Coachella Valley Weekly - May 28 to June 3, 2020 Vol. 9 No. 11

coachellavalleyweekly.com • May 28 to June 3, 2020

A New Way To School

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X

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Talay Thai Restaurant

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Vol.9 No.11

JAWS 45th Anniversary

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May 28 to June 3, 2020

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May 21 to June 3, 2020

MEGA SUN FEATURING MIKEY REYES – UNDER ATTACK

BY NOE GUTIERREZ

Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

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

CONTENTS Mega Sun featuring Mikey Reyes ....... 3-5 A New Way To School ............................... 6 Travel Tips & Local Happenings 4 U........ 6 Consider This - X ........................................ 8 VIRTUAL VIEWING ....................................... 9 The Vino Voice ....................................... 10 Good Grub - Talay Thai Restaurant........11 Pet Place .............................................. 12-13 Screeners ............................................... 14 Haddon Libby ........................................ 16 Dale Gribow ........................................... 16 Safety Tips .............................................. 17 Local Business - USA Marble & Tile ....... 17 Mind, Body & Spirit ............................... 19 Free Will Astrology................................ 19 Swag For The Soul ................................. 20 Cannabis ................................................ 20

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n June 5, 2020, the song and video for “Under Attack” by Mega Sun featuring Michael Reyes will be released on all major music platforms! Mega Sun includes Jeremy Parsons on vocals and bass, Chris Rivera on guitar, Brad Garrow on guitar and Tyler Ontiveros on drums.

The hard-hitting song highlights the valiant vocals of Reyes and delivers an ample onetwo, High Desert meets Low Desert punch that is bound to open some eyes and clear some ears. You may be familiar with Reyes as vocalist and guitarist for Desert Rhythm Project or as a member of the legendary Desert Reggae group Soul Opus. On “Under Attack” Reyes takes on the role of Rock vocalist and puts a melodic and syncopated spin on a very technically progressive track.

The song was produced and written

by Mega Sun and Reyes, recorded and engineered by Garrow at his Dead End Studios in Palm Desert, California, mixed and mastered by Damien Rainaud (DragonForce, Fear Facotry, Angra) and executive produced by Rivera and the one and only Mikey Doling (Snot, Channel Zero).

The video was directed by Doling and David Provan (Bleed From Within).

Since 2017 Mega Sun has achieved growing success and recognition in the Coachella Valley and beyond. Their debut was also recorded at Dead End Studios with Garrow and Doling which had a gigantic sound considering the production team.

“The experience was phenomenal. Mikey and Brad have been close friends for over 30 years and I love those guys. They really saw a vision for the music and took us to the next level.” Rivera stated. Ontiveros shared further, “Recording with Brad and having the opportunity to work with Mikey was an experience that helped us grow tremendously as artists and they are a true pleasure to work with.” Under Attack is an in-your-face Hard Rock song that illuminates a lot of what is occurring in the world today and Reyes communicates to you his feelings on the social divide.

Coachella Valley Weekly had the opportunity to speak with all the key players in the development and completion of “Under Attack” for this special issue of CV Weekly.

“UNDER ATTACK” Rivera: “It’s so weird how it came about.

I’m a big Mikey Reyes fan. When I first got back to the desert from Montana my first thought was, if I could make music with any two musicians, it would be Mikey Reyes and Brant Bjork. Those two do it for me.

They’re artists, not just musicians. They’re

fuckin’ artists! There are a lot of musicians.

I consider myself a musician, but I don’t consider myself an artist like those dudes, they are the real deal, they put in the work, no bullshit, you can tell the difference.

When this came about, I called him. I had talked to him about doing a song but a lot of people talk to Mikey about doing songs.

I messaged him one day with the track and he said, ‘that goes right to the top of the pile’ and he worked on it immediately. About 45 minutes later, he sent back a masterpiece.

My wife and I woke up to it and my kids were dancing on the bed. The contrast of it makes it rad, it’s almost like the diversity is fighting each other but in a good way. Pretty magical to do it the way we did it and for it to come out as good as it did; what an honor to perform on a song with him. He has that positive energy that makes everyone better like Mikey Doling. They elevate everyone else and I love that. We laid down a bitchin’ bed of music, there’s no doubt about it. But what he did on the top of it blew my mind.

It wasn’t what we were expecting. Then he goes into this POD/Sevendust harmony that sticks. You remember it the next day and you’re humming it. If this is his first swing at Rock then he’s onto something.

When you’re uncomfortable, that’s when the magic happens. Not to start any rumors, but we sent him a few tracks to see what he can do with those. Once we all can get in the same room it’s gonna be a home run.”

Reyes: “During this time of quarantine, I had the chance to collaborate with my beautiful brother and cousin Chris and the Mega Sun boys for a jam that I’m pretty sure y’all didn’t see coming! It’s the first time I ever created something like this, and I couldn’t be more stoked with the outcome!

I was hyped to lay vocals over the track once Chris sent me the music. I sent it back as soon as I could and it’s dope! Big love and

thanks to Mikey D. for the video! That shit is gonna be epic! And much love to the Brad over at Dead End Studios in Palm Desert for making the track sound super fuckin’ phat!

I’m honored to be performing on the song and I look forward to more.”

Parsons: ““The song turned out awesome. It’s another direction we’re going.

It was shocking at first. Just the vocals alone and how much it changed everything. It just made it a whole different thing, it was really cool. It was nice to be able to be just like one day there’s nothing to it and the next day the vocals are there. Normally in a band the singer will bring up the song slowly, but he was right there. With Mega Sun nothing is really set in stone. It was the first band I ever sang for. I was just kind of thrown into it.

With this song, it’s nice to lay back and play the music and enjoy it. I don’t really consider myself a frontman or a singer or anything like that. It does take a lot of pressure off. I am able to enjoy it a little more.”

Ontiveros: "The final mix hits pretty hard and we had an awesome team to put this together. Honestly this was out of left field and we had no plan as far as having someone featured on the track. It kind of just happened.”

Doling: “I got to hand it to the guys. I think it’s great. It’s very cool. What Mikey did was fantastic. I previously produced “San Andreas” and “Svengali” for Mega Sun. So when Chris came to me with the song, I took a listen. I had my guy mix it. The mix is incredible, fucking world-class. You can record a great song and kill it but if the mix sounds like a demo, it just doesn’t come across.”

Garrow: “It’s really cool how everything turned out. This particular tune wasn’t even a song they were showing me. It just got sent in the mix. It wasn’t even a song, it was continue to page 5

Photos by Chance

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UNDER ATTACK

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more a groove. Chris called me and said, ‘my cousin is really good’ they sent me this really rough scratchy version recorded on a phone, but when they sent the real version before I sent it off to get mixed I was like, ‘wow! This guy is really good’. A great turn of events.

What Mikey brought to it was really cool.

I’ve never met him until we did the photo shoot for the CV Weekly cover. We know so many of the same people. It’s such a small valley. Yesterday on the way home from the photoshoot I heard some of Mikey’s music, he’s super-talented and brought a cool thing to the song, I’m thoroughly impressed.”

MEGA SUN Rivera: “When we first started it was me and Jeremy on guitar. We’re not Metal and we’re not pretending to be Metal, it’s Desert Rock and Roll. I’ve heard people call us Punk Rock, Metal and Alternative. It’s just Rock and Roll. We’re currently working on eight songs we recorded at Dead End Studios.”

Parsons: “When I got together with Chris I was considering being the drummer.

It was just us and we both played guitar to write songs but in the back of my mind I was going to play drums. I’d been playing for 25 years. Then we met Tyler and Chris is a better guitar player than me so I picked up the bass. It’s whatever is necessary to get this thing moving. Now that it’s moving, it’s its own beast. It’s bigger than the players.

It’s moving without us having any control, it pitches in different waves where we don’t know where it’s going. Everyone in the band is super-stoked. It’s going better than I ever could have imagined it. We’re not forcing it. I think if you try and push it too much it’s not going to happen and if you don’t push enough it’s not gonna happen, that middle is important so that we can coast with it.”

Ontiveros: “Mega Sun’s journey has been one of short sprints in my opinion but powerful ones. Mega Sun can draw a lot of attention for some reason but we just haven’t been consistent enough to keep people wanting more. Hopefully we can turn that around with this track and get people

engaged again and use the momentum to keep us going.”

Parsons: “I could never have imagined when I started with Chris getting here. You couldn’t really categorize us before. We want every song to be completely different. The point is always getting to where each song leads us to not being categorized. Once we start feeling like we’re falling into a category we try and switch it up. We want every song to be unique. We try to write different stuff.

Each song is 100% different than the last.

It’s kind of tough when you play a song over the edge in the red and then you play a song that’s completely different. I see the crowd trying to adjust after getting hopped up.

They have to adjust and that’s what I want to keep doing. We don’t want to duplicate or get stuck. There is no typical Mega Sun song. Right now we’re just bouncing around like a pinball. It seems every time it lands on a good spot. Right now we can’t do no wrong. It’s nice to be able to sit back and allow things to happen organically. It seems we’ve made no mistakes so far when we get something in our head. A lot of that has to do with the Mega Sun brand, anyone involved with us knows it’s going to be 100%.”

QUARATINED Ontiveros: “I’ve been holding up pretty good. I’m usually a hermit and germ freak anyway. It’s given me more time to focus on my practice routine and play way more than I would have. I definitely miss playing live shows. I wish I had the answer. Things are definitely going to change in the music community and we are just going to keep playing. We just have to hang on while these crazy times pass.”

Reyes: “I’ve been here with my beautiful lady Bryanna Evaro at our home working on home improvement stuff. We did a couple of online shows recently and we’re looking to up the production value with top class sound and a cool backdrop. We’ve been working on new music as well and look forward to releasing some new singles very soon through Desert Rhythm Project.”

Doling: “My family is doing fantastic. A lot of people on lockdown for the last two months don’t have family and they’re alone. I appreciate having my little tribe to be locked down with. We have fun, we watch movies, play video games, bike riding, playing guitar… it’s been great. I took up bike riding about a year ago because I was overweight from drinking beers and eating tacos. I started running and my knees hurt right away so I bought a bike. I lost 35 pounds riding a bike.

It felt great. I got down to size 32 pants from 38/40. I put the bike away for six months and put the weight back on. Now I’m back on the bike and quickly lost 15 pounds. I just get up in the morning and get a cup of coffee and ride the bike for an hour and a half. When the sun goes down, I’ll jump on for another hour. The weight just flies off. It’s amazing.”

Garrow: “Brain Vat had two shows canceled over this. Mega Sun had at least four shows cancelled because of the quarantine. We were supposed to be playing Las Vegas and Arizona this weekend. We’re not busy at Dead End Studios because of COVID 19, some projects are on hold now.

It’s been crazy, we need a solution. You don’t really hear about how COVID 19 has turned the music world on its head. You hear about restaurants and all that. Especially the music I like is more underground, it could crush these people. Hopefully we can do things online to keep people interested. I’m playing guitar all the time. I’m really lucky with the quarantine. I work then come to the studio.

I’ve written songs for both Brain Vat and Mega Sun. I wrote a whole bunch of stuff.”

Parsons: “I’ve stayed busy. It’s let the chips fall where they may. You let the brand do its own thing and go where it’s gonna go.

We are all so open to anything. What we all wanna do is play good music, have good shows and have fun with people. We’re not trying to be rock stars but we take it very seriously, even though we sometimes don’t act like it.”

BROTHERLY LOVE Doling: “I’ve produced probably more than 100 records. Working with Mega Sun is different because they are family. Brad is my best friend. I’ve known Brad and Chris from the very beginning, since we were 15 years old and being in bands. We all had the same dream. Even though I went out and sold a couple million records and toured the world, I never forgot about those guys. I would call Brad and say, ‘dude, I got on a tour with fuckin’ Ozzy man, can you believe it?’ We always shared music, for 35 years. Music has kept us together.”

Garrow: “Yeah, Mikey D. and I have been buddies for a long time, he helped me all along the way. He showed me how to play guitar then he brings people over that are really good in the studio, I pick up stuff. He’s just so talented and connected so it was obvious he had to hear ‘Under Attack.’”

Reyes: “Chris and Bry are cousins and I see Chris as family as well. We’ve had plans to work together for a long time and I’m glad we finally made it happen. This is the first time I’ve sung over something this heavy but I grew up on Rock music and always appreciated it.”

May 21 to June 3, 2020 Doling: “I have a story for you. Back in 2001, Brad flew out to England to meet me when I was in Soulfly. He stood on stage with me when we played with Black Sabbath in front of 80,000 people! Then he rode the bus with me for several shows. When Brad and I were walking to the stage, I was getting ready to go on, the only way to get up back to the stage were these little stairs, but Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden were there chit-chatting and in my way. Brad and I looked at each other and said, ‘is this fucking happening?’ I’m standing there with my guitar on ready to go on stage. I tell Brad to take a photo of me with these two guys and he said, ‘fuck that’ and he handed the camera to another dude and asked him to take a photo of all of us. Believe me, we had a shitload of beers that night. I had already been touring for years at that point but to have Brad sharing it with me, it was almost like I had never done it before because I was sharing it and seeing it through my best friend’s eyes and we dreamt of it at 15 years old…together.”

BRAIN VAT Garrow: “I like playing shows but when will we return to that? We’ll just keep releasing songs online. We’ve recorded other songs. The last song Brain Vat did was called “Order of the Pirates”, so it t would be rad to produce a video for that song. Brain Vat is all good; Angel Chavez (bass), Danny Fitz (drums), Sheridan Carnahan (vocals) and myself. Both Angel and Danny are in Oxnard so we play there more often and there’s more of a Metal scene. We will play anywhere we can get a show. We had to cancel a writing session right before COVID 19 hit, that’s why I’m writing by myself. Sheridan is a good thinker, he thinks outside the box. I like the way he writes and he’s just a fun guy to hang out with. We’ve done a lot of road trips and he has never got on my nerves.”

The Untold Legend of Brad Garrow Rivera: “Brad is a seasoned veteran of the desert Metal scene and in the 80’s he and Mikey D. were in the band Solid Steel and he was also a member of Rapid Fyre.

Brad later went on to form Enrage with Bert Vela, Ultralord with Gary Thornton and was in Wizenfyrebutchenkreped aka ‘WFBK’ Sheridan.”

Doling: “Brad is a desert gem. He deserves all the recognition. He built a recording studio that is insane and legit. My brothers literally helped him build it, that’s how close we are. He consistently puts music out. He’s the one who recorded all the Mega Sun stuff, I produced but Brad engineered it.”

Parsons: “Brad coming into the band was a turning point. It makes it bigger and we gained momentum.”

UNDER ATTACK (Official Music Video) MEGA SUN – soundcloud.com/megasunmusic BRAIN VAT – soundcloud.com/brainvat facebook.com/BrainVatmusic DESERT RHYTHM PROJECT – desertrhythmproject.com MIKEY DOLING – mikeydoling.com DAMIEN RAINAUD – damienrainaud.com

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A NEW WAY TO SCHOOL IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY

ver since mid-March, school districts across the country have closed their doors as cases of the coronavirus first began to spread rapidly. What started as an early three-week spring vacation soon became an immediate end to in-class instruction. Teachers had to suddenly shift their lesson plans that would accommodate a distance learning curriculum, as schools closed for the remainder of the school year in order to curve the spread of COVID-19.

With this closure of the 2020 school

year comes the cancellation of graduation ceremonies for both high school and college campuses. Although virtual commencements are to take place in June for some Coachella Valley High Schools, Xavier College Preparatory High School in Palm Desert hosted the first drive-thru graduation of the season. Cars with 137 matriculating seniors began lining up at 7 p.m. at the school. Decorations on cars were welcomed, and only one senior and immediate family were allowed per car.

TRAVEL&LOCALHAPPENINGS4U

MADISON STREET PRODUCE STAND

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elcome to Madison Street Produce. If you’re looking for the freshest produce, then look no further! With over 50 years in the business, it doesn’t get any better than this.

It all started with Joe Manion. As a boy, he worked at his neighbor’s farm in

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"It was a special night. As we drove through the line, I was overwhelmed with excitement and emotion. It was so nice to see my friends riding in decorated cars and my teachers cheering me on. I was thankful my school made it so unique and personal for us seniors. It was a night I will always remember,” shared Xavier senior graduate Madelyn Jackson.

The closure of schools across the state has brought the issue of maintaining the educational needs of children but doing so in an environment that would be conducive to preventing the spread of the virus.

“Everything is in such flux right now! I think one thing is for sure: it is very difficult for schools to figure out ways to keep students safe and socially distanced when play and socialization is so important to the learning process, especially for our preschool and primary aged students. I think we will definitely see a focus on social distancing, hand washing, and wearing face masks in schools,” explained Temecula elementary school teacher Ami Paradise.

Plans are underway to have California schools open in the summer, but there is still uncertainty as to what protocols will need to be followed to ensure the safety of students and faculty during the pandemic.

Half days in the classroom, smaller class sizes, and the continuous implementation of online learning are possibilities that the

school districts have considered, although no official announcements will be made until they receive health guidelines from the state. The use of masks and social distancing will also be probable changes.

Colleges will only have online courses available in the fall.

“We still do not exactly know how the new school year will look like. However, the class size will most likely be smaller. Smaller class sizes always helps us teachers support our students’ learning and it might help us reduce the spread of COVID-19. There will probably be more measurements that will need to be taken place,” said an instructor from Desert Hot Springs High School.

The Foundation for the Palm Springs Unified School District is looking to raise funds to help address the economic downturn of the remaining school year and the 2020-21 year. The Foundation is seeking funding for school supplies, books to read, and resources to supplement its summer learning institute or provide for its art program. Those interested in contributing or want more information can reach out to TheFoundation@psusd.us or call (760)4168455.

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

INDIO, CA

Fullerton, CA growing corn. In the years to follow, Joe operated fruit stands all over the Orange County region before moving to Northern California to grow starter strawberry plants to sell to farms.

Years later he moved to Indio. You see, Joe had an idea. He had heard that no one thought strawberries could be grown in the valley. With his experience, he knew it could be done and done well. In 1992, his son Brett joined the business and they have been growing and selling their own fresh picked assorted produce (including strawberries) ever since.

In 2000 the Manion opened the Madison Street Produce stand and have

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

watched it become one of the best unkept secrets of the Coachella Valley! Many supermarkets claim to have fresh produce, but would never dare to say “fresh picked daily”…yet, that is WHAT THEY DO! Hours Open daily 9-5 Located at HWY 111 and Madison Stop by, say hello and get a little taste of heaven.

For more information visit www. madisonstproduce.com.

Remember practice social distancing, wear masks and stay safe.

Think fruit and veggies and enjoy the taste!

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CONSIDER THIS “ALPHABETLAND” (FAT POSSUM RECORDS)

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ave you heard the good news? X has risen!

That’s right, boys and girls, Los Angeles’ premier Punk band has just released their first new album with the original line-up since 1985. Time to rejoice in the streets (socially distantly, with masks)!

As much as the Beach Boys and the Doors defined Los Angeles music in the 1960s, as much as the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac epitomized the laid back, L.A. sound in the 1970s, X lead the Punk Rock revolution that enveloped the smoggy metropolis at the dawn of 1980s.

Punk Rock snarled, scratched, spit and elbowed its way into the cultural zeitgeist in the late ‘70s. Proto-Punks like Iggy & The Stooges and the MC5 planted the seeds a decade before, offering a gritty alternative to the Hippy-Dippiness that followed the Summer Of Love. A few years later, four guys from Queens donned leather jackets and ripped jeans, collectively changed their surnames and became the Ramones. Their songs detailed scuzzy pursuits like sniffing glue and turning tricks, but these decadent scenarios were wrapped in impossibly hooky two-minute melodies that owed as much to Girl Groups, Phil Spector and Bubblegum as it did to Iggy Pop. When they toured Great Britain in 1976, they influenced aspiring bands like the Sex Pistols and the Clash to adopt the same primal approach. By the end of the year, Punk Rock had exploded in England.

Just as Johnny Rotten and Joe Strummer began taking their cues from Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone, Los Angeles was beginning to experience its own Punk Rock renaissance. Although L.A. was still viewed as a make believe dream factory, filled with sun, sand, surf and mellow vibes, that was mostly good P.R. In reality, the sprawling demimonde was mostly a melting pot of disenchanted, dissatisfied denizens not living the California dream.

Pioneering bands like the Germs, the Plugz, the Weirdos, Fear and X drew attention to that dichotomy.

X came together when John Doe (ne’ John Nommensen Duchec) relocated from Baltimore. He met Christine Lee Cervenka (soon to be rechristened Exene), a fledgling poet and native of Florida, at a poetry workshop in Venice. Immediately, the pair bonded over shared tastes in literature.

John had cycled through a series of Baltimore bands and was looking to make music in L.A. Through a classified ad, he connected with Billy Zoom (born Stuart Tyson Kindell). An Illinois transplant, whose dad played clarinet and saxophone during the Big Band era, Billy was an accomplished multi-instrumentalist. After moving to the City Of Angels, he earned his keep as a session musician and played with heavy-

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hitters like Gene Vincent, Big Joe Turner and Etta James.

John had recently been inspired by Patti Smith’s debut, Horses. Likewise, Billy was equally influenced by the stripped-down style of the Ramones. Exene had begun accompanying John to band practice, when he asked permission to turn one of her poems into a song she agreed, but only if she could sing it. Thus, their trademark vocal blend was born and Exene officially joined the band. The line-up was made complete with the addition of drummer, D.J. Bonebrake. The only member of the band to hail from Los Angeles, Donald James Bonebrake grew up in the San Fernando Valley and studied Classical music and traditional Jazz, before diving headfirst into the underground music scene. He made his reputation pounding his kit in the Eyes, which also included future Go-Go’s guitarist, Charlotte Caffrey.

X quickly vaulted to the top of the nascent Punk scene, playing in outlier clubs like the Masque, Madame Wong’s and the Whisky. It was there they met Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. Although he was there to see another band, he quickly became enamored with X’s signature sound which married a Punky instrumental attack with traces of more melodic Country, Folk and Blues.

X was one of the first bands to sign with Slash, which began life as a fanzine before becoming a record label. Their seminal debut, Los Angeles, arrived in the Spring of 1980, John and Exene married that same year. In early 1981 they released their second album, Wild Gift. Both albums were critically acclaimed, garnering rave reviews in Punk publications and the mainstream press. Los Angeles sold a phenomenal 50,000 copies, and relentless touring gave them a nationwide audience. X became the first band to headline L.A.’s Greek Theater, soon major labels came calling and the band signed with Elektra.

Two more albums, Under The Big Black Sun and More Fun In The New World arrived in 1982 and 1983, respectively. All four were deftly produced by Ray Manzarek.

Receiving his imprimatur, it felt as though he was passing the L.A. music torch to the next generation.

X’s music redefined the parameters of Punk, expanding the cutting, concise, somewhat nihilistic attack that characterized Los Angeles and Wild Gift. Both …Big Black Sun and …New World embraced Rootsier elements. By incorporating hints of Rockabilly, Country and Folk, they presaged the Americana/alt.country movement by at least a decade.

John and Exene’s lyrics tackled dayto-day struggles like poverty, addiction, politics and death. Onstage, the couple’s charismatic vocal interplay exhibited the

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

same frisson pioneered by musical soulmates like Johnny and June, George and Tammy, as well as Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.

Despite the consistent critical hosanas, commercial success continued to elude the band. By 1985, John and Exene had divorced, but continued their working relationship. X switched it up on their fifth album, swapping out Ray Manzarek for Metal producer, Michael Wagener. Ain’t Love Grand rocked a little harder, but their fortunes remained unchanged. Frustrated, Billy Zoom quit the band.

His shoes were temporarily filled by Blasters guitarist, Dave Alvin. Dave had recently collaborated with John, Exene, D.J. and Johnny Ray Bartel on their Country/Folk side project, The Knitters. X’s sixth effort, 1987’s See How We Are featured both Dave and Billy Zoom’s replacement, ex-Lone Justice guitarist, Tony Gilkyson. A scorching live set, Live At The Whisky A Go-Go On The Fabulous Sunset Strip arrived a year later.

Both John and Exene had remarried and started families, the time seemed right for X to take an extended hiatus.

They returned in the early ‘90s with a seventh studio album, Hey Zeus and a live acoustic collection entitled Unclogged.

In the meantime, each member added to their resumes via solo albums, new musical collaborations and acting gigs. By the end of the 20th century, Billy had rejoined the band.

When Pearl Jam asked X to tour as their opening act, a new generation discovered L.A.’s trailblazing Punks.

In the ensuing years, X has spent most summers on tour. They still exhibit the same urgent energy onstage. These days, their audience is a healthy mix of original fans and millennials. In 2015, they took a brief break when Billy was diagnosed with bladder cancer, but once he completed treatment they were back on the road.

Two years later, the Grammy Museum commemorated a milestone anniversary by curating an exhibit entitled X: 40 Years Of Punk Rock In Los Angeles. 2019 found them taking tentative steps toward recording a new album. They hooked up with respected indie label, Fat Possum and connected with producer Rob Schnapf (Beck, Elliott Smith, The Whigs, Booker T. Jones). Alphabetland was scheduled to arrive in the Fall, in the midst of another tour. But COVID 19

derailed touring plans, so the band decided to make it available now as a download, with physical copies arriving at the end of Summer.

The album gets off to a rollicking start with the raucous title track. Slashing guitar riffs and prowling bass lines collide with a walloping, Punky beat. John and Exene’s signature dissonant harmonies intertwine as lyrics advocate shredding yesterday to make room for the now; ”Tearing up the sidewalks, pouring wet cement, erasing your initials, alphabet wrecked/I watched you pour white gasoline to cover your scent, burned your name to cinders, alphabet wrecked.” The momentum accelerates on the instrumental break, D.J. rides the hihat as Billy unleashes a scorching solo. The arrangement reaches a fever pitch at the end, paring down to a lone note of feedback just before the power chord is ripped from the amp.

From the beginning, the political has been personal for X. Songs like “The World’s A Mess, It’s In My Kiss,” “In This House That I Call Home,” “The Have-Nots” “The New World” and “See How We Are” spoke to life’s inequities, alienation, class warfare and corruption. That tradition continues on both and “Water Into Wine” and “Goodbye Year Goodbye.”

The former is anchored by a ramshackle beat, tensile bass and rapid-fire gunslinger guitar. Exene is out front here, and she gets right to the point, railing against the 1%; “The divine that defines us, the evil that divides us, there’s a heaven and a hell and there’s an ‘oh well’/Who gets passed to the head of the line, who gets water & who gets wine, there’s a heaven and there’s a never, there’s no tomorrow only forever.”

Billy executes a spiraling Rockabilly-tinged solo on the break, underscored by BoogieWoogie piano and a honking saxophone that punctuates each verse.

The latter is powered by a pile-driving rhythm, roiling bass and brawny guitar.

John’s roughhewn tenor wraps around lyrics that unspool a New Year’s Eve narrative that offers a curdled assessment of 2019; “The party started at noon o’ clock, might go on the break of dawn, brother & sister pretend to be lovers, everyone’s so careful not to let on/It’s been good, it’s been bad, oh-so-happy, awful sad, chocked so full for less than empty, my bank account down & out and over drawn… I could go on and on and on.”

A couple of songs find X dipping into their back catalog, and they are both inspired by literary touchstones. “Delta 88 Nightmare” is a track that dates back to their earliest days. Originally known as “Delta 88,” it never made it past the demo stage in 1978.

The 21st century version is just slightly less

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com frenetic than it’s manic precursor. Whiplash guitar riffs ride roughshod over blistering bass lines and a breakneck beat. John and Exene’s vocal delivery hug each hairpin turn of the song’s aural switchbacks. Fever dream lyrics chronicle an Oldsmobile road trip to Monterey, site of John Steinbeck’s comical novel, “Cannery Row.” Determined to walk in the footsteps of “Doc” and “Mac,” they search for bums and beer milkshakes, disappointingly, they find “a cute resort with dads and mom” instead.

The earliest incarnation of “Cyrano de Berger’s Back,” one of John’s first compositions, was a garage recording in 1977. The band took another pass at it a decade later on the “See How We Are” record, but they were never truly satisfied with the finished product. This new rendition splits the difference between the primitive ’77 blueprint and the Roots Rockin’ ’87 rendition. Twangy guitar connects with a swinging bass line and snapback rhythm.

John takes a page from the classic play by Edmond Rostand. He slips into the skin of Cyrano, a loquacious warrior from the 17th century, who is willing to render his services to any tongue-tied Romeo who has the cash; “I gotta a couple of words to say for all you strong and silent types, who don’t talk

to the girls they want to love…I’ll talk for you underneath a balcony of blue, I’ll talk for you, ‘cause Cyrano deBerger’s back.”

Billy’s swoony baritone sax notes add to the song’s playful patina.

The best songs here display the same coiled urgency that characterizes X’s live sets. On “Star Chambered,” stripped-down rippling guitar riffs sideswipe ricocheting bass fills and a rattletrap rhythm. John and Exene trade verses, spitting lyrics that reflect on what might have been had they not both “took a chance, a million years ago.” The final verse offers a sideways homage to the Tennessee Ernie Ford/Merle Travis classic, “Sixteen Tons; “I played sixteen bars and what did I get, another town over and covered in sweat/Almost run over, with another hangover & drunker in debt.” As the velocity ratchets on the break, Billy’s solo walks the line between Spaghetti Western grandeur and whammy-fied Surf Guitar vibrato.

A bludgeoning beat, along with blitzkrieg bass and reverb-drenched guitar fuels “Angel On The Road.” Exene is front and center on the verses, as John shadows her on the chorus. Cinematic yet Pulp-y lyrics manage to channel Jack Kerouac, Jim

Thompson and Roger Corman; “Small town stars are bright, hi-beams bright, my sad old car has died, I’ll have to hitch a ride/He downshifts his beautiful rig, the door steams open & I climb in… ‘I’m Duane, nice to meet you,’ ‘nice to meet you too,’ I say, he asks me where I’m going, I point to the sky/’Lead the way angel,’ Duane says as the radio sings, they scraped me off that two-lane my arms spread as wide as wings.” Billy’s guitar shapeshifts throughout the song, flanging on the chorus, strafing on the verse and ripping a splayed solo on the break.

Finally, “Free” matches staccato guitar chords with fluid bass lines and a jack rabbit rhythm. John’s vocals are as incendiary as his questions are cryptic; “I got a question you can’t answer, you hurt my sister with a doctor’s hand, with boiling water and blowing sand.” Once again, Billy nearly succeeds in pulling focus making his guitar growl, yowl and caterwaul.

Other interesting tracks include the pyretic action of “I’ve Got A Fever” and the menacing “Strange Life.” The album closes with “All The Time In The World,” a bit of Noir-ish spoken word primarily from Exene.

Accompanied by jagged, Jazzy piano chords and searing guitar notes, Exene is by turns

Thursday, May 28

Warsaw Poland Bros – Facebook – 11:30am Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Hey Bertha – Facebook – 5pm Cody White and the Easy Ride – Facebook – 7:30pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Friday, May 29

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Slim Man – Facebook – 5pm Rose Mallett – Facebook – 5pm Michael Keeth – Facebook – 7-8pm Coachella Valley – Jesika von Rabbit – Facebook – 8pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Saturday, May 30

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Lootenant Ldoubleo – Instagram - @ lootenantmusic – 7pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Sunday, May 31

Sticky Doll – Facebook – 11am Rob Pickett – Barflys – Facebook – 2pm

May 21 to June 3, 2020 reflective, arch and mordant. Hopeful, yet deeply cynical, she recalls the twists and turns of a life well lived and ponders the fate of future generations. In the end, she concludes “We are dust, it’s true, and dust we shall return, me and you, but it was fun while it lasted/All the time in the world, turns out not to be that much.” It’s a restless finish to a dazzling record.

The members of X provided all the instrumentation here, except the closing track, which features guitar from Doors guitarist, Robby Krieger, bringing the band full circle from their earlier collaboration with the late Ray Manzarek.

Back when the Grammy Museum celebrated the legacy of X, John Doe had this to say; “We don’t have any gold records, we’re not in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, but we have a history. Los Angeles puts a stake in the ground saying Punk Rock isn’t (just) New York and London.”

40 years on, Alphabetland has us falling in love with X all over again. From John and Exene’s symbiotic disharmony, D.J.’s impeccably shambolic time-keeping and Billy’s broad grin, wide-legged stance and indelible guitar pyrotechnics, their sound remains lean and edgy; their electric chemistry is still intact. All hail X.

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Blasting Echo – Facebook – 5pm Lootenant Ldoubleo – Instagram - @ lootenantmusic – 5pm Krystofer Do – Facebook – 7-9:30pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Monday, June 1

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Slim Man – Facebook - 5pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Tuesday June 2

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Rose Mallett – Facebook – 6:30pm Lizann Warner – Facebook – 6:30pm Michael Keeth – Facebook – 7-8pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Wednesday, June 3

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Slim Man – Facebook - 5pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm Contact Phil Lacombe to have your Virtual Performance listed here. philip@coachellavalleyweekly.com

9

May 28 to June 3, 2020

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THE VINO VOICE

S

o Memorial Day unofficially started off our summer of 2020—and amid the on-going pandemic, the wine world (alcoholics ahoy!) still has its stars selling at record rates. Are we consuming more wine, or, or better wine?

Crazy—but just a few months ago, in our new year’s column, coachellavalleyweekly. com/wine-games-2020, I was able to just ramble on with some wine news, issues, and expectations on the new horizon. Guess what I missed!! Anyway—as you’ve heard or read, the retail beverage trade on the economic landscape, supermarkets, big-box stores, and liquor retailers are seeing unprecedented sales spikes.

Wineries throughout the state are also enjoying a resurgence of winery-club signups and on-line bottle sales. At least it’s something to be joyful about as we enter summer with such a weight on our backs.

Enter now: Landmark Vineyards Last week, I wrote on my first Zoom virtual wine tasting with the folks over at the fabulous Lodi winery, Oak Farm Vineyards. I guess that got the wine bottle rolling, because the very next week, I was on board rubbing virtual shoulders with Landmark Vineyards winemaker, Greg Stach, as we tasted on each side of our computers, three of his award winning wines: 2018 Overlook Chardonnay, 2017 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir, and 2017 Hop Kiln Pinot Noir.

Many of you vino lovers have been enjoying Landmark Vineyards wine for some time now; especially those Chardonnay

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SUMMER JOY! LANDMARK AHOY!

fans who have been quaffing Landmarks’ signature Overlook Chardonnay for a while, which has appeared on the Wine Spectator Top 100 list six times. For those of you wine enthusiasts who’ve yet to enjoy the wines from Landmark Vineyards, well—at least you have some joyful expectations of tasting some absolutely stunning wines for the summer!

Nestled at the base of the Mayacamas Mountain Range in the Sonoma Valley, Landmark Vineyards epitomizes the rustic grace and beauty of Sonoma County. Since 1974, Landmark has been dedicated to producing handcrafted, ultra-premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, sourcing grapes from unique vineyard sites throughout California to create rich, balanced wines.

A fun fact is that one of the original Landmark founders, was Damaris Deere Ford, the great-great-grandaughter of John Deere, inventor of the first steel plow. Further, it was Landmark, back in 1993, who hired the world-renown enologist, Helen Turley, to collaborate Landmarks signature style: whole-cluster pressed grapes; fermentation by native yeast strains; and, aging in French oak. Talk about pedigree!

The very amiable winemaker Greg Stach offered a very relaxed but informative virtual taste through his above-mentioned wines.

And with ever-breaking technology, Greg was able to take same-time questions and inquiries from a slew of virtual Instagram tasters on-board. I know you’ve heard stuff like this before; but, between tasting real

BY RICK RIOZZA

wine, hearing from the winemaker, and having instantaneous discussions—well, it was just as if we were there at the winery.

We also learned that Stach’s winemaking approach combines traditional techniques with a “less is more” philosophy. Believing that great wine begins in the vineyard, he is especially keen to intervene only to ensure consistency and quality, relying more on the fruit’s intense flavors and distinct vineyard characteristics. And that’s why Landmark has made its mark in the business.

And now—what we’ve gleaned at the virtual tasting: The 2018 Overlook Chardonnay has aromas of ripe lemon, baked yellow apple, peach, butterscotch with chamomile flower and lemon grass notes. On the palate, flavors of ripe lemon, yellow apple skin, white peach and just-ripe apricot with hints of grilled pineapple on the entry. Toasted oak and barrel spice emerge on the textural midpalate along with subtle, savory hints of pine nut. The finish is long, refreshing and textural with lingering zesty lemon, subtle peach and baking spice accents.

The Chardonnay is a complex and balanced mix of ripe fruit, savory flavors and crisp, textural elements. It's great to drink on its own or paired with a variety of dishes from a roasted chicken breast with a lemon and rosemary sauce or a creamy fettuccine alfredo finished with a lemon zest accent.

Greg said he especially likes fresh goat cheese with this wine.

Wine folk, no matter how hot it gets outside, will rarely give up their red wine at dinner time. And Pinot Noir is most often the go-to red for the summer season. The allure of Pinot from both Santa Lucia Highlands, and, Sonoma’s Russian River region is world famous.

The 2017 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir is deep ruby red in color and displays enticing aromas of fruit and florals: spiced black cherry, cedar and clove, pomegranate, candied red plums, as well as a bouquet of iris and violet flowers. The palate is full and plush with flavors of plum compote, ripe cranberries and a savory spice finish.

For those wine enthusiasts who know their Pinot from Sonoma, they love the fruit from the Hop Kiln Estate. The 2017 Hop Kiln Estate Pinot Noir is bold and complex yet balanced on the palate. With three unique soil types, the grapes from this vineyard produce the famous plush and rich style of Pinot Noir of this region.

Harvested from a truly landmark vineyard, which is located on the coveted Westside Road in the Russian River Valley, this unique bottle label also features the iconic and historical stone hop kilns which the California Heritage Society have named a historical landmark.

This 2018 Hop Kiln Estate Pinot Noir is nearly full bodied with complex fruit of ripe strawberry raspberry and black cherry mixed with baking spice and licorice, toasted oak and savory autumn leaf elements joining sustained ripe fruit on the mid palate. The finish is long with moderate intensity fine tannins, balanced acidity with cherry cola and faint floral notes joining lingering ripe fruit.

Pair both of these wonderful wines with roasted fowl or spiced pork dishes. Yum!!

Landmark’s wines may be purchased via select wine shops and restaurants, or directly from Landmark’s Tasting Room, on-line store, or through membership in the Wine Society. www.landmarkwine.com Cheers!

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THE TAKEOUT SERIES – TALAY THAI

T

alay Thai serves the Coachella Valley the best Thai cuisine available outside of Bangkok. They offer the classic Thai dishes such as Pad Thai, yellow, green, and red curry, along with appetizers, angel wings, crab rangoon, Thai eggrolls, chicken satay, and green papaya salad. Dare to explore other dishes on the menu such as the whole crispy fried fish, soft-shell crab with trio of sauces, duck-based dishes, Tomyum soup, and an array of customizable vegetarian dishes. They will adjust the spice level to your liking. Order a delicious Thai iced tea to cool the heat.

When able to dine in, you will be rewarded with a calming Zen atmosphere and be

served by knowledgeable, patient, and usually Thai wait staff. My favorite elements of Thai foods are the use of coconut milk, fresh basil, lime, and fiery Thai peppers as the base of many dishes. The whole spectrum of flavors provides a satisfying balanced taste experience. Like so many of our valley restaurants, Talay Thai is family owned and staffed, and is located in a strip mall on Hwy. 111.

Find a Thai travel movie on YouTube and order some Talay Thai takeout.

Open: Sunday – Thursday 11am to 9pm Friday – Saturday 11am to 10pm 70065 Hwy 111, #1, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 – 760-832-9588

May 21 to June 3, 2020

GOOD GRUB

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May 28 to June 3, 2020

PET PLACE

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BY JANET McAFEE

SPOILED DOG DESIGNS, KEEPING FIDO IN STYLE

stylish wardrobe and requested outfits for their own pets.

Spoiled Dog Designs’ lovely creations are a colorful fixture at a weekend booth at the College of the Desert Street Fair.

However, with the COVID-19 epidemic, the college Street Fair temporarily closed becoming another casualty. Patt recalls, “It was early March when the Street Fair closed. I panicked and wondered what I would do for the next 8 months.

At that time all the available face masks were kept for the medical professionals.

Then I realized I’ve got lots of fabric and sewing machines. Not only did I put a lot of unemployed people to work, but our supply of masks kept more people healthy. The demand was so great we began shipping masks all over the United States and Canada.”

Patt started designing and sewing matching human masks and dog harnesses in an extensive array of colors and patterns. Donned in one of these matching sets, you can stylishly venture outdoors, keep yourself safe, and have Fido be part of a quarantine break. As dog parks and

W

hen you love dogs, you never know what amazing roads they may lead you down.

Patricia “Patt” Savastano owns and operates Spoiled Dog Designs, a creative Coachella Valley business that caters to dog lovers and their beloved canines.

Patt’s business was inspired by her first tiny Chihuahua, Angelo. Angelo was often cold, and it was difficult to find harnesses

and coats to properly fit his tiny 6-pound frame. When she could find a nice warm outfit to fit Angelo, it didn’t fit well underneath a harness when they ventured outdoors for a walk. Patt decided to sew an outfit and harness that together would comfortably fit Angelo. She’d grown up sewing her own clothes as a child.

A business was launched in 2008 when Patt’s friends and family admired Angelo’s

MEET SPARTACUS

MEET HOPE

This handsome fellow, named after a famous gladiator, would love to be your hero! Spartacus was a hungry, homeless stray cat until Kittyland rescued him. This 18-month old cat loves all humans and other cats.

Call Kittyland in Desert Hot Springs. kittylandrescue.org at (760) 251-2700 for an appointment to meet him.

Hope “hopes” for a home soon! This 3-yr-old Bull Terrier girl was rescued

by California Paws Rescue from the county shelter. This commandtrained sweetheart is 40 lbs of doggie love. Hope “hopes” for a home with a yard where she can run and play.

Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. www.californiapawsrescue. com, YOU MUST CALL (760) 656-3833 FOR APPOINTMENT TO MEET HOPE.

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hiking trails reopen, these colorful masks & harnesses remind folks about the need for social distancing. This is also a great way to get noticed, meet other dog lovers, and make new friends. The vast majority of dogs would like nothing more than to be part of those excursions. You and Fido wearing a matching mask and harness will surely bring a smile to the faces of folks you encounter.

The pandemic will one day end, and the events that make our Coachella Valley famous will return. Some events include dogs dressing in style, such as Le Chien during Fashion Week. Raising money for animal welfare charities, the Le Chien models strut down the runway

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accompanied with fabulously dressed canines outfitted by Spoiled Dog Designs.

Patt also created the costumes for the Loving All Animals’ fundraiser, Fabulous Fur Follies, where the dogs were outfitted as Las Vegas show girls in tribute to the Palm Springs Follies.

Are you planning a wedding? What could make your special day even more special than including a pup or two in the wedding party? Patt has designed many outfits for canine ring bearers and flower girls that match the outfits of the human attendants. She can design a special unique outfit that enables your precious pup to be a super star at any event.

What about cats? Not all felines are thrilled about dressing up. However, there is a demand for specially sized cat harnesses as the shape of cats’ bodies can dramatically differ. Spoiled Dog Designs has one regular customer in Australia who has an “adventure cat” who enjoys nature hikes that require a secure harness.

Patt tells about her unique sizing feature, “To fit all dogs no matter what breed, size, or figure, we created a size chart for the basic sizes. If your dog does not fit into these ranges, or has a special figure, no problem, we’ll make the item just for him/her. Our custom sizing feature on our product pages allows you to add your dog’s measurements. We take the fit worry out of ordering.”

This is one local business we want to

support! I could spend hours perusing the wonderful items on the website www. spoileddogdesigns.com. I ordered a supply of their baseball fabric masks for my sports fanatic brother. My dog selected one of their pretty summer print dresses. Patt’s creativity knows no bounds or size limits.

She once created a black cocktail dress for a Great Dane participating in an AKC show.

Another interesting product was a George Washington outfit for a dog participating in a historical July 4th event. The business has an active Facebook page “Spoiled Dog Designs”. You can contact them by phone at (760) 482-1877.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com ------------------------------------------------Here is a partial list of public shelters and private rescue organizations in the Inland Empire. Due to the high volume of recent adoptions, some of them may not have a lot of animals on a given day. You can also go on www.petfinder.com and enter your zip code and the type of rescue dog or cat you seek.

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – This large county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt.

You can view the animals at all 4 Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Email them with the animal’s ID number at shelterinfo@rivco.org and call (760) 343-3644. Located at 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. (Public)

PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesday. View their animals online at www.psanimalsshelter. org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public) ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.californiapawsrescue. com, (760) 656-8833. (Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat. View their animals at www.orphanpet. com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private) KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat.

Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private) FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage.

Contact them through website www.

May 21 to June 3, 2020

ForeverMeow.org, or call (760) 335-6767.

(Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – Shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 384-7272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt.

Call (909) 386-9280 daily between 9am & 5pm. View animals at www.sbcounty.gov/ acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

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

13

May 28 to June 3, 2020

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

No. 423

A SHARPER BITE

JAWS 45th ANNIVERSARY LIMITED EDITION

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS Based on the bestselling book by Peter Benchley that evokes the terror and obsession of Melville’s “Moby Dick.” The film costars Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss and Murray Hamilton with music – certainly a costar, by the great John Williams. Universal.

In 1975, Stephen Spielberg created the first ever summer blockbuster film and his first big hit with the iconic and terrifying action-thriller that still makes audiences afraid to go into the ocean. Winner of three Oscars© including Best original Score, the film has become a cinematic touchstone for generations of moviegoers and one of the greatest and most influential films of all

14

time.

The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack, with cool lenticular packaging, includes a Blu-Ray and digital code, a 44 page booklet with introductions, rare photos, storyboards and more from the archives. Dive into over three hours of bonus features including the making of JAWS, deleted scenes, outtakes from set and much more.

In addition to the above-mentioned items, also included in this 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray limited edition are the production featurettes: “The Making of JAWS,” “The Shark Is Still Working: The Impact & Legacy of JAWS” and “JAWS: The Restoration,” Now you can sink your teeth into a fuller and sharper looking movies experience than ever that retains and brings back

to life all the exhilarating suspense and thrills that made it an instant classic that continues to captivate audiences around the world, making this edition a must-own for everyone’s movie library.

NOTE: With the shutdown of film production and theatrical screenings, depending on access to media, this column will continue to feature new and classic films available – or forgotten and overlooked -- for the home theater.

Studios and indie home vid distributors are mining various collections and archives for titles worthy of restoration and hi-def transfers. A great place to shop is the great WB Archive for DVD, BD and even 3D titles you might want to consider for purchase.

A great movie you want to see again or missed is always a deal at any price!

Movies matter now more than ever. We humans crave stories. They are essential to our wellbeing and sense of self. You can quote me. robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

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May 21 to June 3, 2020

15

May 28 to June 3, 2020

HADDON LIBBY

W

hen we hear about companies like Microsoft and Apple being worth more than $1 trillion dollars, it takes a bit to get your head around a number of that size. $1 trillion would pay every person on Earth $125. You can buy 2 million $500,000 homes with $1 trillion.

The value of all publicly-traded companies in the world totals approximately $75 trillion with the United States-based companies worth roughly $45 trillion.

The ten largest public companies in the world equate to 10% of the value of the market. Here in the United States, our ten most valuable companies represent 17% of market capitalization.

MAIN STREET VS. WALL STREET When we see the stock market going up in a time of historic unemployment, it seems as though the equity markets are divorced from reality…which they are. When the Federal Reserve pumped $5 trillion into the markets, they propped up a shaky bond market.

Another $3 trillion and counting was pumped into families and businesses. By propping up the market with such force, companies that would have otherwise failed, survived this historic event. Families that may have ended up on the street by now were given the time and money to figure out next steps.

As the world emerges from this self-induced economic coma, we may see a bifurcated recovery – one where some companies and people thrive while others struggle to survive.

Given that many businesses and governments are on shaky economic footing due to the shutdown, Central Banks are expected to keep borrowing costs at the lowest levels in the

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BEAR MARKET BULL HAS BAD BREADTH Artwork by Isabella Libby

history of mankind.

As the Central Banks prop up heavily indebted governments and companies, those in thriving business sectors may experience historically good operating conditions. The value of these ‘COVID-proof’ companies go up as they benefit from the extraordinarily low interest rates that are required for the heavily indebted to avoid bankruptcy.

As business and government try and offset the financial impact of the shutdown, it is expected that technology will be used to help in culling the middle management ranks.

A NEW NORMAL IS VIRTUALLY CERTAIN As virtual meetings have proven effective, the need to pay for high-priced commercial real estate declines. If companies begin distributing their workforce across the United States based on skills over employment

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

location, we can expect a structural change in the way that large cities operate. Any migration of jobs requires faster, more vibrant and secure communication networks.

Last week, an Australian research team logged a data speed of 44.2 terabits per second (Tbps). For comparison, you home internet speed may get up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) although most households are slower than that. This record speed is a ridiculous 332,000 times better than the average broadband speed in the United States.

FASTER SPEEDS At the end of April, the United States ranked 11th in fixed broadband speed globally with an average download speed of 133 Mbps and upload speed of 47Mbps, as reported in the Speedtest Global Index. Looking at Mobile speeds, the United States is 33rd in the world

with an average download speed of 43Mbps and upload speed of 9Mbps.

For comparison, Singapore has the best fixed broadband speeds in the world at 198Mbps followed by Hong Kong at 177Mbps.

Mobile speeds are best in South Korea at 88Mbps and China at 85Mbps – the United States is half that.

Areas like the Coachella Valley are inadequate for virtual workers. At a time when government budgets are stretched to the brink, investment in infrastructure like highspeed internet will be a critical differentiator when attracting residents from an increasingly mobile workforce.

According to Broadband Now, Stealth Communications offers the fastest speeds in the United States at up to 10,000Mbps in Manhattan. If you are keeping track at home, that speed is more than 50 times faster than the average speed for Spectrum in the Coachella Valley. Fortunately for this region, the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership iHub offers the highest speeds in the desert at 1250Mbps, or nearly twenty times faster than the typical home service.

Haddon Libby is the Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more information on their Award Winning Business, visit www.WinslowDrake. com or email Hlibby@ WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

HAS COVID 19 MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO KEEP NY'S RESOLUTIONS?

D

id you make New Year's resolutions?

Most of us can't keep them. I personally resolved to lose 10 pounds, and I have 15 to go. Even if you could or did, what happened to your resolutions after CV19 hit us?

Clearly you can't resolve to not get CV19, nor can you resolve to never be in an accident.

The odds are you and/or a friend will have an accident this year and or be exposed to CV19.

Most of us think that accidents are what happens to other people. If you are going to get into an accident, it is more likely to happen on a holiday weekend. Memorial Day is the busiest one for accidents. There are usually more cars on the road with people going to the beach or Palm Springs Because of CV19 not everyone is leaving home yet. Thus traffic is not as busy as normal and there were fewer auto accidents. If you do have an accident it will be more difficult to get med treatment...if you can find a doctor in his/ her office.

However, IF you or a friend were in a Memorial Day weekend accident, DO NOT HIRE A LAWYER UNTIL YOU READ THIS. Now, what should you do, and what will the insurance company do? Of course they will Deny and Delay settling your claim.

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Initially, REMAIN SILENT. The defendant's insurance company will initially assign a nice sweet adjuster who will pump you for information. The adjuster will try to get pictures of the vehicle and statements from you as to how the accident happened and whether you were injured and saw a doctor.

Then they will switch adjusters and assign an unpleasant one.

Adjusters have their own bag of tricks.

When they take a picture of the car they may ask you to get in the picture. Right before clicking the pix they will ask you to bend and point to the damage to your car. At the last minute they yell SMILE! Now, they have you bending and smiling.

Later when they get the doctor's report saying the patient could not bend and was in a lot of pain, they will say to your attorney and or Judge "look at this picture that shows the driver does not appear to be having any problem bending and s/he is even smiling." When juries see this kind of evidence, they question whether you were really injured. Did you think you had hit the lottery?

TAKE DOWN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA / FACEBOOK ETC. The last thing you want is for the insurance company to see pictures of you playing a sport and or doing something

physical, that you should not be able to do with your injuries.

Take cell phone pictures of the scene; property damage; driver's license; insurance info and record statements from everyone.

Get the defendant's phone number, email, and the license plate of the other car.

Call the police. You want as much documentation of the accident as possible for your lawyer. Stay at the scene until the police arrive. Remember you do not have to give your opinion as to liability, even when you look to be partly at fault.

Go to the ER to be checked out right away, to be sure you are not injured. Have someone drive you if you cannot get an ambulance to take you. Many injuries are not obvious right away and soft tissue injuries may take days to surface. Insurance companies punish you when you don't seek immediate medical treatment.

Ideally you should see any doctor, other than your regular treating doctor, because we all have skeletons in our personal med records.

Documentations of abortions, alcohol, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases and prior injuries can be very damaging. You also want a doctor experienced in preparing a med/legal report, not just regular medical notes.

Many lawyers won't accept a case where

the victim did not get med treatment within 24 to 72 hours. If you don't see a lawyer for several days, attorneys are also reluctant to accept the case. This is because the lawyers worry you may have had a conversation with the adjuster. Your lawyer will never know what you said or what they thought they heard you say and that could be used to impeach you at trial.

Lastly, contact an attorney that specializes in accident cases. Once you have retained a lawyer the defendants insurance company can't legally contact you.

Suggestion for future columns: contact Dale Gribow 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw. com.

DALE GRIBOW - Representing the injured and criminally accused "TOP LAWYER" - California's Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-20 "TOP LAWYER" - Inland Empire Magazine 2016- 2019 PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating "DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT... CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER....THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME"

SAFETY TIPS

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FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

WE SHOULD NOT GO BACK TO NORMAL – NORMAL WAS NOT WORKING!

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s you read this, two weeks ago the Los Angeles City Fire Dept almost lost eleven members due to a fire in a “smoke and toke” shop.

Smoke and vape stores, liquor stores and casinos are now open. But you cannot see your physician or attend church. You face a citation if caught sitting on the beach, however, felons are being released from prison and within hours committing crimes. This is not normal.

We can point fingers at who caused the Corona Virus, how it spread, who is not doing enough etc. What is important to look at is your personal accountability in all this?

New health guidelines for cleanliness and social distancing are being implemented by the hour. These measures should have been developed and put into practice years ago. I love our country, but we have become a dirty nation!

Enter Here… We have all walked into restaurants and found dirty tables, restrooms, kitchens, while watching servers sneeze, cough, wipe their mouth when delivering our food. I have observed people using restrooms then walk right out back to their table without washing their hands. The same dirty towel used for wiping down seats, equipment, doorknobs etc. then used to wipe the table you are eating at.

You do not have to travel far to see fast food wrappers, trash, debris, bumpers, furniture, cigarettes, diapers, cans, and bottles indiscriminately tossed on to our streets and highways. Many of these litter bugs display an entitlement attitude of “someone else will pick it up.” Time’s these discarded objects cause injuries and fatalities on our roadways.

Gyms, stores, theaters, markets, professional offices are full of sick people (young and old) with flus and viruses.

They go about their business as “no big deal” while spreading germs. Stay home when sick! I have witnessed people spit on sidewalks or indoors in waste cans or leave

dog excrement on sidewalks. All these germs are tracked into your home from your shoes. These are just a few examples of bad hygiene habits that are not normal.

Assaults on police officers are increasing. Road rage has become a sport.

Hit and runs are a daily occurrence. High speed pursuits are on the news daily and most people seem to gain pleasure not letting you merge into their lane.

Kindness, civility, and courtesy is hard to find these days. Fights over toilet paper, hand sanitizers and wearing or not wearing masks are out of control.

Our politicians fight like children, lie to the public and commit crimes which go unaccounted. How can you trust the words and actions of our elected leaders when they act this way? As a nation we are divided in so many ways. Fistfights, assault, and friendships ruined because you do not agree with someone else’s viewpoint.

Most people would rather text than talk to you.

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.”

This behavior does not discriminate.

It’s prevalent in every city, rich or poor. It has become a universal way of life. It is not normal!

Going back to normal is the last thing we should do. Normal behavior that is mentioned above was not working for us and will not work for our future. It is time to take on a new way of being as the only ones that are responsible and able to make change is ourselves.

If we go back to the way things were, we will lose the lesson. If we are smart, we can learn from Covid-19 and reshape our cities, states, country – and mostly ourselves and the way we behave.

Let us increase our morals, manners, and integrity. May we all rise and do better. I think you’re picking up what I’m putting down!

Be safe, stay well and keep it clean…

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

LOCAL BUSINESS

May 21 to June 3, 2020

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

USA MARBLE AND TILE CARE – THE BEST!

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ave you ever met a stranger that felt more like an old friend you have known forever?

Covid-19 has put a lot of things on hold. I normally write about fire and life safety issues but today I want to write a true gentleman and new friend.

That is how I describe my new friend Jose Jimenez from USA Marble Care. He was highly recommended and when I met him, I knew he was who I would want to do the job of cleaning and sealing the pavers around my pool.

I had some very tough calcification and

after years of the desert heat and sun the times looked lifeless. I had several companies provide estimates and one person who claimed they could do the job, however the results lasted about a week. Jose also did a great job cleaning and sealing my interior tile!

Jose and his son Mario were punctual, professional, and personable. The pavers look great and Jose followed up on his work coming back to check and inspect and ensure I was happy. I am completely happy, and I highly recommend Jose. 760.289.0361.

Thank you Jose!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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PUMPING SERVICE

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May 28 to June 3, 2020

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BY DEE JAE COX

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MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

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BY BRONWYN ISON

THE BEAUTY OF ACCEPTANCE

“The greatest gift that you can give to others is the gift of unconditional love and acceptance.” - Brian Tracy ccepting others and self is a magnificent gift. It’s a gift that surpasses anything tangible. Feeling accepted and being a part of something gives us incredible confidence. Speaking of self-acceptance, it’s defined as, “an individual’s acceptance of all of his/her attributes, positive or negative.” This includes how we think of ourselves, i.e… our body acceptance, protecting ourselves from others negative criticism, and believing in your own capabilities.

Most people have low self-esteem.

Often times our childhood has much to do with how we think of ourselves.

If you lack self-acceptance it may be you had a parent who was not very empathetic. Once we’re adults, a person who lacks self-esteem is seeking approval and affirmations.

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They are constantly seeking approval from others. I’ve witnessed people who will boast of self and their wonderful accomplishments. By all means, I’m not discounting a person’s hard work or discounting their accolades. While the person may boast, it’s only temporary, a euphoric high they can only be on for a short while. Once that fix is satisfied … they seek more. It becomes a vicious cycle.

We are who we are. Love who you are. Accept who you are. Be yourself.

You were not meant to be anyone else.

Don’t wait for approval from man.

He/she has just as many beauties and faults as you do.

Do something kind for yourself and accept yourself for the amazing person you are!

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of EvolveYogaOnline.com ~ Join my FREE Wellness Guide, www.evolveyoga.com.

May 21 to June 3, 2020

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF MAY 28

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “The best of my nature reveals itself in play, and play is sacred,” wrote the feisty Aries author Karen Blixen, who sometimes used the pen name Isak Dinesen. The attitude described in that statement helps illuminate the meaning of another one of her famous quotations: “I do not think that I could ever really love a woman who had not, at one time or another, been up on a broomstick.” In my interpretation of this humorous remark, Blixen referred to the fact that she had a strong preference for witchy women with rascally magical ways. I bring this to your attention, Aries, because I’m inviting you to cultivate a Blixen-like streak of sacred play and sly magic in the coming days.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus music legend Willie Nelson has played the same guitar since 1969.

He calls it “my horse,” and named it after Trigger, a famous horse in Hollywood films. Although Nelson still loves the tones that come from his instrument, it’s neither sleek nor elegant. It’s bruised with multiple stains and has a jagged gash near its sound hole. Some Tauruses want their useful things to be fine and beautiful, but not Willie. Having said that, I wonder if maybe he will finally change guitars sometime soon. For you Bulls, the coming months will be time to consider trading in an old horse for a new one.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I’ve got a message for you, courtesy of poet Lisel Mueller. I think her wisdom can help you thrive in the coming weeks.

She writes, “The past pushed away, the future left unimagined, for the sake of the glorious, difficult, passionate present.” Of course, it’s always helpful for us to liberate ourselves from the oppressive thoughts of what once was in the past and what might be in the future. But it’ll be especially valuable for you to claim that superpower in the coming weeks. To the degree that you do, the present will be more glorious and passionate and not so difficult.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): When Lewis Carroll’s fictional heroine Alice visits the exotic underground realm known as Wonderland, she encounters two odd men named Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

The latter tells her, “You know very well you’re not real.” He’s implying that Alice is merely a character in the dream of a man who’s sleeping nearby. This upsets her. “I am real!” she protests, and breaks into tears. Tweedledum presses on, insisting she’s just a phantom. Alice summons her courageous wisdom and thinks to herself, “I know they’re talking nonsense, and it’s foolish to cry about it.” I suspect you Cancerians may have to deal with people and influences that give you messages akin to those of Tweedledum. If that happens, be like Alice.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “The less you fear, the more power you will have,” says the rapper known as 50 Cent. I agree with him. If you can dissolve even, say, 25 percent of your fear, your ability to do what you want will rise significantly, as will your influence and clout. But here’s the major riddle: How exactly can you dissolve your fear? My answers to that question would require far more room than I have in this horoscope. But here’s the really good news, Leo: In the coming weeks, you will naturally have an abundance of good insights about to dissolve your own fear. Trust what your intuition tells you. And be receptive to clues that serendipity brings you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): For his film Parasite, Virgo filmmaker Bong Joon-ho received Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. In his natal horoscope, Joon-ho has Pluto conjunct his sun in Virgo, and during the time Parasite began to score major success, Saturn and Pluto were making a favorable transit to that powerful point in his chart. I’m expecting the next six months to be a time when you can make significant progress toward your own version of a Joon-ho style achievement. In what part of your life is that most likely to happen? Focus on it. Feed it. Love it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to seek out, seduce, and

© Copyright 2020 Rob Brezsny

attract luck. To inspire you in this holy task, I’ll provide a prayer written by Hoodoo conjurer Stephanie Rose Bird: “O sweet luck, I call your name. Luck with force and power to make change, walk with me and talk through me. With your help, all that can and should be will be!” If there are further invocations you’d like to add to hers, Libra, please do. The best way to ensure that good fortune will stream into your life is to have fun as you draw it to you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio comedian John Cleese does solo work, but many of his successful films, albums, stage shows, and TV programs have arisen from joining forces with other comedians. “When you collaborate with someone else on something creative,” he testifies, “you get to places that you would never get to on your own.”

I propose you make this your temporary motto, Scorpio. Whatever line of work or play you’re in, the coming weeks will offer opportunities to start getting involved in sterling synergies and symbioses.

To overcome the potential limitations of social distancing, make creative use of Zoom and other online video conferencing.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Wherever I am, let me never forget to distinguish want from need,” vows author Barbara Kingsolver. “Let me be a good animal,” she adds. That would be a stirring prayer to keep simmering at the forefront of your awareness in the next six weeks. According to my understanding of the astrological omens, you’ll be getting clear signals about the differences between your wants and needs. You will also discover effective strategies about how to satisfy them both in the postpandemic world, and fine intuitions about which one to prioritize at any particular time.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Writing some Chinese characters can be quite demanding. To make “biáng,” for example, which is used in the name for a certain kind of noodle, you must draw 58 separate strokes. This is a good metaphor for exactly what you should avoid in the coming weeks: spending too much time and devoting too much thought and getting wrapped up in too much complexity about trivial matters. Your focus should instead be on simple, bold approaches that encourage you to be crisp and decisive.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Singer-songwriter Jill Scott is strongly committed to her creative process.

She tells us, “I was once making a burger for myself at my boyfriend’s house and a lyric started pouring out and I had to catch it, so I ran to another room to write it down, but then the kitchen caught fire.

His cabinets were charred, and he was furious. But it was worth it for a song.” My perspective: Scott’s level of devotion to the muse is too intense for my tastes. Personally, I would have taken the burger off the stove before fleeing the scene to record my good idea. What about you, Aquarius? According to my analysis, you’re in a phase when creative ideas should flow even better than usual. Pay close attention. Be prepared to capture as much of that potentially lifealtering stuff as possible.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): To protect ourselves and others from the pandemic, most of us have been spending more time than usual at home—often engaged in what amounts to enforced relaxation. For some of us, that has been a problem. But I’m going to propose that it will be the opposite of a problem for you in the next three weeks. In my astrological opinion, your words to live by will be this counsel from author and philosopher Mike Dooley: “What if it was your downtime, your lounging-in-bedtoo-long time, that made possible your greatest achievements? Would they still make you feel guilty?

Or would you allow yourself to enjoy them?”

Homework: What’s the story or song that provides you with your greatest consolation?

FreeWillAstrology.com.

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

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May 28 to June 3, 2020

SWAG FOR THESOUL

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BY AIMEE MOSCO

PUTTING FAITH IN YOUR SOUL PLAN

“Before we choose in incarnate in a physical body, we lay out an intricate plan of what we intend to accomplish and experience during the lifetime.” Gratitude + Forgiveness x(Love) = Happiness, by Aimee Mosco and Donald L. Ferguson, pg. 13 he responsibility your soul agreed to take on while you are here in a body is to learn as much as you possibly can in relation to your soul lessons. This is your main purpose. All human objectives take a backseat to this one because what you learn while you are here you will carry with you in your divine memories until the end of time.

The importance and effect of your growth reaches far beyond the expiration of your body.

While the major intersections of your journey were crafted by the higher parts of you in an effort to keep you in alignment with the completion of your soul mission, the details of lesser importance were loosely planned and subject to change.

Why were major events planned and the others not?

The framework of your life was carefully crafted by your Higher Wisdom to provide a structure for spiritual growth. Your soul, however, measures success using a different scale than your ego. Often times when you feel like you have failed, you have not failed at all because there was great value to your soul in the experience of the perceived failure. The important thing to keep in mind is that your soul knows no such thing as failure. There is

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only opportunity for growth with each new step.

There are so many ways to learn and potential outcomes associated with the loosely planned events of life depend heavily on the choices you make with freewill at the helm. You, in all of your humanness, get to spread your wings and experiment through choice. Just as you can choose to focus your attention on what you lack or the darkness of any situation, you can alternatively choose to focus your attention on what you have and goodness.

That part is completely up to you. Either way, you will grow.

As your consciousness expands and you become aware that your experiences are not a series of random events glued together with luck (good or bad), you can take comfort in knowing there is a plan.

Your soul has done the heavy lifting on your behalf and laid out a journey in which you can safely put your faith. The variable is how you will choose to color that journey.

In my pursuit to help humanity choose love over lack, I invite you to join Facebook group Evolve through Love hosted by Elizabeth Scarcella, BB Ingle, and me. Go to facebook.com/groups/evolvethroughlove and share with us your joy.

Aimee Mosco is an Author, Intuitive Channel, Spiritual Teacher and Co-Founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Aimee’s passion for helping others inspired her book “Gratitude + Forgiveness x (LOVE) = Happiness”. Find Aimee at www.ihsunity. com.

CANNABIS CORNER

CANNABIS AS A STEROID SPARING DRUG

BY RUTH HILL R.N.

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he endogenous (originating within our bodies) production of steroids is accomplished through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the adrenal glands. As part of the immune system they are a powerful inflammatory hormone. With disease the need for external anti-inflammatory steroids is accomplished by adding corticosteroid drugs like cortisone, hydrocortisone, and prednisone that mimic our endogenous steroids, a new effective way was discovered to reduce inflammation in the body. They are prescribed for arthritis, asthma shortness of breath and any disease symptom that causes swelling or edema of cell tissues.

However, the side effects and long term use can cause glaucoma, cataracts, fluid retention, high blood pressure, mood swings, weight gain, diabetes, increased risk of infections, osteoporosis, suppressed adrenal gland function, thin skin, and slower wound healing.

(Muhammad Yasir et al. Corticosteroid Adverse Effects StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan) Coming off steroids can result in ‘steroid withdrawal syndrome’ which happens when the body has become reliant on the exogenous (pharmaceutical) steroids. The physician will prescribe steroid sparing agents that allow for the reduction in the dose or can be the first line of choice for suppressing the immune system. Examples are cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, methotrexate, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and sirolimus.

Many are classed as chemotherapy drugs and come with their own unpleasant side effects, causing hair loss, nausea, nail and skin problems, fatigue, abdominal bloating, disruption to her menstrual cycle, urinary tract infections, and mouth ulcers. Long term use of immunosuppressants has also been linked to a greater risk of developing cancer in later life.

(Martin P. Gallagher et al.)

Steroid sparing drugs were first developed to prevent rejection after transplants, and this holds true for CBD, as well. There are phase II clinical trials being conducted by Israeli researchers to demonstrate the effects of CBD to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in steroid-resistant patients. Nine out of the ten subjects responded to the CBD treatment, with most of them achieving a ‘complete response.’

Israeli researchers next have begun

recruiting for a larger patient sample size for phase II clinical trials for CBD as a steroid sparing treatment in Crohn’s disease and autoimmune hepatitis. Patients will gradually shift from their current treatment (steroids or immunosuppressants) to just taking 300mg of synthetic CBD daily. The next conundrum is testing which CBD is effective a synthetic, hemp or full flower CBD. It is difficult to discuss anything without mentioning the pandemic caused by COVID-19.

This is a reference that shows the folly of using masks all the time. www.cidrap.umn.edu.

“Kellogg, seeking a reason for the failure of cloth masks required for the public in stopping the 1918 influenza pandemic, found that the number of cloth layers needed to achieve acceptable efficiency made them difficult to breathe through and caused leakage around the mask. We found no well-designed studies of cloth masks as source control in household or healthcare settings.”

--------------------------------------------------The War on COVID-19 like an eager sailor I salute the orders for mandatory confinement gaining credits to apply for a prize like an inspiring troubadour day seven day eleven even day twenty-seven honor courage commitment values of an obedient sailor instead of clarity guidelines turn into spaghetti death predictions change like the wind gloves not needed then gloves suggested then mandated by zip code nation state or city honor turns to anger from loss of control no income to pay rent feed my children courage to resist guidelines the new commitment today I view a video a physician clad in scrubs on the steps of a hospital declares the danger of lockdowns increases in suicides child abuse empty beds hospital layoffs needed surgeries denied like a betrayed sailor my anger becomes an orphan as I weep --------------------------------------------------Direct questions about cannabis and steroid sparing drugs to hilruth@gmaill.com

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May 21 to June 3, 2020

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May 28 to June 3, 2020

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