Coachella Valley Weekly - February 17 to February 23, 2022 Vol. 10 No. 49

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coachellavalleyweekly.com • February 17 to February 23, 2022 Vol.10 No.49

Brian Parnell Benefit

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Mama’s House 10th Anniversary

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Patricia Welch

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The Shops at Palm Desert

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

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

CONTENTS

Thrillville - Indio ................................... 3-4 Club Crawler Nightlife ............................. 6 Brian "Puke" Parnell................................. 7 Consider This - The Whitmore Sisters ..... 8 Society Scene - Mama's House ................ 9

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or the first time ever, the Riverside County Fairgrounds will welcome Thrillville from February 18-27 in Indio. The 10-day event will feature adrenaline-pumping rides, classic favorite carnival games, delectable fair food, live music, commercial vendors, unicyclists, stilt walkers, contortionists, jugglers, and a variety of world-class entertainment for the whole family. Although the fairgrounds have been home to the Riverside County Fair and Date Festival for decades, Thrillville is a separate festival produced by Thrillville, LLC and KevaWorks, LLC, in partnership with First 5, Royal Plaza Inn, KARV, Estrella and Bud Light Seltzer, just to name a few. Thrillville tours nationwide and is making its first appearance in the Coachella Valley. Thrillville partners with amazing venues, specialty acts, food courts, and top-tier carnival midway providers to produce events guaranteed to entertain the whole family year after year. "Some people get confused that the Date Festival changed its name, but it didn't. Thrillville is a completely different fair. There will be amazing food, entertainment, and rides at Thrillville that we are eager for the Coachella Valley to enjoy," said Thrillville representative and media contact Lyn Hartley-Putman. Not only is it a completely different name, but also a very new fair experience. Thrillville will feature a Kiddieland that offers rides and games at a nominal fee provided by Butler Amusements. The KidZone will include attractions like rock climbing, bounce houses, a slide, and Simulator Flying. Butler Amusements is also bringing an array of kiddie, family and adult rides to the festival, including Zipper, Gravitron, Century Wheel, Inversion, and Giant Slide. They will also have games and food trailers with popcorn, cotton candy, hot dogs, and candy apples. The Carnival will remain open until 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m.

weekends. Rides, games, and food are at an additional cost while individual ride credits will be available for purchase onsite Tuesday through Friday Armbands are $30 and Saturday, Sunday, President's Day Armbands are $35. There will still be representation of local produce from growers in the Coachella Valley in addition to the typical carnival fare, including honey, dates, nuts, and Napoli that will be on hand. Thrillville attendees are encouraged to support local growers and take home fresh fruits, sprouts and veggies. Handcrafted goods including cupcakes, oils and soaps will be available in this area as well as homemade BBQ Sauces and wooden flags. "Riverside County brought the livestock in so people will still be able to see what the community does with agriculture and animals. We will also have three groups of headliners instead of just one performing at night at Thrillville. We very much still want to keep that local representation at Thrillville," revealed Lyn. There will be over 50 booths selling clothing and accessories, anime posters and figurines, retro game consoles and arcades, skincare products, jewelry, and

music. Several featured vendors include well-known names like Princess Pretty featuring headbands and goodies, Kitchen Craft cookware, Light It Up sound activated masks and toys, Pedroza Arts with leather bracelets and accessories and Yosemite Sign Co custom engraved signs. For a special keepsake from Thrillville, attendees can take a family photo in one of the many photo booths or have a caricature made at the fair. Face painting and henna tattoos will be available as well as customized photo key chains help make a lasting memory. "Thrillville is on a smaller scale this time. No rides can be seen from Highway 111 because the carnival is pushed father back. By the time Riverside County reached out to us about wanting to do Thrillville, there wasn't enough time to get all the buildings and exhibits in, but we are using the Taj Mahal building for workshops an our new S.C.R.A.P. gallery," shared Lyn. “She Works Hard For The Honey– So Don’t Waste It!,” is a new exhibit about the global effect of food waste and its impact on pollinator populations like bees, birds, butterflies, and bats. It was created by

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Screeners................................................ 10 Breaking The 4th Wall ............................ 11 Travel Tips 4 U ......................................... 11 The Vino Voice ....................................... 12 Keg Whisperer ....................................... 13 Pet Place ............................................ 14-15 Safety Tips .............................................. 16 Cyber Corner .......................................... 16 Haddon Libby ......................................... 17 Dale Gribow ............................................ 17 Cannabis Corner..................................... 18 Swag For The Soul ................................. 19 Free Will Astrology................................ 19 Send Me A Trainer ................................. 20 Health - Keto .......................................... 20 Patricia Welch ........................................ 23 The Shops at Palm Desert..................... 23

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

THRILLVILLE continued from page 3

S.C.R.A.P. Gallery, and the exhibit features “Pollination Investigation,” a poster exhibit from Smithsonian Gardens and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. “She Works Hard for The Honey” brings together educators, scientists, artists, and students to explore how pollinators nourish our planet by helping plants to reproduce and create the foods we need to survive. Many pollinator populations are in decline, which is attributed to a loss in feeding and nesting habitats. This special exhibit for children will feature free arts and crafts as well as educational food waste programs daily. Entertainment is an essential part of any fair festivities. There will be a variety of headlining performances ranging from rock, mariachi, and jazz. On Friday the 18th, Bone Thumpers and BUMPTOWN grace the stage at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. Saturday’s lineup consists of King Sol & The Vibes at 3 p.m., dysFUNKsion at 5 p.m., and Lakeside at 7:30 p.m. Sunday the 20th is reserved for thrilling Rodeo events taking place from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday sees LawKnee at 3 p.m., Pescaterritory at 5 p.m., and the genrebending Metalachi at 7:30 p.m. Sunday the 27th concludes with No Raja at 2 p.m., Mariachi Tierra Mexicana de Coachella at 4 p.m., and Voz de Mando at 5:30 p.m. There will be a nightly karaoke contest on the Community Stage from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, the 21st through Thursday the 24th. Attendees are encouraged to

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com arrive early to sign up with the final contest on Thursday, the 24th, at 6 p.m. And, of course, what is a fair without delicious food? Thrillville will feature 30 food booths, sure to offer an array of ethnic specialties, as well as bacon wrapped hot dogs, Philly cheese steak sandwich, roasted corn, BBQ, turkey legs, gyros, pizza, and more. Desserts are not in short supply either, consisting of funnel cakes, kettle corn, fried Oreos and Twinkies, homemade cookies, candy apples, cotton candy, ice cream, shaved ice and tasty cinnamon rolls. Some featured vendors include Juicy’s Hamburgers, Tasti Chips, Mom’s Bakeshoppe, E & E Pel’s, and Texas Donuts. The Ground Acts are another unique part of the Thrillville experience such as the Live Shark Encounter, Cartoon Poodles, The Flying Royal Circus, stilt walkers, jugglers, unicyclists, contortionists, Rock Wall, Walk on Water Bubbles, Power Jump, and animal experiences with snakes, monkeys, and lorikeets. Thrillville attendees will be able to get a firsthand circus experience at these one-of-a-kind attractions for the whole family to enjoy. "I'm thankful we were able to organize a fair because we wanted to do something for our community. Over the past two years, no one has been able to do anything because of the pandemic. 2020 was the last fair that took place in Indio. We want families to be able to come out and enjoy Thrillville. The support from the community has been greatly appreciated," said Lyn. Promotion codes for online sales are available online. Guests can follow Thrillville on Facebook to find promo codes for massive discounts. Thrillville encourages the idea of paperless ticket sales with digital tickets being available online with parking as well. Even carnival ride tickets can be purchased online without the need for a physical wristband and would be scanned through mobile before going on rides. For complete fair details, schedules, and advanced ticket sales, visit theThrillville. com/Indio. Prices and times are subject to change at any time and there will be no refunds for weather or event closure/ cancellation.


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February 17 to February 23, 2022

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

Thursday, February 17

Casuelas Café – Avenida – 5:30pm Chef George’s – Marc Antonelli – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewery – Open Mic – 6-8pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Jazzville @ Agua Caliente – Michael Ragonese Quartet – 7pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Nitro Express – 7pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – Midlife O’Crisis – 6pm Pappy and Harriet’s – The Microphones and Ragana – 8pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Open Mic – 9pm Shanghai Red’s (Palm Springs) – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 7pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King Trio – 6pm

Friday, February 18

Bart Lounge – DJ Hymn – 8pm Casuelas Café – The Myx – 7pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Kelsey Manning and Zander Rodriguez – 7pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Four Twenty Bank – Live Music – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Thee Champagne Band – 9pm

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The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – Craic Haus – 6pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Pescaterritory and Empty Seat – 9pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Watchhouse (Formerly Mandolin Orange) – 7pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm The Village – Rob & JB – 5:30-8:30pm, Rapmarz – 10pm, DJ LF – 10pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm Twelve @ Fantasy Springs – Mark Gregg and Co. – 7-10pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Kal David Trio – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm

Saturday, February 19

Bart Lounge – More Bass w/ DJs Aylex Song, Sugarfree, Femme A, Haus Snob and Shanell Grey – 8pm Casuelas Café – Vinny Berry – noon, Flashback Boyz – 7pm Chef George’s – Michael D Angelo and Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – “Party for Puke” w/ Nick Hales, Esther Sanchez, Josh Heinz, Cakes and Snakes and Giselle Woo and the Night Owls – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Four Twenty Bank – Barry Minniefield – 6pm The Hood – Krystofer Do, Mario Quintero and

The Walnut Avenue – 9pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Thee Champagne Band – 9pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – The Upshots – 6pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Earthless and Yawning Man – 9pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Rose Mallett’s Company – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm The Village – Rob & JB – 1-4pm, Rapmarz – 10pm, DJ LF – 10pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm Twelve @ Fantasy Springs – Mark Gregg and Co. – 7-10pm

Sunday, February 20

Bart Lounge – Latina Night w/ DJ LF – 8pm Blu Ember – Gina Sedman – 5pm Casuelas Café – Las Tias – noon, Barry Baughn Blues Review – 5:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Acoustic Afternoon w/ Adam Gainey, Kelsey Manning, Nick Hales, Tim & Val and Uncle Ben’s Thrice – 3pm Fisherman’s Market, PS – Art of Sax – 5pm Kitchen 86 – Jojo Malagar – 7pm Melvyn’s – Mikael Healey – 5pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Sunday Night Jam – 4-9pm

Pappy and Harriet’s – Cursive w/ No Devotion and The Appleseed Cast – 7pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – Rapmarz - 10pm

Monday, February 21

The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Tuesday, February 22

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

Wednesday, February 23

Casuelas Café – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 6pm Chef George’s – Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Pappy and Harriet’s – John Smith – 8pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm, Banda Revolucion – 10pm


LOCAL MUSIC

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COACHELLA VALLEY MUSICIANS RALLY FOR COLLEAGUE

BENEFIT CONCERT AND AUCTION FOR BRIAN “PUKE” PARNELL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, 5:00 PM AT COACHELLA VALLEY BREWING COMPANY

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ou know, sometimes folks…When it rains it pours. And at those times when dark clouds are accumulating over our lives, it sure is great to…as the Beatles said, “Have a Little Help from friends.” So when beloved local musician, recording studio owner/music producer and charity organizer, Brian “Puke” Parnell found himself falling on difficult times, his tight-knit group of local musician friends got to work organizing a way to help him keep his head above water. The consensus in this decision was extremely easy considering what Brian has done for others in his community. Seattle born, So-Cal raised guitarist and frontman for metal band, Throw the Goat is also the founder and CEO of Regurgitation Records and was able to within the past year, fulfill his dream of being able to open his own recording studio/venue in a coveted space in the heart of downtown Idyllwild which has been his homebase for the bulk of the past decade except for a couple of years he spent living and working in the UK.

February 17 to February 23, 2022

Other than his work touring and performing as the guitarist/frontman for one of my absolute favorite bands, Throw the Goat, he has made a name for himself by conceiving of and spearheading what has become an extremely fun and successful festival called, “Idyllwild Strong” that benefits victims from the forest fires that have devastated the lives and properties of so many over the past several years. Unfortunately for Parnell, the past several months have been a lot for anyone to deal with, starting with flood damage to his beloved and recently acquired recording studio and rehearsal space, Audiowild Studios. Parnell: “I had been eyeing this spot in the middle of town called, ‘The Center for Spiritual Living' that was basically a church so they already had the stage and all that so it was a perfect place for me to acquire. It was late 2020 when I started going back to work as a chef in Idyllwild which is something that I have done on and off since I was 16. That’s when I started having weird health problems and it occured to me that it might be a good idea to start pursuing my dreams instead of just punching a timecard for somebody else. That’s when I started looking around online and found out that the church space in the courtyard was available, so I reached out to the landlord, fully expecting to be rejected. I figured that the idea of a recording studio with the possible noise levels and dirty musicians coming and going at all hours might not be something they were interested in. But surprisingly, they were cool with the idea. I was able to put the money together with some generous friends whom I was thankfully able to pay back.” Parnell continues: “Things were going really well. Between last July and December we were able to have around a half-dozen shows there. Then all of the sudden there was an unfortunate flood caused by a faulty

plumbing situation from an upstairs business that ended up raining from my ceiling into the studio deeming it unusable until fixed. Which means I am unable to generate income from the studio until it’s fixed.” CVW: “So that leads us to the health situation that you are currently going through.” Parnell: “The health issues I started having in late 2020 lead me to Eisenhower ER in early 2021 because a lot of what I was hearing was alluding to the possibility that I might be having some kind of seizure activity. Particularly in my sleep. Originally they thought I was some sort of drug addict and they put me through their battery of screenings and I came out clean so they tried a bunch of other tests and scans that came up with nothing. That led them to referring me to a neurologist that referred me to a cardiologist. That’s when things started to make sense. The condition I was finally diagnosed which is called, “Bradycardia” Parnell continues: “Basically that means that my heart beats too slowly. They established this diagnosis after implanting a monitor over a period of time that established the fact that my heart has a tendency to literally stop periodically from time to time. There is no medication to safely deal with it so the best remedy available is to have a pacemaker implanted which is what I did and am currently recovering from.” Parnell is now temporarily unable to work at his chef job due to the physical restraints. In addition, he is unable to utilize his studio space for income until repairs are completed

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ which won’t be for several weeks or even months. Meanwhile, bills are piling up….So after continued encouragement from a few of his buddies, Parnell started a fundraiser on Facebook only asking for what he calculated as his bare minimum expenses for a conservative amount of time. Less than $3000. Well, some of his friends in the local music community thought…”Hey, we can do better than that. Especially for a guy who, through his own blood sweat and tears has been able to help so many others. That leads us to this Saturday's upcoming event. Spearheaded by CV Brewing Co. taproom manager, Wes Gainey and Grins & Lies vocalist, Stevie Jane Lee, many in the local music and arts community are coming together to support an amazing guy who happens to be in need at the moment. Stevie Jane: “I love our music community and when one of us is in trouble everyone wants to help. It was a challenge to find people that had any time available to play because of the short notice and busy schedules but Wes at CV Brewing Co, along with an amazing group of friends/artists made it happen. I just hope for everyone to have a good time at a great show so we can help out a friend that really deserves it.” If you can’t make it to the event, you can donate straight to Parnell’s fundraiser: https://www.facebook.com/dona te/2749930818485556/10159921034018686.

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

CONSIDER THIS

“Can we be erased? It’s all borrowed time, no matter how we get there, no matter how we get there it can all turn on a dime, everybody goes when it’s their number, we can only guess when it’s time/But as long as I am able, I will carry you, and I will carry, carry on” hat’s the Whitmore sisters offering a phlegmatic take on life, death and loyalty with the song “Friends We Leave Behind,” from their debut record, Ghost Stories. Somewhere between the McGarrigle Sisters, The Roches, Sweethearts Of The Rodeo and First Aid Kit, stand The Whitmore Sisters. Siblings Bonnie and Eleanor began making music together as children and have spent the last decade or so carving out separate careers as musicians. Bonnie took the solo route and Eleanor partnered with her husband Chris as The Mastersons. Ghost Stories is their first collaboration as adults. The Texas natives displayed an affinity for music at an early age, which made perfect sense. Their dad, Alex, was a Folk musician and their mom, Marti, was a trained Opera singer. The family band was known as Daddy & The Divas. Individually, Bonnie and Eleanor made their bones in clubs, dive bars and HonkyTonks. Solo, Bonnie has released four critically acclaimed efforts. Along with Chris, Eleanor has also made four well-received albums. When the pandemic hit, Bonnie prepared to hunker down with Eleanor and her husband in L.A., Chris issued only one edict: if Bonnie was going to stay with them, it was time for the sisters to make an album together. The result is their first, official long-player, Ghost Stories. The record’s first four songs hopscotch through a surfeit of styles. “Learn To Fly” opens with a rat-a-tat drum roll, reverb-drenched guitars, thready bass and soaring Mellotron notes. Sisterly harmonies wrap around lyrics that liken life to an amusement park attraction; “If you want to ride roller coasters you must grow so tall to ride, anticipation, adrenaline racing, knuckle up, you wanted to fly.” On the break, cascading mandolin licks and bramblethick guitar unfold in a graceful pas de deux, before Bonnie and Eleanor add one final observation; “It takes calculation, line up in formation, a certain swagger comes to mind, careful the wager, but you love the danger, buckle up, it’s time to fly.” Splitting the difference between Acadian grace and Appalachian grit, “The Ballad Of Sissy & Porter” is a bit of a back porch ramble. Seesaw fiddle collides with jangly guitars, plush organ, wheezy accordion, walking bass lines

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THE WHITMORE SISTERS

“GHOST STORIES” (RED HOUSE RECORDS) BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

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and a clickity-clack beat. Spare lyrics sketch out the saga of Sissy, “fire in her hair, a little sparkle in her eye” and Porter who “was as loaded as a hot deck.” The pair team up for a life of adventure, but their big plans unravel rather quickly; “Lights on the porch, burning all night long, Sissy says ‘Porter, baby play my song,’ with a wish and a hope like a charm against the pain/Just like a storm when it’s blowing in, it’s over just as fast as it began, every now and then Sissy thinks about Porter and the sound of the pouring rain.” On the break, serpentine guitar riffs weave in between swoopy fiddle and je suis un francais accordion. Plaintive piano notes are bookended by feathery acoustic guitars, burrowing bass, lithe banjo licks and a tambourine shake on the aforementioned “Friends We Leave Behind.” Tender vocals shiver and ache as the shadow of death peers over their shoulders. A mordant meditation on mortality, the lyrics insist we take our measure not from the riches we’ve accrued, but from the friendships we’ve sustained; “Everybody dies, suffering all around, love can pull you through and fear can take you down/The friends we leave behind,

it’s what defines us, how many will there be when we’re gone?” Meanwhile, “Hurtin’ For A Letdown,” navigates the rocky shoals of romance. This twangy two-step shares some musical DNA with the Dwight Yoakam classic, “It Only Hurts Me When I Cry.” Brawny guitars are enveloped by liquid Hammond B3, Mellotron and piano, swelling strings, thrumming bass and a Jackrabbit beat. Perspicacious lyrics tell the story starry-eyed self-sabotage; “Now I could tell that you were just my type, deeply unavailable is my plight, if I never cross your mind, well that suits me just fine, I’m addicted to heartache, I don’t want to do what’s right.” Rumbling baritone guitar, whirring Hammond B3 and Honky-Tonk piano match the sisters’ masochistic mien. A couple of cuts, “Superficial World Of Love and the title-track offer up a bit of Yin and Yang. The former is content to stay in its lane. A Classic Country weeper it’s fueled by stately piano, sepia-toned bass, quavery synths, sultry guitars and a thunking beat. Introspective lyrics share the blame for a shattered romance, hoping one day to bury the hatchet; “Some bright morning when the war is over, we’ll go riding in with shining armor, for a world that’s mostly superficial, I hope you will remember me.” The latter is more ambitious, unmoored by Country constraints, this ethereal charmer veers into Kate Bush (or at the very least, Frou Frou) territory. Fecund Fender Rhodes notes intertwine with keening violin, descending piano, dour bass lines, slithery guitars and a barely-there beat. Lyrics seem to address long-gone victims of tragedy; “Knowing what you went through, deepens the pain that you’re gone, there’s nothing left but to talk to your ghosts at night/I wish I had known you, it haunts me just the same, I will remember, I will say your name.” On the break the drums

lock into a martial kick as assorted strings trill and flicker, adding to the urgency of the final verse; “What if we re-imagine a system that isn’t broken? Reflect on ourselves, see love in everyone.” The album’s best tracks stack back-toback, halfway through. “Ricky,” might as well be subtitled “Ricky Don’t Lose That Number For Rehab” (not that this song shares any sonic similarities with the Steely Dan classic). The jaunty melody is powered by gamboling banjo, fluttery fiddle, swirly keys and spiraling guitars. Lyrics tackle the tricky machinations of intervention; “C’mon baby, please won’t you give me the keys? You’re hanging on a wire, set yourself on fire, it’s only Tuesday night, better save it for the weekend.” Things go from bad to worse; “Stranded on the floor, you’re blocking the door, lost your stash and all your cash, only Wednesday night, gonna make it to the weekend?” Finally, the tough questions are unavoidable; “What makes you so broken, what makes you drink ‘til you’re blind?” “By Design” is deceptively sunny, anchored by a clustering guitar riffs, sparkly piano chords and high lonesome pedal steel. Lyrically, the sistas pull no punches, not everyone is destined for happily ever after, sometimes love doesn’t conquer all; “If you can’t have it you want it, a trick I fall for every time, but you blinked and I caught it, like a broken heart by design.” Melancholy and plaintive in all the right ways, the ache is palpable. Other interesting tracks include the New Wave-y do-si-do of “Big Heart Sick Mind,” and a lovely take on the Everly Brothers final hit, “On The Wings Of A Nightingale.” The album closes with the celestial sorrow of “Greek Tragedy.” Rippling strings are wed to revvedup guitars, plangent piano, slippery bass lines, lush Mellotron tart harp accents and a thudding rhythm. The majestic melody and arrangement nearly camouflage lyrics that offer a restless farewell to someone gone too soon; “Bound to the sins can’t circumnavigate the end, could you not survive yourself? Your body let you down.” Honeyed harmonies almost soften the blow of saying goodbye. It’s a tender and bittersweet finish to a great record. Ghost Stories was produced by Chris Masterson. The Whitmore Sisters were ably backed by Tyler Chester on Mellotron, organ and all manner of keys, Jamie Douglass on drums and percussion, Dirk Powell on accordion and triangle, Jon Graboff on pedal steel and Hattie Webb on harp. Between them, the sisters added mandolin, guitars, fiddle, bass, piano, synthesizer, strings and Fender Rhodes. But MVP status belongs to the Chris, who was a veritable guitar army, juggling electric, acoustic, high-strung, 12-string 6-string and baritone guitars. Honestly, there’s nothing more powerful and pure than sororal (or fraternal) harmonies. There’s something indescribably ethereal, perfect, and simply thrilling when sibling voices connect and collide. Separately, Bonnie and Eleanor have already proved their worth. Together, their symbiotic blend is a true force of nature.


SOCIETY SCENE

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

MAMA’S HOUSE CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY AND ANNOUNCES LEAD DONOR GIFT TO CAPITAL CAMPAIGN BY MADELINE ZUCKERMAN

PHOTOS BY MARC GLASSMAN

Luncheon Featured Speaker Mike Pompeo, 70TH Secretary of State and former CIA Director.

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(left to right) Antoinette Clancy, Emmett Clancy, Lead Donors who pledged $1,250,000.00 to the Mama's House Expansion Project Capital Campaign.

his year’s Mama’s House’s Annual HEARTbeat Of Love Luncheon was a huge success in so many ways! Celebrating this nonprofit’s 10th Anniversary, the event hosted a sold-out crowd of over 1,000 attendees who gave over $1 million in support, in addition to the $1,250,000.00 Capital Campaign pledge by the organization’s Lead Donors, Emmett and Antoinette Clancy. “The luncheon and 10th Anniversary celebration with former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was an astounding success, all praise and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ!” stated Jan Lupia, Luncheon Co-chair, Founder, and Executive Director of Mama’s House. “I know people come to see what the excitement around Mama’s House is all about, and from there God touches their hearts to give and/ or serve as they are able. I’ve watched this time and time again, and no one is ever more surprised at the overwhelming outpouring of support than me.” The night before the luncheon, Mama’s House hosted a VIP Reception and Dinner at Toscana Country Club, with Mike Pompeo in attendance for over 200 top donors. Guests were super anxious to hear what guest speaker Mike Pompeo, 70th Secretary of State and former CIA Director, had to share. Pompeo is the first American to have served in the Cabinet posts of Secretary of State and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. His service was the culmination of four decades of a wide-ranging set of experiences that reflect our quintessentially American core values: hard work, risk-taking, free-market competition, individual liberty, opportunity, national sovereignty, and a strong faith in God. From serving in uniform as a young Army officer on freedoms frontier on the communist boundary of the Iron Curtain, to spending days on manufacturing floors with hard-working machinists making American products for the companies he led, to sitting in the White House Situation room at critical moments – – Mike has collected worldwide relationships, unique

memories, real achievements, and powerful stories of the great Americans he has worked alongside. Today, Mama’s House offers a safe, supportive, loving, and nurturing residential environment for women in crisis, whether pregnant or with an infant, who are vulnerable with no place to go and no means of support. Mama’s House offers an extensive one-of-akind program of HOPE as these residents face a brighter future. “We are expanding Mama’s House because we know the need is great and growing,” stated Floyd Rhoades, Mama’s House Board Member. “The purpose of this Capital Campaign is to raise funds to enable Mama’s House to build a new safe and secure campus, which will include the construction of five new Casitas, and the expansion and renovation of an existing house. The Anne Silverstein Campus for Mama’s House will expand the organization’s current capacity of 10 mothers and their children to accommodate 50 mamas and their babies. “It humbles me that this new residential property is named in my honor, as I never imagined this,” stated Anne ThompsonSilverstein. “Never could I have imagined what would happen, how fast it would happen, how many people would come alongside us, and the great strides the founding team would take to have the 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization status and the keys to the first Mama’s House within a year!” “As I reflect over the past 10 years and have watched the growth of Mama’s House, I am overwhelmed by God’s grace and love that he has showered on us and all the women and babies that have been given new hope and a new path to success,” stated Patricia McDonnell, Luncheon Co-chair, Honorary Cofounder, and Chairman of the Board.” Luncheon festivities commenced with a silent auction prior to guests entering the ballroom. Program highlights featured Desert Hot Springs High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard, Invocation by Pastor

(left to right) Rhonda Smith and Sherrie Auen.

(left to right) Stephanie & Michael Landes.

(left to right) Carol & Tim Rochford.

Craig Cunningham, Launch of the Capital Campaign by Mama’s House Board Member Floyd Rhoades, and special remarks from Emmett and Antoinette Clancy, Lead Donors of the Expansion Project Capital Campaign for

Mama’s House, who pledged a commitment of $1,250,000.00. “Recently we were introduced to Mama’s House and were immediately captured by Jan’s enthusiasm and passion for the mission and all its accomplishments,” stated Emmett Clancy. “Antoinette and I knew we wanted to be part of this special mission.” Save The Date Of FEBRARY 11, 2023 for the Annual Mama’s House HEARTbeat of Love Luncheon. For more information on Mama’s House and its Expansion Program, please call 844232-8622 ext.1 or 760-406-3413 or visit www. themamashouse.org or write janlupia@ themamashouse.org

(left to right) Jan Lupia, Luncheon Co-chair, Founder & Executive Director of Mama's House, Jack McDonnell, Patricia McDonnell, Luncheon Co-chair, Honorary Co-founder, & Chairman of the Board of Mama's House, and Dawn Jasper, Ultimate Event Sponsor.

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

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SCREENERS

ith the changes in the Academy of Motion Pictures membership, voting and structure, we now have ten feature films nominated for “Best Picture” that have played in LA area theaters for at least two weeks in 2021. I liked the award tradition better when the best pic nominations were limited to five movies. For many film lovers, it can be difficult and expensive to see all ten – and most movie fans do not or wait until long after the Oscars are broadcast and the movies are available for purchase as a physical disc or they are uploaded to a

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No. 514

TOO MANY ‘BEST PIC’ NODS!

streaming platform. Of the ten nominated films two are exceptional and in my opinion qualify for a “best” award. They are: DUNE and CODA. The most disappointing films, I didn’t say they were bad, were (or are): NIGHTMARE ALLEY, POWER OF THE DOG and WEST SIDE STORY (previously reviewed). So much can b said about the last three movies. Certainly it’s hard to understand the rationale for rebooting WEST SIDE STORY. Robert Wise’s 1961 version was just about perfect, in my and many other’s opinion. A single actress that stands out as best lad is Jessica Chastain for her heartfelt and

startling transformation as Tammy Fay Baker (including singing character) in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE. Can any movie really be called BEST? Can a single painting be called BEST? Perhaps a better term is ‘Most popular’ or biggest “money maker.” But neither definition is synonymous with “best.” On a personal note, I am attracted to movies that have a solid core, in other words, that are truly about something important to our human condition. Both CODA and THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE convey a beautiful emotional and spiritual truth that is a very positive and life-

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS enhancing notions to share with our fellow humans, and one of the things that the communal experiences of enjoying a film with a roomful of strangers does best. In many ways, movies theaters are secular churches. I want to know what movies you think are among the best so far. What titles are you most looking forward to seeing at home or in a theater? Please let me know. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com


PALM SPRINGS GETAWAY

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omeone once said that paradise is not a place, it’s a state of mind. I don’t think that person had ever been to Palm Springs, California. From Movie Stars, Greta Garbo, Frank Sinatra and Lucille Ball to Presidents Eisenhower, Reagan and Obama, Palm Springs, has been the destination spot of generations. Cara Van Dijk’s World Premier musical, “Palm Springs Getaway,” opening on February 25th at the Palm Canyon Theatre, promises to give us a fantastical and imaginative peak into the history of this great town. Before the world came to know this desert oasis as the “Playground to the stars,” Palm Springs, was originally the home of the Cahuilla tribe, Native Americans who settled in the desert and lived here for hundreds of years before the white settlers migrated to the area. In the late 1800’s it was discovered that the mineral springs and the dry desert air held great medicinal purposes and the early attractions included sanitoriums for tuberculosis recovery as well as the general health benefits that the desert provided for all residents. By the 1930’s, Hollywood had discovered its playground. Just an hour and 50 minutes from Los Angeles, the location satisfied Hollywood’s rule that required their film stars to stay within a 2-hour drive of the studios when working on a film, just in case they were needed to be called back in a hurry. The Coachella Valley not only became a great location for filming with its wide-open spaces, but it was far enough away from L.A., that film stars could obtain the privacy they needed. Homes were bought here, theatres, clubs and businesses established. Palm Springs, not only has a rich history of providing a healthy living environment, but it has become a world-wide destination spot and

TRAVEL TIPS4U

T

his hike loops around the Pushawalla Palms trail in the Coachella Valley Preserve. You start off climbing a well-marked trail along an interesting ridgetop with continuous views over the surrounding region. Eventually you drop into Pushawalla Canyon and follow the streambed up through a beautiful

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BY DEE JAE COX

February 17 to February 23, 2022

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

Photos Courtesy of Palm Canyon Theatre

continues to maintain so much of its charm and elegance. Originally from the town of Winlock Washington, population 1,791 as of 2019, Cara Van Dijk moved to Palm Springs, over twenty years ago and was the first producer of “Eye on the Desert” on CBS Local 2, when Jackie Lee and Jim Houston opened the station in 2002. It was during this time that she met Palm Canyon Theatre founder and Co-Artistic Director, Se Layne. Cara has written for television, radio and newspapers and has spent recent years as an independent communications consultant working with Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT) and other clients. Approximately six years ago Layne, expressed an interest in producing an historical musical about the city of Palm Springs. She stated, “Throughout my life, I’ve gone to cities that have historical musicals that tell some part of their history. The Ramona Bowl and the story of “Ramona,” is a local example. We live in a tourist town, and we have an extensive, very interesting history. All these families come to town, and they don’t know anything about the town. They don’t know the rich history about the people who walked on the streets before them. They certainly don’t know who made those streets and who built the hotels. As a theatre founded on the premise of education, I thought, we have an opportunity to educate visitors about the history of our town and entertain them.” The original collaboration with another writer did not bear fruit and so in January 2020 Cara, stepped in and wrote the original script and outline. “Starting with a creative project that someone wanted to actually produce was an amazing opportunity,” Van Dijk commented. Stocked with multiple boxes of Good and

Plenty, as an energy source, she wrote the initial outline over a three-day weekend. Se, loved the ideas and the playwright began her journey. Completing the majority of the work during Covid created its own special challenges such as initial read throughs with her family and hooking up with other writers and eventual readings on Zoom. Cara, stated that in “JuneJuly 2021, Se worked with students at PCT summer camp to further develop some of the scenes and choreography with real people, in person… since PCT summer camp was held in person. Not much else was happening in person at that time. The pandemic definitely made this project more challenging. I would have loved to do more in-person workshopping, but as everyone has during these last two years, we’ve been flexible and we have moved forward with the circumstances and the resources we’ve had at the time.” Palm Springs Getaway, directed and choreographed by Se Layne, begins in Los Angeles, in the 1930s, where the protagonists realize they need a “getaway” as they try to escape some mobsters set on revenge. Prompted by a poster advertising Palm Springs as the “Playground of the Stars,” Junior (Lou Galvan) and Harry (Ben Reece) set off on a time-jumping adventure reminiscent of the lighthearted, screwball comedy films of the 1930s and 40s. The duo find themselves entangled with a mysterious fortuneteller (Mary Ewing) who guides them on a field trip through the ages. Cara, indicated that “part of the show makes the point to say that Palm Springs is resilient. As we’ve all been recently reminded during the pandemic, resilience is true of human beings, in general. Completing this play during a pandemic has taught me that I am also resilient and that

I can accomplish a goal even when obstacles come along. I recently reminded myself of the saying, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail.” Se and I have pushed each other along; we’ve been like workout partners who don’t let each other skip an exercise. Se has really shown me that in theatre, failure is not an option; the show must go on.” Palm Springs Getaway, is a work of historical fiction. While based on the rich and beautiful history of this diamond in the desert, it is not a verbatim historical account. Live musical performances of familiar songs accompany this time traveling journey. Dance, choreography and a cast ranging in ages from 8-80, will take you on an adventure that will remind you that as the song goes, “Everybody is Jumpin’ down to Palm Springs!” Palm Springs Getaway opens February, 25th and runs through March 13th. For tickets, or more information, call the Palm Canyon Theatre Box Office at 760-323-5123 or order online: PalmCanyonTheatre.org. Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org And Co-Creator of the Palm Springs Theatre Go-To Guide, palmspringstheatre.com

PUSHAWALLA PALMS HIKING TRAIL

grove of palm trees. Finally you climb out of the canyon and descend gradually along a winding wash back to the trailhead. A network of trails allows for longer hikes if desired. Bring water in warm weather. This hike is rated medium due to rough terrain, 4.3 mile distance, some strenuous

sections, tricky footing and some avoidable vertical exposure. This route is usually best from October through April. Any vehicle can reach the start point. No fees or permission are required. Dogs are not allowed. Pets are prohibited within the Coachella Valley Preserve.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

Think Hiking Trails and Enjoy the Fresh Air and Beautiful Views!

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

THE VINO VOICE

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BY RICK RIOZZA

THE WINO’S AFTER-PARTY

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ell alright! For the past couple of months or so over the holidays, New Year’s, birthdays, festivities, Valentines—you name it, we drank a boatload of wine. And because of the pandemic, we actually spent a lot more money on wine because we felt we deserved it—getting through it all. But now, as the wine bills are coming in, we’ll probably give ourselves a little time out—or at least, we’ll spend our time more judiciously at the stores on more reasonably priced wine. As your friendly neighborhood wine steward over at the Ralph’s Market in Palm Springs, allow me to recommend some great wine deals that will help you sleep at night. And it so happens that the recent issue of Wine Spectator, indeed, agrees with me! Now we know that the best wine deal is one where a wonderful wine can be found for a wonderful price. So here we go. And to show you that the magazine story above is true, I’ll go ahead and quote their review & point score, but the side comments are mine. Note the prices are the current ones available at Ralphs. The prices are even less with their six-pack Mix’n Match program. J Pinot Noir Monterey-Sonoma-Santa Barbara Counties, Winemaker’s Selection 2018, 91 points ($22). “Having already made its name with sparkling wines… J has been on the march with Pinot. Combining 40% fruit from Monterey in the prime Santa Lucia Highlands appellation; 37% mostly from the Russian River Valley; and 23% from Santa Barbara, tapping the Santa Maria Valley. Winemaker Nicole Hitchcock deftly knits the characteristics of the three regions: dark fruits of Monterey; vibrant red from Sonoma, and the spiciness of Santa Barbara.” It does taste like a Pinot twice the price. Dry Creek Fume Blanc Sonoma County 2020, 92 points ($15). I continually recommend this Sauv Blanc to the visitors from all over the world that wish to taste an excellent example of a California bottle. “It is bone-dry, showing flavors of citrus along with herb and grass notes; it will always be fermented in stainless steel, without any oak infleuence.” This is the perfect wine for our desert community who pair their lunches and dinners around light fare. Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County 2019, 92 points ($22). “The history of Seghesio dates back more than a century… The bottling is not only a bargain, but also a tribute to old school Zin-based field blends, culling from vineyards in Sonoma, Russian River, Alexander Valley, and Dry Creek Valley. About 12% Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet and other reds. Plump and briary, this is a zesty update on old-school Zin, offering wild berry, underbrush and licorice flavors that build richness and structure on the lively finish. Drink now through 2028.” Cambria Chardonnay Santa Maria Valley Katherine’s Vineyard 2019, 91 points ($18). Whenever a customer asks for an excellent organic or “biodynamic” Chard, I always recommend Cambria’s Katherine bottle. It is “Certified Sustainable”, which is as good as it gets when not deemed “organic” on the label.

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“bESt SUNDAY bRUNCH”

great food! great drinks! great fun!

the deSert Sun

award-winning All the return customers thank me mucho for the great tip. “Made in a plush, creamy and well-spiced style, this bottling is sourced from a large single-vineyard site in northern Santa Barbara County that is rich with ancient marine sediments...it’s close proximity to the Pacific, whose summer fogs and breezes help provide a backbone of acidity to the area’s wines. “Fresh fruit and oral aromas dominate the nose and palate; white peach, lemon zest, pear, Granny Smith apple and citrus blossoms. The oak influence creates a nice mid-palate, the wine shows a balanced acidity that carries through in the long finish.” During the prepandemic days, when we had winemaker meets & greets, she really showed a passion and integrity in the winemaking process. It’s a winner! Frei Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma Reserve 2018, 90 points ($18). This Cabernet Sauvignon opens with aromas of cassis and crushed berries. On the palate, flavors of blackberry, raspberry, cedar and tobacco are framed by firm, velvety tannins and a long, elegant finish. “The Frei name has long been associated with quality Sonoma wines. The grapes for this bottling were destemmed but not fully crushed to leave whole berries for fermentation, with skin contact for 8 to 10 days to extract color and flavor. A small amount of Petite Sirah and Merlot were added in for complexity. And finally, we have the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay Napa Valley Karia 2019, 91 points ($30). “This well-knit white is filled with a juicy basket of white peach, ruby grapefruit and lemon curd flavors. Pastry accents midpalate lead to the voluptuously spiced finish. Drink now through 2024… It’s been a goal over the past few years with Karia (the ancient Greek word for “graceful”) to align the winemaking more tightly to the vineyard. With fruit from the cooler Coombsville and Carneros appellations, he doesn’t use malolactic fermentation, thus preserving the natural acidity that malo softens. Winemaker Marcus Nataro also relies on more native yeast to add complexity.” Think about these wines and try them out. I’d love to hear your comments, Cheers! Rick is your somm-about-town tasting as many wines to get you through the weeks. Contact him at ye olde email address: winespectrum@aol.com

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KEG WHISPERER

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he beer world is rife with tradition and its remnants are everywhere. From the label of a Budweiser bottle to Belgian glassware and the enjoyment of beer itself, nothing on the shelves of your local market is more steeped in storied tradition. This month used to be known in the craft beer business as “Flagship February”. It was a way of celebrating the beers that built breweries and included such icons as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Bell’s Brewing Amber, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Anchor Steam. Flagship February has quietly slipped below the surface; another nod to the rapidly changing face of the beer scene. There is a skirmish afoot between brewers; some of whom continue to turn out examples of timeless classics of styles like Pilsner, IPA, Pale Ale, and Stout while others have eschewed tradition in favor of experimental Double Hazy IPA’s along with Stout varieties referred to as ‘Milkshake’ or ‘Pastry’. There are a few breweries who manage to do both well, but are few and far between in my opinion. As cherished as traditions may be, I do understand that they can smother creativity and justify stagnation. It’s not whether tradition

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

BEER TRADITION RUNS DEEP BY BREWMASTER ED HEETHUIS

is fundamentally good or bad, but how to celebrate tradition and allow it to speak while preventing it from becoming a bully or a tool of lazy thinking. To think properly about tradition in beer means embracing two opposing thoughts. Every beer, be it a timeless classic or cuttingedge experimental, communicates a change in the beery landscape. It is here where the road forks, seemingly asking the brewer which path he or she should take. One doesn’t choose the path irresponsibly; such decisions are mostly born of necessity. I’m a big believer of malt and hops as the backbone of flavor profile, but

that view is undoubtedly influenced by age and upbringing. Because beer is a familiar, comforting product, its past is always present to me. That historical context gets poured into the brew right along with the malt and the hops. Tradition has the intoxicating perfume of nostalgia, pinging my deep longing for things that are grounded, legitimate, and authentic. But there are a new crop of brewers leading the charge of extreme change in the industry. History and traditional styles are being shunned for creations such as “Strawberry Cheesecake in the Face” and “Fruity Nuggets X2”. It’s not even a blurring of the lines stylistically, it’s a systematic wipeout of what beer ever really was. Truth be told, I could understand and possibly accept these one-off variations…if they were actually one-off productions. The reality is that there are hundreds of brewers who are existing on nothing but heavily flavored beer variants that have little or nothing to do with the real world. In a nutshell, they are merely heavily fruited sugar-bombs with a side of shock and awe. These Howard Stern turned brewer types

are relying on additives ranging from Swedish Fish to Gummy Bears with copious amounts of additional lactose sugar added to diabetic proportions. They have no qualms adding peanut butter cups or Oreo’s prior to cranking the glucose meter to eleven. While it seems like a wee bit of harmless fun to the casual observer, I can’t help but think that a dangerous precedent is being set. Many of these newfangled products are being canned and sent to the shelves of local and far-flung stores. When said cans are put on a warm shelf instead of inside the cooler, the results have proved to be disastrous as exploding and ruptured cans of pastry stouts became the butt of many jokes within the industry. As I see it, the real disaster is to the traditional base of styles to which new consumers are not being exposed. This isn’t a knee-jerk boomer reaction to change; this is an all-out broadcast to brewers to continually educate their customer base. Make sugar bombs to your hearts content, but also feature beer flavored beer in an effort to enlighten your current flock to what beer should be. When Ed Heethuis isn’t brewing at Spotlight 29 Casino for 29 Brews, you will find the Certified Cicerone / Brewmaster chasing dogs out on his road bike, looking for new beery locations in the Coachella Valley, or talking beer with the patrons at Taproom 29. He may be reached at: heethuis.ed@gmail.com or wherever beer may be found in the wild.

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

PET PLACE

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FOSTER LOVE WITH CURTIS & VANESSA BY JANET McAFEE

D

uring the February “month of love”, this column features loving Coachella Valley couples who work together to rescue and adopt homeless animals. Bonded by a mutual deep love for dogs, Curtis Sweesy and Vanessa Ruggles happily celebrated Valentine's Day with a new adopted rescue puppy named Ziya. The couple are usually "big dog" folks. They have helped rescue and foster 44 dogs for Loving All Animals and GreySave, a greyhound Rescue. Their dining room is covered with their Wall of Love, beautifully framed portraits of the many once homeless animals that they socialized, loved, and prepared for their forever homes. Vanessa explains how they fostered, fell in love, and adopted this pint size Miniature Pinscher mix pup. "We've only ever had

big dogs. But the logistics for traveling comfortably in our vehicle with our 3 large dogs made taking in a small dog a desirable option. We helped select Ziya from the county shelter as a Loving All Animals' foster. I'd never had a small dog, but this one stole my heart when she cuddled on my lap and under the bed covers at night. At first, I was concerned she might get hurt accidentally while playing with one of our big ones. But Ziya doesn't know she's little, she's tough, and she's full of adoration for the other dogs. The older big dogs, Keya and Kota, are nice and calm. Our active 20-moold 100-pound German Shepherd, Kizo, instinctively knew to be gentle with little Ziya. Kizo immediately became the guiding big brother - he lets Ziya snuggle and gently wrestles and plays tug-of-war with her.”

Vanessa concludes, "Fostering is one of the most important things Curtis and I do." Join Curtis and Vanessa and become part of a life-saving foster team at www. lovingallanimals.org. This couple experience the joy of seeing sometimes frightened animals transform after being in a loving and stable home. Curtis has an innate ability to transform the most frightened dogs, able to handle these dogs at local shelters even when the shelter staff has given up on them. The couple have done some heroic 11th hour rescues of shelter dogs out of time. New dogs are then welcomed by their gentle pack. The calm, loving energy in their home resonated with their first dog, Pisko, and continues to transfer to those who came after him. Curtis explains, “There were always dogs

A BOY NAMED SHEBA!

MEET RAVEN

The Humane Society of the Desert is keeping the name this sweet boy’s family gave him as he responds to it. The HSOD in N. Palm Springs rescued him when his family was evicted. Sheba is 3 years old, a handsome mix of Lab & Shepherd, healthy and fully vetted. He is great with children and other dogs. Call for an appointment to meet him, (760) 329-0203, 17825 N. Indian Canyon, N. Palm Springs, www.orphanpet.com.

This petite 2-yr old Tuxedo girl will “talk” to you when you pay her a visit. She is the sweetest cuddle cat. Raven waits for a home at Kittyland in Desert Hot Springs. Call (760) 251-2700, www.kittylandrescue.org.

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of our sizes and breeds in my life growing up. My friends and relatives had mostly German Shepherds, the breed I came to love the most. When I turned 15, I got my first Shepherd. These days, Vanessa and I take in foster dogs that were unclaimed shelter strays. Working together as a team, we build up the dogs’ trust in people when they didn’t ever get that before. We couldn’t do this work unless each of us is involved, supportive, and loves dogs with all our hearts! It’s about being patient, taking our time, and providing the dogs with much love.” Vanessa and Curtis were 3 times “foster failures”, adopting 3 of their fostered pups. The Lakota Sioux names for their dogs reflect Curtis’ 50% Native American ancestry. Each name has a symbolic meaning reflecting something special about each dog. Surrounded by this loving couple and their well-adjusted dogs, even those beaten and without hope find a way to heal and get a second chance. They rescued a “rescue only” white Shepherd from the San Bernardino City Shelter after the staff there advised them the dog had too many problems. They named her Skyela which in in Lakota Sioux means “beautiful form of white”. The dog curiously explored their spacious yard upon arrival home, becoming part of the pack and never exhibiting any fear or aggression with her foster family. If you are still single, don’t be alone during Valentine season. Go out and adopt an amazing rescue animal from one of the shelters on the attached list. Their grateful heart will fill the hole in your own heart. You never know who you might meet walking your new dog in the neighborhood and hanging out at the dog park. You get extra points if your dog is a rescue. If you can’t adopt, foster. If you can’t foster, many of the shelters listed welcome volunteers to walk dogs and socialize cats. The grateful hearts of rescue dogs and cats bring us love all year around. Couples like Vanessa and Curtis report their love for each other is enhanced by their loving mission to save more animals. May each


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of you enjoy the love of a precious animal during this Valentine season of love. Happy Valentine's Day to all of you and your animals! Janetmcafee8@gmail.com ----------------------------------Here is a partial list of local shelters and rescues where you can adopt a wonderful dog or cat. COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – Open 10am-4pm Mon through Sat. View the animals at all four Riverside County shelters at www.rcdas.org, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – Open only by appointment, closed Tuesday. View their animals online at www. psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, Call for appointment. (760) 416-5718. (Public) DESERT HOT SPRINGS ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL - Open daily 9:30-4:30. www. cityofdhs.org/animal-care-control.com, 65810 Hacienda Ave, Desert Hot Springs, (760) 329-6411 ext. 450. ANIMAL SAMARITANS – Call for appointment. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - Call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833. (Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – Call for an appointment. This shelter has lots of big dogs and some cats,

February 17 to February 23, 2022

www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 3290203. (Private) KITTYLAND – Call for an appointment to adopt a cat. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue. org, (760) 251-2700. (Private) PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – Call for appointment to adopt dogs. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www. lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER OF CALIFORNIA (ARC), Foster based rescue for dogs and cats in Indio. www.thearc-ca.org, (760) 877-7077 (Private) LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY – Large outdoor shelter for dogs and cats up Hwy 74, Mountain Center, www.living-free. org, (951) 659-4687. (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – Open 12:00 – 3pm Tues through Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 3847272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Open 7 days a week. Call (909) 386-9280, www.sbcounty.gov/acc and get the ID number of animal you are interested in adopting, 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

SAFETY TIPS

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hen I first started the fire service, I knew the importance of staying fit as firefighting is a very strenuous job. I worked out regularly and ate right. I would make healthy meals like taco salads, stuffed eggplant, chicken, and vegetable meals but the older guys hated them. They wanted their “meat and potatoes” or “structure burgers” filled with grease and a side of fries. I caught a lot of grief for my healthy heart smart meals. Some would even order pizza to satisfy their cravings after picking at my meals. Back then, not much was known about cardiovascular disease and firefighters. Through research and testing, we now know it rates as one of our top killers in our profession. As firefighters, we know the pump intake valve allows the flow of water from the hydrant into the pump panel on our fire trucks. We need to have clean water with no debris otherwise it will clog the pump and we will be unable to pump water effectively or at all if too clogged. Back then, not much was known about

CYBER CORNER

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THE COMMONALITY OF FIREFIGHTERS AND YOU!

cardiovascular disease and firefighters. Through research and testing, we now know it rates as one of our top killers in our profession. We can look at our mouths as an intake valve as well. What you put in, if not clean, can ultimately clog our valves and keep our heart from effectively pumping or worse – at all! I recently read a great eight-step article from the Mayo Clinic on how to maintain a heart-healthy diet: 1. CONTROL YOUR PORTION SIZE - How much you eat is just as important as what you eat. Overloading your plate, taking seconds, and eating until you feel stuffed can lead to eating more calories than you should. 2. EAT MORE VEGETABLES AND FRUITS - Vegetables and fruits are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and fruits are also low in calories and rich in dietary fiber. 3. SELECT WHOLE GRAINS - Whole grains are good sources of fiber and other nutrients that play a role in regulating blood pressure and heart health. 4. LIMIT UNHEALTHY FATS - Limiting

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

how much saturated and trans fats you eat is an important step to reduce your blood cholesterol and lower your risk of coronary artery disease. 5. CHOOSE LOW-FAT PROTEIN SOURCES - Lean meat, poultry and fish, low-fat dairy

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traditional home cinema setup includes a 5.1 or 7.1 system with an Audio/Video (A/V) receiver. The A/V receiver supplies electricity to the speakers, decodes the soundtrack, and links devices such as DVD and Blu-ray players. Thanks to built-in electronics, many speakers can now power and decode themselves. Today's televisions also serve as a multimedia interface, so audio from any source device (Apple TV, Blu-ray player, or gaming console) attached to your television is routed to any active audio system that is connected to it. Soundbars are active singlespeaker devices that significantly improve TV audio. Simply connect the soundbar to the TV via HDMI cable to enjoy a clearer sound and more realistic effects right away. Many have subwoofers for the same kind of powerful bass you can feel. Virtual surround sound technology, which simulates rear effects speakers, is a common feature. Soundbars vs A/V Receiver Systems Soundbars have been increasingly popular over the last decade, and they are occasionally included with the purchase of a new television. But which is better, more convenient, and less expensive? What is a soundbar? or a fullfledged surround-sound system? Let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each choice for getting the best audio experience for your movies and TV shows. A/V RECEIVERS If you buy a higher-end sound system, no doubt the sound will be much better. Plus, with an A/V receiver, you can buy and modify everything individually, including mixing speaker brands and upgrading the system according to your needs. However, most packages can cost several hundred dollars and are less convenient since they require a lot of space to set your speakers and a great deal of patience to execute good cable management. To put it another way, surround sound systems are everything but minimalist. If you opt to build your system with a receiver, the A/V receiver alone can cost several hundred dollars, and you'll need at least a set of speakers and a subwoofer to get started. Later on, you may expand the setup to a 5.1, 7.1, or even 7.2

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products, and eggs are some of your best sources of protein. 6. REDUCE THE SODIUM IN YOUR FOOD Eating a lot of sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. 7. PLAN AHEAD: CREATE DAILY MENUS You know what foods to feature in your hearthealthy diet and which ones to limit. 8. ALLOW YOURSELF AN OCCASIONAL TREAT - Allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. February is Healthy Heart Awareness Month. It is important we take these recommendations seriously and like training (train as if your life depends on it – because it does). Make eating right a policy that we cannot live without (eat as if your life depends on it – because it does!)

BY DENNIS SHELLY

system, and the brand of the speakers doesn't matter as long as they're compatible with your A/V receiver. As a result, many surround installations can cost thousands of dollars, but you can be confident that you'll receive the highest quality audio experience. Pros and Cons To put it another way, a complete surround sound system is useful for: • People who are willing to pay money for the highest sound quality. Audiophiles will love it. • People who would like to be able to upgrade or modify each speaker without any limits. • People, that want to get the ultimate movie experience without going to the theater. • Users can choose which speakers they want, the size, and where they will be placed. • Other entertainment systems can be connected through additional connections. However, here are some drawbacks to ponder: • One, receivers are generally more expensive, they usually start at several hundred dollars and may go up to thousands of dollars. • Difficult to set up and properly configure, considering you may need to be tech-savvy to link everything and understand the basics. • It takes up additional room, and you'll need a larger space to set up the unit. • There are more cables and wire management to deal with.

SOUNDBARS Soundbars are a good way to enhance your audio experience by replacing your TV's builtin speakers without breaking the budget, plus you can set it up without being an expert. Due to their smaller size, and most come with a wireless subwoofer, you will not need to run additional cables to remote speakers. Without having to run those extra cables there’s no need to change your viewing space or rearrange your furniture to make it fit in because a soundbar is meant to be positioned just below your TV. Soundbars are ideal for small spaces since they are powerful enough to fill the space with sound while remaining quiet and minimalist. Many soundbars also have Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Play integration, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, so you can instantly connect your phone to the system. Pros and Cons Soundbars provide a lot of advantages, and they're the best option for most people: • The sound quality is still far superior to that of integrated speakers. • Affordable. At $150 – $700, you can purchase a nice soundbar. • Depending on the model, it may come with a wireless subwoofer. • It's simple to set up and doesn't take up a lot of room. Modern and minimalistic design. • Everything is controlled by a single wire (HDMI or Optical Toslink) • To work, you don't need an A/V receiver

or any other additional components. • Ideal for compact areas or rooms with restricted space. • Wireless connections and smart gadgets are supported. However, there are a few drawbacks to consider: • Except for a subwoofer, it cannot be upgraded (depends on your model) • Cannot be customized or mixed with other brands. • It doesn't sound as good or as clear as if the channels were separated. • For a comprehensive theater experience, simulated surround sound is not as excellent as actual surround sound. • Not powerful enough to fill a large bedroom/living room • In some versions, there is a lack of connectivity without the use of other devices, except for smart devices. When it comes to setting up a home theater, one of the most difficult aspects is the audio components. There are several options available. Finally, if you're not an audiophile or don't want to set up a complicated, tech-savvy audio setup and your budget is between $150 and $700, consider a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. It will sound far superior to your built-in speakers. However, you can get the complete surround setup with A/V receivers if you're an audiophile who enjoys routing wires and hearing each sound originating from a different location and don't mind paying several hundred or thousands of dollars. If you still have questions on how to proceed or need help with your audio/video design please call us first. Our friendly Home Automation Eggsperts are here and available to help and for advice. Get started by calling (760) 205-0105 or emailing us at tech@eggheadit.com with your questions, service requests, or technology upgrade advice. IT | Networks | Security | Phones | A/V | Integration


HADDON LIBBY

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

IS THERE A VICE PRESIDENT DAY? BY HADDON LIBBY

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resident’s Day first became a holiday in 1885. At that time, the holiday celebrated only George Washington, our first President. Its importance was significant as it was also only the fifth national holiday, joining New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Washington’s Birthday became President’s Day in 1968 when Congress adopted a standardized Monday holiday system. The three-day weekend was seen as a way to get American workers a bit more vacation. It was also seen as a way of combatting absenteeism caused by a more random holiday schedule. This was also a way to combine the national celebrations for Washington and Lincoln into one holiday. This worked well as it freed up the holiday calendar for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day which would join the national holiday ranks sixteen years later. While this is President’s Day weekend, and we typically pay our remembrances through mattress sales and other consumerism; do we

have a Vice President’s Day? It should come as no surprise that we do not. All we must do is think of a Dan Quayle gaffe or Spiro Agnew’s resignation to be thankful that we have not a greater need for the leader in reserve. Before continuing, let’s pay homage to Dan Quayle, the all-time king of gaffes. While Biden may say some doozies, few compare with Vice President Dan Quayle. He once said, “If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure.” Truer words have never been misspoken better. His Notradamus ability was on full display when he said, “I have made good judgements in the past. I have made good judgements in the future.” His sheer honesty is most likely why Bush 41 chose him: “Republicans have been accused of abandoning the poor. It’s the other way around. They never vote for us.” President Biden is one of a handful of Vice Presidents to win the Presidency after sitting out the election cycle in 2016. That said, he is a gaffe machine. One time on the campaign

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

trail, he asked a senator to stand up and “...let ‘em see ya.” Unfortunately, the senator was wheelchair bound and unable to stand. The first vice President was John Adams who became the second President of the United States after serving two terms as VP. Many referred to Adams as “His Rotundity” due to his arrogance and size. In the early days of the union, the candidate who received the second most electoral votes became the Vice President. In 1804, the 12th Amendment was approved and voters chose both the President and Vice President. The Vice President serves as the President to the Senate. The only real job is casting a deciding vote in ties. There is also a ceremonial job of counting the Electoral College votes during a joint session of the Senate and Congress. The Vice President was not necessarily the next in line to a Presidential vacancy until the 25th Amendment in 1967. The Vice President

was also expected to live in their private residence until the 1970s. At that time, a home was established in the U.S. Naval Observatory for safety reasons. The home is 9,150 square feet and has six bedrooms. Franklin D. Roosevelt ran an unsuccessful bid for Vice President with Ohio governor James Cox heading the ticket in 1920 before becoming the only three-term President in history. FDR’s Vice President, Harry Truman, was selected as he ran the “Truman Committee” in the Senate that uncovered waste and corruption totaling more than $10 billion. For comparison, the cost of the Manhattan Project was $2 billion. The Manhattan Project developed the atom bomb. In 2022 dollars, this equates to $20 billion 2022 dollars. At present, US government debt is roughly $30 trillion and a subject for another day. Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more information, please visit WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

HOW MUCH IS MY ACCIDENT CASE WORTH…? IT DEPENDS – PART 2

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hough it may not be clear to all, LA juries are composed of more wealthy and liberal jurors, who do not hold back on verdicts. In addition it is easier to get medical treatment on a lien in LA than here in the CV. Though not determinative, the more the Meds and Injuries, the more the case is worth. The likeability of your client is also a factor. Will the jury like the client? Does s/ he have tattoos over their entire body or are they handsome or well known? Unfortunately, Riverside County is the busiest county in all of California for Trials. The Indio Court is backed up because of COVID and because the Riverside DA will not enter into Plea Bargains/Deals, like they did in past years and criminal takes priority over civil. Thus we trail behind thousands of criminal cases that are congesting the Indio courts. The court can send the trial out to downtown Riverside itself, or Murrieta and Banning. Insurance companies knowing there is very little likelihood of the case going to trial for up to 5 years, AFTER the filing, don’t have an incentive to settle. They can thus sit on their money, invest it and pay settlements from their profits … 5 years later. I know it sounds silly, but people who have been in an accident will call right after the accident and ask, “what is my case

worth?” One interpretation is that the party is in it for the money only, and not interested in getting medical help or even needing it. Unfortunately, that is the position of all insurance companies. Of course, everyone wants to know the case value as soon as possible… just as victims want to learn their diagnosis in the doctor’s office. Having represented many many celebs and VIP’s, I have seen that juries tends to bend to them. They are more believable and thus are awarded more money………. correctly or not. I remember, in the beginning of my career, how in the Burt Lancaster trial the jurors loved him. Other factors considered in valuation: Are there prior injuries/claims? How long ago were they? Did the medicals on the prior case say the patient had recovered or was further treatment necessary. If so, the insurance company on the new case will argue that some or all of the treatment was from the first case. Had the patient been treated by the same MD/Chiro before the accident? I always recommend treatment, from any doctor other than a prior treating doctor. Did they treat with their own docs rather than ones suggested by the lawyer? If so, everything you have ever told the doc is discoverable when they subpoena your med

records. Prior medical complaints; referrals to a Psych; Sexual diseases; Alcohol and Drug abuse; Abortions and maybe even statements blaming a family member for something, are all there for everyone to read. Did the first case have very high Property Damage? Did this new case have a scratch? Was the damage to the side or rear? Rear end damage results in Whiplash, whereas a side swipe may not…or so the insurance company will argue. Remember if the case is filed, the insurance company can set up an (IME) independent medical exam with their doctors. These are far from independent exams. If the docs want to continue to work for the insurance company they must fall “in line”. The law follows the medicine. In other words, the extent of the injury and the care that was needed, the residuals of the injury, as well as time lost from work and the need for future care, are all factors in the ultimate award. If a jury or a trier of fact (judge/arbitrator) or the insurance company determines that the accident complaints were exaggerated or excessive then the matter loses value. When a plaintiff gets caught in a lie or lies, the effects on the case can be, and frequently are devastating. A medical exam starts with a history and the patient is asked why s/he

is seeing the doctor. The patient should have a thorough list of their complaints so that there is appropriate documentation. That is why I advise client to bring a list of pain… from the top of their head to the bottom of their toes…before going into the doc’s office. The severity of pain, associated complaints, onset of pain are all helpful. Pain is not always immediate. There can be a gradual onset of pain or sometimes one can become aware of pain with activities. I remember when I was rear ended, I had whiplash and only when I dropped my pen and bent to the side, did I realize pain the I didn’t know was there. DALE GRIBOW Representing the Injured and Criminally Accused “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-22 “TOP LAWYER” - Inland Empire Magazine PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT... CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER….THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME” For questions or suggestions for future columns contact dale@dalegribowlaw.com or 760-837-7500

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

CANNABIS CORNER

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aphael Mechoulam, PhD, is known as the father of marijuana for his research at the Institute for Drug Research Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel. Mechoulam research on marijuana led to the discovery of our endogenous molecules anandamide and 2-AG which are identical to Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), the molecules in the marijuana plant. In an editorial to the Mayo Clinic, Mechoulam explains the long-term use of cannabidiol (CBD) on lowering blood pressure. The immunomodulatory capacity of cannabinoids as a valuable drug for preventive medicine is “well established” in science. Today’s article will reveal the real science on long term use of marijuana/cannabis affecting the vascular system. While numerous studies in the past twenty years besmirch the plant by promoting all the negative effects of taking THC and CBD, those authors fail to appreciate the complexities of titrating a drug that has so large a variability. North Americans and Europeans today generally smoke cannabis and can titrate (i.e., finely adjust) the level of the psychotropic effects and thus do not typically reach the high psychotic state. CBD modifies the effects of THC by blocking anxiety provoked by THC; cannabis with high CBD content is associated with fewer psychotic experiences than cannabis with low CBD content, and CBD attenuates the memory-impairing effects produced by THC. Bradley E. Alger, a leading scientist with a Ph.D. from Harvard in experimental psychology,

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CBD AS PREVENTIVE MEDICINE FOR HEART DISEASE

explains how the endocannabinoid system (ECS) which includes our immune system, nervous system, and virtually all the body’s organs, is a bridge that connects brain activity and states of physical health and disease. A 2013 study measured data from 4,652 participants on the effect of cannabis on metabolic systems. It compared non-users to current and former users and found that current users had higher blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) or “good cholesterol.” The same year, an analysis of over seven hundred members of Canada’s Inuit community found that, on average, regular cannabis users had increased levels of HDL-C and slightly lower levels of LDL-C (“bad cholesterol”). Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder involving the progressive depositing of atherosclerotic plaques (immune cells carrying oxidized LDL or low-density lipoproteins). A growing body of evidence suggests that endocannabinoid signaling plays a critical role in the pathology of atherogenesis. The condition is understood to be a physical response to injuries in the arterial walls’ lining, caused by high blood pressure, infectious microbes, or the excessive presence of an amino acid called homocysteine. Studies demonstrate that inflammatory molecules stimulate the cycle leading to atherosclerotic lesions. Existing pharmaceutical treatments are moderately effective though carry numerous side effects. CB2 receptors triple in response to inflammation, allowing anandamide and 2-AG, the body’s natural

cannabinoids, to decrease inflammatory responses. The CB2 receptor is also stimulated by plant-based cannabinoids. A 2005 animal trial showed that low-dose oral cannabinoids slowed the progression of atherosclerosis. A 2007 animal study with CBD showed it had a cardioprotective effect during heart attacks, by the involvement of the CB1 and the CB2 receptors in cardiovascular illness and health. In 2020 the American Heart Association published a Scientific Statement on Medical Marijuana, Recreational Cannabis, and Cardiovascular Health, which recommended removing cannabis from Schedule I so reliable research can be conducted. The Statement reviewed the torturous path marijuana took in the early 1900’s to be legal, then illegal, then legal again in most States. Currently, research in the U.S. can only be conducted for opiate addiction and with the flower from the University of Mississippi. Which research would you rely on: an observational study using flower from our Emerald Triangle in CA

BY RUTH HILL R.N. or flower grown by the Federal Government marijuana farm at the University of Mississippi? Yeung BG, et. Al. conducted a study at the University of California Irvine, showing: Cannabis Exposure Decreases Need for Blood Pressure Support During General Anesthesia in Orthopedic Trauma Surgery. “The physiological basis for this phenomenon is unclear, but possible causes might include the downregulation of vascular cannabinoid receptor 1 and/or altered endocannabinoid levels after exposure to cannabis.” More details on these and others can be found in Leonard Leinow’s book: CBD: A Patient’s Guide to Medicinal Cannabis For comments visit www.ruthahillrn.com and sign up for my newsletter.


SWAG FOR THESOUL

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY AIMEE MOSCO

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elf-care is a term that has most recently become familiar to many because mainstream media has given it the spotlight. The idea that you must fill your tank before you can drain it, is not a new concept or a passing fad though. When you are on a spiritual journey, as we all are even if we are unaware that this is the case, it is of great importance to consider how self-care applies to you. Contemplate by asking yourself the following questions: Am I draining my tanks? Am I allowing others to syphon from my reservoir without giving back? Am I replenishing my energy at regular intervals to ensure that my reserves are maintained? The answers to these questions are very telling. If you find that your tanks have been drained, either by your own actions or at the hand of another, and you have not been replenishing your energy, it may be time to consider building some self-care into your schedule. Setting time aside to care for your mind and body has obvious benefits, but it is important to recognize that your relationship with your soul is affected in profound ways when you give yourself this gift. When you slow down and focus your attention inward, your soul is able to speak to you without fighting for your attention with the outside world. When you are not giving the innermost part of your attention, you could be missing bits and pieces of these communications or missing the messages altogether. Your soul is your guiding force. When you make the effort to open the lines of communication with your inner self, you open yourself to receiving clear guidance. You nurture your intuition and become proficient at translating the language of your soul. Benefits abound as you strengthen your conscious connection to your soul. Your breathing patterns change when you slow down, and even more so when you

are able to disconnect from distractions, focus inward and breathe with intention. You breathe to live even when you are not intentionally caring for yourself but when you are focused on you and you breathe with purpose and intention, your breath replenishes life force energy. It connects you with the essence of your soul and you are able to receive from yourself. Your soul is an inexhaustible source of powerful energetic fuel. You have the absolute ability to tap into this resource, but you must open the pathways that allow you to do this. One very effective way to open and strengthen those pathways is to slow down and practice some simple self-care. Aimee Mosco is an Author, Intuitive Channel, Spiritual Teacher and Co-Founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Aimee’s desire to help others inspired her first book “Gratitude + Forgiveness x (LOVE) = Happiness”. Aimee serves as Vice Chair to the World Game Changers Board of Directors, a charitable CIC based in the UK. Find Aimee’s Channeling page on Facebook with @ihsaimeemosco or visit Aimee at www.ihsunity.com

February 17 to February 23, 2022

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You’re slipping into a phase when stuff that has been invisible will become visible, at least to you. You will have extra power to peer beneath the surfaces and discern the hidden agendas and study the deeper workings. Your interest in trivia and distractions will dissipate, and you’ll feel intensified yearnings to home in on core truths. Here’s your guiding principle during this time: Favor the interests of the soul over those of the ego. And for inspiration, have fun with this quote by religious scholar Huston Smith: “The Transcendent was my morning meal, we had the Eternal at lunch, and I ate a slice of the Infinite at dinner.” TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “You cannot have fun with anything that you don’t love or admire or respect,” declared comedian Mel Brooks. I agree! The joyous release that comes through playful amusement is most likely to unfold when you’re in the presence of influences you are fond of. The good news, Taurus, is that in the coming weeks, you will have a special inclination and knack for hanging around people and influences like that. Therefore, you will have an enhanced capacity for mirth and delight and pleasure. Take full advantage, please! As much as possible, gravitate toward what you love and admire and respect. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “The thing about inspiration is that it takes your mind off everything else,” says Gemini author Vikram Seth. I bring this truth to your attention because I believe you will soon be the beneficiary of steady, strong waves of inspiration. I also predict that these waves will transport you away from minor irritations that are best left alone for now. Be alert and everready to spring into action, my dear, so that as the inspirational surges flow, you will harvest the maximum rewards from their gifts. CANCER (June 21-July 22): The advice that Reb Nachman of Breslov offered two centuries ago is just right for you now: “Never ask directions from someone who knows the way, or you will never be able to get lost.” In the coming weeks, you will attract tricky but palpable blessings from meandering around without knowing exactly where you are. It’s time for you to find out what you don’t even realize you need to know; to stumble upon quiet little wonders and marvels that will ultimately prove to be guideposts for your holy quests in the future. Yes, I understand that being in unknown territory without a reliable map isn’t usually a pleasure, but I believe it will be for you. PS: Our fellow Cancerian, author Rebecca Solnit, wrote a book entitled A Field Guide to Getting Lost. It might be helpful during your wanderings. Read a summary of it here: tinyurl. com/GuideToGettingLost LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “You face your greatest opposition when you’re closest to your biggest miracle,” wrote author and filmmaker T. D. Jakes. According to my analysis of upcoming astrological omens, that’s good advice for you. I suspect that the problems you encounter will be among your best and most useful ever. With the right attitude, you will harness the challenges to generate magnificent breakthroughs. And what’s the right attitude? Proceed with the hypothesis that life is now conspiring to bring your soul exactly what your soul needs to express its ripest beauty. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Always remember this,” said actor Hattie McDaniel (1893–1952). “There are only 18 inches between a pat on the back and a kick in the rump.” Metaphorically speaking, I believe her advice will be useful for you in the coming days. Lately, you’ve had to deal with too many experiences and influences akin to kicks in the rump. But now that will change. Soon there’ll be a surge of experiences and influences that resemble pats on the back. In my estimation, you have finished paying your dues and making course corrections. Now it’s time for you to receive meaningful appreciation and constructive approval. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Gayle Forman offers a set of truths that I suspect will be useful for you in the coming weeks. They may even be

© Copyright 2022 Rob Brezsny

inspirational and motivational. Forman writes, “Sometimes fate or life or whatever you want to call it, leaves a door a little open, and you walk through it. But sometimes it locks the door and you have to find the key, or pick the lock, or knock the damn thing down. And sometimes, it doesn’t even show you the door, and you have to build it yourself.” Are you ready for the challenge, Libra? I think you are. Do whatever you must do to go through the doorways you want and need to go through. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash described her process. “I dream of songs,” she began. “I dream they fall down through the centuries, from my distant ancestors, and come to me. I dream of lullabies and sea shanties and keening cries and rhythms and stories and backbeats.” Scorpio, I would love for you to explore comparable approaches to getting the creative ideas you need to live your best life possible. I would love for you to draw freely from sources beyond your conscious ego—including your ancestors, the people you were in previous incarnations, gods and spirits, heroes and allies, the intelligence of animals, and the wisdom of nature. The coming months will be a favorable time to expand your access. Start boosting the signals now! SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Author Madeleine Thien has lived in Vancouver, Montreal, and Iowa City, and has taught at schools in Hong Kong and Brooklyn. Her father was born and raised in Malaysia and her mother in Hong Kong. She has a rich array of different roots. Not surprisingly, then, she has said, “I like to think of home as a verb, something we keep recreating.” That’s an excellent meditation for you right now, Sagittarius. And it will continue to be worthy of your ruminations for another four months. What’s the next step you could take to feel comfortable and secure and at peace? CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The fastest animal on earth is the peregrine falcon, which can reach speeds of 200 miles per hour when it dives from a great height. The seventh-fastest creature is the humble pigeon. Having been clocked at 92.5 miles per hour, the bird outpaces the cheetah, which is the fastest land animal. I propose we make the pigeon your spirit creature for the coming weeks. On the one hand, you may seem mild and modest to casual observers. On the other hand, you will in fact be sleek, quick, and agile. Like the pigeon, you will also be highly adaptable, able to thrive in a variety of situations. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “Self-control might be as passionate and as active as the surrender to passion,” wrote Aquarian author W. Somerset Maugham. Yes! I agree! And that’s the perfect message for you to hear right now. If you choose to take advantage of the potentials that life is offering you, you will explore and experiment with the mysteries of self-discipline and selfcommand. You’ll be a trailblazer of discernment and poise. You will indulge in and enjoy the pleasures of self-regulation. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In 1961, Piscean cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin was the first human to orbit the Earth in a spacecraft. As his feat neared its end, Gagarin left the capsule at 20,000 feet above the ground and parachuted the rest of the way. He arrived in a turnip field where a girl and her grandmother were working. They provided him with a horse and cart so he could travel to the nearest telephone and make a call to get picked up and brought back to headquarters. I foresee a metaphorically comparable series of events transpiring in your life, Pisces. Be flexible and adaptable as you adjust to changing conditions with changing strategies. Your exceptional and illustrious activities may require the assistance of humble influences. Homework: Name the three things most worthy of celebrating right now. Then celebrate them! Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

SENDME A TRAINER

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BY NADIA POPOVA

DC data shows that falls are a leading cause of death resulting from injuries by Americans 65 and up. Leading risk factors for falls are the lack of strength and balance. If you are 50 or older, this article will show you exercises to stay in shape and enjoy a quality life. The news about falls and death is causing more people to worry about old age. As personal trainers at Send Me a Trainer, we believe you can live your life looking and acting young. The truth is, as long as you build your strength and agility, you need not fear old age. What Causes the Legs to Lose Strength and Balance in Advanced Age? Aging is affected by longitudinal processes due to the body’s physiological changes. The changes diminish balance and coordination, thus impacting the activities of daily living (ADL). Your ADL is affected because of deterioration of the sensory system – vestibular, visual, and somatosensory systems. Consequently, the cognitive and musculoskeletal systems are also affected. What are Some Balancing Activities to Improve ADL? While the loss of balance is predominant in older people, everyone from their midlife experiences the diminishing of ADL. Therefore, it is essential for every adult from the age of 18 to build body stamina, strength, and balance. By incorporating the following seven physical routines, you can improve your strength, agility, and balance and overcome the fear of falling. BALANCE EXERCISES Stand Tall Exercise Due to the nature of our work and social life, our posture tends to be forward-curved. Such posture causes us to head forward (e.g., working on a computer, reading, or writing). Over time, we develop rounded-shoulder, have difficulty inhaling deeply, and have neck and back pain. A rounded posture tends to impact balance negatively. This exercise builds the muscles needed to balance and strengthen your legs and body posture. What to do: In a standing position (best before a mirror)maintain an erect body posture; Squeeze your shoulder blades together and downward; Hold each position for three seconds and release; Repeat ten times per session and do it several times daily (as convenient). Standing on One Leg Exercise For some, good posture comes naturally. Others may struggle to get a good balance. However, you can improve your posture, stamina, and balance with this exercise. This exercise is more fun with family to create a bond and laugh as you struggle to keep your balance. What to do: (In comfortable clothing) Stand on both legs with your hands on a sturdy support (if necessary) to prevent falls; Slowly raise one leg and hold for 15 seconds while maintaining your balance; Change to the other foot and repeat; Repeat five times on each foot. Side Walking Exercise This exercise builds and strengthens your hip muscles, which support your knees, ankles, and spine. It helps to maintain a good walking balance. What to do: Tie an exercise band on your thighs above the knees for resistance; Step to the right and the left – repeat ten times in each direction; Repeat several times daily. Front and Backstepping Exercise Proper coordination and agility help avoid falls. You may wonder why athletes can pull stunts without falling. It’s because of their ability to control their movement. With this exercise,

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you won’t lose coordination and agility with aging. What to do: Hold a sturdy table or your kitchen counter for support; Place your right leg in front of the left and stand on your right foot; Gradually lift your left leg and step to the left; Cross the right leg behind the left leg and stand on your right leg; Carefully raise the left leg and step out to the left (repeat twice); Change direction and repeat the whole process (do it twice). Stand Up and Sit Down Exercise This exercise builds your thigh and hip muscles for strength and endurance. Achieving these qualities helps you get around without stress. Without good muscle power, it can be challenging to walk, stand, and perform your ADL. What to do: Sit in a sturdy chair without an armrest; In a controlled motion, stand up (rising slowly); Sit back in the chair in a gradual lowering motion; Repeat five times (first round); Sit again and stand up quickly (repeat five times). Note: as you sit and stand, try not to use your hand in the process. Muscle Building Exercises There are several ways to build your muscles. While building your muscles, never neglect your overall fitness, including your food. This is where you need a personal trainer for guidance and encouragement. What to do: Find a good gym in your neighborhood for muscle building, at least twice weekly; Try different exercises for strength, cardio, and confidencebuilding; Talk to an expert to recommend possible areas of your body to exercise. Dance Lessons Exercise This last exercise is building strength and balance while having fun. As regular exercising may be boring, dancing spices up your day and makes exercising fun and interesting. By working with the expert, dancing can tone up different parts of your body for strength and agility. Go out once in a while to socials or attend a dance class to have fun while improving your balance and preventing unnecessary falls. Personal Fitness Trainer A Personal Fitness Trainer Can Keep You Balanced at Any Age! Training for strength and good balance helps you avoid falls and injuries. Also, it ensures an excellent quality of life. For some, exercising comes naturally. Others may need a fitness trainer to achieve success. Here is where Send Me a Trainer comes in. Serving the Coachella Valley, from Palm Springs to Indio, if you are in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, or Indio, Send Me a Trainer can bring personal training right to your door! Make the Call now at 760-880-9904 to speak with a trainer!

HEALTH

BY MICHELLE BORTHWICK

KETO NOT WORKING? HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES

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here are many common mistakes when starting Keto but I see these quite often in my coaching practice that causes individuals to be frustrated and doubtful. They feel that they’re doing Keto wrong or that they should be getting better results. At this point they’re considering giving up because they simply don’t know what to do next and to add to the confusion, they don’t seem to find the answers they’re looking for online. As a coach, I believe that keto coaches should make keto work for you. You shouldn’t have to work so hard to make it work. There are always solutions with Keto no matter what the situation. Just don’t give up. To give you hope, encouragement and expert advice that when Keto is done properly, you’ll benefit from the increased and faster results! What are the most common mistakes people do when starting a keto diet and how can beginners avoid them. 1. They aren't sure what macros are or how to factor them into their new diet. Let’s break this one down and simplify it. Keto is High/Healthy Fat, Moderate Protein and Low Carb. Keto is often mistaken as a low carb diet or like Atkins. There is a difference, and this is what makes Keto more effective for faster weight loss and improving overall health. You’ll hear a lot about macros. Macros are simply how many carbs, fats and proteins you eat per day. There is more to Keto than macros and much to learn along the way as you nuance and refine your Keto but here is where I start with every client: CARBS – Start with 30-total grams of carbs daily. Keeping your carbs low is especially important to fast-track your results. Total carbs vs. net carbs matter. PROTEIN – Daily protein intake should be moderate, and it makes Keto easier if you choose the fattiest cuts of nutrient dense meat. It’s a win-win. You get protein, plenty of fat and you’ll find the protein keeps you full. To figure your daily allotment of protein take half your body weight and make that your goal for the number of grams needed per day. FAT – Think Fat First. Plan your meal around fat and then add your other foods. This is a mistake everyone makes when they start Keto. They don’t get enough fat. This formula puts you into ketosis. Think of fat as the lever that opens the door to your weight loss. Eat LOTS of healthy saturated and unsaturated fat -Butter, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Mayonnaise, Coconut butter, avocado, nut butter, nuts, etc.) Be sure to enjoy every single bite ;) How much fat to start? At least 50% more fat than protein. Fat is often adjusted as you go along but 50% is a good starting point. 2. They don't realize that even though cheese/dairy is Keto that it stalls weight loss. This may seem daunting at first because we love dairy…especially cheese. Dairy causes inflammation and stalls weight loss. Here’s a great test. Eliminate it for a minimum of 2 weeks. Weigh yourself and have dairy 3 x in one day. Weigh yourself the next day and if you are heavier, it’s not fat that’s showing on the scale, it's water retention. Removing dairy has huge health benefits. It’s also an important tool to break weight loss stalls at any point in your keto diet. 3. They count net carbs and not TOTAL carbs - this is one of the biggest game changers a person can make for a well-rounded Keto diet. Most people on a keto diet count “net carbs,”

which is total carbs minus fiber and sugar alcohols. With this approach they’re severely slowing their progress. And, if you have to deduct fiber or sugar alcohols it’s mostly likely someone wants to sell you a Keto product. Go for the win and better results with TOTAL carbs and always read your labels. 4. Understand the importance of using an app to track foods. The app isn’t about macros but is an accountability and learning tool as well. When you track your food daily you are learning about macros (carbs, fat, and protein) and doing your best to hit your established goals. As you are tracking your food you are learning accountability to yourself and your food choices. In addition, your app is a learning tool for planning meals and learning the macro breakout of a lot of common foods. What I love about Keto is we can use a tracker, but we never count calories or portions. This is a huge freedom from our old way of thinking about losing weight. 5. Not tracking your ketone levels. Keto is unique because unlike other diets where you’re only relying on lagging indicators, such as weight or inches lost, you can get instant feedback on how you’re doing in this very moment with keto. When you’re deeper in ketosis, you’re burning more fat for fuel. And if you got knocked out – you might have accidentally consumed hidden sugar or carbs. 6. Consuming an excess of sugar alcohols, replacement foods and fake sugars. It can be tempting to fall into the diet food trap. Low-carb chocolate, diet sodas or gummy replacements can be tempting, but they have a negative impact on ketones and your weight loss goals. In fact, in our unbiased studies some of these diet candies still reported a strong insulin response despite promising low carb. For best results, stay away from substitutes. There is so much to learn about Keto and doing it properly. Keto can be easy when done properly. Follow these tips to be well on your way to a slimmer and healthier you! I encourage you to get in touch with me for support or questions and be sure to set up a free consult. About Michelle Borthwick: Michelle Borthwick, known more widely as Michelle Keto, is the foremost expert in living the Keto lifestyle and the go-to coach for Keto women. She loves the CA lifestyle and spends time between San Diego and Palm Springs, CA. Her 1:1 coaching, and DIY Keto digital programs have helped hundreds of women from 25 states and 4 countries lose over 6,000 pounds while eating foods they love. This foodie’s motto, and business name, is “Keto is Easy” and she’s one of the only Keto leaders who promotes full customization for long term success. For a complimentary 30-minute coaching consultation please schedule at: ketoiseasycoach.com


www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

February 17 to February 23, 2022

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

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BROADWAY LEGEND PATRICIA WELCH

February 17 to February 23, 2022

MUSIC

PERFORMING THIS FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18TH 2022 AT THE INDIAN WELLS RESORT (IW LIVE). VALLEY RESIDENTS HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE ONE-OF-A-KIND DINNER AND SHOW.

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the September 11th, 2002 Memorial. She has released five albums and boasts over 2,000 performances. Patricia’s website can be viewed at: www.patriciawelch.com. Tickets are $25 plus the cost of appetizers

roadway Legend, Patricia Welch is now performing at IW LIve located inside the Indian Wells Resort Hotel. Her show features All-time Hits and Classics. Welch is well-known for her starring roles and featured soloist acts with Robert Goulet, Yul Brynner, and Wayne Newton. IW Live is a unique dinner show venue where guests can enjoy cocktails, appetizers or full dinner menu service during her performance from 6 to 9 p.m. As an accomplished singer with vocal versatility, Welch’s other numerous accolades include appearances on major TV networks; being a guest anthem singer at Dodger Stadium, as well as for NASCAR; singing the National Anthem and “America The Beautiful” on two separate occasions for former President Clinton, former President Ford, and General Schwarzkopf; and singing “United We’ll Stand,” which she co-wrote with her husband (Adrian DuBarry). Patricia performed this song in Washington, D.C., at

THE SHOPS AT PALM DESERT CELEBRATES SPRING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

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he Shops at Palm Desert, Coachella Valley’s only indoor shopping center, is presenting a series of new events, restaurants and pop-up shops, gifts with purchase program and more. The return of the monthly Artisan Marketplace on Saturday, February 19, 10am – 3pm, features fresh air, music, 100+ local vendors and weekend-only deals from The Shops at Palm Desert’s stores and eateries. The Marketplace will be held outdoors in parking lot near Highway 111/Monterey and will move indoors in May. In March, the center will welcome Crepe(ing) Ramen, a new eatery featuring the iconic savory Asian street food crafted with ramen noodles, fresh vegetables, herbs and a variety delicious proteins and dipping sauces.

On March 26, guests can visit Family YMCA of the Desert’s Spring Garden at their pop-up location near Macy’s, and in April guests can hop on over to meet the Easter Bunny for photos and treats, enjoy crafts and games at YMCA’s Spring Break Camp, score free gifts with purchase, and enjoy Festival Vibes, a month-long celebration of music, art and culture for the entire family. May 7-8, Yum Fest returns to our third level parking deck under the stars, and will include Cinco de Mayo-inspired food, live music, and culture. Guests can also experience the pop-up Flower Shop and Fragrance Bar in partnership with Macy’s, just in time for Mother’s Day. The Shops at Palm Desert remains committed to the health and wellness of its visitors to ensure a safe and welcoming experience. For the latest information about The Shops

at Palm Desert including events and a complete list of stores and restaurants, visit ShopsAtPalmDesert.com or follow Facebook and Instagram.

or dinner from the menu service. Make a reservation at (760) 797-8700 or email: manuel@indianwellsresort.com at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel which is located at 76661 Hwy 111 in Indian Wells.

LOCAL BUSINESS

The Shops at Palm Desert is the largest indoor shopping destination located in the Coachella Valley. Anchored by Macy’s and JCPenney, the center offers nearly 100 retailers and eateries, bookstore, gym, and cinema. Amenities include: covered parking, children’s play space, public art collection, and stroller rental. The Shops at Palm Desert is open Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 7pm and Friday – Saturday 11am – 8pm. Located at 72-840 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA. For more information call 760-346-2121.

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February 17 to February 23, 2022

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