Coachella Valley Weekly - April 15 to April 21, 2021 Vol. 10 No. 5

Photo by Monica Morones

coachellavalleyweekly.com • April 15 to April 21, 2021 Vol.10 No.5

Four Twenty Bank Reefer Madness Vinny Berry Jake Sonderman Danny Seraphine The Ghost Notes pg5

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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

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

CONTENTS

West Coast Cannabis Club ..................... 3 Four Twenty Bank................................... 5 Reefer Madness ...................................... 6 Cannabis Corner - The Cannabis Chronicles by Lanny Swerdlow RN..... 6 Vinny Berry.............................................. 9 Jake Sonderman ................................... 10 Danny Seraphine of Chicago............... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife.......................... 13 The Ghost Notes.................................... 14 Joshua Tree Music Festival - "Music is the Soul of Life"................................. 14 Consider This - Beebe Gallini ............... 17 Mural Artist Codezart..................... 18-19 Screeners ............................................... 20 The Vino Voice ...................................... 22 The Keg Whisperer................................ 23 Pet Place .......................................... 24-25 Health - Keto ......................................... 26 Free Will Astrology .............................. 26 Theatre - CVRep .................................... 27 Travel Tips 4 U ....................................... 27 Haddon Libby ....................................... 28 Dale Gribow .......................................... 28 Safety Tips............................................. 29

COVER PHOTO BY MONICA MORONES

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nown as the Coachella Valley’s source for premium cannabis products, West Coast Cannabis Club (WCCC) now has three valley locations, a convenient delivery service, and a growing cultivation operation in Palm Desert and Cathedral City.

The knowledgeable staff at WCCC provide above and beyond customer service. They consistently deliver the most welcoming cannabis retail experience. It’s no surprise that the company won Best Dispensary in 2019 and 2020. The West Coast Cannabis Club team aims to be the best “Local Store” by uplifting the community.

We spoke to Tatiana Morales, Director of Retail Operations at West Coast Cannabis Club, and asked her about navigating Covid restrictions and what they have coming down the pipeline.

“Now that we have made it through what we hope will be the worst of COVID, we are really excited to show everyone what we've been working on for the past year.”

Morales started her position on January 1st of 2018. She is a Coachella Valley native of over 30 years and her background prior to entering the cannabis industry was in restaurant and event management locally. In addition to being the Director of Retail Operations, she is also on the Board of Directors for The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce—the biggest local Chamber of Commerce.

"We will definitely be hosting events at our Melanie Place headquarters, both cannabis and non-cannabis focused events. We are also launching our new line of gummies and tinctures, as well as expanding on our West Coast Cannabis Club brand. Our flower brand is thriving thanks to our in-house cultivation team's hard work.”

The cultivation operation, led by Tom Lopez, is poised to be a significant force within the competitive California cannabis market. They are striving to be sustainable and environmentally friendly, using innovative growing technology. The current WCCC headquarters used to be the home of the KESQ news station prior to the cannabis business moving in, and the green screen still remains in one of their large grow rooms.

“We are really excited about our 4/20 events in our stores. Being able to celebrate

our holiday with our friends and customers will be really fun after this weird year of separation and solitude,” expressed Morales.

Like many businesses that were deemed essential during the past year, the team at WCCC had to navigate a lot of uncertainty and changes. They went above and beyond to keep their customers and staff safe, and are happy they were able to help the community during these times.

The company’s ability to cultivate and produce their own cannabis products has

made them a local favorite. CEO and CoFounder, Kenneth Churchill, has been guiding West Coast Cannabis Club through the years and is excited about what the future holds for them as well.

WCCC has a diverse team with over 50 employees. They have a starting company rate of 15 dollars an hour, making them the only cannabis company in town that does so.

The company strives to be inclusive and active members of the desert community. WCCC supports local charities like YMCA of the Desert, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, and Shelter from the Storm. They were voted Best Dispensary in the entire Valley by readers for 2020 from the Desert Sun, and for Palm Desert and Cathedral City specifically in 2020 and 2019 from Palm Springs Life Magazine.

“We want to keep our standards high and our customers happy. Our people are what set is apart. You can buy Cannabis from lots of places, but not everyone is going to give you the experience you receive from our staff.

They are the best,” said Morales, when asked what makes WCCC the best dispensary.

Visit West Coast Cannabis Club's official website for more info on their three Coachella Valley Dispensary locations at WestCoastCannabisClub.com.

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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CANNABIS CORNER

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fter investing over two years of planning, Four Twenty Banks is finally opened. A once-dilapidated building that sat vacant for over 23 years has now been completely transformed into an on-site cannabis consumption lounge and epic event venue—one of which is the very first of its kind.

Now on 420/ April 20…the Four Twenty Bank will have its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting. There will be Live Music All Day starting at 10:30. You will receive a free gift with a 50.00 purchase and there will be giveaway’s every hour. They are also offering 10% off on select items. Don’t miss out on this 420 party.

In collaboration with their business-savvy minds and plentiful experience, Entrepreneurs Nolan Moore and Julie Montante have deliberately chosen to break the stereotype of the typical cannabis consumer and elevate the minds of the public. They are paving the way for an entirely new concept. This inclusion of a vibrant demographic to the downtown Palm Springs area makes this the absolute perfect location to introduce such a groundbreaking business.

Julie Montante previously opened PSA Organica in downtown Palm Springs in 2016.

Julie’s brother, Len Montante, is an important part of both PSA Organica and Four Twenty Bank. He works in management operations and buying.

Julie got into the industry when her mother developed stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 45. She wanted to find alternatives to chemo, radiation and surgery without stripping her of her dignity. This was the beginning of a journey for Julie and Lenny to pursue their dream of helping others in need, while being supported by Susan Littleton, the metric’s and office manager.

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FOUR TWENTY BANK

GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING ON 4/20

Nolan Moore began purchasing real estate at the young age of 17. He started a prestigious financial firm over 24 years ago based in Redlands, California that specializes in structured, liability and tax services. Over the years he has created and operated several companies all in different industries such as real estate development, cosmetic service salons, cannabis distribution, packaging, branding and retail.

Nolan has also spent the last two years recording with a local producer in studio in Palm Springs. He joined his first Christian rock band at age 15 as a lead singer and is introducing his love of music to his two daughters.

The Four Twenty Bank dispensary and concert lounge offers a wide range of products including a full assortment of sodas, cocktails, beer and wine that contain zero alcohol and are CBD- and THC-infused. It also carries all the top brands of cannabis from King Garden to Cookies, as well as a vast variety of prerolls, live rosin, wax, oils, enriched lotions and creams, vape pens and cartridges. The Four Twenty Bank carries the largest variety of products in the entire Coachella Valley. With the cannabis community being fully accepted in the desert region, this is a celebration of an industry that is beneficial community as a whole.

Working side by side with local professionals and the city of Palm Springs, Four Twenty Bank strived to exceed every request the city had regarding ventilation in this location to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for patrons, including social distancing and all who enjoy the downtown area.

The city of Palm Springs has been extremely

helpful, cooperative and supportive during the transformation. The custom filtration system is designed to create a unique airflow that is designed to pull fresh air into the building while lifting out smoke and purifying it before exiting the extended vents. The major overhaul of this landmark that is over 17,000 square feet includes double glass entry doors that will be maintained at all times by security specialists, three oversized crystal chandeliers that each have over 4,000 hanging crystals and a completely custom rolling point of sale cases to make this space transformable for night time and concert events when allowed.

The upstairs section is home to private rooms and Sky Suites that are available to use for hosting individual events and will be primarily used for members, invitation-only parties with exclusive access and reserved for VIP guests. There will be additional rental space available as well.

By combining the consumption lounge and dispensary with a concert and arts experience, Four Twenty Bank is on track to become a staple of the community. There will be a wide array of experiences for our guests to enjoy — from special events that will have a limited number of attendees to large performances that will draw massive crowds.

Four Twenty Bank also has a limited

April 15 to April 21, 2021

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

number of Private Label Society Memberships that will have priority access to the event calendar plus many other benefits. Four Twenty Bank also envisions building a business model that can be applied to other unique properties in other major cities across the world.

The goal for Julie and Nolan is to supply compassion to those in need in a safe and comfortable environment. Julie donates 5 percent of after-tax receipts each month to local charities. She also works with Well in the Desert, Desert Aids Project, Martha’s Kitchen and the AIDS assistance Program.

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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REEFER MADNESS CELEBRATES ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

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eefer Madness is celebrating one year in business this month, with the opening of their lounge. If you are coming to Palm Springs, you better make sure to visit Reefer Madness. They are the closest dispensary to Palm Springs Airport.

They are small, family owned and operated, and they make their customers feel at home with the best selection of products in the Coachella Valley. They cater to the daily cannabis smoker and connoisseur alike. If you make a purchase at Reefer Madness, you can consume onsite and relax among TVs and video games in the lounge. They even have a Packman machine, and much more. You can browse their vast selection of products in store, and their staff is very experienced and knowledgeable. Customers can also take their products “to-go” - they offer delivery, curbside pickup, and soon will be producing their own flower and concentrate products.

Until the dust settles from the pandemic, and to ensure customer safety, there will be limits on the number of customers in the lounge.

Whether you are looking for pre-rolls, edibles, cartridges, concentrates, topicals, beverages, or flower- they absolutely have it all – along with an incredibly unique startup history.

Owner Steven Wijatyk moved all the way to the valley from Phoenix, Arizona to start Reefer Madness. A former Process Engineer, he found himself applying his skills in a whole new way after corporate

CANNABIS CORNER

layoffs. He noticed state after state gradually legalizing cannabis, and thought, why not jump on the bandwagon and do something involving cannabis? Back in 2016, he put a team together involving some former colleagues from Intel Corporation, to apply for a cannabis license in Arizona. The team, involving Intel technicians, an investor, and a former grower from Colorado, gave it their all and put together two thorough applications.

Unfortunately, their two applications were not a match against 748 other applications, competing for only 31 available licenses.

Perseverant and undeterred, Steven began to explore other possible opportunities in cannabis, and decided to jump in on the wave of cannabis startups in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. It took a few years to get everything prepared, including all the licenses, and renovating the space that was formerly Greensight Medical - where patients used to

go to get their medical recommendation for cannabis.

Reefer Madness opened on March 18th, 2020, at a time of uncertainty, while the state was debating which businesses would be essential vs. non-essential. Fortunately, cannabis was deemed essential, and although the lounge was not allowed to open at that time due to city precautions, Reefer Madness could operate as a dispensary. On April 1st, 2021, things got even better when the city announced that lounges could re-open with precautionary measures such as limits on the number of customers in the lounge at one time. Even though they are limiting the number of customers in the lounge for safety, Steven and the Reefer Madness team are thrilled to finally invite customers to smoke and relax in the lounge. Steven says he is happy to see that people are finally getting out of the house, and social activities are

never went back to alcohol after 73 years. Lanny is no meek supporter of cannabis. He is all the way in.

In 1995 Lanny learned about the medicinal benefits of cannabis when he began caring for a friend who had AIDS. He watched his dying friend’s appetite improve with smoked or ingested cannabis, the miserable side effects being mitigated from the cocktail of pharmaceuticals, observed his spirit being calmed, and the anxiety of dying being lessened. To get this soothing weed Lanny had to get it illegally and risk being arrested and put in jail.

This experience motivated Lanny to become an activist for getting cannabis on the ballot. He started producing a cable access TV show called Cannabis Common Sense. In 2000 he moved to California and formed the Inland Empire based Marijuana Anti-Prohibition Project (MAPP), a medical marijuana patient support group and law reform organization. The group remains active and is the longest running cannabis law organization in the Inland Empire. Every first Wednesday of the month Lanny meets with the public in Riverside and every first Saturday of the month he holds court at the Chrystal Fantasy in Palm Springs followed by a quick run up Route 62 to meet with the Joshua Tree group.

His group meetings are free. For an hour Lanny, or his guest, will entertain us with all the past and present legal happenings in Riverside County. His activism in 2006 influenced the Palm Springs City Council to enact a zoning ordinance that allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to operate legally.

This success led to an appointment to the Palm Springs Medical Marijuana Task Force which oversaw the drafting of Palm Spring’s Medical Marijuana Ordinance enacted in 2008.

But Lanny was not sitting on his hands.

He became an RN and from January 2008 to March 2014, he was the office manager and RN specialist at the THCF Medical Clinic in Riverside CA which provided qualified patients with medical marijuana recommendations.

Lanny’s path to promoting legalizing of marijuana in CA lead him to publish articles in Culture Magazine when its circulation expanded to California. Topics ranged from AIDS, brain diseases, appropriate use, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Legal Health, public policy, mass murderers, and Reefer Madness. A mixed bag of topics all on every issue related to the use of marijuana.

Lanny’s “Chronicle 1” describes the research by Dr. Manual Guzman in 2003 that illustrates how cannabinoids cause the death of cancer cells.

Many of Lanny’s articles are very relevant today because the myths and sigma around reefer madness still linger. We still struggle to reclassify cannabis out of Schedule I on the federal level even though at one time we had all three branches of the federal government controlled

by Democrats. Minority users are still getting arrested and put in jail even in states where adult use is legalized. Many prisoners languish in jails for the nonviolent crime of possessing a joint. It took President Donald J. Trump to pardon Anna Marie Johnson, the 63-year-old great-grandmother who was given a life sentence in prison for a nonviolent drug-related crime. She was not eligible for parole.

Lanny decided after the Culture Magazine ceased print publication to share his wisdom by publishing a ten year compilation of his articles into a book titled The Cannabis Chronicles. You can find this book on Amazon. Our federal government is sluggish, bureaucratic and sclerotic. Lanny’s book will continue to inspire others to take up the

becoming accepted again. If you stop by, be sure to say hello to the siblings - Jessica, Amanda, and Steven.

Reefer Madness is also excited to announce that they will be going on the Discovery Network for a 6-epispode “Dispensary Makeover,” – but really, owner Steven says it’s more like an “in-the-making,” since the store is still very new. Initially, Reefer Madness had planned for elaborate flooring and an upgrade that would raise the ceiling about 2 feet to give the space a more modern feel. Instead, the pandemic forced them to focus only on getting the area certified and up to code, with minimal upgrades, just in time, before the city departments reduced their operations and went into pandemic hibernation. If Reefer Madness had not wrapped up the renovation when they did, everything might have been put to a halt and opening would have been severely delayed.

You can find Reefer Madness on the corner of Ramon and Williams at 4693 Ramon Rd, Palm Springs CA, 92264. You will see a yellow and grey striped building with an Alice and Wonderland themed box-truck parked in front. You can also browse their vast menu at ReeferMadnessLounge.com and order online.

Stay tuned for more about Reefer Madness and their upcoming renovations – also be sure to keep an eye open for their show coming soon to the Discovery Network.

CANNABIS CORNER THE CANNABIS CHRONICLES BY LANNY SWERDLOW R.N.

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n the next few weeks, I will be reviewing the plethora of books by medical professionals on the science and social acceptance of cannabis/marijuana. This week we will discuss The Cannabis Chronicles by Lanny Swerdlow RN. After getting totally drunk the first time he drank alcohol when he was 17 years old, he decided to try marijuana. It turned out to be the best totally stoned experience he ever had, and Lanny has been smoking weed ever since. He

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BY RUTH HILL R.N. mantle until cannabis is taken out of the Schedule I category alongside heroin, LSD, and ecstasy.

For comments info@ruthahillrn.com

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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LOCAL MUSIC

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ississippi born Vinny Berry has developed a huge following in the Coachella Valley since his arrival in 2018 with his deep, soulful vocal delivery. The man is habitually nominated for ‘Best Singer/Songwriter’ and ‘Best Male Vocalist’ at the Coachella Valley Music Awards every year.

Berry contributes heavy Blues vocals and guitar to his full-on Rock band Mother Stingray. Berry is also well known for his phenomenal solo acoustic shows where he not only performs his original tunes, but delves into a deep archive of Rock and Soul classics by Otis Redding, The Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, John Legend, The Eagles, James Taylor and Highly Suspect to name a few.

Berry is back in 2021 with a new selfguided amoebic project simply titled, The VBC. Coachella Valley Weekly has had its eye on Berry from the moment he rolled in and we don’t plan on easing up on highlighting anything this artist gives birth to. We spoke with Berry about The VBC. CVW: What do we need to know about The VBC? Berry: “The VBC is basically the manifestation of me in band form. It has been something I have been wanting to do for a while now. Mother Stingray is a collaboration in writing between myself and Chili Munroe and we like to rock hard.

The VBC is my brainchild. I am doing all the writing and fronting the band as well. This band will not fall into any specific genre, we will rock hard but also play some mellow stuff and everything in-between. The band is me on guitar and vocals, Pat Mitchem on drums and Armando Flores on bass.

Chelsea Sugarbritches helped me out with some backing vocals on The Sound. I want to be adding band members as we move forward.”

CVW: You had a positive attitude towards the pandemic when we spoke over a year ago now. You said “we can always use free time to write and demo tunes and practice your craft. I bet you some excellent music is going to come out

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

on the other side of this. Bad times always breeds good music”. Do you still feel that way a year later and has your premonition come true?

Berry: “Ha-ha yes! Pat and I sporadically worked on this release but with COVID-19 spikes and scares there were a few long breaks in between so the progress was of course slow. I updated my little laptop studio so I could demo songs at home and ended up with about 25 so we will have to whittle it down for a full-length album. I’m ready to go play shows again now!”

CVW: You have such a wide range of music you can perform. Proverbial gun to your head, answer this: You can only cover the music of (3) artists the remainder of your existence. Who are those artists?

Berry: “That’s a tough one about the covers. It always changes. Right now it would be Tom Petty, Neil Young and The Beatles. That way I probably wouldn’t even be able to learn all their catalogs in a lifetime. Also I’m really leaning into songwriting and you can’t get better than those three.”

CVW: You’ve been in the desert since late 2018, what do you think so far about living in the Coachella Valley?

Berry: “The Coachella Valley is awesome! It makes me sneeze when it’s windy though. The dates are amazing. Most of all, the people are the best part of the valley.”

CVW: You were an actor as a young man and were around a lot of celebrities.

I also saw you sing with Paul Rodgers and you were beaming. What’s more fulfilling, acting or singing?

Berry: “Oh man, singing with Paul Rodgers was one of the most memorable experiences of my life and I cannot thank Phil and Tracy enough for putting me there. Music is definitely where it’s at for me, I dabble and would love to do more film down the road but my heart is in the songs. Luckily, one of my best friends is still an actor and we plan on making a film together one day. Songwriting is my new obsession. I’ve always written songs but

never considered myself much good at it and would write very little. Recently I have sort of removed that mental block and told myself I can write plenty of good songs and I haven’t stopped since. It’s so satisfying to start with a lyric, riff or chord progression and sit back and watch the mystical hands of the muse finish the process. It’s really about fishing for gold and it’s extremely exciting. I can’t wait to share some of them.”

Patrick Mitchem (drums, producer) on Vinny “Vinny and I connected about a year and a half ago. We hit each other up after he made a social media post looking for someone to jam with. From there we got together and the kid just had great songs and a dynamic voice. He consistently has excellent song ideas. He’s a pleasure to chill with and create music with. He’s been patient through several phases of studio upgrades I’ve had done as well as the recent move. We are definitely excited to be getting back on the recording side for

the next wave of songs coming. He’s always down for another take and to experiment in the studio.”

Armando Flores (bass) on Vinny “I actually hooked up with Vinny last year through my wife Alona Wilde. He worked at West Coast Cannabis for a bit. Truth be told, Vinny and Pat do most of the songwriting. I just come in and lay down bass parts and add my flair to already written bass lines. We worked pretty close last year for a few months, then Vinny moved. I haven't jammed with them in months. I was pleasantly surprised to see Vinny finishing up the tunes we worked on. Both of those guys are very talented.

Patrick is a helluva drummer and engineer, an accomplished multi-instrumentalist too. Most of the stuff was recorded by him. Vinny... what do you say? The man with the golden voice and a much more accomplished guitarist than he lets on…the dude has chops. However short the ride has been, it's been good. It may move forward with me tagging along, it might not. But it has been a treat working with both of those cats.”

Upcoming Show: Friday, 05/14/2021 Vinny & Friends The Four Twenty Bank Lounge Palm Springs, CA 6-8:30 pm Book Vinny Berry for your event: (818) 606-0827 Stay updated with everything Vinny Berry: vinnyberrymusic.com Support Vinny Berry: Venmo - @VinnyBerryMusic

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

LOCAL MUSIC

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hile most people pursue a passion hoping it will lead to successful outcomes, not everyone gets to fulfill their goals. Jake Sonderman has been engaged with music at a young age, and now has several opportunities lined up to continue his education through hard work and diligence.

Jake, an 18-year-old student at Palm Valley School, has been accepted to many of the colleges that he applied to, such as Berklee School of Music, University of Michigan / School of Music Theatre and Dance, New York University / Tisch School of Arts / Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, and Belmont University.

Jake has been offered over $730,000 in scholarships. The University of Miami, Frost School of Music, was one of his top choices, and the school has offered him a full tuition scholarship to get a Bachelors of Science in Music Engineering Technology with a minor in Electrical Engineering or a double major in Computer Science with his primary instrument of study being contemporary bass.

Jake has attended Palm Valley for 15 years, ever since preschool. His teachers have been his biggest supporters and fans in everything he does, as they also challenged

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him that he could still be an A student with a difficult class load while pursuing his musical interests. Many of his teachers will be there to cheer him on as he crosses the stage for graduation when he graduates with honors.

“Jake has always loved to play all kinds of music. He hears the beauty in every note of a song. Jake can pick apart a song to its parts and at the same time enjoy the feeling that the band set out to impart with the song as a whole… Music is a part of Jake and the creation of music fulfills Jake. He has set his world up so that his goal in life is to help musicians achieve the emotion that they want to express with their song,” expressed Jake’s mother, Cherise Sonderman.

Jake’s journey into music started when he began taking piano lessons in the fall of 2011 from his 1st grade teacher at Palm Valley School. His younger brother, Luke, had always wanted to take drum lessons. When Luke was a baby, the Sonderman family became friends through a baby MyGym class with Mikael Jacobson, a notable music teacher in the Coachella Valley. Mikael has taught at Palm Valley and continues to teach at College of the Desert, and focuses on individual lessons with his business BassLine Music. Luke started taking drum lessons in September 2013 with Jake tagging along.

Mikael quickly realized that Jake had significant musical ability and asked him to fill in different places when Mikael planned for period band-style shows. While Luke was learning quickly on drums, Jake began taking guitar lessons on a simple classical guitar.

Mikael suggested an electric guitar, which Jake loved. Mikael realized that Jake needed a better guitar in order to do the skills that he was ready to learn and he upgraded his electric guitar. Within six months, the same thing happened where Jake was learning so fast that he needed a better quality guitar in order to continue his growth as a musician.

Jake eventually joined the very first Academy of Musical Performance (AMP) Camp, where he spent several years attending the camp and after-school program. AMP is a contemporary music education program whose goal is to enrich the lives of young musicians living in the Coachella Valley by fostering productivity and social responsibility through creativity, communication and collaboration in the

development and enhancement of musical performance and concert production skills through participation in a “rock band” style educational setting.

During his first summer at AMP, Jake was slated to be a keyboardist, but when the bass player could not perform with his band, Jake took on learning bass. Jake learned so quickly and also had found his very favorite instrument: the contemporary bass. Jake also plays the Double Bass with the Coachella Valley symphony, in addition to being skilled with electric guitar and acoustic guitar. He can play the keyboard and piano as well. Jake has also spent some time as a singer at Palm Valley School doing choir and barbershop quartet, including a performance at Carnegie Hall and a competition in San Francisco.

The Sonderman brothers started Sondy Studios a few years ago and have worked with young bands like Pescaterritory and singer-songwriters like Joelle Berry and Lexi Hartley. All instruments, including learning ProTools and Logic, have been done with Mikael Jacobson. In the studio, Jake helps to engineer the song, capture all sounds and instruments, and plays any needed (except drums, which Luke provides), while also mixing the music and mastering it.

“My favorite memory is definitely the process of recording Pescaterritory's album during the summer of 2020. We had all been on lockdown for several months at the time and doing school from home. The summer had started and even Grammy Camp was online. After talking with our parents, we decided that we could do a focused recording of the band as all of the musicians and parents are friends. I was able to fully immerse myself in the process. The band, Aiden Schaeffer, Gavin Lopez, Jason Zembo, and Nick Willman, were very open to see just what could be done with each song. If I had a suggestion of a certain sound effect or a place that needed some additional work, they were excited to do it,” explained Jake.

Jake has also played acoustic guitar in an acoustic duo with Brayden Davlantes. He spent years as the electric guitarist and cosinger of the band Minor Emergency. From AMP, he met Noah Arujo and Nick Willman, cousins, to form bands (D-Tension and Silver Sky) where Jake was the electric bass player and backup vocalist. Between his time doing

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

Mikael Jacobson's shows, AMP Shows, Minor Emergency, Jake 'n Brayden, D-Tension and Silver Sky, Jake has done over 300 live shows including venues like Pappy & Harriet's, The Hard Rock Hotel, The Date Shed, Stagecoach, Whiskey A Go Go, The Hood, Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, The Rockyard at Fantasy Springs, and many more.

“While it is hard to believe that I am almost done with high school and ready to go off to college, I also feel prepared to do so. So many people have been a part of the group that has helped me to get where I am and I am so grateful. My parents have been so supportive. My family has been so supportive. Everyone at Palm Valley School has supported me. Everyone at AMP has supported me. The music community in the desert, more people than I could ever count, have supported me. I would love to tell each one of them how filled with gratitude I am for their encouragement. It has made a huge difference in my life. I plan to go out there and represent the Coachella Valley in a positive way,” stated Jake.

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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MUSIC

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

BY TRICIA WITKOWER

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anny Seraphine, original drummer and founding member of the band Chicago, began drumming at nine years old and hasn’t stopped since. After 23 years as Chicago’s drummer, Seraphine went separate ways with the band, but has since formed a new band - California Transit Authority (CTA) - whose repertoire includes many of Chicago’s songs and features him on drums. He credits many prolific and illustrious drummers as his early influences, the greatest of these Gene Krupa. Says Seraphine, “Gene Krupa was my drum hero. He shaped my style because I was learning to play and there was so much swing in his play, so I was introduced to swing at a young age.” Seraphine describes his playing as dramatic. He cites a wide range of drummers - from Ringo Starr to Mitch Mitchell (drummer for Jimi Hendrix) and James Brown - as some of the many diverse influences in

his own playing. This diversity allowed him to expand into several genres - rock, swing, jazz, and even motown.

Danny’s band is playing at Fantasy Springs this weekend on Friday, April 16 in their Rock Yard. Chicago’s early sound — horn-driven rock ’n’ roll — was revolutionary at the time, fusing multiple genres and styles into what became the band’s signature sound. Asked if the band set out to do that or if it happened organically, Seraphine said, “Well it kinda happened organically. What we set out to do was put together the very best band we could of serious musicians and guys dedicated to making great music. Our sound evolved through songwriting and development. Part of it was the era, really a renaissance era in music.

I set out to do that in terms of my drumming - I wanted to fuse jazz and rock together. Once we got a direction and a vision it kind of then became our mission statement. If you talked to Peter Cetera, he was really more rock even though he ended up a balladeer. What

made the band so unique is we had so many influences pushing and pulling the band. And the great thing is - it actually worked. It was a time where you could get away with that, having a classical section or jazzy section and go back to rock. It was a great time in music.”

In the 1980s, Chicago experienced continued success with a string of hits that could be classified as “power ballads.”

Serpahine shared how the MTV era allowed the band to reach a new audience.

“We kinda reached a point where it seemed like the band had gone stale and I was instrumental in bringing in David Foster, whom a friend had recommended. He and Peter clicked immediately and wrote some great songs - You’re the Inspiration, Hard to Say I’m Sorry, Hard Habit to Break being a few. That collaboration gave us new life. It extended our careers many, many years. A lot of people talk about “classic Chicago”, and those are great songs. But so are the ones from the 80s.

In terms of album sales and Billboard

singles, Chicago shares the distinct honor of being second only to the Beach Boys with their chart success among American bands.

Danny describes this accomplishment as hard to fathom when he looks back on his career.

“It is kind of surreal to be honest with you.

I'm eternally grateful. It's afforded me to live a good life and I’m very grateful to the fans. I don't take it for granted for a minute.”

Danny’s current band, California Transit Authority, is a hybrid Chicago band or as Seraphine describes it, “Chicago on steroids”.

Featuring lead singer Tony Grant, guitarist Mark Bonilla, keyboardist Ed Roth, and singer/ bass player Travis Davis, and a full horn section coming in from L.A., Serpahine explains, “It’s high energy with younger players who interpret Chicago’s music beautifully and play with a high level of integrity. We play all the hits and some deep cuts. People get a real true sense of the Chicago experience without seeing Chicago. These guys grew up on the music and have a great respect for it. Fans will hear everything they want to hear.”

You can watch California Transit Authority perform the hits at Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino on Friday, April 13 in the Rock Yard as part of their Take Me Back to Chicago Tour.

Admission is free and all guests must be 18 years old. For more information, please visit their website fantasyspringsresort.com/rockyard

Monday, April 19 Tuesday, April 20

Thursday, April 15

Wednesday, April 21 Friday, April 16 Saturday, April 17

Sunday, April 18

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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LOCAL MUSIC

BY PHILIP WAYNE

JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES “MUSIC IS THE SOUL OF LIFE”

EVENTS

A SERIES OF POD-BASED, PHYSICALLY DISTANT, LIMITED CAPACITY OUTDOOR SHOWS STARTING APRIL 23

I

n the spirit of safely enjoying the medicinal magic of the live music experience, the Joshua Tree Music Festival family is thrilled to host a series of outdoor shows this spring.

These one-night shows will be intimate, podbased, physically distant and strictly limited in capacity to adhere to California’s Guidelines for Outdoor Live Performances.

The line-up includes some JTMF favorites; Steve Poltz (inspired troubadour with the keen-edged wit that won't quit), Diggin Dirt

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(captivating & funk-tastic; a force of nature), Con Brio (deep electrifying soul & psych-rock), and Las Cafeteras ((uniquely Los Angeleno mash-up of punk, hip-hop, beat music, cumbia and rock).

“This is a first step on the journey back towards the Joshua Tree Music Festival as we know and love it,” says festival founder Barnett English. “We are thrilled and grateful to start bringing back live music in a safe and

responsible way. This is a responsibility not taken lightly; we'll be vigilant with covid safe practices. With everyone’s cooperation (we are all in this together!), we are confident that these small shows can take place safely,” English continues.

These events are produced in adherence with California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy Tier 2 Guidelines for Outdoor Live Performances, effective April 1. Tickets are sold by the pod, and each 8x8ft pod can accommodate up to

four people. Shows will be in the main music bowl at the Joshua Tree Music Festival venue at the Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground.

The Joshua Tree Music Festival has taken place every May since 2003 and every May and October since 2006. The four-day festivals are immersive, inclusive, and inspiring experiences catering to music loving funsters and families with a sense of adventure. Family and friends come together with passion, purpose and a mission to foster social interaction on a deep level, and to create positive, life-changing moments.

Steve Poltz - Fri. April 23 & Sat.April 24 Diggin Dirt - Fri. May 21 & Sat. May 22 Con Brio - Fri. May 28 & Sat. May 29 Las Cafeteras - Sun. May 30 Joshua Tree Lake RV & Campground, Joshua Tree, California. joshuatreemusicfestival.com/jtmf-presentsmusic-is-the-soul-of-life aftontickets.com/jtmfconcertseries

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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CONSIDER THIS

S

ometimes, all you need is to hear the name of a band and know immediately that their music will be cool. When I heard there was a Minneapolis female-centric band called Beebe Gallini, I knew instinctively their sound would be beyond bitchin’.

If you were a child of the ‘70s, you probably grew up with shag haircuts, shag carpets, bellbottoms, the ABC Afterschool Special and plenty of Hamburger Helper. It’s also pretty likely that you know who Beebe Gallini was.

For the uninitiated, “Beebe Gallini” was an eccentric character who appeared on an early episode of “The Brady Bunch.” A demanding cosmetics queen who has commissioned Mike Brady’s architecture firm to design a new factory. Unimpressed with his drawings of an actual building, she commands it should reflect her outre’ personality. It should be shaped like a lipstick or a compact, maybe a powder puff. “Fluffy, Mike, it must be fluffier” she insists. (You’re going to have to seek out the episode, “Mike’s Horror-Scope,” on MeTV to see what happens, I won’t spoil the ending).

Beebe Gallini the band, has been around for a few years. They’ve released a couple of well-received EPs and experienced a couple of personnel changes but the current line-up features a who’s-who of Twin Cities Rockers, including Miss Georgia Peach (Gloo Girls, Speedway, Rhinestone Chassis) on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Amy Larson Pearson (Strumpet, Brownstar, Brits Out Of America) on bass and backing vocals, Travis Ramin (Juvie, Nikki Corvette and The Stingrays, The Fevers) behind the drum kit and Monet Wong (The Toxenes, L’Assassins, XOXO) on lead guitar and backing vocals.

At the start of 2020, Beebe Gallini was demoing stuff for their upcoming album.

Then the pandemic hit, shuttering most of the country and hitting the music business particularly hard. Faced with the choice of shelving the album or moving forward, the four-piece opted to harness their (limited) resources and soldier on. Occasionally bartering for goods and services, the unvarnished songs were mixed and mastered as soon as studio time was available. The result is a tight 13-song set, aptly entitled Pandemos.

The opening cut, “Little Sister,” simply swaggers. Buzzy guitars ride roughshod over angular bass lines and a see-saw beat. The instrumental strut is matched by Georgia’s take-no-prisoners posture as she offers a withering dismissal of her sister’s potential beau; “Hey Buddy, I don’t care that you got money, so hear me now and listen to what I say, pack up your kit and go away.” Guitars sweetly spiral on the break, slightly softening the lyrics’ menacing tone.

Beebe Gallini’s sound hits that sweet spot between Psych, Garage and Power Pop. Although the album is dotted with a few covers, their original songs feel just as potent as the classics. Amy is responsible for both “Love You Doll” and “Danny.”

The former is a swirly soundscape powered by kaleidoscopic guitars, hypnotic bass and a punishing rhythm. Vocals are

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“PANDEMOS” BAR RECORDS) BEEBE GALLINI (RUM

suitably snotty and succinct. The latter lashes waspish guitars and tensile bass lines to an anvil beat. Dissonant vocals are paired with arch lyrics that caustically pine for the one that got away; “Danny went off to the West Coast, in a Chevy 1963, livin’ off his voice and his pretty, pretty face, boy, Danny left the family tree.”

Georgia’s contributions include the elusive “Dusty” which weds distorto guitars to bruising bass fills and a walloping backbeat.

Slippery harmonies envelope defiant lyrics like “Nothin’ you say will get through, she knows what’s best, you worry ‘bout you/Don’t wanna talk, just open the door, struts out like a queen, she’ll sleep in the mornin.”

Vroom-y guitars connect with tensile bass and a rattle-trap rhythm on “Married Men.” Lyrics draw a line in the TINDER sand before swiping right; “If you’re single we can mingle, if you’re married get gone/I can’t think about you when I’m alone and won’t step over that line if you’ve got someone at home.” On the break, stinging guitar riffs dissolve, morphing into shiny, jingle-jangle licks.

Meanwhile, “Poppington Station” executes a stylish 180 and sticks the landing.

Shang-a-lang guitars wash over wiry bass lines and a clickity-clack beat. The band wears their Anglophilia on their sleeve as the winsome melody and arrangement echoes The Kinks’ pastoral slice-of-life and mid-period masterpiece, “Waterloo Sunset.”

Trenchant covers are sprinkled throughout the record. First up is a blistering version of “My Way Of Thinking,” a ‘60s chestnut originally recorded by Memphis Garage combo, Randy and the Radiants. Strafing guitar riffs crest atop spiky bass lines and a pummeling beat.

Strident harmonies shimmer and shake and a pinwheeling solo on the breaks straddles the line between Garage and Punk.

The Gories out of Detroit Rock City had a regional hit with “Thunderbird ESQ” in the late ‘80s. Beebe Gallini’s take blends yowly vocals, infectious, chicken-scratch rff-age, throbbing bass fills and a meaty, beaty, big and bouncy backbeat. Guitars stack on the break as the candy-coated crunch gives way to a soft and gooey center.

They make a sharp left-turn on the Bee Gees’ classic weepie, “To Love Somebody. By tethering heartfelt vocals and frizzle-frazzle guitars to prowling bass lines and a tick-tock beat, they succeed in recasting the song as a rampaging Rocker that manages to retain its Soulful core On an album packed with superlative song-craft, three tracks stand out. On “Mean Mama” slashing power chords collide with chunky bass runs and a pile-driving beat.

Onery lyrics unspool a litany of childhood inequities; “Mama you’re so mean, you ruin everything, you’re the worst mama ever, you make me cry and scream/It’s so unfair, everybody else gets to play, this is the worst day of my life, and you never, and you never, and you never and you never and you never, and you never, you never listen to me.”

Sufficiently bratty vocals are bookended by fuzz-crusted guitars, just before the song collapses in a sweaty, sodden heap.

“Bad Man” shares some musical DNA with

April 15 to April 21, 2021

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

both The Young Rascals’ “You Better Run” and The Blues Magoos’ “We Ain’t Got Nothing Yet.” Snarly vocals are folded into ricocheting guitar riffs, hopscotchin’ bass and a blitzkrieg beat. Caustic lyrics take a selfish swain to task; “How many hearts did you break, seems like the whole wide world, mine, hers and that little girls/Were you born this way, just lust and no love, or did you become it, were you born with no soul.” Skittering and scabrous guitars intertwine on the break, but the final verbal bon mot is delivered on the bridge; “Can’t justify you, can’t reconcile you, is there love left inside, or was there ever any on you?”

Finally, thundering drums pound out a tribal tattoo under jittery bass and reverbdrenched guitars on “Busy Izzy.” Apparently, Izzy is all booked up; “Try to get her to calm down, she ain’t havin’ none, she just won’t

slow down, she’s got to have her fun.”

Rattlesnake shake guitars wrap around a caffeinated Bo Diddley beat urging the song toward a sweat-soaked conclusion.

The album closes with another late ‘60s nugget, The Traits’ “Nobody Loves The Hulk.”

Roughhewn and primitive, the lyrics offer a comical retelling of Bruce Banner’s origin story; “The pentagon announced that the Hulk has to be destroyed, they shot him with H-bombs, the Hulk only became annoyed/ All he wanted to do was settle down and be employed BUT nobody loves the Hulk! We don’t allow no green-skinned people here.”

It’s a funny, full-throttle finish to their first official long-player.

Although the word “demo” is built into the title of the record, there’s nothing tentative or sketchy here. This music feels fully-formed, but endearingly unpolished, striking a perfect balance.

Walking in the footsteps of antecedents like The Pandoras (R.I.P. Paula Pierce), Mary’s Danish and The Muffs R.I.P. Kim Shattuck), Beebe Gallini manages to carve their own path. Their music is lean and economical, and it boasts a powerful jolt of distaff energy.

Bottom line: Pandemos is the utmost fun.

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

ARTSCENE

T

he Coachella Valley is home to several ornate murals strewn across its cities, providing a sense of colorful collaboration between the community and its artistic expressers. One local muralist, Cody Silva, a.k.a. Codezart (pronounced like Mozart), has been contributing original works on the surfaces of many desert locations, and as he prepares for his latest installment, CV Weekly has the scoop on this spray paint

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

aficionado.

Silva was born in the San Francisco East Bay area, but considers the desert his home, as it is where he grew up and where he places his heart and memories. He originally started doing his current style of geometric, mid-century-esque murals about four years ago and over time his technique and style has evolved into the standard of which he showcases now. There are around

20 different Codezart murals in various businesses and personal dwellings all around the desert ranging from hotels, restaurants, barbershops, a metal fabrication shop, comic books stores, a pay roll company, and local Airbnbs.

“I've always been very fascinated by the entire art culture since I was a young child.

What really got me into what I'm doing now

is graffiti, originally. It's nowhere near what graffiti actually is presently, but that's where my love of it comes from. It influences me to only use spray paint for all the murals and canvases I’m doing to create the “street art” it has now formed into,” said Silva.

Silva’s favorite of his creations is located at the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert, situated at the Macy’s parking structure staircase going up from the second to the third floor. This particular mural represents a poignant and significant point in Silva’s life, when he made personal changes to better himself. The flow of movements coming out and through a very dark backdrop has been a spray painted symbol of redemption for Silva since it was made in 2019.

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“When I truly get into painting a mural wherever it may be, I lose myself in it. It sounds cliché, but it's where all the outside noise and daily stresses disappear completely for me. One hundred percent of my thinking is focused on painting. It's really a beautiful thing,” explained Silva.

Currently, Silva has a new Westfield mural that is in the works. It is a digitally remastered version of another mural he recently completed, which is located on the bottom floor of the Macy's parking structure. This piece is a collaborative effort between Silva and one of his close friends who digitized the design. The new mural will represent the trademark Coachella Valley sunsets against the peaks of the San Jacinto mountains. The location of the newest mural will be inside the mall on the second floor next to the Finish Line shoe store.

“Westfield and I have had a good relationship over the years. The owner of the local graffiti shop, ‘Flat Black’, is a guy named Pete. He was the one who originally introduced me to the mall’s potential. He orchestrates the annual STREET event on the third level of the Macy's parking structure. He

plays a big role with a lot of us local artists.

The mall currently has multiple murals and canvases on display that myself and other artists have created throughout the building,” stated Silva.

Silva’s creative process has been described as ‘organized organic chaos’ because of the no-blueprint approach to his work. He organically uses different sizes of tape to start creating prismatic and triangular shapes until he naturally reaches a stopping point. Silva typically understands which colors he will be using in order to match whatever themes the businesses or homes he is painting for are requesting. Afterward, he spray paints the shapes with the various tones of colors either by blending the colors inside of each individual shape or having every shape be its own tonal color.

“The beautiful thing about this type of design is that it can really be used for any type of business because it's so versatile… I hope others get an understanding of what the desert feels like to locals that truly appreciate the valley for what it is when they see my art. I have lived in various places in various states, but nothing compares to the beauty of this place. I have grown to appreciate the desert very much over the years. So I hope they see its beauty as well with this particular representation,” said Silva.

Silva is always ready to challenge himself with his art, but his favorite memories to cherish are the times when he completes simple projects with his niece who wants to learn how to spray paint like her uncle. His ultimate goal is to have murals all around the

world in different countries as well as getting his canvases into various art galleries.

“Find your natural calling on what type of art and tools you naturally like and just start doing it. Practice it for life. Things take time to get to where you want to be artistically, so be patient with yourself by understanding it's a process. Use your art as a healthy way

April 15 to April 21, 2021

of expressing yourself through personal hardships instead of falling down a dark path of addiction or anything that can jeopardize your well-being. Art should be your drug,” advised Silva to aspiring artists.

To see more of Silva’s “canmanship”, visit his website at www.codezartgallery.com and his Instagram, @codezart.

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 469

SO BAD IT’S ACTUALLY BAD

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS suspect attempts to hide his secret. Or is there something else motivating him?

Director Messimiliano Cerchi and screenwriter David Schifter have created a drama in which nothing much actually happens. The dialogue is as weak as the directing and acting.

There’s a saying in “Hollywood” that no one sets out to make a bad movie, but the laughably amateurish film may be the exception to that rule. Lionsgate. DVD. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE PENTHOUSE Going on 10 years now, this column has tried to spotlight films that have something to recommend as worthy of trading a couple of hours of your life to enjoy.

But every now and then, that rare film emerges that is so ineptly crafted that audiences deserve to be warned. Sadly, The Penthouse is such a film. For the record:

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Caveat Emptor is this reviewer’s quote.

If you have a different opinion, or any questions or comments I’d love to hear from you. What’s most baffling, is how (and why) this film got funded and eventually distributed by Lionsgate.

Shot and set in sunny Carolina Beach, North Carolina, this lame attempt at an American noirish thriller is presumably

about an attempt to cover up a crime that the perpetrator assumes was witnessed by neighbors Peter and Amanda who live in a newly purchased dream condo that overlooks the marina where the bloody crime apparently occurred on a yacht parked in the docks far below.

The penthouse witnesses lives are turned upside down when the main

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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THE VINO VOICE

WINE PICNICKING

S

o the sun is shining and it appears that the days are getting safer & safer.

And all we wish to do in one way or another is to get outside! So in my mind that means keeping things simple and simply plan for a nice outdoor picnic: al fresco eating & drinking could well be the theme of this year’s summer socializing.

Over the last few months, we’ve perhaps done our share of reading food magazines and food fantasizing, so I’m sure we can pack some lovely food and add to it by packing some lovely wine—wine for the outdoors.

Don’t know if you’ve been out of the loop for a while or not, but just in case some cobwebs are still lingering about the head, why don’t we quickly discuss the essentials to adequately pack for wine picnic. One never thinks they’ve forgotten the obvious until it’s too late and find they forgot something.

So let’s start off with the corkscrew. I always think I have one lying around the car but sometimes I’m wrong, and to my consternation I find nothing!! Geez!—you’d think me of all people would carry a bunch of corkscrews; but there I am sometimes searching all through my SUV for five minutes with no luck—and sweating to boot!

By the way—there are a few classic ways to open a bottle of wine without a screw.

By “classic” I mean ways that are inventive, or wacky, or just plain stupid. So I’ll be the Guinea Pig and try out few of these measures for my next article. So stay tuned.

Anyway—just remember to in fact bring a corkscrew to open your standard bottle of wine. And remember yourself—don’t rely on someone else to forget bringing it.

Of course, these days, we have screwcap wines, sparkling wines that open themselves with their own pressure, and boxed or canned wines that make life easy. But, let’s face it, there’s something romantic about uncorking a bottle of wine on the grass under a tree and spilling a little wine on the blanket.

Next, if you’re going for a white, rosé, sparkling or even a light red wine, you’re going to need a way of keeping the wine cool.

Bringing icepacks or an ice-cooler is a good idea. Ice in a bag of course works but so often Murphy’s Law is in play and the ice will either sprawl out in some unanticipated way, or the bag will just rip and you’ll have ice all over. In our desert heat, you should actually welcome the faux-pas—unless you’re an uptight picnicker and find the ice mess distressing.

If you’re already out and about without prior chilling—just remember to by some ice, have an ice-bucket on hand, extra water, and throw a little salt into the mix to chill the wine as quick as you can—most wine and sparklers will chill enough within 20 minutes in the ice bath.

Wine glasses are like corkscrews in that you think you have them but—oops! You forgot. Cheap plastic cups most often seem to make the picnic cut—but they can’t be too big or flimsy, because you know what’s going to happen. How about old school real glass—the simple sturdy tumbler that keeps the wine

22

BY RICK RIOZZA

cool and fresh. It’s a better experience and it’s the “green” thing to do.

That’s it—not rocket science, just a quick pick-list. You can buy one of those picnic wooden wine holders or just bring a plain old cutting board that will keep you glass fairly supported. How many times have we knocked into our wine glass, spilling onto the picnic cloth or on the blades of grass in the worst of places? Enough times to laugh about it!

Now the fun question becomes—what about the wines to bring? To fit the bright picnic occasion, one can’t go wrong with a sparkling wine: Trentodoc Endrizzi Piancastello Riserva Millesimato ($25) Perhaps you loyal readers will remember that I had the privilege last summer to meet and greet on Zoom with one of Italy’s best sommeliers, Roberto Anesi, who, from location on the peaks of the pristine Dolomites, walked us through Italy’s most artisanal sparkling wine areas: the Trentodoc.

This Endrizzi Piancastello sparkler is certainly an elegant alternative to the ubiquitous Prosecco. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes contribute to the production of this Brut Riserva, using the traditional method (Champenois). Leaving the wine to mature for 36 months on natural yeasts, the range of aromas is fantastic!

On the nose, perfume of ripe fruit, yellow peach and notes of honey and bread crust alight. In the mouth, beautiful bubbles and a strong smack of savory citrus notes. It reminded me of a premiere Chablis meeting up with a world class Franciacorta. Absolutely delicious—I could drink this all summer long.

If you’re going to bring a white still wine that’ll go with everything on the picnic table, step up to the 2019 Stag Leaps’ Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($25). This is the Chardonnay that brings richness & minerality, acidity & complexity together is a glass. The perfect picnic quaff!

Here you’ll find lively aromas of delicate Meyer lemon, orange blossom, fresh white peach and delicate honeysuckle, supported by more subtle notes of Tarte Tatin and brioche toast. Fresh, vibrant and mouthwatering, the palate is crisp with layers of ripe Golden Delicious apple, guava and warm Asian pear, backed up by a luscious texture that is rich and balanced. Notes of vanilla, allspice and crème brûlée lead to a lengthy finish that is full and bright.

Happy Picnicking! Cheers!

KEG WHISPERER

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I

n past weeks we have discussed beer at length along with the stories it may tell.

We discussed the interplay between beer and food and the many ways of expressing those combinations. With Riverside County now solidly in the Orange Tier as of April 7th, it was time to venture forth.

Perhaps I’d forgotten the pre-pandemic pecking order for finding both great food and great beer in tandem, or it could be that I just wanted dinner out with a friend and a really great steak. Either way, it was quickly discovered on Saturday morning that most of the upper echelon dining establishments in the area were booked tighter than spandex on a Russian weight lifter. Working down the list of dining options, reservations were finally obtained at a very well-known steak house with locations dotting the United States.

Indoor dining won’t be taken for granted by too many folks following the year-plus of Covid restrictions and I will admit to being a wee bit giddy as we made our way to the host station.

We were then led to our booth and the dining festivities began. I came for the steak and was not about to be deterred, selecting a 24oz cut which was a favorite of my youth. My dinner companion selected a filet and we also opted for family style servings of Lobster Mac & Cheese as well as Potatoes Au Gratin.

Scanning the menu for beer to pair with the forthcoming festivities, it quickly became apparent that my trusty dinner sidekick (beer) simply wasn’t going to happen. Classic cocktails and wine still rule the day at these old-guard establishments and the miniscule beer selection

was simply an afterthought. While I’ve known about this meager selection for many, many years, the thought of a pound and a half of prime, tender, aged beef cooked to perfection had me throwing caution to the wind.

Now, national chains will tell you that it’s just not in the cards to standardize a beer menu across the United States; something that was very true ten or fifteen years ago. Today’s beer world has now grown up in terms of distribution and it wouldn’t be hard at all to use flagship examples of brewers, both foreign and domestic, to bolster their fine dining experience as well as the bottom line of these top-end restaurants.

Starting with the main course of steak (I still smile every time I type that word), there are a couple different ways to go in terms of beer pairings. My preference would be to accentuate the char of the beef with a chalice of brew which is famous and readily available; Chimay Bleue or St. Bernardus Abt 12. These Belgian beers are easily obtained and exhibit an excellent shelf life ranging up to four years. The style is referred to as a Belgian Quadruple…although their

friends simply refer to them as ‘Quads’. In the hierarchy of Trappist Beers (brewed by Monks at the Monastary), these rank at the very top in terms of their complexity (think stone fruit and caramel) as well as alcohol content. They are well-rounded and strike the perfect balance of bitter and sweet while having enough panache to counter some of the richest foods’ chefs can dish out.

Speaking of rich foods…that leads us to the Lobster Mac & Cheese. One thing for certain is that this wasn’t Mom’s mac and cheese. Our server explained that they utilize a three-cheese blend for the macaroni before adding in a very generous portion of buttersoaked lobster tail. The entire dish is baked, leaving a thin, perfectly glazed crust. Thinking again about a pairing option which is available nationwide, I’d definitely go with Brewery Ommegang Hennepin out of Cooperstown, New York. This Farmhouse Saison is artfully spiced with coriander, ginger, and orange peel to compliment the lobster while carrying a champagne-like effervescence which would effectively scrub the palate of butter…therefore

April 15 to April 21, 2021

BY BREWMASTER ED HEETHUIS making every bite seem better than the one preceding.

The dessert course was offered and our server was asked not to continue the verbal menu once she arrived at Crème Brûlèe. A matching pair were quickly ordered and arrived shortly thereafter. This was an amazing vanilla bean custard with an absolutely breathtaking perfect caramelized crust. While the dessert was outstanding, I couldn’t help but think about rounding it out with the raspberry-forward Lindemans Framboise Lambic. The zippy acidity of the beer would have provided the perfect contrast to the thick, creamy custard.

Alas, none of these pairings were about to happen that day and guess what?

That’s ok by me.

The thrill of an indoor table, elaborate décor, and people-watching trumped the minor inconvenience of missing a couple of pairing options. Add to the mix outstanding company, riveting conversation and world-class beef and, in reality, I guess I really have absolutely nothing to beef about.

When Ed Heethuis isn’t brewing at Spotlight 29 Casino for 29 Brews, you will find the Certified Cicerone® / Brewmaster out on his road bike, breeding Pygmy Elephants, or talking beer with the patrons at Taproom 29. He may be reached at: heethuis.ed@gmail.com or wherever beer may be found in the wild.

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

PET PLACE

M

aybe you grew up on a farm or in a rural area where your pet cat was allowed to roam outside.

Today most cat rescue groups will require you to keep the cat you adopt from them indoors. Some people still think that cats are happier if they have the "freedom" to live outside.

My neighbor’s cat was recently picked up and killed by an owl. Today I received messages on www.NextDoor.com about coyotes in two gated communities in central Palm Desert. Coyote sightings have increased as these animals expand their search for food sources. Here are some of the reasons to keep your cat inside, as much as you might think he would enjoy a romp out in the sunshine.

1. Outdoor cats are subject to predators Coyotes are the primary threat to felines in the Coachella Valley. They are frequently spotted inside our gated country clubs and other residential communities. Coyotes can jump over fences and brick walls over 6 feet high. Stray dogs can also kill a cat, particularly if they are running in packs.

2. Risk of Injury or Disease Thousands of cats are killed every year from cars. Other hazards on our landscape

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KEEP KITTY INSIDE!

such as barb wire fencing, rodent traps, and poisons can cause grave injury or death.

Cats like the sweet taste of anti-freeze, but it is extremely toxic and will result in death within hours. Some feline diseases are transmitted from other stray cats. Fleas, ticks and ringworm can be picked up while Felix strolls through the neighborhood.

3. Fights with other Cats Cats are territorial animals, and injuries from cat fights can run up some major veterinary bills. Their territorial battles can result in abscessed wounds which can be deadly if untreated.

4. Malicious Individuals Sad to say, there are people in our community who are cruel and sadistic.

Sociopaths will capture stray animals, harm them, and sometimes kill them.

5. Theft Even if they don't intend to harm your pet, thieves may decide to "adopt" your cat.

Neighbors wanting to teach you a lesson for letting your cat roam may decide to keep him.

Tracking them down and proving ownership may be difficult. If your cat is a sought after breeds such as Siamese or Persian, thieves steal them to resell. Worse yet, "bunchers" steal and sell cats to laboratories for animal

experimentation or research.

6. Run Aways We hear incredible tales of cats that travel thousands of miles to return home.

But there are also stories of animals who wander off and are unable to return home for a variety of reasons. Unneutered Tom cats will wander in search of females in heat.

7. Public Shelters Your friendly cat could be taken in by someone who thinks he's a stray animal.

They might take him to a public shelter where tragically about 80% of the adult cats are euthanized.

8. Songbird Conservation Cats are predators, and it is an instinctual behavior for them to kill and eat birds and other small wildlife. Your well-fed pet may deposit a dead bird as a present on your doorstep.

9. Neighbor Relations Some of your neighbors might not appreciate a cat defecating and roaming on their property. Gardeners in particular are wary of animals who tromp through their greenery.

Avoid contact with Easter Lilies – Springtime is here and Easter is right around the corner. However, those lovely Easter Lilies on your table or porch are extremely poisonous to your cat.

Ways to keep Kitty Happy Indoors - Cats are perfectly content to sit in the sunshine on a safe window ledge INSIDE your home.

You can provide exercise with a supply of toys, a carpet covered cat tree, and a cat scratching post. You can purchase "cat grass" at any supermarket or pet specialty shop. Get your cat a buddy...there is nothing more joyful than two cats at play. Some

MEET HANNAH

SPECIAL COCO LINO

Stunningly beautiful Hannah, long term shelter resident, hopes for a loving home. She is a Deer Hound/Terrier Mix, 10-yrs-old and 80 lbs of doggie love. She loves all humans especially when they give her belly rubs, but would prefer to be the only dog. Call the Humane Society of the Coachella Valley in N. Palm Springs at (760) 329-0203 for an appointment to meet her.

This special needs boy is 18 lbs of kitty love! CoCo Lino has diabetes and takes his daily insulin like a champ. He loves all humans and other cats. He waits for a home at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. Go online at www. psanimalshelter.org and complete an adoption application, and call (760) 416-5718).

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BY JANET McAFEE dedicated cat lovers add a cattery with a “cat door” so Fluffy can enjoy both the indoors and outdoors safely.

Here's the best reason to keep your cat indoors rather than outside. The average life span of indoor cats is between twelve and nineteen years, while that of outdoor cats is about five years. Isis, my wonderful British Blue cat, lived to the ripe old age of twentyfour years, happy to view the world outside from a sunny window ledge.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com ----------------------------------------------------Here is a partial list of Inland Empire shelters and rescue groups where you can adopt a cat or dog. Please check their websites in advance for updates on adoption procedures during the quarantine.

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – The county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. You can view the animals at all four Riverside county shelters at rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to adopt. Email them the animal’s ID number at shelterinfo@ rivco.org, or schedule a virtual adoption appointment at rcdas.org, 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644.

(Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wed-Mon. View their animals online at psanimalsshelter.org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718.

ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at californiapawsrescue.com, (760) 656-8833.

(Private)

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HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat.

This shelter has lots of big dogs in addition to small dogs and cats. View some of their animals at orphanpet.com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 3290203. (Private) KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat.

Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700.

(Private) FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage. Contact them at ForeverMeow.org, (760) 335-6767.

(Private) PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private) BFF4pets – Foster based rescue for dogs and cats located in La Quinta. Email them at rescues@bff4pets.com, (310) 431-7818 (Private)

April 15 to April 21, 2021

LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, lovingallanimals.org, (760) 8347000. (Private) LIVING FREE ANIMAL SANCTUARY – Large outdoor shelter for dogs and cats up Hwy 74, view animals at living-free.org, (951) 659-4687 (Private) MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 3847272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter is now open for walk ins 7 days a week. Call (909) 3869280. View animals at sbcounty.gov/acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website DreamTeamangelsrescue.com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

HEALTH

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BY MICHELLE BORTHWICK

WEEK OF APRIL 15

I

’m often asked how you maintain a longterm Keto lifestyle. There’s so much controversy and confusing information that says Keto isn’t sustainable. I’m going to share with you what’s kept me Keto and motivated (for over 3 l/2 years) and how you can do it too!

Let’s talk about Weight.

Weight loss is an important goal for most of us and Keto is the best way to lose weight and burn fat. There are many ways to lose weight, and lots of diet choices, and most of us have tried them all … but most diets set us up to fail. They aren’t sustainable for many reasons …but one of the most common faults with diets is you find yourself always hungry and it seems like a battle to stick to the plan…that’s just no way to live.

Another common reason is that once you reach your goal, you lose your motivation. Being thinner and buying new clothes just isn’t enough to keep most of us on track when temptations come across our radar…. or our plate! When you work so hard to lose weight and reach your goal you want to find a way to stay on track and not fall back into bad habits that are pure sabotage.

How? With Keto I’m determined to maintain it as a lifestyle and teach it to others… and it’s way beyond the weight loss (although I love having the same size clothes in my closet for many years now. that makes me happy, and I want that for you too.) It’s crucial to be motivated in ways that inspire and sustain you beyond weight. So, let’s talk about what a few of these could be.

Learn about Keto and the Science.

I found this very motivating… Keto brought me to my best health in my early 60’s and I wanted to stay there. I knew if I returned to my carb-filled diet I would suffer again. I look better than I have in a long time…I absolutely love the energy, the way I feel and knowing I’m in my best health ever.

So, learning more about why Keto works and the true benefits of maintaining a continual level of ketosis (or using ketones for fuel rather than glucose) is one of the places I started. I imprinted it into my long-term mindset around health and food and used it for motivation. I immersed myself in Keto and the science of it.

Did you know this about Keto? While in ketosis… besides losing weight you: Have more energy.

Balance your hormones.

Improve and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Lower glucose and insulin.

Reduce inflammation.

Increase brain function and ability to concentrate.

And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg! All from changing your diet… That was motivational for me as I remembered being exhausted and having none of that with my former carb-heavy diet.

Keto and Wellbeing.

I wish someone had told me that I had more power over my health than I realized and that I could improve it by simply changing my diet. It took a downward spiral for me with pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, gerd, plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches and debilitating fatigue before I took a serious look at my lifestyle. Within a few months of following a clean ketogenic diet my health markers vastly improved. I was no longer prediabetic and my A1C dropped from 5.9 to 5.3.

And all my other health challenges were gone.

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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

Was this a miracle? It felt like it because it was the quickest reversal for my health that I'd ever seen without any medication. I never dreamed it could happen. However, the science behind Keto says it is possible!

Not only has it saved my life (along with the 40 pounds that are gone) but Keto is science based. I encourage you to educate yourself and to become a true believer of the Keto lifestyle. It will keep you motivated and on track when you are tempted, or if you do cheat (and you will because we are all human) you’ll find it easier to get back on and then stay on board the keto train longterm.

Find Keto food substitutes.

As part of my customization process I truly believe with all my heart that if you can find keto foods to sub out for the foods you crave and love you have a greater chance of being successful with keto as a lifestyle. This has been another motivator for me and big part of my keto journey to being successful.

I’ve shared that I’m a foodie to the core and that’s another reason to love Keto. You can eat a keto diet and still have amazing food. I work with people around food and changing their diet. I love to cook, dine out and socialize around food. I wish someone would have told me that changing the way you eat doesn’t mean you give up anything or end up feeling deprived. I still have an immense amount of joy that food provides in my life. Awesome memories are still made while traveling, dining out and bonding over food at the dinner table with friends and family. I have traveled, celebrated many special occasions, dined our regularly and haven't looked back. I’ve found a way to live my Keto life Out Loud and be healthy by finding foods, and food substitutes that are amazing. You can do this too!

There is so much more to share with you about making keto a lifestyle and I’ll finish it up part 2 in my next article. This gives you “food for thought” until then. For now, doctors tend to agree that if your bloodwork is at appropriate levels and your weight is within a healthy range, there’s nothing wrong with doing the keto diet long-term. That’s positive progress as more research is done on the health benefits of Keto.

If you want to explore Keto, and how it might work in your life, please schedule a free 30-minute consult with me.

About Michelle Borthwick: Michelle is a Keto customization expert and coach. Keto weight loss results can be greatly improved with Coaching, Customization, Accountability, and a trusted partner to guide you every step of the way.

Michelle offers private sessions, proven Keto diet hacks, goal setting, ongoing support and more.

If you are interested in a Keto lifestyle designed to get you lasting results, book a 30-minute complimentary private coaching session online at KetoIsEasyCoach.com.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Today I feel the whole world is a door,” wrote poet Dennis Silk. In a similar spirit, 13th-century Zen master Wumen Huikai observed, “The whole world is a door of liberation, but people are unwilling to enter it.” Now I’m here to tell you, Aries, that there will be times in the coming weeks when the whole world will feel like a door to you. And if you open it, you’ll be led to potential opportunities for interesting changes that offer you liberation. This is a rare blessing. Please be sufficiently loose and alert and brave to take advantage.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein was called a genius by Nobel Prize-winning author Bertrand Russell. His Philosophical Investigations was once voted the 20th century’s most important philosophy book.

Yet one of Wittgenstein’s famous quotes was “How hard it is to see what is right in front of my eyes!”

Luckily for all of us, I suspect that won’t be problem for you in the coming weeks, Taurus. In fact, I’m guessing you will see a whole range of things that were previously hidden, even though some of them had been right in front of your eyes. Congrats!

Everyone whose life you touch will benefit because of this breakthrough.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Why don’t rivers flow straight? Well, sometimes they do, but only for a relatively short stretch. According to the US Geological Survey, no river moves in a linear trajectory for a distance of more than ten times its width. There are numerous reasons why this is so, including the friction caused by banks and the fact that river water streams faster at the center.

The place where a river changes direction is called a “meander.” I’d like to borrow this phenomenon to serve as a metaphor for your life in the coming weeks. I suspect your regular flow is due for a course change—a meander. Any intuitive ideas about which way to go? In which direction will the scenery be best?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian poet Denis Johnson eventually became a celebrated writer who won numerous prizes, including the prestigious National Book Award. But life was rough when he was in his twenties. Because of his addictions to drugs and alcohol, he neglected his writing. Later, in one of his mature poems, he expressed appreciation to people who supported him earlier on. “You saw me when I was invisible,” he wrote, “you spoke to me when I was deaf, you thanked me when I was a secret.” Are there helpers like that in your own story? Now would be a perfect time to honor them and repay the favors.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): What do you believe in, exactly, Leo? The coming weeks will be a fine time to take an inventory of your beliefs—and then divest yourself of any that no longer serve you, no longer excite you, and no longer fit your changing understanding of how life works. For extra credit, I invite you to dream up some fun new beliefs that lighten your heart and stimulate your playfulness.

For example, you could borrow poet Charles Wright’s approach: “I believe what the thunder and lightning have to say.” Or you could try my idea: “I believe in wonders and marvels that inspire me to fulfill my most interesting dreams.”

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo poet Charles Wright testifies, “I write poems to untie myself, to do penance and disappear through the upper right-hand corner of things, to say grace.” What about you, Virgo? What do you do in order to untie yourself and do penance and invoke grace? The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to use all the tricks at your disposal to accomplish such useful transformations. And if you currently have a low supply of the necessary tricks, make it your healthy obsession to get more.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Kublai Khan, ruler of the Mongol Empire and China in the second half of the 13th century, kept a retinue of 5,000 astrologers on retainer. Some were stationed on the roof of his palace, tasked with using sorcery to banish

© Copyright 2021 Rob Brezsny

approaching storm clouds. If you asked me to perform a similar assignment, I would not do so. We need storms! They bring refreshing rain, and keep the earth in electrical balance. Lightning from storms creates ozone, a vital part of our atmosphere, and it converts nitrogen in the air into nitrogen in the ground, making the soil more fertile. Metaphorical storms often generate a host of necessary and welcome transformations, as well—as I suspect they will for you during the coming weeks.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Unexpressed emotions will never die,” declared trailblazing psychologist Sigmund Freud. “They are buried alive and they will come forth, later, in uglier ways.” I agree, which is why I advise you not to bury your emotions—especially now, when they urgently need to be aired. OK? Please don’t allow a scenario in which they will emerge later in ugly ways. Instead, find the courage to express them soon—in the most loving ways possible, hopefully, and with respect for people who may not be entirely receptive to them.

Communicate with compassionate clarity.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Sagittarian author Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz wrote a poem entitled “Not Doing Something Wrong Isn’t the Same as Doing Something Right.” I propose that we make that thought one of your guiding themes during the next two weeks. If you choose to accept the assignment, you will make a list of three possible actions that fit the description “not doing something wrong,” and three actions that consist of “doing something right.” Then you will avoid doing the three wrong things named in the first list and give your generous energy to carrying out the three right things in the second list.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In the past few weeks, I hope you’ve been treating yourself like a royal child. I hope you’ve been showering yourself with extra special nurturing and therapeutic treatments. I hope you’ve been telling yourself out loud how soulful and intelligent and resilient you are, and I hope you’ve delighted yourself by engaging with a series of educational inspirations.

If for some inexplicable reason you have not been attending to these important matters with luxurious intensity, please make up for lost time in the coming days. Your success during the rest of 2021 depends on your devout devotion to self-care right now.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sometimes when a disheartening kind of darkness encroaches, we’re right to be afraid. In fact, it’s often wise to be afraid, because doing so may motivate us to ward off or transmute the darkness. But on other occasions, the disheartening darkness that seems to be encroaching isn’t real, or else is actually less threatening than we imagine. Novelist John Steinbeck described the latter when he wrote, “I know beyond all doubt that the dark things crowding in on me either did not exist or were not dangerous to me, and still I was afraid.” My suspicion is that this is the nature of the darkness you’re currently worried about. Can you therefore find a way to banish or at least diminish your fear?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Some people, if they didn’t make it hard for themselves, might fall asleep,” wrote novelist Saul Bellow. In other words, some of us act as if it’s entertaining, even exciting, to attract difficulties and cause problems for ourselves.

If that describes you even a tiny bit, Pisces, I urge you to tone down that bad habit in the coming weeks—maybe even see if you can at least partially eliminate it. The cosmic rhythms will be on your side whenever you take measures to drown out the little voices in your head that try to undermine and sabotage you. At least for now, say “NO!” to making it hard for yourself. Say “YES!” to making it graceful for yourself.

Homework. Tell me about your most interesting problem—the one that teaches you the most.

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

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 15 to April 21, 2021

THEATRE

COACHELLA VALLEY REPERTORY & WHITTIER TRUST PRESENTS

THE GOLDEN FLEECE BY A.R. GURNEY

THE GOLDEN FLEECE IS A COMEDIC PARODY OF GREEK MYTHOLOGY. THIS VIRTUAL STAGED READING, DIRECTED BY JOANNE GORDON AND STARRING ANGELA SAUER AND JOEL BRYANT WILL BROADCAST VIA ZOOM ON THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2021, AT 7:00 PM PACIFIC. REGISTER AT CVREP.ORG.

Boeing Boeing and the pre-Broadway run of Bonnie and Clyde. She has an MFA from the FSU/Asolo Conservatory and is the reigning champion of LA’s Manhattan Monologue Slam.

Joel Bryant (Moonlight & Magnolias, The Heartbreak Kid, Criminal Minds) is a Desert Theatre League nominee for his performance in Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune in 2014. As a standup comedian or with comedy partner and wife, Deven Green, he’s performed all over North America, for the military in the Middle East and numerous fund-raisers, comedy festivals, and corporate events. He’s a sought-after Host & MC for TV, corporate events, and charities (APLA Health, Team 2 End AIDS, Disabled Vets).

Returning to CVRep’s virtual stage is director, Joanne Gordon, who has previously been a part of CVRep’s Theatre Thursdays by directing The Clean House, a virtual staged reading presented by Whittier Trust.

She was also the moderator for CVRep’s Luminary Cocktail Hour with Alexandra Billings, actress, singer, author, teacher, and activist. Gordon is an award-winning director

TRAVEL TIPS4U

M

oller’s Garden Center, Inc laid its roots in the Coachella Valley in the mid fifties. The business began as a sprinkler irrigation company in Palm Springs, grew into a landscape contracting business and finally settled as a wholesale retail nursery in Palm Desert. They opened their doors in the fall of 1973. They are a family owned and a family run business, now in its second generation.

Their goal is simple; it is to provide the best customer service possible.

The staff at Moller’s Garden Center is the key to their success; many have been with them for more than ten years. Their goal is simple; it is to provide the best customer service possible. The Desert provides very different and challenging options in plant material. What may work ‘back home’ will not always thrive in a traditional setting here;

All presentations are offered via Zoom to observe social distancing guidelines.

Don’t miss this week’s Theatre Thursday's presentation with Glenn Rosenblum, who returns with an all-new Broadway Showstoppers ~ Classic Moments Part II. Register at cvrep.org.

MOLLER’S GARDEN CENTER PALM DESERT, CA

ARTICLE & PHOTOS

BY LYNNE TUCKER

many times they are able to offer choices that will create that same look yet endure the Desert’s extremes. From tropical to desert landscapes, contemporary to traditional plantings, their sales associates are well versed in the endless options for home and commercial landscape.

Moller’s Garden Center is well known for its huge selection of unique and hard to find plants.

They work with the very best wholesale nurseries available in an effort to provide plant material not found any place else in the Desert. You can always find it at Moller’s.

Commercial Nursery: Well-Equipped to Meet Your Needs Moller’s Garden Center is a top-quality, centrally-located wholesale nursery for the landscape trade, providing the widest variety of flower and plant specimens for landscape contractors and professional gardeners. Why shop all over the valley when you can source all of your landscaping needs in the heart of Palm Desert!

Residential Nursery: Making Gardening Dreams Come True Their residential nursery offers the largest

selection of plant and flower specimens in the Coachella Valley. From cactus varieties to exotic flowers and citrus trees, you’ll find an abundance of flora, gifts and accessories to choose from. They are centrally-located in Palm Desert and ready to bring your dreams to life!

They Offer: Cactus & Succulents, Garden Shop, Gift Shop, House Plants, Pottery & Garden Art Hours: Mon - Fri: 7:00am - 500pm Sat: 8:00am - 5:00pm Sun: 8:00am - 4:00pm Flower Shop: Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 4:00pm Sat: 8:30am – 4:00pm For more info: mollersgardencenter.com.

Visit the Gardens and Enjoy the Variety!

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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HADDON LIBBY

FORBES’ BILLIONAIRE’S CLUB

I

t’s that time of year again when Forbes publishes its lists of the wealthiest people in the world. In its most recent issue, Forbes found that a new billionaire is minted every 17 hours. This exclusive has 2,755 members – 660 more than last year.

Billionaires as a group saw their assets grow by $8 trillion $13.1 trillion at the end of March. To put this into some perspective, the Coachella Valley is home to roughly 400,000.

If the wealth of these billionaires was spread evenly across every man, woman and child in the Coachella Valley, each person would have $33 million. A family of four would have a net worth of $132 million.

The average increase in the net worth of billionaires rose by $889 million over the twelve months ending March 31. Eighty-six percent of billionaires emerged from the pandemic wealthier than they went into the pandemic.

Using the ‘real time’ Forbes estimated of net worth at forbes.com/billionaires, the wealthiest of the wealthy is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon at $177 billion, postdivorce. His ex-wife MacKenzie Scott is worth $50 billion making her the 22nd wealthiest person in the world.

At $151 billion is Elon Musk, founder of Tesla. For a short time, Tesla stock rose to a value that made Musk the world’s wealthiest person. Musk moved from California to Texas prior to this rise in wealth to save billions in taxes.

Bernard Arnault, the CEO of LVMT Moet

BY HADDON LIBBY

Hennessey saw his net worth double to $150 billion. Last year, LVMT acquired Tiffany & Company, adding it to an impressive list of luxury brands controlled by Arnault. Arnault started his empire in 1985 with $15 million from his father, the wealthy owner of a construction company.

In fourth is Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft at $124 billion with Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg $1 billion behind him.

Everyone’s favorite grandfather, the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett slipped to sixth amongst wealthy billionaires at $96 billion as his reached his 90th birthday. Many people do not know that Buffett’s first job was working

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

as a salesman for his father’s investment firm, Buffett, Falk & Co. Seventh on this year’s list own Porcupine Creek as well as the BNP Paribas Open is Larry Elison, the founder of Oracle at $93 billion.

As his Rancho Mirage residence is turned into a luxury retreat, Ellison will be getting comfortable in his new $80 million mansion in Palm Beach, Florida. How much do you want to guess that he will be changing his state of residence from California to Florida sometime soon?

In eighth and ninth are the founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin at roughly $90 billion each.

Rounding out the top ten Mukesh Ambani

of India at $85 billion. He and his brother divided a family conglomerate. Mukesh’ businesses include oil, cell phones and retail.

The richest woman in the world – Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the granddaughter of L’Oreal, Eugene Schueller with $80 billion Have you ever heard Dan Gilbert of Quicken Loans? His voice fills the radio airwaves around the United States offering their mortgage loan services. Gilbert is the 30th wealthiest billionaire at $46 billion.

The youngest billionaire at the age of 18 is Kevin David Lehmann of Germany. He is the son of the 50% owner in Germany’s largest drug chain, DM (Drogerie Market).

The oldest billionaire is the founder of Mercury Insurance, George Joseph. Worth $2 billion, Joseph is 99 years of age.

As this shows, those with money, make money while those without struggle. This observation is nothing new although the concentration of wealth is reaching extreme conditions. Here in the United States, 1% of the people controlled 46% of America’s net worth. The top 8% in America control 86% of the wealth.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management. Please visit www.

WinslowDrake.com for more information.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

PEOPLE DON’T PLAN TO FAIL, THEY FAIL TO PLAN … IN THE AGE OF COVID

C

ovid has thrown the world upside down. We are all frustrated and stressed from our limited opportunities to do things like before. Making decision during a less than alert period is never good. Chances are you, a loved one or friend, are not going to be in an accident this week. However, it takes so little to plan now, while you are not stressed, to think of who you would call if you, a family member or friend, were rear ended and injured.

We all have the phone number of a plumber, A/C company and electrician handy in case we need one. Wouldn’t it make sense to consider now, who you would call if you needed a Personal Injury Attorney.

If an accident occurs it is important to remember that SILENCE IS GOLDEN and HANDCUFFS ARE SILVER. Talking can rarely do you any good, so my suggestion is DON’T TALK TO ANYONE about an accident or criminal investigation or INSURANCE ADJUSTER WITHOUT YOUR LAWYER’S PERMISSION. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY BUT WHAT THEY THOUGHT THEY HEARD YOU SAY! This suggestion to remain Silent, is true for police officers and insurance adjusters. In over 35 years of practice I have seen so many mistakes made, that substantially affect the outcome of a case in a negative manner.

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IF YOU HAVE BEEN DRINKING ANY AMOUNT & WERE IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT OR STOPPED FOR A POSSIBLE DUI, REMEMBER THAT (FST’S) FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS (WALK THE LINE, FINGER TO NOSE ETC) ARE OPTIONAL, AS IS THE BREATH TEST AT THE SCENE (IF YOU ARE NOT ON PROBATION).

YOU SHOULD COURTEOUSLY OPT NOT TO TAKE ANY TESTS AT THE SCENE, AND ASK FOR A BLOOD TEST. After an accident or DUI arrest, I tell my clients to take down social media.

Investigators for the DA or Insurance Company can save a lot of money on investigation, by just checking Facebook sites etc. Some accident victims foolishly post that they are going skiing or entering a marathon right after an accident. This is after they complained to their doctor about how much they hurt and further explaining all the things they cannot do. An insurance company adjuster thinks if a victim can play a sport, then they were not that injured in the accident. They don’t consider the extra pain a victim endures by competing in that sport.

A client shouldn’t post that they were lucky not to have been stopped the day before when they were even more drunk or any other post about their drinking or negligent driving etc. It is always a good idea

to hire a local attorney who will know the judges and court employees. That should be done ASAP. Once one has a lawyer they can no longer be contacted by an investigator on either type of case.

It is vital for a client to preserve evidence by writing facts down right away. Today smart cell phones can be used to take picture of parties, cars, streets, Driver’s license, registration, and to obtain statements from drivers and wits.

The law arguably wins every time, no matter what kind of case one discusses.

When an accident victim files suit, they can be served written questions, called interrogatories, or have their depo taken.

They might be ordered to appear in court for a variety of appearances. Though a case is called for 8 am, it may not be heard until the afternoon calendar or it may be trailed until the next day or week. The lost of time means the victim loses money.

Whether you are found guilty or not guilty of a DUI or prevail with your accident case, you still lose. All defendants lose time and money from: the arrest; court trips; bail; retaining counsel; loss of earnings and dealing with the stress and how it affect the family.

There is no way you can truly win, when you are in involved in civil or criminal

litigation. The stress you experience is often taken out on your significant other or other family members. This leads to subsequent domestic violence arrests as well as divorces and disharmony with the family……not to mention the interruption of business and the financial losses incurred therein.

Covid 19 has been clearly Bad and Ugly, but if you put your glasses on you might see some good. There is less smog, rivers are cleaner and fewer Accidents and DUI’s since fewer cars have been on the roads………But that is changing as we get closer to THE OLD normal. So remember what is said here so you DON’T PLAN TO FAIL. PLEASE DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBE…IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HAVING AN ARREST OR ACCIDENT AND CALLING ME…SO DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER! DALE GRIBOW - Representing the Injured and Criminally Accused “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-20 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ARTICLE? CONTACT DALE GRIBOW 760-837-7500/ dale@dalegribowlaw.com

SAFETY TIPS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 15 to April 21, 2021

FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY 911 DISPATCHERS WEEK

T

he National Public Safety Dispatchers Week is celebrated every second week of April each year. This week April 11-17, 2021 aims to honor all 911 Fire/Police/Paramedic Dispatchers & Staff whose work is involved in public safety communication. This weeklong event gives recognition and expresses gratitude to all those people dedicated to saving the lives of the people.

Understanding the Job of a 911 Dispatcher Most of the time, people have no idea how hard the job of emergency communicators is.

They carry a great responsibility because they are the first line of hope or defense for those people in need. They are the first ones to get in contact with people who are in danger. If you still have not fully realized that yet, then it is all the more reason for you to celebrate this week.

To Become Prepared for Emergency Situations Also, a good reason to celebrate this event is that by doing so, you can get yourself familiarized with the mechanics of what you should do in case of an emergency. Knowing how to contact a 911 Dispatcher and what to say will perhaps even save your life or those of others.

Review the 911 Emergency Call Advice A good way to spend your time this week is to review the 911 emergency call advice as discussed below: · 9-1-1 is for police, fire, and medical emergencies only. · Details are critical. Stay on the line with the 9-1-1 operator and answer all the questions that they ask. Provide an accurate location, if you do not know the exact address, provide the call taker with all the details that you can.

Look for landmarks, cross streets, signs, and buildings. First responders need an accurate location to respond as fast as possible. · Try to stay calm and speak clearly. · Do not hang up when calling 9-1-1. If you called by mistake, let the operator know. · DO NOT call 9-1-1 for jokes or prank calls.

This is a good week to tell them how grateful you are for doing their job appropriately. You can also make this event as your opportunity to say thank you, or a letter of appreciation to a public safety dispatch center near you.

“Just because you do not see their face, doesn’t mean they do not save lives. Behind every hero, there is a guardian looking out for them and they are the hero’s guardian. It’s all about finding the calm in the chaos!”

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April 15 to April 21, 2021

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