Coachella Valley Weekly - April 7 to April 13, 2022 Vol. 11 No. 4

c o a c h e l l a v a l l e y w e e k l y . c o m • A p r i l 7 t o A p r i l 1 3 , 2 0 2 2 V o l .1 1 N o .4

Ron Celona Lip Sync For A Cure Cyrano De Bergerac Palm Springs The Musical: Born To Sparkle McCallum Theatre Open Call pg4

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

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Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

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

CONTENTS

CV Rep - "Native Gardens"........................ 3 CV Rep - Ron Celona ................................. 4 The Magic of Desert Theatre ................... 5 ACS Lip Sync For A Cure............................ 5 Theatre - "Cyrano De Bergerac"............... 6 "Palm Springs The Musical: Born to Sparkle" at Desert Rose Playhouse ..... 6 McCallum Theatre Education's Open Call Talent Project .......................................... 7 Consider This - Jackie Bristow ................. 8 Club Crawler Nightlife ............................. 9 Screeners................................................. 10 The Vino Voice ........................................ 12

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VRep's 2021-2022 play season of Hopes, Dreams, and Expectations concludes with Native Gardens

by Karen Zacarias, directed by Michael Matthews and starring: Marta Portillo, Andrew Joseph Perez, Dennis Gersten and Janellen Steininger. This 90-minute play is set in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. where two neighboring gardeners initiate a border war, unintentionally taking on issues of gender, class, race, and age. Originally scheduled for a 2019 run-date and postponed by COVID, Native Gardens addresses these social issues, now more heightened post-pandemic.

Tania yearns to build a fence and transform her yard into a native garden of the local region, based on her culture and aesthetic. Neighbor Frank has a more conventional notion of what a garden should look like. Civility and kindness fades, as the gloves come off and the digs start. Frank and Tania ultimately reveal their biases towards each other, when a twist of fate amplifies their conflicting vision for Native Gardens. All emptions are on display for the audience to share, as Tania and Frank struggle to reclaim their humanity, despite learned judgments.

Native Gardens will be performed at CVRep, April 12-24, 2022. Tickets are on sale now at cvrep.org or by calling (760)-296-2996 ext.

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The Cast Andrew Joseph Perez stars as highpowered lawyer, Pablo. Perez is an LA-based actor, singer and stuntman. He can be heard narrating audiobooks on Audible and iTunes, and he’s voiced characters in Gundam Seed Destiny, Dragon Pilot, Luis Miguel, Unauthorized Living, Dynasty Warriors 9, and more. He has appeared in In The Heights (Musical Theatre West), The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (Capital Stage & San Jose Stage), Fiddler on the Roof (Music Circus), The Secret Garden (Mainstreet Theatre) and more. Starring as Pablo’s wife Tania is Marta Portillo. Portillo is an LA-based actor. Her recent credits include: NCIS: Los Angeles, Optika Piñata an immersive theatre experience at the La Jolla Playhouse Pop Up Without Walls event, Señor Plummers Final Fiesta with Rogue Artists Ensemble and Island of the Blue Dolphins with the Laguna Beach Playhouse. Next door neighbors, Frank and Virginia, are played by actors Dennis Gersten and Janellen Steininger. Gersten performed at CVRep in The Chosen and How

April 7 to April 13, 2022

I Learned to Drive. Some of his theatre credits include: The Hairy Ape and Tempest Redux (Odyssey Theatre), The Cask of Amontillado (The Huntington), Son of a Bitch (Hollywood Fringe), Macbeth Revisited (New American Theatre) and more. Steininger is delighted to make her CVRep debut after patiently waiting two years. Her most well-known appearances include: Maria Vasilyevna Voynitskaya in Uncle Vanya. She has also appeared in the original cast of its precursor, The Wood Demon and A Flaw in The Ointment (The Mark Taper Forum). Steininger’s television credits include: Sleeper Cell, Roseanne, Strong Medicine and other independent films.

About Director Michael Matthews Michael Matthews (Director, SDC) is excited to be back at CVRep where he recently staged Good People. Other selected credits include: Matilda (La Mirada), Failure: A Love Story (CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre).

Laguna Playhouse: Barefoot in the Park, The Seafarer, 12 Angry Men, The Graduate (w/ Melanie Griffith), Billy & Ray, and End of the Rainbow (also with La Mirada). Funny Girl (3D Theatricals), Sons of the Prophet (LA Premiere), Psyche: A Modern Rock Opera (World Premiere) Peter Pan: The Boy Who Hated Mothers (LA Premiere), Very Still & Hard To See (World Premiere). Celebration Theatre: Cabaret, Dream Boy (LA Premiere), Bootycandy (LA Premiere), The Color Purple, What’s Wrong With Angry? (LA Premiere), Take Me Out!, The Women of Brewster Place, the Musical (West Coast Premiere), Stupid Kids (LA Premiere), Beautiful Thing, The Bacchae. Broadway: Butley (Assistant Director). International: Sleeping Giant and The Bacchae (Edinburgh Theatre Festival).

Michael is the recipient of 2 Ovation Awards and 9 nominations, 1 LA Weekly Award and 2 nominations, 2 NAACP Theatre Awards, 1 Stage Raw Award, 3 Joseph Jefferson Award Nominations, and is the recipient of the 2015 LADCC Award for Career Achievement in Direction.

About the Playwright Karen Zacarías Karen Zacarías is a Latina playwright who has born in Mexico in 1969. She is known for her play Mariela in the Desert. It was the winner of the National Latino Playwriting Award and a finalist for other prizes. She is one of the inaugural Resident Playwrights at Arena Stage in Washington, DC, and is a core founder of the LatinX Theatre Commons.

She is the founder of Young Playwrights’ Theater, an award winning theater company that teaches playwriting in local public schools in Washington, DC. Learn more at karenzacarias.com.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Guidelines CVRep’s top priority is the well-being and safety of patrons, employees and volunteers.

Although California has ended its indoor masking requirement for vaccinated people, CVRep will adhere to its COVID-19 policy.

All CVRep patrons, staff, and volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated, and must show a picture ID with their vaccination card upon entering the building. It is required that all patrons, staff, and volunteers wear masks at all times during performances.

Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) is an equity theater company, designated a Small Professional Theatre under the Actors’ Equity Association. CVRep is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide thought provoking theatre of substance. For additional information on CVRep, please visit our website at cvrep.org.

Travel Tips 4 U ......................................... 13 Pet Place ............................................. 14-15 Safety Tips ............................................... 16 Cyber Corner ........................................... 16 Haddon Libby .......................................... 17 Dale Gribow ............................................. 17 Send Me A Trainer .................................. 18 2022 Eggstravaganza Art Show & Auction - Old Town Artisan Studios ................. 18 Health - Keto ........................................... 19 Free Will Astrology................................. 19 Cannabis Corner ..................................... 20

Andrew Joseph Perez

Marta Portillo

Dennis Gersten

Janellen Steininger

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

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BREAKING THE4TH WALL

COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY – RON CELONA

BY DEE JAE COX

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n 2008 Ron Celona, returned to the desert after a year of visiting theatre troupes across the country. Celona, a former Philadelphia dancer, also worked several years as an actor in NY prior to moving to California in 1984. Celona, relocated to the Palm Springs area in 1999. He was the Founder and Producing Artistic Director for the Joslyn Players, at the Joslyn Center Theatre (now named The Arthur Newman Theatre) from 1999 through 2007. In 2007 he left the Joslyn Center in search of his next theatrical dream project. He wanted to found a theatre in the Coachella Valley. He planned to work with actors from around the U.S. and went about establishing a non-profit theatre company, Coachella Valley Repertory, (CV Rep.) In August 2008, Coachella Valley Repertory, led by Celona and founding board member Gary D. Hall, opened their doors to an intimate 86 seat theatre space, at the Atrium in Rancho Mirage, producing “Thought provoking theatre of substance.”

Celona stated that "Performing arts is about putting up a mirror to the community and telling stories of real life.” And that is exactly what Coachella Valley Repertory does.

In addition to working under Actor’s Equity as a small professional theatre, they produce solo shows, luminary lunches, as well as having a Conservatory school for children and adults.

Celona, has stated that he likes to challenge our community with topics not necessarily in their comfort zone. That has certainly been one of their major accomplishments in the years since CV Rep’s founding.

By 2016, the size of the audiences and the success of their shows inspired Celona and the board of directors to begin a search for a bigger venue. In 2019, a year before the Covid Pandemic shut down theatres across the country, CV Rep moved from its smaller venue into a 208-seat theatre in Cathedral

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City. The new 2700-foot stage, (the size of a 600-800 seat venue,) not only expanded space for their shows, but seemed to open up new opportunities for bigger productions and artistic endeavors. Celona stated in an interview that their new state of the art Playhouse has every conceivable ‘bell and whistle,’ and will provide an amazing space for generations to come. The move to Cathedral City was facilitated by the Downtown Cathedral City Foundation, which envisioned CV Rep as the anchor for a downtown arts and entertainment district.

In 2022, at the conclusion of their first season, following a 15-month Pandemic closure, Celona has decided to retire from his position as the Artistic Director, so that he may pursue other life adventures.

Coachella Valley Repertory Executive Director, Tracey Essex stated that, “The Board of Directors conducted a nationwide search for Ron Celona’s replacement. While it was important to find an experienced producer, director and administrator, it was vital to the CV Rep Board that the new Artist Director share the Mission and Vision which Ron Celona created. CV Rep will continue to produce exciting, thought-provoking theatre of substance.” They will soon be announcing their new Artistic Director in an upcoming press conference.

CV Rep has received dozens of Desert Star Nominations from the Desert Theatre League and a multitude of wins for their shows. On April 18th The Desert Business Association (DBA,) (the desert’s LGBTQ Chamber) will award Ron Celona their Legacy Award for his longtime excellence as community leader in the arts. Celona’s and Coachella Valley Repertory’s contributions to the desert theatre community have been immeasurable.

Their future endeavors are much anticipated.

For more information on Coachella Valley Repertory: cvrep.org.

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THE MAGIC OF DESERT THEATRE

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heatre is often defined as a collaborative form of performing art that brings together professionals with various skills, (Playwright, Director, Producer, Actors, lighting, sound, costume, set designers) and uses live performers, to present a story or experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a stage.

In actuality, theatre is truly defined by the magic it creates. When it’s done well, a theatrical production can transport the audience into a different world. Create a magic that exemplifies the difference between seeing a photo of the Roman Colosseum and actually feeling your breath catch as you witness live, the real danger and excitement of a match between gladiators, the heat and the brightness of the sun or the downpour of the rain drenching the characters as streams of sweat trace their skin, one near death, the other a victor. Your heart races and you’re caught in the breath-taking experience of live action theatre.

And each performance is unique. It will never be performed or experienced in exactly the same way again. That is what makes the theatrical experience pure magic.

When it comes to imagination, inspiration and creative magic, there are no better offerings than what the Coachella Valley Theatres bring to their audiences. Each theatre unique with their own personalities and colorful seasons, the desert theatres are truly a kaleidoscope of brilliant colors. Coachella Valley Repertory, Palm Canyon Theatre, DezArt Performs, Greenroom Theatre, Desert Ensemble Theatre, Desert Rose Playhouse, Desert TheatreWorks and the McCallum, all bring entertainment magic to the desert community.

Coachella Valley Repertory, founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Ron Celona, is a professional theatre company granted small

Bakersfield Mist - Photo by Jim Cox

BY DEE JAE COX

professional theatre status by Actors Equity.

Celona once said that "Performing arts is about putting up a mirror to the community and telling stories of real life.” And that is exactly what Coachella Valley Repertory is known for.

In 2019, a year before the Covid Pandemic shut down theatres across the country, CV Rep had moved from their smaller space at the Atrium into a grand 2700-foot stage, 200 seat remodeled former IMAX theatre in Cathedral City. Since their move they have produced some of the Coachella Valley’s most successful productions. In 2022 they will be undergoing another major shift in direction, Celona, has decided to retire at the end of this season and prioritize focus on other areas of his life. CV Rep will continue with a new Artistic Director. (cvrep.org) Palm Canyon Theatre is the longest producing theatre in the Coachella Valley.

PCT was founded by the Layne family and are considered to be the classical Broadway production venue in the desert. They produce on average of approximately 14 shows per season. With top tier actors, directors and production values, this theatre pays homage to some of the best classic shows to ever grace a stage. The Layne’s are definitely one of the most talented families in the desert, directing, acting, building sets, designing lights, sound and producing their shows along-side some of the desert’s most talented performers. (palmcanyontheatre.org) DezArt Performs, founded by Michael Shaw and Daniela Ryan, provides an artistic home for bold and cutting‐edge plays. They excel at producing contemporary plays that audiences in the Coachella Valley may not have the chance to see unless visiting a larger city like Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Diego. (dezartperforms.org) The Desert Rose Playhouse, under the

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

Artistic Direction of Robbie Wayne, Desert Rose Playhouse is the Coachella Valley’s LGBTQ Affirming theatre. Their mission being to most often produce shows with gay characters or themes. (desertroseplayhouse.org) Desert Theatreworks, founded by Ron and Lance Phillips, DTW is a community inspired theatre who are vested in the artistic energy that feeds a city, a culture, and a society. They produce many classic shows as well as making an effort to stage shows that are not often produced. (dtworks.org) Desert Ensemble Theatre produces innovative plays that underscore the complexity of human interaction. They also produce some exciting new original works as well as established productions. (desertensembletheatre.org) Green Room Theatre, founded by Board President Karen Lin and Artistic Director David Catanzarite. The Greenroom Theatre creates new works, reinvents classics and produces many wonderful productions with young actors. They also produce readings and special events in celebration of the most famous bard, William Shakespeare. (grtcpd.org) McCallum Theatre, under the Artistic Direction of Mitch Gershenfeld, plays host to some of the most impressive and nationally known touring productions.

Singers, performers and full productions are staged for single events and multi-night shows. (mccallumtheatre.com) All of the above named desert theatres are non-profit organizations whose sole purpose is to provide entertainment, create art, produce, educate and support the Coachella Valley Community. They struggled and survived the pandemic like many businesses and came out the other side of the pandemic reclaiming their muses and magic. Most also offer performing arts camps and programs for young actors and

You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown!

- Photo by Michele Wiess

April 7 to April 13, 2022

make great contributions to education and the arts here in the Coachella Valley.

Theatre is so many things to so many people. It’s living and breathing in real time. It’s the culmination of so many creative and artistic individuals combining their talents to bring a shared experience to the audience. Theatre makes you think and feel. It presents ideas and stories that enrich our lives and heighten our senses. It increases knowledge and literacy, shedding light on new worlds and experiences.

Telling stories that help us to grow and become more a part of the world around us. Theatre is an integral part of our community. Two thousand years after the Greeks first began performing in the amphitheaters, theatre still provides the same magical experience that it has for centuries. Make magic a part of your world.

Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org And Co-Creator of the Palm Springs Theatre Go-To Guide, palmspringstheatre.com

Beebo Brinker

- Photo by Becky Johnson

Sweat - Photo by David A. Lee

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY LIP SYNC FOR A CURE BENEFIT SHOW

SOAP OPERA STARS RETURNING FOR 2022

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n 2017, the American Cancer Society Desert Spirit Committee wanted a fun, exciting, non-gala event to raise funds for cancer research and patient services. With the support of celebrities, mostly from the soap opera community, “Lip Sync for a Cure” was born.

After a long-awaited comeback due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, “Lip Sync for a Cure” is back and better than ever for 2022. The show, scheduled for May 20th at 6:30 pm at the Palm Springs Cultural Center (formerly known as the Camelot Theatre), will star Tristan Rogers and Jonathan Bennett as the co-emcees. Performances will be hosted by Judith Chapman, Michele and Sean Kanan, Patrika Darbo, Carolyn Hennesey, Gretchen Bonaduce, Jimmy Van Patten, and more.

Ready to critique their acts will be, Eva La Rue, her daughter Kaya Callahan, Dolores Robinson,

Richard Pryor, Jr., former Real Housewife of OC Peggy Tanous, along with local Palm Springs celebrities Kellee McQuinn, Dan McGrath, and Keisha D. This year's fundraiser will be dedicated in memoriam to famous Palm Springs resident, John Callahan, who was always ready and willing to give his time and support to this event throughout the years. His energy, talent, and heart of gold are painfully missed. We will, also, be honoring one of our hard-working committee members, Kristin Hermann, as she now battles cancer.

Tickets can be purchased at acsbsr.ejoinme. org/lipsync. For more information contact Melissa Neiderman at psmelissan@gmail.com.

“Cancer patients have faced unique clinical, social, and financial challenges in the wake of the global pandemic. We are so proud to support organizations such as the American

Cancer Society. They have become a beacon of hope for many; and we are grateful they remain dedicated to their mission, and continue to assist patients through their cancer journey, here in Palm Springs and across the nation,” said Melissa Neiderman this years’ Desert Spirit Committee Chair.

EVENTS

The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. We invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more information, visit cancer.org.

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

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CYRANO DE BERGERAC

BY DEE JAE COX

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anache, a French word that refers to a flamboyant manner and reckless courage, derived from the helmetplume worn by Henry IV, King of France from 1589 - 1610. The word was first introduced into English language by writer Edmond Rostand in his historically acclaimed play, Cyrano de Bergerac. Written in 1897, it is a fictionalized account of the life of a real man.

On December 27, 1897, the curtain rose at the Theatre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris and an hour after the curtain fell, the audience was still applauding. Since its Paris debut over 200 years ago, Cyrano de Bergerac has been translated into a multitude of languages, produced internationally thousands of times and adapted for stage, musicals, television and film.

Its longest Broadway run was 232 Performances in 1923 and on March 31, 2022 Cyrano de Bergerac opened at the Palm Canyon Theatre in Palm Springs.

Set in Paris, in the year 1640, a brilliant poet and swordsman named Cyrano de Bergerac (Michael Pacas,) finds himself deeply in love with his beautiful, intellectual cousin Roxane (Katrina Dixon.) Despite Cyrano’s brilliance

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and charisma, an abnormally huge nose over shadows his appearance, and he considers himself too ugly to risk telling Roxane about his feelings. Roxane, professes her love for Christian (Cameron Keys,) a man with a beautiful face, but little wit or intellect. Doubting his own ability to receive love, Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxane’s heart through his talent with words and poetry. Cyrano’s words are spoken by Christian as Cyrano hides in the shadows both literally and figuratively, while witnessing his gift of prose serve to benefit another man.

For all of his Panache, wit and intellect, Cyrano has little belief in his ability to be loved.

Michael Pacas, in the titular role, is every bit the tragic hero with a fatal flaw that the story calls for. From the moment Pacas, enters the stage, his swashbuckling performance is filled with a raw energy that captivates the audience and refuses to let go until the final scene. Cyrano de Bergerac, is classified as a romantic tragedy, although Rostand actually referred to it as a heroic comedy. Either way this story inflicts a dagger into the soul of the human condition.

Roxane, the beautiful, charismatic, and intellectual cousin of Cyrano de Bergerac, is elegantly portrayed by Katrina Dixon. She is a

woman who is attracted to a handsome face, but falls in love with poetry and wit. Dixon’s genuineness is so perfectly conveyed. She is trapped in a time when a woman’s role was to marry well, but instead she seeks to fulfill her intellect and pursue a man whose words, (she believes,) feed and nurture her soul and quinch her thirst for mental stimulus. Dixon’s vulnerability and strength in this role rival any who have performed it before her.

Christian de Neuvillette is a young man who also possesses an element of panache, but not the gift of words or wit that would allow him to capture the heart of a woman like Roxane without serious help from a gifted poet like Cyrano. Cameron Keys, in his presentation of Christian is so wonderful as the average man. He is good looking and charming, but lacking in the adequate verbal or intellectual skills that would allow him to capture the heart of a woman like Roxane once his good looks capture her eye.

Keys is so empathetic in is realization that it is not his looks, but Cyrano’s intellect, that has won Roxane in the end.

Cyrano de Bergerac is a grand, 17th Century, sword-fighting, bravado filled, epic story and Director Dr. William Layne, encapsulates the

world perfectly in his direction. A talented ensemble fills the stage for this big scale production and Layne stages and balances the scenes with great skill and an eye for authenticity.

He has brought out the best in these actor performances. I especially appreciated the use of the nuns and their entertaining moves in changing scenes. It was truly one of the most creative ways of using supporting characters for scene transitions, that I’ve seen.

J.W. Layne’s Scenic and Lighting design, Derik Shopinski’s costumes and Nick Campbell’s sound, enhanced this production so immensely and proved once more how a great production team and an iconic script can truly showcase the best of what theatre is meant to be.

Cyrano de Bergerac is a iconic play that deserves deep appreciation, not just as it is being performed, but also after the curtain falls. Its message is thought provoking and its characters are timeless in their human struggles.

Cyrano de Bergerac is on stage at the Palm Canyon Theatre through April 3rd. I encourage you to not miss this production of this classic play. For ticket information please visit www. palmcanyonthatre.org.

Dee Jae Cox, is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org.

And Co-Creator of the Palm Springs Theatre Go-To Guide, palmspringstheatre.com.

PALM SPRINGS THE MUSICAL: BORN TO SPARKLE

PRESENTED BY, DESERT ROSE PRODUCTIONS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BORN TO SPARKLE PRODUCTIONS

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orn to Sparkle is a campy, comedic musical written and produced by Robbie Moss Manning and Alyce Haskell Berard who are both performers in their own right along with the help and skillset of composer, Jonathan Baer. The plot basically consists of a couple of ladies, El Tanner (played

by Yo Younger) and Jewel Robbins “J.R.” (played

by Kitty Murray) who are besties/business partners that decide to make the big move from LA to Palm Springs with the aspirations of reviving the world famous, Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. This seemingly happens as they are unwittingly inspired by the ghost of J.R’s mother who was hilariously played in drag by director Robbie Wayne, who’s vocal chops are not to be outshined by his comedic prowess.

In addition to the upbeat and entertaining performances of the leading ladies, no revue of Born to Sparkle would be complete without mentioning Dan Westfall’s stellar performance as J.R’s evil stepdad, Vic Richards. At the age of 77, Richards was a cast member of the original Palm Springs Follies for 11 seasons and he never skipped a beat. His scene-stealing dialogue was

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uproarious and his solos were superb.

This was my first experience at Desert Rose Playhouse which has only recently taken over their current location in the formerly infamous location of Zelda’s Nightclub which is an extremely welcome change to the surrounding community and beyond. Utilizing the space and equipment that was left behind by the former tenants (including the bar), the folks at Desert Rose Productions found a diamond in the rough and have polished it into a fantastic little gem of a theater. One of the clear highlights of the production was not only how they are using the space, but the team behind the scenes that made the magic happen.

I was impressed how, through innovative usage of sound, lighting and changing scenes artfully projected on the backdrop, the crew behind the scenes was able to transport us from place to place with very little effort. I spoke with Nick Wass who is production’s technical director in addition to designing video and sound for Born to Sparkle.

CVW: “You’re a young guy who seems to have a lot of skills at your disposal. When

did you start out in your career working in theater?”

Wass: ‘‘I started out in middle school and high school. I was kind of inspired by my older brother who was into theater, so I got into it taking up acting roles and stage management which eventually led to me doing projection design. I’ve been doing it for 8 or 9 years now. I have my own business called Wass Projections now so I design these animations and effects all over the country and internationally. I work with schools, dance companies both professional and amateur and of course, theater companies.’’

CVW: “Historically, when putting on a stage production the concept of a set has been important for setting the scene. That being said, “sets’’ as we have always known them in the past are expensive, time consuming and require a lot of physical labor to build and maintain. Do you see what you do with these projections and designs as a way for quality theatrical productions to be cheaper and more accessible to the masses?”

Wass: “Absolutely. Especially now. If you

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ look at the price of lumber a year ago, a sheet of plywood was around $90 and now it’s even more. Then throw in gas expenses and everyone in the crew coming into work on it, it’s a lot. But at the same time, as nice as it is to have someone to design the projections and have that technology, it’s still really great to have scenery and actual set pieces that can be incorporated with the projections. Having the two combined which is what we did with Born to Sparkle. I think it’s something that we are definitely going to lean more into as we do more productions.”

Born to Sparkle will be running Thurs-Sun from March 24th through April 10th.

For more information on upcoming shows at Desert Rose Playhouse including, “MidCentury Moderns” April 20th-May 8th and a, “Mae West Double Feature” May 21st-June 5th visit WWW.DESERTROSEPLAYHOUSE.ORG.

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MCCALLUM THEATRE EDUCATION’S OPEN CALL TALENT PROJECT MOVES FORWARD WITH TWO SHOWS! TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

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cCallum Theatre Education is once again producing OPEN CALL TALENT PROJECT! Dedicated to presenting local, non-professional artists, Open Call has gone on to become one of the most popular events in the valley. This annual talent show, an audience favorite and fun for the entire family, returns after a two-year pandemic pause. Co-presenting sponsors are The H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation and The Commander Allen Donor Advised Fund.

This year, Open Call will feature 35 community members ages 8-93 – vocalists, dancers and instrumentalists – who are bringing their talent, heart and soul to the McCallum stage. The 2022 FINALISTS are: Glen Arsua & Isabelle Martinez, Christine & the Lost Keys,Coachella Valley High School Dance, Angela Delaire, Alisha Horan-Bates, Karsyn Kemp, Daniel Manaloto, Isabelle Martinez, Allison Medina, Earl Mitchell, PDHS Aztec Arts Academy, Alana Romero, Kayley Serrano, Paul Sherman, Tapestry, Natasha Terrell, and Time2Twirl.

“This is a key project for McCallum and our goal is always to produce an engaging show that highlights the value of the performing arts at any age and inspires a greater sense of community valley-wide.

To invite local aspiring artists to collaborate and perform on McCallum’s stage and share their work with the larger community is deeply rewarding, and we’re thankful for

the support we enjoy from our generous sponsors and audience members who help us make this a reality.” says Open Call producer and McCallum’s Vice President of Education, Kajsa Thuresson-Frary.

Audience members have the opportunity to vote for their favorite act. The winners will be announced at the Saturday evening performance. Cash prizes will be awarded to the grand prize ($5000), 2nd place ($2500) audience favorite ($2500) and talent achievement ($750) award winners. All Open Call finalists will receive a cash stipend.

There are two performances open to the public this year on Saturday, April 16. For the 2PM performance tickets are $20/30/40.

For the 7PM performance, which includes the award ceremony, tickets are $25/40/55.

Tickets can be purchased at the theatre box office, 73000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, by calling (760) 340-2787 or online at www.mccallumtheatre.org.

There is also an opportunity to participate in Open Call as a sponsor in support of McCallum’s arts education programs.

Sponsor benefits include Open Call tickets, public recognition and invitation to a postshow reception with finalists. For more information regarding sponsorships contact Tom Head at (760) 776-6164 or via email at thead@mccallum-theatre.org .

A “one of a kind” production that will make you want to return again and again.

The diverse talent is amazing and the finale is astonishing. The sense of community emanating from the performers is palpable

April 7 to April 13, 2022

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and must indeed be a life altering experience for them. Brava/bravo!!!

Linda and Steve Cadenelli, Open Call Audience Member This project was one of the most professionally produced of the entire season.

The performers, production and overall experience was heartwarming and left me with a tear in my eye as I left the theatre. So much effort resulted in so much joy. It truly leaves you with a sense of community.

Richard Herwig, Open Call Audience Member Open Call is a wonderful experience for all participating performers, from the youngest student to the oldest senior.

Everyone in the group wants to bring joy to the audience, to be proud of the hard work they've put in to get there, and get better at their craft. Whether you are a young student trying to make your parents proud, a college student headed for Broadway, or a senior just enjoying retirement this is one of the highest honors in the Desert.

Earl Mitchell, Open Call Finalist Open Call was a thrill and the most amazing experience of my life! I am grateful for the opportunity and the new friends that uplifted me on the journey. As an introvert, I learned that making friends and connecting with people is very important. The whole production was spot on. The credit doesn't go to the winner, but to everyone who competed and helped in the process.

Saigo Iniguez, 2019 Grand Prize Winner

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

CONSIDER THIS

“I take the knocks, still got a lot of faith in me I hit the rocks, but now I’m back on my feet, and this struggle will only deepen my well, deepen my well.” hat’s Jackie Bristow on a deep cut off her excellent new album, Outsider.

If it were possible for Bobbie Gentry and Mirage-era Fleetwood Mac to create a musical love child, she might sound like Jackie.

The New Zealand native has been making music since she was a kid. In fact, she first made her bones playing Country covers with her sister Katrina, as the Bristow Sisters. By 2002 she embarked on a solo career, relocated to Los Angeles and recorded her debut, Thirsty, with renown musician/producer Larry Klein.

Over the last two decades, she has released critically acclaimed records like Crazy Love (2007), Freedom (2010), Shot Of Gold (2015) and Blue Moon Rising (2020). But it’s her latest effort, Outsider, that finds her standing on the precipice of greatness.

The album opens with the one-two punch of “Livin’ For Love” and “Shakin My Bones.” “Livin’…” opens tentatively with loopy percussion and flirty banjo notes that are quickly supplanted by stacked vocals which form a majestic Wall Of Sound. Gritty guitar licks wash over thrumming bass, dusty Hammond B3 colors and a piledriving beat.

Jackie’s rich contralto sails above the fray as lyrics proselytize and prioritize love over lucre; “Are you livin’ for love, or livin’ for the money, chasin’ the honey, oh, oh.” Throwing down the philosophical gauntlet on the verse, she asks “do you ever question the emptiness you feel inside, was it worth the sacrifice you made to build this lie?” A growly guitar solo on the break mirrors her resolve. “Shakin’ My Bones” is the record’s first single, inspired by a Joshua Tree dust storm she experienced firsthand. Airy acoustic notes connect with arid electric riffs, bone-dry bass lines, brittle banjo and a snap-crackle-shuffle beat that feels as desolate as a haboob at the edge of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Vivid lyrics like “Everyone run for cover, watch the dust settle, it feels so smoky in the wind, but it’s so peaceful,” captures the quixotic nature of the desert. A chimerical guitar solo unfurls on the break, underscoring this musical mirage.

Although Jackie grew up in the tiny town of Gore, New Zealand, she has since become a citizen of the world, having spent time in Sydney, Los Angeles and Austin. She currently calls Nashville home. Several tracks were influenced by the Southern fried sound that gives Music City it’s flavor. Take “Rockin’ Chair” which blends searing pedal steel, crooked banjo notes, ringing guitars, wily bass and a tick-tock beat. The melody and instrumentation land somewhere between a dreamy Shoegaze soundscape and a South Of The Border groove. Contemplative lyrics like “And then I sit here quietly, the dreams fall from the trees, there is magic in the wind, it’s a gentle peaceful feeling, giving me some healing…I’m dreaming I’m believing, watching colors change, falling and floating, you’re calling out my name,” are matched by a courtly Spanish guitar solo on the break.

Then there’s the shimmery title-track.

Willowy acoustic riffs wrap around lonesome pedal steel, darting keys, angular bass, a sturdy backbeat and percolating percussive loops. Penetrating lyrics speak to the eternal

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

JACKIE BRISTOW

disconnect; “I’m always on the outside of the in-crowd, outsider, never on the inside with the hip crowd, outsider, I’m an outsider.” The tart melody and sanguine arrangement makes up for the lyrical diffidence. All insecurities recede when a muscular guitar solo flexes across the instrumental break.

Meanwhile, on “Without You,” Jackie’s deceptively girlish vocals are cocooned in jangly acoustic guitars, stickity electric riffs, prickly banjo notes, tensile bass lines, a pulsating string section and kickdrum beat.

Her voice is suffused in longing as she offers up a simple declaration of love; “Cause I’ve been struck by love, it went straight to the heart, and it makes no sense and I have no defense/But the world I know would lose its color, without you.” The ache is accentuated on the break with a plaintive pedal steel solo, then tempo accelerates as sawing strings bring the song to a breathless crescendo.

Somehow, the best tracks land dead center, the action slows on both “Fool For You” and “Surrender.” The former is equal parts Torch and Twang, powered by delicate piano arpeggios, that are shaded by plangent acoustic licks, indignant electric riffs, prowling bass and a thwoking beat. Jackie’s vocals veer into Dusty Springfield territory as she confronts an unfaithful lover; You say it’s just a little fun, everything you want and need, and then you turn away and hide, leaving me high and dry and dial me down again.” As the arrangement gathers speed, stately piano notes drill down on every turn of phrase, every declaration of independence, before locking into a down-home Gospel groove.

Sanctified backing vocals wrap around an epiphany of sorts; “You gotta be brave, gotta be strong, know what you want.”

The latter was produced by Bluegrass legend Viktor Krauss. Something of a slowcooked lament, it finds Jackie searching for what Tenacious D. referred to as “Inspirado.”

Cascading acoustic guitars lattice atop pensive electric guitar, a wall of synthesizers, lush Wurlitzer, a thrumming Upright bass, and quiescent drum machines. Initially she’s kicking against the pricks; “I’m trying to find the spark I need to light the fire, it simmers down deep in me, oh these burning embers,” by the end of the song, she realizes some things lie beyond our power; “No, I can’t control everything, life has its ups and its downs, oh let me float down this river, let me surrender.”

She also pays homage to a couple of geographical touchstones. Swirly Hammond B3, syncopated horns, flickering guitars and Gospel-inflected backing vocals coalesce into a slow-cooked Country-Soul gumbo on “Tennessee You Call Me Home.” Echoing the grit and grace of Al Green’s seminal HiRecords hit, “Take Me To The River,” the song exhibits the same wanton urgency coupled with call-and-response backing vocals.

Finally, the Golden State gets a shoutout on “California.” Sun-dappled acoustic notes feather atop shadowy pedal steel and bouzouki, agile electric arpeggios, languid bass and a conga-fied beat. Not unlike Joni Mitchell 50 years ago, Jackie evinces an ambivalence for the place where she first made her mark; “The leaves are falling, I paid my dues in California I play the game, I feel the pain, I know my truth/Always hopeful I

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

can dream in California, turn the table, I turn the spell, I’m waitin’ for ya.” A bottleneck guitar solo on the break underscores her equivocation.

Other interesting tracks include the jangly kick of the aforementioned “Never Too Late” and the feral fragility of “Wild Cat.” The album draws to a close with the anthemic “Easy Road.” Chiming guitars, gamboling banjos, and flinty bass lines are tethered to a galloping gait. Wry and introspective, the lyrics reflect on the circuitous path her career has taken; “I never took the easy road, oh, I’ve been traveling slow, and I begged, borrowed and stole just to find my way back home.”

A Bluesy guitar solo threads through the instrumental break, reinforcing her hard-won wisdom.

Produced and mixed by Jackie’s longtime musical partner in crime, Mark Punch, the

album features a plethora of pickers and players including bassists Jorgen Carllson, Steve Mackey and Matt Fell, drummers Greg Morrow, Fred Elteringham, Thomas Gallatin and former Beach Boy, Ricky Fataar. Pedal Steel and banjo duties were split between Mark Collins, Dan Dugmore and Drew Taubenfeld. Clayton Doley played Hammond B3 and Nomad Ovung was on piano. Rick Price added guitar, the horn section featured Mike Haynes on trumpet and flugelhorn along with Same Levine on tenor and baritone sax. The string section was comprised Alicia Enstrum and David Davidson, cellist Sari Reist and Kristen Wilkinson on viola. Backing vocals were handled by Kristen Rogers, Mari Kreken, Tor Egil Kreken. Jackie played acoustic and electric guitar. MVP status is tied between Viktor Krauss on all manner of synthesizers, drum machines, acoustic and guitar, Wurlitzer, electric piano and upright bass, and Mark Punch who tackles, electric, acoustic and baritone guitars, keys, loops, bouzouki, string arrangements and percussion.

Everything she has done before has led to Outsider. It’s a watershed record for Jackie Bristow, inspired by the American South and the musical melting pot that is Nashville. It delivers a smorgasbord of styles, hopscotching through Country, Soul, Folk and Rock & Roll, without ever breaking a sweat.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Thursday, April 7

Casuelas Café – Avenida – 5:30pm Chef George’s – Marc Antonelli – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewery – Open Mic – 6pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Four Twenty Bank – Open Mic – 6pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Patrice Morris and Kristi King – 6pm Jazzville @ Agua Caliente – Ben Rosenblum Trio – 7pm Jolene’s – Rebecca Clark – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Brian Lynn Jones – 7pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – Midlife O’crisis – 6pm Old Town La Quinta – Live Music – 6-9pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Intimate Acoustics w/ Krystofer Do, Mario Quintero and more… – 8pm Shanghai Red’s (Palm Springs) – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 7pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 5pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King Trio – 6pm

Friday, April 8

Bart Lounge – DJs Dxsko and Pico – 8pm Casuelas Café – The Myx – 7pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm

Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Desert Fox – Both Ways Up – 9pm Four Twenty Bank – Waxy and Empty Seat – 6pm Hotel Zoso – DJ Femme A – Lounge – 5pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Marc Antonelli and Patricia Welch – 6pm Jolene’s – The Desert Crows – 7pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Eclectik – 9pm Mitch’s on El Paseo – Alex Santana – 12pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – Craic Haus – 6pm Old Town La Quinta – DJ Pumba – 7-10pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Rockyard @ Fantasy Springs – Wild Child (The Doors Tribute) and Almost Famous – 7pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 5pm The Village – Rob & JB – 5:30-8:30pm, Rapmarz – 10pm, DJ LF – 10pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Kal David Trio – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm

Saturday, April 9

Bart Lounge – Goth Night w/ Nox Novacula, Shrouds, Tsoffire and Second Divine – 8pm

Casuelas Café – Vinny Berry – noon, Southbound and Co. – 7pm Chef George’s – Michael D Angelo and Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Acoustic Evening w/ Wes Gainey, Rick Shelley and Josh Heinz – 7pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Four Twenty Bank – Live Music – 6pm The Hood – TBA – 9pm Hotel Zoso – DJ Pico – poolside – noon, DJ Dxsko – Lounge – 5pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Marc Antonelli and Patricia Welch – 6pm Jolene’s – Fun with Dick and Jane Band – 7pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Eclectik – 9pm Mitch’s on El Paseo – Alex Santana – 12pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – The Upshots – 6pm Old Town La Quinta – Live Music – 6:308:30pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – SaintSteelWood – 8pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Superchunk w/ Mike Krol – 8pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Rockyard @ Fantasy Springs – Escape (Journey Tribute) and Electric Ash – 7pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 5pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Rose Mallett’s

April 7 to April 13, 2022

Company – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm The Village – Rob & JB – 1-4pm, Rapmarz – 10pm, DJ LF – 10pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Sunday, April 10

Bart Lounge – Latina Night w/ DJ LF – 8pm Blu Ember – Gina Sedman – 5pm Casuelas Café – Daveed Macias – noon, Barry Baughn Blues Review – 5:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Acoustic Afternoon w/ Tim Scott, The Sieve and the Saddle and Matt Kerps – 3pm Fisherman’s Market, PS – Art of Sax – 5pm Jolene’s – Patrice Morris – 6pm Kitchen 86 – Jojo Malagar – 7pm Melvyn’s – Mikael Healey – 5pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Sunday Night Jam – 5pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 12pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – Rapmarz - 10pm

Monday, April 11

Hyatt – Derek Jordan Gregg – 5-7pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Larry Capeloto – 6pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Tuesday, April 12

Babaloo Lounge – The Carmens – 6:30pm Casuelas Café – Desert Suite Band – 5:30pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Hyatt – Derek Jordan Gregg – 5-7pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Patrice Morris and Johnny Meza – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Brad’s Pad – 7-10pm Mitch’s on El Paseo – Alex Santana – 12pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Pappy and Harriet’s – The Delta Bombers w/ The 40 Mile Acre – 8pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Slim Man Band – 6pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Wednesday, April 13

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

9

April 7 to April 13, 2022

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 521

MURDERS IN THE ZOO (1933) It isn’t often that a vintage movie of the pre-code era is so much fun that it survives in spite of the copious amounts of stock footage and awkward attempts at comic relief.

Maybe it’s the startling frankness about sex and violence. The movie opens with a disturbing scene of singularly nasty torture and it’s very sympathetic heroine is a unrepentant serial adultress.

Perhaps the main clue to the film’s survival and contemporary popularity is Lionel Atwill’s Vincent Price-like portrayal of Eric Gorman, the millionaire adventurer who searches the world for dangerous game while his bored, beautiful and much younger wife (Kathleen Burke) amuses herself in the

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CLASSIC PRE-CODE HORROR

arms of other men!

Dr. Eric Gorman (a terrific Lionel Atwill) is a millionaire adventurer, traveling the world in search of dangerous game. While his bored, beautiful, much younger wife Evelyn (Kathleen Burke) entertains herself in the arms of other men.

So in turn, Gorman proposes a fundraising gala for the NYC zoo as a cover so he can use his animals to kill these men and anyone who might cross him.

When Evelyn learns of this and tells her husband she will turn him in to the law, he throws her into an alligator pond where she is devoured. He feigns innocence but Dr. Woodford (Randolph Scott), who works at the zoo, learns the truth and tells the police.

Fleeing the lawmen, Gorman frees his

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS big cats from their cages. One of the beasts chases him into a boa constrictor’s cage where the reptile squeezes him to death.

If you love old movies, this macabre and disturbing tale of an insanely jealous zoologist is hugely impressive and satisfying.

Director Richard Sutherland delivers a chilling and funny yet rousing gem that’s a sure bet for a surprisingly good time.

From Paramount Pictures, Available for streaming (Youtube) and/or purchase.

Recommended. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 7 to April 13, 2022

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

THE VINO VOICE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY RICK RIOZZA

GET READY TO RHUMBA WITH HAITIAN RHUM

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s we often do in this column, the wine bar is cleared and we taste and discuss a liquor of merit. I’ve indulged you readers with coverage of my favorite libations such as gin, tequila and Cognac, as I had my share of the stuff.

But this time around, we’re covering a distillate that I’ve probably had the least experience in enjoying: Rum—in particular Haitian Rhum. I really do not have much of a “sweet tooth” when it comes to liquor and cocktails, but I’ve recently sampled through the rum portfolio of Rhum Barbancourt, and I’ve been won over with the tasty complex flavors of the rum where sugar or sweetness is not the focus.

Most Caribbean rum is made from molasses—with molasses itself being a residue from the sugar-refining process. The grand specificity of Rhum Barbancourt comes from its use of sugar cane juice. Sugar cane juice has a much richer flavor—a wider diversity of aromas—than molasses, and that difference in the raw material distilled translates in the taste of the distilled rum.

Rhum Barbancourt is made directly from 100% pure sugar cane juice, pressed from handcut and locally grown cane. To ensure freshness, sugar canes harvested from a 600-hectare plantation are delivered directly to the distillery.

The canes are immediately crushed to obtain sugar cane juice, called vesou. This juice is then fermented with an exclusive Barbancourt yeast that brings out fruity aromas. After distillation, the resulting rum is then left to age in oak barrels.

Ah-ah! Now I know why I like this Haitain Rhum! This is the same way of Cognac production methods: Double distillation and then aged in French oak barrels from Limousin.

In 1862, Dupré Barbancourt, a native of the Charente (Cognac) region in France, put the finishing touches of the pure juice recipe for rum that bears his name. Using the double distillation method usually reserved for the very finest cognacs, he discovered a rum of incomparable quality that has always received the highest international distinctions.

A quick history account: When Columbus landed in the island of Hispaniola on December 6, 1492, he found a kingdom ruled by a cacique, or Taino Indian chief. On Columbus’ second trip there, he brought sugar cane which later became a major export along with indigo, coffee, and gold. After the French arrived and took over in the seventeenth century, Haiti was

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considered France’s richest colony and known as “the pearl of the Antilles.”

The Haitians revolted against the French from 1791-1804. One of the most important outcomes of this revolution was that it forced Napoleon Bonaparte to sell Louisiana to the U.S. in 1803, resulting in a major territorial expansion of the United States. In 1804, Haiti was the first independent Black republic in the Western Hemisphere. Haitian Creole and French is their language. Rhum is the French spelling of rum, and it’s pronounced the same the world over.

So as with Cognac, Rhum Barbancourt also “ages” the distillate for longer periods than the other rum regions of the Caribbean. Rhum Barbancourt’s portfolio includes an unaged white, 4-year-old, and 8-year-old, among others.

But the oldest rum in their stable is this bottle, the 15-year-old Estate Reserve.

Rhum Barbancourt 15 Year Estate Reserve ($55). This rum could well become one of your favorite sippers from now on. The aromas open with sandalwood, then as the glass opens up, we find elements of candied pineapple and saltwater taffy before light notes of leather and caramel come in to play. On the palate, and in a fresh dry sense, butterscotch, peach candies, and orange peel flavors meld with a bit of clove.

It’s a very creamy liquor but is still drier than traditional Caribbean rum. At 43% alcohol, It is absolutely delicious!

Rhum Barbancourt 8 Year 5 Star Reserve Speciale ($24) Aromas of coconut husks, butterscotch and light citrus notes. The palate is surprisingly elegant and complex featuring notes of caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, citrus and baking spice—hint of ginger and white pepper. The finish is long and dry and smooth with a mix of sweetness with a hint of nuttiness, slightly reminiscent of a cognac or brandy. It has a nice oaky dry layer. It’s both a sipper and a great rum for any of your cocktail needs, also at 43% alcohol.

Speaking of cocktails, trending bartender Laura Pica has come up with the “Before Sunrise”, where she utilizes the Rhum Barbancourt 4 year Rhum. We made it with the 8 year old stuff and it was delish!

• 1.5 ounces of Rhum Barbancourt • 2 ounces fresh rosemary-peach juice with fresh cinnamon • Half ounce fresh lime • Half ounce homemade peach jam • 3 dashes of warm spice bitters • AA coarse sugar rim Cul Sec! Cheers!

TRAVEL TIPS4U

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA

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ll Under Heaven, Wonders of the East. Their newest collection, comprised of 49 amazing original antiquities donated by Heather James Fine Art, Marlene and Bruce Kanter, and a gift from Tim Walsh that allowed them

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

MUSEUM OF ANCIENT WONDERS

April 7 to April 13, 2022

ARTICLE & PHOTOS

BY LYNNE TUCKER

to purchase two pieces from the Mike Healy Collection of Chinese Lacquer. These pieces date as far back as the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – A.D. 220), with beautiful Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 A.D.) pottery pieces, a Japanese Fukusa (circa 1800), an Indonesia Toraja Culture Ancestor Figure (18th Century), a nearly 7-foot-tall 500 year old Buddha from China and a pair of 550 year old 6- foot-tall Japanese Temple Guards and many more. Gathered together for the first time in one exhibition and All Under Heaven.

Think History and Go Back in Time at the Museum Of Ancient Wonders!

For more information visit the website www.moaw.org.

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

PET PLACE

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his idyllic 153-acre sanctuary for homeless dogs, cats and horses is located in the scenic mountain country above Palm Springs. To get to Living Free Animal Sanctuary, head up Highway 74 to Mountain Center, and you will see their sign on the right-hand side just before the town of Idyllwild. This is a fabulous place for animals, shrouded by lush fir trees in a rustic pastoral setting. During my visit there, I was impressed by the beautiful grounds, the buildings specially designed for the comfort of animals, and the loving care provided by the staff and volunteers.

On Thursday, April 7, from 1:30pm to 6:30pm a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates Living Free’s newest program, WAR HORSE CREEK. Due to their magnificent size and cost of ownership, horses are vulnerable to neglect and homelessness. Knowing how horses connect with and help heal people with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), our veterans participate in the program at no cost to themselves.

In this serene environment the soft wind whispers comfort and the horses work their magic bringing comfort and new awareness.

Pictured here is executive director Raymond Barmore with Emmylou.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

LIVING FREE OPENS WAR HORSE CREEK

WAR HORSE CREEK is a program by Veterans for Veterans transitioning from the military into civilian life. Working with rescued wild mustangs, participating men and women master skills through horsemanship including

empathy, patience, understanding, and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

The new buildings and infrastructure where the Veterans live during the program is named “Camp Harris” in memory of Living Free’s former executive director Randall Harris, a Marine who recently passed away.

The goal of War Horse Creek is to “inspire a sea of change in the way we, as a society, welcome our warriors home”.

There is a serene, magical quality to Living Free where neglected souls heal and new beginnings flourish. Founded in 1980, this nonprofit, no kill organization saves, rehabilitates, and rehomes homeless and abused dogs, cats, and horses. Many of the animals are rescued from public shelters where they may be in jeopardy.

Edgar Santiago, the dog kennel manager, has an innate ability to understand dogs and address each of the dog’s individual needs. He diligently trains them, teaching them the selfcontrol that will ensure a successful adoption.

The buildings that house the dogs are a unique octagon design that provides a cozy indoor suite and an outdoor exercise area for each dog. There are no sad faces peering out from kennel bars at Living Free.

Feline residents dwell happily in the cattery with access to an indoor homelike setting and outdoor area for exploring. A tree trunk for

MEET QUARTZ

MEET EMBER

This fun loving lively Terrier mix fellow would like to be your new hiking buddy! Just 3 yrs old, fun loving Quartz absolutely loves humans, he’s a “people pleaser” pup. He hopes to be adopted by an active family or couple who enjoy walks and visits to the park.

He waits for a home at Living Free, 54250 Keen Camp Rd, Mountain Center, www.living-free.org. Call (951) 491-1898 for an appointment to meet this special dog.

This most handsome Tuxedo boy will happily greet you at the Living Free Animal Sanctuary.

6-yr-old Ember enjoys sunning himself in their cat tower but will snuggle with you under a blanket when you adopt him.

He prefers a quiet adult home.

Located at 54250 Keen Camp Rd, Mountain Center, www.livingfree.org. Call (951) 491-1898 for an appointment to meet Ember.

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BY JANET McAFEE climbing rests in the center. Senior cats have their own area, keeping their own calmer pace from the younger cats and kittens.

A bell rings throughout the property with the happy news of an animal adoption. A plaque underneath the bell embodies the spirit of Living Free, “This adoption bell rings to herald the lifetime covenant between you and your new companion. Please honor this covenant with joy, love, enthusiasm, and devotion – – just as your new animal friend will.”

For more information or to make a taxdeductible gift, call (951) 659-4687 or donate online at www.living-free.org or mail a check to Living Free, 54250 Keen Camp Rd, Box 5, Mountain Center, CA 92561. View their adoptable animals at www.living-free.org.

Like LIVING FREE and WAR HORSE CREEK on Facebook. Call for a tour at (951) 6594687. If you are a Veteran, you can register for a War Horse Creek workshop online.

Considering Volunteering to help socialize the cats or enjoy walking the dogs. If you can’t adopt or volunteer, consider donating to this wonderful organization!

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com

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--------------------------------------------------Here are some places where you can adopt a wonderful rescue dog or cat!

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – Open 10:00-4:00 Monday through Saturday.

View animals online at all 4 county shelters www.rcdas.org, 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644. (Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – Open to the public, closed Tuesday. View animals online at www.psanimalsshelter.org and complete application for the one you want to meet, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, Call (760) 416-5718. (Public) DESERT HOT SPRINGS ANIMAL CARE & CONTROL - Open daily 9:30-4:30. www. cityofdhs.org/animal-care-control.com, 65810 Hacienda Ave, Desert Hot Springs, (760) 329-6411 ext. 450.

ANIMAL SAMARITANS – Open to the public. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - Call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833. (Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – Call for an appointment. This shelter has lots of big dogs and some cats, www.orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203.

(Private) KITTYLAND – Open to the public to adopt cats and kittens. Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www. kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private)

April 7 to April 13, 2022

PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – Call for appointment to adopt dogs. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals. org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER OF CALIFORNIA (ARC), Foster based rescue for dogs and cats in Indio. www.thearc-ca.org, (760) 877-7077 (Private) FLUFFS & SCRUFFS – Foster based rescue for small dogs in Cathedral City.

FLUFFSANDSCRUFFS@AOL.COM, (310) 9803383 (Private) SOCIETY’S OUTKAST ANIMAL RESCUE – Foster based rescue for dogs in Rancho Mirage, www.societysoutkasts.com, (760) 832-0617. (Private) LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY – Large outdoor shelter for dogs and cats up Hwy 74, Mountain Center, www.living-free.org, (951) 659-4687. (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – Open 12:00 – 3pm Tues through Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 3847272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Open 7 days a week.

Call (909) 386-9280, www.sbcounty.gov/acc and get the ID number of animal you are interested in adopting, 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

SAFETY TIPS MAINTAINING A STRESS-FREE ZONE – APRIL IS STRESS AWARENESS MONTH!

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ithout a doubt, we are living in some of the most stressful times.

From Covid, political differences, civil unrest, unemployment, crime, war, so much is happening. It’s important to maintain a “stress free” lifestyle as much as possible.

In the fire service, we’re good at maintaining collapse zones, isolating, and denying entry at haz-mat incidents, and establishing perimeters during brush fires, incidents involving wires down, or traffic accidents. Most of our rigs say “KEEP BACK 300 FEET” to warn bystanders of the dangers.

But what about creating a safe zone from stress? An old saying comes to mind, “Your mind is like a dangerous neighborhood – don’t go there!” I can’t count the number of times I have found myself wondering how I “got here.”

We think about stress as coming from the outside – things people say or do or don’t do, appliances that break at inopportune times, or friends or family who worry us with their actions or disappoint us when they fail to live

CYBER CORNER

up to the standards we set. However, in fact, our stress doesn’t come from the outside, but rather from the inside.

Think of the outside triggers as proximate causes. You might think you’re stressed out because the traffic is terrible, and you’ll be late. But maybe it’s because you argued with your teenage son before you left. Or because you’ve put off repairing the car and every additional minute you spend in it is a reminder.

There’s not always some big secret trigger for stress, but often the little things that get to us have deeper roots. Understanding that is key to learning to manage stress.

With the idea of proximate stressors and root cause stressors as a foundation, let’s look at a few other tips for dialing it back: Put your mind on a healthy diet! Our minds are no different than our bodies – if we feed them garbage, we will get garbage in return. Are you allowing yourself to binge on depressing news, violent video games, or mean-spirited reality TV shows? When you sit around the fire house kitchen table with your

fellow firefighters, do gossip and complaints dominate? There’s nothing wrong with indulging in entertainment from time to time, but strive for balance. Read an inspirational memoir, watch a documentary, or go for a walk in a park and listen – really listen – to all the natural life around you. You’ve been given the freedom to choose what you think about – now exercise that right!

Know your triggers and set limits. We all have things that set us over the edge – it may be when our spouse forgets to do the laundry, or when we arrive at work to find the apparatus tool compartments in disarray. Try to be aware of these triggers and anticipate when they may happen. Then, when the negative thoughts start churning, you can say “no” firmly and calmly. At the same time, know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress.

Be open to changing and asking others to change. Certain people in your life may be triggers for stress. Guess what? That

the most time-consuming aspects of cleaning your computer. To begin, delete any copies of data, obsolete applications, outdated files, or items you no longer use. After you've deleted any extraneous data, consider arranging your remaining files into an easy-to-understand organization or structure. An organized system will not only help you manage your current data, but it will also help you prevent acquiring clutter in the future.

3. Review your security preferences.

Because your operating system, software, browser, and WiFi connection all pose a risk to your data security, you should review your security settings in your preferences and adjust them to your specific needs. If you often use the internet, you might consider creating a second, independent Windows user account with no administrator access, so that essential data is less likely to be hacked. Another option is to use two different operating systems for various purposes: one for surfing and one for writing and working.

4. Update your operating system, applications, and backup data. As previously stated, unidentified back doors inside your operating system or software package might result in data breaches or virus infections. As a result, it's critical to keep your system up to date with patches and updates regularly. Make a backup of your most important data so you don't lose it all if your system fails.

5. Check online IDs, change passwords, or delete accounts. When you're cleaning your computer, take a look at all of the passwordprotected web or social media services you use. If you are no longer using it, make careful to erase as much information as possible. If you haven't used your account in a long time or aren't sure if your existing password is still secure, just change it. Remember to create a password that is both difficult and long, and that makes no sense in any language. It should be at least 8 characters long. Numbers, standard characters, and special characters should all be included.

6. Prevent apps from slowing down the PC at startup. Even if you remove unwanted applications, your computer may still be slow due to a surprising number of apps and services that start without your knowledge when your computer starts up. To see the list of applications cluttering your PC upon startup, click the Start button and then select Settings.

Then, on the left side of the window, click Apps and select Startup from the navigation pane. You should see a detailed list of all the applications that are running at startup. Scan the list and disable everything you don't believe you need, especially if Windows indicates it has a medium or high influence on the performance of your computer.

7. Browser cleaning. After you've gone through your files, check your internet browser for extensions and uninstall any that you no longer need. Deleting obsolete or unwanted browser extensions can significantly improve speed and load time, assisting in the maintenance of your computer. In addition to removing add-ons, clear your browser data to delete cookies and history for a better experience.

8. Complete a full malware scan. There are several malware software services available on the market to assist keep your computer safe.

Do your research and select an application that you will use regularly to check your computer for malicious viruses. The best approach to avoid future computer issues is to be proactive, and being prepared will help ensure your computer is always in good working condition.

W

ell, it’s that time of year again!

Time to adjust the clocks forward, change out the air filters, and deep clean around the house. Now if you want your house to stay clean, you must dust it regularly, especially in the desert area. Similarly, if you want your computer to stay efficient and responsive, it needs its own maintenance—a digital spring clean. A proper spring cleaning can save you from having to switch to a newer, more expensive PC. Your PC accumulates software and data that might slow it down over time, and browser plug-ins can also make your browser sluggish. Furthermore, there are relatively affordable upgrades you can conduct to make your computer appear to be brand new. There's also the issue of dirt and dust accumulating, which not only looks bad but may also impair airflow, potentially causing performance concerns for the chips within as the temperature rises. If you want to give your computer a digital spring cleaning, here are a few tips to revive it and restore it to the performance it had when it was new.

The following free tips will help keep your computers running in the best shape possible.

Tips for Spring Cleaning your Computer: 1. Delete any unnecessary system files.

There are two types of files: those that you may have downloaded and those that you have on your system as a result of surfing the internet, especially without adequate security installed. The second type of file is stored in the programs download folder and takes up a lot of space. However, they may be discovered using the operating system's built-in 'Disk Cleanup' application. In Windows, go to 'Settings', then 'Storage', then 'This PC', and choose your hard drive. Then select 'Temporary Files', followed by 'Delete Temporary Files'. You may delete downloaded program files, temporary internet files, setup log files, and other items. However, you must be certain of what you are removing, since some .dll files are required for the operating system to function correctly. Deleting some of them may cause the operating system to fail to boot or operate correctly. It will be tough to manually add them again.

2. Delete unnecessary data. Sorting through all of your files and documents is one of

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BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA means YOU might be triggering someone else’s stress! Rather than resorting to broad statements such as, “He’s so annoying,” try to identify specific behaviors that cause you concern. Communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. Be open-minded and compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to change yours.

Wondering whether you have too much stress in your life? Here is a post traumatic stress self-assessment. You can click here for a self-care checklist following critical incidents.

What you think affects the way you feel; the way you feel affects the way you act. Keep your mind on the right things.

Stay Safe and Create that Stress Free Zone!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

BY DENNIS SHELLY 9. Clear out your mailbox. Whether you are a home user or an office worker, you most likely receive a large number of emails every day. Even once you've sorted through the most annoying junk mail, there's still a lot of content to remove. Remember that simply putting something in the trash does not mean it is gone. Or at the very least, you should empty the email trash and spam folders.

10. Dust out your PC. If you have a desktop computer, it may collect a significant amount of dust, making it more difficult for the computer to keep cool and function as well as it did when it was new. The remedy: Turn off your computer, remove the side panel, and clean out the dust that has accumulated in the fan blades and on the circuit boards. Here are a few things to bear in mind: Be gentle— the circuits are delicate—and avoid using a mini-vacuum inside your computer. Instead, gently wipe it off with a clean, dry cotton cloth or a feather duster before blowing it with compressed air to remove the remaining dust (you might want to do this outdoors). To avoid mistakenly discharging moisture, use air cans designed for electronics.

Your computer should be cleaned regularly to ensure that your important data is secure and that everything is working smoothly.

There are several techniques to boost the performance of your PC, and we have highlighted a few of them in this article. Spring cleaning your computer is a wonderful method to free up disc space while also rechecking your online security. You can rev up your computer's performance with these cost-free methods.

Have a suggestion for our next article or questions about keeping your desktop or laptop computers clean and running as smooth as possible? Please contact us by calling (760) 205-0105 or emailing us at tech@eggheadit. com and our Eggsperts are happy to help you with your questions or suggestions.

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

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 7 to April 13, 2022

BONDS: WHEN RATES ARE RISING

BY HADDON LIBBY

A

s of the last week of March, fixed income markets expected the Fed Funds rate to increase from its current 0.25% - 0.50% range to the 2.0% 2.25% by year-end. By year-end 2023, rates are expected to increase another 1.0% - 2.0%.

All told, this suggests that the Fed believes that it will need to increase the Fed Funds rate to 4% (+/- 0.25%) in order to stem inflation.

Will these rate increases be enough?

I don’t think so.

With an official inflation rate of 8% that grows to 15% when you add food, fuel and housing, rate increases do not address the fact that negative real rates (10 year Treasury minus the inflation rate) have grown. Inflation fuels more inflation.

The newly hawkish Fed is trying to beat down inflation while keeping the economy from slipping into recession. The curious part of the Fed’s actions was the continued buying of government debt through mid-March. The Fed also remains a cheap borrowing source to Wall Street with nearly $2 trillion in reverse repos outstanding. Reverse repos are where

you sell a security for cash with the promise of buying it back the next day.

Over the last two years, the Fed has built its balance sheet to $8.9 trillion. Until the Fed begins to contract liquidity in the monetary system, quarter or half point rate increases are nothing more than window dressing.

What I have done for our investment management clients over the last two months is sell bond funds and buy individual bonds. By doing that, we lock in a set return for the term of the bond. So long as the investor holds the bond to maturity, no principal value is lost by interest rate increases. As a reminder, when rates go down, existing bonds go up in value as the bond price adjusts so that its return is in line with similar bonds. Conversely, when rates go up, existing bonds go down in value.

To show you the difference between holding a bond to maturity and a bond fund, a AA-rated corporate bond group pays between 1.6% and 3.2% to new buyers. Existing holders have lost 8% of the value of these bonds in 2022 and nearly 5% over the last year. If

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

you held the individual bonds, you were not impacted a negatively as the bond fund holder.

BBB-rated bonds pay between 2.1% and 4.0% and are down 8.0% in value in 2022.

High Yield pays between 3.8% and 6.1% with a decline of 5% over the last year.

Given that these bond classes have lost so much value with such small rate increases, bond fund holders can expect additional losses as rates move higher at a faster rate.

Add to this a flat yield curve and investors are not rewarded for taking bond risk over 5 years. The interest paid (aka yield) between a 10 or 30 year bond is about the same as a 2 or 3 year bond. An investor would buy the longer dated bonds if they thought rates were going down and inflation was going away.

Based on all of this, we currently build mixes of bonds with shorter maturities so that we can move returns higher as bonds matures and we buy new, higher yielding bonds to replace them.

Those of us at Winslow Drake have extensive experience in fixed income. Mitch Kitayama was the Treasurer of the largest

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

WAS REAR ENDED WITH BROKEN BONES, DRIVING HOME FROM THE IW TENNIS FINALS, SO WHY REJECT MY CASE?

I

focus a large amount of my practice on collecting compensation for accident victims. Today it is more difficult to deal with the “Deny & Delay” claims strategies of insurance companies. For this reason, and those expressed herein, many CV lawyers, AS OF MARCH 2022, are reluctant to accept whiplash claims or cases where LIABILITY IS IN QUESTION. When I first started practicing Personal Injury Auto Accidents cases, I would send the medical bills to the insurance company, and they would offer 3-4 times the medicals as a settlement. Those days are gone!

Now, we see $9,000 in medicals and the insurance company offers $5,000. That is not enough to pay the doctors and legal fees, and clearly there would be no money for the client. For example, a case that would formerly result in a jury verdict or settlement of $15,000, would today only garner an offer or verdict of $5,000-$7,500.

Thus, the attorney has to find a way to generate money for the client and this often involves begging the doctor to cut their bills.

Most lawyers feel it just is not worth it to have to argue with doctors to cut bills in addition to arguing with insurance companies and or

Asian bank in the country while I was his investment banker. Later on, when I was a bank CFO managing a nine-figure portfolio, Mitch was a bank CEO. I also spent many years as a credit analyst reviewing banks, brokerdealer firms, and the entertainment industries.

Bonds may not pay much relative to inflation, but the reliability helps provide portfolio stability in a volatile world.

As a reminder Registered Investment Advisors like me perform to the Fiduciary Standard of Care in everything that we do. To learn how this benefits you, drop us a note at HLIBBY@WINSLOWDRAKE.COM or visit www.

WinslowDrake.com.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management. Nothing herein should be considered investment advice. Our hope is that this article provides you with some of the education needed to ask the right questions when consulting with an investment professional whether the person is a RIA like us or a broker/dealer like most. RIAs must disclose all fees we earn while Broker/Dealers do not. Choose transparency and choose a RIA professional.

defense lawyers to put money on the case. All the while, the client is unable to understand why their case is not worth more money for all the pain they endured.

Recently, a Monterey Country Club resident presented what would have been a great case… TWO MONTHS AGO…when it happened. To her credit she had Blue Cross and went to Eisenhower, but did not have any follow up medical treatment until this week.

She also talked to the adjuster.

No matter what we argued to the insurance company, or jury, I know that it would be a challenge to convince them that today’s complaints were clearly from that 2 month old accident. They would ask “Mr. Gribow, how do we know that she did not recently slip in the shower or fall playing tennis?

Most potential clients focus on the injury, like broken bones. They do not consider the harmful factors like: admitting liability at the scene, no immediate medical treatment, who is at fault, low property damage, prior accidents, no insurance, not contacting a lawyer right away, social media that shows them playing sports for months while complaining of their injury and talking to the adjuster. It is not what the client told the

insurance company adjuster, but what the adjuster THOUGHT s/he heard.

We will never know the harmful things the client told the adjuster. The worst thing that can happen is learning of admissions to the adjuster in the middle of the trial. The adjuster could testify as to what the client said right after the accident and BEFORE the client hired a lawyer. The implication is that the client only filed and sought medical advice because of his lawyer.

Recently, the Howell Case decreased the value of these whiplash cases. Today, if the med bill is $100,000 and the health insurance pays $90,000 and your obligation is $10k, you can only present the $10,000 to the jury. The amount of monetary damage to the victim, is now what the victim paid out of pocket.

Small cases are now worth a fraction of what they would have garnered 10 years ago. For the reasons expressed herein, many experienced desert lawyers, specializing in accident cases, are reluctant to accept simple auto whiplash cases.

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow 760- 837- 7500 or dale@ dalegribowlaw.com

DRINKING AND TEXTING BOTH CAUSE ARRESTS AND ACCIDENTS, OR MAKE A DRIVER LESS LIKELY TO AVOID A DUI INDUCED ARREST OR ACCIDENT… THAT WOULD NOT BE THEIR FAULT. BEING INTOXICATED, IS JUST AS SERIOUS AS BEING INTEXTICATED. A DRIVER MUST DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVOID AN AT FAULT ACCIDENT. THE BOTTOM LINE IS “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT, AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT... CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER….

THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME”.

DALE GRIBOW REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-22 “TOP LAWYER” - Inland Empire Magazine PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating “PREEMINENT” Rating - Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory “BEST Attorneys of America” Selected by “Rue” (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys/state) “10 Best Attorneys” for California Legal Eagle "Best and Brightest Legal Minds" -The Prestigious Palm Springs Life Magazine

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

SENDME A TRAINER

“I just want to be slim. Then I’ll be happy.

That is the answer to all my problems.” ave you ever thought that if you could just be “slim” then ______ (insert problem) would be better?

Maybe you have imagined that losing weight would be the magical answer that would propel you to excel in life.

When we are hunting down the cause of our troubles, our physical flaws; especially weight become an easy target.

“Skinny” and “fat” can easily become metaphors for “happy” and “sad.”

I just want to be skinny may really mean I just want to be happy.

H

EVENTS

H

IF I WAS SLIM, I WOULD BE HAPPIER…

It is easy to get signals crossed when we are steeped in a society that believes physical beauty and thinness will gaurantee selfconfidence, happiness, love, and health. But that is certainly not the case.

DO YOU HAVE FOCUSED-PROBLEMS? Body image and weight can become the thing we focus on and try to “fix.” They become daily “focused-problem” that takes all our attention and focus.

But, when we think about it, there are some problems we prefer over others. This could be problems we think we know how to solve. Some challenges are easier than others and some struggles are familiar, almost

comfortable.

Let’s take diet and exercise as an example.

While the vast majority of our clients come to us for exercise related help, they often have other struggles in their lives such as depression, anxiety, dissatisfaction with their career, or relationship troubles.

They are very aware that a change is needed in other areas of their lives, but they just don’t know where to start. So, they focus on food and working out.

I just want to be skinny,” they say. But it’s about so much more.

Diets feel comfortable compared to more intense personal, emotional challenges. They know the ups and downs, the celebrations and heartaches of trying to “fix” their bodies and food. So, they seek comfort there.

But… Is being “skinny” the be-all and end-all?

The first step in untwisting the desire to be skinny “NOW” by separating the desire for thinness from our desire to be happy, confident, and in control.

When we are content with our worth and value, the desperate grasping for being skinny stops.

How we eat becomes more about how we can fuel our purpose and honour ourselves and less about reaching some specific number on the scale. As sabotaging thoughts fade, eating within our body’s hunger and fullness signals gets easier.

Exercise can now be about enjoyment and movement, and we may actually start to look

BY NADIA POPOVA forward to it.

This shift in thinking has created the environment for natural long-term weight loss. It feels backward but this is the “forward” way that reveals why many have failed to make long-term changes in the past. Don’t be disappointed, take a big breath filled with relief… this time can be different!

I would love to be able to share with you the beautiful world of my Coaching using Cognitive Behavior Therapy Techniques.

If you are ready to start your transformation – please contact right now!

To request a Free consultation call (760)880-9904

OLD TOWN ARTISAN STUDIOS HOLDS 2022 EGGSTRAVAGANZA

undreds of ceramic eggs have been transformed into works of art and will be auctioned off to raise funds for the Outreach Program of Old Town Artisan Studios as part of this year’s 2022 Eggstravaganza Art Show and Auction.

The collection features artists from the local desert community, as well as artists from across the nation. The show will be presented both online and in person, at the Leland Gallery on the Old Town Artisan Studios campus in La Quinta, from March 14 through April 11.

"The best part of Eggstravaganza is that it is all for a good cause! These talented artists have partnered with us to help spread art enrichment throughout the Coachella Valley. 100 percent of the proceeds will be used to fund our extensive outreach art

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

programs,” said an Old Town Artisan Studios representative.

By participating in this auction, donations will go directly to serving after school programs, special needs classes, activities for people with disabilities, and more.

Within the last two years even through a global pandemic, Old Town Artisan Studios has been able to provide over 50,000 art experiences to the local community.

“We would like to thank all of the individual artists from all over the country for the donation of their beautiful egg masterpieces. We would also like to extend a special shout-out to art organizations and clubs who helped us gather and paint multiple eggs from their groups and organizations that will make this year’s Eggstravaganza a huge success!” stated the

Old Town Artisan Studios website.

General eggs will have a 25 dollar minimum bid with a 100 dollar Buy Now option. VIP eggs will have a 100 dollar minimum bid with no Buy Now option. All bids must be placed in increments of 25 dollars or more.

The Eggstravaganza Auction opened on March 28 and will close on April 11 at 10 a.m. Participants must be registered to place a bid and buy now. In order to purchase a general egg for 100 dollars, buyers must select Buy Now. The egg will then be added to the cart and participants must pay for the egg to guarantee ownership.

Any bid of 100 dollars or more placed for a general non-VIP egg, will not automatically win the egg. Bidding for all VIP eggs will end when the auction closes on April 11. There will be no Buy Now option and no bidding cap for VIP eggs.

By placing a bid, participants are agreeing to purchase the item if they are the winning bidder. The winning bidder is decided if the bid is the highest bid when the auction closes or if the participant selects Buy Now and completes a payment of a general nonVIP egg.

All eggs won and purchased will be available for pickup or shipping within 48 hours of payment being completed.

Shipping is an additional flat-rate fee of nine dollars per shipment and is limited to the continental United States.

The featured eggs for the Eggstravaganza will be on display both in the Leland Gallery

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

located on the Art Campus and online.

The 2022 Eggstravaganza is seeking sponsors for the event. Sponsorship holds many benefits, such as being listed on the Old Town Artisan Studios website highlighting the Eggstravaganza Art Show and Auction. By sponsoring this event, participants will also be directly supporting the outreach program, Art2Go. The Art2Go program was developed during the pandemic, providing free art kits of different mediums to underserved communities throughout the Coachella Valley. With the support of the community, Old Town Artisan Studios can further its mission of bringing art experiences to all members of the desert. To become a sponsor, reach out at info@oldtownartisanstudios. org or call 760-777-1444.

HEALTH

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MICHELLE BORTHWICK

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF APRIL 7

I

f you have tried Keto and felt like it stopped working for you, or you weren’t sure if you were doing it right or maybe you just felt something was missing and you should be getting better results. There is so much confusing information online it’s frustrating to know what to do. I want to reassure you that you are firmly in the right place. Read on to find out more. I’m here to prove that Keto works! Don’t ever give up on it or yourself!

If you are willing to approach Keto with a different passion and purpose there are ways to make it work so it fits perfectly for you…

When Keto is matched to your personality and your lifestyle, you’ll be much happier, more confident and lose weight faster. You won’t be second-guessing yourself. Your Keto confidence will be on fire!

I’m excited to launch my new Keto personality quiz that’s been based on many years of coaching women with my customization process that matches Keto the the individual. There simply isn’t a one-sizefits-all Keto.

Here’s a brief description of each personality. This will give you a sense of how Keto will be designed just for YOU. Let’s break down the 4 Keto personalities KRAZY for Keto (YOU LOVE Keto as a lifestyle. You are a Lifer) You feel you were born to Keto and KRAZY for the Keto lifestyle. You love the delicious Keto food that leaves you happy and satiated.

Yet, low-fat diets leave you irritable and always hungry. After a while as a “lifer” you may feel you need to fine tune your Keto for better results, or you’ve fallen “off the wagon” and need help getting back on. My Krazy for Keto clients, like you, often rely on me to reach their goal weight and then maintain their weight loss goals effortlessly. Sometimes, when we are a keto lifer, we can be frustrated because EVEN THOUGH we’re eating keto if we hit a struggle we don’t want to give up. There are many ways to stay long term.

ALMOST Keto (I’m KETO-ish! and switch between Keto and Low Carb) Your personality is an ALMOST KETO and YOU LOVE the idea of a hybrid diet switching between Keto and low carb. It's simple and makes keto sustainable for you and boosts your results. You have the discipline to do it and you know how to stay consistently keto and then alternate with low carb. You LOVE living outside the Keto Box. You are happy about your choice to live and love Keto your way…and keep your love affair going with Keto and low carb and never have to choose just one.

WEEKDAY Keto (I LOVE the option to take the weekend off and be flexible) You’re a WEEKDAY KETO-er and you love the flexibility to live life large on the weekends without going off the rails and completely undoing what you did during the week to lose weight! You don’t do “carb cycling” where you significantly limit your carbs on days off. As a WEEKDAY KETO-er you know how to enjoy life but still be aware of carbs. You don’t want to feel like you are yo-yoing or let yourself be tempted to not return to your WEEKDAY KETO way of living. You are happy about your choice to live and love Keto your way…during the WEEK.

SIDE CHICK Keto (You use Keto as a tool as needed to control your weight) If You’re a SIDE CHICK Keto, and despite what the rest of the Keto world wants you to believe, there is NO SHAME in it. You LOVE being a Side Chick Keto-er because you know Keto is the FASTEST way to lose weight and you know how to use Keto as a tool to manage your weight. Sometimes Side Chick keto-ers need some tips and help to maintain their weight so they don’t constantly feel like they are yoyoing. They often want to learn to love being a SIDE CHICK even more as they return to their normal way of eating and living.

Are you ready to fall in love with Keto, your way? WAY beyond macros, custom meal plans and expensive supplements. Are you starting to see how YOU CAN have your own unique keto personality and create a Keto journey that will work for you? Imagine the possibilities of a program designed to help you lose weight based on your personality where you’ll reach your health goals — in the FASTEST & EASIEST way possible!

When I started Keto nearly 4 years ago and followed the advice online it left me baffled and uncertain. The customization process and personality Keto types have been developed from my own journey and that of countless clients. It became clear very quickly that one size fits all isn’t sustainable for the majority of women especially long term. If Keto doesn’t fit your personality, your lifestyle and everything that makes you unique it’s just human nature that you won’t want to stick with it.

Take the Quiz I hope I’ve put a fire in your belly for Keto and stimulated you to think outside of the standard Keto box to discover a different and more effective way to Keto. My final message for you today is “Don’t give up on Keto. It Works when customized for you and let’s your personality shine”.

Take the online quiz at, ketoiseasycoach. com/quiz, and find out your Keto Personality.

Then set up a 30-minute free consult and we’ll review it in detail.

About Michelle Borthwick (known as Michelle Keto) - Michelle is a Keto Customization Expert and Coach. Keto weight loss results can be improved with Coaching, Customization, Accountability, and a trusted partner to guide you. Michelle offers private coaching, proven Keto diet hacks, goal setting and more. Book a complimentary 30-minute private consultation online at KetoIsEasyCoach.com.

April 7 to April 13, 2022

ARIES (March 21-April 19): To provide the right horoscope, I must introduce you to three new words. The first is “orphic,” defined as “having an importance or meaning not apparent to the senses nor comprehensible to the intellect; beyond ordinary understanding.” Here’s the second word: “ludic,” which means “playful; full of fun and high spirits.” The third word is “kalon,” which refers to “profound, thorough beauty.”

Now I will coordinate those terms to create a prophecy in accordance with your astrological aspects. Ready? I predict you will generate useful inspirations and energizing transformations for yourself by adopting a ludic attitude as you seek kalon in orphic experiments and adventures.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I love your steadfastness, intense effort, and stubborn insistence on doing what’s right. Your ability to stick to the plan even when chaos creeps in is admirable. But during the coming weeks, I suggest you add a nuance to your approach.

Heed the advice of martial artist Bruce Lee: “Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.”

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini-born basketball coach Pat Summitt won Olympic medals, college championships, and presidential awards. She had a simple strategy: “Here’s how I’m going to beat you. I’m going to outwork you.

That’s it. That’s all there is to it.” I recommend that you apply her approach to everything you do for the rest of 2022. According to my analysis, you’re on course for a series of satisfying victories. All you have to do is nurture your stamina as you work with unwavering focus and resilient intelligence.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In Britain, 70 percent of the land is owned by one percent of the population. Globally, one percent of the population owns 43 percent of the wealth.

I hope there’s a much better distribution of resources within your own life. I hope that the poorer, less robust parts of your psyche aren’t being starved at the expense of the privileged and highly functioning aspects. I hope that the allies and animals you tend to take for granted are receiving as much of your love and care as the people you’re trying to impress or win over. If any adjustments are necessary, now is a favorable time to make them.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): TV show creator Joey Soloway says, “The only way things will change is when we’re all wilder, louder, riskier, sillier, and unexpectedly overflowing with surprise.”

Soloway’s Emmy Award-winning work on Transparent, one of the world’s first transgenderpositive shows, suggests that their formula has been effective for them. I’m recommending this same approach to you in the coming weeks, Leo. It will help you summon the extra courage and imagination you will need to catalyze the necessary corrections and adjustments.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain,” wrote mythologist Joseph Campbell. I don’t think his cure is foolproof. The lingering effects of some old traumas aren’t so simple and easy to dissolve. But I suspect Campbell’s strategy will work well for you in the coming weeks. You’re in a phase of your astrological cycle when extra healing powers are available. Some are obvious, and some are still partially hidden. It will be your sacred duty to track down every possible method that could help you banish at least some of your suffering and restore at least some of your joie de vivre.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You know who Jimi Hendrix was, right? He was a brilliant and influential rock guitarist. As for Miles Davis, he was a Hall of Fame-level trumpeter and composer. You may be less familiar with Tony Williams. A prominent rock critic once called him “the best drummer in the world.” In 1968, those three superstars gathered in the hope of recording an album. But they wanted to include

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a fourth musician, Paul McCartney, to play bass for them. They sent a telegram to the ex-Beatle, but it never reached him. And so the supergroup never happened. I mention this in the hope that it will render you extra alert for invitations and opportunities that arrive in the coming weeks—perhaps out of nowhere. Don’t miss out!

Expect the unexpected. Read between the lines.

Investigate the cracks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Anne Carson claims that “a page with a poem on it is less attractive than a page with a poem on it and some tea stains.” I agree. If there are tea stains, it probably means that the poem has been studied and enjoyed. Someone has lingered over it, allowing it to thoroughly permeate their consciousness. I propose we make the tea-stained poem your power metaphor for the coming weeks, Scorpio. In other words, shun the pristine, the spotless, the untouched. Commune with messy, even chaotic things that have been loved and used.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian author Martha Beck articulated the precise message you need to hear right now. She wrote, “Here is the crux of the matter, the distilled essence, the only thing you need to remember: When considering whether to say yes or no, you must choose the response that feels like freedom.

Period.” I hope you adopt her law in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. You should avoid responses and influences that don’t feel liberating. I realize that’s an extreme position to take, but I think it’s the right one for now. Where does your greatest freedom lie? How can you claim it? What shifts might you need to initiate?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I’m glad you have been exploring your past and reconfiguring your remembrances of the old days and old ways.

I’m happy you’ve been transforming the story of your life. I love how you’ve given yourself a healing gift by reimagining your history. It’s fine with me if you keep doing this fun stuff for a while longer. But please also make sure you don’t get so immersed in bygone events that you’re weighed down by them. The whole point of the good work you’ve been doing is to open up your future possibilities. For inspiration, read this advice from author Milan Kundera: “We must never allow the future to collapse under the burden of memory.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian historian Mary Frances Berry offered counsel that I think all Aquarians should keep at the heart of their philosophy during the coming weeks. She wrote, “The time when you need to do something is when no one else is willing to do it, when people are saying it can’t be done.” I hope you trust yourself enough to make that your battle cry. I hope you will keep summoning all the courage you will regularly need to implement its mandate.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): What’s the leading cause of deforestation in Latin America? Logging for wood products? Agricultural expansion? New housing developments? Nope. It’s raising cattle so people everywhere can eat beef and cheese and milk. This industry also plays a major role in the rest of the world’s ongoing deforestation tragedy.

Soaring greenhouse gas emissions aren’t entirely caused by our craving for burgers and milk and cheese, of course, but our climate emergency would be significantly less dramatic if we cut back our consumption. That’s the kind of action I invite you to take in the coming months, Pisces. My analysis of astrological omens suggests that you now have even more power than usual to serve the collective good of humanity in whatever specific ways you can. (PS: Livestock generates 14.5 percent of our greenhouse gases, equal to the emissions from all cars, trucks, airplanes, and ships combined.)

Homework: What’s the biggest good change you could imagine making in your life right now?

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

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April 7 to April 13, 2022

CANNABIS CORNER

T

oday I would like to discuss how to titrate your cannabis medication when you have trauma, scheduled operations, muscle strains from gardening, washing your vehicle, or any other painful experience coming from normal activities of daily living.

It is important to have some chemistry discussion first. Whenever there is trauma to tissues, whether it is bone tissue, gums, muscle tissue, or skin tissue, the normal physiological response is inflammation.

Inflammatory occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any other cause. The endocannabinoid system recognizes the body is out of balance

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CANNABIS INTERVENTIONS FOR POSTOPERATIVE CARE

and immediately activates the cannabidiol (CBD) receptors in all of our tissues to trigger the release of chemicals including histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins.

These chemicals cause blood vessels to leak fluid into the tissues, causing swelling and pain from the rise in blood flow that is not normally present bringing the body’s return to homeostasis.

CBD’s main function is reducing inflammation. The immediate response is to grab some delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as THC’s main function is reducing pain. But that would not be the best response. Why, because the inflammation needs to be reduced first. So, the first thing

to do whenever there is trauma is to take a dose of pure marijuana/cannabis type CBD or hemp CBD, not the CBD you get from Amazon.

Dosing is dependent on whether you are new to cannabis or already taking cannabis for a chronic medical problem. The novice will start with 10mg and up the dose by 10mg every hour until you find relief.

The chronic user of cannabis may have to increase the dose to 40-60mg depending on the trauma. Basic elevation of a limb will facilitate the draining of the blood flow also. It may require bedrest if the trauma is from a concussion or any upper-body injury. A 30:1 (CBD:THC) product is preferred or a hemp full spectrum CBD that also has cannabigerol (CBG). Having a CBD product in your medicine cabinet for future use is an excellent preventive measure.

The reason to avoid Amazon products is they are isolates produced in a lab that have unknown extraction methods and or additives when processed. Synthetic CBD isolates from products on Amazon are not the same purity as the artisanal cannabis product-makers, who craft full-spectrum mixtures of THC and CBD with vivid terpene profiles and other embellishments that imbue the whole plant matrix with unique qualities that can never be fully replicated in a lab.

An anecdotal example is my own use of CBD after having a hammer toe repaired on my left foot. I am a chronic user of cannabis for back pain. My physician gave me a

BY RUTH HILL R.N. prescription for Vicodin postoperatively. An operation or a bone fracture is acute pain. It is ok to use an opiate for acute pain for the first 24 hrs. postop. Then I switched to 40mg of (CBD:CBG) twice a day with an extra dose when I was awakened during the night with pain.

Leg elevation and ice are paramount with any lower extremity trauma to reduce the dependent edema. After four days I was back to my normal dose of cannabis prior to my operation. I did not need the THC after the third day.

My products came from two dispensaries.

The first is “healing essence” licensed dispensary and the second is from Dr. Sulak’s dispensary that produces Cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) the original raw form of CBD. CBDA is for those who have tried CBD in moderate to considerable amounts (25-50mg) and have been unsatisfied with the results. I leave you with this quote: When asked to compare the synergistic entourage effect of botanical cannabis with a cocktail of isolates concocted by biotechnicians, Dr. Ethan Russo of CReDO Science put it this way: “What would you rather have? Fresh squeezed organic orange juice or Tang?”

Send comments to info@ruthahillrn.com.

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