Coachella Valley Weekly - March 9 to March 15, 2017 Vol. 5 No. 51

News

Music

Movies

Dining

Community Events

coachellavalleyweekly.com • March 9, to March 15, 2017 Vol. 5 No. 51

Angel Light Brian Wilson Michael Sembello Jason Nutter Esjay Jones Rick Shelley pg5

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

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Coachella Valley Weekly

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Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Morgan James Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Denise Ortuno Neil, Judith Salkin, Avery Wood Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Janet McAfee, Rachel Montoya, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Lola Rossi, Laura Hunt Little, Flint Wheeler, Dee Jae Cox, Janet Newcomb, Patte Purcell, Rebecca Pikus, Esther Sanchez, Angela Romeo, Jenny Wallis Photographers Robert Chance, Chris Miller, Esther Sanchez, Laura Hunt Little, Lani Garfield, Scott Pam, George Duchannes Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS

Zelda's 40th Anniversary.................... 3 Angel Light Academy.......................... 5 La Quinta Arts Festival Recap............. 5 Brian Wilson at Fantasy Springs......... 6 Michael Sembello & Cam Chaney ...... 6 Jason Nutter......................................... 7 Esjay Jones........................................... 7 Untamed: A Rock Opera...................... 8 Lynyrd Skynyrd.................................... 8 CV Open Mic Competition .................. 9 Backstage Jazz - Celebrity Jam ...........9 Consider This - Rick Shelley.............. 10 Art Scene- Donation Box, Desert X... 11 Art Scene- Artistic Expressions UCR. 11 Pet Place............................................. 12 The Vino Voice ................................... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife....................... 14 Happy Hour Hotspot- La Brasserie... 18 Screeners............................................ 18 Book Review....................................... 19 Safety Tips.......................................... 19 Real Estate.......................................... 20 Haddon Libby.................................... 21 Dale Gribow....................................... 21 Comic Con - Logan............................. 22 Free Will Astrology............................ 23 Sports Scene ...................................... 23 Ask The Doctor................................... 24 Life & Career Coach ........................... 24

March 9 to March 15, 2017

ZELDA’S NIGHTCLUB CELEBRATES 40 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

BY AVERY WOOD

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elda’s Nightclub will be hosting its 40th anniversary party on Saturday, March 11 to celebrate being one of the longest-standing nightclubs in the Coachella Valley and according to owner Mike McCormick, “there is no doubt this is going to be the event of the decade.”

Zelda’s is an establishment that embraces history; there is an old carnival pony at the door, a photo booth, vintage cash registers and a graphotype machine that was used to make dog tags during World War II in the office to print VIP cards. And McCormick seems to consider Zelda’s history in the making. He’s been with Zelda’s for most of its 40 years and remembers all of the previous owners, all of whom he has worked with at Zelda’s and at other businesses the owners started over the years. “Harvey Izen, Roger Gibson [and] Joe Gallagher opened up in 1977, right at the beginning of…Saturday Night Fever the disco era, so Zelda’s was a hit right off the bat.

“I started in 1978 in June as a bartender.

I was 21 years old. We opened another club in 1986 called Cecil’s on Sunrise, where I became the manager...it was over in the Smoketree shopping center in Palm Springs and I managed that for 10 years, and then became their partner at Zelda’s when we sold Cecil’s in 1996. We opened up Bananaz in Palm Desert around the same era… we owned Bananaz for about 8 years and sold it in 2002 and that was when I bought the partners out, they were ready to retire.

Then Rod Copeland, who was a bartender also at Zelda’s became by business partner in 2002,” he says, emphasizing that while most clubs come and go, Zelda’s has remained consistently popular.

The long and eventful history of Zelda’s is being celebrated in its entirety at this event. They’ve been digging up all the old photos of past events through the decades and sharing them on Facebook, with help from Zelda’s original promoter Steve Johns.

“There has been four to five generations if

(Left to Right) Roger Gibson, Joe Gallagher, Mike McCormick, and Harvey Izen

you figure it out, through Zelda’s. People we knew years ago, now their kids are all here and their grandkids are all coming to Zelda’s,” McCormick says.

McCormick remembers the spring break era in particular and believes it was beneficial to the area. “We were number one from 1977 through the spring break era,” he says. “We were located right… in the heart of downtown... that’s where our old location was. Our line was probably a three hour wait to get into Zelda’s during spring break. We were definitely the destination for spring break. Do we miss those two weeks? Absolutely, we wish we could get them all back and our thinking on it was that all those college students got a chance to come to Palm Springs, they had a great time here… hiked in the mountains, got to cruise in their cars… go to the clubs at night… they really enjoyed it... We feel that when they graduate, this would be the point...they would come back, after they started earning money and… raising children, they always remember that good time at spring break in Palm Springs. We wish we could somehow get the couple weeks back that the college students were able to spend in Palm Springs.” During that time, celebrities passed through Zelda’s, both as guests and performers. McCormick notes seeing Sonny and Cher; George Foreman; Rick James; Wayne Gretsky; Shaq; and Kobe Bryant, and says he just recently saw Nicole Richie at Zelda’s.

The anniversary party will pay homage to those years by playing 80’s music and inviting back the DJs that worked the parties in the 80’s such as DJ Dynamic Dave, Jammin’ Jim, Craig Michaels, Bob Scatch and Randy Johnson. The current DJs, The Bigster, DJ SupaJames/97.7, DJ Markus Area, DJ-MC Ron T/97.7, DJ Tanner and DJ LF will take over later in the night.

Zelda’s continues to be successful and is often filled almost to capacity, which caps at 700 guests. McCormick also thinks that there have been more guests in the last few

years, as Palm Springs and the surrounding cities create more events for the tourists.

“We feel the resurgence of Palm Springs, absolutely. We’re number two in the nation for the bachelorette destination, of course, Vegas being number one. We still do the all-male revue show ‘The Men of the Hollywood Strip’ every Friday night and we are sold out every Friday night for the show. There is definitely a resurgence of Palm Springs, with all the new building downtown going on and the hotels,” he says. The all-male revue, in which costumed men do a dance routine, is the most popular event at Zelda’s right now, and McCormick says there is nothing else like it in the valley.

McCormick is committed to carrying on the legacy of success, saying, “I think what contributed [to Zelda’s success] is that we’ve always stayed very very customeroriented,” McCormick says. We treat our customers like family. In the past… couple years here, we’ve hired David Mariner for GM. My own sons, Cody and John, have also started working at Zelda’s… they’ve both stepped up to the plate and… we always bring young new thinking into Zelda’s. We change with the times, we change with the dress codes, we change with the music.

We’re right now in the middle of a remodel.

Everything we can do to keep Zelda’s fresh for our customers.”

This combination of tradition and progress seem to be working, as the Facebook page for the event is filled with comments by people who are coming from out of the state for the party, and McCormick says he’s gotten calls of that nature as well, and the approach will likely take Zelda’s through more anniversaries to come.

The 40th Anniversary party will take place this Saturday, March 11 and starts at 8pm with no cover until 11pm.

Mike McCormick and Rod Copeland

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

ANGEL LIGHT ACADEMY’S EVENTS INSIDE THE LA QUINTA

BY AVERY WOOD ARTS FESTIVAL 19TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

BY MICHELLE MCLAUGHLIN

PHOTOS BY JULIO VASQUEZ

MARCH 11 & 12, 2017

FOCUSES ON IMPORTANT TOPICS FOR VALLEY YOUTH INCLUDING SUICIDE, CYBER BULLYING, MEANNESS, COLLEGE/CAREER PREP AND MORE!

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ngel Light Academy’s Annual Youth Leadership Conference has made a difference in the lives of thousands of area youth. The conference focuses on training 5-18 year olds in leadership skills, problem solving, setting boundaries, conflict resolution, critical thinking, public speaking and communication. This year the conference will have special emphasis on problem solving and addressing important topics that are greatly affecting our valley youth – Suicide, Meanness, Cyber Bullying. In addition, the teenage students will benefit from the expertise of local professionals who will present to them on topics relevant to their future: college/ trade school preparation, career choices/job readiness, and the military.

ALA 19TH ANNUAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP KICK-OFF CONFERENCE WHEN: March 11 and 12 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm WHERE: Van Buren Elementary School, 47733 Van Buren St., Indio WHAT: Angel Light Academy Leadership Institute’s Youth Leadership Conference is for youth ages 5 – 18 and focuses on identifying and solving school, community and personal problems as identified by local students, schools, teachers, parents and community leaders.

PROGRAM CORE BELIEF: ALA believes that if youth learn to solve problems and apply leadership skills, they become more selfconfident and improve their self-esteem and self-efficacy and will change their lives forever.

Angel Light Academy strives to establish a new paradigm for leadership that is based on service to others and instills this in all youth participants.

COST: $75 donation requested includes training, curriculum materials, and food for the two day conference. Scholarships are available upon request.

ALA’S 19TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE WHO: Angel Light Academy, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit corporation dedicated to teaching leadership to youth and adults. (angellightacademy.org).

Angel Light Academy is a caring resource for people of all ages who seek to change their lives. It recognizes the strengths in others and builds on those strengths. The organization provides opportunities to learn new skills that improve confidence and allow individuals of all ages to grow and be the best they can be. Through training, mentoring, and nurturing, ALA creates inspiring leaders who provide exceptional service to others and their

communities. The reputation and success of this training organization has resulted in trusted relationships with teachers, school districts and community professionals leading to increased requests for programming.

FOUNDERS: ALA was founded in 1995

by Julia and General Richard Wilmot. Julia Wilmot is truly an angel on earth devoted to the betterment of mankind. She has been a dedicated community leader and successful businesswoman for over 40 years. Formerly, she was the director of Project Prevention, which assisted 600,000 youth during her fiveyear tenure. The YWCA in Arizona honored Mrs. Wilmot in 2003 with a statewide award as Woman of the Year for her dedication to service throughout the state. Richard Wilmot is a retired U.S. Army Brigadier General who served at the Pentagon and has extensive international business and military experience.

JUNIOR LEADERSHIP TRAINING AFTER THE CONFERENCE Following the conference, youth have the opportunity to continue learning and growing by participating in ALA’s Junior Leadership Training Program that meets every 6 weeks.

The Junior Leadership Training Program provides on-going, in-depth leadership training and empowers youth to become examples of leadership, give in service, and make positive changes in their lives. They develop sound problem solving skills for key areas in their life, health, money, relationships, and school.

Angel Light Academy has seen the positive results of pairing children with retirees. In 2009, ALA started its first Intergenerational Program, which was funded by the Auen Foundation.

The Junior Leaders of Angel Light Academy have since evolved this service project into becoming facilitators for the Music and Memory program at two Alzheimer’s facilities in the Coachella Valley.

Visit the website angelightacademy.org or contact Erika Baily at 888-311-7388 to register a child or to volunteer for training as an adult facilitator.

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he 35th annual La Quinta Arts Festival took place last weekend, March 2-5, 2017 at the La Quinta Civic Center Park. The festival showcases 220 artists, some local and some that traveled internationally to display their pieces.

According to Kathleen Hughes, the events manager for the La Quinta Arts Foundation, the artists that display at the festival are chosen from over 1200 applicants by a board of reviewers that specialize in the medium. Hughes gives the example of jewelry making, saying that the board of reviewers would include people from Tiffany’s and the Gemological Institute of America. After reviewing the artists’ work, the board then interviews the applicants and can discern whether the person is, in fact, making the art themselves or buying it to resell on the basis, for example, that someone supposedly working with metal and gemstones has a manicure.

Once selected and at their destination, the La Quinta Arts Foundation and the City of La Quinta make the registration process as easy as possible for the artists. They are welcomed with pastries and refreshments as volunteers ensure that they have all of the appropriate licenses, with city workers present to distribute La Quinta business licensing on the spot.

Hughes points out that the festival would not be possible without the hospitality of their many sponsors, such as Ralphs, The La Quinta Baking Company, The Café at Shields and Bristol Farms. In fact, Bristol Farms extends that hospitality directly to the artists by providing

box lunches to each of them every day so they can stay in their booths and make sales.

The artists are able to start setting up their booths the Tuesday before the festival begins on Thursday, and unsurprisingly, the first ones with large sculptures are the first to begin. Artist Jason Napier unloads a 700 pound sculpture of two eagles, featured on the back cover of the festival program on a hydraulic jack. “It just makes it really easy to get it to the customer’s house,” he says. “There are many times where the customer, they’re not sure if they really want to buy it right now, but if they can see it in place then it gives them an idea… of whether it fits or not.” The entire sculpture is cast in bronze on a stainless steel pedestal and Jason explains the dynamic pose of the eagles, saying that it’s in their nature to constantly be rebuilding their nests. “This one is completely unique to what you’ll see out there… the combination of the male and the female together,” says Danielle Napier. This particular piece will sell for $45,000, though they do have a smaller version.

Ryan T. Schmidt was also among the artists setting up, displaying huge stainless steel sculptures. Artist representative and business partner Robert describes them, saying “we have tabletop pieces to… 14 or 15 feet tall… these are indoor and outdoor pieces that can withstand the elements.” According to Robert, the process of sandblasting and polishing each piece can take hundreds of hours and the prices range from $28,000 to $375,000, with over a million dollars’ worth of art being presented at the festival.

The festival grants awards each year, such as best of show and best of category. “Those [artists] that juried highest in… each category, those are the ones going to be judged,” according to Hughes. This is different from previous years in that since the contestants for the awards are decreased, fewer judges are required, which makes the process less chaotic.

Hughes is also the person that lays out the show and assigns artists to booths. It takes her two weeks and she says “you have to have the right artist in the right space.” This work pays off, as “this show has been called the most stunning festival site in the entire nation,” according to Hughes. Steve Howlett, with the City of La Quinta, is one of the people responsible for the setting, ensuring that the plants are pristine and that all of the recent rain water is vacuumed. “It’s always on our radar… anything we do… how is that going to impact the arts festival. As the festival approaches, his team walks the grounds more and more often to ensure that the weather hasn’t affected the layout and that the festival will go smoothly.

These details that are given meticulous attention aren’t for nothing; The La Quinta Arts Festival was ranked as #1 fine arts festival in the nation by Art Fair SourceBook in 20132015 and #3 in 2016.

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

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EVENTS

BY RICH HENRICH

BEACH BOY’S BRIAN WILSON SET TO PLAY FANTASY SPRINGS CASINO

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et Sounds 50th Anniversary Tour comes to the desert on Saturday March 18th at The Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino to celebrate one of the greatest albums ever made. Famed Beach Boy Brian Wilson, composed, arranged and produced this iconic album and in the process rewrote the rules of what was possible for a rock ‘n’ roll record. This show will kick off the first show of the 2017 Tour before playing venues across America and then sharing the warm melodic sounds of southern California with the rest of the world.

“It’s a great venue to play,” says Wilson, adding that audiences can expect the performance to “sound just like the record!” He will be backed up by former band mates, Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, who were on tour last year for 99 shows.

“I never thought I’d be playing my music 50 years later! It’s good that it makes so many people happy,” he says with genuine warmth and pride. Together with his band, Wilson will perform several hits and fan favorites covering 54-years of musical genius along with the entire Pet Sounds album, an emotional autobiography of then 23-year old auteur, Brian Wilson. The 74year old Wilson says if he could record that

Photo By Brian Bowen Smith

album today, “I would use more technology to make the sound more clear and make it really, really good.”

The album, helped by Tony Asher, then a 26-year old lyricist, and copywriter who had been writing advertising jingles in Hollywood, was a departure from previous Beach Boy recordings. Asher says he was merely the interpreter to Brian’s tenor, translating thoughts into words. Working together, the album featured several original songs and a couple instrumentals.

Pet Sounds captured the spirit of the sounds inside the mind of a young musical genius, defying the pop music discount often attributed to commercial music not being serious composition. The album is considered a victory for many in the war of art vs. commerce. Most importantly, it continues to be a musical canvas as boundless as the heart of its creator.

Sir Paul McCartney said in a 1990 interview with David Leaf, “I’ve often played Pet Sounds and cried. It’s that kind of an album for me…it blew me out of the water. First of all, it was Brian’s writing. I love the album so much. The other thing that really made me sit up and take notice was the bass lines on Pet Sounds. If you were in the key of C, you would normally use- the root note would be, like, a C on the bass. You’d always be on the C…where you don’t use the obvious bass line…you just get a completely different effect if you play a G when the band is in C. There’s a kind of tension created. But something special happens. And I noticed that throughout that Brian would be using notes that weren’t the obvious notes to use. That I think was probably the big influence that set me thinking when we recorded Pepper, it set me off on a period I had then for a couple of

years of nearly always writing quite melodic bass lines.” Sir McCarthy also claimed that he bought a copy of the album for each of his kids “for their education in life.” He said, “no one is educated musically ‘til they’ve heard (Pet Sounds).”

Ironically, in 1965, Wilson began working on some of the most passionate and personal recordings of his life, inspired by The Beatles Rubber Soul album. Wilson said he wanted to challenge himself “to create an immaculate musical masterpiece.” The resulting sound was a definitive departure from the bands’ commercial sound. This landmark album paved the way for a new era in music racking up chart hit after chart hit along the way. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” reached the #8 spot while “God Only Knows” and “Caroline No,” critically acclaimed by many, including Sir Paul McCartney, to be one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded, also cracked the Top 40. Wilson says of his desire for the audience “I want them to walk away having heard the loving lyrics and the beauty of the music.”

Tickets are on sale starting at $49 and can be purchased at fantasyspringsresort. com.

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT A RAGTAG GROUP OF ARTISTS AND MUSICIANS: MICHAEL SEMBELLO, CAMERON CHANEY, JAN JAQUES & TAYLOR SHERILL

BY AVERY WOOD

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n an unmarked warehouse right in Cathedral City, a ragtag group of artists strive to contribute to the burgeoning culture here in the Coachella Valley. This group comprises Michael Sembello, the musician responsible for the song “Maniac” from the movie Flashdance; Cameron Chaney, music producer and grandson of actor Lon Chaney; and Jan Jaques, of Wolverine Productions, among many artists and interns that occupy the warehouse.

The site, owned by photographer Taylor Sherill, actually spans multiple warehouses and includes not only a music studio and practice space, but also a darkroom; a green screen; a guitar work shop; a room with rounded corners, for acoustics; and tons of equipment.

Throughout his career, Sembello has worked with many prominent musicians such as Michael Jackson, and has written music for popular films such as Cocoon; Gremlins; Summer Lovers; and the Monster Squad. Sembello very recently released a new single called “Weight of the World” and has an upcoming single called “Let it Rain,” but currently, he has other projects that he’s working on. He recalls starting out in the music industry when he was just 17 years old; He was recruited as a guitarist for Stevie Wonder before he had ever heard his name,

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Cameron Chaney

Michael Sembello

and his first thought was, “is he going to pay me?”

Sembello also had the chance to learn from some great musicians, such as Pat Martino; Phil Ramone; Quincy Jones; Chuck Anderson; and Brian McKnight. Now he wants to mentor people himself. “When you pay it forward, you learn… you get the same excitement that [the students]do,” he says. According to Sembello, many of the people he looks up to, such as

Joe Satriani and Paul McCartney, also taught music, and found it extraordinarily enriching.

In order to do this, Sembello is going to start giving lessons to locals, and he has a lot of ideas about how things are going to be done. He wants to concentrate on kids, and other people attempting to learn guitar, and the problem of concentrating too much on the technical aspect without making it to the practical part. His main goal is to introduce them to “actually being an artist.”

Part of the lessons will be writing, producing and recording lyrics and a melody to an instrumental version of Sembello’s “Weight of the World.” Another part will be what Chaney calls music workshops, due to their practical and interactive content. Sembello has big plans for these too. “I’m using a radical method… there’re too many strings for a kid on a guitar.” Sembello says that he has seen instances of young children learning guitar, but they can’t get their hand around the neck.

So he has devised a solution that will make guitar playing easier not only for children, but also for anyone self-conscious of learning in a group environment. “I took all the frets off and I said, you know, I want to put it in one key… now… there are actually zero bad notes.” He’s going to lead workshops in which he teaches what he calls “the art of the jam.”

The students will be able to play together,

learning rhythm and confidence, without the fear of dissonance with their fellow guitarists.

“When they show up, they’re not going to be embarrassed because they don’t know… you can’t mess it up. It’s a vulnerable thing when you play or you sing.” Sembello and his team are making guitars that they can optimize for this method, with one notable feature being a slimmer neck so children can play more easily.

All of this activity is overseen by promoter Jan Jaques. Jaques worked as a promoter for the City of Palm Springs during the spring break era and insists that he is responsible for all the best events. Over the years, he has worked with many notable musicians including Jimi Hendrix; Bob Marley; Led Zeppelin; and the band War, which he booked to play on the roof of a hotel one notable spring break, according to Chaney. According to him, his company is handling promotions for what he says is “the first cannabis consumption music festival” in Desert Hot Springs.

According to Jaques, Sembello is considering touring next year, and until then can be booked for charity events. Jan Jaques can be reached at 760-844-4999. The team is also taking applications for interns interested in any aspect of music production. More information is available from Cameron Chaney at 760-578-2249 or at m.sembello54@gmail. com.

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

JASON NUTTER

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BY MORGAN JAMES

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ason Nutter is a talented musician who not only shares his passion for music with audiences from Coachella Valley to Los Angeles, but with children and adults with special needs and of all abilities.

An accomplished singer/songwriter, Jason has performed with multiple bands including some heavy hitters during his time living in Los Angeles and still performs currently every week at The Hard Rock on Hollywood Blvd as well as at The Village Pub in Palm Springs. For the last ten years however, Jason has eagerly devoted his time teaching music to children and even founded a non-profit to benefit these children- Music Heals. This Spring Jason will open his own gallery/studio right in the heart of the downtown Palm Springs strip dedicated to the children of Music Heals. I sat down with this ambitious, heartfelt musician to get the scoop on his music, his non-profit, and the new gallery/studio.

CVW: Where can our readers find you playing music and how you are promoting the local music scene?

Jason Nutter: “I have been a promotor for 20 years, and working with children of all needs through music therapy for 10 years, I have played music all my life and lived in Hollywood and played with big names, but I am a resident now of Palm Springs and have been playing at the Village Pub for 3 years on the patio every Friday from 6pm – 9pm. It is just me with an acoustic guitar and I invite guests to play with me sometimes. I have had guys from L.A. Come play with me and it’s just a trip for them because the desert is a totally different world. Now I am booking Tuesdays for original local artists at the Village Pub as well to build that scene, plus a few other venues from Redlands to L.A. I also play in Los Angeles at The Hard Rock Cafe on Hollywood Blvd. I do their dinner set. Then I am in a few different bands- California Rude Boy, Burnout Brothers and the Tequila Hounds. I really get my fulfillment through working with the kids.

Right now we have a big show coming up that I am producing for my students in Banning so that is taking up a lot of my time.”

CVW: How does your organization work and who do you teach?

JN: “Music Heals is a non-profit organization which I created one year ago. It

is tax exempt so people can make donations or donate instruments to the kids. I use that to raise funds for the music programs that I do at the schools. I usually teach 15-20 kids at a time and I bring in these boxes of instruments filled with shakers and guitars and everyone gets an instrument and everyone dances and sings and we all have a great time. I usually teach a class consistently one a week. I have great success with autism, down syndrome, and kids of all needs. I also work with mentally disturbed kids who are owned by the state.

Music calms everybody and really works for a lot of the ones I teach. A lot of times with autistic children their parents don’t know that they might be naturally musical and also what is so great about autistic kids is that they learn music at the same rate as non-autistic kids. I was teaching a 9 year-old autistic girl who barely spoke and who always curled into a ball. I gave her some drumsticks and taught her how to count tempo and rhythms and she is now playing on stage a full drum set. She talks a little more and she smiles and she is happy. She plays with me at some of my gigs and she never puts those drumsticks down.”

CVW: Do you only teach children?

JN: “I am trying to raise funds to teach adults of all abilities at San Gorgonio Mental Health in Palm Springs every week. It is like a day club where they can go and hang out.

I have volunteered there a few times and played music for them and they love it. I bring my box full of instruments too and one guy will say ‘I used to play guitar’ and so I will hand one to him to play with me.”

CVW: Tell me about the gallery/studio that you are opening up this Spring?

JN: “I am opening a studio off of North Palm Canyon Dr. for everybody to utilizemusicians near and far, and parents can bring their children with special needs for music therapy with me. I won’t have a lot of time for a lot of classes, but I will be bringing in other teachers. It will also be an art gallery wherby the proceeds of the sales will benefit Music Heals. You can buy a piece donated by the guitar player of The Rolling Stones for example.”

If you would like more information on Music Heals or to hear Jason Nutter’s music, please search the links below: Soundcloud: Jason Nutter Facebook: Music Heals Kids

March 9 to March 15, 2017

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

ESJAY JONES E

BY AVERY WOOD

sjay Jones, local musician; DJ; and music producer, has achieved celebrity-like status in our community as well as in Los Angeles. Between her weekly performances at The Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, her numerous productions there, her work with local bands, and her constant travel, it seems like Esjay is always in demand.

This incredible work ethic and commitment to the desert’s community is longstanding. After finding success with Stealing Love Jones, the band she started in her hometown in South Africa, which put out two albums that each included three charttopping singles, Esjay moved to the United States to further her success. After the move, she quickly began working with top producers and writing for well-known people, such as Krewella; Jeffree Star; and Sean Kingston.

These days, Esjay spends most of her time flitting to Los Angeles and back to work on her myriad projects with her production company and consulting agency, Esjay Jones Productions and SLS Event Group, which, according to her, work with “all aspects of the music and entertainment industry including film score, sync and licensing for film and TV, music supervision for international brands, songwriting, production, social media, artist management, artist development, bookings and soon to be managing an artist /yoga compound and recording studio in Sayulita, Mexico.”

Esjay made the transition from pop star to producer out of necessity. “I actually fell into the Producer/ Engineer role out of frustration of the work ethic of a lot of the producers I was working with,” she says. “I found that receiving a fully produced record would take too long and that I was unable to communicate verbally the sounds and production tricks that I was looking for in a record, so I spent thousands of hours watching over engineers’ shoulders and learning how to produce and engineer from the pro’s on YouTube – Thanks Dave Pensado and Steven Slate!”

The long hours she put in paid off and now she manages these companies and works with some big names in the business. In the past, she worked with Ariel Chobaz, Grammynominated mix engineer who has worked with Nicki Minaj; Justin Bieber; and Drake. She has also worked with Gina Schock, Drummer of The Go-go’s and producer for Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, and Trey Vittetoe, who also worked as a producer for Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. Esjay continues to work on exciting projects with prominent producers and bands, saying, “I have just finished up the new Before the Funeral single “When You Feel Weak” with Bjorn Thorsrud of The Smashing Pumpkins fame. This record is beautiful and I can’t wait for its release on March 18th! The new Basson single “When Push Comes to Shove” will also be out soon and I am about to start working on a new single with metal

Photo By Tina Craig

band Murkocet. I am currently working on two commercials, one film score and various other projects which I unfortunately can’t talk about until the labels approve the records.”

Esjay is also clearly passionate about her current home base, Palm Springs. She puts on and participates in shows every week at The Hard Rock Hotel, including the Acoustic Sessions series and the Global Lounge sessions series, and the metal band she’s working with, Murkocet, is a local band. With talented musicians constantly springing up in the Coachella Valley, it’s understandable why she’d be supportive. “I believe great musicians and producers are born everywhere. It’s not a certain place but rather your destiny… Palm Springs is a great place for musicians [and] producers because it allows you to step in and out of LA at any time,” she says.

Palm Springs also has much of the talent that is present in Los Angeles without the fast pace and heavy traffic, and Esjay appreciates the slower pace, saying, “Palm Springs is my weekend getaway from LA to rejuvenate and draw creativity. Los Angeles is a beautiful melting pot of talented people and connections in the entertainment industry, but sometimes distancing yourself enables you to get a better perspective on what the industry is looking for and what life is really about. For me, Palm Springs is a place to breathe before diving back into the weekly smog of LA.”

Photo By Tina Craig

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MORGAN JAMES

UNTAMED: A ROCK OPERA FROM KARA AUBREY 7 ON SATURDAY MARCH 18 @ PALM DESERT CIVIC CENTER PARK PM

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TH

lthough each person in this world walks his own path, we are not alone. So many of us share in similar experiences, good and bad, learning and growing into our own, along the way.

Kara Aubrey has created an incredible way to showcase this in her upcoming Rock Opera- UNTAMED. “More than a concert, it’s a music-driven live-action drama, expressed through a multimedia synthesis of pop and edgy hard-rock music, sequenced with dynamic dance and drama.” I spoke with Kara Aubrey about her inspiration for the show and how it came about, what kind of talent she has brought on board, and what audiences can expect from this exciting, free, special event.

MJ: What was your inspiration for writing Untamed?

KA: “The readers might find interesting that the whole Rock Opera came from a song I wrote in Nashville in 2007. The goal of that song was sort of a declaration of a

generation to be free and truly alive. Not living in someone else’s opinion of who we are, what they say about who we should be.

We would be who we were meant to be.

The song is called “Untamed.” It’s incredible that 9 years later that song becomes a Rock Opera. I had no idea. That wasn’t planned.”

“My inspiration was that the idea of our generation, myself and others, is that we just want to be known. We want to be understood and for someone to relate to us and because of that we try different relationships, we try different jobs, and there are even addictions that go on because we are trying these things to find ourselves.

We get caught between what we want and what we really need just like in the story. So my inspiration has been myself, my friends, and our generation in general. I love that this is the story of us, of our generation. It is relatable to everyone and who we are. I have experienced some of those things and some of my friends have experienced some

EVENTS

LYNYRD SKYNYRD ROCKED THE SHOW AT AGUA

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t was just one month into their 2017 tour when Lynyrd Skynyrd brought their Southern Rock to the Show at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. Upon entering their March 3rd concert, the first thing I noticed was the sprinkling of cowboy hats and baseball caps. I have been to hundreds of concerts in my life (many I can’t remember) but this was my first time seeing Skynyrd.

They are one of those groups that have a ton of hits you forgot about until they start playing them all one by one.

Starting off with hits like, “What’s Your Name,” “You Got That Right” and “Saturday Night Special,” the group had the front section of the floor on their feet. Although most of the original members are no longer with the group, founding member Gary Rossington can still play a mean guitar. Lead

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vocalist Johnny Van Zant (brother of Ronnie Van Zant the group’s original singer) joined Skynyrd in 1987 and sounds incredibly just like his brother.

The second thing that stood out at the concert was the abundance of American flags on stage. The group showed their patriotism about mid-way through the concert when a large portion of the crowd stood up as they broke into “Simple Man” and dedicated it to all the men and women who wear a military uniform. Building up to an explosive encore with songs like “Gimme Three Steps,” “Call Me the Breeze” and “Sweet Home Alabama” the crowd was in full sing-a-long mode.

It was the last song of the night that gave me goosebumps. Although I have heard this song many times on the radio, when they came back out and played “Free Bird” for an

of those things and so some of these issues really hit close to home. Now seeing the way our culture is going, this idea to be free and recognized is important.”

MJ: Do you feel that in our current generation, social media plays a part in us wanting to be recognized?

KA: “I think it magnifies it for sure. With Facebook profiles, we might be trying to show that we have the best scenario going on when really it might not be that way. We are trying to build these reputations up and so concerned about what people think of me, etc. That worry and concern that has always been there is just magnified now because life has truly become a stage for each and every one of us.”

MJ: What exactly is the storyline of Untamed?

KA: “It is an epic clash of a young man who is caught between what he desires and what his destiny is. He is on this adventure in life, as so many of us are, and he is just trying to find himself. We are all just trying to find out who we are and what we are made of. The young man goes through different relationships and school and different jobs and he is doing life his own way, but he is finding that things are not turning out the way he thought it would. He is caught in this web he created

and he is pulled between what he wants and what he really needs. It is really the age old story of the tension between good and evil.

Of course he gets to the end of himself and realizes that he needs help, he needs a hero.

So there is relationship drama, like any good story, and violent drama, you name it, he has gotten himself into it.”

MJ: You held this show last year for the first time. How has the Rock Opera evolved from last year to the present production?

KA: “The footprint is similar, but it has new music in it and some new drama as well.

The whole vibe of it has basically been taken up a notch. If you saw it last year, you will definitely want to see it again this year!”

MJ: What type of talent have you brought on board this year?

KA: “There will be about 30 people on stage involved in the production and they are almost all local talent. We have brought on board actors, singers, dancers, and musicians. One of those guys is Brad Mercer who will be one of our celebrity guests. Pat Henderson is our band manager for Untamed. He has a long history in music.

His father was the percussionist for Earth, Wind, and Fire. Also Daniel Harrison will be involved. He is a music artist. Also, Dustin Ingham is a music artist and involved. We have a lot of talent. All of them are listed on the website. We will also be showcasing local artists by having art displays.”

MJ: What are your goals for the future of Untamed?

KA: “We have already had offers for 2018 to take this show out of state. So our goal is to tour for 2018 and bring this all over the country.”

Rock opera trailer: youtu.be/JilP8xXijD4 Website: www.ToBeUntamed.com

encore I was playing air guitar and dancing in front of my seat. It was a great show and I am very glad I was able to check them off my concert bucket list.

For a complete list of upcoming concerts at The Show you can visit their web site: hotwatercasino.com/theshow

Written By: Craig Michaels Productions (760) 880-3848

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MORGAN JAMES

CV OPEN MIC COMPETITION 2017: WEEK 2

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he CV Open Mic Competition 2017 at The Block Sports Bar & Grill in Cathedral City week #2 was an incredible display of multi-talented performers. Our contestants spanned several genres and really gave it their all.

Each week new performers are still finding their way to us whether competing for prizes, or just practicing their stage skills.

Audience giveaways like t-shirts from The Block and Brutal Bee Music Group got the crowd roaring for a chance at a quality, custom t-shirt. Once the judge votes were tallied, it was L Boogie Da Mann who took home 1st place. The enigmatic rapper took home a $25 gift certificate to The Block and will now move on to the Semi Finals May 17th. If he wins there, L Boogie will compete in the Grand Finals on May 24th for an MTV Quality Music Video Production from Desert C.A.M. Studios/Winmill Films and award winning Director Chip Miller, plus a $500 trip to Las Vegas from Crater Lake Rye Whiskey, as well as an Artist Development Session from Grammy nominated Producer Ronnie King, a Promotional Photo Shoot from Rav Holly, and an artist merchandise package from Brutal Bee Music Group including logo design and 25 t-shirts, stickers and more!

2nd place was awarded to poet and rapper, Novelist, whose rhythm and powerful lyrics dropped jaws throughout the room. Ervin Gutierrez aka Novelist chose to take home 2 movie tickets as his prize. 3rd place went to hip hip artist, Luis Hernandez aka Wrekless who was awarded a $25 gift certificate to Murph’s Gaslight.

THANK YOU to ALL our performers at the

CV Open Mic Competition for putting on a great show AND making the environment so supportive for all of the artists involved: Ervin Gitierrez aka Novelist, Thomas Myers and Catherine Caviness of Allora, Tyler LaSalle, Daniel Scopelitis, Jim Holiday, L Boogie Da Mann and Zack No Slack of Desert Pirates, EB Stone, Pete Campbell aka Versastyle, Moses Osmosis, Gabriel Reyes aka MCKG, Conrad Juapez, Cino, and Luis Hernandez aka Wrekless. Also a big thanks to Johnny Carmona, our amazing sound technician. I hope to see you all next WEDNESDAY at THE BLOCK SPORTS BAR & GRILL in Cathedral City! Look for coverage of this week’s event and the announcement of winners in the next issue of Coachella Valley Weekly! SPECIAL THANKS to all of our sponsors: Desert C.A.M. Studios/ Winmill Films & Chip Miller, Ronnie King Music, Crater Lake Rye Whiskey, Rav Holly, CV Weekly, Canyon Copy & Print, Brutal Bee Music Group, Murph’s Gaslight, and The Block Sports Bar & Grill.

Be sure to “LIKE” Facebook.com/ CVOpenMicCompetition for updates! ALL AGES ALLOWED and YOU may compete EVERY week! PLEASE NOTE: Due to our overwhelming number of interested performers, sign in starts at 7pm and will be closed at 7:45pm. BRING YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY and FANS to join us for excitement, music and fun!!! For questions or information about sign-up, please see Facebook.com/CVOpenMicCompetition or contact creator and host, Morgan Alise James at MorganAliseJames@gmail.com or (714) 651-1911

BACKSTAGE JAZZ

March 9 to March 15, 2017

CELEBRITY JAM AT HARD ROCK HOTEL PALM SPRINGS -

PAPPARAZZI!

BY PATTE PURCELL

W

hat a night! Celebrity Jam Latin night at Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs was a great evening of music and dancing to the sounds of Bob Desena Latin Jazz band, Amsterdam Connection, Alex Santana and Khea Emmanuel. Eve Holmes sat in as well.

Guests were treated to ‘tastings’ of Alien Tequila Reposado and Anejo, Crater Lake Vodka, and Heritage Bourbon. VIPs got the treatment with reserved booth seating and passed appetizers. All guests received vendor gifts including t-shirts from Cy Solutions, and gift certificates from Desert Zen Spa, Backstreet Bistro and Airport Car wash.

The glitterati of the desert were all there.

Fleet Easton, Cat Lyn Day, Mary Ann Rojo, Maestro Dino Zonic and Chris Bennett, Sheree Lilly (Lilly Pr), Jeanne Jones, Suzy Mc Millan.

Hard Rock management and staff were incredibly efficient and made it so easy for everyone. We were truly impressed. The best part is that several club owners and talent booking agents were present and they were all so impressed with the artists that they are planning to book them all again for their clubs and events.

Thanks so much to Hard Rock Hotel, the guests, the volunteers and of course the artists. Look for new dates for Celebrity Jam at Hard Rock to be announced soon!

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

CONSIDER THIS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

WRAPPED IN RAZOR WIRE” RICK SHELLEY “HOPE (1909 MILES WEST RECORDS)

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ome people are born to make music, even if they never get famous from it, even if they never make a living off it. They’re compelled to write songs and play, it’s as essential as breathing and eating. This has definitely been the case with Rick Shelley. Creating music can be a solitary experience, but sharing that creation offers a rush like no other.

Surrounded by the Blue Mountains and Walla Walla River, Rick grew up in the small town of Walla Walla, Washington. Coming of age in the ‘70s, Rick participated in the usual rites of passage, playing sports, chasing girls, and doing enough school work to get by.

Right when he hit adolescence, he became acquainted with James Danielson and Eric Turner.

Music was the common interest that cemented their nascent friendship. Rick had already begun fooling around with a Gibson guitar an older cousin had left behind. Although he had no formal training, he showed some proficiency. Eric had a drum kit and James was a preternaturally talented guitarist.

The friends decided they should form a band.

Cycling through a series of (best forgotten) names, the fledgling trio hired and fired bassists with ruthless precision. Still, they were making a name for themselves, playing around town.

They began to dream of a future in Rock N’ Roll.

By 1986, they were finished with High School and California bound. Eric’s family had some history in Palm Springs, so they landed there. It was close to the Rock N Roll capital, Los Angeles, but much less intimidating and expensive.

Inspired by disparate influences like Bob Dylan, Motley Crue, Jimi Hendrix, the Kinks and Van Halen, the trio began searching for a bass player that would share their vision, finally in 1989, they met Nick Oliveri. Just 16 years old, the budding bassist’s influences hewed closer to Punk and Metal. He steered the Walla Walla boys toward the subversive sounds of the Ramones, Iggy Pop and the Damned.

As RagTag, the four-piece began gigging around the desert and built a solid fan base. As lead singer, Rick displayed a lean athleticism and a frontman charisma that was particularly appealing.

Their sound was a Glam-Punk-Metal hybrid that sandwiched comfortably between Guns N’ Roses and Jane’s Addiction.

RagTag signed with a manager who insisted they relocate to Los Angeles. Despite the punishing payto-play climate of the Sunset Strip, they managed to play legendary venues like the Whisky, Gazzari’s, the Country Club, the Roxy and the Troubadour.

Ultimately, the manager couldn’t deliver as promised, and after a year the band imploded.

Nick reconnected with his high school pal Josh and formed Kyuss. Rick, James and Eric returned to the desert, married, and started families. Still, the need to make music persisted, so they recruited

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

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Nick’s brother Dean (who is an amazing bassist in his own right), and reconvened.

By this time the guys were in their mid-20s and they began integrating influences like Jazz Fusion pioneer Miles Davis, the Blues of Buddy Guy and Albert King, the improvisational genius of the Grateful Dead and the narrative prowess of Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle. Looking for a way to blend these antithetical styles, the guys honed their sound over lengthy practice sessions.

It seemed apropos to name their band Woodshed, since woodshedding is slang for tenacious musical practice.

Woodshed easily fit into the Jam Band paradigm created by the Grateful Dead and maintained by a number of mid-90s disciples like Dave Matthews Band and Blues Traveler. Rick now split vocal duties with James and played rhythm guitar. Their music struck a balance between epic improvisation and lean economy. The band had a lengthy run from 1992 until 2004. They recorded two studio albums, The Fires Of Spring in 1994 and Let It Roll in 1996.

But they made their reputation as a live band, touring extensively through Southern California, and opening locally for everyone from L.A. Guns to Gene Loves Jezebel to the Untouchables. Their 2001 live effort Goodnight Irene captured the true magic of the band. In 2004 they recorded a fourth album in the high desert at Rancho de la Luna that remains unreleased.

Although Woodshed had cultivated a healthy following, commercial success and national exposure eluded them. First Eric, and then James relocated their families back to Walla, Walla and the band quietly went on hiatus, never officially breaking up.

For the next decade, Rick weathered a devastating divorce but remained a dedicated dad, raising his three kids. Finally, as the kids became more independent, his need to create music was rekindled. Musing on the twists and turns life takes, he began writing songs again.

By late 2014 he started performing live at clubs around the desert. Playing solo was both scary and exhilarating. Rick had always channeled his music through (sometimes hypercritical) committee, he experienced a new measure of freedom going it alone.

Following 10 years of relative inactivity, songs just came pouring out of him. He quickly amassed an enviable arsenal of 40 new songs. He recorded demos of each, playing all the instruments, and layering in the harmonies himself. Not long after, he contacted Chris Unck, owner of High Lonesome Studio in Joshua Tree. A multi-instrumentalist, Chris has toured with Pink and Butch Walker, and is front man for his own alt.country band, the Black Roses.

In the Summer of 2015, Rick and Chris sorted through Rick’s growing catalogue of compositions and carefully chose six songs to record a debut EP. 1909 Miles arrived in November of 2015, and received rave reviews. Rick was nominated for three categories at the 2016 Coachella Valley Music Awards, including Best New Artist, a bit of an irony, since he began his career in 1989.

The next 18 months were a whirlwind of activity. During that time Rick shared stages with artists like Cisco & Dewey, celebrated British FolkRocker Jasmine Rodgers, award-winning songwriter Travis Meadows and Country legend Jann Browne.

He’s performed at Pappy & Harriets, the Joshua Tree Saloon, the Songwriters In The Round series at the Beatnik, the Mint in Los Angeles, Long Beach’s annual Buskerfest and Songs Alive Songwriter Night in Orange County.

In the summer of 2016, he and Chris headed back into High Lonesome, paring down his 50+ catalog-o-hits, they recorded 12 songs and the result is his first full-length album, Hope Wrapped In Razor Wire.

The album opens with the low-key charm of

“Sing Waiting On A Friend.” Strummy acoustic guitar connects with stripped-down electric riffs, and a percolating rhythm. With a few deft lines Rick sets the scene; “Another tired morning the shadows fading, the light comes through the window/The night before tastes just like rum and nicotine, the old songs I was playing echoed off the barroom wall, last night I couldn’t stop thinking about you, so I sang ‘Waiting On A Friend.’” It’s a lonely portrait of a rootless musician finding solace in one woman’s arms as he pines for another. Chris Unck’s extended Keef-tastic solo slyly reiterates the song’s wry genuflection to the Rolling Stones.

Since emerging as a solo artist, Rick has acquired a lyrical sophistication that feels light years away from his Woodshed songs. Although his forte has been the artful dissection of romantic relationships (that mostly go wrong), two tracks here take him completely out of his comfort zone.

Inspired by a line in a Rexroth poem, he wrote the song “Dead Horse Hollow.” Here he shares the harrowing true story of 57 Irish immigrant workers hired to lay railroad line in Pennsylvania. They were worked nearly to death over a two month period.

Subsequently, all were cut down by Cholera and buried in an unmarked mass grave.

Banjo and dobro notes intertwine over hammering percussion, as Rick unspools the saga of Duffy’s Cut. “Five hundred pounds of hardened rail line holds the engine and the gear, Duffy’s Cut won’t bleed out willing it won’t cry or shed no tear/ Let the whisky kill the sorrow, the gut it will not save/Don’t go weak near dead horse hollow they’ll just dig another grave.” The anguish in his voice is palpable, underscored by swooping fiddle runs that split the difference between Celtic lamentation and Country comfort.

“Highway 99 (Bakersfield)” is much more lighthearted. The infectious melody is powered by a pedal-to-the-metal backbeat, walking bass lines, serpentine acoustic licks, searing pedal steel notes and an electric solo that’s positively Buckaroo-riffic.

On the surface the lyrics limn the hardscrabble existence of long-haul truckers; “I got 18 hours to roll in, that’s if everything goes right/I’ll be pushing luck and blowing smoke through an unforgiving night.” But take a closer look and it’s evident that he’s offering subtle commentary on a relationship that’s as stable as a jackknifed Big Rig. A central theme of this album seems to be revisiting heartbreak and examining psychic wounds that have yet to heal. Both “Easy Lies” and “Long Way Around” address careless infidelities and casual cruelties that happened long ago, but still feel fresh today. On the former, keening pedal steel threads through a loping melody, anchored by brushed drums and over-lapping acoustic and electric guitar. Rick’s voice is sweet as molasses but it can’t camouflage the ache as he confronts adultery and betrayal; “These streets know you better than I do, you are truer to them than to me/ They look the same when you walk out on them, but a wrong street is like misery.”

The sunny, minor- key melody of the latter belies the melancholy mood of the lyrics. Acoustic and electric guitars dovetail over a wash of keys,

bowed bass and a propulsive rhythm. Emotionally adrift following a wrenching break-up, the only key to solace is practiced avoidance; “I know if I see you then all bets are off, I know how it is in the town/Take the long way around.” It’s possibly the sweetest, saddest song he’s ever written.

Rick’s sharp observational skills are showcased on two tracks, “All She Really Wants” and “Hope Wrapped In Razor Wire.” On “All…” lonesome pedal steel cradles knotty acoustic riffs and stutter-step percussion. The opening lines say it all; “There’s a hawk feather hanging from the heart of this woman that I know, but I don’t know her well/She tells me stories of the places that she’s been to, all the lovers that she’s through, little secrets little lies.”

His language both is evocative and economical as he tries to see past woman’s affectations hoping for a genuine connection. Sadly there’s no there there.

The title track offers intimate details from a late night assignation; “She had wings that were tattooed down the length of her back revealed as her dress touched the floor, another of a dagger through the heart of her breast, piercing in through the core/She looked lean as she moved on through the dim light, almost seemed to be etched by fire/ Before she leaned in to kiss, I read the word on her neck, it was ‘hope’ wrapped in razor wire.” A fiddle swoops and saws over the arrangement, accentuating the bittersweet tableau.

It feels as though Rick can’t outrun his own demons on both “Home To The Bed I Made” and “Kisses Bitter.” The former plays out like an emotional travelogue, mileposts marking moments of consternation and ennui. Here spitfire fiddle runs spark and pinwheel, mirroring the mood of inherent dissatisfaction.

On the latter, his voice cuts like honey and wood-smoke, tender, but resolute. Reverbdrenched guitar gives the melody a spectral feel.

Rick takes a personal inventory and comes up wanting. Haunted by youthful indiscretions and poor choices, release only comes through sleep; “When I do, I dream I’m free/The ground just slips away, got no hold on me.”

The final three tracks form a tender triptych hoping for sweet connection and possible redemption. “Right Back In My Arms” is a twangy two-step that revisits a failed romance hoping for closure; “When we were younger the city had a luster, it had a way of talking you believed to be true/You were beautiful, me I was careless, paint the two together, well, you’re bound to get some blue.”

“Sweet Poetry” wraps a knowing mea culpa in an achingly pure melody. Rick’s plaintive tone is buttressed by an iridescent guitar solo sure to melt the listener’s heart. Finally, “The Heart I Never Had,” waxes and wanes, powered by a chugging rhythm, weeping lap steel and quavery guitar.

Hoping for some emotional rescue, he’s back on “another long open highway...” but peace of mind remains elusive.

This album is pretty close to perfect, but Rick couldn’t have done it alone. He shares production chores with Chris Unck who also plays drums, percussion, backing vocals, banjo, bass, bowed bass, keys and lap steel (phew). Rick tackles guitar, bass, dobro and percussion. Other players include Bob Furgo on fiddle, Damian Lester on upright bass, Matt Pynn on pedal steel and Tyler Saraca played drums. Gabriella Evaro provided sweet backing vocals on “Easy Lies.”

Hope Wrapped In Razor Wire is everything you could want in a record. The lyrics are suffused with heart and soul. The melodies hit the sweet spot, equal parts Rock N’ Roll swagger and good old Country comfort, (with none of that bro-tastic bitter aftertaste). Rick’s youthful dreams of Rock N’ Roll were deferred, to honor obligations and commitments, to raise a family and have a life. But his music is better, richer and more resonant for his experience. There’s something to be said for delayed gratification.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

DONATION BOX, DESERT X AND ARTIST GABRIEL KURI

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orn In Mexico Brussels based artist Gabriel Kuri is known for his repurposed installation work. He melds installation’s environment and impacts it with the socio-political consequences of our human actions. As Desert X is a very site specific exhibition Kuri is a logical choice for participation. I spoke with the artist about his work, Donation Box. AR: Donation Box is a powerful, familiar yet surreal view of the desert. It is also one of the more controversial pieces in Desert X – what about the desert environment precipitated this piece?

Kuri: “Palm Springs is a strange environment. There is something about the proximity of the enormous mountains, the neatness of the housing developments, and the commodification of the indomitable environment that are specific of this region.

The feeling of excitement and challenge, and seeing a price tag anywhere one looks is inevitable. There is something about what I perceive to be the economy of the area, and how this seeps into the exhibition project, that I felt I had to address.”

AR: Desert X is site specific – you chose this empty commercial space, which at one time did host an art gallery, why this space?

Did you know of it history before selection?

Kuri: “I learned that this space most recently hosted a shop that went bankrupt.

This is where I felt like picking up. I like the idea of the space being emptied out as a result of bankruptcy.”

AR: The particular mall is one that is more empty that occupied, it sits on the edge of Palm Springs, and with the shadow of the Aitken Mirage, do you see this juxtaposition of dreams (Mirage) and reality (Donation Box)?

Kuri: “I am glad that you point out the juxtaposition in these terms. This is what this

sort of exhibition is about, connecting dots and activating the spaces and landscapes in between. If there is one thing that outdoor public projects should do, it is exactly that, not just to leave the museum or gallery, but to do so without carrying its epistemology outdoors… to really aim to exist in a relevant way outside, and to activate the outdoors beyond the familiar or expected. Jennifer Bolande´s billboards are not far from my work either, and would also work in the same terms of this axis you begun by pointing out.”

AR: Your work is not without critics and not without challenging the viewer. When conceiving these installations are you at all concerned about the reaction from press or public? Or are you separated from that concern?

Kuri: “My work only exists when the spectator activates it. This is when meaning is established, art is an act of communication.

However it is different to conceive it in this way, and to go as far as anticipating or catering for the reaction of the public or press. I prefer to think of my work as an open metaphor, I establish the rules in the clearest yet open fashion, and the viewer completes the work.

In this particular case, I did feel the inclination to make a statement that could be interpreted

ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS: THE COLLABORATION OF NEIGHBORS

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s the Coachella Valley welcomes Desert X and Desert Island for the second year the University of California, Riverside-Palm Desert Center and the Palm Springs Art Museum Artists Council present one of the largest exhibitions of local, living artists in the Coachella Valley.

Artistic Expressions features work from 90 of the Museum Artists Council members.

This community outreach exhibition runs to April 24 at UCR Palm Desert Center. A special morning of art demonstrations will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, March 11 and April 1, also at UCR Palm Desert Center.

With over 400 members the Palm Springs Art Museum Artists Council is committed to creating a fellowship among the arts communities. This goal is compatible with UCR Palm Desert’s goal of creating partnerships that advance the public good, and impacting the cultural life of the community. Proceeds from sales of the work support Palm Springs

Art Museum’s exhibitions, acquisitions, and general operations.

“This is not just about showcasing local artists,” said Terry Hastings, artist’s council board member. “It is more about showcasing the diversity of talent and the interpretation of what is art. Art requires a community if it is to be successful.”

UCR Palm Desert recognizes that artists play a crucial role in society. Our goal is to engage and inspire the community with extraordinary visual content while giving artists space to experiment, explore, and innovate.

“The art exhibition is just one of the many great events UCR Palm Desert provides as a service to the community, but it’s among one of our favorite annual events. This is an opportunity for the public to see the incredible talent of our Coachella Valley artists, from established photographers to emerging painters, and every kind of creative

March 9 to March 15, 2017

BY ANGELA ROMEO

as site and situation responsive, and with a declared political element to it.”

AR: Your work embraces physical properties – elements of natural phenomena and the manmade by-products, do you see the world in a type of chaos or power struggle between these two concepts?

Kuri: “Of course the planet is in decay as a result of human activity. But I aspire for my work not to have negativity inscribed in its critique. I don´t want the audience to leave feeling bad, nor guilty nor pessimistic.

I think this piece is in a sense clean and hopefully gracious. Despite the fact that it has thousands of extinguished cigarette butts -which are repulsive- and coins -which are often cumbersome- it is purposefully and neatly arranged: each cigarette butt is upright and stuck individually in the sand.

The coins are tossed from a short distance. I would like the humor of it to be the agent that triggers thought. When it comes to materials, I thought of the three constituent elements as having somehow the same value: small change, cigarette butts and grains of sand… the three of them are particles and can be considered, technically of metaphorically, as units of currency.”

AR: Is Donation Box perhaps a

BY ANGELA ROMEO

in between,” noted Tamara Hedges, Executive Director of UCR Palm Desert.

“The show is a non-juried but curated event. Without a theme or other parameters, each artist is able to create work that they feel best exemplifies themselves. This freedom carries to the viewer as each viewer sees the work as unique as they are,” continued Terry. “Moreover UCR-Palm Desert campus is a vital part of the community. By partnering

ART SCENE

representation of that beauty and ugliness that man imparts on the environment?

Kuri: “Yes, and I also like to think of it as a commentary on the fact that everything has a price tag, especially in an environment with such stark contrast between naked desert and land developed into a green grid.”

AR: You were born in Mexico and reside in Belgium – do you see your global citizenship as an influence on your work?

Kuri: “Of course, I also lived in LA for three years recently and I feel like I owed a work of this kind to my time in southern California. My origins or identity are not something that I put forward any time I am making a work, but I of course acknowledge that the way I do what I do, comes as a result of where I was formed, and where I continue to pitch my voice.”

AR: As a parent, do you see that influencing your work?

Kuri: “I have learned a lot from my kids, yes.

Perhaps one of the more important things has been to make myself react promptly, I cannot spend forever conceiving each project.”

AR: Your work carries without a concern or perhaps a disdain of what we do to the world around us, with a work such as Donation Box, what do you hope the viewer takes away?

Kuri: “The landscape (mountains, open space, elevation and descent…) is one of the universal metaphors. This work is in some way classical in its landscape genre. It is an open metaphor and I would hope each viewer to project a distinct and specific experience and reflection.”

AR: What do you want the Coachella Valley to know about you?

Kuri: “It is all in the work… and hopefully the valley can learn something about itself. I am not speaking in any other voice but first person singular, but I believe that when an artwork strikes the right chord, it resonates in the other´s conception of itself.”

ART SCENE

with UCR we are able to open the doors to education and cultural opportunities.

This Valley is more than golf courses and swimming pools. Artistic Expressions makes that point.”

For additional information: Palm Springs Art Museum Artists Council www.psmuseum. org/artists-council or University of California, Riverside Palm Desert Center www. palmdesert.ucr.edu.

11

March 9 to March 15, 2017

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

HAZARDS OF PET CHEWING

C

harlie, my brother’s dog, died on the operating table during surgery after swallowing part of a rubber ball. The object ruptured his esophagus.

Charlie’s family is heartbroken over the loss of their 3-year-old Shepherd mix dog, and wondering what they could have done differently. What can pet owners do to prevent such a tragedy?

Objects most likely to cause this type of obstruction are smooth sided and spherical like a golf ball or rubber ball. Pet owners need to acquire information and exercise caution.

Symptoms that indicate your dog swallowed something causing an obstruction are vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy, loss of appetite and blood in the feces. Charlie vomited, could not keep food down, and could barely drink water.

The emergency vet clinic did blood work, but it was not until Charlie was seen by his regular vet that an x-ray showed what appeared to be an object.

If your pet has these symptoms, it’s important to get the animal in for veterinary treatment as soon as possible, particularly if you know he has a tendency to chew and swallow foreign objects. Fortunately, most cases are not fatal, but they can be distressful for you and your pet.

Lillian Roberts, DMV, sees this problem in her practice at Country Club Animal Clinic in Palm Desert. Dr. Roberts comments, “The

12

most common thing dogs swallow are toys of an inappropriate size or toys that are worn out, and then they can’t pass them or vomit them up. We also see cases of dogs eating things out of the trash or clothing left on the floor. The breeds most likely to ingest foreign objects are Labs and Golden Retrievers, although I had one 14-year-old Yorkie patient who needed carpet fibers removed from his stomach.”

Dr. Roberts notes that even bones can be a problem if they splinter. She recommends Kongs as the safest alternative. These can be purchased at Petco or PetSmart, and then be filled with a dab of peanut butter or pet food Toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in their throats. Discard broken or torn pet toys.

Remove parts of pet toys that can easily be eaten such as ribbons, strings, and artificial eyes. Check with your vet about what chew toys are appropriate for your dog.

The Humane Society of the United States recommends very hard rubber toys such as Nylabone and Kong products.

improve your dog’s behavior in many areas, including chewing and digging. When a dog has rules and structure, his behavior improves.” One of the basic commands is teaching your dog to “leave it” and release a foreign object, whether it’s a valuable possession or a chunk of plastic in the back yard. Sandy stresses that dogs need to be part of the family and get enough human interaction. Dogs left alone for long periods of time are more likely to chew and destroy things out of frustration.

Both Sandy Miller and Dr. Roberts recommend Bitter Apple spray, a pet repellent available at pet specialty stores.

This product can be sprayed on objects and surfaces you want the dog to stay away from. One of my foster dogs would chew

MEET DEVON & DIXIE Feline patients may have ingested such objects as string, thread, and ribbon. During the Christmas season, tinsel dangling off the tree may tempt your cat. Cats have been known to consume sewing thread along with the attached needle.

For a variety of reasons, some dogs are habitual chewers and you must “dog proof” your home and yard. Keep objects like pens, shoes, eyeglasses, remote controls and dirty laundry out of reach. Plastic bags that once contained food are very attractive to dogs. Keep trash cans covered or out of reach. One of the most common things Dr. Roberts has removed from dogs’ digestive tracks are tennis balls. Dogs love to play with tennis balls, but they can be hazardous if swallowed.

Puppies, like human toddlers, explore the world by putting things in their mouths.

Chewing facilitates teething and makes sore gums feel better. Check with your vet and specialty pet shops to find appropriate things for puppies to chew.

According to local dog trainer Sandy Miller, some dogs chew out of boredom.

Sandy states, “Obedience training will

Double the fun and adopt both Devon & Dixie. These sweet little bonded pups are 3-yrold mama and 1-yr-old daughter. Rescued by Loving All Animals, www.lovingallanimals.org (760) 834-7000.

MEET PERRI This handsome Blue Point Himalayan fellow seeks a home where he gets lots of loving companionship. Perri was rescued by www.ForeverMeow.org after his human died.

Contact (760) 335-6767.

and eat her bedding and throw rugs until I discovered this product.

Do not discipline your dog if you arrive home and find your most expensive pair of shoes chewed up, even minutes after the act.

The dog doesn’t associate any punishment with behavior that’s in the past. Don’t run after him if he runs away with your favorite sweater because he will think this is a game.

Instead, call him to come toward you and offer a treat instead.

Give your dog plenty of “people time”, and physical and mental exercise. A tired dog is less likely to get into trouble. Take him on car trips and on interesting walks in different neighborhoods. Chewing behavior may be related to separation anxiety as well as boredom. Don’t ban your dog from all play with toys. They can benefit greatly from a game of fetch or Frisbee, and the bond between you will increase through these games.

Country Club Animal Clinic can be contacted at (760) 776-7555. For assistance with challenging dog behavior problems including chewing, trainer Sandy Miller can be reached at (760) 360-4085.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

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THE VINO VOICE

March 9 to March 15, 2017

BY RICK RIOZZA

THE TWO TRUE CALIFORNIA WINES

A

t haste it seems, we continue to cover the comforting red wines of the season before our desert heats again and we seek out thirst-quenching white wine. And as true Californians, we certainly wish to pay homage to two of our “native” grapes that have been producing wine in this state for over the past 150 years.

Yep—that’s right. Just step up and grab a full-bodied, full-on, powerhouse of a wine of either Zinfandel or Petite Sirah.

Both wines can offer lip-smacking intensity and concentration of expressive dark fruits that can meet up with any pepper steak or rack of grilled and charred meats lathered with sweet & spicy sauces. Purple-stained Winemakers just love to maintain that bombast vino profile and simply revel in allowing their juice extended contact with the red grape skins, giving the wine its strong tannins and complex flavors.

Zinfandel wine grapes may have arrived in America around 1820 and soon became a popular table & wine grape. Zinfandel then made its way west when the Gold Rush affected national history. It was the wine of the pioneers and millions of gallons were being stored in San Francisco for bottling. By the close of the 19th century, Zinfandel grapes were being planted all over California. Some of these “old vines” still exist today and produce wine that can readily be found in most stores.

Zinfandel wine exudes ripe, red and black fruits including raspberries, blackberries jammy black & red cherries, strawberries and red plums along with spice, pepper and jam characteristics.

Recently, I had the real pleasure of attending the Westin Mission Hills Resort’s winemaker dinners where Restaurant Director Jason Brock provided the culinary coup by featuring the wines of the Seghesio Family Vineyards paired with the stellar cuisine of Chef Joel Delmond and his staff. It was an exquisite evening of wine, food, and company.

In many ways the story of Seghesio Family Vineyards is the story of the Sonoma County wine industry. Through five generations and 120 years, the Seghesio Family Vineyards has been proud to be part of the vibrant history and fabric of Sonoma County. And, Seghesio Family Vineyards is nearly synonymous with Zinfandel, and has been so ever since founder Edoardo Seghesio planted his first Zinfandel vines in Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley in 1895.

Anyone wishing to sample and educate themselves with a variety of Sonoma Zin styles will wish to hone in on the Seghesio portfolio which contains13 different labels!

From “old vines” to vineyard specific such as Cortina and Maffei, the line-up is an amazing selection.

Petite Sirah, like Zinfandel, is one of the few wines that California has taken to

itself and produced something special. Also known as Durif, and originally from France (it’s the French love child between its royal father, the Syrah grape, and the wayward Country-French gal of a vine, Peloursin) this grape with a feminine name really produces a wine quite on the brawny side with deep rich aromas and flavors of blueberry, blackberry, spice, chocolate, mixed with black pepper notes, licorice, smoked meats and tar.

And there’s a real following among us Californians who just go crazy over this stuff. It’s what a red wine drinker desires when meeting up with a large pepper steak & potato.

It’s historically big and powerful but, a fine bottle of Petite Sirah can also show an elegance like we find in a Cabernet Sauvignon. It has those great mouth grabbing tannins and is somewhat high in acidity that works to make it a wine with the ability to age. Mark Oldman, in his “Brave New World of Wine” calls Petite Sirah “dark and intense as a dominatrix’s boot.”

Producer Villa San-Juliette in Paso Robles, calls it “blueberry motor oil”.

Feminine in stylishness, masculine in clout. “Voluptuous” definitely comes to mind—which could be translated as a sexy wine. It’s a winner of a red wine and the trend is to produce the best it can be.

For a number of years in California, Petite Sirah was primarily used as a blending grape, thanks to its deep color and heavy tannins. And it is still frequently blended into Zinfandel for added complexity, body, and to tone down the tendency of Zins toward “jammy” fruit. The famed Ridge Vineyard’s Zinfandel out of Santa Cruz will always have a nice dose of Petite.

Those of us back in the day who enjoyed Gallo’s Hearty Burgundy, really were enjoying a good portion of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah—it was tasty and inexpensive. (I don’t recommend it now—it’s not the same blend).

So many wine enthusiasts remember

their first great bottle of a single-vineyard Petite Sirah because there is so much going on with the wine and the synergy of the food pairing. Of course enjoying a glass of the Petite on its own is a treat as well—the wine’s complexities and popping dark-fruit flavors make it a lovely tasting affair.

I definitely have my favorite Petite bottlings through the years that include Stag’s Leap Winery, Puccioni, Biale, Carlisle, and others that can demand higher prices from $25 to $50. The good news I have for you readers right now, is that you can enjoy a great bottle for only $17 plus change at Total Wine & More. The 2014 Line Shack Petite Sirah, from San Antonio Valley AVA, Monterey County, is an amazing value for the quality of this fairly new Petite on the market.

It’s full of ripe flavors and balanced with deep dark color and a flood of plum, dark cherry, blueberry, pomegranate and aromas of mocha, vanilla and oak spice with medium to heavy tannins and a nice long lingering finish. Think of pairing this with hearty red pasta dishes, pizza and spicy Thai. Here’s to deep purple! Cheers!

13

March 9 to March 15, 2017

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THUR MARCH 9

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Discoteca w/ DJ Victor Rodriguez 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Trio w/ guest vocalist Richard Leibel 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Blue Rose Tattoo Contest Giveaway w/ DJ Addemup 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Barry Baughn and Bob Gross 6:30pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760365-6633 Open Mic Night 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Night 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Country Nation 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Courtney Chambers 5-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Country Lips 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Intimate Acoustics w/ Morgan James 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Gutter Candy 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm STUFT PIZZA; PD; 760-777-9989 Acoustic Live 6pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T-Bone Karaoke 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Anthony DiGerlando Show 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Robert Salisbury 5-6pm, Jersey Gold 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Derek Jordan Gregg 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Linda Peterson Jazz 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 8pm

FRI MARCH 10

14

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 David Macias 6:30pm

ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Full House Band w/ Nena Anderson 8pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mark Kahny and Francesca Amari 6:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Friday Night Sour Hour w/ Pink Lemonade Drag Show 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Kayves, Coyote Electric and Nicolas Artorius Lara 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Hive Minds 9pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke 9pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ Double A 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CATHEDRAL CANYON GOLF CLUB;C.C.; 760-328-6571 Coachella Valley All Stars 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Gina Carey 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 The Myx 8:30pm THE HARD ROCK HOTEL PS; PS; 760-3259676 Esjay Jones Presents: Acoustic Sessions w/ Blasting Echo and Sunday Funeral 8pm Lobby THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 30 Miles Out 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 The Whiskey Blues Band 8pm LA QUINTA BREWERY;PD; 760-200-2597 TBA 7pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Dax Band 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS;

760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 TBA 5-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 RoadRunners 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Joyce Manor and Audacity 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Marilyn Maye 8pm RANCHO LAS PALMAS; RM Hotwyre 5:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 J Patron w/ Thr3 Strykes, Million & Albertini, DJ Amavida and more 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 TBA 6-9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOLANO’S BISTRO; LQ; 760-771-6655 Michael Madden 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 3 Blind Mice 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo & Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TJ’S; PD; 760-345-6744 TBA 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Meet the Corwins 5:30pm, The John Stanley King Show 8pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 Karaoke 8:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley ft. Lisa LaFaro Weselis 5-8:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm

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ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 & Bill 6:30pm Dax Band 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Dublab THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888Presents: Dayclubbing 11am poolside, 999-1995 Radio Wave 9pm Stronghold Reggae 10pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke 8-1:15am Cabaret on the Green Open Mic 7:30pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm 7:30pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Hungry 4080 212 Band 9pm Hearts CD Release Party w/ Titans of Cinema PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760and Momentai 9pm 345-0222 Hotwyre 6:30pm BEATNIK LOUNGE; JT; TBA 9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Black Crystal RoadRunners 9pm Wolf Kids 8pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-775PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 5566 DJ 9pm Karaoke 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND 6-10pm COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Marilyn CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Maye 8pm Tuzzolino 5:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 The CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 TBA 9pm Popravinas 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth The Bill Baker Show 6pm 7-10pm DATE SHED; IND; Righteous & The Wicked SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro and Drop Mob 8pm Brothers 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228Blues 8-11pm 1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm 8-11pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK Jack Ruvio 6pm CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760Furgo 9pm 365-6633 Dana Larson & Friends 6-9pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 TBA Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm 8:30pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; James 6pm INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin THE HARD ROCK HOTEL PS; PS; 760-325Music 10pm 9676 Esjay Jones Presents: Global Lounge SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Sessions w/ Sotomayor w/ Rafa & Porque Si 3560 TBA 6pm 8pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Travis Hayes Bone Thumpers 9pm 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE Dennis Michael 6:30pm HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 7606:30pm 328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm TRYST; PS; 760-832-6046 TBA 10pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm 5391 DJ Hektik 10pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 TBA 9pm Rose Mallett & Barney McClure 5pm, Kal KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke David, Lauri Bono & The Real Deal 7:30pm 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Man 6pm Hines 9-2am

SAT MARCH 11

March 9 to March 15, 2017

THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Abie Perkins and Bert Vela 7pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 TBA 7-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Mark Kahny Jazz Brunch 10am-2pm, The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Zelda’s 40th Anniversary Collection 8pm

SUN MARCH 12 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Sekmaddox 11am, Full Moon Party 7pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Brunch w/ Shelley Yoelin and Bill Casale 11am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Latin Night w/ DJ LF, Richie Rich 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 5:30pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760365-6633 Dana Larson &Friends 5-8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Mystic Avalanche Entertainment Presents: Rick Shelley’s CD Release Party ft. Jasmine Rodgers and Courtney Chambers 8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm continue to page 20

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

HAPPY HOUR HOTSPOT

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BY DENISE ORTUNO-NEIL

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

CV MUSIC SHOWCASE MARCH PRELIMINARY WINNER:

LA BRASSERIE’S MARVELOUS MANHATTAN 5TH TOWN

T

here seems to be a new trend happening in cocktails, or should I say, a resurgence of classic drinks making a monumental comeback. Old school concoctions such as the Side Car, Old Fashion, Negroni and the Manhattan are being ordered with enthusiasm from bar and restaurants patrons throughout the Coachella Valley and beyond. One place that serves an especially special Manhattan is La Brasserie in La Quinta.

If you have yet to spend time at La Brasserie, you are missing out in a very pleasant drinking and dining adventure. The restaurant, situated in the Vons Shopping Center in La Quinta, transports their guests into a quaint and cozy French experience.

The wood paneled bar is perfectly styled, intimate with a romantic vibe. Peering out the window from the bar gives a view of their equally adorable patio for outdoor dining. Owner and Chef Emmanual Janin’s special attention to detail in the restaurants ambience has clearly paid off.

The advantage of sitting in the bar area extends past the visual benefits, as that is where guests can enjoy Happy Hour pricing from 4-6pm Monday thru Saturday (they are closed on Sunday’s). Happy Hour includes their fantastic Manhattan, as well as other specialty cocktails, wine and food items. Their Grand Parisian Manhattan is usually $10, but on Happy Hour it is only $8…quite the deal.

The Grand Parisian Manhattan strays away from the traditional recipe, with seriously tasty results. In a classic Manhattan, there is Whisky, Sweet Vermouth and a dash of bitters, all stirred, and usually poured into a martini glass (on the rocks is an option of course), garnished with a Maraschino Cherry. La Brasseries recipe amps up the classic in their version with Bastille 1789 French Whiskey, Grand Marnier, Sweet Vermouth and a bit of Orange Juice, garnished with an awesome cherry. The outcome is a smoother than smooth cocktail. The drink pairs nicely with La Brasseries menu, and makes ordering

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just one a bit problematic.

Bar menu items to accompany your Grand Parisian Manhattan include their House Made Gravadlax, Truffle Fries, Duck Tacos, Mussels Mariniere and many more.

Their regular menu is also available at the bar for those who wish to move past the bar menu. With the libation trend taking a trip back in time, it’s refreshing to have a new twist on an old favorite like the Manhattan.

Try an oldie but goodie on your next dining excursion, and if you find yourself at La Brasserie, the Grand Parisian Manhattan is a must. A votre santé!

For more information visit www. labrasserielaquinta.com or call 760-7714400.

La Brasserie is located at 78-477 Hwy 111, La Quinta, CA 92253

BY TRACY DIETLIN

ongratulations to the band 5th Town who were the winners at the fourth preliminary competition of the CV Music Showcase held last Sunday at The Hood Bar & Pizza. Band members include Chelsea Sugarbritches (vocals) Linda Lemke Heinz (vocals, flute), Josh Heinz (rhythm guitar), Martin Barrera (lead guitar), Jeff Mazur (bass) and Troy Whitford (drums).

The other four bands that competed in the Showcase included Razor J & The Blades, Avenida, Black Water Gospel and Instigator.

The judges for the event were Amy Donegan, Julie Montante, producer Cameron Chaney and musician/producer Michael Sembello who had a top hit with song “Maniac” from the movie Flashdance.

The judges were impressed with the strong vocal harmonies that 5th Town delivered along with their songwriting, with Sembello commenting that the band’s song “Pretty” was a radio hit for sure.

Because the February Showcase had to be cancelled there was a fifth spot to fill going to the Finals. That was determined by taking all of the scores from the bands who competed in the three previous preliminary showcases along with the other four bands from Sunday night and giving the band with the overall highest score the fifth seat, which went to the metal band Instigator comprised of Mark Wadlund (lead guitar), Jaxon Fischer (rhythm guitar), Garrison Calkins (bass) and Joseph Snodgrass Boomer (drums). Members of the band are still in high school but performed an amazing set wowing both the judges and the crowd.

Also this year we decided to do a wild card pick giving a sixth band a spot in the Finals. The next highest score of all the showcases went to another band from that night, Blackwater Gospel, comprised of Lance Riebsomer (vocals & guitar), David Morales (lead guitar), Alex Maestas (drums) and Dan Wheat (bass).

5TH TOWN The winners, 5th Town, won $200.00 and will move on to the Finals on Saturday, April 7, also at The Hood, to compete for $1500.00 cash, a merch package, and a one song recording with award winning producer Ronnie King. 5th Town will compete in the Finals with Instigator, Black Water Gospel, Drop Mob, Sunday Funeral and The Bermuda.

A big thank you to Brad Guth and Eddie Pizarro, owners of The Hood, for hosting the CV Music Showcase at their venue for the second year.

BLACK WATER GOSPEL

INSTIGATOR

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

SCREENERS

THE LAST MUTANT RISES NOW PLAYING: LOGAN

Already a massive hit with audiences and critics alike, this final Wolverine outing is the best of all.

Hugh Jackman’s tenth turn as Wolverine is surprisingly subtle, heartfelt, psychologically compelling and emotionally satisfying. Writer director James Mangold has crafted an unexpectedly thoughtful screenplay – and movie -- that does not shrink from the bloody and necessary violence.

Set in 2029, a time when the Mutants are just about gone.

Logan is hiding somewhere in the wilderness of the Mexican border. He spends his days drinking, and making pocket money by hiring himself out as a driver. His companions in exile are Caliban, an outcast, and Professor X, who has succumbed to ever worsening seizures.

Everything changes when a mysterious woman appears with an urgent request. Are Logan’s

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BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

No. 255

attempts to hide from the world and escape his legacy over when the woman asks Logan to escort a remarkable young woman to a safe haven? The claws extend when Logan, on a live-or-die mission, confronts dark forces and a villain from his own past -- one that will set the weary warrior on a fateful.

Tightly plotted and ruthlessly bloodthirsty, this is an impressive return to form for the X-Men franchise.

Co-writer/Director Mangold drags Wolverine -- decidedly older, if not wiser -- into a Western conceit that elevates this movie to its rightful spot among the best superhero movies of late.

Jackman outdoes himself as he gives in to Logan’s understandable rage. His performance has been rightfully called “Clint Eastwoodesque” -- and the lines in Jackman’s face tell the backstory of his worn character. Is Wolverine a man at the end of his time? Perhaps. But even so, this last chapter is an extraordinary return to the best of the X-Men franchise is all about.

Not to be missed.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: LITTLE FAUSS AND BIG HALSEY (1970) Thank heaven for the boutique home video distributors who are taking advantage of the treasure trove of great classic, foreign and independent films that have yet to get a hi-def transfer and in many cases are not available on DVD and impossible to find on vhs (yes, there are collectors).

This long out of print cult favorite has been

greatly anticipated for home video and it looks and sounds great.

A young Robert Redford is pro motorcyclist racer Big Halsy Knox. His main problem as the story opens besides being a self-centered narcissist, is that he’s been barred from racing because of his on-track behavior.

Almost by chance, he meets Little (that’s the perfectly cast Michael J. Pollard character’s first name). Fauss quickly convinces Little to let him use his name and borrow his bike so he can enter the next big race.

Sidney Furie directs this colorful, actionfilled, mostly one-sided “bromance” with a great eye for location and ear for dialogue.

There’s a wonderful sense of time and place.

Redford is solid as the self-absorbed, womanizing Halsy. He’s not a particularly sympathetic or even likable character.

Halsy consistently and constantly belittles Fauss and takes advantage of him. Fauss’s feelings of inferiority are intensified when the beautiful Rita (Lauren Hutton) and Halsy meet.

And it’s not long before the tension between friendship and loyalty are stretched to the breaking point.

Charles Eastman wrote the evocative screenplay with a sharp ear for revealing regional dialogue that suggests so much more then the words themselves. Especially in conversation with Little’s parents played by Noah Beery and the incredible Lucille Benson as Seally and Mom Fauss, Little’s eccentric parents. Big recommendation. The great Johnny Cash soundtrack add immensely to the rural and gritty mood of the tale. Olive Films.

Blu-ray. For more info, go to olivefilms.com KISS OF DEATH (1947)

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Certainly among the greatest of the 1940s noir masterpieces. Victor Mature is a criminal informer with a target on his back in this movie made famous by Richard Widmark’s Oscar©nominated tough-guy performance as probably the most frightening psychopath ever seen on an American theater screen.

The edgy script is by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer and Henry Hathaway in the director’s chair squeezing every drop of suspense and emotion through his sterling sense of composition and pacing. This iconic noir soars as it drags us into the story of a petty crook (Mature) turned stool-pigeon who, in his attempt to go straight, finds himself stalked by a psycho killer, the notorious Tommy Udo (Widmark).

Shot documentary style on location in New York City, the striking black and white -shadowy and silver -- composition is almost as memorable as the story itself. But it’s really Widmark’s extraordinary performance that burns brightest and longest in the memory.

David Buttolph composed the striking score.

This one for the digital library. Twilight Time Movies. Blu-ray. Limited edition, only 3,000 units.

DELUGE

After a series of earthquakes on the West Coast, a massive tidal wave circles the globe and --in a prolonged and spectacular special effects sequence --wipes out New York City. Sidney Blackmer stars as a man separated from his family in the wake of the catastrophe, but finds himself in a situation where realizes he alone must begin to rebuild civilization For decades, Felix Feist’s incredible 1933 disaster film was a lost film of almost mythical status, until horror/sci-fi archivist Forrest J. Ackerman discovered an Italian-dubbed print in 1981.

But watching this poor-quality print was an arduous experience and was only a dim substitute for the original film. But all this changed last year when Lobster Films unearthed a 35mm nitrate negative with the original English soundtrack.

Film preservationist (and Lobster Films CEO) Serge Bromberg says, “Thanks to film archivist George Willeman (Library of Congress), we located the nitrate dupe negative in the archives of the Centre National du Cinéma et de L’Image Animée in France. Although this element was partly decomposed, the latest digital technologies allowed us to restore the image to its original sharpness. Our sound department, LE Diapason, performed extensive sound restoration to both the French and English soundtracks.”

The restored Deluge premiered at L’Étrange Festival in Paris last September.

Bromberg says, «Deluge is a magnificent film, and what was at the time certainly nightmarish seems today full of thrills and almost poetry.

King Kong was not the only fantastic film at RKO in 1933!” Kino Lorber (Lobster) Blu-ray. For more info, go to KinoLorber.com RobinESimmons@aol.com

BOOK REVIEW

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

March 9 to March 15, 2017

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY -----------------------------------------------------

“A MAN CALLED OVE”

BY FREDRIK BACKMAN FICTION

----------------------------------------------------uman beings are not designed to be alone. Often, when people lose the one they love, it is a lonely and painful adjustment to continue on with life. In Fredrik Backman’s A Man Called Ove (Washington Square Press, 337 pages) a heartsick man discovers a new love for his community.

This Swedish book was published in 2012 where it became a bestseller. Three years later, “Ove” was published in the United States, and is currently the number one fiction paperback on the Los Angeles Times bestseller list.

The story opens as a widower is finalizing details to take his life. When he’s about to hang himself, new neighbors moving into the house next door, interrupt his suicide attempt. A couple with two little girls and another child on the way, crash into his mailbox and are about to smash

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into the side of his house. The man, called Ove, removes the rope from around his neck and heads outside to stop any further damage.

Annoyed and angry at the new neighbors for breaking the rules and not being a decent driver, Ove pulls the young man from the vehicle and backs up the car and trailer without any further problem.

The family is grateful for Ove’s help.

This starts an unlikely friendship. Ove is a stickler for rules, only drives a Saab, and has no patients for idiots. And, he thinks just about everyone is an idiot! The new neighbors are friendly and kind. However, the husband is a klutz and incompetent at household tasks and chores.

Ove finds himself helping the family out in more ways than just constantly fixing things. He babysits, teaches the wife to drive and slowly, almost against his will, becomes an extended family member.

Soon, with the help of the family next door, Ove starts to recognize the needs of those in his community. They come to him for help and advice. At first he hates the attention and only wants to be left alone, but soon he is part of something bigger and he finds himself enjoying life again.

Ove begins to honor his wife’s memory by

embracing people like she had.

The charm of this book is how the reader learns about the man called Ove. In the beginning, we recognize he is the quintessential curmudgeon. He is angry at the world. He cannot bare living without the woman who made all of life tolerable.

But, Ove is not a bigot, unfair or unjust. He has suffered a great loss and this makes him sympathetic.

As the book reveals Ove’s backstory, how he met his wife and what he did to get her to marry him, he becomes even more understandable and loveable. He is a man of few words, but also a man of honor, integrity and dignity.

A Man Called Ove, is first of all, a romance. It is also a story about unconditional love, tolerance, acceptance of the other, and standing up for what is

right.

That said, the book is oddly written with a strange omniscient voice that makes it feel like a fairy tale -- “There once was a man named Ove”-- kind of thing.

I had a hard time getting into the narrative. I’m not sure if the problem was in the translation of the original Swedish text or the way the author wanted to slowly uncover this unusual man named Ove. In the first third, the story seems predictable and obvious. But if you stick with the narrative, it is filled with surprises and unexpected payoffs. I recommend being patient for at least 110 pages. It is well worth the wait and the rewards will follow.

Last year, the book was adapted by Swedish filmmakers and was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

It didn’t win, but this is one of those rare adaptations where I felt the movie was better than the book. However, if you cannot find the film anywhere, don’t hesitate to try the book, because it is a sweet story about the pain, suffering and beauty when we allow ourselves to love fully and completely.

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

SAX, WINE AND ROCK N ROLL!

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n a field dominated by mostly male artists, saxophonist Mindi Abair rocked the stage last Saturday night at the Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa; all part of the “Grooves at the Westin Jazz Series.”

Mindi Abair, the only saxophonist to tour with rock legends Aerosmith since 1973, has also played with Bruce Springsteen, to name a few. Mindi mesmerized the crowd playing both newer and older hits with so much enthusiasm and energy many couldn’t help but come up to the stage to dance and sing. One of my favorite songs was “Flirt” which no one can pull that off better than Mindi herself! Such a beautiful lady…see for yourself: www.mindiabair.com When I met with Mindi she was warm,

sweet and classy and made you feel like an old friend rather than a newly met stranger.

We talked about the different styles of music offered in the Coachella Valley. I mentioned my love for smooth jazz - but also rock n roll. She laughed and said “I like to think we are the rock n roll of Jazz…” And that they certainly were rockin’ down the Westin with a full house in attendance.

Living in Orange County and working in Los Angeles I have attended a lot of different concert venues. But the concerts at the Westin Mission Hills are by far the best for concert entertainment. It’s held outdoors on the Masters Plaza, with great food, wine and unbelievable ambiance among the golf course and Westin Grounds. There’s a couple more shows coming up, don’t miss them!

Before I sign off and get back to what I’m supposed to be doing (responding to fires), I have to mention who my real Rock Star is: Tracy Dietlin owner/publisher of the Coachella Valley Weekly. She knows my love for music, and I don’t know how, but I always seem to be ‘responding and reporting’ on these venues while meeting some really great people…

Thank you Tracy!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

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CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 7602794 Palm Springs Sound Company, in the 345-6466 Larry Capeloto 6pm afternoon, Hot Rox, in the night LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live 2794 Hot Rox Entertainment 5:30pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; Live Entertainment 5:30pm 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm MIRAMONTE; IW; 760-341-2200 Derek NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Jordan Gregg 6-9pm Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 8pm-1:15am Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760PAPPY & HARRIET›S; PT; 760-365-5956 327-4080 Sunday Night Jam Session w/ Jos Open Mic 7pm Burrell 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry Paul Chesne Band 7:30pm Night w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Judy SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Show 7pm 3560 T.B.A. 6pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 7pm Mike Costley’s Showcase 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi 3560 The Myx 6pm Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 9-2am The Chris Gore Group Pro Jam 7pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The Might Sweet Nothings 6-8pm John Stanley King and Trio 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Trish Hatley and Barney McClure Jazz 6pm Rob Martinez and Scott Carter 6-8pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Dude Jones WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Linda 9pm Peterson Jazz Brunch 10am-2pm, Smooth Brothers 6pm

MON MARCH 13

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx and Chris Bennett 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 5:30pm

TUE MARCH 14

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Alex A 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Robbie Wayne (George Michael Tribute) 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm-2am

BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Valentine’s Day w/ Eevaan Tre 7pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke en Espanol 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 5:30pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Drag Queen Bingo 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Acoustic Open Mic 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Ladies Night 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-

REAL ESTATE

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WED MARCH 15 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Mount Baine 7pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam w/ Shelley Yoelin Group 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 TBA 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Smooth Brothers 7pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 CV Open Mic Competition Hosted By Morgan James 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 TBA 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Jack Ruvio 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 The Bill Baker Show 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7:30pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 TBA 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic Nite hosted by Josh Heinz 8pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-

345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Andy Cahan 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Mikael Healey 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Roger & Friends 7pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Michael Holmes Jazz Trio 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Myx 6:30pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Acoustic Sessions 7pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Costley Band 6:30pm TJ’S; PD; 760-345-6744 Derek Jordan Gregg 9pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Barry Minniefield 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Motown 6:30pm

BY BRUCE CATHCART

COCKROACHES IN YOUR DESERT HOME

ew things can ruin a good night’s sleep faster than the sound of a cockroach skittering up your bedsheets in the dark, then across your spouse’s naked torso before leaping onto your face. If the little scratchy sounds their feet make doesn’t wake you, I promise that your spouse’s screaming will! The adrenaline rush that you experience as you leap out of bed and scramble to turn on the lights pretty much guarantees that you won’t be going back to sleep anytime soon… and if you do not locate, identify and dispatch the cockroach immediately you will not likely be returning to your bed anytime soon either. Such was the experience that my wife and I endured on our first night sleeping in our new home almost 35 years ago. It was one of those “I’ll never forget” nights… and not in a good way!

According to Wikipedia there are 4600 species of cockroaches of which only 30 species are happy to share your home with you. Are you kidding me? One cockroach let alone 30 species of cockroaches is too many to share my home! So what can you do to make sure you do not have the same up close and personal experience that I had on your first night in your new home, or any night in your home for that matter? Let’s take a look at the sales data for homes in the Coachella Valley for the month of February first and then I’ll get to some good tips on

3560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Two Step Tuesdays w/ Cinch 6-10pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Douglas McDonald Duo 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTE FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Mike Costley Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Pocket Yellow, Symara Stone, Upper Class Poverty and Jason Nutter 8pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Boliver and Tony GranberryJazz 6pm

how to deal with cockroaches in your desert home.

According to the Desert Area MLS as of 3/1/17 there were 969 pending transactions of residential properties here in the Coachella Valley in the month of February. That’s up from the 900 pendings in the previous month (January) and exceeding last year when we had 958 pending sales. In January there were 636 solds and in February we had 710 solds which represents another significant increase over last year when we sold only 529 homes in February 2016. We are off to a great start in 2017 and this represents our third year in a row that we have started off with higher volume of both pendings and solds. Over the past couple of years we have watched several metropolitan areas recover in terms of home values and in many cases exceed their previous high home prices of 2007. This is particularly true of our “over the hill neighbors” in San Diego, Orange and L.A Counties. I estimate that the majority of the homes here in the Coachella Valley are still 20% below the market values that we experienced in 2006-7. But overall, this positive data documents that the Coachella Valley real estate market continues to improve. Our inventory of homes for sale was up very slightly this month with 4929 homes available on February 28, 2017 compared to 4,916 homes available on

January 31, 2017. The current inventory is keeping pace with the current sales and that indicates that we are in a very stable market at this time.

Here in the desert the two most common cockroaches are the German and the American Cockroach. The American cockroaches are the larger of the two and are sometimes incorrectly called a “date beetle” simply because they look like mature dates and also because it doesn’t sound nearly as menacing as the word cockroach.

The German Cockroaches are the smaller ones and are more prolific and more difficult to get rid of. They are both extremely crafty at getting into our homes through tiny cracks and crevices, vents, sewers and drain pipes.

They prefer moist, dark places and are usually found in or near refrigerators, oven/ stoves, under sinks, bathrooms and laundry areas. They usually like to come out at night and the rule is if you see one there are plenty more!

The way to win the war on cockroaches is to enlist professional help… at least to start.

For about $150.00 our local exterminators will come to your home and do what is necessary to eradicate the existing colony.

I recommend that if you are buying a new home and suspect cockroaches might be there that you have this done before you move in. After that I have found that it is impossible to 100% seal your home from these invaders so the best plan is a monthly

maintenance program of spraying around the outside of your home as well as the locations described above inside your home.

Your local pest control professional can provide this service or you can do it yourself as most stores these days sell the proper treatments. This has worked for me so far as it has been long time since our last uninvited guest joined us in the bedroom!

Join me each month this year as we keep a close eye on our Coachella Valley real estate market. If you have a real estate question or concerns please email me at the address below.

Bruce Cathcart is the Broker/Co-Owner of La Quinta Palms Realty, “Your Friendly Professionals” and can be reached by email at bycathcart@laquintapalmsrealty.com or visit his website at laquintapalmsrealty.com.

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

JOBS OF THE FUTURE

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our future job may not exist yet.

The World Economic Forum reported that automation will eliminate more than 7 million jobs over the next three years while creating 2 million new jobs. That means 5 million will be displaced with limited prospects of future employment.

Futurist Thomas Frey has an even more dire prediction as he believes that 50% of the world’s 4 billion jobs will go away by 2030.

While new jobs will be created, population growth is expected to exceed job growth leading to larger and larger societal problems.

Change is constant. As an example, 100 years ago the United States was an agricultural society where one in three jobs was on farms. Today we are a service-based society where only one in fifty jobs is in agriculture.

Job search website monster.com has attempted to envision some of those future jobs.

One hot future job is that of a Drone Manager as drones will become as commonplace as birds over the next twenty years. At present, Internet behemoth Amazon is currently testing drones for package delivery while contemplating the use of blimps over cities as distribution hubs.

With the promulgation of fleets of drones, companies will need drone management

specialists that track the drones, work on repairs and order new ones.

With drones speckling the skies, companies will band together to coordinate the usage of the skies. Drone Air Traffic Controllers are the likely way that those armies of flying vehicles will be managed.

In addition to the growth in drone usage, self-driving car and trucks will need a new class of Mechanics. Like drone managers, there will be self-driving car and truck fleet managers.

Medicine is another area where we can expect to see dramatic change.

With advancements in 3-D printers, a future Pharmacist will be able to reconstruct the molecules of the drugs that you take and personalize the medicines to your specific needs. These specialized prescriptions will be dispensed via 3-D printers at your local pharmacy or mailed to you.

Along with personalized drugs, as the

population ages, there will be a greater need for Medical Monitors who insure that patients are following the directions of their medical professionals. This job builds on the increase in nurse practitioners and physician assistants in recent years.

With the aging of our population, an increasing percentage of people will want their last days to be of the highest quality possible versus the most days possible. This will lead to a new profession - the End-of-Life Coach. The end-of-life coach will help people to have the highest quality final days as is possible.

As technology works best when interconnected, Personal Technology Integrators will be needed to make everything work seamlessly for you. Companies will emerge that do nothing but keep your technology operating at maximum efficiency relative to your needs. Think of these people as a Geek Squad that you hire as part of a long-term service contract.

An increasingly interconnected world will cause people to feel increasingly overwhelmed. People will seek out Wholeness Mentors to map out strategies through which a person can gain a sense of greater fulfillment in their lives. Think of this job like a psychiatrist who never says, “how did that make you feel.”

The sad truth is that we will have more people than jobs. As such, governments

March 9 to March 15, 2017

around the world will give people a basic monthly income and healthcare. Without this basic income approach to the dilemma of more people than jobs, there will be greater political instability and global chaos. As such, there will be a greater acknowledgement that many people are unemployable and need their basic needs provided for by the state.

Haddon Libby is Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management and can be reached at 760.449.6349 or HLibby@ WinslowDrake.com.

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

WHAT DO BNP TENNIS AND RHYTHM WINE AND BREWS HAVE IN COMMON?.. .DUI’S

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eople flood to the desert to enjoy some of our biggest attractions and besides Coachella and Stagecoach there is not much bigger than BNP TENNIS which started this week. People sit in the stands and walk around in the hot sun watching tennis and drinking, or enjoying music. They do not realize how much they had consumed let alone how it has affected them. Sometimes the effect of the alcohol does not take place until they have been driving for a few miles.

Because of instances like this there are more DUI FATALITIES in the Coachella Valley, per capita, than anywhere else in California.

Thus it is logical that DUI arrests and fatalities spike during Concerts and Tennis.

Naturally our law enforcement agencies become more vigilant on these weekends.

Tennis and Concerts bring out DUI checkpoints. These checkpoints are legal, as long as the police follow certain protocols.

Everyone questions if you can turn around at a DUI Checkpoint? Though you are not required to drive through a checkpoint and thus can turn at a side street, you must follow all traffic laws. Illegal U-turns or erratic driving can get you pulled over, even if avoiding the checkpoint can’t.

Drunk Drivers hit the road at night before and after concerts and tennis. Many drivers have been drinking all day and then drive at night. The odds favor the police that a good percentage of the drivers will have been drinking. Once the officer has probable cause, or a reason to stop the driver, then if they smell alcohol they can investigate further. If they see a bag of drugs or a gun on the seat, they can likewise look into the propriety of an arrest for those charges.

When stopped, the impaired driver usually makes many mistakes. They are not aware, unless they read my weekly legal column, that the field sobriety and breath test at the scene are optional. Thus you do not have to take the walk the line, finger to nose, reciting the alphabet backwards and other so called field sobriety tests. Likewise the breath test at the scene (unless you are on probation) is optional.

A driver stopped and offered DUI tests should be cooperative and politely say that their attorney is Dale Gribow and he advised them not to talk without calling him for permission. Explain “they have been advised Field Sobriety Tests and the Breath Test, at the scene, are optional. If that is correct Officer, then I elect not to take

them. State you are “happy to cooperate with law enforcement and take a blood test.” Remember - Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver so DON’T TALK to the POLICE without your lawyer’s permission Drivers want to know if Drug Swabs are legal. Not only is it illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol, it is also illegal to drive under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs or drugs alone. This is true even if the drugs are prescribed by doctors. A Blood test allows the police to run the driver for drugs, unlike a breath test. So if you have been drinking AND have taken some prescriptive or non-prescriptive drugs that warn not to mix with alcohol, take the breath test.

With an increase in arrests, drivers will spend more time in holding cells before release. Normally a driver is held for 4 or more hours. The higher the DUI reading, the longer one’s time in custody. However, during tennis and concert weekends the increase in arrests congest the system and slows down the process. If arrested on a Friday you might not go before the judge until Monday or Tuesday ... if not released or have posted bail.

“Though I am sometimes referred to as

a DUI criminal defense lawyer, I choose to not view my clients as ‘criminals’. I prefer to view them and more importantly to treat them as good, honest people that have found themselves in a scary and unfortunate situation.”

I look upon my job as protecting the Constitutional Rights of every American who drinks and drives and gets arrested for a DUI. I do however “Change Hats” when I SUE Drunk Drivers for damages to my Injured or Deceased (Wrongful Death) clients.

PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI OR UBER........IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HAVING AN ARREST OR ACCIDENT AND CALLING ME.......SO DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER! If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW “TOP LAWYER” - Palm Springs Life (DUI) 2011-2017 “TOP LAWYER”-Inland Empire Magazine Nov, 2016 10.0 AVVO Perfect Peer Rating

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

COMIC CON P.S.

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BY THOMAS NOVAK

LOGAN: HUGH JACKMAN’S SWAN SONG

A

fter 17 years of fighting, clawing, and chewing on cheap cigars as Marvel Comics’ Wolverine, Hugh Jackman is retiring from the movie role that made him a household name. Before exiting the role however, he manages to leave audiences in awe of his final performance in James Mangold’s “Logan”.

(Before continuing with this article, I want to assure you that there will be NO DIRECT SPOILERS for the film. Nobody likes spoilers.

You can read on in safety.)

The fact that Hugh Jackman even got to be Wolverine is a crazy story in and of itself.

Originally, the role of Wolverine was supposed to go to Scottish actor Dougray Scott. Scott couldn’t do it because he was committed to Mission Impossible II, and he had to pass on Fox’s X-Men movie as result. This prompted producers to consider other options, most notably an Australian actor who had made headlines for winning a Theatre Award in 1998. Hugh Jackman won “Best Actor in a Musical” for his role in “Oklahoma” and this landed him a chance to audition for the lead in Fox’s X-Men film. Needless to say, he succeeded. We now have a total of 9 films in which he plays the fan-favorite Canadian mutant, Wolverine.

Ahead of the production for Logan, Jackman went public with his decision to don the claws one more time. He even went so far as to post images of himself with his fist up, extending one blade from his hand to get the point across (yes, I realize that is a terrible pun). Then in 2015, a year before X-Men Apocalypse hit theaters, we saw the cast appear at Comic Con International in San Diego California. Jackman took to the stage first in Hall H, and addressed the fans. After seeing older footage of himself, he said to the crowd, “I’ve got three words for you: Old Man Logan. That’s all I’m saying.”

His remark was met with cheers and applause. For those of you asking, “What’s the big deal? He called the character an old man, and mentioned his name. Is that supposed to mean something?” It was a reference to the original comics.

In 2008, writer Mark Millar and artist Steve McNiven took over as the creative team on the monthly Wolverine title published by Marvel Comics. From issues 66 to 72 (and then an additional induvial comic called “Wolverine - Giant Size Old Man Logan”), the duo

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unfolded the story of an old, distraught man: Wolverine, after all the villains of the Marvel titles teamed up and tricked him into killing the other X-Men. Feeling that he obviously had failed at being a hero, Wolverine decided it was necessary to “kill off” the legend of the man he was, too. This led to all the villains achieving their goals of world domination and destruction, leaving the planet a barren wasteland.

After starting over as a farmer just called “Logan,” he and his family found themselves owing money to the inbred grandchildren of the Hulk. To pay the rent on their property Logan takes up the job of driving an older, blind Hawkeye across country. Along the way, as is often the case with Wolverine, everything that can go wrong does. Since then, the writers of the regular comics have decided to “kill off” Wolverine in the Marvel 2014 limited series “Death of Wolverine”. They also found a way to bring in “Old Man Logan” as a regular monthly title. Not surprisingly, elements of the “Old Man Logan” story can be seen in “Logan”.

Okay, before all the comic fans get their shorts in a bind, I’ll clarify that I’m aware Fox has never taken a verbatim approach in putting comics to film. It’s Hollywood. They cherry pick to make a screen play. There’s always some backlash from upset fans who didn’t get the exact comic references they expected, which leads to them leaving scathing reviews of the movie itself.

With that out of the way, “Logan” is a movie that breaks from the normal “superhero” tropes. It has more in common with a western, due to the pacing of the story and the motivations of the characters. This film even pokes fun at the concept of “superheroes”, while at the same time retaining its continuity.

It does a great job of referencing the previous films in a way that avoids overloading viewers with useless information or slowing the pace.

It seems almost like director James Mangold wants to not only make up for things like that giant stupid robot from the last Wolverine film, but also to close the plot holes and mistakes created by other directors like Gavin Hood. (Hood is the man to blame for 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where the script was confusing and contradictory to the X-Men films before and after it). Mangold also manages to accomplish something with “Logan” that most franchise film directors fail

to achieve: closure.

Where does that leave the character? In talking about a successor, Jackman has gone on record recommending British actor Tom Hardy, who fans know from the film “Mad Max: Fury Road” and Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises”. Jackman has said he’d only consider revisiting the role himself if Fox, Marvel, and Disney all found a way for Wolverine to have a direct interaction with the Avengers (and most importantly the Hulk) in Marvel’s Cinematic universe. He referenced the agreement between Marvel and Sony

which led to Spider-Man appearing in “Captain America: Civil War”. Ryan Reynolds, who not only poked fun at Jackman’s portrayal of Wolverine on screen but also made fun of Jackman himself in 2016’s Deadpool, has gone on record saying he’d like Jackman to appear again as the character, so they can have an onscreen fight.

Does this mean the end of Wolverine on the big screen? Not likely. Fox and Marvel both know that fans love the character. Fox holds the film rights to the X-Men and the various spinoff titles like Deadpool, New Mutants, and X-Force, all of which have movies slated to be produced within the next decade. They’ll have to figure out if and how they can catch lightning in a bottle a second time when casting a new actor as Wolverine.

Producers may not realize this, but they have a blueprint available to them for how fans react to recasting iconic characters: the James Bond films. Super-fans and casual moviegoers alike will show the studio heads their opinion when it comes time to spend their money at the cinemas.

But before you worry about that, go watch “Logan” in theaters now; see just how Hugh Jackman leaves fans wanting more.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of March 9

ARIES (March 21-April 19): As soon as you can, sneak away to a private place where you can be alone -- preferably to a comfy sanctuary where you can indulge in eccentric behavior without being seen or heard or judged. When you get there, launch into an extended session of moaning and complaining.

I mean do it out loud. Wail and whine and whisper about everything that’s making you sad and puzzled and crazy. For best results, leap into the air and wave your arms. Whirl around in erratic figure-eights while drooling and messing up your hair. Breathe extra deeply. And all the while, let your pungent emotions and poignant fantasies flow freely through your wild heart. Keep on going until you find the relief that lies on the other side.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): “I’ve always belonged to what isn’t where I am and to what I could never be,” wrote Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa (1888-1935). That was his prerogative, of course.

Or maybe it was a fervent desire of his, and it came true. I bring his perspective to your attention, Taurus, because I believe your mandate is just the opposite, at least for the next few weeks: You must belong to what is where you are. You must belong to what you will always be.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Nothing is ever as simple as it may seem. The bad times always harbor opportunities. The good times inevitably have a caveat. According to my astrological analysis, you’ll prove the latter truth in the coming weeks. On one hand, you will be closer than you’ve been in many moons to your ultimate sources of meaning and motivation. On the other hand, you sure as hell had better take advantage of this good fortune. You can’t afford to be shy about claiming the rewards and accepting the responsibilities that come with the opportunities.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Seek intimacy with experiences that are dewy and slippery and succulent. Make sure you get more than your fair share of swirling feelings and flowing sensations, cascading streams and misty rain, arousing drinks and sumptuous sauces, warm baths and purifying saunas, skin moisturizers and lustrous massages, the milk of human kindness and the buttery release of deep sex -- and maybe even a sensational do-ityourself baptism that frees you from at least some of your regrets. Don’t stay thirsty, my undulating friend.

Quench your need to be very, very wet. Gush and spill. Be gushed and spilled on.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Would you like to live to the age of 99? If so, experiences and realizations that arrive in the coming weeks could be important in that project. A window to longevity will open, giving you a chance to gather clues about actions you can take and meditations you can do to remain vital for ten decades. I hope you’re not too much of a serious, know-it-all adult to benefit from this opportunity.

If you’d like to be deeply receptive to the secrets of a long life, you must be able to see with innocent, curious eyes. Playfulness is not just a winsome quality in this quest; it’s an essential asset.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): You’re ripe. You’re delectable. Your intelligence is especially sexy. I think it’s time to unveil the premium version of your urge to merge. To prepare, let’s review a few flirtation strategies. The eyebrow flash is a good place to start.

A subtle, flicking lick of your lips is a fine follow-up.

Try tilting your neck to the side ever-so-coyly. If there are signs of reciprocation from the other party, smooth your hair or pat your clothes. Fondle nearby objects like a wine glass or your keys. And this is very important: Listen raptly to the person you’re wooing.

P.S.: If you already have a steady partner, use these techniques as part of a crafty plan to draw him or her into deeper levels of affection.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Let’s talk about a compassionate version of robbery. The thieves who practice this art don’t steal valuable things you love.

Rather, they pilfer stuff you don’t actually need but are reluctant to let go of. For example, the spirit of a beloved ancestor may sweep into your nightmare and

© Copyright 2017 Rob Brezsny

carry off a delicious poison that has been damaging you in ways you’ve become comfortable with. A bandit angel might sneak into your imagination and burglarize the debilitating beliefs and psychological crutches you cling to as if they were bars of gold. Are you interested in benefiting from this service? Ask and you shall receive.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Evolved Scorpios don’t fantasize about bad things happening to their competitors and adversaries. They don’t seethe with smoldering desires to torment anyone who fails to give them what they want. They may, however, experience urges to achieve TOTAL CUNNNG DAZZLING MERCILESS VICTORY over those who won’t acknowledge them as golden gods or golden goddesses. But even then, they don’t indulge in the deeply counterproductive emotion of hatred.

Instead, they sublimate their ferocity into a drive to keep honing their talents. After all, that game plan is the best way to accomplish something even better than mere revenge: success in fulfilling their dreams.

Please keep these thoughts close to your heart in the coming weeks.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “The noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world,” wrote Martin Luther (1483-1546), a revolutionary who helped break the stranglehold of the Catholic Church on the European imagination. I bring this up, Sagittarius, because you’re entering a phase when you need the kind of uprising that’s best incited by music.

So I invite you to gather the tunes that have inspired you over the years, and also go hunting for a fresh batch. Then listen intently, curiously, and creatively as you feed your intention to initiate constructive mutation. Its time to overthrow anything about your status quo that is jaded, lazy, sterile, or apathetic.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “Either you learn to live with paradox and ambiguity or you’ll be six years old for the rest of your life,” says author Anne Lamott.

How are you doing with that lesson, Capricorn?

Still learning? If you would like to get even more advanced teachings about paradox and ambiguity -as well as conundrums, incongruity, and anomalies -there will be plenty of chances in the coming weeks.

Be glad! Remember the words of Nobel Prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr: “How wonderful that we have met with a paradox. Now we have some hope of making progress.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Lichen is a hardy form of life that by some estimates covers six percent of the earth’s surface. It thrives in arctic tundra and rainforests, on tree bark and rock surfaces, on walls and toxic slag heaps, from sea level to alpine environments. The secret of its success is symbiosis.

Fungi and algae band together (or sometimes fungi and bacteria) to create a blended entity; two very dissimilar organisms forge an intricate relationship that comprises a third organism. I propose that you regard lichen as your spirit ally in the coming weeks, Aquarius. You’re primed for some sterling symbioses.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): If you normally wear adornments and accessories and fine disguises, I invite you not to do so for the next two weeks.

Instead, try out an unembellished, what-you-see-iswhat-you-get approach to your appearance. If, on the other hand, you don’t normally wear adornments and accessories and fine disguises, I encourage you to embrace such possibilities in a spirit of fun and enthusiasm. Now you may inquire: How can these contradictory suggestions both apply to the Pisces tribe? The answer: There’s a more sweeping mandate behind it all, namely: to tinker and experiment with the ways you present yourself . . . to play around with strategies for translating your inner depths into outer expression.

Homework: For an hour, act as if you’re living the life you’ve always wanted to. Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

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

SPORTS SCENE

March 9 to March 15, 2017

BY FLINT WHEELER

MARCH MADNESS GETS UNDERWAY

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o here it goes. This is a unique year, because there is no clear-cut favorite to win the national championship.

Some years, there is a dominant team that is a top-heavy choice to cut down the nets.

Other years, you can point to four or five teams and say that only they have a chance to make it all the way.

That is simply not the case this year. Of the first 17 teams in the Associated Press poll, I believe only three of them cannot go all the way - Florida State, SMU (the Mustangs simply do not shoot well enough) and Butler (despite beating Villanova twice, this terrific team does not have enough size or talent to win six games).

You can make a plausible case for any of the remaining 14 teams to go all the way.

I see very little talent difference between the first 12: Kansas, Villanova, UCLA, Gonzaga, North Carolina, Oregon, Arizona, Louisville, Kentucky, WVU, Baylor and Florida. Purdue and Duke, ranked 16th and 17th, respectively, both have somewhat disappointing records, yet they still have talent and depth equal to the first 12, and, if they get hot, they can certainly make it to the Final Four.

All of these teams have had great wins against top-flight competition, but also have had some considerable losses. Consider our own Villanova Wildcats, who are ranked second and are the defending national champions. They play with a great level of consistency, but were upset by Marquette not a particularly good Big East team - and, as mentioned, swept by Butler. I love coach Jay Wright and the Wildcats, but I just don’t think they have the depth or the size to win six games against top-flight competition.

Or take Kansas. Though the Jayhawks won the Big 12, the toughest league in the country right now, and often look unbeatable, they did lose at West Virginia and to Iowa State at Allen Fieldhouse, and lost their season opener to a mediocre Indiana team.

The two teams that seem to have the most depth and talent are Kentucky and UNC, and many still believe they will meet in the championship game. But Kentucky

has been beaten five times, and though three of those losses were to top-12 teams, they were also tripped up on the road by an average Tennessee team.

The Tar Heels have suffered five defeats, including two at the hands of secondtier ACC teams Georgia Tech and Miami.

It should be noted, though, that UNC and Kentucky played the most memorable game of the season, with Kentucky winning, 103100. It was breathtaking to watch.

The Pac-12 has three of the nation’s top seven teams. They are all talented, but also erratic. Arizona has lost only four games, but among those losses was a defeat by Butler and an 85-58 thumping by Oregon.

UCLA, which has three losses, split its games against both Arizona and Oregon and lost to crosstown rival USC. The Ducks lost four times, but inexplicably lost to mediocre Georgetown and Colorado teams.

And last are the Gonzaga Bulldogs undefeated for most of the season, winners of 29 straight, with good wins over Florida, Iowa State, Arizona and two over top-25 ranked St. Mary’s. Unfortunately, the Zags’ streak recently came to an end when they blew a solid lead at home against BYU - a loss that has raised some doubts among skeptics that their superb record was a result of playing in the weak West Coast Conference.

Having gone through all of this, who do I think will emerge in the Final Four?

Well, that is virtually impossible to tell not knowing the bracket. But if I had to pick on talent and consistency, I think Kansas, UCLA, Kentucky and North Carolina will emerge in the Final Four. And I am picking UCLA to win it all.

PS: If you are looking for longshots in your bracket, I think dark-horse possibilities are Notre Dame, SMU, Butler, Maryland, Michigan, Wichita State and Iowa State.

For wild-card selections, here are two I would keep in mind: Monmouth, the MAAC conference champion, which has solid wins over South Carolina and Princeton; or Illinois State, the co-champion of the Missouri Valley Conference, which has now won 19 out of its last 20.

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March 9 to March 15, 2017

ASK THE DOCTOR

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BY DR PETER KADILE

Dr. Peter M. Kadile is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He has an integrative, osteopathic medical practice and is also known as the local, house call doctor; Desert House Call Physician. He is on staff at Eisenhower Medical Center and medical director for Serenity Hospice. His office is located in beautiful Old Town La Quinta, 78-100 Main Street, Suite 207, La Quinta, CA 92253. (760) 777-7439. DesertHouseCalls@aol.com. deserthousecalldoc.com.

OKAY, WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE THYROID GLAND?

C

ommon complaints that patients come to see me for are fatigue and weight gain. They want to know if their thyroid is functioning properly. An underactive thyroid can contribute to low energy levels and weight gain, but what about if the thyroid is overactive?

Everybody talks about the thyroid gland, but what is it? What are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism? What are the symptoms?

The thyroid is the small butterfly shaped gland located in the front of your neck. The hormones that the thyroid produces are responsible for many of the body’s metabolic functions. The thyroid is sometimes referred to as “the master gland”.

When the gland is underactive and not producing enough thyroid hormone or not performing optimally, it is hypothyroid. When it is overactive and producing too much thyroid hormone, it is called hyperthyroid.

The symptoms of each condition can vary, but generally, people with hypothyroidism can have: - fatigue - sluggishness - depression - difficulty concentrating

- weight gain - dry skin - thinning hair - feeling cold - muscle cramps - low body temperature Hyperthyroidism symptoms can be: - nervousness - irritability - increased sweating - thinning skin - muscle weakness - insomnia - racing heartbeat - weight loss A poorly functioning thyroid gland may be caused by an autoimmune disorder, radiation therapy, medications, thyroid nodules, inflammation or a congenital disorder.

If you suspect you have an underactive or overactive thyroid, your doctor can diagnose you with a thorough history and physical exam along with some blood tests. Depending on the cause of a patient’s hypo- or hyperthyroid, treatment may be as simple as taking prescription medication and being routinely monitored by your physician.

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

FRIENDS ARE THE SPICE OF LIFE

T

he day I met Carol I knew I wanted to be exactly like her. Approximately twenty years later, I’m still aspiring to emulate the many loving characteristics my friend shares with the world. Although I will probably never reach the level of a Carol clone, I am humbled by the immense blessing of her friendship.

Everyone needs a Carol in their life. She is the type of person who never gives up on me.

When discouragement drags me down, Carol lifts me up me with sincere words like, “I am confident you will work through it.” So I take another swing at whatever it is I’m trying to accomplish because, trust me, when you have an encourager like Carol on your side, you don’t want to let her down.

John Donne was right when he wrote, “No Man is an island.” Connecting with other human beings is essential to living a happy balanced life. By cultivating a close circle of friends you are awarded numerous perks.

Obviously someone like Carol inspires me to reach my goals. I connect with my friend Alex when I need a reality check. Jeanette, who entered my life when we were toddlers, is the person I talk to when I need to draw strength from my roots. When I’m in danger of veering off-course, these friends keep me grounded.

There are compelling reasons why

friendships are vital to our well-being.

According to scientific studies, people who develop strong social relationships are less likely to die prematurely when compared to individuals who live isolated. Friends are stress busters. Researchers at UCLA find women often reach out to a BFF while working through upsetting issues. Connecting with someone you share a close bond with can actually help reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

How flat and dull the good times would be without friends who rejoice in our triumphs.

When you ace that primo interview, announce your engagement or buy the new home celebrating with people who care makes the occasion so much sweeter.

Bottom line - friendships are a two-way street. Long ago you were taught to have a friend you must first learn to be a friend. In keeping a Carol, Alex or Jeanette in our lives we must give as good as we get. National Friendship Week is supposedly sometime in August, but who cares? Let’s celebrate it this week by letting our peeps know how much we value them. In gratitude to for all the friends (too numerous to name) who have entered and enriched my life…hats off to friendship!

Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching and the author of the blog www.lifeonthesunnyside.net

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