Coachella Valley Weekly - June 2 to June 8, 2022 Vol. 11 No. 12

c o a c h e l l a v a l l e y w e e k l y . c o m • J u n e 2 t o J u n e 8 , 2 0 2 2 V o l .1 1 N o .1 2

Cedric The Entertainer Haunted Summer D’Coffee Bouteaque Theatre Summer Camps & Conservatories pg6

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

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

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amily owned and operated since 2019, the Palm Desert location of BaBaloo Lounge and Gastropub is the 2nd location opened after the success of their original location in Lake Havasu, Az. I visited BaBaloo recently for the first time with my buddies, Nick and Phil who were also first timers to this establishment.

To say that none of us left disappointed is an understatement. In fact, the three of us agreed that everything we experienced at BaBaloo, from the service and ambiance to the food and cocktails was top-notch in a way that was beyond what we could have conceived of. Lucky for us, we showed up with open minds and adventurous attitudes and those attributes served us well at this exotically diverse restaurant.

Don’t get me wrong…I don’t want to

discourage picky eaters or folks that tend to shy away from trying out new culinary experiences from checking out BaBaloo. As exciting and curious some items might seem to many diners, the menu is actually quite well rounded with items such as stylized

burgers, sandwiches, stir fry’s and steaks. The indoor bar is not only stunning to look at but it is extensively stocked with countless liquor options, wines and draft beers. There is also a really cool bar on the back patio which has an continue to page 5

CONTENTS BaBaLoo Lounge & Gastropub............... 3-5 Cedric The Entertainer ............................... 6 Fantasy Springs Job Fair ........................... 7 Consider This - Haunted Summer.............. 8 Club Crawler Nightlife ............................... 9 Screeners................................................... 10 The Vino Voice .......................................... 12 Travel Tips 4 U - D'Coffee Bouteaque...... 13 Pet Place .............................................. 14-15 Breaking The 4th Wall................................ 16 Haddon Libby ............................................17 Dale Gribow .............................................. 17 Keg Whisperer........................................... 18 Safety Tips ................................................. 18 Send Me A Trainer .................................... 19 Free Will Astrology................................... 19 Cyber Corner ............................................. 20 Shay's Warriors ......................................... 21

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

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BABALOO LOUNGE

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

continued from page 3

SOCIAL HOUR

11am - 6pm $2 Domestic Beers $2 Off Draft Beers $3 Well Drinks $3 House Wine awesome little koi pond and a misting system that works so well that I wouldn’t mind sitting out there in the heat of July.

Thirsty upon our arrival and stunned by the gorgeous and alluring bar setup in the main dining room, we ordered cocktails right away.

Hector, our server made some suggestions and we decided to all try something different for comparisons. Each cocktail was artfully crafted by Ian the bartender who took time and care in skillfully executing each libation with perfect balance. Not too sweet, not too strong and full of flavor. Eventually, I asked Ian what the secret was behind mixing the most delicious mojito I ever had the pleasure of tasting and he replied that they use, “... all fresh ingredients.”

Next, we ordered our appetizers and this is when it got interesting. Phil, Nick and I made the group decision to try things we have never had before which led to us ordering gator bites, frog legs, escargot and fried duck wings in a peanut butter sauce with a guava Sirach jam. Let me tell you guys that our adventurous spirits paid off with our choices. Any preconceived notions or hesitations we may have held about those dishes were quickly dissipated due to delectable execution of each appetizer we tried.

The gator bites, (yes I mean alligator),

were breaded and deep fried nuggets that packed in a lot of flavor and were served with a spicy aioli dipping sauce that added just the right kick of spice without overpowering the taste of the meat. We joked that it is the type of dish you could serve to a picky child and they would never conceive of the fact that they were eating alligator meat. Our next surprise was the escargot.

As three newbies to the concept of eating snails, we were definitely on the edge of our seats with skepticism. I kept thinking of the dinner scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts is served a plate full of gray, slippery shells that she is awkwardly trying to negotiate with specialized tools and ends up accidentally flinging one across the room.

“Slippery little suckers.” But this dish was nothing like that. It wasn't slimy or rubbery or even in a shell. On the contrary, it was savory and balanced with the texture that I would compare to perfectly sautéed mushrooms in an aromatic, garlic and butter sauce.

That would lead us to the frog legs that were crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside with simple but perfectly applied seasoning and served with a light Asian inspired sauce. The last of our appetizers was the fried duck wings in a peanut butter sauce which was beyond delicious but also, really difficult to describe. The balance of

flavors in the sauces on top of the most perfectly prepared duck wing I have ever had is something you just have to try for yourself.

For our entrees we ordered swordfish, a humongous rib-eye steak and a classic Cuban sandwich. To save us all a lot of time and fanfare I will just go ahead and say that every dish was perfect and probably the most delicious example of each dish that we have ever had, period.

In addition to phenomenal food, drinks, service and ambiance…BaBaloo has live music and dancing every weekend, daily happy hour specials and a brand new Sunday brunch every week from .

Find out more info on their website: www.babaloolounge.com.

Or call them at (760) 895-4186.

15% OFF

Daily From 2pm - 5pm With this CV WEEKLY Coupon

EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2022.

ONE COUPON PER VISIT.

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

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COMIC LEGEND CEDRIC “THE ENTERTAINER” WILL BRING THE LAUGHS TO FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO ON OCT. 1

COMEDY

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ver the course of a career spanning more than 30 years, actor/comedian Cedric “The Entertainer” has solidified his status as one of the world’s premier performers on stage, in film and on television. The veteran comic will perform at the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 3 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via phone (800) 827-2946 and online at www.

FantasySpringsResort.com.

The versatile comedian’s film work spans genres including his role in the “Original Kings of Comedy,” concert film which chronicled his record breaking Kings of Comedy Tour with fellow comedians Steve Harvey, D.L Hughley and the late Bernie Mac. Cedric also co-starred in the hit comedy “The Last O.G.,” opposite Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish, and he portrayed legendary civil rights activist and leader Ralph Abernathy in the feature film, “Son Of The South,” executive produced by Spike Lee. Other movie credits that feature Cedric’s comic talents are “Intolerable Cruelty,” “Madagascar,” and “Charlotte’s Web,” and the “Barbershop” and “Johnson Family Vacation” franchises.

Cedric’s extensive television footprint includes the comedy series “The Soul

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Man,” which he co-created and executive produced; “The Steve Harvey Show,” which he won four NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy; the sketch comedy series “Cedric the Entertainer Presents,” which he starred in and executive produced and was honored with the AFTRA Award of Excellence; served as host of season 12 of the hit game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”; and was featured as the voice of Bobby Proud in the Disney animated series “The Proud Family,” that he also received an NAACP Image Award for. He recently hosted the hosted the 2021 Emmys and in 2019 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Tickets for Cedric “The Entertainer” start at $59 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 3 at the Fantasy Springs Box Office, via phone (800) 827-2694 and online at www. fantasyspringsresort.com.

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

JOBS OFFERED ON THE SPOT AT CAREER EXPO LOCAL BUSINESS AT FANTASY SPRINGS RESORT CASINO ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 Candidates should come dressed to impress and are encouraged to bring a resume. Applicants can view all available employment opportunities at www. fantasyspringsresort.com/employment/.

“We value our team members here at Fantasy Springs and are committed to offer fulfilling and stable careers. As a testament to our dedication, many of our employees have been with us for many years, some up to 20 plus years,” said Human Resources Director Robert Silverang. “We offer competitive perks such as free meals for team members, employee discounts on hotel, restaurant, golf and entertainment, company-wide

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antasy Springs Resort Casino is hosting a job fair on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 from 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Special Events Center. The award-winning resort is seeking to fill over 65 positions in a variety roles and departments.

Managers will be onsite to interview applicants and extend job offers on the

spot for a wide range of positions such as Restaurant Server, Restaurant Manager, Beverage Bartenders/Servers, Sous Chef, Cook, Cash Ops, Cage Cashier, Main Banker, Engineering, Public Safety and openings at the Hotel, and more.

Once hired, new team members will receive a $50 gift card upon completing orientation.

parties for holidays, employee awards, and much more. You’ve tried the rest, now try the best!”

With over 1,000 full- and part-time employees, Fantasy Springs offers numerous incentives including on the job training, competitive wages, opportunity for advancement, attractive benefit packages, generous paid-time off, medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition reimbursement, 401K, employee assistance program, and special recognition for those who best exemplify Fantasy Springs’ values.

For more information, visit www. fantasyspringsresort.com.

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

CONSIDER THIS

“All alone and not amused, misconstrued and always blue, I cannot forget what I found in you” hat’s Haunted Summer, reveling in what the French refer to as the douleur exquise, the exquisite pain of heartbreak on the opening cut of their new album, Whole. Somewhere between the sound of sultry ‘60s Girl Groups, the sophisto-Pop of Burt Bacharach, the sinewy Psychedelia of The Velvet Underground and the Shoegaze-y style of bands like Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star, The Sundays, Ivy and Azure Ray, stands Haunted Summer.

L.A. natives Bridgette Moody and John Seasons had seen each other around the local music scene for a few years before becoming friends. Dissatisfied with their separate musical projects, love and life in general, their friendship became something more in the summer of 2012. Clicking so perfectly as a couple, inevitably they decided to collaborate creatively. Hoping for the best, but expecting the worst, they were delighted to find that their musical chemistry was as potent as their personal connection. Ditching their current bands, they formed Haunted Summer.

Both had grown up surrounded by music.

His family included several professional musicians, She was blessed with music-loving parents. Each absorbed a plethora of musical influences: Beach Boys, Beatles, Bowie, Broadway, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Patsy Cline, Bjork, Buzzcocks, X, Flaming Lips, Daniel Johnston, Sigur Ros, Husker Du, Iggy Pop, Elvis, Mozart and the Spice Girls. John picked up guitar at age 12, and Bridgette took up trumpet and tuba. In the ensuing years, both became proficient on guitar, keys, bass and drums.

Their debut EP, Something In The Water arrived in 2013. The pair quickly followed up with their first official long-player, Birth, the following year. Their third effort, 2017’s Spirit Guides, came together piece-meal, written and sometimes recorded on the road. But it was their watershed album, distilling all that had come before. For their new album, Whole, they made a conscious decision to hunker down, writing and recording at a quick clip, so there would be brand new music for the road. Of course, those plans were derailed by the pandemic. The album kicks into gear with “Empty Nostalgia.”

Spooky organ, swoony keys and shang-alang guitars wash over an insistent, tick-tock beat. Bridgette’s drowsy vocals convey the yin yang sensations of acrimony and ennui that accompany a broken romance. The detritus of the relationship is evident, and equivocation is on full display; “Here lies the book you read, same with life and the pictures in your head, we can still reach out, no one else can teach us how time goes on to be.” Jangly guitars on the break undercut the gloom. allowing a little sunshine to peek through.

On both “Mary” and “The Tree,” lush melodies and arrangements, plus winsome instrumentation, manage to cocoon the bitterness and recrimination that characterize the lyrics. The former, which shares some musical DNA with The Beatles’ Arthur Alexander cover, “Anna,” is mellow and meandering, powered by a thunking

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HAUNTED SUMMER

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BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

beat, thready bass lines, burnished guitars and willowy piano notes. Cryptic lyrics are suffused with feelings of longing and betrayal; “Mary, you don’t know what I’m fighting for, when you run out the door, the promise is broken now…. and I can remember what you said that day, but I can’t remember how you walked away.” Bridgett’s soaring falsetto crests atop rippling piano and gauzy guitars on the final verse, which focuses on parental perfidies discovered later in life; “And I remember what you said that day, but I can’t remember how it burnt away.”

The latter opens with filigreed fretwork, that quickly intertwines with reticent electric riff-age and stacked ethereal harmonies.

Admitting she’s “soaked in disappointment,” the emotional treachery and heartache on display is palpable, even as it’s cloaked in this sunny roundelay. Although Bridgette addresses her ex with a steely resolve; “So, have a life without me, have a life without me, there’s no one left in mourning…” this is clearly unfinished business.

The album’s best tracks hopscotch across the record, beginning with the cinematic shiver of “Camera.” Sun-dappled guitars partner with plinky-plunky keys, Carol Kayeified bass lines and a loping beat. The specter of Phil Spector looms behind the woozy arrangement and shimmery harmonies.

Lyrics like “I can love you with a light touch, I can pin you on my wall,” indicates that romance is sometimes easier in the abstract.

Then there’s the haunting elegy of the title track. Funereal keys are matched by slack key-flavored guitars, downcast piano and a thwocking beat. Lyrics tenderly eulogize a friend gone to soon; “You never got to see the world, so I’m gonna see it for you, they never got to read your words, so I’m gonna sing them for you.” On the break, the tempo slows and the arrangement shapeshifts, layering

swirly guitars over spacy, Psychedelicized keys. Multi-tracked vocals drive the song to crescendo, addressing the dearly departed directly; “But for your sake and mine, I’ll ask a question so bold, well, I just have to know…. does God save the damned?”

On the album’s lone cover, Haunted Summer jettisons the gangly, lo-fi appeal of Daniel Johnston’s epochal “You Put My Love Out The Door.” Recalibrating it with gossamer guitars, barely-there bass, lush keys and a spongy beat. A sad-sack saga of unrequited love; “I rode out to your house, and brought you a Valentine, and what did you do? You put my love out the door….now every February my heart gets sore, when I remember how you put my love out the door,” is buoyed by a bucolic arrangement that gives this lament some Bacharach-ariffic heft.

“Big Knife” feels like a pastoral ode to simple pleasures. Chiming guitars connect

with incandescent keys and a tumbling beat.

Bridgette’s ingenue-esque vocals recall the beatific innocence of French chanteuses like Francoise Hardy and Jane Birkin. Although early on, lyrics exclaim “simplicity, you always astound me,” halfway through she’s changing her tune; “So pass me the big knife, if we’re playing house, I’ll be Satan’s wife.” As the arrangement spirals into the stratosphere, bargaining becomes the final gambit; “I’ll cut you a deal if you cut me a deal.”

Finally, the record winds down with summery slice of Sunshine Pop ominously entitled “Black Heart.” Sparkly acoustic notes are bookended by lithe bass lines and a chunky, mechanical beat. Lyrics quietly exhort a selfish narcissist to rethink his wicked ways; “Black heart, there’s no light left for you, black heart, there’s no life left for you, what would you say? What would you do if they came for you….What would you be if you never changed? Rearrange, change.”

Breezy, sugar rush guitars usher the song to a sweet finish.

The final track, “Retrograde,” weds strummy guitars, mercurial keys and slithery bass to a thunky beat. Introspective lyrics insist we leave old mistakes and setbacks in the past, self-flagellation is never the answer; “My choice is clear, no end is near, life’s darkest path to the light, there’s no need to write all your mishaps on your body, he shelters pain, retrograde has not been saved for me.” Like a mantra, like a prayer, it urges us to persevere.

Haunted Summer played almost everything and co-produced the record with Be Hussey. But they received some assistance on certain tracks from William Toshio Sanderson on bass, Edward Cercedes and Brendan Eder on drums, Cody Berry on guitar and Brian Cleary on piano.

Musically, this record is all over the place, And that’s a good thing. Whole is by turns mordant, melancholy, Blithe and buoyant, desolate and incandescent, a moodily elegant effort. Even as they hold their cards close to their chest, Haunted Summer ends up bating their soul.

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

The Village – Rob & JB – 1pm, Rapmarz – 9pm, DJ LF – 10pm

Thursday, June 2

Casuelas Café – Avenida – 6pm Chef George’s – Marc Antonelli – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewery – “Comedy Degens” Presents David Lucas Stan Up Comedy – 8pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Four Twenty Bank – Ultimate Jam Sessions – 6pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Kristi King – 6pm Jazzville @ Agua Caliente – Lizzy and The Triggermen – 7pm Jolene’s – Steve Krill – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Just Dave Band – 7pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – Craic Haus – 6pm Oscar’s – Broadway Barbara – 6pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Intimate Acoustics w/ 5 Acre Dream, Karla Anderson, The Sieve and the Saddle, Rob Lawrence, Wes Gainey and Buz Blvd – 8pm Shanghai Red’s (Palm Springs) – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 7pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 5pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King Trio – 6pm The Village – Rob & JB – 5:30pm, Village Idiots – 8:30pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Friday, June 3

Alibi – Second Skin – 8:30pm Babaloo Lounge – Live Music – 6pm Bart Lounge – DJs – 8pm

Bubba’s Bones and Brews – Derek Jordan Gregg – 6pm Casuelas Café – Mod Professor – 7pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Trivia Night – 7pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Desert Beer Company – First Fridays Acoustic Night w/ Mario Quintero, Courtney Chambers, Morgan Carmona and Pastor Matt – 6:30pm Four Twenty Bank – TBA – 6pm Hotel Zoso – DJ – Lounge – 6pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Marc Antonelli – 6pm Jolene’s – Desert Crows – 7pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – The Dudes of San Diego – 9pm Mitch’s on El Paseo – Alex Santana – 12pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – Kilty as Charged – 6pm Oscar’s – Rose Mallett – 6pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Failure – 9pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Rockyard @ Fantasy Springs – Vitalogy (Pearl Jam Tribute) and Uncle Jonnie – 7pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 5pm The Village – Rob & JB – 5:30pm, DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm, Rapmarz – 9pm, DJ LF – 10pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Kal David Trio – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm

Saturday, June 4

Alibi – Fever Dog, Matt & the Kings – 7pm Babaloo Lounge – Frank Di Salvo – 6pm Bart Lounge – DJs – 8pm Casuelas Café – Vinny Berry – noon, The Myx – 7pm Chef George’s – Michael D Angelo and Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Desert Fox – Allies – 9pm Four Twenty Bank – TBA – 6pm The Hood – TBA – 9pm Hotel Zoso – DJ – poolside – 11am, DJ – lounge – 6pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Marc Antonelli – 6pm Jolene’s – Jolene’s Allstars – 7pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – The Dudes of San Diego – 9pm Mitch’s on El Paseo – Alex Santana – 12pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm O’Caine’s – California Celts – 6pm Oscar’s – Oscar’s Cabaret – 6pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Desert Crows – 9pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Son Volt – 9pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Rockyard @ Fantasy Springs – Wanted (Bon Jovi Tribute) and 212 Band – 7pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 5pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Rose Mallett’s Company – 4:30pm, John Stanley King – 7pm

Sunday, June 5

Babaloo Lounge – Tim Burleson – 6pm Bart Lounge – Latina Night w/ DJ LF – 8pm Blu Ember – Gina Sedman – 5pm Casuelas Café – Daveed Macias – noon, Barry Baughn Blues Review – 5:30pm Coachella Valley Brewing Co. – Acoustic Afternoon w/ The Sieve and the Saddle and Phoenix – 3:30pm Fisherman’s Market, PS – Art of Sax –5pm Jolene’s – Patrice Morris – 6pm Kitchen 86 – Jojo Malagar – 7pm Melvyn’s – Mikael Healey – 5pm Palm Canyon Roadhouse – Sunday Night Jam – 5pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Belle and Sebastian w/ Thee Sacred Souls – 8pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Tommy Bahamas – Alex Santana – 12pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – Gio the Ace - 9pm

Monday, June 6

Babaloo Lounge – Tim Burleson – 6pm Hyatt – Derek Jordan Gregg – 5-7pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Larry Capeloto – 6pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Old 97’s – 9pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm The Village – DJ Gio the Ace – 9pm

Tuesday, June 7

Babaloo Lounge – The Carmens – 6:30pm

Casuelas Café – Desert Suite Band – 5:30pm Chef George’s – Lizann Warner – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Hyatt – Derek Jordan Gregg – 5-7pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Christine Love and Johnny Meza – 6pm Lit @ Fantasy Springs – Brad’s Pad – 7-10pm Mitch’s on El Paseo – Alex Santana – 12pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Neko Case w/ Leyla McCalla – 7pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – Slim Man Band – 6pm The Village – Karaoke – 9pm, Rapmarz – 9pm

Wednesday, June 8

Alibi – Natalie Bergman – 8:30pm Babaloo Lounge – The Myx – 7pm Casuelas Café – Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs – 6pm Chef George’s – Tim Burleson – 6:30pm Cunard’s Sandbar – Bill Baker – 6pm Indian Wells Resort Hotel – Rebecca Clark – 6pm The Nest – Live Music – 6:30pm Oscar’s – Marc Antonelli – 6pm Pappy and Harriet’s – Midlake w/ Pearl Charles – 8pm Plan B Entertainment & Cocktails – Red’s Rockstar Karaoke – 9pm Tack Room Tavern – T-Bone Karaoke – 7pm Vicky’s of Santa Fe – John Stanley King – 6pm The Village – Rapmarz – 9pm, Banda Revolucion – 10pm

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

SCREENERS

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No. 528

ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM!!!

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

TOP GUN MAVERICK To call this slick sequel better than the original is hardly high praise. This big budget action film is exactly what it is and nothing more, i.e., a visceral thrill ride and a cutting edge cinematic experience with that utilizes all the tricks of the trade (in both image and sound) to create the vicarious feelings of being in the cockpit on a combat mission in state-of-the-art hardware.

If you are not a fan of Mr, Cruise or

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jingoistic military propaganda, than this movie may not be to your liking. But that is not to say that if the subject matter or need for closure is your thing, than by all means see this big loud ride on the biggest screen you can find. The studios, especially Paramount hopes this is the movie that will yank potential moviegoers away from their streaming devices and back into theaters by reminding an audience of how powerful a theatrical presentation with a full and encompassing audio mix can be.

But make no mistake, there’s a more substantial story not explored. With all the spectacle, there’s a missing emotional thread that somehow mutes the movie going experience from all that it could have been.

It’s disappointing to realize that Cruise’s iconic character has not really changed all that much. No doubt this is not an accident but an attempt to give some sense of continuity to what has gone before, in the mistaken assumption that’s what audiences wanted. The film has been on the shelf – or perhaps tinkered with -- for over two years.

The plot has Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise), one of the Navy’s top test pilots training a team of Top Gun grads for a specialized unlike anything before.

“Maverick” could accept the advancement in rank after his three decades of service, but that would ground him.

Now he faces a future that is uncertain and is forced to confront his deepest fears

and the ghosts of his past while participating a in a mission that may require the ultimate sacrifice from those who fly it.

If you are not a Tom Cruise fan and suspicious of militaristic films that brainwash audiences and especially young men – the prime audience for this title – you may still find the action on screen thrilling if finally less that satisfying emotionally. Now playing in IMAX and other select theaters.

Drop me a line and tell me what you are watching at home or in theaters. What are you most eager to see? Is there an older film you would like to see in a 4k/UHD transfer? robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

THE VINO VOICE

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BY RICK RIOZZA

MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA HITS THE MARK

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ou loyal readers already know that I like to put on my professor hat, vest, and glasses to give a little historic and/or geographic introduction to the wonderful wines we’ll be covering. So—okay: brace yourself for a brief class in session: Chilean wine has a long history as a New World wine region. In the 1500s, Spanish conquistadors brought wine grape vines with them when they colonized the region. Wise Spanish agronomists saw the climate as ideal for growing all the types of grapes that were present in Europe.

In 1718, King Philip V of Spain bestowed the noble title of “Marqués de Casa Concha” upon José de Santiago Concha y Salvatierra for his merits as governor of Chile. The winery’s founder, Don Melchor de Santiago Concha y Toro, became the seventh Marqués de Casa Concha.

Marques de Casa Concha made its debut in 1976 and rapidly became Chile’s most iconic line of premium wines. It is currently exported to more than 100 countries.

Chile’s Central Valley is the country’s ancestral home for winemaking, with sundrenched valleys, well-drained, infertile soils, and cooling breezes. The Chilean wine country within the long Central Valley is not a single region but a series of valleys differing in size and elevation; each with their own microclimates and rivers that guide the cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Andes Mountains on the east.

Here, in the kaleidoscope of microclimates, winemaker Marcelo Papa has made it his life’s work to discover and match the right grape with its ideal terroir, creating the wines of Marques de Casa Concha.

His spirit as an incessant explorer as well as his passion and enthusiasm for discovering the authenticity and nobility of the different denominations of origin have led him to find the best places to produce excellent and noble wines, making him one of the most influential figures in the Chilean wine industry today. In fact, the renowned English wine critic Tim Atkin honored him with the title of Winemaker of the Year in 2019.

Marcelo is known as the “Seeker of Noble Roots” for his enthusiasm for exploring Chile’s different wine valleys in search of the noble roots of the best places to grow each variety of Marques de Casa Concha.

As mentioned previously, the Marques winery has rapidly become Chile’s most iconic line of premium wines. It is currently exported

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to more than 100 countries. So it’s a very special treat for us Californian’s to taste the wonderful wines that are being produced in Chile, and made available to us at the most reasonable prices for the quality.

By the way, some of you wine fans of the past will remember when the news came out that after quite a few years of producing “Chilean Merlot”, many wine professionals claimed that the Merlot planted in Chile was not Merlot, rather, it was Carménère (“car-mennair”). Both Merlot and Carménère are some of the blending varietals that make up the red wine of Bordeaux. But after wine DNA testing, many vines were indeed Carménère. Don’t be so hard on the vintners; but there surely is a varietal distinction.

On the subject of Carménère, here’s a great opportunity to learn how this varietal shows itself in the soils of Chile: In the Cachapoal Valley, Peumo Vineyard is one of Concha y Toro’s oldest, and is the ideal microclimate for growing Carménère, creating internationally renowned varietal wines. With a moderate climate with wide diurnal swings, the grapes ripen slowly and develop their intense berry, chocolate, bell pepper, and black currants flavors that are the hallmarks of truly exceptional Carménère.

As part of a narrow longitudinal valley running parallel to the Andes, the vines are protected from frost in spring and fall, extending the growing season so the tannins can develop and soften, creating elegant wines.

And now, let’s check it out! Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2020 ($24.99). Beautifully deep dark red in color, with intense notes of ripe plums, black currants, and dark chocolate, along with firm tannic structure and pronounced acidity. This was a real treat! If you think you’ve tasted though all of the Bordeaux varietals grown in the Americas, wait until you’ve enjoyed this wine: Awake your senses!

The wine portfolio of Marques de Casa Concha is a modern showcase of delicious red and white wine. As you would expect, their Cabernet Sauvignon is world class and sells incredibly below its quality mark.

As one of the oldest sub-regions in Chile, abutting the city of Santiago and just steps from the Andes Mountains, Maipo Valley is the spot for Cabernet Sauvignon, winning awards and accolades consistently for over twenty years.

For Concha y Toro, the best sites are undeniably the Puente Alto and Pirque Vineyards.

With rocky, alluvial hillsides providing multiple exposures, days that are warm and dry with cold nights, and rainfall mostly limited to the winter months. The Cabernet Sauvignon grown here has firm tannins and a smooth structure with lush dark red fruit.

Finding the exact microclimates for the classic varieties has created success for Chile and the Marques winery, thanks to Marcelo Papa’s efforts and the foresight of Concha y Toro’s founders.

And now, the Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($24.99) Deep red with lush cherry, black currant, and blackberry aromas with a touch of tar and smoke. The texture is smooth—almost silky—and masks the firm tannic structure that lies below and only appears on the lingering finish. The grill is on!

We’ll circle around to this winery next month to showcase their fabulous Sauv Blancs and Chardonnays that are some of the most refreshing quaffs to come from Chile.

Salud!

TRAVEL TIPS4U

PALM DESERT, CA

D

’Coffee Bouteaque is happy to announce their delicious COFFEE, TEA, PASTRIES, BREAKFAST AND

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D’COFFEE BOUTEAQUE

June 2 to June 6, 2022

ARTICLE & PHOTOS

BY LYNNE TUCKER

LUNCH. Made with the finest fresh and organic ingredients.

HOURS Saturday 7AM–4PM Sunday 7AM–4PM Monday 7AM–4PM Tuesday 7AM–4PM Wednesday 7AM–4PM Thursday 7AM–4PM Friday 7AM–4PM Located in the Plaza de Monterey Shopping Center Dine-in · Curbside Pickup · Delivery Great lattes, good food and amazing decor. A gem of a place!

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

PET PLACE

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KEEP FIDO INDOORS DURING STRONG WINDS! beloved pets, particularly those who have no refuge inside your home.

The flying debris and sand are distressing to humans who curtail their outdoor activities due to the harmful air quality. A walk outside results in gritty sand getting into your eyes and mouth, and it does the same for your dog. Just as this poor air quality can cause distress and medical problems for humans, it can result in coughing and upper respiratory infections for Fido. Outside water bowls quickly fill up with sand and debris which is unhealthy and horribly unpleasant for a dog.

If they are reluctant to do their “business” on the days with extreme wind, substitute potty pads until the wind subsides.

Animals stressed from the wind are more likely to dig under and jump fences to escape. Some are killed or injured by coyotes or automobiles. Others are captured by county animal control officers and taken to overcrowded public shelters. Gates blow open from the strong winds allowing pets to escape. One missing pup named Buddy escaped from his yard in Desert Hot Springs when a gardener left the gate latch undone (despite instruction to always close it) and the wind blew the gate open. Buddy was featured

by KESQ news, and his distraught owner asked me to feature him in this article.

HAVE YOU SEEN BUDDY? CALL (310) 351-6495. Attached is a photo of a beloved

MISSING DOG:

W

ill this wind ever stop? Local residents report the recent Coachella Valley windstorms are the worst we have had in 50 years. Winds roared through Whitewater at 50mph, continued through the 10-freeway corridor to Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, and Thousand Palms. Residents in inland areas including La Quinta reported piles of

A BOY NAMED SHEBA YES I’M A BOY NAMED SHEBA! The Humane Society of the Desert is keeping the name my family gave me. I miss my humans and the children, but they were evicted and I had no where to go. I am 3 years old, a handsome mix of Lab & Shepherd, healthy and fully vetted. I love people and other dogs. Call for an appointment to meet me (760) 329-0203, 17825 N. Indian Canyon, N. Palm Springs, www.orphanpet.com.

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sand blown into their homes and swimming pools where one could take a mud bath.

Every summer this column tells the story of Summer, a precious little Silky Terrier who died from painful heat stroke on August 15, 2015, in a Desert Hot Springs car lot. Summer’s story went viral, and she was featured on KESQ local news. This current turbulent weather is also stressful and harmful for our

MEET PRETTY PATSY

This beautiful cat was rescued

by Pretty Good Cat as an abandoned pregnant stray on the streets of 29 Palms. Her kittens were adopted, and it’s now her turn to get a loving home. Patsy would like to be the only kitty in your home where she can sit on your lap and purr happily. This sweet girl is almost 2 yrs old. Call (760) 660-3414.

BY JANET McAFEE 30-pound service dog named Buddy in his home. His owner is offering $1,000 reward for information leading to his safe return, no questions asked. He escaped on a windy day on May 3 from his yard in Desert Hot Springs.

Buddy was last spotted several days later at Mountain View and Dillon Road in Desert Hot Springs. Buddy is skittish so call immediately if you see him rather than try to catch him. If you live in DHS, please keep an eye out. Anna is doing everything imaginable in her search for him.

Talk to friends and neighbors who think their dog should be outdoors 24 hours a day despite the weather. Calmly ask them why their dog is always outside. Suggest they get a baby gate and keep their dog in a tiled room during the hot or very windy days. Give them a copy of this article. Email me for additional ideas to transition a dog from outside to inside.

Fortunately, we got a break from the most severe wind on Memorial Day. Meanwhile, enjoy the companionship and unconditional love your best canine friend provides INSIDE YOUR HOME! Janetmcafee8@gmail.com

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

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

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

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

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

June 2 to June 6, 2022

kittylandrescue.org, (760)251-2700. (Private) PRETTY GOOD CAT – Foster based rescue for cats located in La Quinta. Contact them at www.prettygoodcat.com, (760) 660-3414 (Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – Call for appointment to adopt dogs. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals. org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER OF CALIFORNIA (ARC), Foster based rescue for dogs and cats in Indio. www.thearc-ca.org, (760) 877-7077 (Private) FLUFFS & SCRUFFS – Foster based rescue for small dogs in Cathedral City.

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

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

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

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BY DEE JAE COX

THEATRE SUMMER CAMPS & CONSERVATORIES

DANCING, ACTING, SINGING, LAUGHING AND HAVING FUN. WHAT BETTER WAY IS THERE FOR KIDS TO SPEND THE SUMMER?

I

t’s a fact that youth who are involved in the Arts do better academically and become more engaged in the world around them.

In a national study using a federal database of over 25,000 middle and high school students, researchers from the University of California, Los Angles (UCLA) found students with high arts involvement, performed better on standardized achievement tests than students with low arts involvement. The high arts involved students also watched fewer hours of TV, participated in more community service and reported less boredom in school.

Dance, drama and the visual arts engage children in ways that not only enhance learning, but also build self-esteem and confidence. Most kids who were fortunate enough to attend a Summer Camp when they were young, remember it (and benefit from it,) for a lifetime. A summer camp program provides a safe environment for children to develop social skills, decisionmaking skills, be creative and develop a sense of independence. Positive socialization during childhood is vital for growth and development.

And the results have life-long benefits.

Combine the magic of Summer Camp with the imagination and creativity of theatre and you have an experience for youth that will make this summer not only memorable, but life changing.

Palm Canyon Theatre (PCT), located in the historic Frances S. Stevens School in Palm Springs, is presenting its 26th annual Summer Kids Camp, June 13-July 23. More than a dozen theatre professionals will mentor kids in performing

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and stagecraft. The camp includes instruction in Acting, Singing, Dancing, Makeup, Set Design, Props, Costuming, Stage Combat, Improv and more. Campers will learn skills that will help them prepare for auditions and improve their selfesteem for school presentations.

PCT offers its Summer Kids Camp for young artists, ages 6-17-years-old, for six weeks, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Each week has a special theme, including Western, Halloween, Princess and Super Heroes, and more. Participants will be divided into age-specific groups to learn different components of theatre. The camp holds weekly showcases, with a final performance the last two nights of the session. Campers can participate in the full camp experience or on a weekly basis.

The Palm Canyon Theatre is located at 538 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, Ca For more information or to register for Summer Kids Camp, call the Palm Canyon Theatre Box Office at 760-323-5123 or download the registration information online at: PalmCanyonTheatre.org.

Green Room Theatre, located at Create Center for the Arts in Palm Desert, is offering a 6-week Summer Conservatory June 8, Through July 23.

The Green Room offers fun and intensive training for artists ages 8-12 and 13-18. Presenting classes at different levels. Acting, Voice, Dance, Theatre Production and Technical Theatre with more than 160 hours of instruction.

Kids ages 8 to 12 will train mornings, and teens will train weekday afternoons in June and then in July the whole company comes together for two weeks of intensive rehearsals at Shadow Hills High School. Every student will perform in the Broadway classic, Damn Yankees, on July 15, 16, 22 and 23.

The Green Room Theatre- Create Arts Center, 73600 Alessandro Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260 For Conservatory Registration please visit: grtcpd.org. Phone: 760-696-2546 Desert Theatreworks, located at the Indio Performing Arts Center in Indio CA, will hold a KidsWork Summer Camp, Rockin’ America. This new musical-revue showcases the history of rock and roll music in America. Featuring show-

stopping dance and vocal medleys, this stage spectacle will take you on a unforgettable musical journey over the last 50 years. With songs from the Beatles, The Beach Boys, Queen and many more.

50 kids will be accepted for a tuition free camp, but must first submit a video clip audition.

KidsWork Camp will be held June 13-24 from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Mon- Fri. The kids cannot miss any days.

Performances will be held June 24- 6:30 PM & 8:00 PM (dinner, pizza & drinks provided for kids) June 25- 2:30 PM & 4:00 PM (closing party after show, cupcakes and drinks) Desert Theatreworks is located at the Indio Performing Arts Center, 45175 Fargo St., Indio CA, 92201 For more information visit their websitedtworks.org. Phone: 760-980-1455 Whether your child has theatrical aspirations or simply wants a fun and creative summer experience, theatre camps and conservatories are the way to go. The tragedy of the pandemic forced so much isolation, but now the doors are open and there’s amazing opportunities for young children and teens to participate in fun, social and educational activities that will help them make new friends, discover new talents and express their imaginations in inspiring and creative ways, that will truly impact them for a lifetime.

Dancing, acting, singing, laughing and having fun. What better way is there for kids to spend the summer?

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

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

HADDON LIBBY

L

et’s welcome the start of summer with a light look at some of the weirder news of the last week.

Starting out here in California, the finals of Redding Rodeo last Friday night left six people injured and a bull on the loose. It seems that one of the bulls shook its rider and the leapt the fence for the VIP section. In leaping the fence, it caught Jordan Greco in the thigh leaving a gash down to his knee. The bull then bucked its way out of the rodeo to Sundial Bridge a half mile away where it injured a woman as well.

No injuries were life-threatening, the bull was caught and returned to its owners.

The 2nd annual Josh Fight took place in Lincoln, Nebraska last week. Initially started as a joke, this now annual event raised $42,000 for the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha. The event came about after Josh Swain, founder of the event, sent out a Tweet challenging all of the other Josh Swain’s to fight it out for the Josh Swain name as there should be only one. Joshes from around the country descended on Bowling Lane Park to wage combat. Armed with no more than a pool noodle, 5 year-old Josh Vinson, Jr. defended his title and remains the only winner in the fights history. Despite losing to a once four and now five-year old, the Josh Swain who started this event has yet to change his name.

Steve Halliday is a well-known Elvis impersonator in the United Kingdom. He plans

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QANONSENCE, RODEO BULLS AND POOL NOODLES

on coming to Las Vegas on July 29th to marry his Priscilla Presley. Her real name is Cassandra Fisher but has worked part-time as a Priscilla Presley look-a-like for the last ten years. The pair met at a show in the seaside resort town of Blackpool in Lancashire, England in 2018.

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

Blackpool is located on the central side of the western coast of England. When they perform their nuptials, the happy couple will be dressed as themselves and not the alter-egos.

Finnish brewer, Olaf Brewing, is supporting the bid of its country for NATO inclusion with its new OTAN lager. The beer label has a medieval-styled armored knight with the NATO star emblazoned on the chest of his armor while holds a stein of beer. Petteri Vanttinen, the CEO of Olaf Brewing says that this new beer has “a taste of security, with a hint of freedom.” The name of the beer is a French abbreviation for NATO. The brewery itself is named after a medieval castle in Savonlinna which is only a few miles from the Russian border.

No weird news story would be complete without Alex Jones and Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene – two of the weirder folks out there. The latest, baseless, QAnonsense that they spout relates to monkeypox. Both have supported theories that Bill Gates is some sort of bio-terrorist. Last week Green stated that Gates is “very concerned about monkeypox because this is something, apparently, he

June 2 to June 6, 2022

BY HADDON LIBBY can make a lot of money from.” Later she suggested that people will be advised to buy a Bill Gates pillow “you can cuddle with every night because Bill Gates is gonna save the day.”

Alex Jones is responsible for spreading the theory that monkeypox, a milder version of smallpox, is due to COVID-19 vaccines. Lastly, Jordan Sather, a QAnon influencer and moron states that the release of the virus was to “lock down America” so that we would have to use mail-in ballots versus voting in person.

Sadly, these whackos have large followings.

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

For more information, please visit www.WinslowDrake. com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

WHY AN ADJUSTER CAN'T DETERMINE THE VALUE OF AN ACCIDENT CASE?

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oday, all insurance companies use a computer program called Colossus to determine the value of an Auto Accident case. It plugs in the severity of the injuries and the amount of the medical bills, loss of earnings, amount of property damages, how long the victim treated etc . It then spits out an amount, the adjuster can then offer.

Believe it or not I have received hundreds of calls, right after the accident, asking, “What determines the value of my Accident case and what is it worth?” It know it sounds silly but people who have been in an accident will call right after the accident and ask that question.

One interpretation is that the party is in it for the money only, and not interested in getting medical help, or even needing it.

Common sense would dictate that a lawyer needs to know how bad the injuries were and how long a victim has treated with medical providers. Some medical providers have greater importance than others, and some medical bills are more important than others.

For instance $10,000 in Ortho and Neuro

treatment bills are worth more than MRI and XRAYs etc. Many years ago the insurance company, on a soft tissue case, would just multiply the medical bills by 3 or 4 and offer that amount to settle. Then they realized a bill of $5,000 for MRI or X-rays etc. was not worth as much as $5,000 of physical therapy.

Because of this program it is more important than ever before that you hire a lawyer who focuses on accident cases… to guide you and your medical providers.

An accident victim needs a doctor who specializes in both Treating AND Writing a medical report. Though it does not seem right, there is a difference between a doctor who says there is a 50% chance of a full recovery, and saying a 50% chance the patient will not make a full recovery. For years I lectured to the International College of Surgeons at their annual seminar, teaching them How to Write a Medical/Legal Report.

A patient needs a doctor who does not say “go home and soak in a hot bath and call in a month and to take aspirins if there is any pain.”

When you call in a month it takes another

2-3 weeks to get a doctor’s appointment.

Thus after a few months there is very little in medical bills. Thus Colossus and the insurance company argue that if the patient was really injured they would have treated on a regular basis. That is why we assist you in finding the right doctor…though it is more challenging in the CV. When a client come into the office, I explain that a lawyer can no more tell you what your case is worth when s/he meets you, than a doctor can diagnose you without treatment and tests etc. A lawyer will not even begin to evaluate your case until your treatment has concluded and we know not only what the total amount of the bills are but also are advised what your med condition had been in the past and what it will be like in the future. Even then it is not a precise formula or process as we have to look at whether our client was partially at fault.

You are an individual and your injuries are as unique and as individual as are you. We can only assure you that our office will obtain the maximum amount of settlement possible

given the individual facts of your personal situation.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ARTICLE? CONTACT DALE GRIBOW 760 837 7500/ dale@dalegribowlaw.com DALE GRIBOW REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED “TOP LAWYER” - California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-22 “TOP LAWYER” - Inland Empire Magazine 2016- 2019 PERFECT: 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating AND “AV” Martindale Hubbell Rating Legal Columnist in LA & CV Papers/Guest Society Columnist Desert Sun / Legal Talk Show Host "ACCIDENTALLY YOURS" “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”. SO DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER.

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June 2 to June 6, 2022

KEG WHISPERER

THE FIRST IN A SERIES

T

he holiday weekend started me thinking about traditions, and as an older brewer my thoughts drifted where they always seem to go…to beer.

Over the next four weeks, we will cover the twenty most influential American craft beers ever brewed based on my 29 years in the industry. This list is entirely mine and reflects my opinion only.

Rebuttals and suggestions are encouraged and my email address appears at the end of every column.

This week we will tackle the first five starting at the bottom of the list: #20. – Lagunitas Brewing: Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale Style: Strong Ale ABV: 9.7% IBU: 66 Tony Magee, the flamboyant and shameless founder and owner of Petaluma based Lagunitas has never been one to hide his disdain for authority or to mince words so I will let him tell the tale. “The ABC agents revealed themselves on the eighth night of our St. Patrick’s Day party in front of about 350 friends. The (pot) smokers were outside – since there is no smoking inside the brewery and they all had good manners – when out came eight shiny badges. In an instant, the bartenders recognized them as the heavy drinkers from past weeks. The agents cuffed the group in the smoking circle and cited a twenty-year-old woman who was holding a beer for her twentythree-year-old husband while he went to the bathroom.”

Lagunitas was shut down for twenty days, and used the time to install a new bottling line while Tony began working on a new seasonal release to be named the Undercover Investigation Shut-down Ale. An oxymoronic “Imperial Mild” brewed to commemorate the ’05 St. Paddy’s Day Massacre. Defiant as to style…the brewer can say

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THE TWENTY MOST INFLUENTIAL CRAFT BEERS

for sure it is unforgiven and unrepentant. #19. – Brewery Ommegang: Hennepin Style: Farmhouse Ale – Saison ABV: 7.7% IBU: 24 Ask most baseball lovers what Cooperstown, New York is known for and they will reply, “The Baseball Hall of Fame”. After all, the great American pastime was invented in the little burg, so who could blame them? Brewery Ommegang, founded by Don Feinberg and Wendy Littlefield, began brewing in Cooperstown in 1997 with the focus on Belgian styles.

Hennepin lays claim to being the first Saison brewed in America and in my opinion is still the very best. Cave-aged Hennepin took home the 2004 Great American Beer Festival Gold Medal and is still considered the benchmark of the style to most American brewers. Ask me for a blanket food-pairing beer for anything from Thanksgiving day to Fourth of July, my first inclination is to always suggest Hennepin. #18. – Bell’s Brewery: Two Hearted Ale Style: IPA – American ABV: 7.0% IBU: 55 When Larry Bell opened his homebrew store in 1983, there was no possible way to foresee his brewing future. He began selling his beer (brewed in a 15-gallon soup kettle) in in September, 1985 and has become the 6th largest craft brewer in the nation. Originally incorporated as The Kalamazoo (MI) Brewing Company, Bell’s is Michigan’s oldest and largest brewery and is also know for other acclaimed beers such as Oberon and Hopslam.

Two Hearted is named for the Two Hearted River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and was first brewed as a winter seasonal in 1997 and making it a year around production beer required nearly as many twists and turns as it’s namesake river. John Mallet became Bell’s Brewmaster in 2004 and has perfected the all-Centennial hop recipe during his two-decade tenure (he started at Bell’s in 2001).

Don’t just take my recommendation about this

SAFETY TIPS

RED FLAG WARNING & FIRE WEATHER WATCHES

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BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

hough wildfires know no season, as we approach the summer and Fall months, we will hear more Red Flag Warnings issued by local fire departments and news media.

It is important to know who and why determines these days as well as what to do.

The National Weather Service Issues Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches to alert fire departments of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.

We in turn notify the media to get the message out.

A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high.

The type of weather patterns that can cause a watch or warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of the above.

Wildfires impact everyone regardless of where you live. When a wildfire develops resources from all areas from the mountains to the sea are trained and support one another through our mutual aid system. Until personnel are recalled to back-fill

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stations responding to wildfires there could be a slight delay for medical, vehicle, structure fires.

Not to mention everyone suffers from the harmful effects wildfire smoke which can last for days, weeks and longer.

It hits your pocketbook. Fighting wildfires in America can cost federal agencies billions of dollars. Wildland fires are growing worse in a time of drought and climate change, and the biggest and most destructive fires can't be stopped. They are a force of nature: imagine trying to stop a hurricane.

During heightened fire danger, fire departments will place additional firefighters on duty, staff more engines, increase patrols and keep more equipment on 24 hours a day to be able to respond to any new fires. CAL FIRE and all fire agencies urge Californians to be extremely cautious, especially during periods of high fire danger. It's important all residents and visitors take steps to prevent wildfires. One less spark could mean one less wildfire. Here are some tips on preventing wildfires; https://lnkd.in/gf_hS5Ck and what to do when a Red Flag Warning is issued; https://lnkd.in/gVMDcQNp We’ll do our part in protecting our communities, please do your part. Together, we can prevent, mitigate, and reduce the number of wildfires impacting all of us!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna Contributing source: Cal Fire

BY BREWMASTER ED HEETHUIS

brew; Zymurgy magazine, the official publication of the American Homebrewers Association, rated Two Hearted as the #2 IPA in the US from 20102016 and #1 from 2017 through this year. #17. Anchor Brewing: Old Foghorn Style: Barleywine – English ABV: 9.5% IBU: 52 Fritz Maytag saved Anchor Brewing in 1965, just days before the iconic brewery was to close its doors for good. However, saving the fabled spot, first founded in 1896, would take more than Maytag’s small fortune as the brewer was not necessarily known for producing great beer.

Fritz spend many months in England, learning the brewing trade and brought home the necessary tools for producing a great, consistent product.

Old Foghorn was one of the very first Barleywine’s produced on American soil post-

Prohibition and getting label approval from the government left the tiny brewer tied up in knots.

Since the word ‘Wine’ appeared on the label and no grapes were used in the process, it seems the best they could do was use the lexicon “Barleywine – Style Ale” on the label. Since 1975, this beer has been the flagbearer for English style barleywines. #16. Russian River Brewing: Pliny the Younger Style: Triple India Pale Ale ABV: 10.25% IBU: 90 Plinius the Younger, a lawyer, author, and nephew of Plinius the Elder, was raised and educated by his namesake. The Elder, known for his 37 books in a compilation of Natural History, was one of the very first to categorize the many varieties of hops. His work was summarily completed by The Younger…and honored as the namesake of one of the first Triple IPA’s ever produced.

Russian River founder and Master Brewer Vinnie Cilurzo first brewed The Younger in 2005, but the beer achieved official cult status when BeerAdvocate.com named it as the best beer in the world in 2009. Since that time, beer aficionado’s have been lining up for a taste of this golden nectar every February for it’s once-a-year release. Is it really that good? Yup, I’ll see you next February!

When Ed Heethuis isn’t brewing at a local Casino, you will find the Certified Cicerone / Brewmaster out on his road bike trying to rebuild a balky old knee or talking beer with the patrons at Taproom 29. He may be reached at: heethuis. ed@gmail.com or wherever beer may be found in the wild.

SENDME A TRAINER

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BY COACH NADIA POPOVA

oing to the gym isn’t the only way to get in a great workout. Working out at home can be just as effective and so much more convenient. While a gym provides a dedicated space, home workouts offer more flexibility and can be more efficient. It all depends on how you use your time and equipment to maximize your effort.

The first thing to realize about Home Workouts is that It’s convenient. You can skip traffic, and you don’t have to leave your house or work out during specific times.

It's also cost-effective. You don’t have to pay gym membership fees, and there’s no need for fancy or expensive equipment to get a great workout.

What’s an Effective Home Workout?

An effective workout doesn’t have to take a long time or need equipment like heavy-duty weights. Intermittent intervals of working out for 10 minutes at a time, three times a day can be as effective as one 30-minute session.

The important thing is to get started.

Here are some ideas: Find sufficient space to do your workouts.

This could be a spot in your bedroom, the den, a patio or even the backyard or front porch. Some of our clients exercise in their backyard, by the pool or in the living room. At a minimum, it should have enough space for

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a yoga mat and for you to stretch your arms in all directions without hitting anything.

Plan your workouts. Set days and times to exercise, and hold yourself accountable with an alarm or reminder on your smartphone. If you struggle with motivation, team up with local professionals who come to people’s homes like at cvsendmeatrainer.com.

Use your body weight. Body weight activities, when used correctly, can be as effective as weight-lifting for building muscle.

By modifying your workouts and increasing the intensity or duration over time, you’ll make the most of it. Keep in mind: • Try planks, lunges, squats, stair-climbing and pushups as great body weight exercises.

• Up the ante of your body weight circuits by increasing the number of repetitions per workout.

• Use proper form to prevent injury. Ask a professional to correct your form or watch a tutorial online before diving into new workouts.

You may not know the correct form for various exercises. This means you could injure yourself, so it’s best to stick to exercises you are already comfortable with or hire a professional that will come to you.

Please visit our website for more details at www.cvsendmeatrainer.com OR CALL (760)880-9904.

June 2 to June 6, 2022

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF JUNE 2

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Who loves the truth better than you Aries people? Who has the greatest potential to speak the real story in every situation, even when it requires extra courage?

Who has more fun than you in discovering and defining and expressing the raw facts? In my Book of Life, you Rams are radiant beacons of candor— the people I go to when I need accuracy and honesty. And all I’m saying here will be especially crucial in the coming weeks. The whole world needs concentrated doses of your authenticity.

Now read this pep talk from Aries philosopher St. Catherine of Siena: “Let the truth be your delight; let it always be in your mouth, and proclaim it when it is needed. Proclaim it lovingly and to everyone, especially those you love with a special love—but with a certain congeniality.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Before the 20th century, you couldn’t buy a loaf of bread that was already sliced into thin pieces. Then in 1912, the American inventor Otto Frederick Rohwedder developed a slicing machine. But all his work, including the blueprints and the machine prototypes, was destroyed in a fire. He had to seek new funding and begin again. Sixteen years later, his innovation was finally ready for broad public use. Within five years, most of the bread in the US was sold sliced. What does this have to do with you? I am picking up an Otto Frederick Rohwedder vibe when I turn my visions to you, Taurus. I suspect that in the coming months, you, too, will fulfill a postponed dream.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A blogger named Sweetlikeacherry reminds us, “Some epiphanies are only possible when you put away your phone and go completely offline for a while.” She adds that sometimes you also need to at least partially avoid your phone and the internet if you hope to incubate new visions of the future and unlock important discoveries in your creative work and summon your untamed genius. According to my astrological analysis, all these possibilities are especially likely and necessary for you in the coming weeks. I trust you will carry out the necessary liberations to take full advantage.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Poet Carolyn Kizer (1925–2014) won a Pulitzer Prize for her poetry.

She was smart! But when she was young and still studying her craft in college, a professor objected to one of her poems. He said, “You have pigs in this poem; pigs are not poetic.” Kizer was incensed at such ignorance. She testified, “I got up and walked out of that class and never went back.”

Judging from the astrological omens, I suspect you may have comparable showdowns headed your way. I advise you to be like Kizer. You are the only one who truly knows the proper subjects of your quest. No one else has the right or the insight to tell you what your work (or play) should be about.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Leo author James Baldwin said it wasn’t often “that two people can laugh and make love, too—make love because they are laughing and laugh because they’re making love. The love and the laughter come from the same place: but not many people go there.”

Your assignment, Leo, is to be the exception to Baldwin’s rule during the coming weeks. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, there’s a high possibility that interesting eros can converge with humorous fun in a glorious synergy. You will have a knack for conjuring up ribald encounters and jovial orgasms. Your intuition will guide you to shed the solemnity from your bliss and replace it with sunny, carefree cheer.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): I’m worried you will over-indulge in your pursuit of perfection during the coming weeks. It’s fine to be exquisitely skillful and masterful; I hope you do that. But if you get obsessed with flawlessness, you will risk undoing your good intentions. As an antidote, I offer you two pieces of advice. The first is from actor and activist Jane Fonda. She said, “We are not meant to be perfect; we are meant to be whole.” The second counsel is from philosopher and psychologist William James, who wrote, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase

© Copyright 2022 Rob Brezsny

perfection, we can catch excellence.”

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Author Mustafa Mahmoud described the signs of love between two people: 1. feeling a comfortable familiarity; 2. having no urge or need to lie; 3. being natural, not trying to be different from who one is; 4. having little or no possibility of being embarrassed in front of the other person; 5. experiencing silence as delicious, not alienating; 6. enjoying the act of listening to the other person. I bring these pointers to your attention, Libra, because the coming months will be a favorable time to define and redefine your understandings about the signs of love. How do you feel about Mahmoud’s ideas?

Are there any more you would like to add?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “We do not love each other without changing each other,” wrote author Madeleine L’Engle. Meditate on that gem, Scorpio. Now is a perfect time for you and your loved ones to acknowledge, honor, and celebrate the ways your love has changed each other. It may be true that some transformations have been less than ideal. If that’s the case, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to correct those trends. As for the positive changes that you and your allies have stimulated in each other: I hope you will name them and pledge to keep doing more of that good work.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “I always deserve the best treatment, because I never put up with any other,” wrote Sagittarian novelist Jane Austen. Sagittarian politician Stacey Abrams said, “From the moment I enter a room, I am clear about how I intend to be treated and how I intend to engage.” You’ll be wise to cultivate those attitudes in the next seven weeks, Sagittarius. It’s high time for you to raise your self-respect in ways that inspire others to elevate their appreciation and regard for you.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1963, Jim Munro and Alice Munro founded Munro’s Books, a store in Victoria, British Columbia. After being on the job for a few months, Alice found she was not impressed with many of the products they sold.

“I can write better books than this,” she told Jim. Five years later, she published her first collection of short stories, Dance of the Happy Shades.

Fourteen books later, she won the Nobel Prize in Literature. Will the coming months bring your equivalent of Alice Munro’s pivotal resolution? I suspect they could.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “True love for whatever you are doing is the answer to everything,” proclaimed performance artist Marina Abramovic. Amen to that righteous attitude! I hope you will embrace it in the coming weeks. I hope your heart and imagination will reveal all you need to know to bring tender fresh streams of true love to the essential activities of your life. Now is an excellent time to redefine the meaning of the word “love” so it applies to all your relationships and pursuits.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A homeless woman in a wheelchair stopped where I was sitting outside a café. She was pushing her belongings in a small shopping cart. “Would you like to go dancing?” she said to me. “There’s a nearby park that has a great grassy dance floor.” “Maybe another day,” I told her. “My energy is low. I’ve had a lot of personal challenges lately.” I’m sure the expression on my face was less-than-ebullient.

“Cheer up, mister,” she told me. “I’m psychic, and I can tell you for sure that you will live a long life and have many more fine adventures. I’ll be in the park if you change your mind.” My mood instantly brightened. “Thanks!” I yelled toward her as she rolled away. Now I predict that you, Pisces, will have comparable experiences in the coming days.

Are you willing to welcome uplifting surprises?

Homework: If there were a clone of you, what alternate life might they be living? Newsletter.

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

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CYBER CORNER

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5G INTERNET VS CABLE INTERNET VS FIOS INTERNET

WHICH IS FASTER, MORE RELIABLE, AND MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOU?

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ooking for internet services could be complicated, especially if you are not familiar with the many technologies that are available to bring the connection to your home or business. There are more ways to connect to the internet than ever before. Technology is always evolving, and internet services such as cable internet, Fiber, and 5G might be confusing. If you don't know the differences, you risk being stuck with a connection that isn't as fast or reliable as you desired, or as economical as you need. That's not acceptable when there are possible long-term contracts involved.

This article will lead you through the various types of internet connections that may be available in your area, how they function, and what limits if any, you may expect.

Cable Internet Cable is one of the most ubiquitous types of internet connections, serving approximately 90% of the US population, and is often packaged with phone service and TV packages. This makes sense given that cable internet uses the same coaxial cables as cable TV. Although coaxial connections lack the speed potential and dependability of fiber-optic lines, cable internet remains one of the fastest internet types. Most cable providers provide a choice of download speeds, including a gigabit service with download rates of 940Mbps. Upload speeds, on the other hand, are a much different story, with few companies offering upload rates exceeding 50Mbps. Cable internet speed reliability can also be an issue, since coaxial cables are prone to network congestion and reduced speeds, particularly during high usage times. Cable internet cost varies greatly between providers, although the cable is generally one of the most economical internet connection choices. Broadband connections from companies like Cox, Mediacom, and Xfinity start at less than $30 – $50 per month. Spectrum, another well-known cable internet provider, has a higher beginning price of roughly $60 per month but offers maximum download speeds of 200Mbps.

Pros and Cons Cable internet has widespread availability and Low-cost TV packages. It offers various speed and pricing ranges.

Prices for internet-only plans are higher and users suffer from slower speeds during high usage hours FiOS (Fiber Optic Service) Fiber-Optic internet is arguably the best internet connection type. Fiber, as the name implies, refers to an internet connection delivered to your household or business via fiber-optic cable, which transmits data by sending pulses of light over tiny strands of glass. These fiber-optic strands provide faster speeds and more reliability than other connection options.

Although fiber-optic can give download rates of up to 2 gigabits per second (2,000 megabits per second) – fast enough to download a two-hour HD movie in less

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than a minute – most fiber-optic providers will likely offer maximum download speeds of about 1,000Mbps. Upload speeds are also considerably higher with fiber-optic connection, which is very crucial while working and studying from home. The only major downside of fiber is its availability.

Laying enough fiber-optic cables to connect entire cities and regions is a massive logistical issue, and any of the main service providers have been reluctant to expand coverage to underserved areas. As a result, according to the Federal Communications Commission, fiber internet is only available to around 45 percent of US residents, largely those in metropolitan regions. In terms of internet plans, fiber connections used to be rather expensive, but most providers have reduced their pricing in recent years. As a result, fiber internet is likely to be as competitively priced as any other connection type – and, given the speeds you receive for the price, it's currently one of the most cost-effective internet options.

Pros and Cons Verizon Fios, Google Fiber, and AT&T are among the major providers. FiOS provides speeds that are consistent and fast. It is expensive and has limited coverage.

5G Mobile (Cellular) internet: Mobile internet is primarily intended for use on your phone, but as technology advances and speeds grow – particularly with the introduction of 5G – mobile connections are becoming more feasible for home internet use. With this internet connection type, a mobile phone provider such as AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon transmits signals in all directions, most of which are picked up by cellphones, but in the case of home internet, a router receives those signals and converts them into a home connection. You might be able to connect through 5G if you live in a city or another region with robust cellular infrastructure, with companies like Verizon providing speeds up to 1Gbps.

Cellular internet plans that use LTE, the previous generation of technology, or a combination of LTE and 5G are also available. When looking for mobile internet for home usage, you're likely to have only one plan choice, which is a set charge for whatever speeds are available

at your location. T-Mobile ($50 per month for download speeds ranging from 25 to 110Mbps) and Verizon ($70 per month for download speeds ranging from 300 to 980Mbps) both have a single 5G package.

Pros and cons In early 2021 5G had reached 75% of the US population. Wireless 5G is also asynchronous, with speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Because wireless 5G is a shared circuit, customers may experience reduced speeds during peak hours. Wireless 5G is less expensive to install than fiber. However, because this is the most recent technology, contracting for this option is still expensive. Wireless

5G is the most recent option. However, it offers the most scalability, particularly for enterprises interested in the Internet of Things and other 5G communications.

When deciding on the best Internet connection for your needs, you may want to filter your options based on your chosen download and upload speeds, as well as deals and cost options. Fast speeds and extensive coverage make it easier than ever to watch your favorite TV episodes and movies online, exchange images, chat with friends, and play games. Finally, the most important component is likely beyond your control which is your location. Some regions of the United States have several alternatives for getting online, while others have few. Whatever options you have, knowing the various technologies at work can help you know what to anticipate when you sign up.

Still not sure which Internet solution is right for you? Or perhaps have some additional questions? Our Eggsperts are standing by to help. Please contact us by calling (760) 205-0105 or emailing us at tech@eggheadit.com with your questions or suggestions for our next article.

IT | Networks | Phones | Security | Automation

COMMUNITY

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rom June 24 to 26, Shay’s Warriors will hold its inaugural I Am Hope Survivors Reset Retreat. June is regarded as National Cancer Survivors Month, making it the perfect time to hold this healing event. This three-day, two-night experience for women focuses on breast and other reproductive cancer survivors and helps them cope with life after cancer and how to move forward.

Twenty-five women have been selected to take part in the retreat held in Palm Springs, where they will experience locally sourced, organic meals whenever possible, small group breakout sessions, and things like hiking, yoga, meditation, journaling, and music. The ladies will partake in dinner together every night to get to know each other. On Friday night, they will kick off by setting intentions with a special grounding ceremony. On Saturday night, there will be entertainment, followed by a beautiful send-off on Sunday.

Prior to meeting in person, the participants are getting the chance to get acquainted with each other online and some are even planning to carpool together to the retreat.

Shay’s Warriors will be covering the costs of the retreat.

There were over 78 applications to take part in the retreat, but only 25 spots were available due to funding. Applicants resided across the globe, from Montreal, Canada, to London to right here in our Coachella Valley.

Shay’s Warriors has a huge presence on Instagram and Facebook, making it possible for women to connect from around the world.

Founder Shay Moraga was diagnosed with a very aggressive Stage 3 breast cancer in 2016. She had so much support from the

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SHAY’S WARRIORS HOLDS INAUGURAL “I AM HOPE” SURVIVORS RESET RETREAT

community, her friends and family. She was 38 years-old and had a 12-year-old daughter at home.

“It literally was the shock of a lifetime because I thought I was very healthy. I worked out, taught yoga, spin classes, and I ate healthy. I was under 40 years-old, so I didn’t even have a mammogram at the time. Had I not found that cancer by doing a self-check, my doctor said I would not be here today,” revealed Shay.

Per cancer.org, the suggested guidelines for women to start mammograms is between the ages 40 to 44. They are given the choice to start annual breast cancer screenings with mammograms if they wish to do so, as it is rare for a woman in her 20’s and 30’s to be diagnosed.

Prior to Shay’s diagnosis, she had personally donated to Locks of Love for ten years because she knew a lot of children who had cancer. Shay’s aunts from both sides of her family and one of her best friends also had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I am a big advocate of doing monthly selfbreast checks, especially for women under 40, because we don’t have that opportunity to get mammograms. Plus it helps to know your body, if it looks different, feels different. You will be your own best advocate if something is wrong, and statistics are showing more young women are getting diagnosed with breast cancer,” said Shay.

While Shay was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for twenty weeks, she noticed that some people did not have anyone waiting with them or had the same support system that she did. While sitting in a chemo chair for three to five hours at a time, Shay had a chance to contemplate her situation and the people she was seeing on a weekly basis.

Some she would see regularly and others would not return for chemo treatments ever again.

“There were women driving in from Mecca, Thermal, and LA to get treatment, and as far as I’m concerned, we have some of the best oncologists here in all of Southern California right here in our Valley. I encountered a 91-year-old lady who was all by herself returning to her car after treatment. I came to the realization that not everyone has the same supportive friends and community, and some do not have anyone at all,” said Shay.

At four o’clock in the morning every Thursday, before her chemotherapy appointments, Shay would write her blog, which she had named “Life After Cancer by Shay’s Warriors,” highlighting her thoughts, fears, and anxieties that day. She would write to her friends, asking them to send her prayers and good thoughts.

Shay completed her chemotherapy treatments in December of 2016 and was deemed NED (no evidence of disease). During the drive back with her best friend who had flown in to see her, Shay told her that she was so excited but also scared because she wouldn’t be seen every week by doctors and had fears that the cancer would come back.

It is possible for breast cancer in women to return within months or three years after treatment. This possibility troubled Shay, and she sought guidance through therapy and friends, but they were not able to understand her concerns—only seeing her physical improvement. This spurred Shay to start Shay’s Warriors as an outlet for survivors recovering from cancer to meet and connect with one another.

“People see your hair growing back and they think you’re doing great, but it’s not always true. Some of us still suffer from anxiety and scars—not only mentally but physically. I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror because I would cry when I saw the scar across my right breast. It was a reminder that my body had turned against me and I

June 2 to June 6, 2022

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

started looking for other women who felt this way,” stated Shay.

In February of 2017, the first Shay’s Warriors meetings took place at Shay’s house with women she connected with. She met with women who had been cancer-free for three years, and as time went on, Shay found herself reaching five years being cancer-free, making the possibility of it coming back very limited. Shay’s Warriors became a non-profit in 2018 and quickly formed a board.

Shay’s Warriors continues to provide monthly virtual emotional support group meetings called Talk Listen Share, where they invite attendees to discuss unique topics that help educate cancer survivors, their family, and friends on how it feels to move forward, reconnect and live life after the cancer treatments stop and the “new normal” begins.

The goal of Talk Listen Share is to help bridge the emotional gap in the understanding among those who have been touched by the trauma of cancer. Discussions take place each second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. It can be found on Facebook Live or the Shay’s Warriors YouTube channel. Coffee and Connection also takes place once a month, where they do fun activities together like walks, hikes, bike rides and afterwards, go to get coffee.

“I feel that the growth of Shay’s Warriors has been fast. There is a huge need to shed a light on life after cancer. Women and men need connection after going through cancer treatment. Healing is not linear. It might take a few months or several years. They need a community that understands them and we are making sure we are there for them,” said Shay.

There are still some sponsorships available for the retreat, and Shay encourages anyone interested to apply and help give these women the chance to have three days of healing. To learn more about the retreat and Shay’s Warriors, visit www.iamhoperetreat. com.

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