This is certain to be fun as Schwitzgebel explores the nature of “Jerkitude” and what to do when confronted with a jerk. He will also talk about their opposites – Sweethearts.

The Center for Ideas and Society Lecture Series is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to advancing humanistic studies and creativity at UC Riverside. According to the website, “The lectures are a way to illuminate the ways in which human beings create and explore a distinctly human life.”

Lectures begin at 6:00 pm and are held at the UCR Palm Desert Campus 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive. The events are free, but a reservation is requested. To RSVP go to palmdesert.ucr.edu/programs/events.html.

For more information call 760 834 0800.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Don’t Be

CLUELESS IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

by Diane Marlin-Dirkx

Uke’ Gotta See This show!

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ull Disclosure: Your humble correspondent grew up with an affinity for team player-ship, in today’s psycho-parlance, “playing well with others.” Or is that psyche-parlance?

Yes, that’s correct. Psycho-parlance would be wrong. Offensive. Goddess-forbid we should be offensive even to ourselves.

Some may find this behavior a personality disorder. Perhaps it’s a mid-western thing.

In any case, it actually continued in my life through university. What? Check out the 5th item in this calendar. That’s right. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is coming to town. To The McCallum Theatre. One night only. Unfair. After all, they’re coming across the pond a very long way for only one night to perform on the instrument I adored during good times and endured during notso-good times. The ukulele accompanied my years around a campfire in Girl Scouts, and through all-nighters studying in a smelly dorm redolent with pizza and spilled suds. If the violin was for high-brows, the guitar for Bobby Dylan wannabes, the ukulele was for fun, flubs and all. Read on for more fun this and next month.

Friday and Saturday, January 23 and 24, 7 PM. Two great shows. You’ve recognized every move they made, every song they’ve sung, we’re talking Friday night’s Ladies of Rock & Soul: Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Donna Summer and The Supremes. And on Saturday night, The Jersey Girls: Connie Francis, Bette Midler, Whitney Houston and Lesley Gore, who can cry on her birthday if she wants to! Have no doubt, they all are uber-divas of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, entertaining as only they know how, shaking the rafters with their finest moves, performing vocal calisthenics and answering hot booty-calls on stage from groupies in the fan-pit. They don’t miss a beat in the Celebrity Tribute Concert Series at the Indian Wells Theater, Cal State San Bernardino’s Palm Desert Campus. While you’re rocking your curls off, ask about this musical series that runs through March, 2015, you don’t want to miss a beat either.

The Indian Wells Theater is located at 37-

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500 Cook St., between Gerald Ford and Frank Sinatra drives. To purchase tickets, call the Indian Wells Theater box office at (760) 341-6909 or for more information, visit the Indian Wells Theater website at www.IWTheater.com.

Saturday, January 24, 8 PM. Jay Leno comes to town. Question: Who else could write an autobiography entitled Leading with My Chin? Answer: Only Jay Leno, who will appear at the McCallum Theatre for one night only. Just in case you’ve been living on planet Pluto, the just-retired acclaimed TV late night show host Leno has a history of accomplishments as a standup comedian, best-selling children’s book author, corporate speaker, TV and movie voice-over artist, car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist. It’s no wonder that he is called “the hardest working man in show business. Prior to becoming host, Jay had been the exclusive guest host on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” since September 1987. He first appeared as a guest on the show March 2, 1977, and he made numerous appearances on the show, as well as NBC’s former program “Late Night with David Letterman.” It was in May of 1992 when Jay followed in the footsteps of legendary NBC late-night hosts Steve Allen, Jack Paar and Johnny Carson as “Tonight Show” host. Jay became the ratings leader of late night and never looked back. Wow! And we’ve got him for only one night. We’ll take it. Jay Leno has been touted as one of the nicest people in show business and the hardest-working -- a winning combo for the man who says “Anyone can have a life - careers are hard to come by!” Tickets are priced at $95, $85, $75 and $55 and are available at the Theatre’s web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260

Tuesday, January 27, 2015, 11 – 2 PM. The First Annual Fashion Show Luncheon at Melvyn’s Restaurant to benefit SafeHouse of the Desert. Pulling out all the stops, as well as the corks, proprietor Mel Haber, will be serving a three-course gourmet luncheon, with complimentary champagne, a silent auction of treasures you won’t be able to live without, and a guest speaker at the legendary Ingleside Inn. The fashion show will feature European designer Oksana, and the Fashion Group International 2014 “Crystal Style Award” recipient, designer Fedor. Entertainment will be provided by Michael Healey and Anna Rose Agno. SafeHouse of the Desert provides emergency shelter, intervention and outreach services to Youth in Crisis.

Luncheon at Ingleside Inn, 200 Ramon Rd., Palm Springs. Tickets are $65.00. If you have any questions, please contact Mary Battin at 760-567-9421 or Julie Hale at 951351-4418,or register on the website www. operattionsafehouse.ejoinme.org

Thursday, January 29, 7 PM. Be still my strumming heart when The McCallum Theatre presents The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. Yahooey! Yes, we kid you not.

It’s an evening you won’t forget offering a funny, virtuosic, twanging, awesome, footstomping giggle-to- guffaw time, jumping from Tchaikovsky to Nirvana via Otis Redding and spaghetti western soundtracks; the Orchestra takes the audience on an eclectic music adventure. Formed---even more likely, “yanked” into being in 1985 as a bit of fun, their first gig was an instant sell-out and they’ve been performing ever since. Their mission was simple: To have fun and “not to lose money.” Public opinion was that an orchestra consisting entirely of ukuleles in different sizes was a strange concept;

something that attracted the performing members. They determined to make something fresh and entertaining, modern and old-fashioned, in a different style which deviated from current performance fashion.

In 2015, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will celebrate 16 million minutes of “ukuleleation,” having been on the road and around the world for thirty years and counting. Tickets are priced at $70, $50, $35 and $25 and are available at the Theatre’s web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com, or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS. The McCallum Theatre, located at 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260, accepts payment by cash, personal check, and most major credit cards. Google the group on YouTube. You won’t regret it.

Thursday, February 5, 7:30 – 9:00 PM. Serial Musical Evenings: Pete Carlson’s Jazz for Jazz Lovers features The Banda Bros.

Sextet and all we can say is, “hot, hot, hot!”

Led by Drummer Ramon Banda and Bassist Tony Banda, brothers who’ve been playing together and playing well with others, such as Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band (a 32 year-in-tune collaboration!) since before they were teens, starting with backyard jam sessions and wedding bands. Today the Banda Bros. are trumpeted as one of LA’s hottest Latin jazz bands performing a blend of Latin, Afro-Caribbean, and straight ahead jazz and original compositions. Hear and cheer them at Pete Carlson’s Golf and Tennis, 73741 HWY 111, Palm Desert.

Admission ticket: $25 per person. Call for more information 760-568-3263, or tollfree: 1(800) 600-3263. Visit website: www. petecarlsonsgolf.com Seating is limited.

Non-profit concert proceeds support jazz education and scholarships for young musicians in the Coachella Valley.

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

Thanks!

Breaking the 4th Wall

A Stage Review: “LOST IN YONKERS”

“You got Moxy kid.” Uncle Louie, portrayed by Mr. Moxy himself, Stephen Blackwell, tells his young nephew as he zealously slaps him across the chest. It’s 1942 and the war is on, in Desert Theatre Works Production of Neil Simon’s play, “Lost in Yonkers” currently running through January 25th at the Arthur Newman Theatre at the Joslyn Center in Palm Desert. This is the story of a family in survival mode as they cope with loss and past grievances that have left long lasting scars. A little comedy and a lot of drama as they each find their center in the universe at the onset of World War II, in Yonkers, New York.

While Simon has been praised for his equality of the sexes in his work, “Lost In Yonkers” made me ask the question, “Does Neil Simon even like women?” His female characters in this script are sexist and stereotypical. Dead, crazy, or just downright mean. And the male characters aren’t much better. All due to the tyrannical upbringing of an abusive mother. I have seen some of Simon’s work that I really enjoyed; “Lost In Yonkers” was not one of those shows.

What saved this show for me, were the performances of a few very talented actors.

June August as, Grandma Kurnitz, was brilliant. I loved her, hated her and came to understand how the loss of two children had pushed her over the edge and into becoming the woman that terrorized her family. From the moment she entered, she commanded the stage. While Simon’s words were witty, no doubt that he can write, but it was Ms. August’s professional and stellar performance that made me even care about this character long enough to find out what had twisted her into the miserable woman that she had become.

Daniela Ryan’s portrayal of Bella was spot on. Ryan can act. A frenzied and confused adult woman with a child’s mind, Ryan’s performance made me sit up and take notice and overlook the fact that I didn’t care much for the script. I wanted to hear what she was saying. The final emotional breakdown scene between Bella and her mother is what made this play worth seeing.

Cameron Keys, as Jay and Angus Feath, as Arty, are the two young boys who are forced to endure almost a year at grandma’s house while dad, portrayed by Gregg Aratin, is off

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

By Dee Jae Cox

making money to pay off the medical bills for their now deceased mother. Evidently killing off mothers is not just reserved for Disney films. Keys and Feath are adorable and engaging to watch. Their process of trying to make sense in their chaotic, dysfunctional family is both entertaining and inspirational. I was especially happy to see age appropriate casting for the roles.

I was not asked to suspend disbelief and accept a college freshman as a young teen.

Adina Lawson as Aunt Gert, is a gem and fun to watch. The set design by Ron Phillips-Martinez captured my interest from lights up, an early 20th Century New York Apartment complete with doilies on the back of the couch. I was especially captivated by the Briana Taylor’s costumes.

Though I found the lights up/lights down depicting scene changes to become a bit redundant, the overall direction by Lance Phillips-Martinez was solid and it was obvious that some thought had gone into the staging. I especially enjoyed the music selection, which set the mood and 1942 era.

Desert Theatre Works gets a zero stars on Broadway rating, for having zero shows written by women in their season. But they are a class act. There are months of work that go into a production before that Opening night curtain call, it’s nice to see a company that takes their work so seriously.

This is a family show and the laughs could probably be enjoyed by all ages, but I’d leave the under 12 at home.

Lost in Yonkers, a production of Desert Theatreworks, is performed at 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday; and 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, through Sunday, Jan. 25, at the Arthur Newman Theatre at the Joslyn Center, located at 73750 Catalina Way, in Palm Desert. Tickets are $23 to $25 For Reservations: call 760-980-1455, or visit www.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 and the host of KPTR 1450’s hit radio show, “California Woman 411” in Palm Springs.

TRIO RESTAURANT’S 6TH ANNUAL “HOLLYWOOD’S BIGGEST NIGHT” TO BENEFIT AIDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

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Academy Awards Celebration to Feature Signature Orange Carpet Arrivals n celebration of the 87th annual Academy Awards, Trio Restaurant in Palm Springs will host the sixth annual “Hollywood’s Biggest Night” to benefit AIDS Assistance Program (AAP) at 4:30 pm on Sunday, February 22, 2015. The glittering evening will include signature ‘orange’ carpet arrivals featuring a group of paparazzo, and a special greeting from dynamic hostess and local celebrity, Bella da Ball. The Oscars® pre-show and awards presentations will be viewed on special screens throughout Trio’s bar and restaurant areas.

“Year after year, this continues to be “Trio is the best place in the Valley to a magical evening of dining, drinks, and experience the magic and excitement of the greatest awards show on earth,” says Oscar night,” says Mark Anton, CEO/Executive Tony Marchese, co-owner of Trio. “Starting Director of AIDS Assistance Program. “Their with the walk down the orange carpet and exceptional staff makes everyone feel like an the flashbulbs going off as guests arrive, A-list celebrity, and we are extremely grateful the energy in the room is electric and the that AAP is once again the beneficiary of this excitement builds as we wait with anticipation entertaining and highly anticipated event.” for each winner to be announced. Everyone Since its founding in 1991, AIDS Assistance has such a wonderful time, and every year is Program of Palm Springs remains dedicated to more entertaining than the last.” providing nutritional support to improve the Tickets for Hollywood’s Biggest Night start quality of the lives of people living with HIV/ at $125 per person for bar seating, $150 for AIDS. Initiated by a small group of concerned general seating, and $175 for VIP/premium citizens led by the late Gloria Greene and seating, which includes a prix-fixe dinner, well Jeannette Rockefeller, AAP provides food drinks, wine, and champagne. Tickets should to members of the community with low be purchased in advance at aidsassistance.org incomes. For more information, please call or by calling AAP at 760/325-8481.

760/325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Valley Rhythms

Frankie Valli performs by at Fantasy Springs Casino

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rankie Valli and The Four Seasons return to the Desert to perform for their adoring fans at Fantasy Springs Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway in Indio, this Saturday, January 24, at 8 p.m. For tickets call (800) 827-2946.

Frankie Valli, a true American Pop Icon, started singing when he was 7 years old. He began his professional singing career in 1951, as a teenager in Newark, New Jersey, making a guest appearance with the Variety Trio at The Strand and later became part of the House Band with Tommy DeVito.

In 1953, Valli cut his first single, “My Mother’s Eyes”, left the House Band at the Strand with DeVito and formed their own group The Varitones. While being part of an audition for a female singer in 1956, the band caught the attention of a Talent Scout, who had them auditioning at RCA Victor a week later. They renamed the Band the Four Lovers and had a minor hit with “You’re the Apple of My Eye”. After more changes in the Band, they were re-named The Four Seasons and were finally on their way to stardom.

With a voice like Frankie Valli, it was only a matter of time before they had their number one hit, “Sherry” in 1962, which led to a string of hits. My personal favorite was “Rag Doll”.

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Lola Rossi

There is so much to write about Frankie Valli, it would be a book, and true to this statement, according to a few reliable sources, Valli had the idea to do a musical story about his life, which became a reality in 2005, when Jersey Boys opened on Broadway.

Since then, the show has been widely acclaimed, financially successful, won six Tony Awards, and the musical has touring companies all around the world, as well as a version at Paris Las Vegas.

On March 21, 2013, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons were presented a Star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars located at Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South, not only for their illustrious careers, but for Jersey Boys.

If you haven’t been to Las Vegas to see the show, I highly recommend it. However, the musical was adapted into a 2014 film, of the same name, directed by Clint Eastwood.

A few weeks ago, I met Frankie Valli at the Memorial for a close friend of his, celebrities, friends and fans, Frankie Randall; a beloved musician in the Coachella Valley, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and especially by Frank and Barbara Sinatra.

“I met Frankie a long time ago, when we were teenagers,” said Valli. “I remember stopping by to check out his band. I knew him then as Chico and his band was known as The High Five.” Valli was part of the group called The Four Lovers at the time and he and Randall’s group would perform in the popular entertainment venues, at the time, and became very good friends. “I knew him before I made it in the business, and before he made it, too. Frankie was a great talent and I will miss my dear friend.”

Frankie Randall

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The Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa Introduces Jazz Series: “Grooves at the Westin” Concert Series Features David Benoit, Phil Perry, Jessy J, Brian Simpson, Gregg Karukas, Michael Paulo and Hiroshima

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he Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa debuts a new jazz series taking place under the stars, “Grooves at the Westin,” bringing worldclass musicians to the stage. In partnership with Apaulo Music Productions, the series debuts on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14 with accomplished jazz pianist and composer David Benoit and special guest R&B musician Phil Perry, with two additional concerts following in March.

With over 25 chart topping records to his credit and several Grammy nominations, Benoit is in a class of his own, thrilling audiences with his unique piano style and beautiful compositions. He has performed at The White House for three U.S. Presidents: Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Other dignitaries he has performed for include Colin Powell, Hillary Clinton, and Al Gore. Benoit’s long list of credits includes performances with pop and jazz artists such as Russ Freeman and the Rippingtons, Kenny Loggins, Kenny G, Patti Austin, Dave Koz, Kenny Rankin, Faith Hill, David Lanz, Cece Winans, David Pack, David Sanborn and Brian McKnight.

Special guest for the evening is awardwinning R&B/jazz musician Phil Perry performing with Benoit. Perry’s tenth solo album, “Say Yes,” was released in 2013 and is still going strong with placement in the Top Ten on Billboard and smooth jazz charts, as well as receiving top vocal credits in 2014.

Perry began his career as a member of the

soul group The Montclairs. Over the span of Perry’s career he has been one of the most sought after backing vocalists in the music business. He has played a supporting role on dozens of albums by music greats including Anita Baker, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Peabo Bryson and George Duke.

Following David Benoit and Phil Perry are the “Smooth Jazz All-stars” featuring Gregg Karukas, Jessy J, Brian Simpson and Michael Paulo on Saturday, March 21. These four chart topping musicians come together all on the same stage for an unforgettable music experience.

As one of urban contemporary jazz’s most versatile and acclaimed artists over the past 25 years, keyboardist and composer Gregg Karukas is a Grammy Award winner for producing, engineering, co-writing and arranging Omar Akram’s “Echoes of Love,” which won Best New Age Album at the 55th Grammy Awards in February 2013. As a solo artist, Karukas’ 11 CDs have garnered consistently solid reviews for his signature piano touch, pristine production, and melodies that are both soulful and sophisticated.

Celebrated keyboardist, composer and studio musician, Brian Simpson has been the ‘go-to’ man for everyone from Janet Jackson and Teena Marie to George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Dave Koz, for whom he has had the distinction of being musical director for the past 15 years. The charttopping musical chameleon released “Just What You Need” in 2013, once again landing on Billboard charts.

Nouveau sax-woman Jessy J burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in 2008, blending her love for Latin rhythms and jazz on her chart-topping, award-winning debut album “Tequila Moon.” Jessy earned the Radio & Records’ Debut Artist of The Year award and contemporary jazz Song of the Year by both R&R and Billboard for the title track, which held the number spot on the chart for eight weeks. Her latest album “Second Chances” features Grammy Award-winning guitarist Norman Brown, which debuted in 2013 and has landed on Billboard jazz charts as well. Jessy J has worked in studio with Michael Bublé and

January 22 to January 28, 2015

by chris clemens toured with music icons Michael Bolton, The Temptations, Jessica Simpson and Seal.

As one of the most versatile and cosmopolitan saxophonists in pop, soul and contemporary jazz for nearly 20 years, Michael Paulo has added his distinctive style to a virtual who’s who of artists, including Al Jarreau (Paulo’s longest term touring association), James Ingram, number one smooth jazz trumpeter and guitarist Rick Braun and Peter White, Oleta Adams, Kenny Loggins, Patti Austin, Jeffrey Osborne, Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Carl Anderson, Bobby Caldwell, Johnny Mathis and others.

Hiroshima concludes the series on Saturday, March 28. With over 30 years performing together, Hiroshima offers crowds an unforgettable musical experience. Their unique blend of Japanese instruments, such as the 13-stringed koto and taiko drums, with the smooth rhythm

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of Western R&B, makes them the number one Asian-American band in the world.

June Kuramoto on koto is an American treasure and music icon. No one else in the world possesses her ability to bridge the gap between traditional Asian music and Western jazz. Hiroshima’s music has been heard in film, television, concert stages and festivals throughout the world.

All shows take place at the outdoor Masters Plaza and begin at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 6 p.m. Ticket prices range between $45 and $75. In addition, a special three-course dinner package, including a glass of celebratory house wine, is available for $99 per person at the resort’s Fireside Lounge, neighboring the Masters Plaza where the performances are held. The cost includes prime outdoor seating situated around a centralized outdoor fire pit with exceptional views of the concert. In addition, discounted room rates are available for 20 percent off the best available rate when purchasing concert tickets, by using code JAZZ when booking at (877) 253-0041.

Sponsorships for the jazz series are available beginning at $1,000 per show or $2,500 for the spring series. For more information about the resort visit westinmissionhills.com or call (760) 7702150. For concert tickets visit www.tix.com.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

Chase Huna is “On the Chase”

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he name Chase Huna has been a bit of a buzz throughout the valley for a couple of years now. I had been hearing about the 15 year old, “killer saxophone player with straight A’s and near perfect attendance” for a long time before I finally had the chance to catch him at a show. I had no doubts that the young phenom obviously owned his craft and had incredible playing skills. I’d seen him on YouTube. But I wasn’t quite prepared to become a fan...not just yet. There is a whole list of things that come into play (so to speak) for anyone to have a shot at a music career.

Chase Huna is a very nice young guy.

His manners are impeccable. His attitude is gracious. But best of all, he is genuine.

He’s not that guy who is pretending to be something he is not, or needs to be the center of attention. He has a calm and gentle manner about him that is immediately endearing. But to be honest, after I met him, I kind of wondered if he had...well, you know - “the stuff”. He was just so...NICE. Maybe he was too nice?

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight Nothing’s Going to Stop Mickey Thomas’ Starship Launching into 2015 from Spotlight 29 Casino

by Lisa Morgan

Saturday, January 31st, 1-3pm at Indian Wells Resort Hotel

Finally, my schedule aligned with his, and I was able to see Chase Huna perform for the first time, with the Gand Band at the Purple Room in Palm Springs. I was invited

by Carl Davis, a well-known and popular local dance instructor and obvious fan doing what he can to help Huna’s career. Thanks to Davis, I got to sit at Huna’s table with his father and younger brother, Peyton. The 15 year old took to the stage and won me over. Looking at the faces of his father and brother, they were fans too. Huna never lost an ounce of his graciousness or gentle, calm demeanor, but he sure did light up the stage and the room. He played flawlessly, careful to watch, follow and even lead the band with total confidence and not one drop of arrogance.

He pulled the guitar player, Gary Gand, off stage with him and played table to table.

Suddenly, he stood towering over me as he and the lead guitar traded solos back and forth from on top of two empty chairs. Even his dad looked shocked at his sudden use of the venue’s furniture. It was stellar. Best of all, you could see and feel the joy coming from him as he played. It was as if he was right where he was always supposed to be, playing music for the people from his black lacquer, Cannon Ball, alto sax. I heard someone next to me say, “It looks like it came out of a classic Chevy”. It is a very cool looking instrument that, if the kid gets any hotter, may have some real scorch marks on it by the end of the year.

I had a chance to talk to Huna, and ask him where the inspiration to play came from, and apparently, he was just born with it. “My parents have always told me that I’ve loved listening to jazz since I was two years old. It was all I’d want to listen to,” he shared. “When I was 7, and started seeing people play saxophone at jazz concerts around the valley, and I thought that maybe it’d be cool to play it one day. When I was 9 1/2, I asked my dad for a saxophone for my 10th birthday, and he said yes.”

I also asked Huna how he managed to do so well in school, and if it was true that he’d only missed one day of school his entire life. “Yes, it’s true. I think it comes from my parents (Tom and Leanne Huna). They make sure I’m in line. They guide me the right way - to be a great person, and a good student at school.”

Regarding his training, Huna explained, “I had a private teacher, Erv Schawacker, for the first 3 years. But after that, I was able to work with a great saxophonist, Will Donato. He’s been helping me out for the past 2 years and it’s been great. We just play together, and he shows me new things. It’s not like a formal lesson. People always tell me they see a little bit of Will in me. I watch what he does...he walks all over the place with his sax, stands on tables and stuff like that. Before I met Will, I didn’t have stage presence really. Watching him over the past two years has really helped.”

Huna has played many cool venues for such a young musician. He’s been featured at Backstreet Bistro, in Palm Desert, Woody’s Burgers and The Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs, the Desert Lexus Jazz Fest in Indian Wells, the KSBR Birthday Bash in Mission Viejo, the Hyatt Regency Resort in Indian Wells, Vitello’s in Studio City, Spaghettini in Seal Beach, HOME in Beverly Hills, and the Koni Kai Jazz Fest in San Diego, and that’s the short list. The list of influential musicians he’s shared the stage with is even longer.

This week, Chase Huna will be representing Cannon Ball Saxophones at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, January 2225th, a very cool and very big deal by any musician’s standard. But at the end of this

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month, Chase Huna may have one of the most important shows of his young career.

Saturday, January 31st, from1-3pm at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, Huna will be performing with a live band to raise money so his new radio single, “On the Chase” can get played on the radio. “We need to raise about $2500,” shared Huna. “The song is ready, we just need to get it out there.” The song was co-written and produced by Steve Oliver, who is also working with Chase on his first full album. Getting his first single on the radio could be pivotal in making big things happen for Huna.

Wherever Huna’s career goes, he has the strong support of his family around him. Even his younger brother, 13 year old Peyton, is always somewhere nearby, taking pictures and being mentored by the other professional photographers attending the high profile events his brother plays at.

“He’s becoming quite the photographer.

The photographers at these events help him like Will Donato helps me.” With a little luck added to the mix, Chase Huna has the work ethic, the character and the temperament to chase down a long, healthy career doing what he loves - playing music with and for the people. You might want to make sure you are part of this musician’s success story, and make a point to be at his show January 31st, or any show for that matter, while you still can. I have a feeling, as do many others, this kid is going places. facebook.com/chase.huna.3

ickey Thomas, resident of the Coachella Valley and legendary rock vocalist, will be launching 2015 from the place he now calls home.

Thomas gained his legendary status with the band formerly known as Jefferson Starship (originally Jefferson Airplane). Now respectfully referred to as Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas, Thomas has maintained an active touring schedule with this hand-picked group of stellar musicians, as he brings all the renowned music he’s made famous, back to the stage.

The group released Loveless Fascination in 2013, their first studio recording in over 20 years, written in large part and produced with Jeff Pilson (Foreigner). The concert will treat the audience to some of the new songs along with songs guests know and love, including number one hits like “We Built This City,” “Sara,” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” as well as other Top 40 hits such as “It’s Not Over (‘Till It’s Over),” “Jane,” and “Find Your Way Back.”

CV Weekly had the good fortune to share a nice leisurely conversation with an artist who has seen the music industry from the brightest stages, during its finest days. He has witnessed the dream and the drama first hand, as well as the complete turnover of the industry to the digital age. It was a very down to earth and honest conversation with someone in love with what he does, in spite of the ups and downs and heartaches. Speaking with a bit of a southern drawl and a charm that have not been lost in all his adventures, he shared openly about his insights and experience.

CVW: You have been touring the new record for a while now. How has the audience response been, and do you have any personal favorites on the album?

Thomas: Well, we put out the record in 2013. The response has been great. It’s about long enough now, that I like to call it our “latest record”, but it’s a great record. I’m real proud of it. We do several of the new songs in the live show. “Technicolor Black and White” is one of my favorites. I try to do it every night on stage. It’s a nice high energy song, and it’s a good change of pace. I really like the lyrics what it’s saying. I like the title track, “Loveless Fascination,” and “Where Did We Go Wrong”.

It’s really hard to get things on the radio

these days. One of the guys I was working with on the record told me that he had hand delivered Bruce Springsteen’s new album to one of the major classic rock stations. The guy told him, ‘Well I like it but I’d rather play “Born to Run” again. So you look for other outlets for exposure like social media and the internet. We’ve had a little bit of luck there, but not on the radio. It’s a weird industry these days. For us, a classic rock or heritage artist, whatever you want to call it, generally the CD sales compared to digital downloads are about 50/50, but again, it’s actually really hard to monitor download sales.

CVW: You’ve been through a lot of changes in personnel in your career. The group you’re playing with now has seemed to really hold together. You must really enjoy the people you’re playing with today.

Thomas: People are usually surprised to find out that this band and I have been together longer than any configuration of Starship, Jefferson Starship and, not that I was in it, even Jefferson Airplane. My drummer (Darell Verdusco) and keyboard player (Phil Bennett) have been with me for 22 years, my bass player (Jeff Adams) has been with me for 15, and our female vocalist (Stephanie Calvert) has been with us for 8 years. Our guitarist (John Roth) is the newest member. He’s been with us for 2 years, but that is because we tragically lost our previous guitarist (Mark Abrahamian) who had been with me for 12 years.

I really do enjoy playing with them. But again, when you’ve been with someone that long, in situations that are trying, like touring

January 22 to January 28, 2015

by Lisa Morgan and being on the road, it can get testy. It’s sort of like an extended family. We don’t get along all the time; we have our moments of getting on each other’s nerves, but different rooms and separate rental cars helps with that.

I do have the luxury, this time, to have handpicked the people I wanted to perform with.

Obviously I’ve picked people I can work with for a long time.

But, you know, there is something to be said for those times in the 70s and 80s. I was in a band with some very strong egos, and didn’t have the luxury of picking and choosing who I was going to work with. But friction sometimes helps the creative process, and you can come up with some really good and interesting stuff.

I think some of our best work in the studio came during some of the more tumultuous times. Your ego can take over when someone is questioning your song or your music. You get the attitude of “I’ll show you! I’ll give you the best vocal you ever heard!” Sometimes the competetive nature comes through on the record and it’s a good thing.

These days, it’s much more about touring and playing live and not so much about the studio. The structure of the band and the interaction on stage is much more important.

These days, an album is nothing more than a promotional tool to get people to your shows.

That was the great thing about the music of the 70’s and 80’s. It’s easier to make someone sound better these days in the studio. It’s another thing to put it all together and kick ass on stage. That’s what it’s all about for us.

CVW: Your female vocalist, Stephanie Calvert, had some pretty big shoes to fill, and she looks like she’s in her 20s!

Thomas: (laughs) She has a very youthful aura as well, and a lot of energy. She’s very animated on stage and is obviously older than 20. I won’t give her age a way, but she started with me 8 years ago... let’s see how do I do this tactfully... Actually she probably wouldn’t care.

She’s pretty fired up about her birthday which is about 2 days before the show. I’ll just say she’s in her mid 30s.

CVW: It seems things are opening up in regard to women in music and the age boundaries. You worked with a woman who had a lot to do with that.

Thomas: Yes, the history of our band had a lot to do with that. Grace Slick was an iconic figure in the women’s equality movement.

She represented change for women. She was the oldest woman to have a top ten single until Cher broke that record. That’s something we are very proud of that we accomplished together.

CVW: The big conversation in the music industry these days is about streaming. Some even call it piracy. What are your feelings about it?

Thomas: I think, in a way, it is piracy. I just know if I was a new artist coming on the scene, I would hate to have to deal with that along with all the other stuff you have to deal with.

Trying to monitor that, and work with that... On the other hand, what’s becoming bigger now, are artists who are known through streaming.

I just performed, last fall, at something called

“The Streamy Awards” an awards show strictly for those who have gone viral. Some of them are able to parlay that into a more prosperous career. It’s almost like they become famous first, and then they get opportunities to get paid for it.

We are on iTunes and Pandora. I’m not so sure about Spotify. A lot of artists have been having issues with Spotify.

CVW: What’s next for you? Is there a new record on the horizon?

Thomas: I’ve been wanting for years to make a Christmas record, so I may make that a priority this year. I love singing Christmas songs, and I would do it in the more traditional sense. I’m not a big fan of trying to rock up Christmas songs.

We’ll be doing a lot of touring this year.

Spotlight 29 is kicking off our 2015. It’s nice to start it off right here from home.

CVW: What do you enjoy doing off stage?

Thomas: I like to cook. I think it’s comes from being on the road so much. I enjoy the calmness of creating something in the kitchen, and it’s a good excuse to drink wine. I like good food and good wine. I love movies - I’m a real buff. I could care less about the Grammys, but I won’t miss the Oscars.

My wife and I are big supporters of Animal Samaritans. It’s my wife’s passion, trying to find good homes for homeless animals.

CVW: Do you have any advice for young artists starting out today?

Thomas: (without hesitation) Never sell out. Never compromise. Stick to your guns and what you believe in your heart is your own creative nature, and what you want to do and say. I mean that’s what I would try to change... if I could go back and do anything over in my life. I was fortunate in my life to have some really big hits, but over all, there are things I wouldn’t compromise as much on. I would not give into the pressures of the business as much as I did at times. I would tell young artists to be as crazy and as weird as you want to be.

Especially in today’s world, I think originality is more important than ever.

CVW: So you’re saying that it’s ok to be a pain in the ass as an artist?

Thomas: I not only give permission, I encourage it!

Don’t miss these amazing classic rockers and one of the most iconic bands from the 80’s. Tickets $20 / $30 / $40. startickets.com/events/item/mickeythomas-starship Follow Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas at starshipcontrol.com.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

CISCO & DEWEY

“Self-Titled Album”

Consider This

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

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By monica morones

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“

One of the first D.I.Y. bands, they released their debut record on their own label. They also appeared in the seminal L.A. Punk documentary, “The Decline And Fall Of Western Civilization.”

The band is probably best known for playing a Punked up version of Johnny Rivers’ “Secret Agent Man,” retitled “Hombre Secreto” in the classic cult film, “Repo Man.” Bob Dylan famously invited the Plugz to back him on an appearance for “Late Night With David Letterman.” Soon after, Plugz morphed into the Cruzados and released their debut in 1985. They recorded two more albums, and toured with heavy hitters like Fleetwood Mac and INXS before disbanding.

Since then, Cisco has honed a reputation as a sharp session musician recording with Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, Willie Nelson and Roger Daltrey to name a few. He also toured from 1993 to the present with Power Pop demi-god, Matthew Sweet.

Dewey’s Rock & Roll path has been slightly more circuitous. Cisco and Dewey met in the early ‘90s, during a session for veteran songwriter, Gerry Goffin. Best known for his collaboration with then wife, Carole King in the early ‘60s, He remained a working songwriter after the pair broke up. Sadly, he passed away in 2014.

Surrounded by seasoned session players, Cisco and Dewey just clicked. With the help of Chicago Blues legend Barry Goldberg, they wrote and recorded about 40 songs that remain unreleased.

Dewey became disenchanted with the record industry and he and Cisco lost touch.

Relocating to the quieter environs of Joshua Tree, he focused on his passion for racing motorcycles. When he and Cisco reconnected early last year, he was ready to make music

January 22 to January 28, 2015

Cait Magraw & Aisha “Life” Ortiz

A

mericana” and “Alt. Country” are terms coined in the early 90s to describe music that was “a little bit Country and a little bit Rock & Roll,” (to quote Donny and Marie.) The roots of this style began way back in the ‘60s when Gram Parsons, former teen idol, Rick Nelson and reluctant Monkee, Mike Nesmith were quietly (and separately) infusing Rock music with jolts of Hank Williams Sr., Merle Haggard, George Jones and the Louvin Brothers.

Of course, cocaine cowboys like the Eagles, as well as bands like Poco and Firefall watered down the original heady elixir and popularized a sound they didn’t create, reaping the financial rewards. It was several years before Parsons and Nelson posthumously received the accolades they richly deserved. Mike Nesmith still hasn’t received the proper recognition.

Bands like Uncle Tupelo, Jayhawks, Son Volt and Wilco proudly carried the Americana torch, (with varying degrees of success), into the 21st century. Now Cisco & Dewey have released a debut that continues this enduring tradition.

But hold up, Cisco & Dewey aren’t a couple of wide-eyed millennials, weaned on suspender and string tie-wearin’ revivalists like Lumineers or Mumford And Sons. Tony “Cisco” Marsico and Darran “Dewey” Falcone are seasoned Rock & Roll warriors who first met over 20 years ago.

Cisco is a veteran of the venerable L.A. Punk scene. He began his music career in 1980, playing bass with Latino Punk rockers the Plugz, (sometimes known as Los Plugz).

art Scene

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again.

After securing funding through Kickstarter, and corralling a few old friends, including Barry Goldberg, they recorded their self-titled debut.

The album opens with the one-two punch of “Movin’ On Down” and “Land Of The Endless Sun.” “Movin…” is a sharp equivocation of a musician’s peripatetic lifestyle. Splashes of lonesome pedal steel guitar wash over a sunburst melody and propulsive rhythms.

Dewey’s rough-hewn vocals deliver a hesitant argument for a rootless existence. “Lots of time long since dead, memories they fill my head/ But I keep searchin’ for my way to get back home.”

“Land Of The Endless Sun” is propelled by a chugging locomotion, ringing acoustic guitars and Yee-Haw harmonies. The hook-filled melody can’t camouflage this withering putdown, “You stuck around here long enough to dry up every drop of fun.”

A trio of songs tackle the specter of death from different perspectives. “The Sea We Floated On” offers a tender farewell to a loved one. The mood is wistful, directly addressing a recently departed family member. “You were the sea we floated on, you were the gift and now you’re gone.” The melody accented by prickly guitars and high-lonesome harmonica.

“Goodbye Heartache, Goodbye Moon” wraps a gorgeously desolate arrangement around a first-person post-mortem. Mournful pedal steel and feathery acoustic guitar cushion stark lyrics like “Feel the cold death rattle as my body starts to swoon, and my heart fades to a murmur /Goodbye heartache, goodbye moon.”

Over sugary harmonica fills and sly pedal steel, “Sad Sadie” offers some compassionate grief counseling: “Sad Sadie, don’t you cry,

those feelings deep inside you will subside…the sun will shine again if you give it time.”

If it were possible for Bob Dylan’s “Emotionally Yours” and Bruce Springsteen’s “Racing In The Street” to have a musical love child, it might sound like “Hermosa Avenue.”

A stately slice of life that surveys the action on the street. The tune is anchored Hammond B3 colors, a loping gait and a soulful harmonica solo.

Both “Eyes Of Laredo” and “The Ballad Of Cisco & Dewey” take the listener south of the border. The former is a lonely Tex-Mex ballad that blends weezy accordion and concertina with crystalline mandolin and banjo runs.

The latter is a ramshackle shaggy-dog tale cloaked in a rollicking Norteno melody and accented by stinging guitar riffs and fluttery accordion. It’s a slightly apocryphal saga about “two gringos from the Valley who got lost in Mexicali.” Tequila worms are consumed, fisticuffs ensue and the song culminates in an inept jail break.

Other interesting tracks include the minor key charmer, “Going Home,” and the yearning “It All Fades Away.” “She’s Like” is propelled by a tribal “skip to my lou” tattoo, circuitous guitar and sprightly violin/harmonica interplay, the lyrics pay tribute to a dark, mysterious and ephemeral beauty. Finally, “Goodbye Little Bluebird” is a jangly ode to independence.

The album closes with “Feels Like Heaven,” a twangy benediction that pays homage to a sweet soulmate and the arid desert landscape they traverse: A graceful end to a winning debut.

Along with Barry Goldberg on Hammond B3, Cisco and Dewey have assembled a who’swho of session players: Joseph Harvey on cello, Julie Pusch on violin, Gia Ciambotti provides background vocals. Gary Mallaber and Joel Alpers both handle drums and percussion, Gee Rabe plays concertina and accordion, Craig Fundyga on piano, Mark Tremalgia plays slide guitar, Tom Lavin tackles mandolin, banjo and guitar, Rick Vito covers baritone, slide and acoustic guitar, Tony Gilkyson’s duties include acoustic and electric guitars and Greg Leisz plays pedal steel All these heavy-hitters might have resulted in a slick, overly commercial album. Quite the contrary, the vibe here feels fun and intimate: A relaxed, back porch ramble amongst friends.

Cisco & Dewey have succeeded in releasing the first great album of 2015.

always love meeting talented women that set the standards high of what it is to be driven, artistic, and business savvy. I was able to photograph and interview artists Cait Magraw and Aisha “Life’ Ortiz and was blown away by the unity and positivity they exuded.

Looking at Cait’s attention to detail and Aisha’s abstract touch, collaboratively they entice the viewer with their unique styles blended together. With a new business venture on the horizon, 2015 looks like it’s going to be a productive year for these two.

MM: Where are you from?

Cait: I was born in Placentia, CA, though most of my childhood was spent in Washington and Oregon. I returned to the desert about three years ago.

Life: Some would say New York and others would say California. However, I have been traveling the states from coast to coast for most of my life. So, I’d say I am from “All over.”

I made my way back to Palm Springs full time roughly 3 years ago.

MM: How did your art journey begin?

Cait: My grandpa, Jim, would say I’ve been at it since birth. I was fortunate to live on beautiful island with nature all around me to draw from. I use to crush coal from beach fires and mix it with salt water in a seashell creating a sort of paint and begin what I thought, was a masterpiece. I had such a great support system which encouraged me to expand into several other creative areas like designing jewelry, photography and so much more.

Life: I can’t say for sure when, but I loved

taking things apart when I was kid. I was fascinated with the way things were made.

Deconstructing them, I realized that I could give them a new purpose with a little glue and some paint. Back then, it wasn’t art to me I was just having fun. Today, they are one in the same. As an artist, I go by the name “Life” which came from the meaning of my birth name, Aisha.

MM: What would you describe as your style?

Cait: I’d describe my style as meticulous.

My pieces are highly detailed and vibrant in color. Most of the time there is a plan, but once I begin my emotions tend to take over creating a balance between my conscious and subconscious.

Life: Until now, I have been mostly private about my work, creating for myself as an outlet, but if I had to describe it, I’d say it’s on the abstract of things. I have a blast mixing media and working with found objects in funky ways.

MM: Did you go to school or are you selftaught? And what are your thoughts on that?

Cait & Life: Cait and I are self-taught. Our feelings on either OR, has more to do with the individual than the method itself. If you are an artist, find a place where your art is your own, be it in or outside of a classroom, make sure it is your voice that is heard.

MM: Where have you shown your work?

Cait: My art has been featured in Washington at Bainbridge Island Play House, continue to page 28

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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PET PLACE Puppies Behind Bars

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Janet McAfee

S

ervice dogs are the eyes for those who cannot see, the leaders for people unable to walk, and the healers for those suffering from emotional illnesses such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For some service dogs, it all began behind bars....

Before Puppies Behind Bars began, an inmate named Tom spent most days watching television in his cell and pumping iron. Tom spent over thirty years in prison on a conviction for second degree murder. Tom explained the difference the dogs made in his life, “In the prison system, you shut down your feelings. You gotta do that to survive, because it’s hard. But the dogs brought me back, you know, to the human side.” He had an incredible success rate of 6-0 with all his

Meet Victory

This fabulous Boxer mix girl promises to be your new loving best buddy in 2015!

Victory is 5 yrs old and weighs 65 lbs. Meet her at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718

Meet Honda

SPECIAL KITTY SEEKS SPECIAL HUMANS! Honda was rescued underneath the engine of car, lost one leg, but that doesn’t stop him.

He runs, plays, and sits at the top of the cat tree. Contact Kittyland SPCA, www.Kittylandonline.com, (760) 251-2700.

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dogs successfully graduating, a success that gave him status within the prison and hope within himself. Tom took on a dog that was failing in the program, a beautiful Golden Retriever named Tuesday, a dog that later became the subject of a best-selling book UNTIL TUESDAY. Tom began his relationship with Tuesday by simply laying down beside him for three hours without saying a word.

He describes his first impression of Tuesday, “Tuesday has such sad eyes, especially when he’s wounded, that at seven months old he probably looked like exactly what he was: a lost kid. When I think of him then, I see a perfect picture of longing, of innocence, at the moment it discovers there is pain in the world.”

Tom looks back on those days, “The only way the prison system could win was to

get me to hate, and being around the dogs and everything, the hate was totally out of the picture.” Today Tom owns a dog training business with his wife, providing a second chance for troubled dogs that others gave up on including many pit bulls. Inmates who participate in the Puppies Behind Bars program acquire job skills and exit prison to enter careers as vet technicians, kennel workers, and animal trainers.

Founded in 1997, this innovative program in New York initially trained dogs for people with physical disabilities. After 9/11, there was an increased demand for bomb sniffing dogs. Later they began training dogs to assist veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan with PTSD, acquired brain injuries, and physical conditions. The dogs spend 20 months with their inmate trainers, living with them in their cells. Here, it’s the dogs that get weekend furloughs in outside homes to gain exposure to things they don’t encounter in prison such as doorbells and elevators. The dogs learn an amazing 80 commands.

A similar program, Pups on Parole, began in Las Vegas when a rescue group called “Heaven Can Wait Animal Society” didn’t have enough foster homes for the dogs they rescued. The dogs are placed with specially chosen inmates in the female correctional facility. The abandoned and sometimes abused dogs needed a place to heal before going to adoptive homes in the community.

Inmates have all the time in the world, but for dogs on “death row” in shelters time is of the essence. Famed trainer Cesar Milan helped develop the training curriculum. One

Playmates Wanted!

Zanni seeks playmates, human and canine. This 1-yr-old Lab mix girl is full of fun puppy energy.

Adoption donation. Call Loving All Animals at (760) 834-7000.

of the program coordinators wrote this poem about her experience: LITTLE ONE Little one…so full of fear No one’s gonna hurt you here.

Soon, you’ll see, how it feels to trust cuz, you’ve been rescued, just like us.

We promise that it’s not too late because we all know that Heaven can wait.

Forget the broken road you’ve traveled on for, yesterday has come and gone.

That’s a lesson, we must all learn and now, little one…it is your turn.

Come with us, walk by our side hold your tail up high with pride.

And in the end, when we’re all through there’ll be a family just waiting for you.

Because, Little one… so full of fear no one’s gonna hurt you here.

-T. Haga Sister Pauline Quinn started a pet prison program in the State of Washington. Results from that program show that only one participating inmate who was released has reoffended and returned to prison! Prison inmates, abandoned shelter dogs, people with disabilities, are all connected by a desire for a productive life. The program generates revenue by offering low cost boarding and grooming to the public.

Los Angeles County just started a program like this. California inmates have a recidivism rate of 67%. They come out of prison with few job skills after learning unsavory “tricks of the trade” from fellow offenders. Meanwhile, our shelter dogs whose only crime is not having a home languish behind bars without hope. It costs California taxpayers an average of $47,000 per year to house an inmate. It costs California taxpayers an average of $426 to capture, house, and then euthanize a shelter animal. Who rescues who? Not every inmate can be rehabilitated. But for many, after exposure to these wonderful canine creatures, confidence replaces fear, purpose replaces idleness, and hope for a better future replaces anger. jmcafee7@verizon.net

January 22 to January 28, 2015

by Rick Riozza

Moscato Madness!

F

unny—isn’t it? Your wine friends think there’s some semblance of vino sensibility going on, so when you show up at their little dinner soirée and unveil a bottle of Moscato, they readily think it’s a gag gift. Of course when they realize that’s all you’ve brought, they all start rolling their eyes knowing how little you think of them by bearing cheap sweet wine.

Enough already! Let’s just take deep breath and realize that the real stuff, known as Moscato d’Asti, is alive & flourishing and continues to be produced alongside the best Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, and Barbera vineyards and wines in the Piemonte area of Northeast Italy. This info should be very comforting for those wishing to “walk the edge” and to actually enjoy a good bottle of Moscato—no matter what the neighbors think.

Certainly there was some heavy Moscato brew that was very sugary and full of bubbles—actually made for the American palate back in the day. It came with the generic name of Asti Spumante— “spumante” meaning a spewing of bubbles. Modernly the “spumante” has been dropped and Moscato d’Asti is the correct name and is produced in the legally protected DOCG zone.

You’ll even notice that the famed Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante bottle of the past, has left off the “spumante”. It’s now simply called Asti, Sparkling Wine. And every wine producing country on earth puts out some sort of Moscato made from the Muscat grape. Some are very good, like California’s Quady Essentia Orange Muscat, while others just grab at the name and make sweet sweet stuff.

Back to the real Moscato d’Asti, it’s typically and fashionably Italian: mildly effervescent—frizzante, aromas and flavors of gently sweet peach, apricot, orange blossom, honeysuckle, almonds, citrus tones, and ginger that is embraced with medium acidity to keep things fresh and lively. For the local piemontese, this is not so much of a dessert wine but one that is enjoyed throughout the meal. For example, the traditional Piemontese sauce—bagna

cauda—made from anchovies, olive oil and garlic and used for dipping bread & vegetables, always finds itself pairing with the local Moscato.

What’s so lovely about this wine besides being so aromatic, tasty, and, charismatic, is its low alcohol level. Generally around 5 to 7 percent, it’s the perfect all day quaffer on its own, and the impeccable pairing for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I know, for all you foodies out there— the lights just blared. Two words: “Asian Cuisine”. If you had to choose just one wine for pairing with Szechuan, Hunan, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, and Indonesian dishes, the adroit, sexy and classy move here would be to grab a Moscato d’Asti. It handles spicy foods perfectly with the low alcohol levels and the aromatic sweetness of Moscato matches the aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and chili peppers.

It meets up well with lighter meats like chicken and light flaky fish and can stand up to Asian-spiced pork.

Fortunately, there are all types of Asian cuisine restaurants opening up lately throughout our desert valley; unfortunately, there is a scant amount of Moscato d’Asti on their wine lists. But the good news is that your favorite eatery will soon be carrying a wise selection of Moscato due to your casual insistence that they bring up their A-game when it comes to food and wine pairing.

By the way, an interesting phenomenon is the surge of Moscato sales in the US that is fueled by the influence of hip-hop culture.

Since the rapper Jay-Z initiated a boycott of Cristal after “cultural bias” comments by

the Champagne House, Moscato was soon being served at parties in New York and Los Angeles, and the wine was name-dropped in rap songs.

Lil’ Kim is believed to have first rapped about it in 2005: “Still over in Brazil sippin’ moscato, ya must have forgot though, so I’mma take you back to the block yo.” And in “Do It Now,” for example, the rapper Drake calls for a “glass of Moscato for the girl who’s a student and her friend who’s a model.” Drake’s other lyrics include, “It’s a celebration — clap clap bravo. Lobster and shrimp and a glass of moscato.”

Myx Fusions is the name of a drink

by Nicki Minaj. It is a fruit infused Moscato beverage, blended with natural fruit juices and flavors. It is produced and distributed by beverage company Myx Beverage, LLC. Not only does she endorse the franchise, but she is also the co-owner.

Granted, this is not Moscato d’Asti, but the generic name Moscato with its “muscat aromas” are making the rounds worldwide.

“I’ve been following the wine category for over 10 years,” says Danny Brager, the senior vice president of Beverage & Alcohol practice at Nielsen. “Frankly, I haven’t seen anything like it at all. The number of

Moscato brands has doubled in the past three years — and it’s not over yet. Sales will keep growing, he says, at about 25 percent a year!”

Moscato d’Asti brands I especially recommend is the Castello del Poggio, sold over at Costa Nichols’ Desert Wines & Spirits/Go-Deli Market in Palm Springs for $14.99. This is a great example of Italian Moscato for all occasions. At Pavilons in Rancho Mirage, you’ll find a sample of an aged Moscato with notes of flowers and cherries showing up in the Lo Duca, for the sale price of $13.99—while supplies last.

Also Risata and Mia Dolcera, along with their rosés, sell for around $13.

Total Wine in Palm Desert, also provides a nice selection, along with Nicki Minaj’s Myx Fusion at $9.99—I know, just for kicks!

Cheers!

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

January 22 to January 28, 2015

Club Crawler Nightlife

Scan the QR Code to get the Club Crawler Nightlife on your Mobile Device via the Smartphone Phone Book!

­­­THUR JANUARY 22

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Paul Elia 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Tommy Dodson 6pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Courtney Chambers 5pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Country Nation 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Jazz and Supper Club Night w/ Barry Baughn 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Ted Quinn’s Reality Show w/ Cisco and Dewey 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Desert Beatz Rap Showcase 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Kal David Unplugged 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Tony DiGerlando 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-

9770 Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 3:30-5:30pm, Stan Watkins Latin Swing 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Powerman 5000, Hed Pe and Knee High Fox 8pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Tropicana Nights 9pm

FRI JANUARY 23 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bob Garcia Band 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Free Jizz: A Special Weekend of Music Curated by Ana Calderon & Devendra Banhat noon & 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 TBA 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Fleet Easton 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-5010620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760775-5566 DJ PWee 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760325-2600 The Hive Minds 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm EUREKA; IW; 760-834-7700 TBA 6:30pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Jump Off” DJ 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 J Patron’s Album Release Party w/ Thr3 Strykes 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 7:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the

afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Reall Deall 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 DJ 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 TBA 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-345-0222 Gennine Francis 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Nena Anderson 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band’s 60’s Diva Weekend 8:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Fish & The Seaweeds Sidebar Lounge 10pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 T.B.A. 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Deadend Paradox, The Sweay Act and Rob Lawrence 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Ron & Peggy “Heart to Heart” 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Trish Harley & Barney McClure Duo 6:3010pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 T.B.A. 9pm

THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve & Deanna 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night Out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT JANUARY 24 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Free Jizz: A Special Weekend of Music Curated by Ana Calderon & Devendra Banhat noon and 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic w/ Les Michaels and Wayne Abravanel 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 T.B.A. 9pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-5010620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760775-5566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Music 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Sage Francis and Thr3 Strykes 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760325-2600 Karaoke 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid” Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 War Drum, Jeffertitties Nile and Kim & The Created 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9p m INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 6pm, Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

STILL ALICE

“ALICE” FADES AWAY

I was reluctant to see this film. All I knew was that the subject was Alzheimer’s Disease. Having dealt with this tragic illness with not so elderly friends in real life, I assumed the film would be a major downer, no matter how it was portrayed.

In the film, Julianne Moore plays happily married Alice Howland, a linguistics professor at Columbia. She shares her demanding Manhattan life with her professional husband, Alec Baldwin. They have three grown children. Moore has special concerns for her alienated daughter, played by Kristen Stewart. who seeks success as an actress in LA. When a series of seemingly minor neurological events send Moore to her doctor, she gets just about the worst news possible: she’s has early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. The doc explains that while super smart people like Moore can ward off the symptoms for a while because their

22

brains are so agile, there is no avoiding the inevitable.

I was enthralled by Moore’s subtle and delicate portrayal of a woman slowly losing her mind and at the same time aware of it.

Her attempt to heal the ragged bond with Stewart with time running out is heartfelt and beautiful. You can see on Moore’s face the slow disconnect to the reality the rest of us share. It is an astonishing performance by any measure. Directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland from a screenplay

by Lisa Genova, Wash Westmorland and Ricard Glatzer.

This film was not the depressing experience I feared, but an unexpected celebration of life and the importance of living in the moment. The title may be a bit misleading, for the duration of the movie, Alice is indeed “still here,” but the sad reality is there’s a day with Alzheimer’s when that is no longer true. Life is fleeting and there’s no redux. Life is now. Coming soon.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: BOXTROLLS

Screeners No.148 them. However, I think it’s time to retire the demon doll ghost story sub-genre. If your expectations are moderate, you may enjoy this moody but obvious film that’s more fun than fearful. Warner Bros. Blu-ray.

THE JUDGE

Cheesebridge. When villainous Archibald Snatcher (wonderfully voided by Ben Kingsley) hatches a plan to get rid of the annoying but harmless harmless beings, Eggs bravely decides to go above ground, where he make friends with feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, Eggs and Winnifred devise a dangerous and daring plan to save the Boxtrolls from extermination. Yes, a Boxtroll holocaust is looming. This wise and witty movie is the most richly detailed and elaborate stop-motion film I have ever seen.

Nice extras high-light the tedious process of film production. There were 79 sets, 20,000 hand-made props, 200 costumes and 53,000 face parts! It took animator an average of one week to complete 3.7 seconds of finished film -- that’s only 90 frames. But it’s the core story that most connected with me -- and that’s about overcoming fear of the “other.” BOXTROLLS is nominated for Best Animated film. It deserves to win. Universal.

Blu-ray 3D. ANNABELLE

From Laika Studios, the folks that gave us the dark but marvelous CORALINE and PARANORMAN animated films, comes this extraordinary stop-motion fantasy directed

by Anthony Stacchi and Graham Annable from an unhinged story by Alan Snow.

Eggs is a human orphan who lives with the Boxtrolls -- a community of über quirky, skittish, paranoid, decidedly impish and mostly ill-behaved creatures who inhabit a cavernous world beneath the city of

Directed by John Leonetti from a screenplay by Gary Dauberman, this rather tame but atmospheric prequel to THE CONJURING borrows liberally and unabashedly from classic horror films of the 70s. OK, I did jump at some of the cheap jolts, even though I was expecting

Robert Downey Jr. stars as big city lawyer Hank Palmer, who returns to his childhood home where his estranged father (Robert Duvall), the town’s judge, is suspected of murder! He sets out to discover the truth and along the way reconnects with the family he walked away from years before.

David Dobkin directs from a screenplay

by Nick Schenk and Billy Dubuque. The solid cast, besides Duvall and Downey, includes Billy Bob Thornton, Vera Farmiga and Vincent D’Onofrio. I liked the way this overlong movie looked, and the performances are top notch, but I was more than a little disappointed that nothing really surprising happens. I wanted more than a clichéd story of a bad dad and his equally compromised son. Warner Bros. Blu-ray. robinesimmons@aol.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Book Review

January 22 to January 28, 2015

By Heidi Simmons

A God of Equality and Grace

I

t is amazing that a book written more than a thousand years ago about events that took place in a culture, time and place near the edge of recorded human history still dictates 21st century behavior.

In Paula Trimble-Familetti’s book Prostitutes, Virgins and Mothers: Questioning Teachings About Biblical Women, (Personhood Press, 218 pages) the author challenges the way women’s roles in scripture have been interpreted.

Trimble-Familetti writes that the Hebrew Bible cites a total of 1,426 names. Of that number, 1,315 are men and 111 are women. That’s only nine percent of the names mentioned.

With so few women represented, Trimble-Familetti focuses on those whose stories most impacted scripture. She looks at how the writers and editors of the Bible portray them.

Trimble-Familetti specifically centers her attention on the women who are in the genealogy and close circle of Jesus.

These women are commonly considered prostitutes, virgins and mothers.

Using what could be considered a studyguide format, Trimble-Familetti notes all the scripture where each woman’s story

Prostitutes, virgins and mothers By paula trimblefamiletti NON-Fiction is mentioned, along with a thumbnail understanding of her role. She then writes a first-person account from each woman’s point-of-view around the major events that shaped her character and ensured her place in Biblical history.

In each chapter, Trimble-Familetti follows-up the women’s specific stories with insightful observations from scholars and theologians. She looks at the text and scrutinizes the interpretation pointing out discrepancies and contradictions.

Refreshing these old stories, TrimbleFamiletti captures the lives of Old and New Testament women and provides a context for their Biblical depiction. She considers not only the cultural setting, but also how

the material was collected, reported and written.

Deciphering words and interpreting Aramaic, Hebrew or Greek translations, Trimble-Familetti reassesses the meaning of some passages. She breaks down the root language and shows that God is described with characteristics that are often feminine in nature, making the point that God is not solely masculine.

All the stories take place in a time when women were dominated, owned and/or oppressed by men. When these ancient oral stories became written, it was by men.

When the editors put together the Bible over a thousand years ago, the misogyny continued as men decided what should be included. God become even more masculine.

Trimble-Familetti does not re-write these Bible stories, but instead re-examines them.

In so doing, she delivers the significant contribution of each woman as she serves God despite male oppression and control.

Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was the first matriarch. Trimble-Familetti points out that Sarah was his wife as well as his half sister. A family tree is included and shows just how many women -- mothers -- went unnamed. It also sheds light on the story where Abraham turns Sarah over to the King of Egypt’s harem as his sister.

Although Mary Magdalene is commonly thought of as a prostitute, Trimble-Familetti shows that she was not. In fact, her role was of a beloved disciple and apostle of Jesus. It is Magdalene who first proclaims Christ as risen.

My favorite chapter is on Eve. TrimbleFamiletti considered not including Eve’s story, but it offers a terrific insight into the catalyst of the male dominated world and the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of God. Male authority, the lack of power and

equality, impacts all the women’s stories. It is a patriarchal world and the women have little to no rights. But these prostitutes, virgins and mothers not only cope, they do all that is necessary to survive their male dominated existence. Their decisions and actions turn out to be crucial in bringing about the Messiah. That is one of TrimbleFamiletti most notable points.

Trimble-Familetti writes with a gentle but passionate tone. Yet her approach is scholarly with footnotes and references. It is clear she cares about women and the issues that affect their lives. She wants women to see women in the Bible anew and to claim their own call to serve a God who cherishes and respects them.

Believing in self-examination and that God desires people to read, study and question scripture, Trimble-Familetti encourages Biblical literacy. She wants people to “read between the lines, fill in the blanks, and finish the unfinished stories.”

Prostitutes, Virgins and Mothers is an important and relevant narrative. Some of the problems that faced the women in the Bible are still a problem today. Male authority and dominance remain an issue especially in the Semitic fundamentalist religions. Women are still stoned to death and considered property. They still lack equality. And violence against women in the United States remains intolerably high.

Finally the beautiful message of TrimbleFamiletti’s book is that hidden behind the male dominated language and perspective, is a God who is both feminine and masculine, who loves and respects men and women equally.

She says: “It is time to teach our daughters and our sons an understanding of religion and scripture which does not use the world view of the male writers of the last four thousand years or more to shape our current understanding of the goodness of God and the message of Jesus.”

No matter ones faith or the lack there of, our culture continues to be influenced by Biblical narrative. This book is much more than a faith based essay for women, it is liberating manifesto for both woman and men.

Trimble-Familetti has a Doctorate of Ministry in International Feminist Theology from San Francisco Theological Seminary.

She earned her M. A. in Religion from Liberty University and her B.A. in Religion from Chapman University. She was raised a Protestant and became a Roman Catholic.

She is now a member of an Independent Catholic Community.

She will be signing her award-winning book Prostitute, Virgins and Mothers Sunday, January 25, at 2:00 pm at the Pathfinder Community of the Risen Christ in Bermuda Dunes.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015 continued from page 19

LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Reall Deall 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-999-1995 80’s Allstars 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Lucky Tongue 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-345-0222 Roadrunners 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, And And And & The Donkeys 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Upper Class Poverty, Blare the Surface, Sun Baked and more 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext230 The Gand Band’s 60’s Diva Weekend 8:30pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3278311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 7pm, Arnie Vilches & Friends Sidebar Patio 7pm, Debora Galan Sidebar Lounge 10pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 CV Weekly Presents: A Punk Night w/ Bridger, Grand Scovell and Accustomed to Nothing 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-7771601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-3297929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-3271773 Darci Daniels 6:30pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 T.B.A. 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951755-5391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-3459770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm

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WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Salsa Night, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Scott Carter 7:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm

SUN JANUARY 25 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Slacker Sunday w/ Dave Frey 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-2021111 Jazz Brunch 11:30am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Eat Play Sleep Repeat w/ Von Petersen 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-3422333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Fusion” Pool Party 11am poolside INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Jam Session 5-9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Smooth Brothers THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-3271773 Michael Bolivar 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-3459770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6-9pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony DiJerlando 6pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 7pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

MON JANUARY 26 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Ron Kalina’s Jazz 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Spencer Day 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 T.B.A. 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony Grandberry 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Richard & Mary 6pm

TUE JANUARY 27 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Paul & Jo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760992-0002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana Larson 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45 PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327-4080 Acoustic & Electric Guitar Challenge sign up at 7pm, Show at 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Rose Mallett 6:30pm

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-3274080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-3459770 T.B.A. 4pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Bolivar & Barney McClure 6pm

WED JANUARY 28 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dan Horn 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-2021111 Jazz Jam 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Tommy Dodson 6pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 T.B.A. 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760992-0002 Jesse Sweitzer 5pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589

January 22 to January 28, 2015

Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2881199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 The Michael Holmes Trio 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Straight Ahead Jazz TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 NYE Party 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-3459770 Lizann Warner 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 T.B.A. 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke THE WINE BAR BISTRO; LQ; 760-5648744 Rob & jb 7:30pm WOLFGANG PUCK’S; PD; 760-568-2700 WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Brian Nova Trio 6pm

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Produced by The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project:

www.lawtp.org www.californiawoman411.com

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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the palm springs Local

Vista Point

By Denise Ortuno Neil

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igh atop south Palm Desert is a place with sprawling views of the Coachella Valley. On a clear day, visitors can see the landscape of our beautiful desert that can reach the Salton Sea. It is our very own look out, Vista Point.

The spot is correctly named, defining its advantages perfectly. Vista Point has been on my radar for many a decade. I used to go up there quite a bit as a teenager. It was a perfect place for me to reflect while looking onto the vast desert valley below. It encompassed serenity and beauty…a simple quiet that would clear my mind.

Back then, Vista Point was a spot to not only enjoy the views, but for some, a place to hang out and enjoy social activities as well.

Yes, people used to party up there (not me I promise)…and I’m sure to some degree, still do. But with the treacherous road that takes you there, partying at the Point, might not be the best idea.

Besides being a place to take in amazing views, the turnout is also a photo destination to take incredible shots of the Coachella Valley, both in the daytime and at night. As well as bird watching and wild life and plant spectating.

The cut out is located in the Santa Rosa Mountains, and part of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto National Monument….a stop

along Hwy 74, which if traveled on with the correct direction, can take you all the way to San Diego.

Vista Point has changed over the years for the better. It was kind of scary back in the day. There weren’t any real borders to protect visitors from well…falling. No wellmaintained mini walls like there are now, and the once rampant graffiti is gone too. The powers that be have cleaned up the famous spot very nicely.

Like I mentioned before, I used to drive up to Vista Point often. Taking the drive up Hwy 74 proved to be therapeutic. However, my sense of adventure has been slightly quelled over the years where heights are concerned, making my travels up to the lookout few and far between. But it is a fond memory, and even more so knowing that it is still there for others to enjoy….sitting high atop the desert floor, providing a bird’s eye view to all of our desert’s spectacular beauty.

For more information visit www.palmdesert.org

By michelle mclaughlin

ALA’s Leadership Training Institute 6th Annual Above & Beyond Awards

Honors Ten Community Members for Leadership & Service on January 31st

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LA’s Leadership Training Institute is honoring local community members who have proven excellence in community leadership and service with their 6th Annual Above & Beyond Awards Gala. The January 31st event will be at Indian Wells Golf Resort in the Pavilion.

The nominees selected have demonstrated that they consistently go above and beyond and were nominated by their peers for this prestigious award. This year’s ten (10) honorees are from an array of service backgrounds, including animals, business, community, social services, armed forces, musical arts, medicine, and youth.

Each of these honorees is among the finest examples of Coachella Valley citizens. The public is invited to attend and support our community leaders.

2015 Honorees for their Service to our Community: 1. Walt & Judy Van Benthuysen, American Friends of our Armed Forces 2. Lisa Houston, FIND Food Bank 3. Susan Francis, Ophelia Project 4. Craig Gahnz-Kuhar, Palm Desert High School Vocal Music 5. Mike Chedester, The Living Desert Educational Programs 6. Cindy Melland, Basin Wide Foundation 7. Don Nydam, Totally Kids Rehabilitation Center 8. Dr. Stephen Steele 9. Senator Jeff Stone 10. Richard Twiss, Indio Police Department Event Details Charity: Benefits Angel Light Academy’s (ALA) Leadership Training Institute ALA teaches leadership, team building, problem solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills to adults and youth in the Coachella Valley.

Where: Indian Wells Golf Resort in the Pavilion * 44-500 Indian Wells Ln, Indian Wells, CA 92210 Time: 6 pm. Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction * 7 pm. Awards Dinner Gala Cost: $150 per person.

Register at angellightacademy.org Call 888-311-7388 Proceeds benefit ALA’s Leadership Training Institute and are tax deductible Host: Indian Wells Golf Resort For reservations and more information, call Lindsay Castle at 760-861-5132.

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Haddon Libby:It’s all local

COEXIST

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eligion. Napoleon Bonaparte once said it is, “…what keeps the poor from murdering the rich” while Helen Keller said, “It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving…the devil would die.”

There are approximately 4,200 religions worldwide. Each religion can be subdivided into one of three groupings: global, local or new. Within those subdivisions, religions are categorized as monotheistic, polytheistic or pantheistic.

Monotheism is the belief in one God. Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Mormon are some of the largest examples of this type of religion. Polytheism is the belief in many Gods. While ancient Roman and Greek societies were the most widely known examples of polytheism, it continues today in Hinduism, Shinto in Japan and neopagan religions like Wicca (a belief system based on witchcraft). Pantheism is the belief that God is present in everything. Taoism is the best example of this belief in modern culture although pantheistic beliefs are present to some degree in most religions.

The world currently serves as home to 7 billion people with 70% of all people

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(1 million), Unitary Universalism (800,000) and Rastafarianism (600,000).

The Church of Scientology with followers like Tom Cruise and John Travolta was created in 1950 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard via his book, Dianetics.

Scientology touts “millions of members” despite Census polls that suggest 50,000 followers. Followers of this religion believe that we are immortal alien spirits called thetans trapped in Earthly “meat bodies.”

One of the odder religions is The Church of Euthansia founded by Chris Korda.

Their/her four core beliefs include suicide, abortion, sodomy and cannabalism of the dead. Their/her belief structure is that there are too many humans and as such we need to reduce our presence to become more in line with nature. Chris Korda, 52, a crossgendered vegetarian, is the daughter of Simon & Schuster’s editor Michael Korda.

To date, she has not followed at least three of her four core beliefs.

Making Scientology seem mainstream, Nuwaubianism was founded in 1993 by Dwight York. York is currently serving a

prison sentence for child molestation and money laundering. Originated as a Black Muslim group, it evolved into a group that believes that we need to “bury our afterbirth” so that Satan does not make replicas of us. Nuwaubianists believe that aborted fetuses live in sewers and are gathering to take over the world while each of us have seven clones living amongst us here on Earth. Also, “the Illuminati” had Satan’s son born by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis on 6/6/66 at the Dakota House in New York City that was raised by former President Richard Nixon. Satan’s son now lives in Belgium where he is hooked up to a computer.

No matter your belief system, tolerance and coexistence is so important as all of the strife caused by conflicts in the Middle East prove to us every day.

In the end, “the truth”, whatever that is, will be known to all of us.

Dale Gribow On The Law Will Technology Become a “BLACK BOX” Helping or Hurting an Accident Victim’s Case?

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following one of three religions: Christianity with 2.2 billion followers, Islam with 1.8 billion followers and Hinduism with 1 billion. It is estimated that nearly another billion people identify themselves as having no religious affiliation with that population of defined as agnostic or atheist. Agnostics believe that human reason is incapable of knowing or justifying whether God exists and if God exists, which religion is most accurate. Atheists do not believe that God exists.

Smaller traditional or tribal religions in China and Africa make up another 500 million people while Buddhism represents nearly 400 million people.

All of the other religions of the world represent less than 200 million people with the best known being Sikhism (23 million), Judaism (14 million), Mormonism (9 million), Bahá’í (7 million), Shinto (4 million), the ancient Iranian religion, Zoroastrianism (2.6 million), Neo-paganism

January 22 to January 28, 2015

y wife and I were dining at Livreri’s at the Atrium last week, discussing topics for this week’s legal column.

As we were talking I overheard a guy in the next booth talking about his legal experience with his accident case. The personal injury victim explained that his lawyer advised him his case would not settle for much money because of several things he did that hurt his case.

It is important for you, the reader, to understand that personal injury cases are prime targets for manipulation and conjecture by insurance companies. A lawyer’s challenges are both how to prove to the insurance company that the client is injured, yet also address the do’s and don’ts to the client so that his/her representative can get the biggest settlement possible.

Until recently lawyers have relied on doctors to observe a client for half an hour or so. This is followed by the ordering of physical therapy when needed and then return appointments.

Based on the exam the doctor prepares a written medical- legal report documenting everything. Too often the insurance company will argue the doctor’s opinion is simply based on the doctor’s desire to get paid when the case settles, and that the doctor is nothing more than a hired gun.

I predict that with today’s technology there are, or will be, a number of ways for the

insurance company’s investigators to whittle away at the value of the victims case. This is exactly what happened to the diner in the next booth.

The insurance company’s investigator or adjuster Googled the victim, checking his Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter pages to learn about him and see who his friends were so that they could be interviewed, if necessary, to testify under oath, all the things the victim did when injured.

They found his pictures and comments about a recent golf game and tennis match, which suggested to the adjuster that the victim was exaggerating when he advised the doctor he was in so much pain he was unable do ANYTHING physical. Also uncovered were pictures of the victim carrying luggage for an extended flight that involved a long trip.

Unfortunately, he had told his doctor that he could not lift more than five pounds and that sitting for extended periods was impossible.

If a case seems to have enough value the insurance company will actually hire an investigator to check with the vacation spot in Mexico, Hawaii or the ski resort to obtain witnesses to testify to the victim’s activities.

In my dining neighbor’s case the investigator learned that the claimant was either surfing, skiing, playing golf and or tennis. That is arguably an indication the victim was not

injured as claimed. When this argument is presented on one of my cases, I argue that because my client played golf does not mean that he did not do so in great pain.

I predict the newest wrinkle on the horizon will be the future use of Fitbit and similar technology. This is a plastic wrist band that records your activities such as how many steps you have taken and your level of exercise. This quantifiable data will be available for future “fitness trackers” to testify for or against the claimant who previously testified to the limited activities available to him.

However, the opposite is also arguably true.

A fitness trainer who previously was very active and now wore a Fitbit can show how inactive he had become because of the accident. He will be able to argue and prove the changes in his lifestyle. A trainer obviously leads an active lifestyle and the Fitbit could show the current activity levels which were under a baseline for someone of claimant’s age and profession. It could support the victim’s testimony that his activity level had been compromised.

In recent years our cell phone technology has included cameras and recording devices.

This technology was not around a few years ago. With the new cell phones an injured victim can take pictures of all impacted cars in the accident, any injuries, and take statements from the other driver and witnesses before

they had been coached on how to testify… or honestly forget important details.

All in all, listen to the advice of your lawyer, as it’s not just what you tell your doctor or what he thought he heard you say but what you do after the accident that can now be documented.

In my office I advise clients to take down social media if they have been in an accident or have been arrested for a DUI. Thus new technology could become a “Black box” hurting the victim and helping the insurance company…or helping the victim to prove their injury. Only time will tell.

If you have ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow, Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760 837-7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com Dale Gribow 1) TOP LAWYER rating by Palm Springs Life every year.

2) Perfect AVVO 10.0 Peer Review Rating by fellow attorneys 3) Preeminent Rating by Martindale Hubbell legal directory.

4) Selected for Best Attorneys of America (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys in each state.

5) Man of the Year 7 times- including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day proclaimed 4 x’s.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

One Flu Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

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he Center for Disease Control has confirmed this year’s Flu vaccine is only 23 percent effective against the virus. Yes, it does sound crazy and it is… Normally at 60 percent effectiveness, everywhere you go people are coughing, sneezing and hacking. This is the most common way of spreading the virus. Droplets containing flu germs spread this way and can land on your nose or mouth up to about 6 feet away.

“Flu season usually peaks around February according to Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

If you think you’re getting the flu, see your

continued from page 15

Off the Wall Artist Collective as well as locally, in the Joshua Tree Music Festival, Open Air Market and Crystal Fantasy. I have also had my art in Birdy Magazine out of Colorado.

Life: My works are privately owned, though, recently, one of the collaborative pieces Cait and I did for the Joshua Tree Music Festival, titled, “An Offering”, was auctioned and went to artist, Bobby Furst. It can be found on display at Furst World Gallery in Joshua Tree, CA. MM: What do you think is your biggest struggle as a working artist?

Cait & Life: Time to do it all.

MM: What artists have influenced you the most in your art?

Cait & Life: We can agree, while there are incredible artists out there, our best pieces apart or together have come from selfinfluence.

MM: What do you think of the art scene in the Coachella Valley?

Cait & Life: It’s growing by the minute.

From organizations like the Coachella Valley Art Scene to the Open Air Market, weekly Street Fair and local music festivals to name a few, artists have more and more opportunities to be seen. This sends a strong message of welcoming and appreciation that we feel is important as our valley continues to evolve artistically. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place!

MM: How long have the two of you been making art together?

Cait & Life: Not long at all, probably about a year, both on and off canvas. It’s been an amazing experience working alongside of the

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doctor. But first and foremost, just like Fire Prevention, practice Flu Prevention.” Get your Flu shot. Wash your hands often. The flu virus can linger on surfaces then spread to you when you touch your mouth or nose. Clean high touch surfaces such as door knobs, telephones, keyboards etc. Eat a healthful diet, drinking plenty of water or other fluids, and getting sufficient sleep.

If you do get the flu, stay home and drink lots of fluids.

Protect yourself, take the Flu I.Q. Quiz: www.cdc.gov/flu/fluiq.htm Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

one person who gets you.

MM: How would you describe the style of the collaboration?

Cait & Life: Complimentarily. It’s funny sometimes when we think about it, on one hand, we can get so carried away feeding off of each other’s ideas and energy then, on the other hand, we can snap out of it and dial it back so we can actually finish the piece. Let’s just say we won’t be running out of ideas anytime soon.

MM: You two have been busy this past year planning for the official opening of your own gallery in 2015. What has it been like working together as partners, starting a new business, and keeping the creativity blossoming?

Cait & Life: As partners, we practice the art of communication actively. Brainstorming is our favorite part, we each make our case and in the end what we come up with reflects the both of us. Starting a business has been exciting and hard at times, but we rely on each other to make sense of things when it gets muggy. Keeping the creativity flowing, for us, is that of looking and re-looking at the world we wish to realize with our gifts, lots of dancing and making time to be silly whenever possible.

MM: What are your goals and hopes for this newfound adventure?

Cait & Life: We aim to provide artists with a unique space to feature their works alongside of ours and to share with art enthusiasts through culture, community and charity.

To stay tuned on what these ladies are up to and for gallery announcements please visit: facebook.com/caitiemagrawart

sharekitchen

Where Food Comes From

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ommunities across the United States are fully embracing “Buy Local” as a way to contribute to their own local economic development.

This “Buy Local” movement within the food industry is specifically related to the consumer’s desire for a stronger connection to the farmers who grow their food. The popularity and demand for local foods and products is continuing to grow and is creating a dynamic shift in food production, distribution and access nationally. The movement that began as a small “local” trend has evolved into a permanent national standard.

Local food appeals to various consumer groups for several reasons, including an interest in sustainability and the reduction of “food miles,” a desire for organic and natural foods and ethical issues. Many consumers feel compelled to make local purchases they believe have a greater social impact. In fact, the availability of locally grown produce and other local packaged foods are major influences on grocery shopping decisions.

A National Grocery Association 2014 Consumer Panel on “Local” concluded the following:

In 2014, 87.2% of consumers regard “Local” as “very/somewhat important”, up from 79% in 2009. Only 3.3% said “not at all important”.

Hispanics, 50-64 year olds and members of single person households were the most dominant segments in the “very important” category.

“More locally grown foods” is the second most desired improvement among surveyed grocery shoppers at 32.1%, just under “Price/cost savings” The product differentiating tag “local” is the most influential product claim today with seven in 10 specialty food retailers reporting this is the most important product attribute to consumers. Do you read the labels? Are you buying local?

ShareKitchen, in conjunction with the Urban Land Institute and the USDA, is working with local farmers, food producers, restaurants and retailers to ensure our community has access to our “Local” food and farm treasures.

Want to know more? Read our progress here in the Coachella Valley Weekly and “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/ShareKitchen to stay connected and join the conversation!

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

sports scene The Difference Between Motion And Progress

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here are plenty of reasons to fail in life. And excuses tell us most of them begin with someone else.

There are plenty of reasons to succeed in life. And motivational speaking tells us most of them begin with your self.

But for Edgar Segura, born in Medota, California, a poverty-stricken town in a dusty region downwind from Fresno in Central California, he couldn’t know if his success or failure would be decided by anything but circumstance.

According to the average life in Mendota, people woke up before dawn, worked in the fields digging, pulling, harvesting, bending, reaching and striving for anything but the life of their parents.

Unemployment raged, immigration raids ravaged families and the line to pick up governmental assistance from a food truck was the longest line in town.

Except maybe for the Friday night football games.

Where the whole town of Medota would come watch Edgar play football.

He wore #10 and broke every meaningful section record for a running back in his senior year for Medota High School.

He rushed for 51 touchdowns and caught 6 more. He was the star of the town, but also the star of a national media spotlight cast by an ESPN 30 for 30 production.

They told the story of Medota football and Segura beautifully. They outlined the plight of the people, the power of the game and the tenuous success the team enjoyed balanced on the back of kids and community working in a fruit field.

The one thing it didn’t touch on: Segura’s inability to read or write in English.

Segura’s family spoke Spanish at home, so while he could speak English well and communicate effectively in X’s and O’s, he didn’t like to read and could only write enough to pass a class.

But barely.

Colleges caught wind of his gaudy stats on the field, watched the same 30 for 30 documentary and reached out to him. But his grades weren’t good enough to attend a 4-year school.

Another professional athlete sought him out after seeing the national media attention and took him on recruiting trips to Pac-12 schools where Segura once again failed academic requirements to advance.

On the field of play, he was special. In the eyes of Medota, he was irreplaceable.

But in the classroom, to a university, he was inadmissible.

While the media attention had made Edgar an even more popular name in town, it seemed he was running on a hamster wheel looking for a college education.

sports Packers Snatch Defeat from the Jaws of Victory..

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hen historians remember the NFC Championship Game at CenturyLink Field, what should it be called? “The Big Choke” would be appropriate.

How else to describe a game in which the Packers, perhaps the league’s healthiest team this season, were in total control for about 57 minutes against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks before they threw it all away?

Coaches, executives, players, staff, everyone in that locker room were walking around like zombies after the Packers collapsed, 28-22, in overtime.

“It’s terrible,” said tackle David Bakhtiari.

“I’m still in shock.”

Seattle (14-4), the top-seeded team in the NFC, will meet the New England Patriots (144) Feb. 1 in Super Bowl XLIX. Green Bay (13-5), the second seed in the NFC, will watch from home wondering what might have been.

“That’s football,” general manager Ted Thompson said. “We felt we had a chance to add more to this organization. That’s why it’s so disappointing to lose a game like this.”

The Packers beat the Patriots on Nov. 30.

Given an additional week for Aaron Rodgers to treat his injured calf and the fact they appeared to exit yet another Sunday with no

new injuries, the Packers would have been in prime position to win a second Super Bowl under Thompson, Coach Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers.

The Seahawks turned the ball over five times, were penalized constantly and played neither with strength nor poise for almost the entire game.

Seattle won the overtime toss. Seattle started backed up at its 13 and, oh ya, then went 87 yards in six plays. It ended suddenly, as many overtimes do, on Russell Wilson’s 35-yard pass to Doug Baldwin behind Casey Hayward and, on the very next play, his 35yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Kearse against Tramon Williams.

A powerful team with designs on becoming the first Super Bowl repeat champion since New England in 2003-’04, the Seahawks were flat, loosely prepared and obviously missing several key performers lost to injury.

Wilson’s passer rating at the half was 0.0.

Yep, that’s not a type-o. The passing game was null and void.

The Seahawks looked inept.

“Well, for the fans in the northwest, this has got to be one for the ages,” said Coach Pete Carroll. “This is an extraordinary win because of who the Packers are.

The Packers led, 16-0, at halftime and 19-7

January 22 to January 28, 2015

by Julie Buehler

Exerting tremendous effort with no results.

All motion. No progress.

Then Segura got a phone call. From his high school coach. The conversation went something like this: “Hey Edgar, a doctor wants to help you.” Edgar said, “What? With what? How?” A few days later Segura and his coach were in Rancho Mirage where they met Dr. Jerry Argovitz and his wife Loni.

The couple were not only offering financial assistance to help Segura land a football scholarship at a university, but they were also offering life training, tutoring, academic family to see the young man through.

Dr. Argovitz, a dentist by trade, had been an NFL agent and business man for decades before he began assisting local youth in achieving their goals.

Segura moved to Southern California, was admitted to Mt. San Antonio College and is thriving with his new surroundings.

In his first year at Mr. SAC, Segura struggled in language arts, but received a B in math. He gray-shirted for the football team and will be on the squad next year as they prepare for a title defense, but he knows his grades are now of paramount importance.

He’s taught life lessons from Jerry, taught about reality from Loni and when asked to offer a few words to describe the couple, Segura said, “Family. Passion. Belief.”

This couple has taken a young man in that created a media stir, but that couldn’t finish a college application and are helping him advance in life in more ways than he can comprehend currently.

Segura has a steely stare and listens to everything around him. There’s an intensity to the young man. One that comes from having reality beat out a numbing drumbeat of utilitarian expectations. Those who produce, have value. Those who don’t, don’t. When he watches something, he watches ONLY that.

There’s no darting eyes or wandering gaze.

He imbibes visuals as though there’s nothing else to see.

But he can see his future clearly now, and it’s his for the taking. Beyond any circumstance or excuse.

Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 3-6 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station.

She can also be seen every morning between 6-7am on KMIR sharing the coolest stories in sports. She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners.

Tune in M-F 3-6 pst at www.team1010.com or watch “Buehler’s Day Off” on Ustream and KMIR.com for her sports reports.

by Flint Wheeler with just under 4 minutes remaining. Those in the record crowd of 68,538 hadn’t left, but the handwriting certainly was on the wall.

“It’s a tough situation, but something we thrived in,” guard T.J. Lang said. “We had a couple wasted possessions in the third quarter. We let them hang around. Against a team like that they’re going to cash in.”

Green Bay’s D in the 4th quarter caved.

Four plays gained 60 yards. Wilson’s 1-yard TD made it 19-14. Just 2:09 remained.

“We felt good getting the ball back with 2 minutes left,” said Lang. “Then they recovered the onside kick.”

Brandon Bostick butchered his assignment to block and whiffed on the ball. The Seahawks were in the end zone four plays later, and when Wilson rainbowed a crazyquilt conversion pass to Luke Willson Seattle was ahead, 22-19.

Rodgers, in the midst of another one of his ordinary playoff performances, moved the team 42 yards. He had three plays to win the game from the 35 at the same location and end of the field that Wilson would win it from a few minutes later.

A back-handed incompletion. A botched back-shoulder fade to Richard Rodgers. A scramble and 6-yard pass to Jordy Nelson left it up to Mason Crosby.

What a field goal it was, 48 yards deadcenter perfect.

There was life in the Packers. Then came the extra session.

After the bomb to Baldwin, Seattle deployed two running backs, two tight ends and Kearse wide right. On cue, safety Sean Richardson replaced Sam Shields.

“In that formation, they go either way,” defensive end Datone Jones said. “It was 5050 run-pass.”

Rodgers had all day to throw countless times against the NFL’s finest secondary but his passer rating was 55.8 and longest completion was merely 23 yards. The inability to strike downfield was critical to why the Packers had to settle for field goals three times in the first half.

How does one sum up a defeat of such catastrophic, appalling dimensions?

“I don’t regret anything,” Coach McCarthy said. “Hell, I expected to win the game. We were positioned to win the game.

“I thought clearly there were two championship teams playing today. It was an incredible game to compete in. It is a very difficult loss to swallow.”

It’s also one that will never, ever be forgotten in NFL all-time comebacks and especially throughout Packerland.

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

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events Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis events SPOTLIGHT 29 CASINO PRESENTS by jessica Hosts 11thofAnnual GolfCollege Expo Golf Center 183 ULTIMATE VIEWING PARTY FOR UFC rees At College the Desert’s FEATURING ANDERSON SILVA VS. NICK DIAZ. Watch Live In

Three Locations on Saturday, January 31 at 7 p.m.

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potlight 29 Casino is proud to present the ultimate viewing party for UFC 183, the long-awaited matchup between Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz, shown live in three locations in the casino on Saturday, January 31 at 7 p.m. Spotlight 29 Casino offers the premier entertainment experience in the Coachella Valley.

The fight will mark Anderson “The Spider” Silva’s return to the ring after he suffered a broken leg back in December 2013. The Brazil native is considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the

world and one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. He held the longest title defense streak in UFC history with 10 title wins as champion.

Silva’s opponent, Nick Diaz hails from Stockton, CA. Before joining the UFC in 2001, he competed for PRIDE, WEC, EliteXC, DREAM, Shooto and Strikeforce – where he was a Welterweight Champion. He holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

UFC 183, which will take place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, features nine exiting bouts on the card. It will be shown live on Saturday, January 31 at three locations at Spotlight 29 Casino including Hot Spot, Groove and Blue Bar. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests must be 21 years or older. For more information, visit Spotlight29.com or call 760-775-5566.

on Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7.

Test The Latest In Golf Equipment From Top Manufacturers and Participate In Instructional Clinics Public Invited To Attend This Free Event.

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n Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th, Pete Carlson’s Golf and Tennis will host the 11th Annual Golf Expo at College of the Desert’s College Golf Center in Palm Desert.

Hours are from 9am to 4pm. The event is free to the public and always well-attended.

College of the Desert Golf Center is located at 73-450 Fred Waring Drive (at the corner of San Pablo and Fred Waring). This event is free and runs from 9:00 am to 4:00pm.

“This year’s Expo promises to be one of our largest and most exciting for golfers of all levels,” says Pete Carlson. “As our store celebrates our 34th anniversary, we are glad we can once again bring this free golf event to the community,” Carlson adds The public is invited to test the latest golf equipment from 25 of the industry’s leading golf manufacturers. Golfers can have their new golf clubs custom fitted using the latest technology. The Expo offers golfers the chance to test drive a large selection of 2015 equipment and products including: clubs, bags, balls, gloves, shoes, distance range finders, exercise and training aids.

The popular trick shot artist “Joey O” performs daily at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

PGA tour professional, Mr. Al Geiberger, known as “Mr. 59,” winner of over 20 PGA tournaments will conduct a short game

clinic with his sons at noon both days. Enjoy live jazz by George Cebra’s group from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. There will be giveaways, free enter to win contests, special Pete’s gifts and coupons, special pricing by most manufacturers and “Trade-Ins” will be welcomed.

Attendance is expected to reach between 3,000 to 4,000. Free parking and shuttle service will be available. Food and refreshments will be on sale. This is a much anticipated annual event among Valley locals and visitors.

Pete Carlson’s Golf & Tennis, celebrating its 34th Anniversary this year, is home to thousands of top name brand golf and tennis items, including equipment, accessories, footwear, designer active wear and more. Pete’s 14,000 square foot store is located at 73-741 Highway 111, Palm Desert, California, 92260. Hours are Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm, and Sunday 11am to 5pm. For more information, call 760-568-3263 or 800-600-3263 or visit www.petecarlsonsgolf.com.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of January 22

NOTE TO FACT-CHECKERS regarding the Taurus horoscope: Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday is sometimes listed as April 15, 1452. But that date is accurate only according to the Old Style Julian calendar. By the New Style Gregorian calendar, he was born April 23, 1452.

Technical astrological calculations affirm he was born in the sign of Taurus.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Is there a patron saint of advertising or a goddess of marketing or a power animal that rules publicity and promotion? If so, I’m going to find out, then pray to them in your behalf.

It’s high time for your underappreciated talents and unsung accomplishments to receive more attention.

And I am convinced that the astrological moment is ripe for just such a development. Help me out here, Aries. What can you do to get your message out better? What tricks do you have for attracting the interest of those who don’t know yet about your wonders? Polish up your self-presentation, please.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): During his 67 years of life, Taurus-born Leonardo da Vinci achieved excellence in 12 different fields, from painting to engineering to anatomy. Today he is regarded as among the most brilliant humans who ever lived. “His genius was so rare and universal that it can be said that nature worked a miracle on his behalf,” said one observer. “He towered above all other artists through the strength and the nobility of his talents,” said another. Yet on his death bed, Leonardo confessed, “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” Typical for a Taurus, he underestimated himself! It’s very important that you not do the same, especially in the coming weeks. The time has come for you to give yourself more of the credit and respect you deserve.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Where you have been and what you have done will be of little importance in the coming weeks. Both your mistakes and your triumphs will be irrelevant. In my estimation, you have a sacred duty to spy on the future and reconnoiter the pleasures and challenges that lie ahead. So I suggest you head off toward the frontier with an innocent gleam in your eye and a cheerful hunger for interesting surprises. How’s your Wildness Quotient?

If it’s in a slump, pump it up.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Will you ever find that treasured memento you misplaced? Is there any chance of reviving a dream you abandoned? You are in a phase when these events are more likely than usual to happen. The same is true about an opportunity that you frittered away or a missing link that you almost tracked down but ultimately failed to secure.

If you will ever have any hope of getting another shot at those lost joys, it would be in the coming weeks.

For best results, purge the regret and remorse you still feel about the mistakes you think you made once upon a time.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the early 1300s, the people of the Mexica tribe had no homeland. They had wandered for centuries through the northern parts of what we now call Mesoamerica. According to legend, that changed in 1323, when their priests received a vision of an eagle eating a snake while perched at the top of a prickly pear cactus. They declared that this was the location of the tribe’s future power spot. Two years later, the prophecy was fulfilled. On an island in the middle of a lake, scouts spied the eagle, snake, and cactus. And that was where the tribe built the town of Tenochtitlan, which ultimately became the center of an empire. Today that place is called Mexico City. Have you had an equivalent vision, Leo? If you haven’t yet, I bet you will soon. Go in search of it. Be alert.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): By the end of the 16th century, nutmeg was in high demand throughout Europe. It was valued as a spice, medicine, and preservative. There was only one place in the world where it grew: on the Indonesian island of Run. The proto-capitalists of the Dutch East India Company gained dominion over Run, and enslaved the local population to work on plantations. They fully controlled the global sale of nutmeg, which allowed them to charge exorbitant prices. But ultimately their monopoly collapsed. Here’s one reason why: Pigeons ate nutmeg seeds on Run, then flew to other

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

islands and pooped them out, enabling plants to grow outside of Dutch jurisdiction. I see this story as an apt metaphor for you in the coming months, Virgo. What’s your equivalent of the pigeons? Can you find unlikely allies to help you evade the controlling force that’s limiting your options?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Have you triggered any brilliant breakthroughs lately? Have you made any cathartic departures from the way things have always been done? Have you thought so far outside the box that you can’t even see the box any more?

Probably not. The last few weeks have been a time of retrenchment and stabilization for you. But I bet you will start going creatively crazy very soon -- and I mean that in the best sense. To ensure maximum health and well-being, you simply must authorize your imagination to leap and whirl and dazzle.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): The cassava plant produces a starchy root that’s used as food by a half billion people all over the planet. No one can simply cook it up and eat it, though. In its raw state, it contains the poisonous chemical cyanide, which must be removed by careful preparation. An essential first step is to soak it in water for at least 18 hours. I see this process as a metaphor for the work you have ahead of you, Scorpio. A new source of psychological and spiritual sustenance will soon be available, but you will have to purge its toxins before you can use and enjoy it.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Italian composer Gioachino Rossini (1792-1868) didn’t like to work hard, and yet he was also prolific. In fact, his desire to avoid strenuous exertion was an important factor in his abundant output. He got things done fast. His most famous opera, *The Barber of Seville,* took him just 13 days to finish. Another trick he relied on to reduce his workload was plagiarizing himself.

He sometimes recycled passages from his earlier works for use in new compositions. Feeling good was another key element in his approach to discipline. If given a choice, he would tap into his creative energy while lounging in bed or hanging out with his buddies.

In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, I recommend you consider strategies like his.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Each hour of every day, the sun offers us more energy than oil, gas, and coal can provide in an entire year. Sadly, much of our star’s generous gift goes to waste. Our civilization isn’t set up to take advantage of the bounty. Is there a comparable dynamic in your personal life, Capricorn?

Are you missing out on a flow of raw power and blessings simply because you are ignorant of it or haven’t made the necessary arrangements to gather it? If so, now would be an excellent time to change your ways.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): According to my analysis of the long-term astrological omens, 2015 is the year you can get totally serious about doing what you were born to do. You will be given the chance to slough off all that’s fake and irrelevant and delusory.

You will be invited to fully embrace the central purpose of your destiny. If you’re interested in taking up that challenge, I suggest you adopt Oscar Wilde’s motto: “Nothing is serious except passion.” Your primary duty is to associate primarily with people and places and situations that feed your deepest longings.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Give up all hope for a better past,” writes Emily Fragos in her poem “Art Brut.” That’s generally sound advice. But I think you may be able to find an exception to its truth in the coming weeks. As you work to forgive those who have trespassed against you, and as you revise your interpretations of bygone events, and as you untie knots that have weighed you down and slowed you up for a long time, you just may be able to create a better past. Dare to believe that you can transform the shape and feel of your memories.

Homework: Name something you feel like begging for. Then visualize in great detail that this something is already yours. Report results to FreeWillAstrology.com.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

January 22 to January 28, 2015

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

Recap on Resolutions

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s we commence the end of the first month of 2015 it is time to recap. Given the New Year many, of us set resolutions or goals. Are you finding it challenging to commit to what you established for your future? Do not beat yourself up. You are human and we falter.

This does not mean that you cannot begin anew. If you are hearing me loud and clear then it is time for inspiration.

As you revisit your resolutions, aspirations and goals you need to ask yourself a few candid questions? Did I set unrealistic goals for myself? Are the goals I desire truly what I want? Am I motivated enough to achieve the end result? Perhaps you set a goal and you are realizing it may be too ambitious. Did you set a foundation?

If you set a foundation and begin to build slowly then your dreams can come to fruition. If you are diving into something new and becoming frustrated you may need to slow down the pace. Remember goals and dreams can take weeks, months, and even years, to be realized.

Enjoying the journey is more than half the fun. If you are passionate about what you are seeking to achieve then you can enjoy yourself. Naturally you will experience trials and tribulations along the way. Look at these hiccups as lessons. Continue to press ahead. Envisioning yourself living, being, and doing what you are passionate about will accelerate your process.

Take time to rewrite your goals. As you navigate your way, it is possible you will notice a shift. Therefore, your markers may be altered. It is fine to have a change of heart or mind but be mindful not to regress.

You will be prideful once you get to where you are going.

Surrounding yourself with like-minded people is essential. Anything or anyone that is a distraction must take the back burner. You want and need people around you that envision and support your needs and desires. Choose friends or a mate that

is willing to take the journey with you.

Anyone who is not willing to partake must be left behind. I’m not implying this person or persons need to be jettisoned forever. It may be that you need a time out so that you can focus.

Regardless of your goals and dreams, they can and will be achieved. Include all the right ingredients. Be sure not to underestimate yourself. You must believe that you can achieve. Stay focused and stay diligent.

Create a timeline for yourself. Set yourself up on a 30-day calendar. Revisit your aspirations every 30-days so you may keep tract of your progress. If you really want something you must go after it. Do not allow anything or anyone to impair your path.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. e-volveyoga.com (760)564-YOGA

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

Life & career Coach

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by Sunny Simon

Getting to Yes by Asking

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y client entered the office with a smile so contagious I found myself grinning before I even knew why.

The reason Jennifer exuded happiness was due to a job offer she received just hours before our session. As the first order of business she asked me to help her with a resume cover letter. I was stymied and inquired if she had declined the job offer. Jennifer flashed her most confident grin explaining she had negotiated more time to decide enabling her to apply for a position with another employer. I laughed when she reminded me I was the one who told her everything is negotiable.

Whether you are in a job search, up for a salary review or in need of additional time off, you may never be offered the items on your “must have” list. Striking a deal by negotiating can score your heart’s desire; however, your success depends on your approach and strategy.

My husband John is an ace negotiator.

Through the years I’ve silently observed John getting a lower price, a free upgrade or an exceptional discount. How do people like John and Jennifer get others to make allowances and exceptions? They begin by doing their homework. Apparently Jennifer learned the company extending the offer did not have an immediate need to fill the position. She also knew she came highly recommended by a

mutually respected colleague. On the flip side, the employer knew she would be an exceptional hire, but decided to give her the time she requested rather than demand an immediate decision, another prudent negotiation stance. If Jennifer were forced to decide on the spot, she would have respectfully declined.

Communication is key in any negotiation.

John, although persistent and dedicated to holding his ground, is always respectful. No strong arm tactics are used. He listens well, giving the other party ample time to explain his or her position. Next he acknowledges an understanding of the counterpoint, but gently responds by explaining why his ask is reasonable. He also employs positive body language by making direct eye contact and leaning into the conversation. Before long I hear John getting the other party to laugh. As in most situations, a bit of humor can break the tension and soften the mood.

Next time an item on your “must have” list is denied, don’t take no for an answer. Do your research, plan your strategy and give it a go. In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”

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

beauty

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January 22 to January 28, 2015

by dr maria lombardo

Dr. Maria Lombardo, Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery is located in Rancho Mirage.

She specializes in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures including (but not limited to) facial, body and breast surgery, Botox, Latisse, and hCG diet program.

For a consultation or more information, visit www.lombardocosmeticsurgery.com or call 760-610-8990. Dr. Lombardo will be writing a bi-weekly column for CV Weekly.

How does Botox work for the Frown Lines: “Lift and Separate” hose pesky frown lines that lie the corrugators, but there are a few different

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between the eyebrows have been treated and improved with Botox (and other similar medications) since the product was first FDA approved and widely introduced as a cosmetic agent in 2002.

When you furrow your brow, you push the brows closer together. This action causes the skin between the brows to fold onto itself.

When we are young, the elasticity of our skin allows for those brow furrows to disappear after you relax the muscles. But, as we age and lose skin elasticity, the creases become etched into place with each contraction of the muscle. Even when the forehead is relaxed, the lines can make us look like we are frowning or worried.

The typical treatment for the glabella, the name of the area between the brows, is around 20 units of Botox. It is injected into the muscles and affects the nerves that signal the muscles. After the medication starts to work, usually 3 – 5 days, when you try to frown, the message is prevented from reaching the muscles and there is no movement. With the skin at rest, not being creased on a regular basis, the wrinkles slowly relax away.

Everyone has these muscles, known as

ways that the anatomy of the forehead can vary. Look closely… some people frown and have one, single crease that forms. Others have two parallel creases (this is often referred to as “the elevens”). Some can even have three lines! And to complicate things further, the shape and width of the corrugators can be different from person to person. This is important because the Botox needs to be placed in the right spots, based on your specific anatomy.

So take a look in the mirror… which type are you? In order to prevent improper injection technique and possible problems: always have a physician who understands this special anatomy, and its variations, administer your Botox. As Dr. Bunin of Allentown, PA says, “It is very important to distinguish between these (different types of muscles) to avoid the all too common nasal brow ptosis (droop) and subsequent “spock brow”. Proper placement should give patients what I like to call “the Playtex bra of Botox--lift and separate (the brows)”!”

Call Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery today to make your appointment with Dr. Maria Lombardo – 760-610-8990.

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