Coachella Valley Weekly - April 22 to April 28, 2021 Vol. 10 No. 6

Artwork by Peter Mikulak

coachellavalleyweekly.com • April 22 to April 28, 2021 Vol.10 No.6

Giselle Woo & The Night Owls

pg6

Hover

pg8

Pat Rizzo

pg9

Well Spa at Miramonte Resort

pg12

Whisking It Up

pg16

April 22 to April 28, 2021

2

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 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

Christopher James ............................. 3-5 Giselle Woo & The Night Owls ............... 6 Felix Cavaliere at The Rock Yard............ 6 Hover........................................................ 8 In Memory Of Pat Rizzo.......................... 9 Consider This - Joe Strummer .............. 10 Club Crawler Nightlife.......................... 11 Well Spa at Miramonte Resort ............ 12 Theatre - CVRep .................................... 12 Screeners ............................................... 13 The Vino Voice ...................................... 14

T

o create is to manifest something outside yourself, fulfilling its own destiny and purpose besides your own. Many struggle with the notion that art serves its own purpose, existing not for the whim of the artist’s message, but interpreted through the eyes of the audience for which

it was meant. Christopher James is a metal sculptor famously known throughout the Coachella Valley who holds that sentiment to heart. Christopher’s work has been showcased in places like El Paseo and Downtown Palm Springs, large in stature and displaying a myriad of metal textures in unconventional shapes.

The Morongo Valley-based craftsman has received high remarks for his unique pieces over the decade he has been creating them— from giraffes and owls to menacing dragons.

He has received unthinkable news, however, that he never anticipated.

Christopher has been given devastating diagnoses of pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, spinal cancer, liver cancer, and gallbladder cancer—all stage IV and metastasized, meaning the cancer has spread throughout different parts of the body. He is currently seeking treatment out of the desert for his condition. Although the doctor prognosis deems him a “walking dead man,” Christopher is far from giving up the battle of his life.

“It’s been more than I ever could imagine how many friends and family members have come out of the woodwork just to be supportive and be here for me. I’m beyond a wealthy man,” said Christopher.

It was 15 years ago at the Renegade Art Gallery, formerly located in Palm Springs, where Christopher’s colossal works were introduced to the Coachella Valley. Christopher would wander out to the desert in Morongo Valley, looking for old pick-up trucks or other abandoned metallic objects to incorporate into a large metalwork. continue to page 5

Pastor Carl Brown................................. 17 Whisking It Up....................................... 17 Palm Desert Aquatic Center................. 17 Pet Place .......................................... 18-19 Cannabis Corner ................................... 20 Haddon Libby ....................................... 20 Swag For The Soul ................................ 22 Free Will Astrology .............................. 22 Safety Tips............................................. 24 Dale Gribow .......................................... 24 Travel Tips 4 U ....................................... 25

3

April 22 to April 28, 2021

4

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

CHRISTOPHER JAMES

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 2021

continued from page 3

Christopher considers art to be more than just a passion. He welds 16 hours a day, every day, for seven days a week while working on his statues. His work has been featured in the Palm Springs Art Museum, the Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs, and he even owned a shop on El Paseo where he would sell his art exclusively.

One of his favorite creations is his “Lady Liberty” sculpture, consisting of a 13-foot skeletal structure of the Statue of Liberty holding an AK-47 and marked with “In Guns We Trust.” The artwork was not meant to be political in any way, according to Christopher, and instead merely represented his perception of the state of affairs in America. Interestingly enough, the Lady Liberty sculpture also dons a face mask, even though it was made a year before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The Lady Liberty sculpture resonated with so many people emotionally, on both sides of the political spectrum. Christopher had witnessed observers and veterans place flowers at the sculpture’s feet in tribute when he positioned it in the middle of a desert road,

while others were seemingly upset about its message—a message that Christopher did not intend to create.

“Lady Liberty took on a life all her own.

It wasn’t about me or my art; it took on how people were feeling in America. It wasn’t supposed to be politically-charged, just simply asking, ‘how do you feel?’” explained Christopher.

Christopher eventually took Lady Liberty to Washington D.C., as he also hired a film crew to document the journey. Upon arriving at their destination, Christopher was forced to remove the statue under the orders of federal personnel and escorted off the premises, for fear that the presence of the stature would incite an undesirable reaction from people who saw it. A critical essay called “Christopher James: Forging of the Feral” by Brandon R. Burdette, was published that chronicles the D.C. trip, while profiling Christopher and analyzing the relationship between the creative individual and contemporary society.

“Art is my one true force. I don’t care if I make a dime off any of it. I just want to see my work out there and have people react to it, even if they don’t like it. I never have a clear picture of what I want to make. I reach my hand in a pile of dirt, and pull out whatever the ether tells me to make. Whatever thought is in my head, whatever nightmare I had in childhood, whatever dreamscape that is formed is already there. It already exists outside of me,” said Christopher.

Graphic artist Peter Mikulak met Christopher 11 years ago when they were both part of a group show at the Renegade Art Gallery. Peter was homeless at the time, and staying at the gallery to prepare for the show. That was when he met Christopher who offered to let him stay at his place instead.

“I think when Christopher creates something, his work is so spontaneous that he doesn’t have a vivid message he wants to

tell at the beginning. His art is its own. He had a gigantic giraffe statue just about as tall as a street light at our first show together. I thought his work was easily the best in the whole gallery,” said Peter.

Peter and Christopher would go on to collaborate on a Marilyn Monroe sculpture meant to spoof the Forever Marilyn statue that left Palm Springs in 2014. Their sculpture was later displayed at the Hard Rock Hotel.

“One of the most uplifting aspects of my art career has been with Peter. We always bring each other up even though we come from very different mediums. He’s always been there for me since day one. He constantly pushes me to work outside my box. I can honestly say that without Peter, my career would not be where it is today. He’s the only brother I ever wanted and never got,” stated Christopher.

Peter has plans to open up his own store at the Westfield mall in Palm Desert, between the Vans store and Victoria’s Secret. Christopher is having Lady Liberty placed there and will also provide other artwork as well, continuing to support their strong bond and collaboration.

As his artistic legacy continues to unfold even in the midst of a dire diagnosis, Christopher is holding on to his true driving force, and he hopes that those who come across his work in the years to come will see how much effort he put into his creations.

“It’s not the art that I want them to remember, it’s the story behind the art.

I’ve spent hours on my work, bleeding and starving, and I want them to see that. Even with my diagnoses, I’m still here making art and promoting my work, and I have zero regrets about my life,” said Christopher.

5

April 22 to April 28, 2021

LOCAL MUSIC

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

G

isello Woo has done almost ‘everything’ you could possibly imagine within our desert music community not to mention in the music world.

This amazing human was scheduled to perform at Coachella 2020 with her band The Night Owls before that notch was botched by a nasty virus.

Did that derail her and the band? No! Along with her individual accomplishments, Woo has done equal damage with The Night Owls over the years. With Woo on vocals and rhythm guitar, Christian Colin on lead guitar, Marco Murrieta on bass guitar and Jose Ceja on drums, the band is ready to continue to fight through the pandemic and come out of the other side better than before.

The 2020 Coachella Valley Music Award winners for ‘Best Rock Band’ Giselle Woo & The Night Owls, will be releasing their full-length album Everything this Friday, April 23, 2021, in conjunction with their brothers in arms, Hover, who will be releasing their self-titled album.

To celebrate the double release, the bands will be participating in a ‘Dual Listening Party’ presented by The Sound Hub at Coachella Valley Brewing Co. in Thousand Palms, California at 6 p.m. on release day. Chef Jeshua Garza and KUMA Catering will be offering some of his signature dishes for your purchase.

The band will also be raffling off a melodica, one of Woo’s signature instruments. Each raffle ticket is $5.

Coachella Valley Weekly spoke with the band as they anticipate their new release.

CVW: 2020 was supposed to be the GW & TNO Coachella break-out performances. It had to be a setback of sorts for any artist making efforts to succeed. What has been the silver lining for the band?

Woo: “Being in the Coachella line-up in 2020 was exciting news and it prompted us to record a full-length album so we could have music out for people to find during and after Coachella. We were going to record this and master it in a time span of approximately two months and we were prepared to do so. We actually finished recording by mid-march of 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic hit and I think the silver lining for me was thinking, ’okay, now we have more time to listen and work on the album. Now there isn’t any rush’ haha. Things had halted and in many ways it was a blessing

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

in disguise. We all adapted pretty well to the change. I’m sure individually it’s been a deeper journey of realization and growth, but as a band, I learned that we all had a mutual understanding that things were going to be different for the next few months, and that was comforting, to be on the same page with The Owls during something so unexpected and this album is what kept the flame lit! And now look, with the help of God, we’ve made it this far... after so much pain, uncertainty, and fear…the chaos that was 2020 has left me ready to give it my all, no more taking things for granted, especially things I love the most in life; my family and making music. So we have this album to give to you all. I cry when I hear songs like You’ve Taught Me Well or Sunny Days, mostly because I hear our hearts in them.”

Colin: “I think initially it felt like a setback but as a band we compartmentalized very well and converted that mindset of a setback into a work ethic for the album. We had that much more time to fine tune our album. So all that 2020 energy from start to finish is in there. Playing gig after gig in January, recording in February, the COVID outbreak in March, the uncertainty of April, and just the whole year turning into this ‘what else can we do here’ mentality.”

CVW: What do you want your legion of fans to know about the new music?

Colin: “The new record has a bit of everything for everyone. I think if you know us and have seen us live then you know we have a Reggae tune, a Blues tune, a Rockabilly tune, ballads, and Rock. People who know us will know what to expect and people who don’t will be in for a

pleasant surprise.”

CVW: What are some of the coping mechanisms you have seen in each other as individuals/musicians that helped you get though the pandemic and still be here releasing new music?

Ceja: “I believe for most of us, we turned to our family or work. It was a very difficult period to adjust to the new norm and even more to suppress our musician ‘side’. This album was actually the only thing that kept us going through this whole time. We were so passionate on finishing it and given the circumstances we wanted to make sure it would be our best album to date.”

CVW: You recorded the album with Frank and James from The Sound Hub. What was it like to work with them and why was it important to keep the recording/production local?

Ceja: “Working with The Sound Hub was an amazing experience. Frank and James did an excellent job on capturing our sound but they would also go above-and-beyond to give us new ideas to bring out the most in our music.

We wanted to keep it local because this music is rooted here in the valley, our inspiration comes from being here.”

Woo: “Recording at The Sound Hub in Cathedral City with Frank and James was extraspecial to me because I grew up here, this is my hometown. I feel such pride being from here. So many greats have come from here, many people I admire, like Tim Bradley, Cub Swanson, Chef Gabriel Woo, Christian Sesma, Sofia Enriquez and Juan Chavez just to name a

THE RASCALS’ FELIX CAVALIERE HEADLINES THE ROCK YARD ON STEROIDS, JUNE 5TH AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO

R

ock & Roll Hall of Famer Felix Cavaliere — co-founder of 1960s hitmakers The Rascals — will headline a special edition of The Rock Yard on Steroids on Saturday, June 5th at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The outdoor concert is FREE and open to the public. Must be at least 18 to attend; face masks are mandatory.

Founded in 1965 by the classically trained Cavaliere (vocals, piano/organ) with Eddie Brigati (vocals, percussion), Dean Cornish (guitar) and Dino Danelli (drums), The Rascals racked up nine Top-20 singles including “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’,” “People Got to Be Free,” “How Can I Be Sure?” and “It’s A Beautiful Morning.” The original lineup disbanded in 1970 and Cavaliere went on to release several solo albums, scoring a hit with the single “Only a Lonely Heart Sees.”

Today, Cavaliere is recognized as one of

6

the original innovators of the “blue-eyed soul” sound and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame. After more than 50 years in music, his message continues to be that of peace, love and happiness.

You don’t want to miss this special edition of The Rock Yard on Steroids featuring Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals — ONE NIGHT ONLY, Saturday, June 5th at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. FREE live music starts at 7 p.m.

The Rock Yard is an amphitheater-style venue featuring Southern California’s premier tribute and cover bands live on stage every Friday and Saturday night, Spring through Fall. New drink specials are offered weekly.

Live music runs from 7 to 11 p.m.

For upcoming live entertainment, visit FantasySpringsResort.com.

few off the top of my head. There’s something magical about Cathedral City and I’m beyond happy with our decision to work with Frank, aside from him having his studio in Cathedral City, his knowledge on gear and ‘old school’ Rock recording methods is what captivated the Owls and I. I loved watching them geek out on music stuff, haha, it was just so impressive. I knew we were in good hands.”

CVW: This ‘Dual Listening Party’ is a pretty innovative concept and is a great representation of how we do things in the ‘Dirty D’. Giselle, you are the ultimate ‘desert delegate’. This is an emotional investment for you isn’t it?

Woo: “What’s a thing ‘night owls’ do in the air? They ‘hover’! What a journey it’s been!

This awesome ‘dual listening party’ idea by our friends at Hover and The Sound Hub is what happens when you let nature take its course… when you let destiny take its course...when you let life take its course. Trust in yourself and in those around you that want nothing but the best for you and things seamlessly fall into place. It’s going to be emotional for me to finally share with you what Chris, Marco, Jose, Janine, Mikey and Frank made in the spring of 2020 and what eventually extended throughout the pandemic to this day. So much has happened, so much seems different, but this album is one of the most beautiful things that came out of it all. I’d love to thank my Grandma Goyita, RIP, for always encouraging me to use the gifts that God gave me which leans heavy towards the arts and music department. I love you! I know you’re proud of me! Thank you to my family and dear friends, and thank you to our fans!”

The Sound Hub Presents: Dual Album Listening Party – Hover and Giselle Woo & The Night Owls Friday, April 23, 2021 at 6 p.m.

Coachella Valley Brewing Co. - 30640 Gunther St, Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Food by KUMA Catering Find the band here: gisellewooandthenightowls.com

MUSIC

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 2021

7

April 22 to April 28, 2021

LOCAL MUSIC

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

T

here are two things a pandemic will do to you, it will break you or it will embolden you. The Rock band Hover chose the latter and went from EP to LP in just a few short months. On April 23, 2021, their full self-titled album will drop worldwide and the band has included CDs and tons of merchandise in addition to the digital release. If that weren’t enough, the ambitious Cathedral City recording studio The Sound Hub will be presenting a listening party at Coachella Valley Brewing Co. on that Friday along with the new Giselle Woo & The Night Owls album. Flavorsome food will be available for purchase by Chef Jeshua Garza and KUMA Catering.

To further entice the party crowd, the first beer is on them! Hover has purchased the first 30 beers for the first 30 21+ individuals in attendance.

If you weren’t aware, the members of Hover are also the proprietors and operators of The Sound Hub. The full-service music studio is located at 67654 Ramon Road in Cathedral City, California. Frank Michel, Shawn ‘Stretch’ Fisher and James Hollis Eaton are excited to bring a professional sound to the listening party, “We are bringing our mammoth QSC monitors for a big listening experience!”

The above-mentioned trio has been staples of the Coachella Valley Rock scene for years now in cutting-edge bands like Burning Bettie and Hollace, the ensemble that featured the glorious vocals and musicality of our dearly departed friend and musical brother Alex Antonio Perez.

Hover is inspired at the reawakening of their music and studio headquarters.

Coachella Valley Weekly contacted the band to get an update on the music and the studio.

The Music It’s Alternative and meaningful. There are truly other fish in the sea. If you like the sound of 90’s Rock with a 2020s twist, you’ll value Hover the album. “From 2019 to 2021, and with the pandemic in consideration, we would continue to revisit the production of the Hover album as we integrated pieces and tools we acquired, and with that came a lot of exciting experimentation,” Michel explained. The singles, Bi-Polar Desert and This are lessons in memorable songwriting, arrangement and studio creation. COVID-19 no doubt made things challenging, but as Albert Einstein expressed, necessity is the mother of invention. Michel agreed. “The pandemic made it nearly impossible to continue as a band and consequently two of our members had to move out of the area.

However, we were still determined as ever to complete this album and persevere.” Save Me, Look Around, Save Your Lies, Taking My Time and Hide are amaranthine in their sound. I look forward to hearing Blues, Hover and I Know Nothing at the listening party for the first time.

The Sound Hub The space that is The Sound Hub fell into the hands of Hover in 2018 after the former owner decided to sell all his equipment and informed the band, who were rehearsing

8

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

there at the time, that he was closing. In true Rock and Roll fashion, the band purchased most of his gear and assumed the lease.

Since then, the band has persevered not only the pandemic, but natural small business attrition. “The Sound Hub was facing complete closure due to COVID-19. At the end of February 2020 we were finishing up recording G. Woo & The NO full-length 10song album. At that time, they were looking forward to playing Coachella and we were focused on getting their album complete for release in time for Weekend I, Michel shared. We were temporarily closed to the public not knowing what was next. At the same time, Hover’s full-length album was also in progress. This album was a guinea pig of sorts for The Sound Hub as we had been acquiring vintage and classic studio pieces, including guitars amps, mics and processors.

By the time we were done, we had created a fully functional professional recording studio focusing on classic analog techniques and gear.” Since the resurgence, The Sound Hub has made giant strides. “If you follow us on Instagram @soundhubcv you’ve seen all of our new gear and you’ll know that we have fully re-invented The Sound Hub as a major recording studio. Both albums were recorded there.”

Giselle Woo & The Night Owls Along with writing, recording and producing their own album, the guys in Hover were overseeing the G. Woo & The Night Owls album. “When the pandemic stopped everyone in their tracks, the process of finishing the G. Woo & the NO album Everything had no definite release date.” The two bands grew close during the recording process and as a result forged a new path for other artists to follow. Michel is thankful.

“Despite this hardship, it was a pleasure getting to work with such a talented band who shared not only a similar determination of our own, but also an appreciation of what The Sound Hub was creating. And through this process, our relationship strengthened and lo and behold, both albums would happen to get done at the same time.” And

here we are.

The Show This listening party for both bands should prove to be a unique experience and falls in line with how artists in the Coachella Valley navigate the musical landscape and co-exist for mutual benefit. “As the mandate relaxed,

we both felt that a dual album listening party would be the perfect showcase for both of our bands. I got in contact with Wesley Gainey at Coachella Valley Brewing Co., who was nothing but accommodating to help support and put this all together. We are all very proud and excited to be able to host such an extraordinary event locally.”

The Sound Hub Presents: Dual Album Listening Party Hover and Giselle Woo & The Night Owls Friday, April 23, 2021 at 6 p.m.

Coachella Valley Brewing Co. 30640 Gunther Street Thousand Palms, CA 92276 Food by KUMA Catering Stay up to date on all things Hover www.hoversocal.com Book time at The Sound Hub for rehearsal or recording: The Sound Hub - 67654 Ramon Road Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760) 699-7012 soundhub760@gmail.com

VALLEY RHYTHMS

T

hroughout his career, Pat Rizzo has been on a musical adventure, sampling one musical genre after another and embellishing his talent, as well as the talents of others. Few performers are capable of augmenting the soul rhythms of Sly and the Family Stone and War, the Latin beat of Tito Puente or by appearing as a featured soloist in the Frank Sinatra Orchestra. His ability to make transitions from jazz to rock to latin to pop comes from a deep artistic devotion stemming from his early childhood.

As I interviewed Pat Rizzo’s sister, Rosemarie Rizzo-Tolk, she opened up the book to their amazing musical family history to share with everyone. It gave a new meaning to the phrase; “It runs in the family”. Rizzo-Tolk has been researching her family background and was full of information.

Let’s begin with their maternal grandfather, Francesco Grande, an orchestra leader from the region of Apulia, Bari, Italy in the town of Torito. A few towns over, he married Mariangela Masciandaro, their grandmother, who lived in Gioia del Colle, which means ‘Joy of the Hill’. “My mother’s name was Maria Grande and lived in Italy with her grandparents when she was 9 years old until she was 14. She studied music under the direction of Maestro Pietro Argento and became a Concert Pianist.”

Their paternal grandfather was Pasquale Rizzo who was an orphan and lived on a farm in Piaggine, a region of Salerno, Italy. There he met their grandmother, Rosa Maria Rubano.

He was a construction worker who loved to sing and play guitar. He also made his own wine in the basement of their tenement building in East Harlem. “Our father was Peter Rizzo, who was a tailor and clothing designer by trade and loved to sing. He would design my mother’s clothes and would make sure to have a tie made of the same fabric, so everyone would know they were a couple.”

Mary and Peter’s first-born child was Pat, whose birth name was Pascal Peter Rizzo. He was named after his godfather, Pascal Marsico, an attorney and later a warden at Rikers Island.

He has a brother Frank, who played saxophone and his sister Rosemarie who plays the piano.

“We all went to public school, PS85 in Astoria, Queens. In second or third grade, Pat tried out

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

PAT RIZZO, FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS

for the school band as a pianist, but the teacher told him that he was the only one who could play the piano. Pat cried all the way home and felt very rejected.”

He blamed his mother for not teaching him how to play another instrument. The following day, Pat returned home from school and shouted, “Mom, I’m in the band, I made it.”

And with great pride he burst out, “I’m playing the triangle and it comes with a striking stick.”

That was the beginning of his musical journey, after all, music was the family trade. Pat had lots of musician friends and would try various instruments. The three children attended Junior High School, JHS141 and William Cullen Bryant High School.

“My mother’s brothers, uncles and other family members were all musicians. Pat grew up in that environment. In the summertime, my mother would play the piano and people would gather on the sidewalk to listen, she had a very delicate touch. She was a very kind and beautiful woman.” Other than her mother, most of the women in the family were not musicians, but rather listened faithfully to Opera on the radio while they prepared meals.

Pat’s mom met Andy Fraga’s grandmother at a deli in Astoria. They started talking and discovered they both had young musicians in the same neighborhood and arranged for Pat and Andy to meet when they were 12 years old. The two started playing in bands for the school dances and became life long friends.

After graduating high school in 1959, Pat attended the Vermont School of Music and within the first six months, he made his debut as a soloist on the flute, an instrument he had just learned. The following year, he attended the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. “After that, he was on his own. He was playing in groups, formed bands and played in nightclubs like Jilly’s”...the PanAm Hotel and many other night clubs in the city and surrounding areas.

In 1963, Pat married Karen, who was artistically talented and attended The Fashion Institute of Technology. They lived in Jackson Heights and had their first daughter Nina followed by Lori. Ironically, Pat’s father, Peter, attended the same school at night under the name of Needle Trades.

Together, Pat and Andy opened their first recording studio in Astoria. According to Fraga’s wife at the time, Debbie, who now lives in the Desert, one of their first recordings in the late 60s, was a song called, “Pitter of the Rain”. They were working with a promoter in New York who pitched the song to a record company in Los Angeles.

According to the story Pat told his son, P.J., Peter Joshua Rizzo, they rejected the song, yet two weeks later, they heard their song played on the radio. Pat and Andy were very upset, however, they may not have known if all the paperwork was submitted properly. Let’s face it, they were very talented Musicians, not businessmen, at the time, but they learned their lesson. Although it was believed there wasn’t a copy of the record, Debbie gave Andy’s only copy of the 45 single of the song to her son, Andy Fraga, Jr., who treasures it.

In 1972, Pat and his family moved to Rancho Mirage and the rest is history. You can read all about it in The Desert Sun article written by Brian Blueskye and on Bruce Fessier’s FaceBook page, “An Appreciation of Pat Rizzo” who has been good friends with Pat for 41 years.

Almost 15 years later, Pat called Andy and told him, “Come out to Palm Springs, I need a good piano player.” The two have been performing and recording most of their lives.

“Gotta’ Get Back To Brooklyn” was a song written and recorded by them and completed

by Pat after Andy passed away. I remember being at Pat’s studio singing back up parts for that song. Most recently, Debbie had a conversation with Pat regarding another song he wrote, “If You Only Knew” on the Pat Rizzo and Friends CD. While everyone thinks the song is about a woman, Pat smiled and told her, “I wrote that song about my sax.”

“Pat loved being a father,” said Melanie Rizzo, “He taught Joshua how to blow into a saxophone and play two chords when he was 2 years old.” Pat leaves his Musical Legacy

April 22 to April 28, 2021

BY LOLA ROSSI to his son, P.J., who is another very talented musician and owns a recording studio called Riz Music Studios in Paradise, Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. He is survived by his daughters, Nina and Lori, his son Peter Joshua, his two grandchildren, Michele and Samantha, his sister Rosemarie, his brother Frank, and numerous relatives.

Bruce Fessier told me, “I don’t think any other musician did more for Jazz in the last half century, than Pat Rizzo did for the Coachella Valley. He owned two supper clubs that featured Jazz, Pal Joey’s and Manhattan. He was the big band leader for the Palm Springs International Film Festival and he played for more charity events than any other musician I can think of.” The Palm Springs Celebrity Jazz Festival, The LaQuinta Jazz Festival put on by the LaQuinta Arts Foundation and along with Andy Fraga, Barbara Woods and Marshall Hawkins, Pat helped found the Idyllwild Jazz in the Pines, along with other musicians and Jazz lovers from California. Stage and Production Manager and Head of Artist Security, Alex Vargas said, “Pat and Andy introduced me to Marshall Hawkins, who brought me into the festival. At that point, we all became brothers for life.”

Pat’s Fiance and Partner for 11 years, Attorney Bonnie Kramer told me, “Pat bravely fought his disease for four years with me by his side. Unfortunately for all of us, the disease won. I will miss him forever.” Pat shared his God Given Talent with the world. We will all miss him but can find him in all the music he has written, recorded and performed. Rest In Peace with Our Lord, dear friend and make Heavenly Music. We will see you again in Glory.

9

April 22 to April 28, 2021

CONSIDER THIS

I

was born in 1963, about six months later, President Kennedy was assassinated.

Pretty much anyone who is old enough to remember that day can tell you exactly where they were when they heard that horrifying news. I think I might have been in my playpen.

I do remember exactly where I was when it was announced that John Lennon was gunned down in the street by a so-called “fan.” I was a senior in high school, just falling asleep when I heard his name on the TV. To me, and a million other Beatle fans, the news was equally incomprehensible and devastating. Who would want to kill a musician? Especially one who espoused peace and love, who had recently emerged from a self-imposed exile and was happy to be creating new music. I mourned for months.

Fast-forward to a few days before Christmas, 2002. The news broke that Clash front-man Joe Strummer had suddenly dropped dead from a massive heart attack. To paraphrase a Tom Petty lyric, it wrecked me, baby. See, The Clash were my Beatles. As much as I loved the Fab Four, their music was making an impact before I could walk, it was ever-present throughout my childhood, so ubiquitous I could almost take it for granted.

But the Clash, they were wholly mine. My own discovery, along with Elvis Costello, The Jam and The Ramones (and a plethora of other Punk/New Wave stalwarts), their songs were soundtrack to my teen years. The urgency of their music sidelined my obsession with Joni Mitchell, Steely Dan and Rickie Lee Jones. My friend Mary Apra got me London Calling for my 17th birthday and I never looked back. I realize it was just an advertising slogan, but for me, they really were “The Only Band That Mattered.”

I quickly backtracked and bought their selftitled debut as well as their slightly uneven sophomore effort, Give ‘Em Enough Rope and their 10” EP, Black Market Clash. By the time my next birthday rolled around, the Najarian brothers got me the band’s sprawling threerecord set, Sandinista, which was equal parts brilliant and self-indulgent.

A year later, their fifth long-player, Combat Rock managed to cross over to mainstream radio with insistent songs like “Should I Stay Or Should I Go” and “Rock The Casbah.” The Clash headlined a 10-show residency at the Hollywood Palladium. My pal Carol got me a ticket for my 19th birthday, and along with Hova, Shelly and Anne the deb, I experienced one of the most seminal concerts of my life.

Joe Strummer died 20 years later, and I was heartbroken.

Joe Strummer (a.k.a. John Graham Mellor) was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1952. His Scottish mother was a nurse and his English father worked for the foreign service. It was during his childhood in Turkey that he discovered his affinity for Middle Eastern music. By the time he was nine he and his older brother David were sent to boarding school in England.

A decade later, estranged from his family, his brother David had committed suicide.

Although this affected him deeply, Joe compartmentalized his grief and focused on his new obsession, Rock music. He embraced everything from the Beach Boys and Little Richard to Folk progenitor Woody Guthrie. Like any aspiring musician, he attended art school for a while. Affectionately nicknamed Woody, he began busking on the streets.

10

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

JOE STRUMMER

By the mid ‘70s, he was squatting and had formed his first band, The 101ers, named for the Wallerton Road squat where he lived with his band-mates. Their music was a sunny mix of Pub-Rock, Surf Rock and a brace of R&B covers.

About this time, he stopped being Woody Mellor and adopted his forever nom de Rock, Joe Strummer. The surname, Strummer, was a self-deprecating nod to his role as rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the band.

The 101ers eked out a living, playing several gigs at Windsor Castle, as well as a residency at the Elgin. They even recorded a buoyant single, “Keys To Your Heart.” But in early ’76, a thenunknown Sex Pistols opened for the 101ers at Nashville Rooms and Joe saw the writing on the wall. Diving headfirst into the burgeoning Punk scene, he scrapped the 101ers. Soon after, he connected with guitarist Mick Jones and manager Bernie Rhodes, they in turn recruited bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Terry Chimes. The Clash made their live debut less than two months later that July.

By January 1977, Topper Headon had replaced Terry behind the kit and the band signed with CBS Records. In April, their selftitled debut arrived. Their music was as spit-soaked and snarly as contemporaries like the Damned and the Pistols, but their lyrics were politically-charged and socially conscious. Songs like “Career Opportunities,” “I’m So Bored With The U.S.A.” and “White Riot” weighed in on England’s rampant unemployment, the Americanization of British culture and the violence in the streets. It was immediately embraced by fans and critics alike.

Even though it wasn’t officially available in the U.S. until 1979, the import sold briskly to American Punk fans.

For their second album, Give ‘Em Enough Rope, their label matched them with producer Sandy Perlman, best known for his work with Blue Oyster Cult, but it was an inelegant fit.

However, The Clash hit paydirt on their third album, a glorious double-LP entitled London Calling. It arrived at the tail-end of 1979 and the 20-song set incorporated Reggae, Roots, Rockabilly, R&B and Punk into a heady brew.

The title-track and the hidden song that closed the album, “Train In Vain,” gained traction on U.S. radio.

They quickly followed up with the Black Market Clash EP and the epic three-record set, Sandinista. By the time they released Combat Rock in 1982, The Clash were bona fide superstars on both sides of the pond. Maybe it was all too much, soon Mick Jones was ousted from the band. Joe and Paul carried on with three young guns and the band’s last gasp, Cut The Crap was as excretable as the title suggests.

The Clash officially called it quits in 1986.

For the remainder of the ‘80s, Joe kept a low profile, writing the scores for films like “Sid & Nancy,” “Walker,” “Permanent Record” and “Straight To Hell.” He actually appeared in that last film, a bastardized Spaghetti Western that also featured Elvis Costello and the Pogues.

In 1988, he even subbed on tour for the Pogues’ dentally challenged lead singer, Shane McGowan. His first solo album arrived in 1989 to muted fanfare and mixed reviews.

While Joe had spent part of the ‘80s on the move, living in Los Angeles for a bit and globetrotting in a way that took him back to his Foreign Service kid roots, by the mid ‘90s, he had settled down, married Lucinda

“ASSEMBLY” (DARK HORSE RECORDS)

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

Tait and was co-parenting his daughters Lola and Jazz from his previous relationship with Gaby Salter. At the close of the 20th century he was suddenly back as Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. Their debut, Rock Art And The X-Ray Style, seemed to encompass all of his musical obsessions, Latin, Middle Eastern, Reggae, the pure Folk and Country pioneered by heroes like Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash. Soon he was back on the road, playing his first North American tour in a decade.

He quickly followed up with 2001’s Global a Go-Go, which actually hit #23 on Billboard’s Top Independent Chart. Having abandoned his wandering ways, Joe was as domesticated as he would ever be, just as he was completing work on his third Mescaleros album, he was struck down at age 50, due to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. A few months later, his Clash-mates were on hand (along with Punk contemporaries like Elvis Costello and the Police), for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Streetcore was released posthumously in late 2003. Embraced by fans and critics alike, it was the the most Clash-tastic of his solo work.

In the nearly 20 years since his death, Joe’s absence has been felt. Julien Temple’s brilliant 2007 documentary, The Future Is Unwritten, took away some of the sting, as did a 2018 odds n’ sods collection entitled Joe Strummer 001.

Now a little more closure appears in the form of Assembly, a compilation that features album cuts, live tracks and a surprise or two.

The record kicks into gear with the winsome “Coma Girl,” from his final “Streetcore” release. Rough and tumble amplified acoustic guitar connects with Joe’s rugged rasp as he paints a vivid portrait; “T was crawling through a festival way out west, I was thinking about love and the acid test/But first I got real dizzy with a real rocking gang, then I saw Coma Girl and the excitement gang.” As the rest of the band jumps in, they quickly dirty up the pretty, adding scabrous guitars, fractious organ notes, roiling bass and a boomerang backbeat. After name-checking a classic Dylan cut, “Desolation Row,” the song downshifts to an easy skank riddim, before rushing headlong into an explosive conclusion.

The Rock Art… album is nicely represented on four cuts. “Forbidden City” blends bloopy synths, soulful Hammond B3, rat-a-tat-tat percussion, Spaghetti Western-flavored guitars and a kick-turn beat. Cryptic lyrics speak of silk and subterfuge, “Inside the mind of a soul confined.”

“X-Ray Style” is plenty bongo-riffic, mixing lithe Spanish guitars, tensile bass and

undulating urdhu. Joe’s wants are simple; “I need to see in an X-Ray style, I need some rock art that don’t come in a phial/Can anybody feel the distance to the mile, I wanna live and I just want to dance awhile.”

“Tony Adams” is Joe at his most ambitious.

The track opens with dial-twirling radio frequencies that are quickly supplanted by shimmery guitar licks, spidery bass figures, salty saxophone, weepy pedal steel and a reverberating beat. Lyrics chart a futuristic noir landscape inhabited by “stroboscopic snowflakes, saxophones and beach trombones.”

“Yalla Yalla” is moody and modal, locking into a sly Sub-Saharan groove. Thready guitars weave through an aural tapestry of percolating percussion, meandering melodica and slithery keys. Stream-of-conscious lyrics are cool and contemplative as they casually wave goodbye to freedom and the pursuit of happiness; “Well, so long liberty, let’s forget you didn’t show, not in my time, not in our son’s and daughter’s time, when you get the feeling call, and you got a room.”

Three songs from Joe and the Mescaleros’ second effort, “Global A Go-Go,” make the cut The 2001 album managed to double down on the World music influences while occasionally summoning the ghost of a young Woody Mellor. “Johnny Appleseed” is anchored by jittery acoustic guitars, fluttery electric riffs, tensile bass and stompy keys, the arrangement leans close to his Scottish ancestry. Lyrics touch on both political and environmental concerns; “Lord there goes Martin Luther King, notice how the doors close when the chimes of freedom ring? I hear what you’re saying, I hear what you’re saying… If you’re after getting the honey, then don’t go killing all the bees.” Salted in the mix is swoopy violin, burnished mandolin notes and buzzy Wurlitzer. By the bridge, it hits that Celtic sweet spot (without ever going full “Riverdance”), before roaring to an explosive close.

Conversely, “At The Border, Guy” is sweetly shambolic. A wash of fuzzy organ colors, breezy guitars, stately piano, pulsating synths and rippling timbales. Lyrics like “We built the buildings of the new city out of broken-down peoples, and we built the new languages out of courtesy and velocity,” artfully decry the practice of nation-building at the expense of indigenous civilizations.

Meanwhile, “Mondo Bongo” is lush and tropical. accordion and flute intertwine with glass harmonica atop Cuban drum, courtly violin and suave Spanish guitar. Jabberwocky lyrics like “I was patrolling a pachinko nude noodle model parlour in the nefarious zone/ Hanging out with insects, under ducting, the C.I.A. was always on the phone…such is life!” cast a hypnotic spell.

This collection dips back to the ‘80s, for a couple of true unicorns, “Love Kills” and “Sleepwalk.” The former ran over the credits of Alex Cox’s scabrous biopic on Punk’s original fun couple, “Sid & Nancy,” and it’s about as blunt and brutal as the film.

The latter is from Joe’s first proper solo album, Earthquake Weather. Louche and

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com languid, this South of the boarder charmer is accented by strummy acoustic guitars, wily bass lines and a rock steady beat. Soporific vocals seem an inch away from siesta time, until a sprightly Spanish guitar solo jumpstarts the instrumental ennui.

A couple of live cuts spotlight the Clash through the Mescaleros’ prism. First up is a raucous version of “I Fought The Law.” First performed by Buddy Holly’s Crickets, it was a bigger hit for The Bobby Fuller Four in 1965.

But the Clash claimed ownership of the song on their eponymous debut. This live take employs that same hard-charging arrangement. Stacked guitars ride roughshod over barbed-wire bass and a hell-for-leather galloping gait. Joe’s phlegmatic rasp rises above the fray, striking a balance between Punk Rock anarchy and primitive cool.

“Rudie Can’t Fail” retains its rambunctious Rock Steady charm. Punchy, call-and-response vocals are braced by twangy, shang-a-lang guitars, feral bass lines and a sticky tick-tock rhythm.

The album’s biggest bandwidth is reserved for Streetcore, the record Joe was working on at the time of his death. The blistering “Get Down Moses” was a highlight when it was first released, and the song hasn’t lost any of its power. Prickly guitar riffs are wed to angular bass lines, brittle keys and and a leapfrogging rhythm. Ska and Bluebeat offer a jumping-off point for the splintery arrangement, which is augmented by a propulsive horn section.

Dylanesque lyrics share this brutal truth; “No matter what the question, the gun will never answer it.” In light of the last few weeks’ spike in gun violence, it feels wildly perspicacious.

April 22 to April 28, 2021

“Long Shadow,” loping, reflective and largely acoustic, finds him embracing old touchstones like Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash. Finally, there’s a stripped-down and achingly poignant take of Bob Marley’s epochal “Redemption Song.” Originally recorded as a duet with the Man In Black himself, a solo rendition wound up on Streetcore, while the duet found its way onto a posthumous Johnny Cash compilation entitled Unearthed.

This collection closes with another song the Clash quickly took possession of, “Junco Partner.” Originally a traditional Blues song that appeared in the early ‘50s. The track has gone through myriad permutations and been reconfigured and covered by everyone from Louis Jordan, Chuck Berry and Dr. John. The Clash’s ramshackle, Reggae-flavored rendition was included on their unwieldy “Sandinista” album. Joe’s version is spare and bare-bones, a demo that features his growly vocals and acoustic guitar. It’s a tender coda to a sweeping 16-song set.

Executive-produced by Joe’s widow, Lucinda Tait, the package includes trenchant liner notes from aficionado Jakob Dylan, who became a Clash fanatic in his early teens. It is released via Dark Horse Records, an imprint begun by quiet Beatle George Harrison, and maintained by his musician son, Dhani.

Yes, Joe is gone, and it still cuts like a knife (but not in an oily, Bryan Adams way) and cuts to the quick. It’s tempting to picture him approaching 70, as a Punk Rock elderstatesman and to wonder what might have been. Still, Assembly reminds us once again of his protean music and his sui generis style.

Monday, April 26

Casuelas Café - Mighty Sweet Country Night w/ The Desert Suit Band – 6pm The Nest – The Trebles – 6:30-9:30pm

Thursday, April 22

Tuesday, April 27

Casuelas Café – Voices Carrie – 6pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:309:30pm Cunard’s – Bill Baker – 6pm Rockyard@Fantasy Springs – Rye Brothers – 6pm The Nest – The Trebles – 6:30-9:30pm The Slice – Sergio Villegas – 5-8pm

Wednesday, April 28

Sunday, April 25 Friday, April 23

Saturday, April 24

Ace Hotel – Jazz Night w/ Mekala Session – 7-9pm Casuelas Café – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 6:30pm Chef George’s – Tim Burleson – 6:309:30pm Cunard’s – Bill Baker – 6pm Melvyn’s – Mikael Healey – 5pm The Nest – The Trebles – 6:30-9:30pm The Slice – Marc Antonelli – 5-8pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King and Danny Flahive – 6-9:30pm

11

April 22 to April 28, 2021

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

LOCAL BUSINESS

TREAT MOM AT NEWLY REOPENED DESERT RESORT

EXCLUSIVE LUMINARY MATCHUP FEATURING THE LEGENDARY CHITA RIVERA & DIRECTOR CHOREOGRAPHER RAYMOND DEL BARRIO CVREP PRESENTS: THEATRE THURSDAYS:

C

VRep Presents: Theatre Thursdays concludes its 54-week run with an exclusive Luminary Matchup featuring the legendary Chita Rivera and Director Choreographer Raymond Del Barrio.

Join CVRep at a special time for finale of Theatre Thursdays.

On Thursday, May 6, 2021 at 6:00 pm Pacific, experience an intimate discussion between Tony Award-winning, legendary actress, singer and dancer Chita Rivera and choreographer of the Academy Award winning film short West Bank Story; stage director and choreographer, Raymond Del Barrio. During this one hour discussion, Rivera and Del Barrio will join CVRep viewers via Zoom to reminisce about memorable moments in their careers, share on what they are working, and give insight into the incredible times they have worked together.

At the end of the presentation, the audience will have an opportunity to join Artistic Director Ron Celona for a Q & A session. Both Rivera and Del Barrio will respond to viewers’ questions.

Register for this free, virtual event at cvrep.org.

About Chita Rivera – Rivera is a theatrical icon and one of Broadway's greatest triple-

12

threat talents. One of the most nominated performers in Tony Award history, Rivera has earned 10 nominations, won twice and received the 2018 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. A versatile actress, singer, dancer, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the coveted Kennedy Center Honor.

About Raymond Del Barrio – Del Barrio created the musical staging and choreography for the Academy Award Winning Live Action Film Short, West Bank Story. As stage Director Choreographer for the Legendary Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons World Tour, Del Barrio’s work was performed on Broadway and at Royal Albert

Hall, London. He is the recipient of two NAACP Theater Awards, Best Director and Best Musical Staging and Choreography for Larry Hart’s Sisterella, executive produced and presented by Michael Jackson and Jerry Greenberg.

As a performer, Del Barrio had the honor of performing with Rivera in her Carnegie Hall debut Nowadays and in her Broadway First National tour Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life.

While CVRep’s highly successful Theatre Thursdays series will culminate with the extraordinary matchup of Chita Rivera and Raymond Del Barrio, virtual events will be presented throughout the Summer. A

THEATRE

Summer Classical Music Series in partnership with Virginia Waring International Piano Competition, The Steinway Society and Palm Springs Opera Guild is currently in production.

These hybrid concerts will allow limited inperson attendance, and will be shown in their entirety via special event Theatre Thursdays.

Additional information will be released soon.

In fact, CVRep will soon announce its 20212022 Season of performances and events.

Coachella Valley Repertory (CVRep) is an equity theater company, designated a Small Professional Theatre under the Actors’ Equity Association. CVRep is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide thought-provoking theatre of substance.

SOUL

SCREENERS

Jamie Foxx is the voice of a middle school music teacher whose life hasn't quite gone the way he expected. His true passion is jazz -- and he's good – really good (thank you Jon Batiste). But when he has an accident and is transported out of his body, he must find a way back to help an infant soul just learning about herself. Along the way he discovers what makes a human an actual individual and what’s most important in life.

Yes, that’s a plot that requires a big leap to suspend disbelief because Joe also enters

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 470

April 22 to April 28, 2021

PIXAR’S BUDDHIST PRIMER

and passes through dimensions called the “after world” and also the “before world.”

There is no mention of God or any Higher Power or even Heaven and Hell.

The animation in Soul is lush and beautifully detailed – especially when Joe’s in the “real” world we inhabit. The depiction of Joe’s world glows with life and warmth.

If you love Jazz, you’ll enjoy the music but a film that purports to be about what makes a human an individual and what’s most important in life should deliver on a higher plane. This movie plays with fundamental belief systems that are unnecessarily complicated and at times a bit absurd Some at the younger kids – and a few adults -- that were at an early screening were confused about the wispy looking “before” and “after” worlds.

This film raises big questions that are more

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

theological than scientific. For instance, are individual personalities really imposed on pre-born souls as the movies implies? But they (the souls) apparently can’t leave the Great Before until they find their “spark -whatever that is.

I expected the movie to answer the question of when a fetus becomes a person.

But that hot button issues is avoided.

Catholicism says souls are created at conception. – not before. But that’s juts one religion’s opinion.

If reincarnation is a notion that you can easily embrace, then this movie might be your cup of tea.

Directed by Pete Docter and Kemp Powers.

Featuring the voice talents of Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Ahmir-Khalib Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Daveed Diggs, John Ratzenberger, Richard Ayoade, Graham Norton, Rachel House, Alice Braga, and Angela Bassett. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

13

April 22 to April 28, 2021

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE VINO VOICE

BY RICK RIOZZA

UNCORKING AROUND TOWN

L

ast week, you’ll remember we did a quick article on the fine art of wine picnicking—where we provided a simple list of what not to forget in the afternoon.

The corkscrew was first and foremost.

But then we added, “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.” And so here we are.

Fortunately for us, Liquor.com did some interviewing with professional bartenders and wine pros who offered their favorite MacGyver-style wine bottle tricks when there’s no corkscrew handy. I’ll relay their story and casually add to it from my own experience.

“Not counting “sabering” the weirdest way I've opened a bottle is the shoe trick,” says Vince Stilletti, the manager of The Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn, New York.

“Weirder still was that it was at a hotel in Italy, where you'd think they'd have wine keys in every room.”

Stilletti goes on to describe the “shoe or boot” method. By the way—this one really works when you stay at it, so don’t lose heart when you’re facing a snug cork in a bottle.

Further, this method is often used in markets.

I find half-empty bottles of wine strewn about the store—often in the restrooms or in a distant aisle, and when I examine the cork that’s plugged back into the bottle, it is unblemished or un-nicked: all indicating that the shoe trick was used.

The process, says Stilletti, is as follows.

“Remove the foil and any cap from the top, then place the bottom of the bottle into a shoe where your heel would go,” he says.

“I've only done it with sneakers, but anything with some cushioning should work. Then find a sturdy wall or beam, and line your shoe and bottle up to it so that the shoe is vertical and the bottle is horizontal. Holding the bottle and shoe firmly together, tap both against the vertical surface like you're hammering a nail.

It takes patience, but eventually the force will slowly push the cork out of the neck enough for you to remove it with your hand.”

So if you’re on picnic without a corkscrew, stay close to an old oak tree.

“New York City bartender Paula Lukas achieved a similar effect with a towel and tree. “When I was a camp counselor and didn't have an opener, we wrapped the bottle in a towel and banged it against a tree,” she says. “It worked.”

Lauren Darnell, a bartender and spirits expert in Seattle, has put the shoe trick to use herself in the past, but notes that a ballpoint pen will work in a pinch. “I once used one to whittle away at the cork, then I strained [the wine] through a T-shirt.” While it wasn’t necessarily a career highlight, she

14

adds, it did work, and sometimes that’s all you can really ask for. According to drinks writer Taylor Tobin, you can also simply push the cork into the bottle using a Sharpie.

Fellow experts Caroline Hatchett and Isabella Newman recommend doing the same with a sturdy tube of mascara.

Tweezers can be handy during these times. You pretty much attack the cork one way or another, or if you lose patience you’ll just stomp the cork down like a ballpoint pen. “A California spirits pro, Drew Record, recalls using a colleague’s very expensive Tweezerman Ultra Precision tweezers on a train from Paris to Reims. ‘Oddly, there were no French passengers wielding a spare wine key. I went to work extracting the cork. After a few harrowing minutes, we were rewarded with delicious wine. Sadly, the tweezers did not recover.’”

Well—if you don’ have a corkscrew, but, happen to have a “long screw” handy—“you can screw the length of the long screw into the cork; then you can use the claw part of a hammer, that you also have handy, and simply pull on the screw, and –ta-da!--there’s wine.”

Speaking of having things handy about, there is the bike pump method. Houston bartender Christopher Huang says, “Shove the inflator needle all the way through the cork and pump away,. I had a bike pump that I held between my feet, and I just stopped pumping when the cork edged out halfway. It didn't take very many pumps to accomplish the goal either.”

And finally there’s the port tongs method: If you’re so situated with fireplace tongs close by and some good old-fashion snow outside—consider this: According to New York City bartender Nick Venditti, “I used this at my parent’s house upstate because there was no corkscrew but there was a wood-burning stove.” I heated up the tongs until they were red-hot, grabbed the bottle around the neck with them, brought the bottle outside and immediately packed snow around the neck. It cracked evenly at the neck line. I ran it through a funnel and strainer to be safe, but there were no glass shards in it.” Happy Endings! Cheers!

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 2021

15

April 22 to April 28, 2021

16

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

VALLEY RHYTHMS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 2021

BY LOLA ROSSI ultimately fall and that a deliverer for man would be necessary. He devised a plan in the form of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

He would send His Son to die on The Cross satisfying the sin debt that would have to be paid. (Hebrews 10:5-10) The Bible goes into great lengths and detail, specifically in the Book of Romans, how it is that Jesus’ Sacrifice on The Cross not only satisfied the Sin Debt but also allows us access to God by Faith through Grace. We not only can obtain Salvation through Christ and The Cross but, we also through Christ, can live a Victorious Christian Life over sin, the flesh and the devil. (Romans 8:2) As we continue to Preach Christ Crucified, we are confident that The Holy Spirit will do the work of saving and transforming the lost, baptizing in The Holy Spirit and bringing back the modern church to The Cross of Jesus Christ as the only means by which we can truly live for God. ...and to this I say, Amen...

LOCAL BUSINESS

R

adhika owner of Whisking Up Love, a minority-owned, woman-owned business, is a self-taught, creative baker of sweet treats in the Coachella Valley.

Radhika, a recent college graduate, realized a full time job wasn’t enough to pay off her student loans, so she turned to her passion, baking sweet treats.

But how was Radhika going to turn her passion into a lucrative business? Where should she begin? What to do first? Radhika discovered the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center, who helped her with her initial business setup. But, even with their assistance, Radhika wondered if she would be successful working evenings and weekends, Whisking Up Love was born and then Covid struck. Radhika pivoted and began to think outside the box…the cookie box, that is. She realized that everyone loves cookies such as chocolate chip, birthday cake and would you believe, her own creation, Stuff’d Up cookies?

“I had no idea what a Stuff’d Up Pretzel Caramel Delight cookie was or would taste like but, I took a chance on Whisking Up Love’s and now these are my all-time favorite.” – Hal Rose, Customer Due to the pandemic Radhika decided to create an online business and began creating a website and advertising through social media; Instagram @whiskinguplove and Facebook Whisking Up Love.

Whisking Up Love is taking the valley by storm, bite by bite, with its amazingly delicious and unique cookies and other sweet treats. Growing the business to include hiring local employees and giving back to her community and becoming a nationally known brand is Radhika’s dream.

According to Radhika, “What brings me joy is to offer homemade cookies that contain ‘love so real you can taste it’!”

As I like to tell everyone I meet, “Life is short, eat more cookies!”

HEALTH&FITNESS

P

alm Desert Aquatic Center (PDAC) is pleased to announce it will resume several water exercise classes beginning on Monday, April 19, 2021.

Following CDC health and safety guidelines class size is limited and participants will be socially distanced six feet apart both in the water and out.

Classes being offered include Shallow Water Boot Camp, Shallow Water Exercise, Shallow/Deep Water Exercise, and Arthritis Exercise. Online reservations at www.pdpool. com are required and space can be reserved up to 48 hours in advance, with a one class per day limit.

Having reopened in mid-August 2020 for adult lap swimming only, PDAC has procedures in place to safeguard employees and patrons. Upon arrival patrons are asked about any possible symptoms they may be experiencing that could be related to COVID-19. Face masks are required to be worn while waiting in line for entry and on the pool deck.

BY CHRIS CLEMENS

Locker rooms remain closed, which means that patrons must arrive showered and in their swimsuits ready for class, and should arrive no more than 10 minutes early while waiting at the designated spaces outside of the facility. Admittance will begin 5 minutes before class starts, and patrons are required to promptly exit the facility when class ends.

Unisex and locker room bathrooms are available for use.

Costs for water exercise classes are $6 for Palm Desert residents and $8 for nonresidents, and $65 for a monthly water exercise pass for Palm Desert residents and $85 for non-residents. The full schedule is online and reservations with pre-payment are required by visiting www.pdpool.com.

The Palm Desert Aquatic Center is a City of Palm Desert facility, managed by Family YMCA of the Desert. It is located at 73751 Magnesia Falls Drive in Palm Desert, behind Civic Center Park, and can be reached at (760) 565-7467.

Visit www.ymcaofthedesert.org.

17

April 22 to April 28, 2021

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

PET PLACE BOOZEHOUNDS, WHERE DOGS BRING THEIR HUMANS!

T

here is good news this week for Coachella Valley dogs and their humans who love to spend time with them. Boozehounds, a wonderful pet-friendly gourmet restaurant, café and bar, opens its doors on April 27 in Palm Springs. What makes this venue unique is the inclusion of a doggie menu where Fido can select an entre’ or snack and dine along with you. What could be more fun for your beloved pup than an outing with you and getting treated to a special dish? Dogs love nothing more than being with us, and

our enjoyment is enhanced by their joyful experience.

Small and large businesses everywhere realize that it’s good business to welcome well behaved leashed canines with their customers. Restaurant patrons in most patio cafes can bring their dog and sit outside, though indoor dining areas are humanonly in compliance with California health and safety codes. Boozehounds is the first Coachella Valley restaurant and bar that provides a special menu with healthy dishes for dogs. Their beautifully designed atrium

and patio will happily welcome lots of canines.

There are some amazing dishes on their menu for folks with gourmet taste. Globally inspired, locally influenced dishes will include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free selections.

One anticipated dish is the 48-hour misomarinated Chilean sea bass. Adobe Chicken with spiced coconut vinegar along with slow roasted baby carrots in almond milk sauce is another tempting dish. The bar menu offers an amazing array of original cocktails. And for Fido? He has several main dishes to select from including a Chicken Bowl containing grilled chicken, steamed rice, and mixed cauliflower. There are also a variety of treats and snacks for the pups including Turkey Gizzards and Beef Kidneys.

Boozehounds is the creation of three long-time friends from Los Angeles who immigrated to Palm Springs. Dog lovers Jimmy McGill, Steve Piacenza and Bryan Rogers wanted to create a restaurant where the focus is on the canines. They also sought to provide a site that benefits homeless dogs, collaborating efforts with the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and other animal rescue organizations. Proceeds from one of their unique cocktails will go to the local shelter.

Co-owner Jimmy McGill explains, “Because we’re deeply indebted to our

MEET CLYDE

SPECIAL COCO LINO

This happy 2-yr-old boy will greet you with a wagging tail when you come to meet him! Clyde loves all humans and all dogs. This great hiking buddy is a blend of Lab/Husky/Staffordshire/ Shepherd. He waits for a home at the Humane Society of the Coachella Valley in N. Palm Springs. Call (760) 329-0203 for an appointment to meet him and complete application at www.orphanpet.org.

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).

18

BY JANET McAFEE

special city, we also intend to give back through events and fundraisers with an emphasis on our friends at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. As a part time volunteer, I’ve seen first-hand how dedicated their entire team is when it comes to providing love, attention, and assistance in fostering and adoptions of cats and dogs.” Hosting monthly animal adoption events may be in Boozehound’s future.

The restaurant’s logo pays tribute to McGill and Piacenza’s own pet, a beloved rescue dog named Striker who passed away after 18 years. They adopted Striker from the Pasadena Humane Society, he was a treasured member of the family, and his legacy lives on at Boozehounds.

Boozehound’s website explains, “We started Boozehounds for one simple reason, we love our dogs. We wanted to create a contemporary multifaceted space where people can socialize with their pups.”

Bryan Rogers posted, “For the past 6 months, myself, Jimmy, Steve, and Jeni have poured our hearts and souls into building this and it’s finally here. If you’re coming out to Palm Springs anytime soon, come check us out. While the pandemic delayed their planning, they recently obtained a lease on

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com the former North Palm Canyon Drive property formerly occupied by Dink’s Restaurant and Ultra Lounge. The property has spacious outdoor seating to accommodate many canine guests. The décor and views of the mountains are stunning.

Plan your visit soon! The human menu looks delicious, Fido will love it, and we love their commitment to rescue! Visit Boozehounds at 2080 N. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, (760) 656-0067; boozehoundsps.com. Follow them on Instagram at @boozehoundsps.

Boozehounds will be open 7 days a week with coffee service beginning at 8:00 am.

The dogs give this venue a 5-Star Woof!

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) 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

April 22 to April 28, 2021 (Private) 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)

19

April 22 to April 28, 2021

CANNABIS CORNER

I

f you visit Elisabeth Mack’s website, you will read an outstanding expose about a very accomplished nurse who developed a comprehensive education platform on the science and treatment of pathophysiologic conditions with the miracle plant cannabis. In 2015 Elisabeth, (with an s), started Holistic Caring Inc. and has seen meteoric success every year.

She started providing consultations to clients on how to use medical cannabis.

If clients did not have access to premium products, she visited cultivator’s farms and labs to assess their compliance with California laws. She sampled their products for her

HADDON LIBBY

F

orbes Annual Ranking of the highest paid athletes showed that international sports like tennis and soccer than national pastimes like football and baseball.

Swiss tennis star, Roger Federer, 39, tops this year’s list with earnings of $106 million with $6 million from his performance on the court. The remaining $100 million came from endorsement deals like his clothing line, Uniqlo.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, is probably the most famous active athlete in the world. Of his $105 million in earnings, $60 million come from his salary on the soccer field with $45 million from endorsements with companies like Altice, Nike and Unilever.

Earning nearly as much as Ronaldo is Lionel Messi, the 33 year-old soccer sensation from Spain. Neymar, the 29 year-old Brazilian soccer phenomenon is fast on Ronaldo and Messi’s heels at $96 million.

LeBron “King” James in fifth is the first American on the list with total income of $88 million with $28 million coming from the Los Angeles Lakers and the rest from deals with 2K Sports, Coca-Cola, Nike and Walmart. James also owns nineteen Blaze Pizza franchises.

In sixth is Stephen Curry, 33, of the Golden State Warriors at $74 million $44 million comes from a mix of business interests

20

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

own medical conditions. As her clientele increased, she began recruiting qualified nurses to help.

The next path was to educate these new nurses. Elisabeth started “Cannabis 101” workshops to advance their scientific knowledge. Her knowledge was becoming so extensive that “Cannabis 101” was too basic.

She then offered eight-hour workshops with her CEU provider number from the Board of California Nurses. Nurses are required to obtain thirty CEU hours every two years in order to renew their licenses.

By the time 2018 rolled around Elisabeth, frantic to keep up with the client business and workshop requests, decided to write a book.

In April 2020 she launched her book available on her website and Amazon called Cannabis for Health: Become a Coach. She now invites other nurses to carry the torch. There are over 40,000 studies related to cannabis/ marijuana on PubMed.gov. The reader can find many books on the science of cannabis.

But the one book that will help you practice cannabis medicine is Elisabeth’s book.

If you go to the American Cannabis Nurses Association website, you will see the call for more nurses to coach clients on cannabis use. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), in July of 2019, published standards of practice for nurses taking care of patients who use cannabis. However, the federal prohibition on cannabis prevents

hospitals from including this topic.

Cannabis science is not in physician, nursing, or pharmacy curriculums. Doctors still believe “using marijuana is dangerous, and addictive.” Elisabeth’s book is like a glass of fresh cold water in a dry arid desert.

Buying this book helps nurses drink from this glass of common sense while learning to be a coach. Elisabeth starts with the spirituality of the plant leading us on a journey to success in palliating suffering.

Her book is 136 pages packed with diagrams and didactic information with extensive scientific references after each chapter. The chapters begin with an explanation of the endocannabinoid system newly discovered in 1992 by Rafael Mechoulam. It progresses into how the plant mimics our endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-AG. There is an explanation of the major cannabinoids Delta-9-THC, CBD, CBG, the methods of administration pro and con, how to qualify for a physician recommendation, the extraction methods, testing, and selling medicines.

The most salient parts of the book are when Elisabeth details the basics of dosing, drug interactions, managing side effects, and sensitization. She writes about ratios dosing calculations for adults and children, blending cannabinoids with traditional medicine, how to read labels, and certificates of analysis.

She details the cost-benefit analysis and

BY RUTH HILL R.N. writes the language for insurance companies to reimburse beneficiaries on the cost of cannabis vs the cost for pharmaceuticals.

Another premium section is when she discusses each disease entity: acute chronic conditions, autoimmune diseases, neurological conditions, mental health, pediatrics, and finally geriatrics. This miracle plant, with minimal side effects, can alleviate suffering after tapering off the current failed treatments. Elisabeth’s trademark is her belief in God’s plant must be coupled with an overall holistic approach that includes diet, movement, joy, connection, and spirit.

Elisabeth ends with entrepreneurial tips for nurses attempting the new nursing specialty of coaching clients to use medical cannabis. The medical community has left many patients on opiates, high and dry since the new federal guidelines on the use of opiates for chronic pain. I also can attest to that as I receive many clients whose physician has arbitrarily cut off renewing benzodiazepines or opiates without tapering or replacing them with alternate pharmaceuticals.

The book gets five stars for giving nurses a roadmap for becoming a cannabis coach.

Questions contact info@ruthahillrn.com

HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES FOR 2020 including a television and film production company, endorsements with Callaway Golf, Chase Bank and Under Armour or SC30, his family office. Curry’s former teammate, Kevin Durant, 32, is in 7th at $64 million.

Despite very little time on the links, Tiger Woods remained the top earning golfer at $62 million, landing eighth amongst the most highly compensated athletes. It only makes sense that a golfer whose name sounds like a golf club would finally make a golf club.

Instead of making Tiger Woods Woods, they started with Tiger Woods Irons which almost sounds like the start of a variation on the Abbott & Costello, “Who’s on First?” comedy routine.

Another athlete whose name seems made up is 32 year-old U.K. boxer, Tyson Fury.

Earning $57 million landed Fury in eleventh place.

A few notches higher In ninth is the highest paid American football player. This quarterback earned $61 million last year and was not named Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. The top bread winner amongst quarterbacks is none other than Kirk Cousins…you know, the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. The second highest paid football player and tenth is Carson Wentz, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles $58 million. Wentz will be fighting it out for

BY HADDON LIBBY

a starting job with the Carolina Panthers next season. In third is another quarterbacking disappointment in Los Angeles Rams cast-off, Jared Goff. Earning $49 million landed Goff in the fifteenth spot as well as a new starting quarterback of the perennially bad Detroit Lions. Seems like a match made in mediocrity.

We have to slide down to 21st on the list to find G.O.A.T. and perennial Super Bowl winner, Tom Brady earning a paltry $45 million. Good thing that TB moved out of Taxachusetts for income tax-free, Tampa Bay. Some of the top earning athletes in other

sports include auto racer, Lewis Hamilton with $54 million and the 13th spot. Badass Conor MacGregor is sixteenth at $48 million and Cricket star and batsman, Virat Kohli at $26 million and the 66th slot. While Kohli earns a mere $1 million for his sport, 134 million social media followers means that he has some lucrative sponsors like Audi and Valvoline.

The top woman on the list is Los Angeles resident Naomi Osaka at $37 million and the 29th slot. Osaka surpassed Serena Williams to become the top earning woman in tennis as well.

Another Los Angeles resident, Clayton Kershaw is the top earning baseball player at $27 million and 47th on the list.

The highest paid hockey player, NHL’s Auston Mathews of the Toronto Mapleleafs, earned $16 million placing him well outside of the top 100 paid athletes.

For more information, visit forbes.com.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Chief Investment Officer of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more information, please visit WinslowDrake.com or email hlibby@winslowdrake.com.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 2021

21

April 22 to April 28, 2021

SWAG FOR THESOUL

W

e are rapidly transitioning into a new era and a new way of being in this world. New-agers call it a paradigm shift and refer to what patiently awaits humanity as the “unity paradigm”. This new age holds promise of such things as peace and abundant opportunities for human beings to thrive in ways we have never known.

The transition period is proving to be hard on humans because we are in uncharted territory. We don’t really know where to put our feet next because this is all new. There is no instruction manual. We are left to use our creativity to figure things out as we construct this new world in which we will live.

We are currently in the thick of the chaos that comes when old paradigm systems are failing and falling. This is a natural course of events that must occur for us to adequately make room for new foundations and systems that honor one and all. It is all part of the bigger plan.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all of the changes and the work left yet to do, it may be helpful to consider that our higher selves (inner spirit) don’t give us tasks we can’t handle. We are ready for this even if it feels like we are stumbling around in the dark without a clue.

We have spent ages preparing for this epic moment in human history. This transition is our final exam for which we are well studied.

It is a test of the skills we have honed over the course of many lifetimes. This is it.

With that said, it may also be helpful to consider that every human being plays a

22

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY AIMEE MOSCO

specific and important role in this transition because each person brings their own brand of creativity, a unique perspective and compendium of memories to the collective table of humanity. We all bear and share responsibility for bringing this new age to fruition.

Your greatest and most valuable contribution to the new world is your best you. You will find that version of yourself when you look inward. As you are looking for your best self, be gentle and kind. Put judgment and criticism on a shelf with the understanding that you have learned volumes from your mistakes.

Have gratitude for the learning opportunities and celebrate the awakening you have achieved. Set your intent to be the greatest and most true reflection of your awakened self as a way serve one and all as we transition into the new paradigm.

In my pursuit to help human beings be their best selves, I invite you to join Facebook group Evolve through Love hosted by Elizabeth Scarcella and me. Go to facebook.com/groups/ evolvethroughlove and share with us your joy.

Aimee Mosco is an Author, Intuitive Channel, Spiritual Teacher and Co-Founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Aimee’s desire to help others inspired her book “Gratitude + Forgiveness x (LOVE) = Happiness”. Aimee serves as Vice Chair to the World Game Changers Board of Directors, a charitable CIC based in the UK. Find Aimee at www.ihsunity.com.

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF APRIL 22

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Blogger Emma Elsworthy wrote her “Self-Care List.” I’ll tell you a few of her 57 action items, in hopes of inspiring you to create your own list. The coming weeks will be a perfect phase to upgrade your focus on doing what makes you feel healthy and holy. Here are Elsworthy’s ideas: Get in the habit of cooking yourself a beautiful breakfast. Organize your room. Clean your mirror and laptop. Lie in the sunshine. Become the person you would ideally fall in love with. Walk with a straight posture. Stretch your body. Challenge yourself to not judge or ridicule anyone for a whole day. Have a luxurious shower with your favorite music playing.

Remember your dreams. Fantasize about the life you would lead if failure didn’t exist.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Some traditional Buddhist monks sit on city streets in Asia with a “begging bowl” in front of them. It’s a clay or iron container they use to solicit money and food from passers-by who want to support them.

Contemporary American poet Mariannne Boruch regards the begging bowl as a metaphor that helps her generate new poems. She adopts the attitude of the empty vessel, awaiting life’s instructions and inspiration to guide her creative inquiry. This enables her to “avoid too much self-obsession and navelgazing” and be receptive—”with no agenda besides the usual wonder and puzzlement.” I recommend the begging bowl approach to you as you launch the next phase of your journey, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini-born Paul Gauguin (1848–1903) is today regarded as an innovative and influential painter. But his early years provided few hints that he would ultimately become renowned. As a teenager, he attended naval preparatory school, and later he joined the French navy. At age 23, he became a stockbroker. Although he also began dabbling as a painter at that time, it wasn’t until the stock market crashed 11 years later that he made the decision to be a full-time painter.

Is there a Gauguin-like turning point in your future, Gemini? If so, its early signs might show itself soon.

It won’t be as dramatic or stressful as Gauguin’s, but I bet it will be quite galvanizing.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): A research team found that some people pray for things they are reasonably sure God wouldn’t approve of. In a sense, they’re trying to trick the Creator into giving them goodies they’re not supposed to get. Do you ever do that?

Try to bamboozle life into offering you blessings you’re not sure you deserve? The coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to dare such ploys. I’m not guaranteeing you’ll succeed, but the chances are much better than usual that you will. The universe is pretty relaxed and generous toward you right now.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 2013, the New Zealand government decided to rectify the fact that its two main islands had never been assigned formal names.

At that time, it gave both an English and Māorilanguage moniker for each: North Island, or Te Ikaa-Māui, and South Island, or Te Waipounamu. In the spirit of correcting for oversights and neglect, and in accordance with current astrological omens, is there any action you’d like to take to make yourself more official or professional or established? The coming weeks will be a favorable time to do so.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Author Grant Morrison observes that our heads are “big enough to contain every god and devil there ever was. Big enough to hold the weight of oceans and the turning stars. Whole universes fit in there!” That’s why it’s so unfortunate, he says, if we fill up our “magical cabinet” with “little broken things, sad trinkets that we play with over and over.” In accordance with astrological potentials, Virgo, I exhort you to dispose of as many of those sad trinkets and little broken things as you can. Make lots of room to hold expansive visions and marvelous dreams and wondrous possibilities. It’s time to think bigger and feel wilder.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran author bell hooks (who doesn’t capitalize her name) has a nuanced perspective on the nature of our pain. She

© Copyright 2021 Rob Brezsny

writes, “Contrary to what we may have been taught, unnecessary and unchosen suffering wounds us, but need not scar us for life.” She acknowledges that unnecessary and unchosen suffering does indeed “mark us.” But we have the power to reshape and transform how it marks us. I think her wisdom will be useful for you to wield in the coming weeks. You now have extra power to reshape and transform the marks of your old pain. You probably won’t make it disappear entirely, but you can find new ways to make it serve you, teach you, and ennoble you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): I love people who inspire me to surprise myself. I’m appreciative when an ally provides me with a friendly shock that moves me to question my habitual ways of thinking or doing things. I feel lucky when a person I like offers a compassionate critique that nudges me out of a rut I’ve been in. Here’s a secret: I don’t always wait around passively hoping events like these will happen. Now and then I actively seek them out. I encourage them. I ask for them. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, I invite you to be like me in this regard.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Where did last year’s lessons go?” asks Gillian Welch in her song “I Dream a Highway.” Now I’m posing the same question to you—just in time for the Remember Last Year’s Lessons Phase of your cycle. In my astrological opinion, it’s crucial for you to recollect and ruminate deeply on the breakdowns and breakthroughs you experienced in 2020; on every spiritual emergency and spiritual emergence you weathered; on all the scary trials you endured and all the sacred trails you trod.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn painter Henri Matisse had a revolutionary influence on 20th-century art, in part because of his raucous use of color. Early in his career he belonged to the movement known as Fauvism, derived from the French term for “wild beasts.” During his final years, he invented a new genre very different from his previous work: large collages of brightly colored cut-out paper. The subject matter, according to critic Jed Perl, included “jungles, goddesses, oceans, and the heavens,” and “ravishing signs and symbols” extracted from the depths of “Matisse’s luminosity.” I offer him as a role model for you, Capricorn, because I think it’s a perfect time to be, as Perl describes Matisse, both “a hard-nosed problem-solver and a feverish dreamer.”

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “The guiding motto in the life of every natural philosopher should be, ‘Seek simplicity, but distrust it.’” Aquarian philosopher Alfred North Whitehead wrote that, and now I’m proposing that you use it as your motto in the coming weeks, even if you’re not a natural philosopher. Why? Because I suspect you’ll thrive by uncomplicating your life. You’ll enhance your well-being if you put greater trust in your instinctual nature and avoid getting lost in convoluted thoughts.

On the other hand, it’s important not to plunge so deeply into minimalism that you become shallow, careless, or unimaginative.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In ancient Greek comic theater, there was a stock character known as the eiron. He was a crafty underdog who outwitted and triumphed over boastful egotists by pretending to be naive. Might I interest you in borrowing from that technique in the coming weeks? I think you’re most likely to be successful if you approach victory indirectly or sideways—and don’t get bogged down trying to forcefully coax skeptics and resisters.

Be cagey, understated, and strategic, Pisces. Let everyone think they’re smart and strong if it helps ensure that your vision of how things should be will win out in the end.

Homework. I’m in the mood for you to give me predictions and past life readings. Send your psychic insights about my destiny. Truthrooster@ gmail.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

April 22 to April 28, 2021

23

April 22 to April 28, 2021

SAFETY TIPS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

FROM THE CHIEF’S CORNER

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

TIS THE SEASON – FOR RATTLE SNAKES!

are reporting that rattlesnake calls and sightings are on the increase. Snakes come out of their hiding places, and are looking for food. So there are plenty of reasons to be proactive and remind our self and others the commonsense of snake safety.

Practice these precautions: Be on the lookout when walking the hillsides, especially if you’re operating loud machinery that may make it difficult to hear the signature rattle. Note: If you’re wearing headphones, keep music low and practice additional caution.

Make your home less hospitable to snakes. Yard debris, wood piles, gaps under homes, wooden decks, cement patios and open water sources (snakes feel the drought too!) can attract snakes. Remove

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

M

y thanks to all of you that read my previous Scam and Fraud columns and asked for more advice on protecting yourselves during the Age of Covid. With more people home during the Pandemic, it is ideal picking for the bad guys to reach you by phone, and somehow steal your ID. INTERNATIONAL PHONE SCAMS: BOILER ROOMS: Men in India go after their favorite food…..THE ELDERLY. Is there a better place to Scam the elderly than Palm Springs and Miami?

TECH SUPPORT: A Robo calls says that your computer is on the verge of a meltdown and to prevent it you must call asap. They will say whatever is necessary to befriend you and scare you into paying for unnecessary repairs and other deceptions. They may ask to log into your computer using a remote access software program called Team Viewer… (or AnyDesk or FastSupport) and when the scammer says to hit the “switch sides” function, the caller is then in charge…and can lock you from your own computer. Some companies have banned these programs if the computers initiates the call from India.

The scammer may ask you to recontact them, in India, so the scam will work. The Scammer rarely accepts credit cards or checks. Gift cards are payment of choice and bitcoin is now catching up. Of course cash still favorite if they can get the V to send cash in an envelope, because not traceable. The peer to peer apps like Venmo, Zelle and Cash App allow the transfer of funds. Wire transfers, Money Gram or Western Union, are mostly untraceable and have limited protections, so never use these to pay a stranger.

TYPES OF SCAMS: FALSE DIAGNOSIS: An alleged certified computer tech calls and instructs you to open up the event log, a diagnostic tool that professionals use to track computer activity.

They often have red and yellow warnings messages. To a coder they indicate normal functions but since most of the “older dudes” believe them when they say “see all these

24

a desert ecologist and author of the book Desert Snakes, this will make the snake feel less secure when hiding, so it will be more likely to move along on its way.

Watch your feet and hands. If you lose sight of them, such as when you reach under a rock or step into a brush pile, the potential to be bitten increases.

If you encounter a snake, don’t antagonize it. Giving them space is the best approach. They will generally slither along on their own accord!

If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, stay calm, dial 911 and seek immediate help.

Lie down and keep the affected limb lower than the heart.

HERE IS HOW YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED!

bugs?....it is a problem and they compromise your computer.” The Scammer misrepresents the info to ramp up the fear. The bad guy may say “see, there are 20 people on your computer right now?”

BOGUS REFUND: The caller is allegedly from Microsoft Refund Department saying you paid something that was an over payment and they want to send you a $500 refund. They explain the company has been ordered to shut down, and they have been ordered to refund users. They need remote access into the V’s computer to contact the bank and complete the refund. After seeing the V’s account they push the “Blank Guest Monitor” button to “blacken the V’s screen”.

The V can’t see the $50k transfer from their savings into checking. Then they go into HTML code on V’s computer, which determines what the V would see on their screen…and then changes what is on the screen back to show the original balance. Then they say they transferred $50,000 instead of $500, and thus it is necessary to refund the difference between the $50k and $500 to a bank in China, to pay the caller back, or else s/he will lose their job.

ZOOM PHISHING: Thousands of fake zoom internet domains have been set up.

The emails, texts or social media with a Zoom logo, requests you click on a link, because your account is suspended. The scammer then downloads malicious software onto your computer…to use for ID Theft or to search for passwords to hack into other accounts.

COVID 19 VACCINE CARD CONS: After shots, some post pix on social media. With this info the bad guys can steal your ID and get into your bank account.

FAKE ONLINE SHOPPING SITES: They use photos from real online retailers, mimicking their look and feel. When you order, you may never get the product, or get an inferior product.

CELEBRITY GIVE AWAYS DURING COVID: Scammers pose as celebs offering fake giveaways as a way to get private information.

You may get a note via social media that you won and you just need to verify your account info and send a small deposit up front.

ON-LINE ROMANCE: Scammers pray on unsuspecting men and women through online games etc. Marks may be lured to unmonitored online sites and asked for money.

MEDICARE CARD SCAM: Scammers email or knock on your door saying they are from Medicare and offering Pandemic services after you provide your Medicare card. They may offer cards with microchips.

CASH TRANSFER APP SCAM: Tools like Cash App, Venmo, Zelle and PayPal allow you to transfer money and has led to many scams. The accidental transfer of funds scam is when money is sent to V and then the scammer requests money back saying it was an accident and the payment was with a stolen credit card.

SOCIAL SECURITY SCAM: The Scammer uses a credible looking “spoofed” DC phone number and says your SS Card was used in a crime and you will be arrested soon if you don’t send money to fix it. You may be advised your card was used to rent a car that was involved with an illegal act. You may be directed to a website they set up and request you call them back.

ACCOUNT PROBLEM TEXT: The Scammer notifies you of trouble with your internet account, a credit card, bank account or shopping order on Amazon. They get you to click on links and provide personal info.

BOOSTER BOX OR BAG: A larger hollow box or bag is placed down over a slightly smaller shopping bag, purse or product placed on the ground while looking in a showcase. The spring loaded bottom secures the item about to be stolen. The thief then walks away without anyone seeing what happened.

RFID: Are Radio Frequency Identification Devices that I have discussed in previous articles. They are half the size of a laptop.

When a thief walks by you in a restaurant, airport or department store etc, the “card

reading device”, costing less than $100, automatically steals your personal info off your credit card. The Radio Frequency Identification is a tiny chip in our credit and debit cards. If your card has the symbol of 4 waves )))) or says Pay Pass, Pay Wave or Blink, it has RFID. Most people did not realize that your credit card information could also be stolen without taking the physical credit card by DIGITAL/SILENT PICKPOCKETS. AIRLINE BOARDING PASS: A hacker, with a smart phone, can scan the QR code and get all your info and change your pin.

Gift Cards: They can be the perfect gift…

IF not already opened. However, crooks go to stores and write down the numbers and pin on the back of the gift card. When they see someone purchase one they go online and use up the amount on the card. Thus you must be sure the wrapping on the card has not been disturbed, or the pin revealed.

Report problems to the major reporting agencies below.

Equifax – 800-525-6285. Fraud alert: 888766-0008. Credit report: 800-685-1111 Experian (formerly TRW) – Fraud alert: 888-397-3742. Credit report: 888-397-3742 Trans Union – Fraud alert: 800-680-7289.

Credit report: 800-888-4213 Social Security Administration – Fraud alert: 800-269-0271 Dale Gribow - REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE! A TAXI/LYFT IS CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME. “TOP LAWYER” The Prestigious Palm Springs Life: (2011-21) 73-061 El Paseo, Suite 220, Palm Desert, CA 92260 Office - 760-837-7500 Dale@DaleGribowLaw.com www.DaleGribowLaw.com

TRAVEL TIPS4U

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

DESERT X

call the Coachella Valley home, and Loper reminds us that long ago many who fled bondage in search of freedom traveled south, perhaps even through this desert, on their way to free townships along Mexico’s northern border.

This story of acceptance, although never perfect, echoes among many communities that have found a welcoming home in this place.

Christopher Myers (New York, New

April 22 to April 28, 2021

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

NOW ON VIEW IN PALM SPRINGS, CA York, 1974) is a multidisciplinary artist who works in visual art, theater, and literature.

Through a practice rooted in collaboration, Myers mines the intimate dimensions of the global, creating works that unveil relationships between distinct peoples and places.

The Art of Taming Horses Tahquitz Canyon Way between Sunrise Way and Civic Drive, Palm Springs CA Think Horses and Enjoy the Ride!

O

n six stations along Tahquitz Canyon Way stand sculptures with draping banners that tell the story of two ranchers — one Mexican and one African-American — whose personal adversities and love for raising horses led them to create a welcoming community in the place that eventually would become Palm Springs.

While the story is fictional, it speaks to the truths that exist in the slippage between history and mythology.

Altanviro stands in for the thousands of Mexican migrants who have come to

25