Coachella Valley Weekly - June 12 to June 18, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 12

News Community NEWS MUSIC Music ART EVENTSMovies MOVIES DININGDining SPORTS HEALTH &BEAUTY BUSINESSEvents COMMUNITY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • June 12 to June 18, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 12

Tilted Kilt Open Mic

pg 9

J Patron

pg 11

Remnants of Man

pg 12

Bellatrix

pg 20

Haddon Libby

pg 25

June 12 to June 18, 2014

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A Tall Glass of Short Films:

June 12 to June 18, 2014

by heidi simmons

Coachella Valley Weekly

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com info@coachellavalleyweekly.com

760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Raymond Bill, Lisa Morgan Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Judith Sulkin, Denise Ortuno Neil, Heidi Simmons, Writers/Contributors: Lisa Morgan , Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Lola Rossi, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Janet McAfee, Heidi Simmons, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Jack St. Clair, Rob Brezny, Amanda Dorta, Eleni P. Austin, Curtis Hendricks, Noe Gutierrez, Jill Coleman, Jennifer Tan, Sunny Simon, Richard Weiss, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dr. Maria Lombardo, Bruce Cathcart, Patte Purcell, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, John Paul Valdez, Laura Hunt Little, Scott Pam, Rebecca Pikus, Richard Noble, Karen Creasy, Trooper Ramsey, Monica Morones, Shawn Mafia Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller/ Imagine Imagery Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

Contents

Palm springs ShortFest.................... 3 ShortFest Overview.......................5 ShortFest Picks..............................6 Sports Scene..................................7 Sports ............................................8 Tilted Kilt Open Mic.......................9 Desert DJs......................................9 Dave Catching Birthday Review.10 LMS - J Patron................................12 LMS - Remnants of Man...............13 Consider This................................14 Art ..................................................15 Pet Place........................................16 The Vino Voice..............................17 Club Crawler Nightlife.................18 Pamp.Palate - Bellatrix................20 Screeners......................................22 Book Review.................................23 Events - Splash House .................25 Comedy - Haddon Libby..............25 Cabots...........................................26 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.........27 Dale Gribow.................................27 Safety Tips....................................28 ShareKitchen................................28 Gaemer Girl - E3 2014..................28 HPE / Angel Light Academy........29 Hard Rock - Rhythm&Motion......30 Health&Fitness............................30 Free Will Astrology......................31 Health & Fitness...........................31 Life & Career Coach......................32 Beauty..........................................32 Comics - Weiss Cracks..................34

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he Palm Springs “ShortFest” celebrates 20 years as the world’s largest short film festival and short film market.

Starting Tuesday, June 17, 320 films from over 50 countries will screen at the Camelot Theaters in Palm Springs. This exciting fest features 58 short film programs over seven days.

The best short films the world has to offer will play on Camelot’s three state of the art screens. This signature event allows festival attendees to view five to nine short films in a single program in the same amount of time as one full-length feature film. Comedy, crime, drama, documentaries, animation, art, Latino, LGBT, family and foreign movies will once again enchant and entertain a wide variety of audiences. Wonderful cinematic surprises await! Guaranteed!

“We’ve never been more sure of the ability that short films have to inspire, illuminate and entertain an audience than we are with this year’s line up,” said Darryl Macdonald, Executive Director. “Never have we been more in awe of the vast array of talented voices and visions emerging in the short film world than we are this year.”

Twenty years ago the Palm Springs Film Society had an ambitious goal: to provide a vital springboard for newly emerging talent. The Society wanted to ensure a high profile showcase for a format that had nearly disappeared. After 19 years, the ShortFest continues to exceed its expectations with new and returning filmmakers from all over the planet.

“It’s a birthday of sorts for me as well,” said Kathleen McInnis, Festival Director. “On the invitation of Darryl Macdonald, I came to ShortFest in 2004 as Program Director. For the last ten years, I’ve enjoyed the extraordinary pleasure of working alongside the ShortFest team, and Darryl in particular, as we grew in filmmaker attendance, industry awareness and international stature and profile: A thrilling journey, to be sure, but also a deeply rewarding one.” McInnis and her team viewed over 3,000 films from 80 countries to put together this landmark program.

Besides the great entertainment the films

provide, this ShortFest is an important steppingstone for many filmmakers. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has designated the ShortFest as an award-qualifying festival. In the 19-year history of the ShortFest, 97 festival films have received Academy Award nominations. ShortFest winners in Juried categories are eligible to submit their films to the Academy for consideration. As always, the ShortFest will have World premieres, North American premieres and US premieres. So, be sure to vote after every program.

The ShortFest, like its older sibling the Palm Springs International Film Festival held in January, is part of the programing provided by the Palm Springs International Film Society, a charitable non-profit organization. Their mission is to cultivate and promote the art and science of film through education and cross-cultural awareness.

“This is the largest event of its kind and it hosts the only Short Film Market in North America,” said Harold Matzner, Palm Spring International Film Society Chairman. “Aside from all the fun and entertainment, ShortFest is basically a $500,000 educational initiative by the Palm Springs International Film Society, benefitting the filmmakers of tomorrow from every country of the world.”

As part of the Society’s mission, there are panels, forums, master classes and round-table discussions throughout the weeklong festival.

The film Society sees these informative events as opportunities to network, build relationships and participate in the collaborative nature of filmmaking. These forums are open to the public. Check online for topics, dates and times.

A variety of interesting programs includes the business of filmmaking to meeting festival programmers.

The ShortFest Forums and Industry Roundtables take place at the Renaissance Hotel’s Mojave Learning Center. Tickets are required and cost $11 to $12. These are popular events and it is strongly suggested to be in line at least 15 minutes early. It is important to check in at the Andreas room when you arrive to ensure a seat. These are dynamic conversations for anyone who is interested in filmmaking and the business of film.

The ShortFest film market is also located in the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel. This market

allows accredited film buyers, distributors and industry professionals to view the work of students and transitioning filmmakers.

Entertainment professionals and filmmakers can enjoy the market library of over 2,500 films. It is a great opportunity for filmmakers to network and make deals. The ShortFest is a fertile field of emerging talent.

Featured this year, from the land down under, is an Australian showcase. Saturday, June 21 at 5:30 pm, six films will premiere in the program “Australia’s Got Talent” at Camelot’s big theater.

This is a terrific chance to get a taste of the diverse range of Australian stories and talent.

Many other countries are feature throughout the week, but not as a singular program.

If you can’t make it to the fest be sure to check out the free Online Festival. The Virtual Screening Room has ten amazing films that exemplify the quality and nature of the ShortFest. To view and vote, go to the website: www.psfilmfest.org The winner of the online event will receive an award at the Closing Night Awards Program and Party.

Oh, did someone say party? ShortFest attendees love to party and there are many throughout the event. Besides the Opening and Closing parties, look for filmmakers, the LGBT community and sponsors to celebrate the fest and films. Poolside at the Hilton Palm Springs Resort will be the place to be for the wrap party on closing night. Some events require tickets but others don’t, so inquire as you hear about the fun happenings around Palm Springs.

Passes are still available but they go quickly. A Chairman’s Pass is $500 and includes everything: Opening and Closing Night programs and all parties, forums, film programs, access to the Filmmaker’s Lounge and a signed poster. For $200, the Insider’s Pass includes: Opening and Closing Night programs and respective party, film programs and forums. A Reel Deal Six Pack is $60, which allows six film programs of choice, but must be purchased by June 17.

Ticket price for General Admission is $12.

Matinee (programs beginning at or before 3:00 pm) is $11. The physical box office is at Camelot Theaters located at 2300 E. Baristo Road in Palm Springs or, tickets can be purchased online www. psfilmfest.org and also by phone 760 778-8979.

The Palm Springs International Short Film Festival & Short Film Market, (affectionately known as ShortFest), is a wonderful way to enjoy a hot summer day or evening. Festival attendees are a fascinating group of film buffs.

They come to Palm Springs from all over. This year 26,000 people are expected to attend. So why not take a break and catch a program filled with amazing cinematic experiences that cannot be had anywhere else?

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

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film

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

by heidi simmons

58 Programs in Seven Days: The ShortFest Overview

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s always the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival aims to please its audiences with diverse and entertaining film programs.

There is absolutely something for everyone.

The ShortFest begins Tuesday night, June 17 and runs through Monday, June 23.

For 20 years it has been the tradition to open the ShortFest with a program of funny films and this year is no exception.

The celebration continues with plenty of raucous fun and good humor to get the ShortFest party started.

On Saturday, June 20, look for the special family film programs. Also there is an entire program of Australian short films. Animal lovers will be pleased to see a list of short films in the “Animal Instincts” group, which is also screening on Saturday.

Throughout the week, there are several LGBT film programs including His and Her’s night on Thursday, June 19.

The last day of the fest, Monday, June 23, be sure to catch at least one of the six selections of festival favorites. This is a sure fire way not to miss the Best of the Fest based on attendee’s votes and Jury awards.

Here is the daily schedule of film programs. Tickets are available at the Camelot box office or online. For more information and film descriptions go online at www.psfilmfest.org

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Opening Night: Make ‘Em Laugh Tuesday, June 17, 6:30 PM Eleven films in 76 minutes - Camelot 1 Happy Birthday, ShortFest Darryl’s Picks Wednesday, June 18, 11:30 AM Six films in 89 minutes – Camelot 1 When Cultures Collide Wednesday, June 18, 1:00 PM Five films in 93 minutes – Camelot 3 Land(e)scapes Wednesday, June 18, 1:30 PM Five films in 85 minutes – Camelot 2 Extraordinary People Wednesday, June 18, 2:00 PM Five films in 95 minutes – Camelot 1 Games People Play Wednesday, June 18, 4:00 PM Six films in 86 minutes – Camelot 3 Odd Couples Wednesday, June 18, 4:30 PM Six films in 90 minutes – Camelot 2 The In and (Occasional) Outs of Coupledom Version 2.0: Gay Pairings Wednesday, June 18, 5:00 PM Six films in 87 minutes – Camelot 1 Odd Jobs Wednesday, June 18, 7:00 PM Seven films in 89 minutes – Camelot 3 You Don’t Have to be Jewish Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 PM Five films in 87 minutes – Camelot 2 Idiot’s Delight Wednesday, June 18, 8:00 PM Eight films in 88 minutes – Camelot 1

The Silver Screen Thursday, June 19, 11:30 AM Five films in 94 minutes – Camelot 1 Growing Pains Thursday, June 19, 1:00 PM Six films in 81 minutes – Camelot 3 For Arts Sake Thursday, June 19, 1:30 PM Six films in 89 minutes – Camelot 2 Identity Crisis Thursday, June 19, 2:00 PM Eight films in 96 minutes – Camelot 1 Future Shock Thursday, June 19, 4:00 PM Eight films in 90 minutes – Camelot 3 Power Play Thursday, June 19, 4:30 PM Six films in 94 minutes – Camelot 2 The Secret Lives of Others Thursday, June 19, 5:00 PM Seven films in 90 minutes – Camelot 1 Missing Parts Thursday, June 19, 7:00 PM Six films in 91 minutes – Camelot 3 The Gay-La! Hers: Lesbianation Thursday, June 19, 7:30 PM Nine films in 90 minutes – Camelot 2 The Gay-La! His: We’re Here We’re Queer Thursday, June 19, 8:00 PM Eight films in 81 minutes – Camelot 1 Changing Lanes Friday, June 20, 10:00 AM Seven films in 92 minutes – Camelot 3 Same Planet, Different World Friday, June 20, 11:30 AM Five films in 93 minutes – Camelot 1 The Other Side Friday, June 20, 1:00 PM Five films in 87 minutes – Camelot 3 Cons & Consequences Friday, June 20, 1:30 PM Five films in 88 minutes – Camelot 2 Sticks And Stones Friday, June 20, 2:30 PM Six films in 88 minutes – Camelot 1 Night Moves Friday, June 20, 4:00 PM Five films in 93 minutes – Camelot 3

Musicality Friday, June 20, 4:30 PM Four films in 86 minutes – Camelot 2 The Things We Do For Love Friday, June 20, 5:00 PM Nine films in 92 minutes – Camelot 1 Horrors! Thrillers! Mysteries!

Friday, June 20, 7:00 PM Seven films in 92 minutes – Camelot 3 Ooh La La Palm Springs Friday, June 20 7:30 PM Six films in 89 minutes – Camelot 2 Altered States Friday, June 20, 8:00 PM Five films in 92 minutes – Camelot 1 Films 4 Families Saturday, June 21, 10:00 AM Seven films in 85 minutes – Camelot 3 History of US: Part 1 Saturday, June 21, 10:30 AM Six films in 84 minutes – Camelot 2 Daytripping Saturday, June 21, 12:00 PM Five films in 92 minutes – Camelot 1 Dreamscapes Saturday, June 21, 1:00 PM Seven films in 88 minutes – Camelot 3 (Sur)real Life Saturday, June 21, 1:30 PM Seven films in 88 minutes – Camelot 2 Amazing Animation Saturday, June 21, 2:30 PM Nine films in 87 minutes – Camelot 1 Animal Instincts Saturday, June 21, 4:00 PM Seven films in 90 minutes – Camelot 3 Crime And Punishment Saturday, June 21, 4:30 PM Five films in 83 minutes – Camelot 2 Australia’s Got Talent Saturday, June 21, 5:30 PM Six films in 86 minutes – Camelot 1

Space Od(d)yssey Saturday, June 21 7:00 PM Five films in 85 minutes – Camelot 3 Seven Deadly Sins Saturday, June 21, 7:30 PM Seven films in 87 minutes – Camelot 2 Shooting Stars Saturday, June 21, 8:30 PM Four films in 86 minutes – Camelot 1 It’s All About Me Sunday, June 22, 10:00 AM Six films in 86 minutes – Camelot 3 Performance Of A Lifetime Sunday, June 22, 10:30 AM Four films in 85 minutes – Camelot 2 Gaydentity Sunday, June 22, 11:30 AM Five films in 83 minutes – Camelot 1 Modern Family Sunday, June 22, 12:30 PM Seven films in 91 minutes – Camelot 3 On The Road Again Sunday, June 22, 1:00 PM Eight films in 96 minutes – Camelot 2 All In The Family Sunday, June 22, 2:30 PM Six films in 89 minutes – Camelot 1 When Strangers Meet Sunday, June 22, 3:00 PM Six films in 90 minutes – Camelot 3 Coupling And Uncoupling Sunday, June 22 3:30 PM Six films in 86 minutes – Camelot 2 Best Of Fest Monday, June 23.

Digicom: Best of Fest 11:00 AM, Camelot 1 Audience Favorites – Documentaries 12:30 PM, Camelot 2 Audience Favorites – Live Action & Comedies 1 3:00 PM, Camelot 1 Jury Award Winners 3:30 PM, Camelot 2 Audience Favorites – Live Action & Comedies 2 6:00 PM, Camelot 1 Audience Favorites – LGBT Films 6:30 PM, Camelot 2

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

film

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By Robin e. Simmons

SHORT FEST PICKS: ROBIN RECOMMENDS

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his year’s 20 anniversary celebration of our popular Palm Springs International Short Film Festival features an exceptionally strong line up of clever, creative and engaging films. I’d be hard pressed to pick one film package as superior to all the others. However, I do recommend these programs and films:

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HORRORS! THRILLERS! MYSTERIES! Friday, 20 June, 7pm. Enter a scary and strange world of short shockers including “SHIFT” about a scientist who naively seeks fame and fortune with his teleportation invention.

AMAZING ANIMATION Saturday, June 21, 2:30pm is a sure fire winner showcasing the gems of world animation that you will likely never get a chance to see again. Tickets for this program go fast. Here’s the complete program with short description to match the compact films.

ASHES The murder of crows a widower farmer feeds begins to take on a life of their own.

(Singapore) 6 Minutes.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT Saturday, June 21, 4:30 pm. Will you get away or pay the price? Cool stories include “THE WOUND” from Azerbaijani about two mismatched guys trying to get rid of a mysterious cargo.

And “TWO MISSING” (pictured) that tracks two young women walking in the woods where a murder was recently committed.

DREAMSCAPES Saturday, 21 June, 1 pm. Come visit fantastic places real and not and see a terrific group of films including “SEQUENCE” about a man (pictured) who wakes up one morning and discovers the whole world dreamed about him the night before!

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by Julie Buehler

Life Lessons Learned Through Sports Never Get Old

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ALTERED STATES Friday, June 20, 8 pm. Is our world our own? Look for “DAWN,” Rose McGowan’s directorial debut about a lonely girl attracting the attention of a bad boy.

sports scene

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BENDIK & THE MONSTER A monster dreams of a being a cabaret singer but his pal Bendik dreams of a better relationship with his mom and her boyfriend.

The two pals can hardly imagine what will happen if they work together. (Norway) 10 Minutes.

THE CENTIPEDE AND THE TOAD Under the hot Indian sun, the graceful centipede dances with ease through the forest. Nearby the jealous toad sits and plots the centipede’s demise. Do you take comfort in your own skin? (France) 10 Minutes.

DWARF GIANT According to tradition, Petite Neige, a young Inuit, needs to capture a low flying bird in order to pass into the world of grownups. On the verge of catching it, she falls into a mysterious crevice belonging to the giant dwarf, an ogre with the power to change his size at will by sneezing. This is very French film, n’est pas? (France) 12 Minutes.

THE GULF A pair of young adventurers work hard to construct a gigantic bridge so they can cross an enormous gulf blocking the road ahead.

It’s what life’s all about, is it not? (Canada) 11 Minutes.

PETER PIX On the surface Peter P is an anonymous man, but on his home turf he has to fight deadly battles in order to ensure the peace.

A super short blast of visual wit. (Denmark) 2 Minutes.

RABBIT AND DEAR The friendship of Rabbit and Dear is put to the test by Dear’s new obsession to find the formula for the 3rd dimension in this multiple award-winning animated tale.

Appreciate the space you’re in? (Hungary) 16 Minutes.

In the SHOOTING STARS program (Saturday, 21 June, 8:30 pm) actor Taylor Kitsch premiers his crime drama PIECES (33

THE LITTLE COUSTEAU A young boy, transfixed by the exploits of undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau, has his own octopus adventure right at home.

Sweet and sentimental. (Czech Republic) 8 Minutes.

ME + HER Me + Her = Love everlasting. This film may not be traditionally animated but these distinctively crafted puppets vividly animate the notion of true love. Sometimes crude puppets convey deep truths. (USA) 12 Minutes.

minutes), his first directorial effort (which he also wrote). There’s solid buzz on this film and Kitsch will be in attendance.

If these random suggestions don’t whet your cinematic appetite, consider the opening night MAKE ‘EM LAUGH, always a superb collection. And there’s HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHORTFEST (June 18, 11:30 am) featuring director Darryl Macdonald’s idiosyncratic picks. Of course, if you trust the vote of the attendees, and they are a discerning group, you can wait for the six BEST OF FEST programs that will show at the close of the main festival screenings.

hen you watch children playing on a playground, there’s a certain freedom they enjoy, a certain carefree exuberance that makes watching them a blast. So the tragedy that befell Adrian Grajeda and his family this past January when an out-of-control motorist careened into Grajeda’s schoolyard, sending debris flying and hit the 10-year-old was particularly heartbreaking.

A young athlete, Grajeda would require his leg to be amputated from the mid-shin and for the rest of his life he would need a prosthetic limb.

A carefree child playing on his schoolyard had his life forever changed because of the carelessness of a reckless driver, but only months after the multiple surgeries and once his young legs learned how to move again, one with it’s natural gate, the other with help from science, Grajeda was playing soccer again and inspiring the community behind his resilience, optimism and love for the game.

This past week, his mother, Brandy Grajeda, and him flew to Lexington, Kentucky where Adrian was one of 20 children from around the country who got to play softball with Wounded Warriors, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, and learn that he’s not alone. He may have known that before, thanks to community fundraisers and outpouring of support, but at the camp, he’d be meeting other kids, other adults who look just like him, and are playing sports.

The purpose behind the Wounded Warriors Amputee Softball Team is to do just that: allow those who have lost limbs to hold onto hope that their life, their activity level, needn’t suffer due to physical limitations. And while I’m confident, after speaking with Brandy, that the mission was accomplished for the 20 children, I can guarantee, they aren’t the only ones benefitting from the experience.

The Wounded Warriors are passing along wisdom they learned through sacrifice and voluntarily serving our nation.

The parents of the children can take heart that organizations out there care enough to sponsor and deliver such a wonderful

California Woman 411

June 12 to June 18, 2014

with your host Dee Jae Cox

‘Talking to women who lead and inspire’ Saturday’s from 10 – 11 a.m.

KPTR 1450 AM Palm Springs, CA California

CA-WMN-411 www.CaliforniaWoman411.com

Produced by The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Project:

www.lawtp.org www.californiawoman411.com

opportunity for their children. You and I can understand that while the world of sports is full of me-first-big-pay-day divas, it’s also one of the most profound sources of incredibly inspirational, hopeful stories in our mainstream society.

The truth is, inspiration, hope, the ability to sculpt optimism from tragedy are life lessons that must be etched through experience and the world of sports is an endless cornucopia of instances that illustrate the power of such.

Whether it’s a 3rd round draft pick who was too small to play in the NFL delivering the Seattle Seahawks’ first Super Bowl victory, the LA Kings unwillingness to give up in a series or a game, or a boy faced with tragedy who used the soccer field to feel normal again, without the grand spectrum of sport, how else would such magnificent moments, such powerful lessons be brought to light?

I’m just glad, for Adrian’s sake, for our sake, young or old, that life’s greatest lessons can be taught through such seemingly simple games.

Julie Buehler hosts the Coachella Valley’s most popular sports talk radio show, “Buehler’s Day Off” every day from 3-6 on 1010 KXPS, the valley’s all sports station.

She’s an avid gym rat, slightly sarcastic and more likely to recite Steve Young’s career passing stats than American Idol winners.

Tune in M-F 3-6 pst at www.team1010.com or watch the show on Ustream.

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

sports

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by Flint Wheeler

Founder of Silex Strategies L.L.C. providing sales and consulting in Insurance, Retirement, Real Estate and Taxes through New York Life and NY Life Securities.

PGA Class A Member and T.P.I. Certified Golf Trainer. Host of “The Tilted Sports Radio Show” and “The Odds on Favorite Podcast” on Team 1010 KXPS. Contact at 760-409-4612 www.flintwheeler.com

Who else can relate?

Rory ory exhales, finds success post breakup..

McIlroy is adjusting well to

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single life. The same can’t be said of his former fiancée, tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

On Sunday, days after calling off his engagement to Wozniacki with the wedding invitations still in the mail, Mcllroy won his first event since the split, taking home the European Tour’s prestigious BMW PGA Championship.

Then on Tuesday, Wozniacki crashed out of the opening round of the French Open.

The 13th-seeded Wozniacki lost 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2 to 64th-ranked Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, the former world No. 1′s first ouster in the first round at Roland Garros since 2007.

“I don’t really want to talk about my personal life. I hope that you all can understand that,” she said, with her hand on her chest. “The only thing I really have to say is that, you know, thank everybody for their support and sweet messages.

“What happens in my personal life, I just want to really keep that between my closest people around me. You know, I just have to move on.” Wozniacki explained after her early exit of this week’s French Open.

McIlroy announced the breakup of the three-year relationship in an emotional press conference last week. A source explained McIlroy’s rationale to Page Six’s Emily Smith: “Rory’s game hasn’t been as consistently good in the time he’s been with Caroline. He was a young guy in love and was flying around the world to see her play in tournaments or meet up with her.

He was missing practice rounds. It was a distraction.”

Those distractions appeared absent as McIlroy made up a seven-stroke deficit on the final day of the tournament in Wentworth, England.

“There are definitely mixed emotions and, given all that’s gone on and starting seven shots behind, I’m sitting here with the trophy wondering how the hell it’s happened,” McIlroy told the Daily Mail.

“Somebody asked me how I feel, and the truth is I don’t exactly know. I mean, I’m thrilled I’ve won obviously, but it’s been a weird week.”

McIlroy’s one-shot victory over Shane Lowry after starting Sunday’s finale seven shots back of 54-hole leader Thomas Bjorn ended a turbulent week on a high note, after the ex-No. 1 announced he had called off his wedding to tennis’ formerly top-ranked female player. An unidentified “source” told the New York Post that the relationship was a “distraction” to McIlroy’s career, echoing a warning that NBC broadcaster Johnny Miller gave almost a year ago and golf legend Gary

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Player repeated when he warned the twotime major champ to find the “right wife.”

Whether that had anything to do with McIlroy’s decision, one of his peers believes the Ulsterman’s choice to break off his engagement was not a case of last-minute cold feet.

“My guess is that it wasn’t a decision to break up with Caroline which just came out of the blue,” Luke Donald, who finished tied for third at Wentworth, two shots back, told Tony Jimenez. “I’m sure it has been weighing on his mind for a while and maybe just getting it out released something.

“The raw emotions were still there this week but being out on the golf course, a place he’s familiar with, maybe he could forget those a little bit.”

Whatever the reason, McIlroy, who earlier in the week unplugged from social media and other computerized interferences, enjoyed the chance to leave his personal woes off the course.

“I guess when I got inside the ropes this week, it was a little bit of a release,” he told reporters after his final-round 6-under 66 gave him a 14-under for the week. “I was on my own and doing what I do best, which is playing golf, and that sort of gave me four or five hours of serenity or sanctuary or whatever you want to call it; just focusing on the job at hand which was to play golf and get the ball in the hole in the lowest number of shots possible.

“Yeah, I can’t explain it,” he added.

“It’s obviously been a week of very mixed emotions, but I’m sitting here looking at this trophy going, how the hell how did it happen this week, but it did. A great way to end the week obviously.”

sports

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by kurt martin

5 Past/Present POWER Players Drafted in the 2014 MLB Draft ver the past three days, 1,215 players

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were drafted in the MLB First Year Player Draft. Five of those 1,215 were current and former POWER players. On Saturday, those five players not only joined the most competitive baseball league in the world, but joined the illustrious list of POWER players such as Ryan Wheeler, Bryan Shaw, Aaron Brooks and Mike O’Neil among others to be drafted into the MLB. The five current and former POWER players that were drafted in 2014 are 2B Chesney Young, 1B Ryan Jones, P Tanner Kiest, P Nick Baker and OF Don Clark.

Young, who played for the POWER back in the summer of 2012, will be playing in the Chicago Cubs’ system which is thought of by many experts as one of the best farm systems in baseball. Young, considered one of the best pure hitters in the Atlantic Sun Conference, was drafted in the 14th round out of Mercer University in Georgia where he hit .348 which was best on the team. The second baseman became the highest Mercer player drafted since Jacob Tanis was taken in the 13th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

Jones, who played three seasons for the POWER from 2011 through 2013, will be taking his talents to the south side of Chicago playing for the Chicago White Sox’s organization. He was drafted in the 27th round out of Arizona Christian.

Jones, the 6th player to be selected out of ACU, had a senior season to remember. The lefthanded slugger earned a gold glove in his league and also broke ACU’s single season homerun record with 10 long balls. Furthermore, Jones was one of the leaders on his team in multiple categories including slugging percentage (2nd) and on-base percentage (4th).

Kiest, who was one of two players that got drafted from the current POWER roster, will use his power arm to help the Philadelphia Phillies’ system. Kiest, originally drafted by the LA

6/6/14 Power vs. Knicks Recap

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he Power were on pace for their first loss of the season but had a furious rally in the 8th inning scoring four runs to take an 8-5 lead. Austin Lord then closed it out in the 9th to give the Power their sixth win of the season against the visiting Novato Knicks. Tanner Kiest started the game for the Power but only retired one batter after loading the bases and then walking in a run. Hayden Rogers relieved him and hit another batter to give the Knicks a 2-0 lead. The Power tied up the game in the 2nd inning but the Knicks scored three more runs in the 3rd inning to take a 5-2 lead. Alex Mistuloff out of Chico State made his Power debut tonight throwing 4 innings in relief, giving up three hits, striking out three, and most importantly giving up no runs.

In the 5th inning, catcher Colby Hamilton led off the inning with a single and Conor Klein followed that with a RBI triple. Hayden Nielsen had a sacrifice fly to give the Power another run and cut to lead to one run. In the 8th inning,

Dodgers, was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 28th round. The power righty played his college ball at Chaffey University in 2014. He owned a 3-5 record with 5.40 ERA but had and outstanding 70 strikeouts in 48.1 innings pitched.

Baker, who played for the POWER in the summers of 2011 and 2012, will be pitching in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ system which is loaded with other power arms. He played his past four years at Chico State and was drafted in the 29th round on Saturday. The Wildcats’ Friday starter, originally from La Quinta, CA, had and ace-like year going 10-2 with a 2.37 ERA in a team high 110 innings pitched. In 2014, he had the third-lowest walks per nine innings in the history of the school. But Baker’s fantastic career did not just span over one season.

He is third in career wins, second in career innings pitched and third in career strikeouts at Chico State. Additionally, Baker ranks top10 in winning percentage, complete games, strikeout-to-walk ratio and starts for a singleseason in the school’s record books.

Clark – who was the second of the two players that got picked off of the current POWER roster – will be stealing bases and roaming the outfield for the Kansas City Royals’ organization.

Clark, who played his college ball for St. Mary’s in Moraga, CA heard his name called in the 33rd round. In 2014, Clark hit his way to a .297 average with 15 RBIs and also stole nine bases; he was considered one of the best defenders in the league. The speedy outfielder had jumped out to a hot start hitting .412 with three stolen bases in four games for the POWER.

Hunter Bening led off the inning with a walk.

Turner Clouse then doubled bringing Bening home and tying the game. Trent Pell pinchhit and singled, and then AJ Young pinch-hit and singled bringing Clouse home and giving the Power their first lead of the game. Jake Howeth followed that with a triple scoring Pell and Young and giving the Power an 8-5 lead they would not relinquish.

AJ Young had some thoughts on his big 9th inning at bat, and said “It’s always good to come through at a clutch time and it feels good to do well and help out your teammates.” Alex Mistuloff also talked about his debut and facing hitters he is familiar with from Chico State. “It helps a little bit and adds some fuel to the fire.

Sonoma State are rivals for us at Chico so it adds a little something extra.” About coming in down 5-2, Alex said, “I knew I had to hold down the fort for the team and I know if I can throw strikes then I’m going to be successful out there.” The Power face the Knicks again tomorrow night at 7:05pm and then the OC Bulldogs on Sunday night, another 7:05 pm start time.

Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition

Hosted by Morgan James: This Wednesday, June 18th @ 7pm

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s if you needed another reason to venture into The Tilted Kilt in Palm Desert, the popular, eye-candy clad restaurant, sports bar and entertainment venue is providing locals with yet another forum of entertainment. A twelve week long, open mic competition will provide budding musicians and vocalists an opportunity to show off their musical skill for first, second and third place prizes culminating in a grand finale whose winner will receive a cash prize to go with a 3-day trip to Vegas. Winners and non-winners alike are invited to compete every week of the competition until the finals.

Then, only those first place winners from the previous weeks will weigh in for the title, the cash and the trip.

If you are interested in participating in the competition, here is what you need to do. Get to the Tilted Kilt promptly at 7 pm on the Wednesday you want to perform.

Only the first ten artists who sign up for the competition will be selected at random to perform and compete. Each entrant will have 5 minutes to dazzle and shine with their winning musical skills, and winners will be selected by popular vote from the attending audience.

NOTE TO PERFORMERS: Bring all the friends, family and supporters that you can to help you win the vote. This is an all ages event, and all in attendance will be given an opportunity to choose their favorites. Performers can sing acapella, sing to tracks, or perform with instrumental accompaniment. And you do not have to sing in order to compete.

Instrumentalists are welcome! There will be a front line set up for artists to plug into.

The creator and host of this event is Morgan James, vocalist for local band, Pocket Yellow.

Pocket Yellow performs regularly at Johnny Rocket’s in Rancho Mirage and at Plan B Live Entertainment and Cocktails in Thousand Palms. They also have a newly released original single, “Royal Affair” available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and 38 stores worldwide. The grand finale of the top weekly winners will be judged by local experts in the music industry including Randy Hewitson from Musician’s Outlet and Tracy Dietlin, Owner/ Publisher of CV Weekly.

Prizes will include gift certificates for local dining as well as from Musician’s Outlet, Esthetic X Obsession Massage and Wax Bar, recording services from SIR Studio and more. Sponsored by CV Weekly and Crater Lake Vodka, Wednesday nights are sure to be packed with entertainment and fun for performers and viewers alike. Please take careful note the OFFICIAL RULES. Official Rules: The Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition Hosted by Morgan James is a community event open to musicians of all ages to compete for weekly prizes. Each session will be 12 weeks leading up to a finale whereby previous weekly winners will compete for a grand prize.

Contestants may compete every week! This event is intended as a supportive environment for musicians to perform new material for a live audience, network for collaborations,

desert djs

June 12 to June 18, 2014

events

By lisa morgan mingle with industry professionals, build fan bases, sell albums, links, promo materials, etc., all the while in a friendly competition for great prizes. Time: Begins Wednesday June 18th. Sign-in time is 7:00pm – 7:45pm each Wednesday. Competition will run 8:00pm – 10:30pm. Voting will take place by 10:45pm.

Winner announced at 11:00pm. All times, other than sign-in, are approximate and will be determined by host. Format: Only 10 entrants will be allowed on a first come basis.

Entrants will be chosen at random with the first performing at 8:00pm. Each entrant will be allowed to perform one song or up to 5 mins. Each entrant will have approximately 5 min. to set up and 5 min. to take down their performance instruments/accompaniment.

Sound: Entrants are allowed any type of instrumentation/accompaniment but will be limited to time constraints and connection capabilites of venue. Front line will be set up.

There is no backline. Sound levels for each line will be professionally set at the start of the night and will remain that way for each entrant.

If an entrant has any instrument or equipment that may need additional time to set up or specifically tune or mix sound for, this must be addressed at sign-in between 7:00 – 7:45pm, or prior to. Judging: Weekly winner(s) will be determined by audience votes and 2 or more judges based on creativity and showmanship.

Weekly Winner: Automatically entered to compete in the finals and announced in CV Weekly and Open Mic Facebook page.

Weekly Prizes: TBA. Finals & Grand Prize: After 12 weeks of the competition, there

will be a week of finals, whereby the grand prize winner will be chosen. Grand Prizes: TBA Lyrics: Cursing/derogatory language is prohibited and grounds for disqualification.

All performers are expected to act in a professional manner. Contact: All questions or comments may be directed to host, Morgan James, at: OpenMicContact@gmail.com.

For updated competition information see our facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ TiltedKiltOpenMicCompetition. Disclaimer: All rules subject to change as determined by host for the betterment of the competition and announced on the facebook page.

By craig michaels

Multi-talented, Doug Mize, afternoons on Eagle 106.9

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adio personality Doug Mize, is extremely passionate if not obsessive about his broadcasting career.

His background is vast in radio, television, and other forms of entertainment. Doug’s embrace of new technology and ideas over the past 14 years has enabled him to secure more radio jobs than I can mention in this article.

His first memories of wanting to become a radio personality were at the age of seven while growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

Doug would stay up late at night amusing himself listening to the local DJ who was

witty and always sounded like he was having fun. In addition to his love of radio at a young age, Doug also played bass guitar and clarinet. He admits his taste in music while growing up was not quite like his school mates; “Yes, I was a nerd in school and loved the Big Band sound. I was fascinated with Benny Goodman, jazz, and that clarinet got me a letter,” recalls Doug.

After moving to the East coast during his high school years, Doug would eventually move back the West coast where he attended the American School of Broadcast. Seizing an opportunity presented to him from one of his broadcasting school instructors, Dong secured his fist job in radio on a country station. Starting out as a board operator, Doug would quickly be offered an air shift a week later and at the age of 19, he earned the title of Assistant Program Director.

A few years went by and Doug decided to take a break from radio and go back to school to become a lawyer. His enthusiasm for law school would fade to make way for a new job working in the American Forces Network (AFN). Doug worked as a television operator recording and editing shows and voiced

many of the promos on AFN Prime channels.

There is one thing that is certain about Doug, he loves to work. While still working at the AFN he began voice tracking radio shows for Clear Channel and doing some weekend work at KOLA 99.9. He loved being on the air but was tired of working multiple jobs. When a full time position opened up at KOLA 99.9 in the Inland Empire where he was living, Doug decided to take it.

In October of last year Doug was offered the afternoon slot at The Eagle 106.9 in Palm Springs. His quick wit and humor he

acquired while doing some stand-up comedy in between radio gigs can be heard from 2pm to 7pm weekdays. Don’t let his dry sense of humor fool you. Doug is very conscientious of the listeners and obsessive about making the Eagle sound the absolute best it can.

In addition to his on-air duties, Doug also schedules music for another station in the Morris Desert Radio Group and helps out in other departments.

Being the workaholic that he is, in his spare time (if there is such a thing) Doug produces a podcast with Niki who does the afternoons at The Eagle. You can check out his two person radio show at nickanddick. podbean.com. When driving to Los Angeles, you can also hear his voice on a few stations in the Inland Empire where he works weekends. As you can gather, Doug is not a big fan of sleep.

If you want to contact Doug you can email him at: dbmize@gmail.com.

Written by: Craig Michaels Musical Affair Entertainment www.musicalaffair.com

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

by Shawn Mafia & Lisa Morgan Photos by Robert wolfgang laster

Dave Catching’s Weekend Long Birthday Celebration

Shawn Mafia: appy’s is always on their game when it comes to parking. By the time the stream of cars I was engaged with topped the hill, and Pioneertown Road flattened out, we were set upon by a crackerjack team of parking attendants.

Strange long-haired, desert mutants with neon yellow Cal-Trans-type vests ushered us down past the venue to absorb all the dirt spaces that downtown Main Street had to offer. We had become the living, breathing realization of Bon Jovi’s song, Wanted Dead or Alive, “I’m a cowboy. On a steel horse I ride...” Not a single flesh and bone stallion was stirring this night, at least not the kind that would have been roped and stabled along the main drag during the time when Gene Autry and the boys frequented Pioneertown Bowl and shot spaghetti westerns. If the horses were spooked by hipster facial hair and city slick armpit sweat, the merchants were certainly not. Ole-timey mercantile stores and pottery shops had the lights on and the doors open, as concert goers ambled on past to the outside stage.

I didn’t have any CV Weekly press credentials as I am new to the mag. I was just a chartered scab sent to cover the outside stage hi-jinks; a literary mercenary of the lowest degree, tasked with the duties of catching a glimpse of the headliner, and surviving to tell the tale. Luckily, the girl giving out the arm bands decided to take my word for it. En lieu of scouring the endless list of over 900 concert goers that had already purchased a ticket she banded me and turned me loose into the wild-west circus. Pappy and Harriett’s outside stage is surrounded by block walls and old west themed wooden trim with a wide open sky and a 360 degree panorama of mountains that can be seen from the distance giving the concert goer the odd feeling of being captured inside the O.K. Corral or the Alamo, waiting for the Spanish or the Indians to burn us out as we worship

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the cult of pop music, pistols drawn and spurs jingling. Leave it to Dave Catching to throw such a gloriously bizarre birthday bash in the nest of such, surreal, desert surroundings.

There were no stunt candles or Spiderman cake for this affair. Leave your paper cone hats and noise blowers at home and get ready to swill beer and shake your ass until the cows come home. This was in fact Dave Catching’s incredible birthday spectacular. The man directly linked to such acts as Queens Of The Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal, earthlings?, and Mondo Generator was turning 53. It was time to pay homage to the one of the hippest beards in modern day rock.

I missed the first act, Disastriod. I asked one of the security guards about them and he said the band sounded killer. That’s good enough for me. These security guard types listened to bands all the time. He looked like a reputable sort. I wouldn’t trust him with my weed or my car keys but, other than that, a solid individual. We have to assume Disastroid was not a total disaster.

The second act, Fatso Jetson, took the stage shortly after my arrival and sang Happy Birthday to Mr. Catching as the crowd raised their cups and joined along. Dave removed his sunglasses and wiped his eyes. It was a poignant moment suddenly squashed by the sound of power chords screaming through the Marshall cabs stacked on-stage.

Fatso played a metal tinged swamp blues distinguished by a rhythm section that didn’t so much lay down a groove as pound it in. The drummer played the kit like he was hammering nails with a rubber mallet that had burst into flames. Bodies were in motion as the harp player picked up the rhythm.

Blowing into the bullet mic what sounded like strange insect mating calls. He would later double on sax and Fatso Jetson would turn the burner way up on high for a self-styled, stoner-rock jam session with lead singer Mario Lalli bridging the lyrical gap between Louisiana and Palm Desert, and sealing the deal with surf psychedelia punk.

The keyboard player was already fingering the plastic ivories like a high priced hooker as Chris Goss walked center stage to the microphone. An aural kaleidoscope of illomened sound loops moved through the air and a stringed melody was played behind the effects as Chris Goss began to sing his lamentable ballad. His vocal inflections evoking Johnny Depp as Sweeney; Goss wore an olive green military style jacket with a strange medallion hanging conspicuously from his neck. He cut a menacing scene, smoking a cigarette with his bald head shining against the stage lights. Through his door knocker goatee, he crooned tales of human suffering. Hipsters from row six on back jaw-jacked over the top of the opening tune. It didn’t take long for Goss to command everyone’s attention as the ballads gave way to a full band, hard rock power play accompanied by Dave Catching on guitar.

@ Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneer Town Palace

Throw in a spoken word number on the NYC heroin trade circa 1960-1970, and you have the recipe one of the most powerful and entertaining sets of the evening.

Then, it was Eagles of Death Metal (EDOM). The crowd swelled at this point and punters pushed towards the front of the stage. It had that epic big fight feel as Catching, O’Connor, Castillo, and Jesse Hughes appeared. The group dished out numerous hugs to one another, seemingly amped to be re-united in honor of the birthday boy. EODM are musically akin to a cross pollination of Kiss and Weezer. I envision them someday composing the score for an off Broadway rock opera of “There Will Be Blood”. Hughes proudly sported a handle bar mustache, a lightning bolt guitar strap, suspenders, and a plaid shirt, wiping his brow between songs with a white handkerchief that he would pull intermittently from his back pocket. As the set progressed he wiped everything with the handkerchief including the fret board of his guitar and the starry-eyed fans up in the front.

Midway through the set, the band attempted Cherry Cola with numerous false starts as Hughes ribbed Catching that he couldn’t find the right chords and commented that Darlin’ Dave, “looks like a cross between Santa Claus and John Holmes coming down the chimney.” The crowd roared their agreement and the sand and dust became airborne as the EODM finally found the combination to Cherry Cola’s proverbial safe and moved concert goers to a fever pitched frenzy. Castillo played a stripped down drum kit that he beat like a red headed step child.

Catching bent guitar strings with his fingertips like Superman bent steel with his bare hands.

A mother-truckn’ Merlin of the fret board, he road fierce waves of feedback while Big Hands on the Bass, wearing a suit and tie, held down the bottom end. It was standing room only in the middle of the Mojave Desert, and no band ever owned it more.

As I walked back to my car a newer model SUV’s alarm was going off making interment sounds of alarms, police sirens, ambulance horns, robot shrieks and metallic distress calls.

It seemed to fit in perfectly with Peaches, the final act on the outside stage that night -

pre-programed hip hop beats and loops that I could still hear in the distance. The night was young and the strange spectacle was set to rage on into the wee hours of the dark desert. The crowd was a vast sea off hipsters adorned with all manner of sunglasses, skinny jeans, facial hair, and denim jackets.

Urban Outfitters meets the Vagos motorcycle club. Peaches was the cherry on the sundae and the ultimate spectacle for the drunken party goers that never want the night to end.

Lisa Morgan: I found parking easily enough on the street, a city block away from the historical Pappy and Harriet’s. I made my way to the outdoor stage just as the crowd was being orchestrated full crescendo, into a mass of punch drunken minions, fully surrendered to the super power known as Eagles of Death Metal. Birthday celebrant, Dave Catching and Alaine Johannes greeted me and several others as they exited the stage. Here, at the near end of a two day long celebration of life and musical kinship, he showed no signs of wear and tear and effortlessly continued to offer himself to those constantly hindering progress to whatever destination he was aiming for. When he got to where I stood, I found myself wrapped up in the most legitimate hug I’ve received in a very long time. Dave’s warmth and graciousness, mirrored by his brother in spirit and song, Johannes, was trademark of the night.

Peaches took the stage with the natural charm of a child performing for a living room of friends. Her themes, however, were by no means, immature. Her message driven art, riddled with profanity that packed a punch, made excellent use of her American given freedom of speech, as she taunted boundaries and comfort zones. Her artistry emulated the ethics of punk to a soundtrack of techno pop. A thespian to the core, she oozed with frivolous fun, rebelliousness and self-abandonment. As Peaches donned an inflatable samurai wrestler costume atop her table, I was drawn to the indoor stage where I had heard Jesika von Rabbit at sound check.

I was not alone. More than crowded, it was jam-packed, barring my expert merging skills

that usually get me close enough to take decent pictures. Surrendering, I retreated to the sweet spot of sound, directly behind the sound board at the back of the audience, where a monitor televised the performance overhead. The sound inside the venue was incredible, due to a well-run system. It was here, in this element, among a community that adores her, this accomplished performer shined brilliantly. Bringing friends on stage alongside her: the beautiful blonde, choreographed duo, “The Grundles”, OO Soul (double-oh-soul, Larry Van Horn) dancing with the heart of a teenager, John Pope offering up a meaty rap and the masked Gabby Grundle adding to the on stage eye candy, Jesika produced a show that placed every single member of the audience in the palm of her lovely and talented hand. I too was enraptured, and duly impressed. “What a Rock’n’Roll extravaganza this past weekend

was,” Jesika shared with me afterward. “Dave Catching is such a great guy and it was an honor to be a part of his birthday festivities!

And, of course, I love playing Pappy and Harriet’s. I don’t think I’ve ever played a bad show there.” You should make a point to see her if you haven’t as she opens for Ronnie Spector, July 2nd.

Dirty Jeans from Canada followed and delivered a respectably rocking set, but didn’t hold the crowd like Jesika did. Like a good portion of the population on the dance floor, I wandered outside just in time to see Peaches finish. Walking out onto the stage one last time, Dave Catching and Alaine Johannes held up their glasses. They toasted the crowd, showered words of appreciation to all in attendance, the musicians and each other, to the sound of applause and admiring howls and the bright lights of a hundred camera flashes, and then urged everyone to continue the celebration inside. This time, I found my way to the foot of the stage just in time for the enormous crowd of human flesh and beverage to push their way in and around me. Security was on the floor keeping a watchful eye. When the music started, it was beer showers and a pointless fight to hold your ground. The energy penetrating from the ASTRO ZOMBIES was all-consuming as they delivered flawless Misfit covers as if they were their own. There, on that stage, was my friend Brandon Ray Henderson, in his absolute element, showing no signs of fatigue in spite of the fact that it had been a long day following his performance with Parosella the night prior. Every single, insanely talented

June 12 to June 18, 2014

member of the band exuded pure joy and punk-ruckus power that was absolutely seismic. Once again, I found myself awestruck at the depth of our local artists, and how they stand out and more than hold their own among the best of the best if not overshadow them completely.

The other big take away of the night for me was the charisma of Catching and those who are drawn to him. Aside from his blazing instrumental skills and discerning ear, I believe it is his easy going, positive, loving energy that has caused the universe to surround him with amazing opportunities and people. He had said, in explaining his lack of a formal music education that perhaps he played with so many great people because he was just a fun guy to have around. I realize now, that was not in jest, even if he intended it to be. He carries himself with an easy effervescence and a natural zest for the life he has been awarded. We are a secretly insecure bunch, musicians. Dave has a way of making you feel worthy. That in turn, brings out the best in those creative beings around him, allowing creativity to flow fearlessly without boundaries.

The event was a huge success, but not without the incredible hardworking staff that are the Pappy and Harriet’s family. Pappy and Harriet’s is no mere restaurant, tourist attraction and venue. The walls seem to have breathed in all the music and people that have passed through them, and in exhale, emit a truly unique and special atmosphere.

It is a building with a soul, much like the artbreeding desert earth it is built on.

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

J Patron

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he Coachella Valley is bursting at the seams with raw talent. I had the pleasure of interviewing a unique individual. Meet Camilo Gomez, AKA J. Patron.

He is a local Hip Hop artist, Colombian born, but raised in the valley since the age of four. With his fourth album about to drop later this year and three music videos on MTV Tr3s the show “La Hora Nacional” there is a buzz of excitement around him that is contagious.

Camilo’s parents moved here in 1989 seeking refuge from the war zone of the Cartels and Government in Colombia. Since he has been here he has adopted American culture but still stays true to his Colombian roots as well. In high school he was more about graffiti art than rapping, but in 1999 it began.

So how does one go from being a lover of music to the music maker? “Music has always been with me,” Camilo says. “I grew up listening to Salsa, Cumbia, and Vallento.

It wasn’t until I came to the states where

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I heard Hip Hop for the first time. My dad worked 3 jobs and my mother didn’t understand or speak English so she didn’t trip that I was listening to these records.

When I first heard the Wu Tang Forever double disk album, that’s what really changed my life and brought the MC out of me. Every song had a message and the lyrics were filled with knowledge. My brotha Phillie Mills pushed me to write my first official verse in 99, freshman year in high school, and I have been writing ever since.”

After high school Camilo went to school in San Diego where he got a degree in Multimedia and Design. He met many influential people, one of them being a producer called Jonas Ybanez. He learned many things about production from Jonas and started to invest in his own equipment.

Being a college student and not having the extra money for beats he felt like why couldn’t he just make his own? He now added producer to his resume.

In 2007, he linked up with a videographer Mauricio Ramirez from Bogota, Colombia.

They have done several videos together but my personal favorite is called “Nada/ Youngstar.”

It is also very special to Camilo for they shot this video in the town he grew up in as a child. Visually appealing to the eye, it keeps you motivated to continue watching, and mixing the lyrics from Spanish to English adds a flavor to the music that holds your attention. They continued working together, Camilo flying Mauricio out to the states and shooting three more videos here.

So how does one get on MTV you might ask? You submit a video and cross your fingers and hope it gets picked? Not exactly. Watching a music video on T.V. you underestimate what it actually takes to get to that level. Patience is a requirement for a successful musician. Two and half years of dealing with MTV, a label, and providing edited versions, Camilo got his videos “Nada/Youngstar” and “Familia” showcased on the show “La Hora Nacional” on MTV Tr3s and is expecting the video “Breakdown” to

photos & articles by monica morones La maniaca photography

appear next.

As a musician sometimes one’s message is not always clear. For J.Patron it is. “My message is simple. One Love, One World, One Blood. All is one and one is all. We are all connected in this universe,” he states.

“What my message represents is PURO ORO, which means pure gold. G.O.L.D. Gratitude, Obedience, Loyalty, and Devotion. Live your passion by those four words whether its music, painting, skating-whatever you’re passionate about. Everything will fall into place, let your craft speak for itself and everything else will follow.”

Camilo recently organized his first tour called “The Desert Storm Tour” with himself as the headliner, performing in 5 desert cities, with opening local acts such as the Desert Eagles, Thr3 Strykes, Chylite, Cali Elijah, 22 Don Keylow, Al Ro$$3rd, The Discomfort, Blazing Archer, Era, and Dj Smoke. I went to the show at The Date Shed on May 2nd to photograph the acts and see what this tour was all about and I was not disappointed. The energy in the room was vibrating off the walls. The people were yelling for more. On a night when several other popular shows were happening at the same time, The Date Shed was full of loyal Hip Hop music lovers.

With the new album MI VIDA VOL 2 dropping sometime this year, who’s to say what’s in store for Mr. J. Patron. It’s a mix of Latin samples with Hip Hop beats, all in

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Local Music Spotlight

remnants of man: On the “rise”

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Spanish with a California flavor. He says it’s his best work yet. Success doesn’t happen overnight. He has been working tirelessly for many years and is a great example to the youth out there that dreams can eventually come true. Be on the lookout for this young star on the rise. www.jpatronmusic.com Maniacartandphotography.com

his Saturday night, Remnants of Man will bring their in-your-face brand of metal to The Hood where they will headline on a bill that includes metal strongholds Galaxy Crusher and Eyes Set to Kill.

Remnants of Man are an American melodic death metal band with European and Swedish metal influences, but born and raised in the Coachella Valley. With the multitude of metal sounds synonymous of the genre, including fast, heavy and aggressive power chords and essential, expressive driving drum beats, and the growling vocals offered by Lynn, the band certainly lives up to the genre.

Together as a band since 2008, RoM consists of: Joe Lynn (vocals), Rudy Mendez (guitar), Ruben Torres (guitar), Daniel Wheat (bass), and Alex Milward (drums).

This tight-knit good humored band has been friends since childhood. Growing up in the local desert there wasn’t much to do as a teenager other than getting into trouble or playing music.

Luckily for these guys they excelled in the latter.

The band has built a loyal fan base locally as well as being able to successfully pack the house at out of town venues. They have two albums under their belt with the first being the 10 track disc The Premonition and most recently they released their sophomore offering, Rise, at a sold-out CD release party at The Hood. For those that missed that show back on May 17, don’t make the same mistake again as they played to a packed house that was lined up down the street waiting to get in.

This all sounds like things are going well for RoM, right? Well, that’s just the beginning. RoM were recently nominated in several categories at the CV Music Awards and walked away with awards for: Best Metal Band, Best Bass player (Dan Wheat) and Best Guitar player (Rudy Mendez). Joe Lynn was also nominated for Best Frontman. The boys gave a stellar, metal feast performance at the awards show leaving no doubt why they walked away with three trophies. But wait….it gets even better. They

June 12 to June 18, 2014

by tracy Dietlin photos by Chris Miller/imagine imagery

Photo by Laura Hunt Little

recently signed a deal with VM Management/ Maphia and have four labels interested in them with two of them offering up contract deals.

With all of this going on I thought it best to sit down with the guys and have them weigh in on a few things. Unfortunately, Dan Wheat could not join us that day at the rehearsal studio in Indio, as he was spending the day with his kids. Next time Dan. CVW: How long did it take to make Rise?

Alex: It was actually kind of quick. Three of the songs were older songs that were chopped up and redone.

Ruben: It was about three months that it took to write the 5 songs. But it took almost a year to get it out there with working with producers and engineers and the artwork and production and packaging.

CVW: So Mikey Doling produced both of your CDs. What was it like working with him?

Rudy: It’s not sitting around waiting for someone to come up with the right idea. He pushes you to get it done.

Alex: Drums had to be done and no time was wasted. I really enjoyed the process of working with him because he wanted to hammer it out.

The actual recording time only took 3 hours.

Ruben: I think he really enjoyed coming back to work with us again because we brought that to the table the first time and he saw our work ethic. When we get into the studio we already know our shit and we’re ready to go. He also loved the fact that we are a guitar driven band and he’s a guitar player.

CVW: How did you raise money for the studio time and to produce and press the CDs? Rudy: We raise money from our shows, merch….

Ruben: Recycling Alex: We all set some money aside from our jobs. We have a bank account that we put all our money in.

Rudy: Yard sales and we sold tamales. (everyone laughs) Seriously…a friend makes cake pops and she said if we got orders she would give us part of the profits and we made a couple hundred bucks from that.

Ruben: We should do a heavy metal cooking show on YouTube.

Joe: When we get paid we don’t take money individually. It all goes back into the band and merch and equipment. We really appreciate when people come to the shows and buy a shirt and a CD. CVW: Who writes the lyrics?

Joe: I write most of the lyrics but Ruben has written a couple songs. The first CD was mostly personal stuff and came from my heart and soul and what I had been through, what we

all had been through and on this one it’s more storytelling and me using my imagination more.

CVW: So what was it like being nominated for and winning so many CVMAs? Alex: It was like waking up the next morning thinking it was a dream.

Rudy: I was in the back putting away my cords from us just performing when I heard Ruben say they were calling out Best Guitar and I came running out and they called my name.

Ruben: And funny story about when it was Dan’s category and he was in the back and we were getting ready to perform and we heard the crowd roaring and I told Dan ‘someone’s out there’s winning some shit’ and I said ‘dude let’s check it out’ and when we walked out he opened the door and I said ‘Daniel you won’.

Rudy: it was really cool even when you were announcing the nominees and our names were said and all the love that came from the crowd. It felt really good.

CVW: Ruben you gave an awesome acceptance speech where you mentioned and thanked all the other nominees in the metal category.

Ruben: It was really inspiring and I hadn’t prepared anything but the fact that metal was so at the fore front that night was awesome. And metal was a winner that night period.

CVW: What was it like performing there?

Alex: It was amazing being up on that stage with those lights and that sound. I’m used to drums being drowned out but not that night.

Everything sounded so good even on a cell phone recording.

Ruben: And it was really cool having Brandon (Henderson) in the back running things as stage manager because he knows all of the bands and it made everything go so smoothly.

CVW: Joe you’re being awfully quiet. Tell us what it’s like to be nominated for Best Frontman and how you’ve changed in your own skin over the years?

Joe: I’m definitely more confident now. When we first started we were doing shows in the dirt and I did a lot of screaming and working the mosh pit having fun and protecting the guys and their guitars. I want to give Mikey Doling props for his vocal coaching during the recording of Premonition because he taught me I’m not just there for versus and choruses and to be down in the pit but there’s a lot of guitar work where I can add vocals and that I need to be up on the stage.

CVW: So can you tell us a little about signing with VM Management?

Alex: We are officially with VM and we’ve had four record labels interested in us. We’re looking over contracts and we give a lot of credit to Tarver (Marsh, President of VM Management) because he’s really helped us sort things out.

Rudy: He’s really honest with us. And we told him in the beginning if it’s not good tell us and actually the first time he came to hear us rehearse he said ‘that sounds like shit!’ (everyone laughs) But that’s what we needed. And now we sound better.

Ruben: There’s a lot of exciting things coming up but some of it we can’t talk about yet. But Tarver is definitely looking out for us.

Rudy: Everything seems so surreal and almost too good to be true but it’s legit.

CVW: What would you say is the highlight of your career so far?

Alex: The CD release party at The Hood and how successful it was and then everything that came after it.

Joe: And the place was packed. People were lined up down the street and family and friends were there and we sold every shirt we had.

Ruben: Funny story. I’ve been working on this zombie movie and this girl sees me and I’m wearing an old, old, old RoM shirt and she looks at it and says ‘Oh my God…did you see them last weekend? They played with As Blood Runs Black.

They were awesome!! They kicked ass I can’t believe they are local. Is that where you got the shirt?’ And I said, ‘I was there…on stage…I’m the guitar player.’ And she was ‘Oh I didn’t recognize you. You were awesome.’ It was a good feeling that she was so excited about us as a band and a bit sad that she didn’t recognize me as the guitar player. (laughter ensues) In closing Joe Lynn shared a funny story that brings it all full circle. “I went to Ozzfest in San Bernardino on my birthday when I was about 18/19 and I bought a book that had all the pictures of the bands that played that day and I had some of the bands sign my book and I’ve had it all this time. And it’s kind of ripped up a bit now but all the signatures are there. And the first day we went to Tarver’s house he had the same book and he pulled it out and said ‘ya …that’s when I was on Ozzfest playing in OTEP’ and I said ‘I have the same book’ and there was the picture of Tarver with his spikey hair and I remembered I actually had him sign my book that day and now like 11-12 years later he’s managing our band.”

Tarver’s comment to Joe: “Do the work and that can be you!”

Remnants of Man with Galaxy Crusher and Eyes Set to Kill this Saturday, June 14 at The Hood 74360 Highway 111, Palm Desert, CA. Show starts at 8:30pm. 21 & over. $12.00. www.facebook.com/remnantsofmanmusic www.facebook.com/VMmanagement Tarver Marsh Office: 760-564-2444 Tarvermarsh@gmail.com

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Eleni P. Austin

I

RAY LAMONTAGNE

f it was possible for Van Morrison, Cat Stevens and Joe Cocker to have a love child, his name would be Ray Lamontagne. 10 years ago, the Pop music landscape was cluttered with mediocre shite from Rascal Flatts, Ashlee Simpson and another tedious standards collection from Rod Stewart. Lamontagne’s debut, Trouble, arrived without fanfare and it was a breath of fresh air.

Ray Lamontagne was born in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1973. One of six children, his parents split up when he was still an infant. His father earned his living as a touring musician, his mother constantly relocated the family for work, so Ray endured a peripatetic childhood. They lived in Nebraska, Portland, Oregon and Utah. They lived with relatives, in an old school bus and even a chicken coop.

After graduating high school, he drifted a bit, finally ending up in a cabin in rural Maine. He found work as a carpenter, but ended up with more steady employment at a shoe factory. Everything changed when his clock-radio woke him at 4am with a slightly obscure Stephen Stills song, “Tree Top Flyer.”

Lamontagne skipped work and went to a record store and bought Stills Alone.

Suddenly thunderstruck, Lamontagne began to listen to all sorts of music, from Neil Young and Nina Simone to Bob Dylan and the Band. Soaking in Jazz, Folk and Rock influences, he finally picked up a guitar.

Likening his musical awakening to finding religion, Lamontagne gigged throughout the ‘90s. He played in pubs and coffee houses, along the way he got married and had two sons. He recorded a demo and got a publishing deal. Hooking up with producer Ethan Johns, (Victoria Williams, Ryan Adams, the Jayhawks), they recorded Trouble in just two weeks.

A perfect singer-songwriter album, not unlike James Taylor’s Sweet baby James or Van Morrison’s St. Dominic’s Preview, the record made a steady up the charts.

His songs popped up in TV shows like “Rescue Me” and “Alias,” movies like “She’s

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

14

“Supernova” (RCA Records)

The Man” and “The Boys Are Back.” By 2006, American Idol contestants were regularly covering Lamontagne songs.

When it was time to release his sophomore effort, Lamontagne made a calculated left turn. Till The Sun Turns Black arrived in late 2006, eschewing the warm textures of Trouble for songs that were fragile, somber and haunted. (If it was possible for Nick Drake and Tim Buckley to have a love child…)

Adding a horn section, his third album, 2008’s Gossip In The Grain, signaled another stylistic shift for Lamontagne. Frisky, sexy and soulful, the record echoed the classic sounds of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. The only constant for each record was the deft production from Ethan Johns.

By 2010, reinvention seemed de riguer.

God Willin’ & The Creek Won’t Rise was credited to Lamontagne and his band, the Pariah Dogs. A sly mix of gritty funk, Country Rock and tender ballads, it was selfproduced. Nominated for two Grammies, it won for Best Contemporary Folk Album.

It’s been four years since the release of God Willin’…Lamontagne came off the road feeling burned out and uninspired.

He contemplated quitting music, but instead he took a year off, retreating to his Massachusetts cabin with his wife, (and high school sweetheart), poet Susan Sousa, and their teenage boys.

Consider This

His mini-sabbatical paid off. Tapping Black Keys front man Dan Auerbach to handle production chores, Lamontagne has recorded his most playful album to date, Supernova.

The album opens with the super groovy “Lavender.” A relax-fit Bolero powered by jingle-jangle acoustic guitar, percolating percussion, mellotron, piano, electric harpsichord, Hammond B3 and pedal steel.

The lyrics evoke the halcyon childhood pleasures of hide and seek… “I’ll count to 25, (no fair cover your eyes) /Go on run and hide (You’ll never find me).” Lamontagne’s quavery falsetto is reminiscent of Three O’Clock singer, Michael Quercio. In fact the whole track seems like a lost Paisley Underground classic.

Both “Airwaves” and “Ojai” chronicle meandering road trips. The former locks into a Latin groove with brushed percussion, strummy acoustic guitars and Hammond B3 colors. Lamontagne’s vocals are sand-papery sexy and seductive as he invites us along…

“Rollin’out of East L.A., makin’ our way to Santa Fe.” On the latter, Lamontagne slips easily into the skin of an itinerant musician: “I’ve been a savior, a sideman, a stranger.” The languid tempo of the song, propelled by sparkling piano notes, tick-tack bass and pedal steel, belies the urgency of his quest to make amends.

The whole album feels very Summer of Loverly, echoing that golden decade of Rock, 1965-75. “Julia,” with it’s phased, fuzz-tastic fretwork and chunky backbeat recalls midperiod Monkees.

Astute listeners might notice that “Smashing” bears some resemblance to Donovan’s hippie anthem, “Atlantis.”

Although the beginning of the song limns a similar seafaring theme, the tone shifts, becoming more confessional, as Lamontagne renounces his duplicitous ways.

On the title track, Lamontagne’s vocal inflections parallel Bob Seger’s on “Night Moves.” The expansive instrumentation, featuring acetone, cabasa, mellotron, glockenspiel and propulsive hand-claps recalls Bruce Springsteen’s infectious siren song, “Rosalita.”

Other interesting tracks include the countrified Cha Cha Cha of “No Other Way,” and the slow-burn heartbreak of “Pick Up A Gun.” On “She’s The One,” slingshot guitar riffs, boomerang bass-lines and Lamontagne’s whispery vocals underscore the urgency of attraction…“I’m black and white like empty paper, waiting for you to color me in” The album closes with “Drive-In Movies.”

The skeleton of the melody shares musical DNA with the Kinks’ “Lola.” The lyrics paint a wistful portrait of a latch-key kid who wished for a more glamorous life, like the ones he saw at the drive-in movie… “I wanna be Brando in the ‘Wild One,’ I wanna be something to someone.”

Even though he doesn’t achieve that lofty goal, and the Drive-In is closed, the story has a happy ending. “Now I’m grown kids of my own, I never thought I could be a dad/Me and my girl we’re goin’ strong, still the best friend I ever had.”

Ray Lamontagne is a reclusive guy who lives without electricity or running water.

Instead of partying like a rock star, his hobbies are colonial ironwork and riding his motorcycle. He rarely grants interviews, doesn’t read his press or reviews. “I don’t pay attention to that shit…I just make records and hope they’re beautiful.” His low key strategy has paid off.

The definition for Supernova is a “stellar explosion that briefly outshines an entire galaxy, radiating as much energy as the sun.”

That just about sums it up.

art

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

By rebecca pikus

LESLIE JEAN PORTEr

RENAISSANCE WOMAN OF PALM SPRINGS AND PARIS!

L

eslie Jean Porter definitely qualifies as a modern-day Renaissance Woman -- she is an award-winning Producer, Director, Writer, Photographer, Filmmaker, Fashion & Costume Designer, and Fine Arts Painter! And Leslie Jean definitely has the Beauty & the Brains! To be invited to one of Leslie’s soirees, or her dinner parties with her international flair -- whether in Palm Springs or L.A., NYC, London or Paris, is a great honor. You do feel like you are at a Gertrude Stein salon event! Leslie divides the majority of her time, (when not traveling all over the world), between Palm Springs & Paris.

Graduated from Bard College, Leslie started to work in film and fashion in Paris, London, NYC, L.A and Rome. She began her career in Haute Couture for Louis Féraud in Paris who won twice the Dé d’Or (Golden Thimble) Award during her three years tenure there. Then off to Rome to work for Luigi Commencini on his film “Un Ragazzo di Calabria” starring Diego Abatantuono. Back in Paris where she grew up, she worked as assistant producer on the TV series “The Exile”. Then she worked for Robert Altman on “Ready to Wear (Prêt-à-Porter)” starring Sophia Loren, Julia Roberts, Lauren Bacall, Marcello Mastroianni and Tim Robbins.

In 1994, she became Head of Acquisitions for Ciby 2000 a major French distribution, coproduction and production company. During that time, she worked closely with some of the greatest independent directors including again Robert Altman, then David Lynch, Pedro Almodovar, Emir Kusturica, Mike Leigh and Wim Wenders. Three of those films: “Underground”, “Taste of Cherry” and “Secrets and Lies” won the Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Later, Leslie worked with Samuel Hadida on many of his productions. Her credits in this collaboration include executive producer on “Dancing at the Blue Iguana” starring Daryl Hannah and Kristin Bauer, and “Nouvelle France (Battle of the Brave)” starring Gerard Depardieu, & Tim

Roth. She was a Producer on “Sweat (Sueurs)” starring Jean-Hugues Anglade.

Leslie Jean Porter has an outstanding knowledge of the entertainment industry in acquisitions, marketing and distribution. She is also an Award-winning Writer -- her scripts for Alchemistical Productions include: “And Then It Breaks”, “Blind Love”, “Popsicle” (the Devil is played by Rancho Mirage Artist, Mario Pikus -- & was filmed in part in his home & Studio); “The Woman Tamer”, Tristan & Iseult” [Sky Fest 2010 Prize of Excellence], “The Path”, “Elixir”, “Baby”, “Gilles de Rais”, & “Native Dawn”.

Leslie’s Paintings are currently on Exhibition at Saatchi Art, London, as well as her recent May, 2014 show “Leslie Jean Porter - Original Paintings” at the Santa Monica Art Studios, Hangar Gallery, Santa Monica, Ca. Her many videos can be seen on Vimeo and YouTube.

Leslie Jean Porter’s Biography: “Life of a Creative Heart”, as well as her Contact info can be seen on her website: ljpfilms.wix.com/lesliejean-porter “I’ve spent my life creating in as many ways as i could and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it” (LJP)

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

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PET PLACE Don’t Leave Your Dog in the Car! J

une has arrived, bringing with it the hottest weather so far this year in the Coachella Valley. This is a good time to remind folks that their parked car can quickly turn into a death trap for their dog. When the outside weather is only 72 degrees, your car parked in direct sunlight can heat up to 116 degrees inside. Cracking the window open has almost no effect.

You may remember the news story about a Palm Desert veterinarian who left his German shepherd in his car outside his office. Apparently he got sidetracked and forgot about the animal, and his dog suffered a horrible death. If it can happen to a trained

terrific tortie

animal care professional, it could happen to a lot of people whose “quick” errand turns into an extended stop.

Dogs love to travel and they love to be with their humans. While this time of the year might be the best time to leave your dog at home, here are some alternatives to leaving your dog in the car when you travel with him.

1. PATRONIZE DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANTS Dogs are usually welcome at outdoor patio restaurants, but drive-thrus are always an easy option when you have canine passengers. Almost all Starbucks have drivethrus now. And you can pick up a burger patty for Benji! Please don’t tie a dog outside a business when you dash in for your coffee, as your dog could be stolen or get loose.

Pharmacies and banks have drive-thrus now for your convenience.

2. ENJOY OUTDOOR CAFES More and more restaurants have outdoor patios that welcome your pet dog, and some will even bring a doggie bone along with a water dish. My favorite dog friendly restaurant is Molly’s Super in Upland as they have a special menu for your dog to order

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by Janet McAfee his own dish! A lot of the outdoor cafes have misters which make you and your pet more comfortable on summer days in the desert.

3. TAKE HIM IN WITH YOU! More and more businesses will welcome your bringing your dog in with you when you shop. I’ve taken my dog in clothing stores, drug stores, Home Depot, hardware stores, etc. However, I was once in Target selecting a Halloween costume for my dog Scarlett, and we were asked to leave because the store contained a Starbucks where they served food items. Banks and grocery stores also don’t allow pets, unless they are service animals. Make sure your dog goes potty before entering that elegant boutique. During your restroom stops, take the dog in with you.

4. BRING ALONG A FRIEND TO WATCH THE DOG If you are out running a lot of errands, bring along a friend or neighbor. They can stay with the animal in a running car with the air conditioning on, or take him for a walk while you are busy.

5. HAVE AN EXTRA CAR KEY If you absolutely must leave pets in the car while you go elsewhere, leave the car locked with the AC running. Have a spare key to unlock the car upon your return. Keep your trip brief. Thieves have been known to break

Head out now to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus to adopt this gorgeous 1-yr-old “purrfect” girl. She’s cat ID#A1106174.

Special low adoption fees.

Shelter located at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3644.

Kittens!

Kittens!!

This adorable 11-week-old female kitten is one of a litter of four! Why not adopt two?

Loving All Animals rescued them from a hot field.

Spayed and vaccinated.

Adoption donation requested.

Call (760) 834-7000.

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Terrific tessa

I can’t believe no one adopted me yet! I’m a fabulous 6-yr-old Daschund mix girl, a perfect lap dog to sit by your side. Come visit me at the Animal Samaritans shelter, 72307 Ramon Road, Thousand Palms, (760) 343-3477.

car windows and steal animals inside. An acquaintance left her two Yorkies inside her unlocked car with the air conditioning running while she went in to a fast food restaurant, and her car stolen with the dogs inside. After two days of hell, the dogs were miraculously tracked down and returned to her by local law enforcement.

6. LEAVE YOUR DOG AT HOME Your dog will be safe and sound if you leave him at home on these hot summer days. Just like the veterinarian, you might get distracted or delayed for some reason and your animal might pay with his life. One animal control officer commented, “They all say the same thing....I was only going to be gone for two minutes.”

Dogs don’t have sweat glands all over their bodies like humans. Their main way to cool off is through panting, which is not very efficient.

When a dog’s body temperature reaches 106 degrees (their normal temperature is 100 degrees), they experience nerve problems, liver damage, and systemic organ failure all within a matter of minutes. Be safe, not sorry, and don’t gamble with your precious pet’s life.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

June 12 to June 18, 2014

by Rick Riozza

Middle Ridge Winery Release Party & Artist Series Label Unveiling in Idyllwild

A

lthough Middle Ridge Winery processes and bottles their wine in the Temecula wine country, it’s the tall pines and sweet smelling cedars of the popular artist community of Idyllwild that is home to winemaker Chris Johnston and his wife Melody. It’s where they live out their life’s philosophy, “the conversation is as important as the wine.”

As a youth, Johnston attended the summer arts program at Idyllwild Arts Academy with a goal of becoming a concert violinist. It was the mountains, numerous art galleries, and special events featuring local artists and musicians that quickly won him over to the locale that continues to enlighten his creative spirit.

Johnston continues to experiment with fruit fermentation at his Middle Ridge Road home in Idyllwild. “My wife calls it the Innovation Lab — I call it my sanctuary,” says Johnston. “It all starts here. I’ve put my old college chemistry class instruction to good use; to me, it’s a fun hobby that’s out of control.”

Since moving to Idyllwild in 2005, Johnston has worked to find the perfect fruit fusions that will excite his palette. “I buy my own grapes, generally from Temecula, Paso Robles, Lodi, and lately from Santa Barbara County’s Santa Ynez Valley, so I get to work directly with the growers and see what their growing practices are,” he said. “I want people to appreciate the care I put into this.”

Middle Ridge is a “micro-winery” that will produce about 1600 cases of wine this year. “It was ’07 before it was decent enough to win awards,” said Johnston, who has many first-place ribbons for his homemade boutique wines. The Middle Ridge 2006 Syrah and 2008 Pinot Grigio were judged as being among the best wines in the Temecula Valley and Cucamonga wine regions by a panel of wine judges and critics.

Currently, Middle Ridge offers a dozen varieties of wine that include a 2012 Pinot

Grigio from Temecula’s Blue Creek Vineyard that is “light, crisp and lively with apple and pear aromas and hints of ruby grapefruit and lemongrass on the palate”; a 2009 Reserve Merlot from Paso Robles, “full of dark currant and black cherry aromas and flavors that is elegant and smooth with a touch of tobacco and spice on the finish”; and, the 2010 Old Vine Zinfandel from Cory Ranch Lodi, where Chris says “it’s made bordelaise-style, aged in French instead of American oak, the result is a thick, rich mouth feel and aromas that reach out and grab you—like wonderful lush raspberries, pomegranates and plums.”

Middle Ridge has a Tasting Room at the Crush & Brew in Old Town Temecula, an artisan restaurant and tasting bar featuring locally crafted wine and beer. Middle Ridge wine club benefits are honored here, including complimentary wine tastings and discounts on purchases of Middle Ridge wine.

As winery owners with an appreciation of the arts, along with a real connection to the Idyllwild community, the Johnston’s always wanted to start an Artist Series label.

Fortuitously, along came the Idyllwild Deer Sightings, the first permanent public exhibit to grace the mountain community. The 22 life-size deer sculptures, painted by local artists, commemorate the art, history and culture of Idyllwild—exactly the type of project Chris and Melody wanted to honor.

Middle Ridge received the graces of the Art Alliance of Idyllwild and incorporated images of the painted deer on the labels of their 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and they also offered a donation to the organization for each bottle sold. Of the 22 painted deer to choose from, a selection committee considered several criteria—composition, creativity, and originality along with visual impact for label design, six deer were selected, with each deer showcased on its own label.

On Saturday, June 21st, from 3:00-5:00pm, the Art Alliance of Idyllwild will host an open-to-the public wine release party and fundraiser at the Idyllwild Area Historical Society, located at 54470 N. Circle Drive, Idyllwild, CA 92549. Sponsored by Middle

Ridge Winery, the festivities honor the artists of the AAI’s Deer Sightings sculptures, Idyllwild’s first permanent public art exhibit, with the official unveiling of the winery’s inaugural Artist Series wine labels.

Guests will be able to stroll through the Idyllwild Area Historical Society’s gardens, home to five of the twenty-two deer. The Historical Society also carries the maps showing the locations of the painted deer, and visitors are encouraged to pick one up for self-guided tours.

Live music will be provided and refreshments will be served. Tickets cost $25.00 and are discounted for members of the Art Alliance, Idyllwild Area Historical Society, and Middle Ridge Wine Club. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to the “Upcoming Events” page of ArtInIdyllwild.org.

The Art Alliance’s inaugural Sizzling Summer Gallery Tour follows the wine release party. Member galleries will be open to the public from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, and attendance is free.

The event coordinators are calling this event, “The art of making wine meets Idyllwild’s visual arts in this unique wine release party!” It’s also a great time to get out of the heat of the valley—it’s usually 20 degrees or cooler up there!

Rick is your somm-about-town entertaining and conducting at wine events and tastings.

Contact winespectrum@aol.com

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Club Crawler Nightlife THUR JUNE 12

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Rojer & Bobby 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Reunion w/ DJ Day Amigo Room 10pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Paul Elia 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DESERT FOX; PS; 760-325-9555 Thirsty Thursdays 7pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Lola Rossi, Rob Carter and Denise Motto 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 Rob Martinez & Todd Ashley 8:30pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Flirt” Hosted by Bella Da Ball Music from Disco to the 40’s,80’s and Funk 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Locals Night

FRI JUNE 13

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340 N PALM CANYON DR. PALM SPRINGS, CA 92262

Scan the QR Code to get the Club Crawler Nightlife on your Mobile Device via the Smartphone Phone Book!

w/ Coffee Blvck 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm JOHNNY ROCKETS; RM; 760-674-3120 Pocket Yellow 6pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Brian Jones 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MIRAMONTE RESORT; IW; 760-341-7200 “Sassy & Sultry” featuring Gina Carey 5-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin w/ The Guilty 8:30pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Machin’ 7pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 8pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am TERRA LAGO GOLF CLUB; IND; 760-7752000 The Carmens 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Carolyn Martinez & The Trio 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Casey 5:30pm, Slim Man Solo Show 7-10pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bill Saitta & Friends 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Beach Party 9pm

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The Bob Garcia Band 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Full Moon Party 7pm, The Full House Band ft. Nena Anderson 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Karaoke w/ AJ The KJ 8-12am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Nash 8pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Music 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Live Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 DJ PWee 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 The Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm

CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Afroman w/ Thr3 Strykes and DJ Charlie Luthergates 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Lassie Jo’s Best Damn Karaoke 7pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 T.B.A. 8:30pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Jump Off” DJ Colourvision 9pm Lobby, DJ Shasta & MC Esjay 11pm Lobby Splash House 4-8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Burning Bettie, Boycott Radio and Criminal Hygiene 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 7:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Reall Deall 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Circle of fifths 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 T.B.A. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 Gennine Francis 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Mark Tortorici 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 6pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 T.B.A. 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm, Jenny Henny Sidebar Patio 7pm, Mercedes Moore Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Crash Starlite Lounge 10pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 Stacked ( Pat Mahon, Carrie Wilson and Lisa Lynn Morgan ) 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Tyger’s B-day Bash w/ The Rocketz,The Strikers, and The Graveyard Drifters 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985

Celebration of Life for Steven George Gutierrez 5pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@Night 10pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Slim Man Solo Show 5:30pm, John McCormick & The Mac Band w/ DJ Randy Johnson 9:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 T.B.A. THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 Rob & jb 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Girl’s Night out w/ The Men on the Hollywood Strip 9pm

SAT JUNE 14

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Bill 6pm 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 9pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ D. Lee noon poolside, Stronghold Reggae 10pm amigo room AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Cabaret on the Green w/ Les Michaels & Joel Baker 7-10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 T.B.A. 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Live Music 10pm BILLY REED’S; PS; 760-325-1946 Music 6-10pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-7755566 DJ PWee BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Live Music 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Live Entertainment 6:30-9:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-3252600 Long Duk Dong 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 T.B.A. 9pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 The Refills 8:45pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 The Hive Minds 8pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid” Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby Splash House 11-8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 CV Weekly & VM Management Present: Eyes Set to Kill, Remnants of Man and Galaxy Crusher 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank Di Salvo 6pm

JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 T.B.A. 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 T.B.A. 6pm, Karaoke w/ Roberto 8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Reall Deall 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Circle of Fifths 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 T.B.A. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Paul Chesne 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Sunday Sun 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 The Gand Band 9pm RENAISSANCE PALM; PS; 760-322-6100 Art of Sax featuring Sax Man Will Donato & Eddie Reddick 7-10pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 DJ Shasta, Bikini Bar noon, Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 6pm, Jenny Henny Sidebar Patio, Mercedes Moore Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Shasta, Starlite Lounge 10pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; Pandora’s Rock and Led Zepagain ( Tribute to Led Zeppelin ) 7:30pm ROC’S FIREHOUSE; PD; 760-340-3222 Stacked ( Pat Mahon, Carrie Wilson and Lisa Lynn Morgan ) 6:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 R Buckle Road 9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T.B.A. 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Long Duk Dong 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Jeff 5:30pm, Slim Man 9:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Walt Young 6pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm

June 12 to June 18, 2014

THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 George Erwin 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Band 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ PJ 9pm

SUN JUNE 15

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Mor noon poolside, Slacker Sunday w/ Dirty Dave 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Steve Madaio 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 DJ Colourvision w/ Kid Wonder 11am poolside INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band w/ Frank DiSalvo 6pm

COME JOIN US FOR THE FUN!!

• 14 flat screen televisions • NTN Trivia and poker with QB1

While you are here you can try one of our ten tap beer selections from a frosty cold glass or choose one of our 30 tequilas or vodkas to make your favorite cocktail.

PLAYOFFS I THE PLAC S E TO BE

OPEN MONDAY THRU SATURDAY 4PM - 2AM SUNDAY 6PM - 2AM

12105 PALM DRIVE DESERT HOT SPRINGS

(760) 251-2644

continue to page 24

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

The Pampered Palate

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

By Raymond Bill

Bellatrix at the classic club

I

t is that time of year again, the time where people come from all over to celebrate restaurant week here in the Coachella Valley. It is also a great opportunity for those of us that enjoy dining out to fit a few more restaurants into our budget.

With participating restaurants offering full course meals for $26 or $38, how could I resist trying some new restaurants? This week, I was most impressed with Bellatrix Restaurant in Palm Desert. Located at the Classic Club (that big goldenrod colored building on the north side of the interstate

at Cook Street), this restaurant offers fine cuisine, affordable wine and a popular happy hour!

I arrived early with my date to meet two other couples for dinner. We enjoyed a drink in the bar where we noticed nearly every seat filled. It was a lively ambiance and we happened to run into a few friends before being seated in the dining room.

The host staff was polite and professional, a rare find in this local industry. On a few occasions, I have found that servers have a disgruntled attitude for the discounted

restaurant week menu, surely because it results in a lower check average and thus, lower gratuities. However, restaurant week brings in business that would otherwise not be present and therefore, a positive attitude will go much further. We were fortunate to have a very charming server who was knowledgeable and attentive.

Our limited menu included a choice of soup or salad and I opted for a delicious Caesar salad garnished with fresh anchovies.

My date and several other guests raved about their Bellatrix Salad, Crisp baby greens with tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese with a light and tangy vinaigrette.

Our entrée selections were limited to three: Chicken Cavatappi, Herb Crusted Salmon or Short Ribs. Though most of us selected the salmon, one from our group ordered

the chicken pasta with sundried tomatoes, asparagus and wild mushrooms, garnished with crisp ciabatta bread. I can assume he enjoyed his selection as his plate was left empty. The salmon was served with asparagus risotto, and a rich béarnaise sauce. Though the salmon was slightly overcooked for my taste, it was perfect for my guests.

Dessert is of course included and the selections available stood out from the very beginning. Before I could decide on my entrée selection, I knew I would finish with Caramel Cheesecake! Rich creamy cheesecake topped with a drizzle of sweet caramel… I was in heaven. My date ordered a donut-like dessert topped with a salted caramel ice cream that was rather impressive. We all raved about our meals and noticed how they were perfectly proportioned.

Overall, I was quite impressed with this restaurant. The food, ambiance and service all stand out above most restaurants in this valley. I will definitely be revisiting this beautiful dining venue to try their regular menu! Bellatrix Restaurant is located in the Classic Club at 75200 Classic Club Blvd. Call them for a reservation at 760766-2480 or make one online through opentable. Visit their websites: www. bellatrixrestaurantpalmdesert.com or www.classicclubgolf.com

A PIZZERIA THAT’S SO MUCH MORE JOIN OUR 10th ANNUAL

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Not only are we “one of the top pizza joints in the US”, as named by Zagat, we also have an amazing variety of cast-iron dishes, salads, house-made gelato, and a beautiful assortment of wines and craft beers.

Do yourself a favor and try pizza for the very first time.

CALL OR CLICK FOR RESERVATIONS:

760.341.4222 or www.michaelspizzeria.com

Located at The River at Rancho Mirage

*Free Margherita Pizza with the purchase of any pizza. Limit one per person, per visit.

Must present ad at time of sale. Dine-in only. Expires 8.31.14

20

CVW

FREE Soft Drinks, Balloons, Prizes, Fun & Entertainment.

BRING IN THIS AD FOR

Where Bob Hope Drive meets HWY 111, next to Starbucks 71-800 Highway 111, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

21

June 12 to June 18, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

A FINE ROMANCE

WORDS AND PICTURES

Last month, I incorrectly said this fine film opened on the wrong date. It actually opens Friday, June 13, at Palm Desert’s Cinemas Palme d’Or. I’m glad I have another chance to recommend this wonderful adult romantic drama. It’s among the better films, if not the best film, I’ve seen so far this year.

Director Fred Schepisi’s compelling melodrama about two teachers at a Maine prep school who battle each other and their own demons satisfies not only for the story but also because of the undisputed chemistry of the two perfect leads.

Clive Owen is Jack Marcus, an aggressive, gifted, honors English teacher who preaches the power of the written – and spoken – word. For a while, he manages to hide his serious drinking problem that threatens to destroy his world. When Juliet Binoche’s Dina Delsanto the new art teacher arrives, Marcus is energized and soon there’s an open debate in the school about whether words or pictures have the greater power.

It’s a battle between the dominance of the left and right brain. Delsanto is already an acclaimed abstract artist, but she no longer paints because of painful, crippling rheumatoid arthritis. But soon she is forced

22

to paint again when the war between the two teachers becomes a school-wide event.

One of the most amazing scenes in the film is crippled Delsanto painting in a way that cleverly allows her to spread paint as she wishes on a large flat canvas. (In actual fact, Binoche is an accomplished artist and what she paints in the film is her striking original art.)

Gerald Di Pago’s original script is richly detailed and tight. And it stays on track.

It is a welcome relief to idiotically flat so-called romantic comedies like Adam Sandler’s BLENDED. Di Pago is a veteran screenwriter (he wrote the cult fave SHARKEY’S MACHINE). He was also a high school English teacher and understands the specialized angst of curious young coed students and self-satisfied, sometimes glib teachers ensconced in a semi-closed setting. The world of the story rings true as does the push-pull fascination between the two teachers who we hope will somehow get together and find healing for the pain they experience. I’m giving nothing away here as that is the core question the movie asks. If you like intelligent, adult romances, don’t miss this great looking, emotionally satisfying film that massages both halves of your brain’s hemispheres. Highest recommendation.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: THE LOST GARDENS OF BABYLON One of the peak experiences of my life was a chance visit I was able to make to the ruins of Nineveh in northern Iraq. Yes, it’s a dangerous place and the vast ruins of this ancient city harken back to the edge of written history. If you recall your Biblical history, it’s the city the prophet Jonah visited after he was vomited by the big fish when he tried to escape God’s command.

About 250 miles south of Nineveh is Babylon.

What does Nineveh have to do with the famous “Hanging Gardens of Babylon”? Well, according to perky

Screeners No.116

Book Review

No Place to Hide

E

Oxford archaeologist Dr. Stephanie Dalley, the evidence is overwhelming that the legendary gardens were in Nineveh and not Babylon. In fact there is no ancient record that even mentions the gardens being in Babylon. This fascinating “Secrets of the Dead” DVD explores the evidence of a huge layered, towering garden and the massive canals that fed the spectacular man-made the oasis imagined and constructed by King Sennecherib (around 600 BC) in a stark, desert landscape. If you like archeology and history, don’t miss this intriguing but too short (60 minutes) investigation into one of the great lost wonders of the ancient world. PBS. DVD, ALEXANDER: THE ULTIMATE CUT At the request of Warner Bros., Oliver Stone has fiddled yet again with his massive epic that re-creates the towering, true story of Alexander the Great, who, in the 4th Century BC, conquered Greece, Persia, Afghanistan and India. That’s 90% of the known world. Think about that for a moment. This “Ultimate Edition” is a few minutes shorter (205 compared to 213) than Stone’s last cut. I really like this film

and the take it has on Alexander (Colin Ferrell), the man who was said to have died of a fever at the age of 33 because he had no more worlds to conquer. The transfer is stunning and the sound mix is inventive. Alexander’s entry into Babylon is jaw dropping and a reminder of the exotic worlds (see LOST GARDENS OF BABYLON above) that are no longer a part of our shared reality – except in our imagination.

Stones commentary is fascinating -- he’s obviously personally invested in Alexander’s biography. The package includes: a book of pictures, storyboard and production art, the Theatrical Cut and more. Warner Bros. Bluray.

TRUE DETECTIVE Martin Hart (Woody Harrelson) and Rust Cohle (Matthew McConaughey) are a pair of homicide detectives with attitudes and issues on the trail of a serial killer in HBO’s acclaimed non-linear crime series that spans 17 years. Set in Louisiana, the episodic, neo noir mystery is dialogue heavy and intermittently compelling as it pursues clues to the elusive killer and explores disturbing philosophical realms and moral ambiguities of the two leads. HBO. Blu-ray.

Comments? robinesimmos@aol.com

veryone wants a safe place to call home; a space that is secure and keeps out evil. But what happens if the evil is within? In Greg Baxter’s, The Apartment (Twelve, 208 pages) finding a comfortable place to live is not about walls and a roof.

The story is about a man looking for an apartment in an unnamed European city.

He tells the story in a first person narrative without ever mentioning his own name.

The story takes place in a single day.

The protagonist is an ex navy man who served during the Iraq war. He was on a submarine and never saw combat.

However, after his service, he contracted his high tech skill set to the military for top dollar and returned to Iraq – this time right in the heart of the chaos.

Although his work was mainly in the Green Zone monitoring video surveillance, searching intelligence materials for clues to missing men and women taken by insurgents, he saw horrible, horrible things.

Having saved all his earnings, he is now retired and seeking a place to live in his new community. He cannot speak the language.

He has a friend, Saskia, and she has promised to help him find the best place to live in the right neighborhood.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

By Heidi Simmons

The Apartment

By Greg Baxter

fiction It is wintertime and around the holidays.

Saskia helps him acclimate to the cold. He chose the city because it is cold. He, being from the American southwest desert, cold seemed like it might be just what he needs.

But he is unprepared and the girlfriend helps the foolish American find a coat, gloves and scarf – expensive, but he can afford them. As the two make their way to the apartment Saskia’s friends join them.

Some are wary about this rich American and he is not sure they like him and not only because he’s American. He is a stranger.

As the narrator journeys through his newly adopted city, he runs into interesting people and past memories he can’t ignore.

An American expat and retired military man named Easy takes him to Roman ruins, he attends a children’s recital and gets a lesson about Bach and Mozart. He remembers a childhood friend and the visit to her mother’s after her death. He recalls the birth of his nephew and seeing his mother and father together again getting along after so many years divorced.

When the protagonist gets his apartment, there are keys to unlock everything. So many, he cannot remember which goes to what. He has hardly any possessions and the apartment is cold.

On the surface, the character may be searching for an apartment, but he is actually

searching for something far more important – his sanity. He has abandoned his country.

He is disillusioned and angry. He has not seen his family in decades but loves and misses them. He has a thirst for knowledge, yet he cannot get the persistently random information out of his head.

Author Greg Baxter writes his story without chapters. In fact, he writes with a free flowing style that is hardly broken up with punctuation. Occasionally there are paragraphs. But this is not Proust. It is an intimate voice sharing the world around him that is both mundane and meaningful.

It is his life, take it or leave it.

The Apartment can be read in one sitting, but it is difficult. Not because of the writing, but because there is a moodiness and intensity that creeps up. There is also wisdom and compelling anecdotes worthy of concentration, yet it is easy to be distracted from the page.

This is Baxter’s first novel. It is brave and bold and different. There is not a typical plot unfolding, but there is a story of a man who is trying to keep his life from unraveling any further. If he can find an apartment, a city and a community maybe everything will be okay. If he can remain distracted by everything that crosses his path, then perhaps he won’t have to look inside himself. If he can find a place to call home, then maybe he has a chance to be restored.

A provocative book, The Apartment is a poetic and meditative exposé of a guy with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder desperate to find peace and a place to call home. But the allegory may be much bigger. Especially for anyone who cannot leave his or her demons behind no matter how far you run or how anonymous you try to be.

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June 12 to June 18, 2014 continued from page 19

JOHNNY ROCKETS; RM; 760-674-3120 Voodoo Hustlers 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Open Jam 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm THE NEW YORK COMPANY RESTAURANT; PS; 760-778-7789 Lili Rose 7pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Memorial Weekend Sunday Funday w/ Whiskey & Knives, 13 Scars and Subourbon Outlaw 8pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 The Judy Show 5:30pm, Judy After Dark 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Will Donato’s Art of Sax Sidebar Patio 5pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Smooth Brothers TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Jazz Time Band 2-5pm, John Stanley King 6pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Scott Carter 1:30-4:30pm, Rob & JB 4:30-9pm, DJ Idol Eyez 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Ben 11am, The Carmens 6:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Line

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760564-2201 Michael Keeth & Martin Barrera 6-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Smooth Brothers 6pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 Supa James & The Bigster Annual B-day Bash 10pm

MON JUNE 16

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bonny Jean 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Rad noon poolside CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Shake” Classic Rock Night 7pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ron Kalina’s World Class Jazz Trio 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, lounge, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Hot as Hell Pool Party w/ Tribe-O 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 T.B.A. 6pm VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 T.B.A. 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 8-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm

TUE JUNE 17

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Paul & Jo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Karr’s Jazz Quartet 6pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BAR; PS; 760-537-7337 Vinyl Sessions 8pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Joe Jaggi 6pm CORK TREE; PD; 760-779-0123 Michael Keeth 6-9pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 John Stanley King 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Hal Sweasey 6pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6-9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Dana Larson 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm, Bob Allen 6pm outside patio NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45 PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Eclectic Tuesdays. Singer/songwriter night. All acts welcome. Hosted by JB, Sign up 7pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS;

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Open Daily 10 am - 6 pm Sunday 12 - 5pm 44841 San Pablo (West Side of Street), Palm Desert, CA 92260

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760-404-6325

760-327-1161ext.230 The David Ring Trio 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Open Mic 8pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 Open Mic 8pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Rodeo Drive’s Happy Hour Cabaret 4pm, Michael Dees & Trio 7pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Live entertainment VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Einstein 5:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Trish Hatley 6pm

WED JUNE 18

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dan Horn 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Mikole Carr AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Paula Prince 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 T.B.A. 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CUNARD’S SANDBAR; LQ; 760-564-3660 Bill Baker 6pm ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-9920002 Rose Mallet 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm HAMILTON’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL; LQ; 760-698-8303 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8:3012:30am HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Shine” Karaoke 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic 8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio

6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Bob Allen in the lounge and Tom on the patio 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Michael Healy 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Karaoke 8pm-1:15am Singles Night !!!

THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm NYPD; PS; 760-778-6973 Live DJ 9pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760-327-1161ext.230 Michael Holmes Trio 6:30pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-4080 Martin Ross, Starlite Lounge 5pm, Open Mic w/ Esjay Jones, Sidebar 7pm SCHMIDY’S; PD; 760-837-3800 D Phillips Band 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz VICKY’S OF SANTA FE; IW; 760-345-9770 Pat Rizzo & All That Jazz Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 Ben 5:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3285955 Art of Sax 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Brian Nova Trio Jazz 6pm

events

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

World Famous Recording Artist Moby and Ultra-Cool DJ’s to Headline Splash House Pool Party & Music Weekend

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he City of Palm Springs will be the hot spot in Southern California for music lovers seeking warm rays of sun this weekend as world famous recording artist Moby headlines the 2nd annual Splash House Pool Party and Music Weekend, June 13-15.

The pool party and music extravaganza, in partnership with world famous music promoters Goldenvoice and LED, will return to the Saguaro Hotel and will take over two new ultra-cool venues, the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown Palm Springs and the Hacienda Cantina and Beach Club.

“The weekend of poolside entertainment across three stages is expected to captivate a diverse array of dance music fans,” said Mary Jo Ginther, Director of the Palm Bureau of Tourism. “Some of the world’s most innovative and dynamic electronic

performers will be in town for this event and Moby, a recording artist who has sold more than 20 million albums, is sure to be a huge draw.”

She also noted a plethora of well-known Hollywood A-listers will be in town for the event. “It’s a great economic stimulator for our city in June,” Ginther said. “Palm Springs is no longer a sleepy town in summer.”

Musical artists performing this year at Splash House include: AC Slater, Amtrac, Anna Lunoe, Bag Raiders, Bixel Boys, Claude Van Stroke, Giraffage, Jason Bentley, Justin Jay, Kaytranada, Kygo, Lemaitre, Les Sins, Little Boots, MANIK, MNDR, Neon Indian, Penguin Prison, Plastic Plates, Posso, Purity Ring, RAC, Sango, Sweater Beats, Toro y Moi, Treasure Fingers, and Tycho.

For more information, visit www. splashhouse.com.

comedy

By Denise Ortuno Neil

Haddon Libby: Enlightening Through Humor

I

t is widely known and accepted that laughter can be instrumental in brightening the mood of the masses; relieving stress and enticing those feel good hormones to come to the surface.

But what if laughter came with a nice shot of knowledge as well? With so many comedians going for the laugh without substance, Haddon Libby has decided to take a different route with his brand of comedy. His goal is to enlighten through humor, to educate, inform and entertain.

Originally from Portland, Maine, Libby graduated from Northwestern University and as a result, has had an illustrious career in banking spanning decades. He has worked in upper echelon in the banking world including, The Bank of New York, Bank of America as well as other institutions and also as a private banker for celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Ed McMahon. Libby’s area of expertise extends to working as a credit analyst, investment banker, cash management specialist, CFO and private banker.

Libby eventually moved to Los Angeles where he continued his banking career. He also had an art gallery where he met several celebrities and comedians, including Louie Anderson. Anderson and Libby became

friends and at one point Anderson offered to help mentor Libby in becoming a comic, noticing Libby’s natural comedic talent. At the time, Libby declined the generous offer, but comedy was waiting in the wings.

Libby is no stranger to comedy, having been in the mist of it during and after college. The witty banker even had a radio show in his college years. He was even once on the brink of working as a writer for SNL back in New York. He continued to surround himself with people in the industry; somehow it just worked out that way.

Libby came to the Coachella Valley in 2002, where he moved forward in banking.

Besides his progressive career, he also was part of the boards of many organizations in the desert including, The Palm Springs International Film Festival, The Living Desert and currently is the CFO of the LA Quinta Arts Foundation. He also writes for CV Weekly about issues in the political and economic arena.

In 2011, Libby came under fire with the city of Indian Wells after confronting city council members with probing questions about possible corruptive behavior. Libby’s employer, First Foundation Bank and the city of Indian Wells were rattled by the situation and as a consequence, Libby was released

of his position at First Foundation Bank. But the outcome has given Libby fodder for his comedy, a way to bring political problems to light through it.

Since the Indian Wells incident, in 2012 Libby helped start up Share Kitchen in Cathedral City with Angela Janus. The non-profit organization helps startup food businesses get up and running, “In the past 18 months we have helped 27 new businesses get started,” said Libby.

It was just several weeks back that comedy came knocking again at Libby’s door. He was back stage with a friend at The Comedy Store when he was approached by a show promoter to perform, and although

he resisted at first, the persistence of the promoter paid off and Libby finally agreed.

He has two shows in Los Angeles coming up this month called “Kleptocrats and Dog Food”, one at 8pm on Thursday, June 19th at the Coagula Curatorial and one on Wednesday, June 25th at The Comedy Store.

Libby’s shows will be filled with his take on his own political views including the Indian Wells incident; it will also be intertwined with the comedy of his life experience.

Libby explains that a Kleptocrat is a person in government who gets rich from a position of power, an act that he is passionately against. He likens his comedy to that of Steven Colbert and John Stewart, “With their comedy, people will digest more hard information if you make it funny,” said Libby. And in a world where the public is more inclined to watch reality shows than actually live in reality, perhaps a little enlightenment through humor is just what we need. Break a leg Haddon!!

For more information about Share Kitchen visit www.sharekitchen.org For more information about the shows visit contact at admin@haddonlibby.com

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum Receives So.Cal. Edison Grant New Visitors Guide Developed and Wayfinding Site Maps Installed

C

abot’s Pueblo Museum received a $5,000 grant from Southern California Edison (SCE), an Edison International Company, enabling the development of an updated Visitor’s Guide and two large wayfinding maps installed on the grounds.

“Without grants and our generous supporters, we would not be able to give visitors the unique experience and showcase the collection of artifacts currently featured at the museum,” said John Mahoney, President of the Cabot’s Museum Foundation Board of Directors. “We are very grateful to Southern California Edison, our other community partners, and donors for their support of our education programs.”

The updated Visitor’s Guide features a map of the museum and details on each of the entities on the grounds. In addition to the museum itself, the grounds house the

Trading Post, Tool House, Studio House, The Gild, The Barn, Meditation Garden, Well House, Water Gallery, and the 43-foot tall Waokiye. The new guide enables visitors to easily navigate their way to the structures, and to review descriptions of each.

In addition to the Visitor’s Guide, the grant funds were used to create enlarged wayfinding maps, resulting in two 3 ft. x 4 ft. site maps installed on the grounds.

The maps provide a detailed layout of the various historical buildings and directional to each one, as well as noting walking paths, wildflower gardens, and other points of interest.

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum is the work of desert pioneer Cabot Yerxa and was built entirely of recycled materials. The preserved Hopi-inspired pueblo now houses the collections and desert artifacts collected by Yerxa.

As a non-profit, Cabot’s Museum is completely supported by individual donations and purchases from museum guests, memberships, artisan weekend events, donations from local philanthropic groups, and grants from companies such as SCE and other foundations.

Cabot’s Pueblo Museum was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012. Preservation of the integrity of the Pueblo, Cabot’s legacy and the unique

Community collection of artifacts is the mission of Cabot’s Museum Foundation.

SCE provides such grants to support the preservation of historic sites in Southern California. Notably, Southern California Edison has committed to providing another grant to the museum later this year.

For more information on museum hours and tours visit Cabot’s Pueblo Museum at www.cabotsmuseum.org. Or call the museum at (760) 329-7610.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Haddon Libby:It’s all local

PAPER TIGERS

I

n May, more people were working in the United States than at any point in history - 138 million of America’s 318 million population. This level slightly exceeded the previous record set in January, 2008.

Most troubling is that job growth over the last six years has been heavily skewed toward low paying and part-time jobs. Since 2008, we have 2.2 million fewer full-time jobs despite 5% (15 million) population growth. Part-time work now represents 17.5% of the entire labor force with only three in five Americans of working age participating, the lowest levels on record.

The job sectors responsible for most of the economic recovery were the healthcare and hospitality industries (restaurants, bars and hotels). The vast majority of these jobs were low paying, part-time work.

Comparing the current ‘recovery’ in jobs with past job recoveries since 1950 shows a deeply concerning trend. Prior to 1980, it usually took about two years after an economic slump for job levels to recover. In the early eighties, recovery time increased to 2.5 years. In the early nineties, job recovery took nearly 3 years. After the bursting of the dot com bubble at the beginning of the last decade, the recovery

time for job levels moved up to 4 years. The current job recovery following the collapse in our economy brought on by rampant mortgage loan fraud has taken nearly 6.5 years while the quality of these new jobs is weaker than at any point in modern history.

What does all of this mean? As twothirds of the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending and we have fewer Americans with disposable income, the economy is increasingly reliant on smaller portions of our citizenry. This means that it is increasingly easy for small economic disruptions to cause larger economic downturns with slower recovery times.

Mathematical gymnastics by the Bureau of Labor Statistics give most people the impression that the economy is healthier than it really is. As an example, the unemployment rate is typically considered an indicator of economic health yet government statistics exclude the longterm unemployed from unemployment calculations. As a result, the headline unemployment rate of 6.3% is nothing more than economic cheerleading.

To get to the real unemployment rate, we have to do some mathematical gymnastics of our own. If you assume that the same percentage of Americans want to work today as wanted to work six years ago and you include the long-term unemployed and people working part-time who want full-

time work, the real national unemployment rate remains disturbingly high at 15.0%.

While Yuma, AZ has the worst headline unemployment rate at 24%, ten of the next eleven high unemployment locations in the United States are in California. Riverside County ranks near the bottom with a headline unemployment number of 8.3%. As pointed out in my February column entitled “Abbott & Costello Math” (which you can read at www.coachellavalleyweekly.com), the problem with the unemployment number for our county is that our statisticians use a bad sample set of data that makes our employment levels look better than reality.

Real unemployment levels in this county are estimated at over 20% by state statisticians.

When you look down the road at Yuma or

June 12 to June 18, 2014

El Centro where headline unemployment rates over 20%, their real unemployment rates are depressingly high.

Wages of those who are employed are barely keeping up with headline inflation levels. So you know, headline inflation excludes things like food and fuel. Like the headline unemployment level, real inflation is much higher than the headline number.

All of this is to say that while things are better for many than six years ago, there remains a lot of suffering amongst large and growing segments of America with much of the worst suffering occurring right here in our backyard.

For many, the recovery is no more than a paper tiger.

Dale Gribow On The Law

Fathers, For Your family’s sake, plan ahead

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ather’s Day is around the corner. The best gift you can give to dad is to encourage him to plan ahead for the family and to make an Estate Plan.

It is very common to talk to clients who have a trust but have never FUNDED it. In that regard we can learn from film and TV actor Paul Walker of Fast and Furious fame.

While on his way home he was killed in a car accident on November 30, 2013.

His death and what he did or did not do, can teach us a few things about estate planning.

As most of my readers know from previous articles, a Revocable Living Trust, like the one Walker had, is an important component of an estate plan. Most attorneys use a trust as the primary estate planning vehicle as it is a good way to manage assets during life and death.

At death it allows for privacy by avoiding the normal public process of probate. The public is not privy to what is in a Trust document.

They cannot open it for inspection as is the case with a probate which allows anyone to “check out” your private finances.

However the FUNDING of a trust is necessary to achieve privacy and other related benefits. Walker did not fund his trust completely. Thus he was in the same boat as other famous people who did not

have a trust. People like Walt Disney, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, J.P. Morgan and John Rockefeller to name a few.

Though a trust is a great idea, there are very few benefits if the trust during life is not funded. As a result Walker’s $25 million of assets were outside the trust. We can substantiate this because those assets outside of his trust will now have to be probated. Thankfully in Walker’s case he is protected because he had a “pour-over-will” and thus they go into the trust. Probate’s publicity and costs could have been avoided if the assets had been in the trust during life.

It is just as important to have an Estate Plan when you are young as it is when you are old. All too often young people like 40 year old Paul Walker can do die both from natural causes and by accidents. Walker should have had more than half his life ahead of him. But as we have all seen with our own family and friends, life does not always work out the way we expect. All to often People don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan! However Walker thankfully was wise in that he had planned ahead and secured an estate plan.

Many young people take the approach “I do not have an estate”. The good news is that whoever you are and however old you are and regardless of how little or how

much money or other assets you have, YOU DO HAVE AN ESTATE. The BAD news is that, unless you take the time to ensure that both you and what you have, is safely monitored, your community estate could be a mess.

Walker was a well-known film and television star and he thought of others by planning his estate. Every reader should put this Coachella Valley Weekly down and consider an estate plan and a health care directive….today. A health care directive is VERY INEXPENSIVE in our office because we do not want to see our neighbors in the CV get in trouble because they have not planned ahead and have become terminally ill….SO CONTACT US TODAY at 760 837-7500 OR dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

During summer we all drink to much in the

sun. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI… IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HIRING ME! Dale Gribow has been “Rated” TOP LAWYER by Palm Springs Life Magazine from 2011-2015 and has a Superb AVVO Legal Rating by his fellow attorneys. Dale Gribow has been Man of the Year 7 times including the City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day has been declared 4 times. He is the only attorney appointed in December 2013 to the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s Public Safety Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Committee addressing Drunk Driving. This group consists of the police chiefs from every city and the mayor of each city as well as the Sheriff of Riverside County and the head of the CHP and Border Patrol.

In addition Gribow is the only attorney asked to be part of the Clinton Foundation’s Clinton Health Matters Committee addressing Drunk Driving. Gribow is also one of the founders of Shutdown Drunk Driving formed upon the death of his client who was killed by a drunk driver while jogging recently.

If you have any questions regarding this column or ideas for future columns please contact Dale Gribow Attorney at Law at his NEW number 760 837 7500 and or his new email: dale@dalegribowlaw.com

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

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safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Be a Hero? “No, you first.. ”

W

e recently celebrated Memorial Day and D – Day honoring those who sacrificed for our freedom. True hero’s no doubt! We also celebrated National EMS/First Responder Week as well. It recognizes fire, police and medical first responders who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of emergency medicine’s “front line.” Father’s day is upon us and there are lots of Hero’s to recognize.

Have you ever considered yourself as a Hero?

Children play in the pool and fight to be the first for toy possession, pool space and attention.

Kids like to get their own way. So do adults. A morning commute in traffic will showcase how adults also like to get their own way and be first.

Horns honk and nasty looks are exchanged as drivers vie for their spot on the road, sometimes speeding or cutting others off in the process. But how refreshing it is to meet a kind person in a traffic jam, one who waves you on and allows you to move over a lane. And when they do it with a smile, this rare gesture restores faith in the human race. That person becomes your hero for the moment.

We’ve all heard the verse laying down our lives, and think of it as a heroic person actually dying for another, which of course is the greatest love of all. But I have also come to think of “laying down my life” as the little choices which put others first. Putting others first doesn’t come naturally to us. Our innate tendency is to reach for the biggest slice of pie rather than offer it to a family member.

It takes a conscious effort to allow others to go before you or to let them have what you really want. I have always been impressed at those who seem to do it regularly.

Mothers are a good example of one’s who make selfless choices. Or take Pat, the Sunday

school teacher at church. Conversations with this sweet woman are sure to revolve around you and your family. She rarely talks about herself, but instead wants to know how she can be praying for you and your loved ones. She is known by many as “the nicest woman in the world.”

Then there’s Frank, the man at church who opens doors for others, helps visitors, and does it all with a genuine smile. He is not an official usher.

Just a kind soul. But there are also people who›ve given more. Like Andrew. Throughout his life he wanted to serve. To protect. To save. It was evident in his play as a child and with his future goals as a teen. Then one day, as a 19-year-old soldier, he laid down his life for his country on a battlefield far away. A hero.

Most likely we won’t ever be called to make the ultimate sacrifice, but could we vow to put others first a little more often? To intentionally look for ways to meet their needs while we put ours on hold? To, in a sense, lay down a little of our lives daily for another?

Wanna be a Hero? Say “No, you first...”

I’m in. Are you? If we ever meet in person someday, I’ll hold the door open for you with a smile. Why, I just might even let you take the biggest piece of pie. {Maybe.} Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

ShareKitchen MONEY FOR SOMETHING C

ould you or a friend use some extra money, training or guidance to help improve your career or life?

The County of Riverside will give you $4 for every $1 you save to start or expand a business, learn a new trade or buy a house.

The program is part of the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County and meant to give low income residents a hand at changing their lives in a positive way. The catch? You are required to complete a series of workshops to help you prepare for that business, job or financial undertaking that you are contemplating. How easy is that?

Maximum family income to be part of this program ranges from $22,980 to $79,260 and is based on family size.

To find out more, call 951.955.4900, 800.511.1110 or visit www.capriverside.org.

On July 16th, ShareKitchen hosts its monthly ServSafe class and certification examination. ServSafe is a certification

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program required by the Department of Environmental Health of anyone who manages a commercial kitchen for a restaurant, hotel or other food establishment.

Register today at www.sharekitchen.org/ servsafe.

Finally, are you 50 years of age or older?

Do you have an interest, hobby or talent that you have always wanted to turn into a business? On Thursday, June 19th from 9am to noon is an important event for you. The Workforce Development Center at 44199 Monroe Street in Indio will be holdingEncore Entrepreneur: Your Second Career in a Life Well-Spent. This free event is hosted by the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center (for men, too), the Riverside County Office on Aging and the Indio Workforce Development Center and includes a continental breakfast and refreshments. More information is at www.rivcojobs.com.

As you can see, summer is a great time to set your plans in motion and be prepared for October when our season gears up!

Gaemer Girl

E3 2014

by mrs. fett

I

t’s hard to imagine any E3 will compare to last year’s brawl between Microsoft, and Sony. This year’s major convention will have no console wars, and no ground breaking news and developments in hardware and consoles.

But that’s not to say this year will be a complete waste. As I tooled around the exhibit floor, a day before the convention opened, I got a sneak peek at everything about to hit your face! From accessories to major titles, here’s what’s in store.

Microsoft released major title trailers, for games including Call of Duty, Halo, including the epic collector’s edition, and Evolve. Last year, Microsoft focused on being the all-in-one console for the home, controlling everything from gaming, to

home entertainment. With their major mistakes fixed, their announcements were more focused on getting back to their roots: a non-kinect-mandatory bundle, and a major price drop, showing penance for their control-freak ways last year.

Call of Duty has an amazing display, including a huge assault hummer, gameplay, and a major display booth. But by far, the best display filled with anticipation, was Evil Within. Bethesda went above and beyond enticing attendees to enjoy the pain, misery, and all out scared to crap fear, that the game produces.

Tomorrow, the doors open to the public, and I will be able to get more exclusive information, announcements, and dates on future games, console accessories, and epic toys. Stay up to date with updates all week @cvweekly!

POWER REWARDED:

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HOT PURPLE ENERGY SELECTED AS SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR BY ASSEMBLY DISTRICT #56 AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER V. MANUEL PEREZ

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ot Purple Energy – with a focus on the “Energy”— was recently named 56th Assembly District’s “2014 Small Business of the Year.” Owners Nate Otto, President, and David Herrlinger, Vice President, will travel to Sacramento on June 16th to participate in a recognition event sponsored by the California Small Business Association.

Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez selected Hot Purple Energy among 80 other small businesses being honored, out of 3.3 million of them operating in the state of California.

“As our future moves toward sustainability and as more people realize that they can take control of their energy future and costs, we are witnessing a significant increase in solar power companies forming,” said Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez, the Assistant Majority Floor Leader of the California State Assembly. “Hot Purple Energy has risen above the others with their distinctive approach to

raise awareness about the importance and benefits of energy conservation and solar power, and their continued interaction with the community as a whole in the Coachella Valley is highly commendable.”

“We started off pursuing our passion in protecting the environment and raising awareness of sustainability on a personal level when we founded Hot Purple Energy, which followed with a heightened interest in working for our company while also attracting clients who realized our commitment to them and our mission,” said President Nate Otto of Hot Purple Energy. “It is extremely rewarding to be named a Business of the Year among only a select group of small businesses in the state – and to be the only comprehensive energy solutions company in that small group as well.”

Earlier this year Hot Purple Energy was also recognized as a “Renewable Business Leader,” by Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez.

Other recent accolades for Hot Purple Energy include the “Intelegant Award of Excellence” from SunPower Corporation, and a monetary recognition from the City of Palm Springs for promoting sustainability and for donating a solar system to the city for its mobile stage.

HPE has created a niche in the marketplace with its eclectic company persona, and has become known for raising energy use awareness in new, exciting, and different ways. As a comprehensive energy solutions company, HPE is available for complimentary consultations for an energy efficiency overview, providing recommendations and solutions for short- and long-term energy use.

ALA’s Leadership Training Institute 5th Annual Above & Beyond Awards Gala Honoring Nine Distinguished Community Leaders

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LA’s Leadership Training Institute honored local community members on May 31 at the Indian Wells Golf Resort Pavilion. The honorees consistently go “above and beyond” and were nominated by their peers for this prestigious award. They’ve all proven excellence in community leadership and service. The event, hosted by Patrick Evans, a local media personality was also an Above and Beyond awards recipient this year.

Some of the honorees are highly recognized in the community and go above and beyond tirelessly every year. Others are the “unsung heroes” who are quietly making a difference in our community and are relatively unknown for their devoted high-levels of community service.

This year’s Nine (9) honorees are from an array of service backgrounds, including human services, animals, social change, media, nonprofits, education, legal action and more. Each of these honorees is among the finest examples of the citizens of the greater Coachella Valley.

Past recipients of this prestigious award include: Jackie Lee Houston, Brooke Beare, Nachhattar Chandi, Cerenia Guerrero, Gigi Muth and others.

Congratulations to the 2014 Above & Beyond Honorees: Animal Services Save A Pet, Desert Hot Springs - For more than 30 years, Save-A-Pet has rescued animals in danger, and provided healing medicines, treatment, food, and shelter. They have helped to find permanent, loving homes for approximately 600 animals each year. Save-APet began as a no-kill shelter and has expanded its services to include programs, such as, Senior Animals for Senior People, pairing deserving seniors with animals.

Community Outreach Owen & Audrey Gillick, 29 Palms - In their 62 years of marriage, Owen and Audrey have each done much to serve their communities.

However, it is the work they’ve done together that really stands out. He has worked to improve the effectiveness of non-profit and public service agencies. Audrey also taught at Copper Mountain College and has been active in the art community, including the City of 29 Palms Public Arts Advisory Committee establishing the framework for the city’s support of the arts.

Together, they were founding members of the Action Council for 29 Palms, a community mural program.

Rev. Dr. Tahlib McMicheaux, Desert Hot Springs - As a pastor of the First Community Baptist Church, he has worked tirelessly to improve the way resources are delivered to those in need. While attending to the spiritual needs of his community, the Reverend has also become a bridge between neighborhoods and local government to help improve services.

He has served on many community service boards, faith councils, partnerships, and health partnerships, always with the vision and hand up to help those in need. Tahlib was instrumental in getting the Palm Springs Gang Task Force started and has served with the Anderson Foundation, Rotary International, and the American Cancer Society.

Education Paul Morway, Indio - Children in elementary school, are fortunate if they come across a teacher as dedicated as Mr. Morway. During his 16 years of teaching, he has not only worked to provide high quality education for his students, he has served his school and community in many ways. In the classroom, he is passionate about seeing children connect to literature and to history. At school, he serves on the Intervention Committee, helping to make sure student needs are met.

Human Services Andrea Aranda, Palm Desert - Andrea’s service as a Social Worker has provided hope

for foster children and families throughout Riverside County. As a Riverside County Social Worker, Andrea works with people to support them through difficult times and to provide services to families to ensure their health and well-being. Andrea was instrumental in creating, Faith in Motion, which is an initiative in Riverside County connecting faith-based groups with the county’s social service agency. Faith in Motion gives local faith-based groups the opportunity to provide support and encouragement to the families served by social services Legal Advocacy Mike Hestrin, Temecula - Over the years, much of Mike’s legal work has been centered around children. As the Trial Team Leader for the DA’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit, he prosecuted those who targeted and abused children. Assisting on child abuse cases came naturally to him, as his mother was an advocate for the abused. Mike has also trained prosecutors, paralegals, law enforcement, Riverside County Bar Association members, and social workers in ethics, trial advocacy, sex offender prosecution, homicide prosecution, and capital case litigation.

Media Patrick Evans, Rancho Mirage - Patrick originally started working his first television job at 17. While still in college, he became the weekend weatherman at WVIR, then after graduation, he moved to the morning newscast.

In August 2002, Patrick moved to the Palm Springs area to take a position with new Coachella Valley CBS affiliate, where he’s been the Chief Meteorologist for CBS Local 2. During his decade long tenure, Patrick also hosted the Valley’s only live Arts and Entertainment program, “Eye on the Desert”.

Patrick serves on the Board of the Family YMCA of the Desert, and previously served on the boards of the California Desert Chorale and

June 12 to June 18, 2014

Community

The company is revered for designing tailored solutions to meet the needs cost effectively for homes and businesses.

For more information about HPE, please visit www.hotpurpleenergy.com or call (760) 322-4433.

About Hot Purple Energy HPE is a full-service energy company with a passion for providing solar systems and comprehensive energy solutions so that individuals and businesses can take control of their energy futures. Established in 2009, HPE is revered for its superior designs, quality components, fine installation techniques, and commitment to providing outstanding customer service. HPE’s portfolio of clients includes College of the Desert, Las Casuelas Terraza, the Gerald Ford and Abernathy Estates, the Morrison, Alta Verde Group’s Escena and Monte Sereno home communities, as well as hundreds of private consumers.

Community

the Desert Symphony and the United Way. Social Change Lynn Moriarty, Palm Desert - As the Former Executive Director of Shelter from the Storm, Lynn helped change countless lives for the better.

She spent her career advocating for victims of domestic violence and working to protect them and give them the hand they needed to move forward. At Shelter from the Storm, she founded the Edra Blixseth Community Counseling Center, the Florence Rigdon Long Term Transitional Housing Program, and the emergency shelterbased Indian Wells Medical Clinic.

Brenda Ayon Verduzco, Coachella - Brenda’s commitment to creating and supporting positive social change is evident in the work she does wherever she is. As Brenda has worked her way through college, and law school, she has always dedicated herself to working with organizations that serve. Her community service has included the One Justice Program, a legal clinic to help immigrant youth file their Deferred Action Children Arrivals applications; the Young Lawyers Program, a mentoring program for inner-city children; and the Rotaract Club.

Charity: Angel Light Academy’s (ALA) Leadership Training Institute. Teaching leadership, team building, problem solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills to adults and at-risk youth in the greater Coachella Valley. For more information on the charity visit: www.angellightacademy.org .

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

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HARD ROCK HOTEL PALM SPRINGS OFFERS REVOLUTIONARY RHYTHM & MOTION SPA TREATMENTS

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ard Rock Hotel Palm Springs announces the arrival of Rhythm and Motion the world’s first fully immersive music-centric spa menu utilizing amplified vibrations, pressures and patterns, as the foundation of its treatments. This groundbreaking experience takes guests on a rhythmic massage journey - bass vibrations ripple through the massage table as treble beats come from above, sending pulses through the body and leaving guests feeling energized and invigorated. These reinvented Rock Spa® treatments, now offered at Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, transcend current spa rituals and inspire spa-goers to ‘Live Hard, Purify Harder.’

Turning up the volume on the traditional Swedish massage practices, the massage therapist synchronizes movements with an expertly curated playlist as guests embark on a journey of the senses. Utilizing Hard Rock’s differentiator - music - each treatment connects the healing power of music with the artistry of message therapy. As music has been proven to relieve pain, enhance immune function and alleviate stress, Hard Rock developed these cutting-edge treatments with music at the forefront to provide guests with an all-encompassing rejuvenation of the senses, body and mind.

Available now at Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, the new Rock Spa® Rhythm and Motion treatments cater to all spa-goers’ needs.

- Synchronicity is a pulsating massage featuring a masterfully blended soundtrack.

Utilizing greatest hits from yesterday to

today, the treatment taps into memories to create an experiential journey, in sync with a performance of techniques, pressure and rhythm. The massage is infused with a choice of natural organic essential oils to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, and detoxify.

- Smooth Operator retunes the skin and rocks the soul with a two-part treatment that first removes impurities before introducing new nourishing elements. Starting with the rhythmical Sweetgrass-inspired dry brushinga ritual that softly sloughs rough skin awayand closing with a soothing, detoxifying wrap to release impurities, hydrate and smooth the skin, Smooth Operator wraps it up on a high note.

- Face the Music combines the therapeutic benefits of sound vibration and clinically proven organic products to rejuvenate and hydrate facial skin. This journey leaves skin feeling smooth and refreshed, shedding years and restoring a star-worthy glow.

- Wrap Remix is the ultimate healing experience, warming and enveloping guests in bliss before the treatment’s sweet finish.

Benefiting the entire body, this treatment begins with a cleansing shot of ginger tea to jumpstart the detox process, followed by brisk, rhythmical Sweetgrass-inspired dry brushing.

Skin is deeply nourished post-wrap with the combination of a 50-minute rhythm and motion massage and cleansing facial mask, completing the treatment. A refreshing shot of Rock Spa® Detox Tea is then served to maintain the state of ahhh even longer.

Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs is a musicinspired resort offering 163 luxury guest rooms,

Health &Fitness

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a buzzing pool and entertainment scene with DJs playing every weekend, plus excellent dining and events in the heart of the newly resurgent Downtown Palm Springs. The hotel offers a long list of amenities including the groundbreaking, interactive “Sound Of Your Stay®,” where guests can rock out with hands-

on music experiences. Other music-inspired amenities include a VIP Rock Star Suite, the Rock Spa®, a Body Rock® workout facility, and the world-famous Rock Shop® featuring Hard Rock’s iconic, collectible merchandise.

To book an immersive musical spa experience at Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, call 760-969-6665.

by Personal Trainer Karen Creasey

Looking for Stress Relief?

tress… Just the word makes me want to take a deep cleansing breath. It is the word used when we feel overwhelmed, burdened, or loaded.

Most often we talk about stress in light of

Health &Fitness

a challenge or a threat to our well-being.

We interpret our stress levels by what we feel we can handle. I’ve known times, as I’m sure you have also, where the pressure of stress felt almost more than I could bear.

Swimming is Meditation in Motion It is in these times where my interactions, moods, and even health become negatively affected. But stress is not always negative.

Some types of stress can be positive; it gets us going, keeps us moving, and keeps us striving, trying and succeeding.

Part of our response to challenges has a physiological element and affects our physical state. The way we respond to a challenge may in itself be a type of stress.

Did you know there is a connection between exercise and stress relief? Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries. Endorphins are anxiety fighting super heroes. Virtually any form of exercise, from aerobics to yoga, can act as a stress reliever. If you’re not an athlete, or even if you’re downright out of shape, you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management.

I am frequently asked what qualifies as the best stress relief exercise. That is impossible to answer without knowing you personally. But a great place to start is in

the water. When submerged to the neck in water, 90 percent of a person’s body weight is reduced. Combine that with a warm water environment, flowing movements, and the valuable energy of physical activity; the body receives therapeutic benefits and the brain interprets the experience as positive.

The direct stress-busting benefits of water exercise are well documented.

Water surrounds you during the entire exercise routine making resistance threedimensional. Movement in one direction meets with equal resistance in the opposite direction and encourages muscle balance and parity. As well, it is a low-impact activity that takes the pressure off your bones, joints and muscles. It offers natural resistance, and helps you get strong. It is meditation in motion, and has the ability to improve your mood by boosting your endorphin super heroes. At the Palm Desert Aquatic Center we can help you make water part of your stress relief routine. Call us. 760-565-7467

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of June 12

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In its quest for nectar, a hummingbird sips from a thousand flowers every day. As it flaps its wings 70 times a second, zipping from meal to meal, it can fly sideways, backward, or forward. If it so desires, it can also hover or glide upside-down. It remembers every flower it visits, and knows how long it will take before each flower will produce a new batch of nectar. To some Spanish speakers, hummingbirds are known as joyas voladoras, or “flying jewels.” Now take everything I’ve just said, Aries, and use it as a metaphor for who you can be in the coming week.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In 1947, the impossibly wealthy Duke of Windsor went shopping in Paris to buy a gift for his wife, the Duchess. She already had everything she wanted, so he decided to get creative. He commissioned the luxury-goods manufacturer Hermes to build her a high-fashion black leather wheelbarrow. I am not urging you to acquire something like that for yourself, Taurus. But I do like it as a symbol for what you need in your life right now: a blend of elegance and usefulness, of playful beauty and practical value, of artistry and hard work.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Your brain absorbs about 11 million pieces of information every second, but is consciously aware of less than .001 percent of all that richness. Or at least that’s usually the case.

Having analyzed your astrological omens, I suspect that you might soon jack that figure up as high as .01 percent -- a ten-fold increase! Do you think you can handle that much raw input? Are you amenable to being so acutely perceptive? How will you respond if the world is a ten times more vivid than usual? I’m pretty confident. I suspect you won’t become a bugeyed maniac freaking out on the intensity, but rather will be a soulful, wonder-filled explorer in love with the intensity.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have a strong, intricate understanding of where you have come from. The old days and old ways continue to feed you with their mysterious poignancy. You don’t love every one of your past experiences, but you love ruminating about them and feeling the way they changed you. Until the day you die many years from now, your history will keep evolving, providing an endless stream of new teachings. And yet at this particular moment in your destiny, Cancerian, I think your most important task is to focus on where you are going to. That’s why I urge you to temporarily forget everything you think you know about your past and instead concentrate on getting excited about the future.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In 1928, Bobby Pearce won a gold medal in rowing at the Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. An unforeseen event almost sabotaged his victory. As he rowed his boat along the Sloten Canal, a family of ducks swam leisurely from shore to shore directly across his path. He stopped to let them pass, allowing an opponent who was already ahead of him to gain an even bigger advantage. Yet he ultimately won the race, rowing with such vigor after the duck incident that he finished well ahead of his challenger. I foresee a comparable sequence in your life, Leo. Being thoughtful and expressing compassion may seem to slow you down, but in the end that won’t hinder you from achieving your goal -- and may even help.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In one of her “TwentyOne Love Poems,” Adrienne Rich talks about her old self in the third person. “The woman who cherished / her suffering is dead. I am her descendant. / I love the scar tissue she handed on to me, / but I want to go from here with you / fighting the temptation to make a career of pain.” With your approval, Virgo, I’d like to make that passage one of your keynotes in the coming months. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, you will have an excellent opportunity to declare your independence from an affliction you’ve been addicted to. Are you willing to say goodbye to one of your signature forms of suffering?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “You should be interviewing roses not people,” says a character

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

in Anne Carson’s book The Autobiography Of Red. That’s sound poetic advice for you in the coming days, Libra. More than you can imagine, you will benefit from being receptive to and learning from non-human sources: roses, cats, dogs, spiders, horses, songbirds, butterflies, trees, rivers, the wind, the moon, and any other intelligences that make themselves available to you. I’m not saying you should ignore the revelations offered by people. But your emphasis should be on gathering in wisdom from life forces that don’t communicate with words.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): William Shockley was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist who co-invented the transistor. He also helped launch the revolution in information technology, and has been called “the man who brought silicon to Silicon Valley.” Time magazine named him one of the hundred most influential people of the 20th century. On the other hand, Shockley became a controversial advocate of eugenics, which damaged his reputation, led many to consider him a racist, and played a role in his estrangement from his friends and family. I suspect that you will have to deal with at least one Shockleytype phenomenon in the coming weeks, Scorpio.

Will you overlook the bad stuff in order to take advantage of the good? Should you?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Novelist Herman Melville wrote that in order to create art, “unlike things must meet and mate.” Like what? “Sad patience” and “joyous energies,” for example; both of them are necessary, he said. “Instinct and study” are crucial ingredients, as well as humility and pride, audacity and reverence, and “a flame to melt” and a “wind to freeze.” Based on my interpretation of the astrological omens, Sagittarius, I believe you will soon need to meld opposites like these as you shape that supreme work of art -- your life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Haggis is a Scottish pudding. According to the gourmet food encyclopedia Larousse Gastronomique, it has “an excellent nutty texture and delicious savory flavor.”

And yet, to be honest, its ingredients don’t sound promising. To make it, you gather the lungs, liver, small intestine, and heart of a sheep, put all of that stuff inside the stomach of the sheep along with oatmeal, onions, salt, and suet, and then simmer the whole mess for three hours. I’m guessing that your work in the coming week may have a certain metaphorical resemblance to making haggis, Capricorn. The process could a bit icky, but the result should be pretty tasty.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Almost a hundred years ago, world-famous comedian Charlie Chaplin decided to take part in a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest in San Francisco. He did his best to imitate himself, but it wasn’t good enough. He didn’t come close to winning. But I think you would have a different fate if you entered a comparable competition in the coming weeks. There’s no question in my mind that you would be crowned as the person who most resembles you. Maybe more than ever before, you are completely yourself. You look like your true self, you feel like your true self, and you are acting like your true self. Congratulations! It’s hard work to be so authentic.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease,” said French philosopher FrancoisMarie Voltaire. That principle will be useful for you to invoke in the coming weeks. You definitely need to be cured, although the “disease” you are suffering from is primarily psychospiritual rather than strictly physical. Your task will be to flood yourself with fun adventures, engaging stories, and playtime diversions so that nature can heal you without the interference of your worries and kibitzing.

Homework: Imagine your future self has sent a message to you back through time. What is it?

Write: uaregod@comcast.net.

Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

Mind, body & Spirit

by Bronwyn Ison

CHECK YOUR EGO AT THE DOOR, PART TWO

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opefully your ego did not get the best of you in the past week, reference part one of last weeks article. Having a big ego, by opinion of most, is not viewed positively. Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory contains three elements of the personality. Comprised of the id, the ego and the superego. The three of these work together to create complex human behaviors.

As a gentle reminder, the “id” is driven by the pleasure principle. This is truly the only personality component of the three that is present at birth. The id seeks instant gratification of all needs, wants, desires, and urges. It also strives to meet the basic and main primitive urges to include hunger, thirsts, anger, and sex. Tension may be created when our needs are not fulfilled and this is called the primary process. Simply meaning the process moving towards meeting that immediate need.

The “ego,” is one of the three elements responsible for dealing with reality. As we know reality can bite. According to Freud, the ego develops from the id and ensures that the impulses of the id can be expressed in a manner acceptable in the real world.

In conjunction with the ego it functions as conscious, preconscious, and unconscious mind. Then there is the reality principle, which is what the ego operates off of to satisfy the id’s desires. It attempts to do so in realistic and socially appropriate ways.

Let’s revisit the functions in tandem with the ego. According to Freud, the conscious part of the superego includes information about things that are viewed as bad by parents and society. These behaviors are often forbidden and lead to bad consequences, punishments, or feelings of guilt and remorse. The preconscious mind is a part of the mind that corresponds to ordinary memory. These memories are not conscious, but we can retrieve them to conscious awareness at any time. Lastly, the unconscious mind is a reservoir of

feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that outside of our conscious awareness.

Most of the contents of the unconscious are unacceptable or unpleasant, such as feelings of pain, anxiety, or conflict. Freud also said, the unconscious continues to influence our behavior and experience, even though we are unaware of these underlying influences.

The last component of the personality, “superego.” In a nutshell these are the internalized moral standards and ideals that we have acquired from our parents and society. In other words it is a sense of right and wrong. The superego provides guidelines for making judgments. There are two parts to the superego. The ego ideal and the conscience make up these two parts. The ego ideal is behaviors that are approved by our parents or authoritative figures. The conscience is information that is viewed as bad by parents and society.

The superego acts to perfect and civilize our behavior. According to Freud, the key to a healthy personality is to find balance between the id, the ego and the superego.

Clearly being human is a challenge. We are a constant work in progress. We also need to be nurtured because we are living beings. Take a look at your ego. If you find it is bigger than most, you may want to check it at the door and reevaluate your behaviors!

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. For more information www.e-volveyoga.com

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June 12 to June 18, 2014

Life & career Coach

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by Sunny Simon

Finding Comfort in an Uphill Battle

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s I sat at my desk attending a virtual conference call, the CEO, Keith shared a story about his weekend bike trip. Listening to him recount the outing I knew we had nothing in common when it came to biking. My ideal ride was around the block on my beach cruiser. Keith’s joy ride was an uphill climb ascending eight miles to an elevation of 5,000 feet which is certainly not my idea of fun. I mentally categorized this type of biking event as one of those extreme sports requiring a high level of physical exertion and a ton of guts.

Count me out.

As the story unfolded, our hero came to a point in the ride when he felt totally spent. Pushing uphill for miles drove him to the point of exhaustion. Based on his training he engaged in some mental exercises to steady his nerves and renew his spirit. Failing miserably at his attempt, Keith was ready to give up. Within seconds his friend, an athlete with superior biking skills rode alongside him and gently put his hand on Keith’s back. Continuing the climb the two were compatibly silent revealing the supportive touch was just the magic the executive needed to complete the trek to the summit.

Keith did have to explain why he told the

story. It wasn’t to prove he is a goal oriented guy who enjoys a significant challenge. We already knew that. The narrative illustrated how a little teamwork, or a touch of inspiration at the right time can make a huge difference. The anecdote lingered with me all week like the remnants of a vivid dream. I decided to mindfully monitor my actions to make certain I am doing my part to assist others on their uphill journey.

Whether it takes place in a corporation, a family relationship or an interaction between strangers, the literal or symbolic outstretched hand brings immeasurable benefits to both the giver and the receiver.

No doubt the guy who had Keith’s back experienced a mood boost as he watch his buddy continue up the trail. The feel good frame of mind continued as Keith paid it forward by reliving the experience for us.

Although the meeting was virtual, I felt connected and enveloped in a warm glow extending out into the various locations of 65 coaches. As the call came to a close I knew we all were looking for the next opportunity to lend a hand.

Sunny Simon is the owner of Raise the Bar High Life and Career Coaching. More about Sunny at www.raisethebarhigh.com

beauty

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 12 to June 18, 2014

by dr maria lombardo

Dr. Maria Lombardo, Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery is located in Rancho Mirage.

She specializes in both surgical and non-surgical cosmetic procedures including (but not limited to) facial, body and breast surgery, Botox, Latisse, and hCG diet program.

For a consultation or more information, visit www.lombardocosmeticsurgery.com or call 760-610-8990. Dr. Lombardo will be writing a bi-weekly column for CV Weekly.

Stay Beautiful This Summer with These Tips

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t sure is hot these days! Higher temperatures can lead to lower energy, less activity and a general summer malaise. How do you stay feeling, and looking, great this summer? Dr. Maria Lombardo has some great tips to surviving the summer temperatures and staying on top of your game all year round!

1. We lose facial volume/fullness with aging - replace it to look more youthful & refreshed! Fillers like Sculptra, Juvederm or even using your own body fat to restore fullness in the right areas of the face can make you look younger and more refreshed!

Fillers are a great choice to fill in that crease between the corner of the nose and the lip (called the naso-labial fold) and soften the appearance.

2. Our eye lashes also thin as we age and can make us look older - a great mascara can help but promoting longer, thicker& darker lashes with Latisse, the only FDA approved product for eyelash growth, can really make a difference.

3. Whole, fresh foods are the best way to get nutrition but a daily Multivitamin can be

a good insurance policy if you aren’t getting enough of the micronutrients you need in your diet. This is especially true in the hot, summer months.

4. Friendly reminder: women need to do a monthly self breast exam! Pick a day, the 1st of the month for example, and do the exam while you are in the shower! If you do a regular check, you will be familiar with own body and will be able to notice if there is a change.

5. There are no such things as “Age Spots” or “Liver Spots”… It’s all sun damage folks!

A chemical peel can help clear that up and a good sun screen can help prevent future damage! Summer in the desert can be a great time to do a peel: when it’s very hot outside we tend to spend less time outdoors!

6. Always sip water after drinking coffee or tea to minimize staining of the teeth!

7. To de-stress during the day: Take 10 deep beauty breaths. It increases oxygenation and blood flow, reduces stress and lets you take a little “breather” for yourself!

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