Coachella Valley Weekly - May 5 to May 11, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 7

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coachellavalleyweekly.com • May 5 to May 11, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 7

Laura Janes

pg 6

Ludacris

pg 6

Susto

pg 7

Scoonz

pg 8

Cleer

pg 8

Donald Spencer

pg 11

Kinetix

pg 22

May 5 to May 11, 2016

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Coachella Valley Weekly

coachellavalleyweekly.com publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly

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

CONTENTS CV Music Showcase Finals........................3 Mother’s Day Dining.................................5 Westin “Le Serate Di Vino”.......................5 Art Scene - Laura Janes............................6 Ludacris.....................................................6 Susto..........................................................7 The Circle - Super Band............................7 Scoonz.......................................................8 Backstage Jazz - Cleer..............................8 Stagecoach Review...................................9 Consider This - Rick Springfield.............10 Art Scene - Donald Spencer...................11 Pet Place..................................................12 The Vino Voice ........................................13 Club Crawler Nightlife............................14 Screeners.................................................18 Book Review............................................19 Real Estate ..............................................19 Haddon Libby.........................................21 Dale Gribow............................................21

May 5 to May 11, 2016

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC SHOWCASE: MAY 7TH AT 8 PM SHARP. DOORS OPEN AT 7:00PM THE FINALS AT THE HARD ROCK! SATURDAY,

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It all comes down to this... ver the past five months, 20 local musical acts of varying genres met up at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert to battle it out for the chance at one of five coveted spots for the final showdown, the winners of which will be the recipients of a prize-package that contains the sort of loot that would make most any up and coming musicians drool with ambitious desire. As a die-hard cheerleader and proud member of the Coachella Valley’s music community...a community which truly is unlike any other... it has been an honor and a thrill to witness my peers compete round after round, all the while displaying honor and class. Not a one of them refrained themselves from leaving their hearts on the stage for everyone to behold, yet they still showed support for their fellow competitors.

This Saturday, May 7th, at the always fantastic Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs, the finalists will take the stage for the final prize-package that includes, among other goodies, $1000 cash, a recording consult with music producer Esjay Jones, a sweet title and obvious bragging rights associated with being crowned the winners of the first Coachella Valley Music Showcase. Finalists will more than likely take into consideration the notes and constructive criticism given to them in preliminary rounds by the various panels of judges that were enlisted including experts in the entertainment industry and pillars of the Coachella Valley music scene such as popular venue owners, producers and local music icons.

It will no doubt be an epic showdown this weekend. I for one am at the edge of my seat with anticipation. In preparation for such an event, I present to you, my precious partypeople…the official CV Music Showcase re-cap. These were the articles that were written in CV Weekly about each band after their preliminary win.

Round 1 Winners, Bridger- 12-6-15

By Lisa Morgan “THIS BAND! What more can I say about this band that has not already been written?

A family affair… an absolutely incredible, contagiously electric, beautiful family affair on and off the stage, THIS BAND ultimately and deservedly, won the event and moves on to the finals. THIS BAND blew my mind a year ago; this night, they incinerated it. The first thing that came over all who watched, like an unexpected tsunami, was the magic of their pure joy. It flooded from the stage and into the venue the minute they began

to play. Bridger is what happens when love, inspiration, character, work ethic, raw talent and purpose come together in their purest forms. They were created to do this and they did so brilliantly. It would be hard to fathom them getting any better, but knowing them, they will continue to strive to better themselves. THIS BAND truly deserves the large arena. THIS BAND renewed the sense of awe in power punk, rock and roll in all of us. THIS BAND, simply put, RAWKED!”

Round 2 Winners, Wicked Jed – 1-17-16

By Esther Sanchez As deserving as every competitor was, only one act could claim the coveted spot in the finals and that was Palm Springs based band, Wicked Jed. The trio consisting of Jared Engelmier, Evan Smith and Daniel Hagerty has been together since 2012 and they scored their victory by impressing the judges with their solid musicianship, marketable sound, and a clear chemistry with one another that made Wicked Jed seem to be very comfortable while performing. They displayed a great fusion of sounds that make them great representatives of the “desert/ stoner rock genre….all the while putting out a unique flair that sets them apart. These guys are coming into this competition with the gloves off and I am looking forward to seeing what they will bring to the final table.

Round 3 Winners, Razor J & the Blades - 2-11-16

By Lisa Morgan Juan Espino emitted a great energy even during his sound check. This young artist is immediately engaging. The first part of their set was full on Hip Hop/R&B with some tracks underlining a fantastic drummer and bass player while Espino rapped, danced and pulled out his guitar briefly. His lyrics were passionate as was his delivery. He’s no Bruno Mars in the “moves” category, and I hope he never lets himself worry about that; I wouldn’t want him to lose one single ounce of his performance’s authenticity, something

that is clearly his voice and all about the music. It was only clear that this format (Hip Hop and R&B) was a bit new to Espino and his band when they absolutely cut loose on their last song. My jaw about hit the table when this kid unreservedly unleashed his mad virtuoso rock and roll guitar skills. The bass and drums were equally on fire. I very much look forward to watching the fusion of this artist’s dual voices. Espino is clearly put in this world to create and you will definitely want to be there to watch it happen.

Round 4 Winners, Murkocet 3-6-16

By Esther Sanchez One of the things that sets Murkocet apart from the rest of the bands is the fact that the majority of the band members hail from their home-base in Chandler, Az. with the exception of frontman and desert resident, Richie Jano. For that reason, Murkocet may be sort of the odd-man out in this competition but the “hard-driving metal band” is without a doubt more than aware of that fact and are surely ready to use the elements of novelty and mystery to their ultimate advantage.

Round 5 Winners, Monreaux - 4-3-16

By Esther Sanchez Made up of members of multiple bands that previously existed in the desert, Monreaux is a labor of love that has come a long way in a relatively short amount of time.

Monreaux frontman, Giorg Tierez: “We were stunned at the results, being such a new band with an even newer lead guitar joining recently…shocked even! It was a night filled with great talent in four different styles of music. We were just happy to perform in front of our friends and to share the stage with our peers. Nonetheless, we are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to the finals at the Hard Rock!”’

Don’t miss the showdown that we have all been waiting for! This show is 21 & over. $5.00 entry fee.

Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs 150 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Safety Tips...............................................22 Health & Fitness - Kinetix.......................22 Sports Scene...........................................22 Free Will Astrology.................................23 Mind, Body & Spirit ................................23 Ask The Doctor .......................................24 Life & Career Coach ................................24

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

GREAT PLACES TO CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY IN PALM SPRINGS

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other’s Day is on May 8th, and we all know how stressful it may be to make sure Mom has the most perfect day. So here’s a list of amazing restaurants in Palm Springs that will be celebrating that very special lady in your life! If you would like more ideas on how to pamper Mom on Mother’s Day, check out www.visitpalmsprings.com.

Copley’s - Executive Chef Andrew Copley has an extensive 20-year culinary background at five-star restaurants and hotels around the world. Take Mom here for a special outside dining with a stunning mountain view. Open for dinner reservations starting at 5pm. Call 760-327-9555 for more information. copleyspalmsprings.com Eight4Nine Restaurant & Lounge Eight4Nine will be having a three course Mother’s Day brunch from 11am to 3pm.

The three course meal will be $46 including champagne and for children 12 years and under only $22. The eclectic menu features a celebration of West Coast Modern American Cuisine which focuses on both presentation and flavors. Visit eight4nine.

com for reservations and a complete menu.

Escena Lounge and Grill - Treat Mom to an elegant Mother’s Day feast on Sunday, May 8th. A special buffet brunch includes salads, breakfast items, omelet station, hot lunch dishes and more! She might also enjoy bottomless champagne and mimosas. $39 adults, $15 children ages 5-12. Children 4 and under are free. Served from 10am3pm. Reservations are required. For more information, call 760-992-0002 or visit escenagolf.com/dine.

Hyatt Palm Springs - Take Mom and the whole family on a special Mother’s Day brunch at the Hyatt. Mother’s Day Deliciousness is only $36 for Adults, $32 for seniors, $16 for Children and Children under 5 are completely free! Brunch will be held from 10am to 2pm. Call 760-969-6080 to make reservations. palmsprings.hyatt. com.

Lulu California Bistro – Known for its vibrant atmosphere, decadent brunch buffets, and 4-course brunch, take Mom and the whole family to Lulu’s for a lovely meal.

Buffet Time is from 10am to 3 pm. Cost is only $34.99 for Adults and children 12 and

under just $17.99. 4-Course Brunch Time starts at 11am to 3pm. 4-Course Brunch cost is $39.99 for Adults and Children 12 and under only $19.99. Call 760-327-5858 for more information. lulupalmsprings. com.

Melvyn’s Restaurant - On Mother’s Day, Melvyn’s Restaurant will be having 12 delicious entrees to choose from. Mom can enjoy a posh Champagne Brunch at

only $39. Call 760-325-0710 to make a reservation. inglesideinn.com.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - The Tram’s Pines Café will serve the Mother’s Day Ride ‘n’ Dine from 11am. to 8:30pm.

There is a children’s menu, and adults can feast on dry aged meats and poultry along with fresh breads, fresh seafood and pastas.

Reservations are recommended. Call 760325-4537. pstramway.com.

Trio Restaurant - Mother’s Day at TRIO is the lively place to be with plenty of dining options any Mom would enjoy on her day.

Beginning with a brunch menu (served from 10am to 3pm), or TRIO’s famous $19.95 three-course prix fixe menu (served 11am until 6pm), and dinner beginning at 3pm.

And on Mother’s Day every “Mother” gets an Orange Trio lily to celebrate the day.

Check out Triopalmsprings.com for more info.

Zin American Bistro – Take mom and the family to the heart of downtown Palm Springs. At Zin American Bistro, the Mother’s Day special is a 2 course prix fixe brunch for just $24.99. Call 760-388-6300 or visit pszin.com for more info.

THE WESTIN MISSION HILLS GOLF RESORT & SPA CONTINUES “LE SERATE DI VINO” WITH PREMIER WINES FROM ABROAD AND AT HOME

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he Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa continues the popular “Le Serate di Vino” with four incredible food and wine pairing events beginning May 7.

Each four-course dinner will feature a variety of wines from areas on the West Coast, and from Europe and Down Under. Distinct wines from regions in Australia, New Zealand, France, and West Coast Pinot Noirs, will be presented alongside the culinary creations of the resort’s James Beard Honored Executive Chef of Pinzimini Restaurant, Joel Delmond, and his talented team.

Following are the details of each wine dinner including highlights of the wineries and the menu items. The cuisine is specially prepared specifically for these wine dinners.

Vive La France Saturday, May 7th, at 7:00 p.m.

France is known for some of the finest wines in the world. Featured wines from Burgundy, Bordeaux and the Rhone Valley will accompany Chef Joel Delmond’s delicious cuisine brought to the table from firsthand experience. Notably, Delmond began his culinary studies in his native France at the Orleans Culinary School where he was honored as a 2nd apprentice. In Sologne, under the tutelage of the famed Pierre Mesple, he won a top regional cooking award for game and river fish.

The pairings start with Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne paired with an Ahi Tuna and Foie Gras sampling, and then move on to the countryside of Burgundy for some Chablis, one of the best manifestations of the Chardonnay grape. Following is a 2014 Joseph Drouhin Vaudon Chablis accompanied by Smoked

Lardon, and then a veal sweetbread served with a 2013 Robert Cantin Les Pierblancs Sancerre.

The third course is a roasted rabbit dish paired with a Domaine Vieux Lazaret ChateauneufDu-Pape from the Rhone Valley. Dinner will finish with the delightful Chateau Saint Ahon Haut-Medoc, Cru Bourgeois from the Bordeaux region of France, one of the most popular wine regions in the world.

Napa Valley Wines Saturday, May 21st, at 7:00 p.m.

Napa Valley is considered one of the premiere wine regions of the world for good reason. Stunning natural beauty aside, the grapes grown in this region transform into fullbodied Cabernets, fruity Merlots, and buttery Chardonnays. The evening begins with Risotto “Arborio Superfino” Shaved Oregon Black Truffles paired with Miner Family Chardonnay.

Guest will then move onto a specialty Seared Sea of Cortez Scallops matched with Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc. The third course is a delectable Poussin baked in Vadouvan Levain Bread with melted onion, nasturtium puree, topped with bread onion sauce, paired with

Burgess Triere Vineyard Merlot. The Mesquite Smoked Brandt Family Strip Loin of the main course is accompanied by an Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon by Mondavi. Topping off the evening is a unique Krispy Kreme doughnut crusted Grappa Cheesecake served with a Merry Antigua Muscat de Frontignan Dessert Wine.

Pinot Noirs Saturday, June 4th, at 7:00 p.m.

Fall in love, again, with pinot noirs from Oregon, Sonoma and Santa Barbara. The initial pinot is a Saintsbury Vin Gris of Pinot Noir, Carneros, paired with flavorful Farmer’s Market Greens. Following with a Row 503 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, the second course is sakesoy glazed Braised Pig Cheeks. The third course of Salt Crusted Black Bass is paired with an Ampelos Cellas Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills. The dinner concludes with a Dried Apricot Bread Pudding paired delicately with EnRoute Pinot Noir “Les Pommiers,” Russian River Valley.

Australian/New Zealand Wines Saturday, June 18th, at 7:00 p.m.

This dinner features down under varietals from Oyster Bay and Barossa Valley Estate.

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Oyster Bay’s reputation has been built from vines grown in Marlborough’s Wairau Valley, now recognized as one of the great winegrowing regions of the world. Oyster Bay has continued to define the very stature and style of New Zealand wines. The Australian Barosa Valley Estate winery is located in a small area tucked on the southern edge of the great Australian continent. Barosa Valley wines deliver distinctive elegance, finesse and vibrant fruit flavors.

The welcoming reception entices guests with a sparkling wine served with Chef’s Choices of Hors d’Oeurves, and is followed with a Marinated Ridgeback Shrimp with sea urchin and smoked caviar and paired with Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc. A Crispy Barramundi for the second course is matched with a refreshingly crisp Oyster Bay Chardonnay. The third course features a slow roasted Cadrona Merino Lamb Shoulder paired with Oyster Bay Pinot Noir, an elegant cool climate Pinot Noir at its best.

Presented with the next course of Charcoal Grilled Eye Fillet of Tasmanian Grass Fed Beef is the Barossa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, giving the palette a taste of expressive dark plum flavors with a seductive blackcourrant richness. Dessert features a tantalizing Wattle Seed Pavlova served alongside the Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz, with the Barossa Valley home to the greatest Shiraz in the world.

Each wine dinner takes place at 7 p.m. in the resort’s Polo Room. The cost of each dinner is $89 plus tax and gratuity, with limited seating available. Reservations are required by calling (760) 770-2150 or via email to pinziminips@ westin.com.

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

LAURA JANES

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ART IS IN THE DETAILS

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eauty comes in many forms and is interpreted in various ways. Laura Janes is a fine artist specializing in painting natural forms. She draws her inspiration from the elements found in nature.

“I find myself drawn to the raw, organic beauty of the Southern California Mountains and deserts. Nature provides the best subjects – look at the landscape in the Coachella Valley! The desert plants, trees, water, and rocks and even the Coachella Festival goers! Those flower wreaths were inspired by nature!”

“I work primarily in acrylic on canvas as well as in watercolor. I occasionally create mixed media pieces using images, gold and silver leaf, and encaustic materials. My subjects are represented in the abstract, coming to life through my use of amplified colors, contrast, and composition.”

Laura’s colors are bright and beautiful but stay true to their natural roots. What Laura has been able to do is capture a fragment and engage the viewer in a large-scale close up. The microscope is the viewer. The viewer is the explorer finding the nuances that her texturing and layering have created.

“I often start with photographs of the subject. I may take one or two bit more often I will take hundreds of photos. I am not capturing a painting based on photorealism. I use the photos to keep the shadow and light of the natural surroundings alive as I paint. My work is large scale but is really about the small things. The play of light and color on an isolated section is beauty. I

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ART SCENE

BY ANGELA ROMEO

LUDACRIS

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capture the grandeur of the landscape in a concentrated spot.”

Like many artists Laura’s path to the now had several stops. “I taught art in high school. I enjoyed guiding others to their creative paths. I no longer teach high school but I do teach art workshops,” noted Laura.

“In San Diego I founded a company, Iconica.

We were commissioned to create murals in residential properties. From the Sistine Chapel to Warhol flowers, we created paintings that met a client’s needs for a defined space. That experience helped me in my career as a fine artist. I understand the business side – from pricing to marketing.

These are things that a fine arts education does not often prepare a working artist to handle.”

“Iconica was successful but as an artist, the need to create my own work was strong.

I retreated to Unitarian Church’s camp in the San Bernardino National Forest. I spent 8 years there as artist-in-residence. The experience allowed me to find my unique voice; Laura Janes the artist, and not Laura Janes of Iconica. The experience allowed me to refine my palette and concentrate on the saturation and brightness of color and light.”

“There is seduction in nature. My work brings the shy side of nature out, Sensual, stimulating and approachable is the true side of nature.”

On May 5, Laura’s work will be opening at Gallery Lazzaro located at 41801 Corporate Way, suite 13, Palm Desert, CA. For more information visit www.laurajanes.com

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

ith Coachella and Stagecoach 2016 now over, the desert has little time to go into music detox. Grammy award winning artist and actor, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges will be performing at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $79, $59 and $39 and can be purchased on-line or at the Fantasy Springs Casino Special Event Center box office. Coachella Valley Weekly spoke with “Luda” this week from his home in Atlanta. He shared his enthusiasm to return to the desert. “It’s been years and years since I’ve been to the Coachella Valley, but let’s just say I’m back for the first time.” Ludacris continues to support his 9th studio release, Ludaversal.

Released in March of 2015, Ludaversal sold almost 70,000 copies in its first week. In all, Ludacris has over 19 million records sold in the United States alone. ‘Luda’ gives a heads up to all who plan on attending, “This show is gonna be crazy! I want everyone to come out, have some fun and go through my history with me. I can’t wait for May 14th!”

Ludacris’ enthusiasm for this area is evident. He would like to make the desert a routine stop. He has also experienced Coachella in the past. “Anybody that loves music has to experience Coachella. It’s for all music lovers and different genres.

Everybody coming together; I think it’s great for the culture and great for the movement period. It covers what’s going on in the past, present and future. I would absolutely love to perform at Coachella at some point.”

Ludacris would be an ideal consideration for Coachella 2017 given the triumph of Ice Cube’s 2016 appearance and hip hop’s more recent imprint on the festival.

Ludacris has always left his own impression in the music industry. He embraced technology’s immersion in music early on. “The internet has taken the music industry by storm. I’m excited to see the evolution of it. More genres of music are going to blend themselves together and you won’t be able to put labels on them. I don’t put any labels on myself, so whatever they want to call me, I’m good. I always try to be different and show a lighter side and try not to be so serious because I love to laugh and that’s what makes Ludacris, Ludacris.”

Ludacris is an anomaly. He wrote his first song at age 9. Now 38, he has witnessed the evolution of hip hop. “I have seen the blending of different types of music

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together especially with people being more melodious and that’s what makes songs catchy.” Ludacris has incorporated this symphonic approach to his new music. “I feel like Ludaversal was my most critically acclaimed album I’ve ever put out. You can look back at it and it’s a solid album from beginning to end. It received the best reviews of any album I’ve done. It’s introspective. That’s what I set out to do and make a complete album. You can listen to it from beginning to end and feel how I blended it all together.”

Ludacris plans to release new music in 2017 and has begun filming for “Fast 8.” the eighth installment of the “Fast and Furious” franchise, starring Charlize Theron, Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Russell.

The release date is April 2017. He is also hosting the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas with Ciara on May 22nd. Ludacris relishes having a full plate, “I’m just trying to stay busy and wear different hats and continue to evolve as a man, an artist and entrepreneur.”

Along with this maturation has come generosity. With the Ludacris Foundation, Ludacris has been able to inspire and empower youth through education and memorable experiences to live their dreams by uplifting families, communities and fostering economic development. “I’m an individual who does not like to give handouts; I give hand-ups. I want to help kids who want to help themselves. Sometimes you can’t help people who don’t want to help themselves.” The Ludacris Foundation focuses on three key areas or the 3L’s: Leadership and Education; LudaCares, a hands-on community outreach; and Living Healthy Lifestyles. Their efforts reach youth at all age levels.

Ultimately, Ludacris is gratified with his most beloved role. “Being a father to three children is the most passionate hat I wear.

I love to continue to make everyone in my family proud.”

You can find more information on the Ludacris Foundation on Facebook.

Ludaversal.com

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SUSTO EARNS THEIR CROWD AT STAGECOACH 2016

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USTO was a band that I think I’ll be forever grateful to Stagecoach for. In this flooded music market, even the cream has trouble rising to the top. Thanks to Goldenvoice, SUSTO came onto my radar, and has made my list of new bands worth watching, and my gut tells me it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. The best way I know how to describe SUSTO is this: If the timelessly talented pioneers of alt-country, Uncle Tupelo, had all gotten along instead of splitting up into Wilco and Son Volt, grown old as the best of friends while raising their kids together, and those kids formed a band together, I imagine they would turn out a lot like SUSTO. This South Carolina band of dedicated troubadours has captured something that may be lost to many young artists in this technologically advanced generation. SUSTO pours simple yet delicately mastered classic yet edgy sounds into a cake pan and ices it with fearlessly honest songwriting. A tasty blend of folk and angst ridden rock, SUSTO turned a dismal crowd into a full, energetic and inspired gathering of followers. The relatively new band owned the Mustang Stage, and the delight of the crowd was tangible.

CV Weekly had a chance to interview lead singer, guitar player, and song craftsman, Justin Osborne, prior to Stagecoach 2016 as well as hang out with him and his very cool bandmates Johnny Delaware, Corey Campbell, Marshall Hudson and Jenna Desmond after their show.

CVW: “How does one go from a full time student studying anthropology to a full time musician?”

Osborne: “I played music for a long time since high school. I worked really hard trying to tour with a band I formed back then until my midtwenties. I wasn’t getting anywhere with it and kind of got chewed up and spit out by the music industry, so I went to college instead. I’d always been interested in Latin America, Latin American politics, culture and social movement. I chose Anthropology to study people in the world, the different ways of living and different ways and means of expression, with an emphasis in Latin American culture. That let me to going to Cuba and studying Cuban revolution, life and culture.

It was fascinating place for me. As Americans, we’re so cut off from Cuba, even though it’s only 90 miles from the tip of Florida. I had decided that music and rock and roll was a foolish endeavor and decided to something more conservative.”

“I almost immediately I fell into this incredibly vibrant art scene. I met a guy named Camilo Miranda, who still lives there. We co-wrote two songs that are on our debut record. He began introducing me to people and taking me to shows.

I actually formed a band while I was there, and played shows in Havana and other cities. I even did a little recording. Just being around the musicians down there was eye opening. They were so invested in their music. Their music wasn’t the only thing they did, but it was the thing that defined them.”

“I took a lot away from the experience; when I was playing music before, I was giving it a lot of effort but I was always on the fence as to if I was going to do music or something else. Cuba inspired the notion in me that this is what I really want and need to do and where I feel comfortable - around other musicians, in front of crowds, writing, playing and traveling. I also learned a lot about songwriting - authenticity and honesty in lyrics and songs - being brave and not being afraid to go places that you or the listener might

need to go, even if it’s frowned upon by society or isn’t cool in regard to progress or politics. That’s something a lot of Cuban, Trova style songwriters really embody. I miss it. We plan to go back and record a live album there after we release our second studio album.”

CVW: “According to the title of your second album, you performed Live at the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame?”

Osborne: “You would think so, but I’ve never been to Australia. SUSTO was not only birthed in Cuba, but in Charleston as well, where I lived with and met the rest of the members in the band.

There’s a house that’s about a block away from these storage units where we all record (our album was recorded in a storage unit by the way). We shared the house with members of other bands, producers and bartenders – about 12 people in all.

We just started calling it the ‘Australian Country Music Hall of Fame’ randomly. So after our first record came out, we wanted to an intimate live recording in the house where all the stories on the record happened. We recorded it in the living room. We were trying to keep it small - only 1520 people were invited, but Charleston is a small town, so word travels fast. There ended up being about 50 people there, which was fine. We had Ben Bridwell from Band of Horses there (because he’s from Charleston too) and he’s on the record.

We just called it, ‘Live from the Australian Country Music Hall of Fame.’ People in Australia started seeing it, and we ended up touring with some Australian artists here in the States. We actually send a lot of merchandise to Australia - we look forward to going there sometime in the future, but it’s cool how the name we gave to our house is now immortalized.”

CVW: “Where does the name SUSTO come from?”

Osborne: “When I was studying Latin American cultures, I learned about term susto; it is a folk illness found in the Latin America culture.

It might be translated as PTSD, or panic in North America. In the Catholic culture in Latin America, it’s considered spiritual trauma where your soul is separated from your body for an indefinite amount of time after going through a traumatic experience. This term and concept was just fascinating to me. We had this group of songs that started out as a studio project, and the album was supposed to be called, Susto. I felt that panic was sort of an underlying theme of the songs because I was in a lost place trying to find direction at the time. The name for that group of songs just became our band name. It continues to be a very fitting name for the band. It definitely embodies what our music and the search through life is about.”

CVW: “You’ve been fortunate to tour with some very relevant bands- case in point, Shovels and Rope. How did that come about and helped you on your path?”

Osborne: “Michael and Carry Ann are also from Charleston. Touring with them is its own beautiful thing to do because they are so gracious and good to us. We’re glad we can do shows with them and cross network fans, but what is really cool as a fellow Charlestonian, is seeing them pull themselves up and put themselves out in the country and become what they have in the last couple of years. It’s really inspiring and helps us do what we do. We saw Michael and Carry Ann make it. To see someone you know go through that process and come out successfully is so powerful.

It’s a big country and even bigger world that

BY LISA MORGAN

you’re trying to reach, but watching them makes you see that it is possible. I have so much love for both of them and their management team. They are all really great people.”

CVW: “So what was different this time around, re-entering the music industry that had chewed you up and spit you out before?”

Osborne: “Obviously the experience in Cuba was a big deal, but it was also finding the right people. I found myself in my mid-twenties surrounded by other people my age or older who had been trying to make it, and who collectively said, ‘You know what? We’re just going to do this.

We’re not going to let it get us down; we’re not going to quit and go do something else; even if

THE CIRCLE

May 5 to May 11, 2016

STAGECOACH

we do, we’re going to come back and be better at doing this.’ I think finding the right people who will push and inspire each other to be all in… well, I can’t put a price or value on that. That’s just something that is part of the Charleston music scene. It’s a very tight knit group of people making music in the same neighborhoods in the same storage units. That’s been a big thing.”

“Also, when our record came out, Ben from Band of Horses reached out to us and invited us to go on some shows with them and meet some people. I had one class left in college - one test and a paper to finish in earning my degree. I had to decide whether to do that, or finish booking a nationwide tour for myself. I went to my professor and said, ‘I thank you for everything. I listened to everything you taught me, but I’m not going to write this paper and I’m not going to show up for the exam. I am not going to get my degree - I don’t want it. I want this. From here on out I’m putting all my energy towards music.’ Funny thing is, he totally understood. He said, ‘You know, I can’t argue with that.’”

“It wasn’t one big moment but a series of things that lit up the path, not just for me but for my band mates too, and so here we are. We’re in a band, we’re travelling, we’re making music.”

You can follow SUSTO at facebook.com/ sustoisreal or at sustoisreal.com.

EVENTS

FEATURING SAMMY HAGAR, MICHAEL ANTHONY, JASON BONHAM & VIC JOHNSON SET TO ROCK FANTASY SPRINGS IN AUGUST

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ock & Roll Hall of Famer SAMMY HAGAR and his supergroup, THE CIRCLE, featuring Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson will be performing a blowout concert on Saturday, August 27th at The Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.

Led by Sammy Hagar, The Circle features Michael Anthony, the renowned rhythm section bassist who’s played alongside Hagar for the past 30 years in bands including Van Halen and Chickenfoot; Vic Johnson, Hagar’s longtime guitar virtuoso who seamlessly shreds through his own, as well as some of rock’s most iconic guitarist’s riffs; and Jason Bonham, the acclaimed drummer and son of iconic Led Zeppelin drummer, John Bonham.

Formed in 2014, the all-star group has thrilled both audiences and critics alike with their live concerts which see the foursome rip through a set list of 40 years of Hagar’s epic rock anthems including “Rock Candy,” “There’s Only One Way To Rock,” “Finish What Ya Started,” “Right Now” and “I Can’t Drive 55,” as well as some classic Led Zeppelin jams like “Whole Lotta Love,” “When the Levee Breaks” and “Moby Dick.” The band’s recently released live DVD, At Your Service, recorded during their first North American tour, debuted at #2 on SoundScan’s “Top DVD Music

Video” bestseller chart – a testament to the strength of the band’s live shows.

Critical praise for Sammy Hagar and The Circle: •“From the first thunderous notes of Led Zeppelin’s Good Times Bad Times, it’s apparent that this machine is firing on all cylinders.” - USA Today •“The Circle is a quartet capable of drawing upon some of the most indelible rock music of the last 40 years.” - The Fort Worth Star-Telegram •“Sammy Hagar comes full circle with new band.” - The Chicago Tribune •“Sammy Hagar and the Circle roar.” - Tampa Bay Times For more information, follow Sammy at www. redrocker.com.

Tickets for the 8pm Sammy Hagar and The Circle show on Saturday, August 27th, 2016 go on sale this Friday, May 6th for $109, $89, $69, and $49 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via telephone at 800-827-2946 or online at www.

FantasySpringsResort.com.

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY MORGAN JAMES

JEFFREY SCHOONOVER AKA “SCOONZ”

M

aking our dreams into a reality!

Isn’t this what we all wish to do? Realizing our dreams takes a huge leap of faith, a great sacrifice, or the courage to face our worries and fears. I recently read a Facebook post from Jeffrey Schoonover aka “Scoonz” declaring that he is quitting his day job as a pharmacy technician to go to audio engineering school in Los Angeles. I was inspired by this, so I contacted Scoonz to find out the details of his new plan. As we sat down, Scoonz opened up to share why he began rapping, what motivates his lyrics, the truth behind his new album, and his plan to pursuit his dream.

When I asked Scoonz about quitting his day job and moving to Los Angeles, he replied “Well that is the plan.” Scoonz laughed with a far off look in his eyes and went on to explain that he has most recently been partnering with Raquel Love aka “Raqstar” and continuing to rap as a duo called “2Tecs.” By day, Raqstar is a surgical technician, and Scoonz is a pharmacy technician. Both plan to start looking soon for a place to live in Los Angeles. Scoonz advised that he will get a job which has flexible hours to support himself so that he may attend the L.A. Film School in Hollywood and receive an education to become an audio technician. “It is not that I necessarily want to be an audio technician,” he explained, “I want to learn to mix, master, and produce my own music because I have to pay someone else for it now. I won’t graduate and then get a job working for someone else in L.A. Instead, with this knowledge, I hope to build my own label to showcase my music, play shows, then one day maybe sign other artists.”

2Tecs has already been playing shows and showcasing their music out of town as a duo. In fact they just opened for Spice1

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on April 29th at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, CA. In town, Scoonz advised that his next gig will be a charity fundraiser on May 12th with The Epoch Momentous at Plan B Live Entertainment & Cocktails in Thousand Palms, CA. Scoonz has an impressive rapping style. He spits out lyrics faster than most. I asked about his influences and if they have impressed upon him that style, or how it came about. “If it wasn’t for Tech N9ne I wouldn’t have the style that I have,” he replies. “There would be no Scoonz without Tech N9ne.” Scoonz also cites Twista and Eminem as influences of his music and lyrical style. He went on to say that when he began rapping five years ago he did not rap so quickly, but as time progressed so did his speed.

This was a big week for Scoonz as he not only opened up for Spice1, but released his album Socially Awkward. He explained that this album is five years in the making.

“The first song that I wrote came to me in a dream,” he said. “I had never rapped before. I had no idea that I would be good at rapping. The only thing I wrote prior to that was a suicide note. I was in a state of depression. Discovering music is what brought me out of it and saved my life.

When I wrote, I realized that I was good at it and it gave me something to look forward to doing.”

Scoonz continued to share his past and admit that “depression is an ongoing battle which I continue to treat with therapy and medication, but music makes me sane.” His album title Socially Awkward has rooted meaning in feeling like a loner in school as a child, never making friendships and having to learn social skills in his twenties, especially with girls. “Whether it is my depression or my detachment from others, anything that I go through in life, I can talk about and share through my music.”

Download a copy of Socially Awkward by Scoonz today on iTunes, Google, Amazon, or wherever you buy your music and see what all of the hype is about!

BACKSTAGE JAZZ

BY PATTE PURCELL

CLEER, POISED FOR GREATNESS

W

hat do Cleer, Prince, Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross and Barbara Streisand have in common? They all have the same vocal coach, Seth Riggs.

Who mentored Cleer on recording? None other than Dave Knight who also happens to be the genius master engineer for Quincy Jones and the man who engineered “Thriller” and “Purple Rain”.

My good friend Michael Matera who is a booking agent, called me up and suggested I take a look at a new artist for the jam. I watched some video of him and agreed this guy is something special. He mentioned a little about his background and I decided to do a column on him and include him in the next Celebrity Jazz Jam at Desert Willow.

His style is urban soul/jazz R&B. His smooth silky voice is reminiscent of some of the greats.

He’s a native of Scottsdale, Arizona and first came to LA as a fashion designer of men’s and women’s clothing. He designed for Bill Blass. He designed clothing for celebrities including Ava Gabor and Gayle Fisher (Peggy on Mannix).

He left an extremely promising career in design to pursue his real love, music. He was taken under the wing of Dave Knight who introduced him to the nuances of recording. In the same studio were 2 other artists. One of them was Prince, the other was Kimo Hornwell (Hiroshima keyboardist and arranger) who also mentored him.

His entry into the recording world was eased by Terry Steele who wrote “Here and Now” for Luther Vandross. Then he met Seth Riggs the vocal coach. Cleer auditioned

and Seth told him he had ‘perfect pitch’ and wanted to coach him personally.

He recorded his first song “Just Can’t Wait” and started radio play when he got a call from Georgie Porgie a dance mix devo who flew him to Chicago to do a dance club version which introduced him to that side of the industry. It had a ‘Silent release’ on Promo Only and was an instant hit.

Ultimately he decided that his passion was in the traditional vocals so he continued to hone his voice and to establish his brand.

He was introduced to Mickey Stevens, a former VP at Motown, who brought in Dick Scott of Motown, who told him ‘you have something but you need to work on it.’

Scott’s clients included George Benson, En Vogue, Boys to Men, and New Edition. He discovered Cleer and he was working with him when he passed away suddenly.

Cleer is poised for greatness.

He’s recorded “What You Won’t Do for Love,” the Bobby Caldwell hit, and launched it to radio where it blew up and debuted at #38 on the urban R&B Billboard charts. It hit the top 40s on 130 radio stations where it was heard by over 17 million listeners. It’s also done exceptionally well in the UK. He will soon be coming out with a new single “Are You Willing.”

You can contact Cleer by contacting his agent Michael Matera (818-599-1900).

To see Cleer up close and personal he will be performing at the Celebrity Jazz Jam at Desert Willow Golf Resort on Monday, May 16, from 6-9. There will be an artist ‘Meet and Greet’ at 5:30 if you’d like to speak with him. For tickets visit www.purplepass.com/ celebrityjazzjam5

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

CV WEEKLY HEAD MUSIC WRITER’S MOST MEMORABLE STAGECOACH 2016 MOMENTS

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y the time I hit the grounds of Stagecoach, my work as a CV Weekly writer is pretty much done (and has most likely tried to kill me). The intensive, deadline motivated endeavor of trying to get interviews from performers months before via their management/publicists, researching them in order to conduct an interview that hopefully sounds like I know what I’m doing, transcribing the recordings and fitting fascinating life stories (some decades in the making) and their pearls of wisdom into a an article that is under 2000 words is behind me.

I am deeply grateful for all of it, but listening to the artists live is my reward.

There were the performances I would consider moments of a lifetime, right up there with last year’s Stagecoach experience of seeing Steve Earle and the late, great Merle Haggard (it still stings to write that word, “late”). I’ll just let you know right now, the appearance of Snoop Dogg was not one of those.

I watched “Dale Watson – the Great Ameripolitan” sing and play with richness, apparently just too much for our condensed, “made for iTunes” digital recordings. With the ease of scratching an itch, amazing music poured out of his Euro studded guitar and George Jones infused voice, and of course he had stellar musicians on stage with him. He had told me in our interview the week before that there should be a Mount Rushmore for country music, and Merle Haggard’s face should be carved into it; so it was only fitting that the amazing, mandolin wielding Marty Stuart made him come up on stage with him to play a tribute to “The Hag” during his show.

Billy Joe Shaver didn’t let me down either.

With fire in his eyes, his love for the music and those of us listening to it outshined his obvious pain when he tried to put his guitar over his shoulder that he refuses to take time off to fix. He set the guitar back down before he got half way through the song. It didn’t stop him from throwing air punches and kicks to his iconic songs along with a couple of pelvic thrusts. I knew I was standing in front of one of the most resilient, positive and most influential men in the genre, and quite possibly one of the more flirtations of his age and gender. Having him there was a gift. I walked past Southern rock artist, Leroy Powell, on his way to catch Mr. Shaver, a bucket list show for him and many of the artists playing Stagecoach.

Robert Earle King and his mighty band were absolutely delicious, starting off with my favorite song, “Feelin’ Good Again.” But my world stopped for Emmylou Harris. I managed to work my vertically challenged, 5 foot 3 inches self to the front row. As I waited for Emmylou to come on stage, none other than our own high desert treasure, Victoria Williams, stepped up behind me. She had been given an Artist wrist band by Emmylou herself, giving her all access back stage, but she wanted to watch her friend from the “cheap seats” with me. The sound of Emmylou’s voice was otherworldly, and the harmonies, percussion, bass and guitars were spun silk. While it was obvious they were all struggling with the sound that was coming out of their stage monitors, you couldn’t tell from what the audience was given. There were moments the floating vocals and expertly crafted arrangements brought me to tears. I wondered how it could get any better.

In retrospect, it didn’t, but it got surprisingly good, like a delicious dessert tray after a perfect meal.

SUSTO, a band I’d had the pleasure of interviewing the week before was playing at the top of Saturdays schedule at the Mustang Stage. I had already fallen in love with their recordings and the story behind their birth, but hearing them live owned me. The soaring pedal steel sounds that were squeezed out of the lead guitar atop of a music bed that had no business being so good from guys so young would have been enough. But the well-crafted, honest lyrics sung by a voice that drove feelings into your chest like a scalpel, made perfect sense of the fact that lead singer, Justin Osborne, left college, only one paper and one exam away from a degree in Anthropology to pursue this life of music (see my full article on SUSTO in this issue).

I caught Jamestown Revival mid-harmony in a beautiful rendition of “Silver Wings” in honor of Merle Haggard. But I was compelled to leave them early in order to catch an act that had somehow flown under my radar previously. It turned out to be the deepest and most fulfilling show of my day. I walked back into the Mustang Stage as Madisen Ward, a young man in his mid-twenties/early thirties was mid song, singing in a soprano that would stop Aaron Neville in his tracks, only to have him follow it up with another song showcasing a rich and unique but mostly soulful baritone. Next to him was the “Mama

BY LISA MORGAN Bear.” Everything this grandmother-esque woman did was masterfully done, gentle and seasoned by a soul practiced in the art of real life. You instantly loved every sound that dripped off of her guitar and voice. She was so comfortable in her own skin; I wanted to be in it myself. Backed by bass and drums that had as much feel and intuition as they did technique, the experience of Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear gave me something I didn’t even know I’d lost or hungered for. This roots blossomed alternative country/blues mother and son performance was an act of love. I felt at times that their music tenderly touched places in me I didn’t even know needed their healing gift’s attention. I would drive many many miles to be in the presence of this ensemble again.

Day three brought me to Amanda Shires, wife of Grammy winning Americana singer/ songwriter, Jason Isbell. She left no doubt about what made Isbell fall in love with his new baby mama. Her voice was sweet perfection just like the amazing voice she gave to her violin. Her sweet nature was so organic, even in the way she spoke to her band as if we couldn’t hear everything she said, was endearing. Sadly, in the middle of an absolutely stellar performance of one of her last songs, the power went out. She sweetly and graciously promised to be back, unruffled or disturbed by the unfortunate event whatsoever. She’s a keeper.

I left Shires to see the child Phenom, Emisunshine, at the neighboring stage, realizing by the comments of the vendors along the way, that the power outage did not just affect the Palomino Stage where Shires was performing. Walking into the Mustang Stage, I found myself directly behind Emisunshine performing an acoustic set for an excited crowed pressed in all around her. Her young yet commanding voice soared over the crowd as they hung just as tightly to every note as they did their phones and cameras, forever capturing them.

Photographers, including CV Weekly’s go to guys, Scott Pam and Chris Miller, were on the scene, expertly seizing the moment - Pam as Emisunshine’s personal photographer for the event, and Chris Miller for Goldenvoice.

As the first song ended and the grateful astonished crowed cheered, Emi’s beyondher-years eyes (like everything else about this 11 year old girl) immediately searched and locked onto her family member with information as to whether or not to return to the stage. Within seconds, she confidently

May 5 to May 11, 2016

STAGECOACH

turned back toward her audience and started into a second song, after which she returned to the stage. She delightfully segued into the rest of her performance with, “Can y’all hear me out there?” Songs that locked my knees were “I Am Able” – a song that could inspire the most down and out person you know, to get up off the couch and give it another go.

Then there was a song (forgive me for not knowing or being able to find the title) where she sweetly sings a story of a man who didn’t quite experience the American dream like he was promised, along with other examples of folks who were disparaged. “But go ahead and buy your big house…” she sang at the chorus, with the gentle but deep conviction of a wise old woman sewing the truth into your heart. She left us all convinced that maybe we could do with a little less and do a little more for others, just before closing with a bad ass version of “Me and Bobby Magee.”

One thing was crystal clear to me this year; I am hungry for musical offerings that fill the holes and heal the battle scars, and I am not alone. This year, it wasn’t so much about the getting truck drunk and naked kind of country music. It was more of a collection of genuine hearts spinning some real positivity into a world that has been rocked by appalling attacks, and a political circus that has few confident that we are safe or that we’re heading in the right direction. We had a lot more salt of the earth on all the stages this year it semes, and I for one, am extremely encouraged and inspired.

9

May 5 to May 11, 2016

CONSIDER THIS

RICK SPRINGFIELD

A

nyone who starts off a career as a Teen Idol is almost always guaranteed a brief burst of world dominion followed by a lifetime of obsolescence. Even with the most gifted teenage musician, for their fans, talent takes a backseat to good looks. For every Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake who transcends the teen idol label, there are hundreds of forgotten artists still trying to gain a foothold in the Rock & Roll firmament.

When David Cassidy signed on to play the lead in the “Partridge Family,” he had been a struggling actor-musician whose tastes leaned toward Jimi Hendrix and Cream.

He won fame and fortune playing treacly hits like “I Think I Love You” and spent the next 40 years trying live that down. (The crushed velvet pantsuits and puka shell necklaces didn’t enhance his credibility), but he managed to carve out a career in show business.

Donny Osmond spent most of the ‘70s on top of the charts, either solo, with his brothers or his sister Marie. He parlayed his clean-cut charm into co-starring with Marie on theirown variety show. But the teenyboppers that squealed and rocked the bleachers when the Osmonds headlined Angel Stadium, were now jaded teens rolling their eyes at the cornball antics of the “Donny & Marie” show.

By the late ‘80s, Donny released a very credible single, “Soldier Of Love” that sandwiched nicely on the radio between hits by the Pet Shop Boys and George Michael.

It hit # 2 on the charts, but that’s because it was marketed as a “mystery single.”

Donny’s identity wasn’t revealed until the song found solid footing on the charts.

Rick Springfield went through similar trials and tribulations trying to eradicate his tawdry Teen Idol past. Most people became familiar with him in 1981, when he played a doctor on the most popular soap opera on the planet, “General Hospital.” But he first made a splash in the early ‘70s on the pages of Flip, Spec, 16 and Tiger Beat.

Rick, (ne’ Richard Lewis Springthorpe),

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

10

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

“ROCKET SCIENCE” (FRONTIERS RECORDS)

was born in Australia in 1949. His father was a career military man and the family moved a lot. To combat loneliness, Rick sought solace in books and music, learning guitar at 13. A year later he saw the Beatles and had an epiphany; music would be his career.

He cycled through a series of bands before finding success in Zoot.

The band had some minor hits in Australia before breaking up. Rick recorded his solo debut, Beginnings, in London, before relocating to the U.S. He released his first single, “Speak To The Sky” in 1972.

The track peaked at #14 on the Billboard Top 100, and soon Rick’s pretty/handsome looks found a home in teen magazines alongside other “fave raves” like David, Donny, Michael Jackson and the Brady Bunch Boys.

Rick actually starred as himself (albeit in animated form), in a Saturday morning cartoon called “Mission Magic,” writing and performing a song for each episode.

He released more albums in the ‘70s, but neither teeny-boppers or adults paid attention. Luckily by 1981 he was playing Dr. Noah Drake on “General Hospital.”

He recorded his fifth album, Working Class Dog at (the now infamous) Sound City.

Ironically, when it was released, naysayers assumed he was a TV star trying to jump on the music bandwagon. In reality, that album was a cogent Power-Pop gem, boosted by his television success, but sustained by excellent songs and sharp production. The first single, “Jessie’s Girl” went to #1 on the charts and even won a Grammy for Best Rock Vocal Performance.

The rest of his ‘80s output, Success Hasn’t Spoiled Me Yet, Living In Oz, Hard To Hold, Beautiful Feelings, Tao and Rock Of Life never scaled the artistic heights of ...Dog, but they were all wildly successful.

Although he was offered a part in “The Right Stuff,” Rick chose to star in the movie “Hard To Hold.” The plot was sort of a mash up of “A Star Is Born” and “An Officer And A Gentleman.” Seriously, at the end of the movie, his spoiled Rock star character joins the Navy.

Through the ‘90s, Rick cut back on touring and performing, preferring to concentrate on family. He occasionally acted in television and on Broadway, but didn’t record a new album until Karma, arrived in 1999. Luckily, his fans remained steadfast, and were rewarded in the new millennium, when he began touring and recording more frequently.

Not only did he release albums of new, original material like “shock/denial/anger/ acceptance,” Venus In Overdrive and Songs For The End Of The World, but he also recorded albums of Christmas songs, Kids music and his favorite songs by other artists.

Rick’s profile was raised considerably in 2013, with his participation in the “Sound City” documentary.

Dave Grohl’s film, celebrated the hole-

in-the-wall Van Nuys studio that spawned countless hit records from 1969 until it closed in 2011. The doc was funny and heartfelt throughout, it included testimonies and anecdotes from superstars like Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty and Neil Young. But it was Rick’s sincere, and almost tearful confession, that new management convinced him to abandon Sound City owner (and his mentor), Joe Gottfried, which added a moment of gravitas to the proceedings.

By 2015, Rick Springfield was appearing alongside Meryl Streep in a lead role for the Jonathan Demme movie, “Ricki And The Flash.” Ironically, he played Meryl’s love interest and guitarist in her bar band. During filming, workaholic Rick spent his off hours with his longtime collaborator, bassist Matt Bissonette. The result is his 19th solo album, Rocket Science.

The record kicks into gear with “Light This Party Up.” The opening notes are muscular guitar riffs accented by urgent cowbell, (everyone can use a little more cowbell). But what follows is a tone-deaf, generic rocker that insists “It’s time to cowboy-up.” Ick. Unfortunately, the opening number is indicative of the problems that plague this album. On the surface, the songs are pleasant enough, but dig a little deeper, and there’s no there there.

Take, for instance “Down,” a track cowritten by Jay DeMarcus from the superstar Country act, Rascal Flats. The melody is earnest and obliging, powered by jangly guitars, sprightly keys and a mid-tempo rhythm. But lyrics like “Here nobody leaves without a scar, the deepest cuts will make you who are” feel less like an observation and more like a collection of affirmations.

Both “Let Me In” and “That One” straddle the line between bland ‘70s AOR and sterile C&W. The former is a milquetoast lament to a faltering relationship. The tune is swathed in layers of instrumentation, banjo, pedal steel and a guitar solo that Smooth Jazz fans might find “tasty.”

On the latter, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a duplicitous jezebel. Sputtering synths collide with more banjo, rippling guitar riffs and an anvil chorus that recalls the faux Western excess of Bon Jovi’s “Wanted, Dead Or Alive.”

A few songs begin promisingly. “Miss Mayhem” starts off a swampy, stompy, groover, but tart banjo notes are quickly

eclipsed by a bludgeoning chorus. It feels as though two songs were stitched together by a drunken Dr. Frankenstein. “(I Wish I Had A) Concrete Heart” takes a killer hook and then overpowers it with lush, overdubbed vocals, synthesized strings and sugary guitars. But the good news is “Found” is actually a heartfelt, Countrified charmer, played in ¾ Waltz time.

The worst songs here take half-baked ideas and wrap them in over-cooked arrangements. “Pay It Forward,” has nothing to do with the shite Kevin Spacey film, but it’s still pretty abysmal. It really works at being an urgent anthem espousing a “random act of kindness” ethos. The instrumentation is awash in guitars, banjos, mandolins, pedal steel and fiddles. Rick’s vocals are buttressed by a lot of “Whoa-ho-ho” backing vocals, but to paraphrase Shakespeare, it’s a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

Both “Crowded Solitude” and “All Hands On Deck” offer a slick blend of Celtic blarney and cornpone Country. On “Crowded..,” sawing fiddles crest over a “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” martial cadence.

Paradoxically, as the lyrics bemoan the lack of “quiet interludes in this crowded solitude,” the meaning is buried in an avalanche of gimmicky dross.

“All Hands...” is a jingoistic battle cry, a well-meaning ode to his adopted homeland, America. Unfortunately, the lyrics are full of heavy-handed symbolism like “From the mountains to the fertile plains, with the pulse of lightning in our veins/Hallelujah strike the band in hopes we will survive this shipwreck, call all hands on deck.”

The closing track, “Earth To Angel” bares a passing resemblance to Tom Cochrane’s driving, early ‘90s hit “Life Is a Highway.”

(Coincidently covered by Rascal Flats about 10 years ago). The lyrics attempt some uplift; “In this world of frustration you need affirmation, love needs no translation,” but the whole song feels contrived.

The most frustrating aspect of this album is that buried beneath the paint-by-numbers arrangements and surfeit of instrumentation are good songs. Had they been presented in a stripped-down format, just drums, bass, guitar and vocals, the true melodicism might have had a chance to shine through.

Rick Springfield will most likely bounce back from this career hiccup. The selfdeprecating liner notes that he wrote for the album, display a knowing sense of humor.

Thankfully, he didn’t go full-frontal Hootie becoming one of those desperate Rock stars that makes a Country record.

As it is, the songs on Rocket Science sound like the music you hear at the dentist’s office while you’re waiting for a tooth to get numb.

Facile, over-eager and underwhelming. It’s pleasant enough, until the novacaine wears off.

ART SCENE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

May 5 to May 11, 2016

BY REBECCA PIKUS

DONALD SPENCER

P

ainter Donald Spencer was born into an artistically gifted family, who were also master tradesmen and excellent athletes. Spencer is yet another great artist who has ultimately found his way to the Palm Springs art scene via several journeys -- from Cleveland, Ohio, where he attended Ohio Wesleyan University, to New York City, to Philadelphia, back to NYC and New Jersey, and eventually to Palm Springs, CA. While at OWU, he studied classic art, but found himself drawn to abstract art. In 1968, he was invited to study painting in NYC under Museum sponsorship at the Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC. As a 21 year old artist just arriving on the avant grade art scene in NYC, Spencer was fortunate enough to have many prominent art figures visit his studio: Helen Frankenthaler, Richard Artscwager, Robert Morris, Dan Flavin, art author & dealer Richard Bellamy, Gary Bower, and the Dean of NYU Graduate Art Dept. Jerome Hausman. He started to develop an affinity for the works of Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, composer John Cage and choreographer Merce Cunningham.

Shortly before Spencer was slated to serve in the Vietnam War, he was offered to participate in an off-campus arts apprenticeship program with the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA). His teaching job was to assist the new director, Richard Wengenroth, to establish and run the New York Fine Arts Program.

What followed were more associations with sculptor Joel Shapiro and friend Joel Fisher, whose works were later included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. In 1968, he exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art. In 1969-1973, he was an administrator and instructor in the New York City Fine Arts Program. Spencer went on over the years to have One-Man Shows in Soho, NYC, Marion Locks Gallery in Philadelphia, & Langhorne Art Gallery in Pa. He then was appointed Administrator of the Rockefeller Panel Study and Report on the

Importance of the Arts to American Education.

From 1982-2007 his career shifted to building and operating cultural Foundations, and later forming Spencer & Co., an international business development consulting firm. In 2007, he came full circle to revisit his first “Grid Series” and with advanced technical experiments his “Reconciliation Series.”

His brilliant use of color and energy within the confines of a canvas can be seen in his painting: “Labyrinth” currently on exhibit at Rebecca Fine Art Gallery. It has become a showstopper!

All roads eventually led Donald Spencer to Palm Springs, Ca. where he continues to be amazingly successful and prolific in his art.

He is an accomplished Painter, Photographer, Printmaker, Scholar, Teacher, Consultant, and avid Golfer, and continues to produce magnificent artworks in his Studio in Rancho Mirage, Ca. His life’s work and achievements couldn’t be richer!

Donald Spencer, “Visually Speaking Color & Light” Exhibit curated by Joe Novak, at REBECCA FINE ART GALLERY, 68895 Perez Rd, #7, Cathedral City, Ca (760) 534-5888 Fineartvortex.com - Gallery Open Wed-Sat, 11am-4pm or By Appointment.

11

May 5 to May 11, 2016

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

BACCHUS, A MIRACLE REHOMING

S

ometimes dogs, like people, become better and happier in a new environment. Sometimes dogs, like people, take on the attitude of the humans they live with.

Bacchus’ life story did not start out well.

He was born on a cold December night on the cement floor at the Riverside County Animal shelter in Riverside. His mother was a beautiful pure bred Bichon, mislabeled as “fearful” by the shelter staff not realizing the dog was about to give birth. Loving All Animals was looking for a rescue Bichon for adopter Doris Hale. A surprise awaited when I went to rescue the Bichon.....she was in a basket with four nursing puppies less than a day old!

The beautiful puppies were posted on Loving all Animals website asking “Whose the Daddy?” as none of them looked like their mother now named Valentine. Puppies are easy to adopt, and soon Bacchus, Cupid, Romeo, and Juliet went to new homes. However, all was not well with Bacchus in his home, and Loving All Animals received an email about his “issues” nine months later.

I was on the phone with Bacchus’ owner for an hour discussing her myriad of complaints about the dog. Loving All Animals offers support and training consultation to help our folks keep their pet. But this family had clearly

decided they wanted Bachus gone. They said Bacchus was “out of control,” periodically went into a “trance like state,” growled, attempted to bite them, chewed everything up, and urinated all over the house. They said the local dog training class would not admit him after hearing of his “issues”. Most private rescue organizations have a policy to accept return of a dog, ensuring their animals don’t end up back at the pound.

How could we possibly find a foster home for a dog with so many problems? I had no idea what to expect when Bacchus was brought back. Bacchus appeared to be a happy animal, seemingly unconcerned when his owner drove away forever. Bacchus did well on our first temperament test, a trip to pet friendly PetSmart. Next stop was the dog park, where I carefully tested Bacchus’ reaction to the canines and the people. Bacchus played happily, and showed no sign of aggression.

Loving All Animals’ volunteer Cheryl Miller and her husband Jerry had lost their beloved dog Kramer. Still grieving, they thought fostering might be a good way to have a dog without the obligation. They agreed to take a dog that might need special help. Bacchus wisely greeted them both with kisses. Jerry teasingly asked his wife, “Are you going to fall for this one?” Soon Cheryl and I looked out the

window to spot Jerry playfully wrestling on the ground in the back yard with Bacchus.

We will never know for sure what Bacchus’ behavior was like with his first family. However, he has never shown aggression or gone into a “trance” with the Millers.

Cheryl explains, “Bacchus has a way of looking at both of us that touched our hearts.

It’s almost like he was pleading with us to just give him a chance, so we did.” The Millers credit Bacchus’ participation in a dog training class taught by Sandy Miller for Loving All Animals’ fosters. Cheryl adds, “If he was allowed to be the Alpha, Bacchus would be a different dog.

The training has made him happier and more secure.” Bacchus was the star pupil in the class, an intelligent dog eager to learn new behaviors,

SWEET SCARLETT Scarlett O’Hara, a beautiful 1-yr-old survivor, seeks a new mansion where she can love her “furrever” family. Rescued by ForeverMeow, contact (760) 335-6767.

MEET FLAME Flame will light up your life with joy! This 3-yrold Papillon tri-color boy will make an active and affectionate companion.

Rescued by Loving All Animals. (760) 834-7000

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a special dog now in his forever home adopted by the Millers.

There was yet another surprise turn in Bacchus’ life. Shortly after he was returned to LAA, the family who adopted Bacchus’ sibling Cupid lost their home and returned that dog as well. The Millers’ neighbors across the street fell in love with Bacchus. When the Dutton’s heard about Cupid, they jumped at the chance to adopt her. Bacchus was peeking out the window when his sister arrived, and it was an exhilarating moment when the two dogs were reunited. The two now enjoy happy play dates.

Did Bacchus really have the serious behavior problems his first owners described?

Were there some problems in that home that the dog was reacting to? Why did his change so dramatically in a new loving home? Bacchus’ most serious problem now is snatching Jerry’s socks from the laundry room. Lots of love and good training have brought Bacchus a happy ending. As Cheryl describes it, “Once they touch your heart, how do you give them back?

Bacchus is a wonderful addition to our family.”

To contact dog trainer Sandy Miller call (760) 360-4085 or email tendortutor@msn.com. For information about rescue animals or becoming a foster parent, contact Loving All Animals at lovingallanimals.org or 760) 776-9397. jmcafee7@verizon.net

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE VINO VOICE

FIRST GAMBERO ROSSO EVENT AT RITZ-CARLTON

I

t’s funny—but for so many American wine enthusiasts, it’s hard for them to wrap their mind around the name of one of the world’s most prestigious wine rating guides around: Gambero Rosso—which literally means “red prawn”.

For more than twenty years, Gambero Rosso has been a leader in Italy’s food and wine sector. In its efforts to promote Italian culinary excellences, it offers a variety of courses on food and wine for every level of expertise and also organizes a number of international events, inviting only select prize winning companies to participate.

Alongside the Italian monthly, Gambero Rosso Wine Travel Food is the international magazine in English, read by experts, epicures and wine enthusiasts everywhere.

And as opposed to a “100 point” or “five stars” system, Gambero rates wine with a “glass of wine” symbol to denote excellence: “Three Glasses”—better known in Italian and around the world as “Tre Bicchieri” [tray beekee-AIR-ee], “guarantees premium quality.”

As mentioned above, Gambero organizes a number of international events. In my memory, the impressive events have been held only in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

So I’m very proud to report that for the first time in our Coachella valley Gambero Rosso recently teamed with the Palm Springs Life Festival and the Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage to produce the stellar two day wine tasting and culinary event titled, In Vino Veritas (In Wine there is Truth).

Well the truth is—our desert rarely sees such an array of premium Italian wines under one roof. Actually, most of the wines presented can be labeled as “over the top”. All of the wines were curated by Gambero Rosso, which included 30 of the most distinguished Italian wineries and winemakers, who were also on-site to personally present their best wines.

Ritz-Carlton’s Executive Chef, Bruno Lopez, was on hand as well, preparing multicourse wine pairing luncheons and a dinner during the two day affair that included all of your favorite vino d’Italia. Certainly Antinori comes to mind, and indeed that wine was served with the dishes. Let’s hope and pray that there will be a second Gambero Rosso event in our valley soon.

So much great wine at this event to talk about—and as you readers know, we do our very fair share of covering Italian wine. But one vino d‘Italia that amazingly gets so little press here in the US, is Franciacorta [Frahncha-Core-tah]. Only one winery producer was present featuring Franciacorta: Ferghettina— who brought to the tasting their top of-theline wine: Brut, Milledi Brut & Rosé Brut.

If you haven’t guessed already, Franciacorta is a sparkler. (For the record— other nice whites and under-appreciated red wines are also made.) Produced in Lombardy, it has built itself the reputation for making

Italy’s best metodo classico. It’s a bubbly that sees itself on par with the best Champagne Houses.

Actually it’s very French in the manner it’s fashioned. As just stated—it uses the méthode champenoise style—that secondary fermentation taking place in the bottle, and, the wines of Franciacorta are made also with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero). These vines may not be native to this northeast area of Italy—north of Milano, but the grapes have been growing there since the Napoleonic times.

Critics from everywhere in the world (except maybe France!) agree that Franciacorta is the bubbly bomb! And adding to the assessment is the fact that a great bottle of Franciacorta goes for around $150

May 5 to May 11, 2016

BY RICK RIOZZA as opposed to $300+ high end Champagne.

“Every day” French Champagne can go for around $30 to $70; Franciacorta sells for around the same prices, but—as the critics continue to say, it tastes like a $100 French.

The predominant claim about Franciacorta is that it has all the tasty French Champagne notes of apples, bread, chalk, citrus, cream, minerals, nuts, smoke spices and spice— without, that over-the-top lemony taste.

Of course, that’s all really up to you and your palate. But do remember this sparkler next time you’re up for a fun patio party. It’s a very sexy quaff—clearly delicious, and as you always seem to pull it off, your wine maven status bumps up.

The Ferghettina non-vintage Brut sells for less than $30—that’s a great deal. Check out the selection over at Total Wine & More in Palm Desert, totalwine.com/ 760.346.2029

By the way—if the name Gambero Rosso has been kicking around your head as you’ve been reading this article, you have reason to.

Those fans of The Adventures of Pinocchio (from the Italian novel: Le avventura di Pinocchio) will remember those two conniving characters, the Fox and the Cat, (la volpe e il gatto) who pretended to sport disabilities— the Fox lameness and the Cat blindness, were always leading poor Pinocchio astray.

They even attempted to kill him. They take Pinocchio to the Osteria del Gambero Rosso—the Red Prawn Inn, where they eat big and leave the bill for Pinocchio to pay.

Later, in disguise, they try to hang Pinocchio, but he escapes. Anyway, near the end of the book, Pinocchio encounters the Fox and the Cat again when looking for a place for Geppetto to recuperate. This time, the pair have become impoverished, whereas the Fox is now truly lame, nearly hairless, and tailless (the Fox had to chop off his own tail to sell for money), and the Cat now truly blind. ♬Che dice Volpe?♬ [kay-deechay-vol-pay] What Does the Fox Say? ♬…

Rick is your somm-about-town working wine events & tastings, and now can’t get that tune out of his head. Contact winespectrum@ aol.com

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

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­­­THUR MAY 5 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co. 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Alex Harrington 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Francesca Amari Jazz Trio 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Dancing & DJ 9pm open 6pm-2am THE BLOCK; CC; 760-832-7767 Open Mic Hosted by Robert Poole 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Entertainment 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-770-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Barry Baughn and Bob Gross 6:30pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760365-6633 Open Mic Night 7pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Night 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ TBA 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Quiet Life 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 The Legends Residency w/ 8pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Sharon Sills 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 DJ Dracer’s Cinco De Mayo Show 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T-Bone Karaoke 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Anthony DiGerlando Show 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Carolyn Martinez Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Laurie Morvan Band 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 8pm

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FRI MAY 6 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Dude Jones 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Mind Meld w/ DJ sets by Permanent Records 10pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 The Gilmore & Bryan Show 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Fleet Easton 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 TBA 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm Open 6pm-2am BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 Lady Eris 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 TBA 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Gina Carey 7pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Mystic Avalanche Entertainment Presents Hollace and Blackwater 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Mike Watt and The Secondmen, Law, The Kathys and Venus & The Traps 8pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Blue 62 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Thee Champagne Band 9pm

THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Agave Bluesmasters 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Mariachi El Bronx 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Jason Graae 7pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 The Deep Ones 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo & Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Meet The Corwins 5:30-7:30pm, John Stanley King 8pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 5:30pm

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WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 TBA 9pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 TBA 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Thee Champagne Band 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888& Bill 6:30pm 999-1995 Dylan & Melina ft. The Experience 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ 9pm T-Bone 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Tasty Wavs 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm noon poolside, A Modern Comfort 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; Michael Keeth 12-3pm IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 8-1:15am Cabaret Open Mic 7:30pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm 7:30pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 TBA 9pm 4080 Southbound & Co. 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760Dancing 9pm open 6pm-2am 345-0222 Roadrunners 6:30pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-775PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 5566 DJ 9pm Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Four Tet, Andy BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey Stott and Ben UFO 6:30pm 6-10pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; Karaoke 7:30pm PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Tuzzolino 5:30pm Karaoke 9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Francesca Baker 6pm Amari 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Hunter & The Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm Dirty Jacks 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth 1199 DJ 9pm 7-10pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND ; 800Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm 827-2946 Thank You,Drive Thru and Queen FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Nation (Queen Tribute) 7:30pm Jack Ruvio 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 TBA Brothers 8pm 8:30pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm Blues 8-11pm HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 CV Music SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S Showcase Finals w/ Razor J & The Blades, MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens Wicked Jed, Monreaux, Bridger and Murkocet 8-11pm 7pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Lisa Lynn & CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby The Country Gentlemen 9pm Furgo 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760James 6pm 345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm

SAT MAY 7

May 5 to May 11, 2016

SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 TBA 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 The Carolyn Martinez Show 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm TRYST; PS; 760-832-6046 Gutter Candy 9pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 The Carmens 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 8pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

SUN MAY 8 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo and Steve Lester 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Aaron Castle noon poolside, Slacker Sunday w/ DJ Kave-In 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mother’s Day Brunch w/ Doug MacDonald and Francesca Amari 11:30am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Motown, R&B and Funk 6pm-2am continue to page 20

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

SCREENERS

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BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

No. 211

TWO TOP BIG SCREEN PICKS

A

s summer looms, warmer weather teases us with the welcome excuses to enjoy a fun movie in a cool theater.

Regular readers know how much I loved director John Favreau’s thrilling, nearly transcendent and fully immersive (in stunning 3D) “JUNGLE BOOK.” Kipling’s beloved, fun and heartwarming story comes alive like never before in a richly nuanced and surprisingly emotional epic that demands to be seen on the biggest screen available. Also tremendously satisfying is the wonderfully entertaining “ELVIS & NIXON.” I expected an acerbic and subversive piece of pop-culture satire and was not disappointed. Both movies continue to play in the CV and are worth the trip to the theater and not just on a hot day.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: Twilight Time Movies continues to cater to the film buff and collector with their beautiful BD transfers of older titles not otherwise available in any format.

I’ll continue to highlight some of these sought-after movies as they become

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available. All are limited editions of only 3,000 units and they sell out quickly. Go to twilighttimemovies.com or screenarcvhives. com for more info.

THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTFOOT (1974) Back by popular demand after an initial sell-out, Clint Eastwood and Jeff Bridges costar in writer director Michael Cimino’s deft feature film debut. Critics and audiences embraced this tough, well-written crisp vulgar crime comedy caper. Eastwood plays a typically laconic loner a big-time thief in hiding who hooks up with a goody young drifter (Jeff Bridges). The action starts with an attempted escape from former partners and then joining forces with them to pull off a risky robbery. Eastwood and Bridges deliver a touching portrait of masculine friendship. Beautifully shot in Montana’s breathtaking Big Sky country by Frank Stanley and featuring a fitting score by Eastwood regular Dee Barton, this fun and satisfying diversion is worth considering for the digital library. Twilight Time Movies.

Blu-ray.

EXODUS (1960) Based on the Leon Uris best seller, this finely-crafted and visually dazzling account of the late-1940s creation of the state of Israel is passionately directed by Otto Preminger and adapted by Dalton Trumbo.

The all-star cast includes – Paul Newman, Eva Marie Saint, Ralph Richardson. Peter Lawford, Sal Mineo, Jill Haworth, Lee j.

Cobb, David Opatshu and John Derek – in a sprawling, relevant and emotional narrative driven by the Academy Award©--winning music (available as a separate audio track) of the great Ernest Gold. Twilight Time Movies. Blu-ray (limited edition of only 3000 units).

ANASTASIA (1956) This engaging historical drama tells the tale of a damaged amnesiac (Ingrid Bergman, an Oscar®-winner for her performance) who may or may not be the lost Romanoff princess, Anastasia. She becomes the accomplice (willing or not?) of a charming White Russian general (Yul Brynner) in a plot to swindle a boatload of money out of the grieving Dowager Empress Marie Feodorovna (Helen Hayes).

At stake: not just money, but the putative Anastasia’s emotional sanity. Directed by Anatole Litvak, produced by Buddy Adler, and featuring a memorable and majestic score by Alfred Newman, available as an isolated track.

Besides Ingrid Bergman, Yul Brynner and Helen Hayes, the great cast includes Akim Tamiroff, Martita Hunt, Felix Aylmer and Natlalie Schafer. Twilight Time Movies. Bluray. (Limited Edition) ALEXANDER THE GREAT (1956) From writer-director-producer Robert Rossen comes this truly epic story starring the sometimes oddly effeminate but always mellifluous Richard Burton as the greatest warrior-leader of the ancient world. The all-star cast that includes Claire Bloom, the immortal Fredric March, Danielle Darrieux, Michael Hordern, Stanley Baker, Peter Cushing and Harry Andrews. The spectacular score from the gifted Mario Nascimbene hugely enhances the largescale production. Twilight Time Movies. Bluray (Limited Edition).

BOOK REVIEW

IMPOSSIBLE LOVE

-----------------------------------------------------

“GIRL IN THE MOONLIGHT”

BY CHARLES DUBOW FICTION

----------------------------------------------------f you have ever been in love – head over heels in love – you are lucky.

Maybe even blessed to feel something so powerful, strange and magical. But what is love? In Charles Dubow’s Girl in the Moonlight (William Morrow, 352 pages), finding love and understanding it is confusing, controlling and complicated.

The story is told by Wylie Rose, who as a boy of ten, figuratively and literally fell in love with the beautiful and beguiling Francesca “Cesca” Bonet. She and her younger siblings, Aurelio and twins Cosmo and Carmen, were climbing a tree and jumping to the roof of their house, something they did for fun.

Shy Wylie, an only child, wanting to impress and please the charming 12-year-old Cesca, jumps at her encouragement. He falls and breaks his arm.

The Bonet children’s mother is from a very wealthy East Coast family so they lack

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BY HEIDI SIMMONS for nothing. The Bonets’ father is a semifamous, bohemian, Catalan painter who left the family to go back to Spain. He sees them when he can.

Wylie’s father, also well to do, went to an elite school with the Bonet kid’s uncle who lives on the family estate.

As Wylie grows up, he dreams of Cesca and longs for her everyday of his life. In high school, their paths cross again when his parents are invited to the Bonet’s home for a party. Cesca and her siblings remember him and embrace him as a long-time friend. Wylie is tall and handsome, which gets Cesca’s attention. She takes him for a walk and a moonlight swim, and his fantasy becomes a reality. They make love throughout the summer. And then part ways.

Over decades, the two get together, have sex and then she disappears without a word.

This happens on and off, again and again.

Cesca is so etched into Wylie’s mind and heart that there is no room for anyone else – there is no one who can match her beauty, charm and allure. Wylie is not the only man to fall for Cesca. In fact, no man can resist her.

Wylie’s life is shaped by his love for Cesca. Although he finds it difficult to love her, he cannot stop. She is worth all the pain and sacrifice. He asks her to marry him more than once. She trusts and confides in him, but marries another. Their love affair

REAL ESTATE

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continues wherever they find one another in the world – be it New York, London, Paris or Spain.

When Wylie finally finds a woman he might love more than Cesca, he must choose. But he is not sure if he can because he does not know what love really is.

This story begins in the 70s encompassing a rich and detailed world that brings the reader to the present time. The Bonets are smart and talented kids. Good at everything they do. Aurelio is an artist and inspires Wylie to be a painter. Wylie loves to paint, but gives it up to earn a living. I enjoyed the discussions and debate about pursuing something you love – whether it is art or a person.

I got caught up in the first-person narrative immediately. I was charmed by the soft-spoken Wylie, the charismatic

Bonet family and the entire colorful cast of characters.

Author Dubow shows us the workings of Wylie’s heart and head. Dubow gives the reader insight to how one’s intellect cannot compete with the désirs du coeur.

In one way, Cesca is cursed. Indeed she uses up men and spits them out, but they come at her with such intensity, she cannot escape. They want to own her. This is part of Wylie’s undying love for her. He believes in her and is willing to let her be wild and free. He admires her bravery, respects her freedom, and is in awe of her power.

Wylie forces himself to try and understand the different forms of love. He longs to know his weakness for and fascination with Cesca. He wonders why he continues to endure the emotional torture. Somehow, he believes she is his destiny. It is this love and dedication that Cesca cannot resist.

I appreciated Dubow’s insight and observations of Wylie’s unconcealed passion and quiet desperation to love Cesca so fully.

Embedded with art, wealth and exotic locations, Girl in the Moonlight is not a silly love story. It has depth and sincerity. It is about one man’s greatest love whether he understands it or not.

BY BRUCE CATHCART

SHOULD I BUY AN OLDER HOME OR A NEWER ONE? ere in the Coachella Valley buyers have the unique opportunity in many neighborhoods to purchase homes that were built starting in the 1930’s and all the way up to brand new construction. Unlike many areas where residential neighborhoods were built out by large tract developers, a large portion of our valley was “mapped” with single family lots which were then built upon by individuals and smaller construction companies over a period of many years (think old Palm Springs, the Panorama tracts in Cathedral City, Bermuda Dunes and the “Coves” of Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and La Quinta). The result of this is having homes of different generations, in some cases as much as 50 or more years apart in age, built right next to each other! But which is better, an older home or a newer home? Is it mid-century modern or mid-century junk? Is it a contemporary modern, high efficiency, newer home built with high end components or an overpriced tract home with “builder grade” everything? There are two main truths at work here. First, most home buyers focus on the price and location of the home they want to purchase and second, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So with these truths in mind, this week I will offer up some general advice that you can use to help you make a good decision when trying to choose between an older home and newer home in the same neighborhood. Before I get to that good advice let’s do a quick check of last

May 5 to May 11, 2016

month’s sales numbers to see if the Coachella Valley is still keeping pace with last year’s sales.

According to the Desert Area MLS (as of 04/30/16) there were 1,039 pendings of residential properties here in the Coachella Valley in April. There were 1,054 pendings in the previous month (March) still showing good volume, but representing a small decrease in terms of activity for April. In March there were 829 solds and in April we had only 810 solds (another small decrease). Last year in April we sold 870 homes representing a pretty significant decrease in the actual number of homes that closed escrow when compared to the same time last year. Our inventory of homes for sale was also reduced this month with 5,575 homes available on April 30, 2016 compared to 5,780 homes available on April 1, 2016. That correction brings our market back into balance continuing the trend from a buyer’s market back to a Seller’s market. The combination of high pending sales and the reduction in available inventory suggests that we are headed back to a Seller’s market, but decreasing number of homes sold indicates that we are not there yet. I recommend to potential buyers out there to take your income tax refund and invest it in a home before we return to a seller’s market again as we are now certainly headed in that direction!

If an older home has a new roof, new AC, new water heater and kitchen appliances does it matter if it is an older home? The first question

I would ask is how old is “older”? The reason is that the older the home the more things I become concerned about. If the home was built in the 1930’s I am worried about the plumbing, electrical, insulation (if any) and structural components of the house… but if the home was built in 1978 these items are things that need to be investigated, but I am not overly concerned about them. Now if the home was built after 1986 I am hardly concerned at all about these items. Here is why. Homes built in the 1930’s here in the Coachella Valley had very little supervision with limited building codes and in many cases inferior components. Earthquake Safety Guidelines and Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards did not even exist! Over the course of time the County and our Valley Cities adopted strict building codes, (including earthquake safety and energy efficiency guidelines), provided proper supervision of the construction, and building materials and components improved dramatically. The key year for me though is 1986. This was the year when Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards were adopted that required increased wall and attic insulation, dual glazed windows and higher energy efficient designs and components. Can a home older than 1986 be retrofitted to meet these standards? You bet! And that is exactly what I look for when comparing an older home to a newer home. But going back to our two basic truths… what if you cannot afford to purchase a newer home or what if you can afford it, but really want a home with midcentury architecture? At this point it comes

down to the choices available to you. I generally recommend a newer home unless the older home being considered has been substantially upgraded. If you absolutely must have that older architecture then I recommend you factor in the cost of these upgrades when making your decision. As always, your trusted professional Agent can help you with this decision!

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

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

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15

BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio 60 & Friends 3-6pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company, in the afternoon, Hot Rox, in the night MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday band 7:30pm PETE’S HIDEAWAY;PS; 760-322-6500 The Evaro Brothers 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Open Mic w/ Stacey Bear 5pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Judy Show 7pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Myx 6pm

THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 The Chris Gore Group Pro Jam 7pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 John Stanley King 6-9pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 5:30pm

MON MAY 9 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Luminators 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx 6:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Mood Deep House Lounge 6pm-2am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Larry Capeloto 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry Night w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Tony Grandberry 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley & Barney McClure 6pm

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TUE MAY 10 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bill and Bob Duo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Linda Peterson 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Open DJ Night text 760-799-8800 to sign up 6pm2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-770-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Shurp Town Get Down 9:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am

THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Jethro BoDidley 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Ladies Night 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Douglas McDonald Duo 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Mike Costley and Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Tequila Tuesdays 9pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Chris Lomeli 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Closed for Private Event 6pm

WED MAY 11 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean Scott 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 The Spenders 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Pro Jazz Jam w/ Doug MacDonald Trio 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Beer Pong Contest 6pm-2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7pm

S and G

PUMPING SERVICE

Septic Tank & Grease Trap Pumping Sewer & Drain Cleaning Odor Control

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760-404-6325

FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Gina Carey 6pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Mikael Healey 8pm MITCH’S ON EL PASEO; PD; 760-779-9200 Michael Keeth 12-3pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Roger Lemieux 5pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Michael Holmes Jazz Trio 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Hive Minds Acoustic Duo 6:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Costley Band 6:30pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Lizann Warner 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 TBA 6:30pm

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

May 5 to May 11, 2016

SELF-DRIVING CARS

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ack in 1939 at the New York World’s Fair, there was an exhibit called Futurama. This exhibit showed a future where cars were controlled remotely.

Hollywood further imagined autonomous cars with the Herbie the Love Bug, the Batmobile, KITT from Knight Rider, Benny the Cab from Who Framed Roger Rabbit and many others.

No longer relegated to the imagination of science fiction writers like Robert Heinlein or Isaac Asimov, the driverless car is here.

Instead of using radio waves as envisioned 76 years ago, these cars which are often called pods will operate using a network of satellites and computers.

While Google led the charge on this future technology, many have jumped on the bandwagon an may be surpassing them.

China’s Changan and partnerships between Baidu/BMW and Geely/Volvo are leading the way in China.

Experts believe that China will be an early adopter of the driverless car technology. Given the congestion of their population centers, driverless cars can pack more cars into a small area while consuming 30% less fuel. Most importantly, litigation risk will be lower in China given the central control government system that this country operates under. Lastly, many

in China have never driven cars and as such can be expected to embrace this technology more quickly than more experienced drivers in developed countries like the United States.

While no one can be certain on the exact date when driverless cars will take to roadways, 2020 is the target date for the commercial launch of driverless cars by Audi, BMW. Changan, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Google, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault, Tesla, Toyota and Volvo.

For driverless cars to take the road, every road needs to be mapped in detail. The tech company Mobileye expects that much of this work to be done next year for country roads with city roads completed by 2018.

In 2018, Baidu expects to release an operating system to run a fully autonomous car.

By 2020, Google hopes to have all issues related to having a car on the roads of the

United States. As part of this, Google joined with Ford, Uber and others to recently launch the Self Driving Car Coalition. Their objective is to set a common standard for driverless cars on American roadways.

General Motors projects that all of their new cars will have driverless technology within ten years.

Auto industry expert IHS believes that most cars on the road will be driverless within twenty years. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers believes more than 75% of all cars on the roadways with be driverless within twenty-five years.

As a result of this change in how we commute, Pricewaterhouse Coopers projects that accidents will decline by 90%.

Morgan Stanley estimates that driverless cars will save the United States $1.3 trillion annually due to increased productivity ($645 billion), fewer crashes ($488 billion) and lower

fuel costs ($169 billion).

Last year, there were more than 6 million car accidents in the United States, injuring 2.3 million people and killing 32,675.

Approximately 94% of all fatalities were at least partially caused by human errors.

Worldwide there were 50 million accidents and more than 1 million killed.

While many may reject the concept of giving up the independence of driving their own vehicle, just think of the benefits to you, your family and society as a whole.

In the future, one can work, sleep or relax while being transported. Distracted driving will go away. No more DUIs. Driverless cars will mean increased mobility for older and disabled people. Studies show that at the age of 75, many people begin to suffer health problems that limit or preclude driving.

Between driverless cars and the use of renewable energy sources to power those cars, a future where pollution declines quickly and the quality of life increases exponentially is close at hand.

Haddon Libby is a Senior Managing Director and Investment Manager for Winslow Drake. He can be reached at 213.596.8399 or hlibby@WinslowDrake.com

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW STAGECOACH DUI LAST WEEK? DO YOU KNOW YOUR 20 SECRET RIGHTS?

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hough often referred to as a DUI criminal defense lawyer, I choose to not view my DUI clients as “criminals”.

I prefer to view them, and more importantly to treat them, as good, honest people that have found themselves in a scary and unfortunate situation after screwing up.

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

Last week I asked if you were “HELD UP” at STAGECOACH? If you were “arrested” then you must know your 20 secret rights.

1. Field Sobriety and Breath Tests at the scene are OPTIONAL. 2. If no drinks for a few hours then request a Blood test at the station.

3. It takes about an hour for a drink to go in or out of your blood.

4. A DMV hearing MUST be requested within 10 days or your right to a hearing is lost and your license will be suspended.

5. Miranda rights are not as important as it applies to DUI questioning at the scene. The DA can make a case without anything you say and just uses the FST’s (walk the line, finger to nose etc.) and the Chemical (Breath or Blood) Tests.

6. Silence is Golden and Handcuffs are Silver

so DON’T TALK to POLICE without your lawyers permission.

7. The correct charge is Driving Under the Influence, not Drunk Driving. You merely have to be impaired.

8. The DA will ask for Jail Time on a first time DUI. 9. There are alternatives to jail time.

10. For the last 6 months the DA makes their best offer at the Arraignment. Thus aging the case, as was done in the past, may not be in the client’s best interest.

11. A DUI TEST REFUSAL results in a 1 year CDL SUSPENSION. 12. DUI: filed as VC 23152 a: Driving under the influence & VC 23152 b: Driving with a BA (Blood Alcohol reading) of .08.

13. DUI requires both a DMV and Court hearing.

14. The 23152 a & b filing gives the DA two (2) bites of the apple.

15. A 23152b only deals with an alcohol reading of .08 or more 16. If you lose the DMV hearing your license is suspended for 4-5 months and if you plead in court or lose at trial your license is again suspended by DMV.......but you do not have to endure 2 suspensions.

17. A DUI/ Reckless Driving or At Fault accident is 2 points and Traffic tickets are 1 point.

18. A license is suspended if total Points are 4 in 1 year: 6 in 2 years or 8 points in 3 years 19. Traffic School removes a point.

20. The Indio court only accepts Traffic School AFTER A TRIAL (if the cop does not object).

To avoid DUI aggravation: DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI OR UBER.........IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME!

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow Attorney at Law at 760837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW “TOP LAWYER” - Palm Springs Life (DUI) 2011-2016 10.0 AVVO DUI Perfect Peer Rating “Preeminent” - Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory “Best Attorneys of America” Selected by “Rue” (Limited to Top 100/State)

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

EASY COWBOY… READ THIS FIRST!

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know it’s Cinco de Mayo May 5th, but too much alcohol makes you look and act foolish, and it’s also a factor in aggressive and unwanted behavior. Be the bigger hombre and just “let it go” if you have an unpleasant encounter with someone who may be under the influence of insecurity, alcohol or both. It’s not worth the confrontation.

Amigo, take a mule or a taxi, but don’t drink and drive! Unfortunately, too often the party ends with alcohol-related crashes, injuries and fatalities when people don’t use good judgment and drive after drinking reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Make sure you look after yourself and your compadres and have a designated driver or take a cab.

Chips, Salsa, Safety? Easy Cowboy... The Señoritas may not think it’s very cool if were visiting the El baño every fifteen minutes.

Make sure all food is properly prepared and fresh!

So on the fifth of May, when you see the flags and the celebration of Cinco de Mayo, understand that it is not just Mexico that is being celebrated. It is victory, democracy

and a love of one’s heritage. Why not invite friends over for a Cinco De Mayo party and educate them as well?

Happy Cinco de Mayo and Be Safe!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

BY CRAIG MICHAELS

KINETIX AND CRYOTHERAPY HELP REDUCE PAIN & INFLAMMATION

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BY FLINT WHEELER

NO LOVE FOR TIGER, OPPOSITE FOR ENGLISH LONG SHOT…

D

HEALTH&FITNESS

or the past 15 years, Kinetix Health and Performance Center in Palm Desert has been providing wellness services to their clients whose goal is to regain their health. Known as the elite health and training center for all ages in the Coachella Valley, Kinetix provides an integrated approach to healthcare needs.

Owners Michael and Susan Butler realized after working with youth camps there was a real need for sports conditioning. Over the years they noticed their rehabilitation technics also began attracting aging Boomers who were looking to reduce pain and inflammation.

Five years ago, Michael and Susan Butler were introduced to a new treatment called, Cryotherapy. While this procedure is relatively new to the desert, Cryotherapy has been used as early as the seventeenth century. This cold air procedure is known to increases the quality of life and reduced pain and swelling. From professional athletes to weekend warriors and people suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions, Cryotherapy has become a part of their recovery routine.

During the whole body Cryotherapy, clients are encapsulated in a tube wearing minimal clothing while freezing cold air is pumped into the chamber for up to three minutes 3. The goal is to rapidly reduce the surface temperature of the skin causing

SPORTS SCENE

the blood to increase in circulation. Your blood becomes optimally oxygenated which accelerates the healing process of your body.

The reduction in pain and swelling improves joint function and results in overall sooner return to your daily activities.

Every client has different variations of pain or swelling so it is recommended you allow for at least 3 Cryotherapy sessions and possibly combine this with other treatments such as Active Release, Massage Therapy and Personal Training. After a few sessions of Cryotherapy clients have also experienced healthier skin, natural energy boost, better sleep and some relief of depression and anxiety.

If you would like to read more about Cryotherapy you can go to the Kinetix web site: kinetixcenter.com. You can call to make an appointment call: (760) 200-1719.

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

avis Love III has the unenviable task of captaining the 2016 U.S. Ryder Cup team, which is basically the equivalent of being a substitute teacher in a third-grade class filled with superstars, whiners, prima donnas and Bill Haas. It’s a nowin. But it’s even more of a no-win when you set up the press like Love did the other day after being asked about his captain’s picks (the top 10 in Ryder Cup points automatically play at Hazeltine; Love chooses the remaining two players).

DL3 was asked about - who else - Tiger Woods and whether he’d ever be considered for a captain’s pick. Instead of gently swatting away the answer, like I’m sure in hindsight he wishes he had, Love pondered and gave reporters a reason to follow up on the question, for months. Emphatically stating on Sportscenter, “[Tiger] doesn’t have to be number nine in points to get picked He’s itching to play as much as anybody. If he’s playing well, it would be hard not to go with him.”

If I knew it wasn’t, I’d say this was a plot twist on a Kardashian reality show because no one -- no one -- would possibly say this unless they were courting drama. I mean, Love saw what happened to Tom Watson, right? A no doubt hall of famer and legend and the Ryder Cup ate him up, chewed him and spit him back out. For a time it looked like the debacle of 2014 would come to define Watson, but luckily his career managed to outweigh his (reported) bullheadedness and lack of communication.

And now Love is starting in win this Tiger stuff? Does he want to be St. Sebastian?

Davis, here’s how to answer the question, “would you consider adding Tiger Woods as a captain’s pick?”

Do not give this story any life before it actually need be a story, okay? If Tiger comes back at the Memorial or U.S. Open or wherever and looks like the Tiger of old then, sure, you’re going to have to deal with this question. But as long as Tiger’s public golf game consists of YouTube clips

of him (poorly) hitting balls on a range, then answering a question about whether Tiger will be a Ryder Cupper is like asking me whether I’ll be competing in the U.S. Open.

Not that I blame Love. There really is no good way to respond to that question because a persistent reporter wouldn’t let him slide with a non-answer answer. This is why the Ryder Cup captain’s job is the worst one in sports. If you win, it’s because of the players. If you lose, the national disgrace is on you. And maybe Tiger Woods, if he plays because, you know, he’s not good at golf right now.

SIDE NOTE – It’s rare we talk soccer, errr, I mean, “futbol”. However, prior to the season, Leicester City was a 5,000-to-1 longshot to win the Premier League, according to English bookmaker William Hill.

To put that in perspective, the longest preseason odds for any team to win the 2016 World Series were 500-to-1 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves (according to the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook). And the longest shot to win next year’s Super Bowl is the Cleveland Browns at a mere 200-to-1.

Looking at past unlikely winners, the 1999 St. Louis Rams and 1991 Minnesota Twins were two of the most surprising champions in recent memory, as both finished last in their divisions the previous years. But they were both only 300-to-1 before the season.

Other notable (and listed) 5000-1 odds: • Christmas is the warmest day of the year in England.

• Bigfoot or Loch Ness Monster is proven to exist.

• Elvis is found alive.

• Kim Kardashian becomes the U.S. president in 2020 • Barack Obama plays cricket for England after his term is over.

English sportsbooks have liability in the Millions of pounds on Leicester’s victory.

Rare as it is – I’m heading to Vegas to find some long odds. Elvis has to be somewhere.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of May 5

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Silence is not silence, but a limit of hearing,” writes Jane Hirshfield in her poem “Everything Has Two Endings.” This observation is apropos for you right now. There are potentially important messages you’re not registering and catalytic influences you can’t detect.

But their apparent absence is due to a blank spot in your awareness, or maybe a willful ignorance left over from the old days. Now here’s the good news: You are primed to expand your listening field. You have an enhanced ability to open certain doors of perception that have been closed. If you capitalize on this opportunity, silence will give way to revelation.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Your ability to accomplish magic is at a peak, and will continue to soar for at least two more weeks. And when I use that word “magic,” I’m not referring to the hocuspocus performed by illusionists like Criss Angel or Harry Houdini. I’m talking about real feats of transformation that will generate practical benefits in your day-to-day life. Now study the following definitions by writer Somerset Maugham, and have faith in your ability to embody them: “Magic is no more than the art of employing consciously invisible means to produce visible effects. Will, love, and imagination are magic powers that everyone possesses; and whoever knows how to develop them to their fullest extent is a magician.”

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): According to author Vladimir Nabokov, the Russian word toska means “a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness.” Linguist Anna Wierzbicka says it conveys an emotion that blends melancholy, boredom, and yearning. Journalist Nick Ashdown suggests that for someone experiencing toska, the thing that’s yearned for may be “intangible and impossible to actually obtain.” How are doing with your own toska, Gemini? Is it conceivable that you could escape it -- maybe even heal it? I think you can. I think you will. Before you do, though, I hope you’ll take time to explore it further. Toska has more to teach you about the previously hidden meaning of your life.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Gandhi’s autobiography is on my pillow,” writes Cancerian poet Buddy Wakefield. “I put it there every morning after making my bed so I’ll remember to read it before falling asleep. I’ve been reading it for 6 years. I’m on Chapter 2.” What’s the equivalent phenomenon in your world, my fellow Crab? What good deed or righteous activity have you been pursuing with glacial diligence? Is there a healthy change you’ve been thinking about forever, but not making much progress on? The mood and the sway of the coming days will bring you a good chance to expedite the process. In Wakefield’s case, he could get up to Chapter 17.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In the 16th century, European explorers searched South America in quest of a mythical city of gold known as El Dorado. Tibetan Buddhist tradition speaks of Shambhala, a magical holy kingdom where only enlightened beings live.

In the legends of ancient Greece, Hyperborea was a sunny paradise where the average human life span was a thousand years and happiness was normal.

Now is an excellent time for you to fantasize about your own version of utopia, Leo. Why? First, your imagination is primed to expand. Second, dreaming big will be good for your mental and physical health.

There’s another reason, too: By envisioning the most beautiful world possible, you will mobilize your idealism and boost your ability to create the best life for yourself in the coming months.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): “Anytime you’re going to grow, you’re going to lose something,” said psychologist James Hillman. “You’re losing what you’re hanging onto to keep safe. You’re losing habits that you’re comfortable with, you’re losing familiarity.” I nominate these thoughts to serve as your words of wisdom in the coming weeks, Virgo.

From an astrological perspective, you are in a phase when luxuriant growth is possible. To harvest the fullness of the lush opportunities, you should be

© Copyright 2016 Rob Brezsny

willing to shed outworn stuff that might interfere.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): On Cracked.com, Auntie Meme tells us that many commonly-held ideas about history are wrong. There were no such things as chastity belts in the Middle Ages, for example.

Napoleon’s soldiers didn’t shoot off the nose of the Sphinx when they were stationed in Egypt. In regards to starving peasants, Marie Antoinette never derisively said, “Let them eat cake.” And no Christians ever became meals for lions in ancient Rome’s Colosseum. (More: tinyurl.com/historicaljive.) In the spirit of Auntie Meme’s exposé, and in alignment with the astrological omens, I invite you to uncover and correct at least three fabrications, fables, and lies about your own past.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Poet Charles Wright marvels at the hummingbird, “who has to eat sixty times his own weight a day just to stay alive. Now that’s a life on the edge.” In the coming weeks, Scorpio, your modus operandi may have resemblances to the hummingbird’s approach. I don’t mean to suggest that you will be in a manic survival mode. Rather, I expect you’ll feel called to nourish your soul with more intensity than usual.

You’ll need to continuously fill yourself up with experiences that inspire, teach, and transform you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Anybody can become angry,” said Greek philosopher Aristotle.

“That is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy.” I’m pleased to inform you, Sagittarius, that now is a time when you have an exceptional capacity for meeting Aristotle’s high standards. In fact, I encourage you to honor and learn all you can from your finely-honed and wellexpressed anger. Make it work wonders for you. Use it so constructively that no one can complain.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): To celebrate your arrival at the height of your sex appeal, I’m resurrecting the old-fashioned word “vavoom.” Feel free to use it as your nickname. Pepper it into your conversations in place of terms like “awesome,” “wow,” or “yikes.” Use a felt-tip marker to make a temporary VAVOOM tattoo on your beautiful body. Here are other enchanted words you should take charge of and make an intimate part of your daily presentation: verve, vim, vivid, vitality, vigor, voracious, vivacious, visceral, valor, victory, and VIVA! AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): When he was a boy, Mayan poet Humberto Ak’ab’al asked his mother, “What are those things that shine in the sky?”

“Bees,” she answered mischievously. “Every night since then,” Humberto writes, “my eyes eat honey.”

In response to this lyrical play, the logical part of our brains might rise up and say, “What a load of nonsense!” But I will ask you to set aside the logical part of your brain for now, Aquarius. According to my understanding of the astrological omens, the coming days will be a time when you need a big dose of sweet fantasies, dreamy stories, and maybe even beautiful nonsense. What are your equivalents of seeing bees making honey in the night sky’s pinpoints of light?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Sometimes, a seemingly insignificant detail reveals a whole world,” says artist Pierre Cordier. “Like the messages hidden by spies in the dot of an i.” These are precisely the minutiae that you should be extra alert for in the coming days, Pisces. Major revelations may emerge from what at first seems trivial. Generous insights could ignite in response to small acts of beauty and subtle shifts of tone. Do you want glimpses of the big picture and the long-range future? Then be reverent toward the fine points and modest specifics.

Homework: Thousands of amazing, inexplicable, even miraculous events occur every day. Report yours: http://bit.ly/Amazement ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

May 5 to May 11, 2016

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY BRONWYN ISON

LIVING COURAGEOUSLY

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re you living courageously? While you may think you are doing so, perhaps not? Living with courage translates into coming face-to-face with your fears. Facing our fears is daunting. We may have to work through what we have dusted under the rug. It may be that you have deferred this for days, weeks, months, and likely years. If we confront our fears we may believe we will lose a sense of personal security. Simultaneously facing our fears can set us free.

You may have gone or are going through life with the attitude of not bucking the system, not willing to rock the boat. We are hopeful that life will pull us in the right direction. Perhaps, it doesn’t? Remember, you are in the driver’s seat. You need to take the bull by the horns and express your fears and live them out. Write down your fears and number them from one to ten. Ask yourself, how many of these fears. What would your life look like if you lived fearlessly? Possibly you can find comfort in your fears? You will not know until you go there.

Each of us has the little voice inside our heads that reminds us of our trepidations.

This annoying roommate in our heads can paralyze us from moving forward with expressing our true self. Often we enable our own fears by not confronting them face-toface. Conquering your anxieties will propel you to escape bondage. This bondage is the wrestling match you continue to experience with self.

Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; i.e. bravery.

Research tells us that courage is an acquired skill, not an emotional one. Which also means the thinking, neocortex part of the brain overrides the emotional limbic impulses. Build your courage slowly. You do not have to take drastic measures. Do not contemplate there is an exact process to building your courage. Simply be present and conscious of what you are doing. Take your time and allow your courage to blossom organically.

Embrace discovering your courage. You will develop your true purpose. At first you may sense uneasiness. It will not be easy to overcome a world that you have feared for so long. Continue to envision your new sense of liberation.

As you embark on the journey of embracing your newfound courage you may experience failure or rejection. Remember these are the true stepping-stones leading you to your victorious outcome. When you arrive at the top of the mountain, your true strength will resonate insurmountable strength.

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, “I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.” You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

ASK THE DOCTOR

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BY DR PETER KADILE

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

SUPPLEMENTS AND VITAMINS

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review of supplements and vitamins that I commonly use in my practice.

Consult with your physician if you are currently taking any prescription medication before trying any over the counter supplements.

Dear Dr. Kadile, what is a good dose for melatonin? - Ann, La Quinta Ann, melatonin is a natural hormone supplement that can assist with sleep. It is not meant to be like a traditional “sleeping pill”.

Melatonin is naturally produced in your brain and tells your body that it’s nighttime and time to go to bed and sleep. It works best for frequent travelers, shift workers or anyone that knows they are going to have a major shift in their sleep schedule.

Unlike sleeping pills, the higher the dosage of melatonin does not necessarily improve one’s sleep. I typically see over the counter dosages of melatonin ranging from 3mg to 10mg. Patients will frequently complain to me that they have taken the maximum available dosage and still have difficulty sleeping. The widely available over the counter doses are way too high.

Melatonin should actually be started at the lowest possible dose, I recommend starting at 0.3mg to 1mg. Higher doses of melatonin may actually disrupt sleep and may also cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, or irritability.

Dr. Kadile, when I was looking to buy some vitamin D, there are some brands that simply say “Vitamin D” and some that say “Vitamin D3”. Is there a difference? - Charlie, Rancho Mirage Well Charlie, if the supplement simply says, “Vitamin D”, you will have to look closer at the label to see if it specifies either vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) or vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).

There is a difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3.Vitamin D2 is manufactured by plants or fungus and is fortified in foods, such as juices, milk or cereals. Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that is produced when the body’s skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D3 is considered the more ‘natural form” of vitamin D. It can also be obtained when eating animal products.

Vitamin D3 is more potent than D2. Vitamin D3 has been shown to raise and maintain serum D levels greater than vitamin D2. Clearly vitamin D3 is the preferable form of vitamin D. As I have mentioned previously, if you are concerned about your vitamin D level, have your doctor check it with a lab test. If you don’t know your level, I recommend supplementing with vitamin D3 1,000-2,000IU a day Dr. K, I am confused on how much fish oil I should take, what’s a good dose? - Lloyd, Desert Hot Springs Most of the over the counter available omega-3 fish oil will state “1,000mg” or “1,200mg” on the label, but you should turn the bottle around to look at the rest of the label

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to determine how much EPA and DHA are in the capsule. Fish oil is rich source of two essential omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). EPA is good for the heart and DHA is good for the brain, so the more EPA and DHA contained per fish oil capsule, the better. Not all fish oil brands are the same so it is very important to look at the label and make sure you pay attention to the serving size. What may seem like a good dose of EPA/DHA could be a serving size of 6 capsules!

I generally recommend taking a product that provides at least 700-1,000mg of EPA and 200500mg DHA daily in the smallest amount of pills. Higher dosages are available in liquid form.

Molecularly distilled fish oils are naturally high in EPA and DHA and low in contaminants.

Dr. Peter, should I get a B12 shot? - Mark, Palm Springs Mark, vitamin B12 is found in every cell of the human body and is very important for energy production. It contributes to skin health, immune and nervous system functions and muscle function. Unfortunately, individuals may not be getting enough vitamin B12 in their diet or may have a problem absorbing it. Meat is a good source of vitamin B12, thus vegetarians may be lacking in vitamin B12, Taking over the counter and prescription antacids regularly, can interfere with vitamin B12 absorption. If you are low in vitamin B12, your body is not getting enough fuel for energy.

Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin, so if your body doesn’t need it, it will flush away the excess. Since lack of vitamin B12 may be due to a gut absorption problem, injections or under the tongue would be the preferred routes for supplementation.

Vitamin B12 benefits: - important for energy production, can decrease fatigue - healthy regulation of the nervous system, reduces depression, helps with stress - essential for healthy skin, hair and nails.

You can consult with your doctor and get a blood test to check your B12 level to see if you are deficient or you can try supplementing with vitamin B12 with daily sublingual (under the tongue) tablets or injections every 1-4 weeks and see if you feel any better.

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

THE PATH TO SIMPLICITY

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quote attributed to Aristotle I always find motivating is “Well begun is half done.” I don’t know how if I dare claim “well begun,” however; this weekend my husband and I did make a minor dent in clearing the clutter from our garage. Not an easy feat, it took us a week just to agree on a date to begin purging the many years of accumulated items we forgot we even owned.

We can place the blame of tackling this long overdue task on laziness, but digging a little deeper reveals, fear, uncertainty and a splash of sadness.

Why fear? It is probably common to hold onto things for that one “someday” when we just might need it. We might be reluctant to let go of an item purchased with our hard earned money as it signals wastefulness. Certainly John and I found ourselves remiss to toss items conjuring up sweet and romantic memories of our long-term relationship; in fact we had to save that purge for another round.

Decluttering isn’t just about making a neat and organized garage to house gardening supplies, tools and holiday decorations. It goes far beyond carefully labeling and lining up matching bins making the garage look like an ad in Good Housekeeping for The Container Store. No for many, myself included,

ridding any area of office or home of unused, unwanted belongings supports a desire to simplify life.

According to June Saruwatari, author of the book, “Beyond the Clutter, staying in front of the curve on clutter and unfinished projects “keeps your mind from going haywire.”

Saruwatari advises if you begin storing piles of items in a closet, you can shut the door, however; “you still carry it with you.” A key question to ponder is how many items must you hold onto before these belongings begin to control your life.

At the end of the allotted time spent in the garage, John and I smiled happily over what we accomplished. Following the words of experts like Saruwatari, the next step is to get ruthless about taking actions to eliminate the stuck energy existing in physical spaces packed with possessions, no longer serving a purpose.

This week I challenge you to inventory areas of both your home and your life that are littered with items and activities no longer joyful or useful. Call it spring cleaning or the path to simplification and repeat after me: “Well begun is half done.”

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

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May 5 to May 11, 2016

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