Coachella Valley Weekly - June 26 to July 2, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 14

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

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com • June 26 to July 2, 2014 Vol. 3 No. 14

Big Mountain

pg 5

Reggae Residency

pg 10

Sublimed

pg 11

Steve Pabst

pg 13


June 26 to July 2, 2014

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Coachella Valley Weekly

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Hacienda Cantina & Beach Club: The cool place to hang out this summer

June 26 to July 2, 2014

By tracy dietlin Cover & Article Photos By James butchart

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

Hacienda Cantina & Beach Club..... 3 LMS - Big Mountain.......................5 ShortFest - Female Film Makers...6 ShortFest - Student Winners.........7 Sports Scene..................................8 Sports.............................................9 LMS - Reggae Residency.............10 Open Mic Week 1 Winners...........10 LMS - Sublimed............................11 Consider This................................12 Art - Steve Pabst............................13 Pet Place........................................14 The Vino Voice..............................15 Club Crawler Nightlife.................16 Pamp.Palate - Eureka!.................18 Screeners......................................20 Book Review.................................21 Gaemer Girl..................................23 Haddon Libby: It’s All Local.........24 Dale Gribow.................................24 Safety Tips....................................25 ShareKitchen................................25 It’s Your Nickel..............................25 Vista Ventana Spa & Resort.........26 Community - AAP Audi Raffle.....26 Free Will Astrology......................27 Mind, Body & Spirit.....................28 Life & Career Coach......................29 Beauty..........................................29 Comics - Weiss Cracks..................30

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pon my first visit to Hacienda Cantina and Beach Club, I did not know what to expect, but I did have some preconceived ideas that were quickly squashed. I assumed that it would only be for young hipsters and skinny beautiful model types. I figured we would have a quick drink and appetizer and make a speedy exit. Wow!! Was I not only wrong in my assumptions, but pleasantly surprised and in fact I was very impressed. I was correct in thinking that the property would be aesthetically pleasing but who knew it would have such a cool vibe. From the time we arrived we commented on the simplistic beauty of the property and pool which is decorated in (persimmon) red lounges and silver chairs. There are ample amounts of chairs and lounges around the pool, tables for dining, an outside bar, DJ booth, grassy knoll and private cabanas. It was refreshing to see the diverse crowd at the pool that included all ages, shapes, and sizes, making anyone feel comfortable hanging out there. We began our fabulous Hacienda experience with a margarita at the outdoor bar. All drinks are handcrafted with fresh ingredients sans the ‘in the bottle mixers’. We took our drinks inside and strolled through the establishment. I remembered being in

that building many years ago when it was the old Cedar Creek Inn and it was now unrecognizable, with vibrant artwork and murals painted by Angelina Christina, who has become one of my favorite artists. There is a large bar and cocktail area inside along with several different dining sections. There is also a private room which is like a hidden gem that sits behind beautifully crafted double doors. This room will be used for dancing as it has a platform with a DJ booth and would be perfect for private events. We were seated at a table by the window with a view of the pool so we felt like we weren’t missing out on any of the outdoor action, but able to enjoy the cool indoor air. Our server, Robert Pimentel, was friendly

and knowledgeable and made us feel like family before we even ordered. We would start off by enjoying their homemade large round tortilla chips that were served warm accompanied by a trio dish of salsas. We also chose two of their guacamoles; the regular and the chipotle pomegranate, which was absolutely the best guacamole I’ve ever had. The way the pine nuts, jalapenos and pomegranates dance together is a treat for the palate. We also decided to try an order of their wings since they were made with a rub and not drenched in hot sauce, as that is why I never order wings. These were served dry with a cucumber ranch sauce and were delicious. My favorite wings so far. To accompany our appetizers we decided on a “ginger crush” cocktail that was light and refreshing. For our main course I had to try the sea bass to see how it compared with other restaurants. The talented Executive Chef, Rob Wepplo, educated me that this was not a Chilean sea bass, but was a local fish off the continue to page 4

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June 26 to July 2, 2014 continued from page 3

coast and prepared Vera Cruz/Mediterranean style. I decided to take the risk, even though in the past I’ve not been a fan, and I’m so glad I did. It was a little piece of heaven served on top of roasted eggplant and with a Spanish rice that was quite tasty. I cannot wait to have this dish again. My husband chose the carne asada tacos for his entrée and they were served with a smoked corn and cabbage slaw, cilantro and queso fresco. He raved about how the flavors complimented each other. At that point we each decided to try a flight of tequilas. With 74 different tequilas to choose from you are guaranteed to find a favorite. You can choose 1 oz. flights, 2 oz. shots or have your tequila crafted into cocktails. There is no place else in the valley that can give you the tequila options that you desire like Hacienda can. After filling up on all the amazing food we didn’t even consider dessert. I was not prepared for Hacienda to become my new favorite dining spot. The great thing about Hacienda is it is a one stop shop for summer fun. You can enjoy a delicious meal (they have an awesome menu), tasty cocktails (margaritas starting at $6.00), swim in the pristine pool for free (21 & over in the pool) while listening to current live DJ music. There really is no other place in the desert quite like Hacienda Cantina & Beach Club. The fact that they want to cater to the locals only makes this location more palpable. After our meal we had the opportunity to talk to the Executive General Manager, Gerard Noonan along with Food, Beverage & Entertainment Manager, Nicole Novak, who shared what Hacienda is all about. Noonan, 46, remembers growing up here

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www.coachellavalleyweekly.com and in the Hi-desert, “My Uncle was Pappy... of Pappy & Harriet’s. My parents owned the Red Dog Saloon and sold the liquor license to my Uncle Pappy. I’ve been in the bar and restaurant business since I was a kid.” You can hear the passion in Noonan’s voice when he speaks about their extensive tequila menu. “Before the opening of Hacienda, I did a lot of research on tequilas as the owner is quite the tequila connoisseur. The cool thing about our list is that with most other restaurants they pre-build your flight for you because they really have no way to put it together. But with us, you can choose different kinds of tequilas and put them together in your flight. You might want a $49.00 oz. of Don Julio next to a $6.00 Sauza and see how they compare. So you can break every rule and get what you want. And for $2.00 extra we will muddle or mix it with whatever you like.” Novak is equally enthusiastic when speaking about Hacienda. “The owner really wanted to do something different that wasn’t being done here in Palm Springs,” shared Novak. “We wanted to do something that was for the locals where there isn’t a fee to swim or a ticket charge to get in and hang out at the pool and listen to music. And we have a really progressive food and drink menu at a reasonable price.” Hacienda was one of the 3 venues that took part in the successful Splash House a couple weeks ago and will now be hosting Splash House 2, August 8-10. Novak shared the future of the musical landscape at Hacienda after that big event concludes. “It will mostly be DJ music but we will also do special events. Goldenvoice and LED will bring in certain acts and events as well. We also want to do things that are universally appealing and diverse and that attract the locals.” With excellent food, service, vibe and a passionate team of professionals at the helm, I see nothing but exciting things in the future for Hacienda Cantina & Beach Club. The pool is open Friday, Saturday & Sunday from 11am-6pm. The restaurant and bar are open Wednesday-Friday from 11am-12am. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday from 10am-5pm and dinner from 5pm-10pm. Check them out at www.haciendacantina. com or call 760-778-8954.

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Local Music Spotlight

by Lisa Morgan

Big Mountain Brings Big Music From a Big Life to The Date Shed This Saturday, June 28 @ 9 PM

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he Date Shed stage just might buckle under the weight of the life and music Big Mountain will be bringing to it. Unmatched by any worldly musician I have had the pleasure of interviewing to date, is the depth of thought, experience, education and heart that is sure to pour out of the soul of front man, singer/ songwriter, Quino McWhinney and his Big Mountain band of brothers. Launched into fame in 1992 with their first commercial reggae hit, “Touch My Life”, Big Mountain would not only experience international fame, but would also be thrown into an intense spiritual, political, cultural and racial climate that would play tug of war on their music and their very lives. Twenty years later, carved deeply by the experience and now well rested, Big Mountain returns with new music and a new freedom that can do nothing less than change you from listening to it. From his home in Ensenada, Mexico, Quino McWhinney shared openly the story of a unique rearing that primed him to instantly embrace the work of the internationally known Jamaican reggae musician, Bob Marley, who would dramatically change the course of his life. “My grandfather, Onesimo Arias was part of a band in the Coachella Valley, what they call a packing shed band. They used to play everything from Mexican Conjunto and Corrido music to Mariachi. Two of my uncles took those influences into rock and roll and Ritchie Valens, and even became well versed in jazz. I grew up in the rich tradition of listening to classic Mexican and Jazz standards. My mom was Mexican, and my biological father, who died when I was 7, was full on white boy - Irish, English. My mom eventually married a black man, so my brother and I had this total triethnic upbringing. When I was around 7, we lived in Honduras. I remember loving the Caribbean influence of Calypso and Garisuna (also known as Punta - a blend of African American and Miskito Indian music). When we moved back to America, with my mother being married to a black man and

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the Chicano movement happening, we started to realize that we lived in a racist country. In Honduras, race was invisible. I remember thinking, ‘Wow people use the N word a lot!’ We started realizing that this country was really divided. Human rights rang heavy with me. I didn’t even think twice about it at 13, when I saw the Bob Marley documentary for the first time. The next week, my dad brought home our first Marley record. That was in 1978. It soon found its way into my collection and the rest is history.” “When we had our first hit, “Touch My Life” in 1992, we released it in Spanish and English versions. The DJs spliced them together to make a Spanglish version. It’s such a simple little song with four chords. I’ve been trying to write another one like it all my life. I was 26 years old, and I knocked it out of the park. The song got us on our first Reggae Sun Splash Tour. We were the only band that wasn’t from Jamaica. We were on tour with 50 Jamaicans, and the pressure really started sinking in, not from the bands...for the most part, they were all hearts open to us. But there were these big characters that would intimidate and challenge us in a ‘You’re sharing a stage with me?’ kind of way. Yes, we were raw. We just had this hit with this guy who could sing pretty well. It was probably one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Bob Marley had died but it was still fresh. It tested me personally and psychologically, because I felt the pressure to up my game musically and spiritually. The question was always there; ‘Are you Rasta?’ If you were Rasta, you had to know what was going on with Cuba and South Africa, and you had to know the Bible. All Jamaican’s know the Bible. It’s in their daily language. There were a lot of prophetic feelings in the area. Rasta was going to save the world and the culture. Everyone was super protective of Reggae and there were conspiracy theories. It wasn’t long before there were rumors that we (Big Mountain) were CIA trying to steel Reggae from the black man. It was painful. With all this work I was putting into trying to be a good Rasta, there’s just no way to answer that kind of stuff. It’s those personal decisions that are so hard to make, and when it involves your art, it’s heart wrenching. We were given a gift and it was obvious that it’s what we were supposed do. But this strain combined with the pulls of family, the pressure of having to deliver on stage no matter what’s going on...it was a lot.” Today, after spending his years teaching and studying music like never before, thanks to the power of Youtube, Quino finds a new freedom in his maturity and his sense of self. “Things that stressed you out back in the day don’t even enter your mind,” he shared.

June 26 to July 2, 2014

“There’s a freedom and fearlessness that is powerful.” During their down time, Quino didn’t leave music behind completely. In fact, he’s been fairly active with solo projects and getting together with the band for special shows and to write. He recorded a solo album, has been rediscovering and exploring the roots of Mexican music and honing his Spanish. As a band, Big Mountain has been on the journey with him. Big Mountain’s new music reflects a study of rock, world beat and even country music genres. “We made a conscious effort to look at the bands that have held on throughout the course of 20-30 years; the ones whose music still has a fresh, timeless quality to it. It kept coming back to the country rock scene; bands like the Eagles, The Band and even British rock like the Rolling Stones. It really became clear who the one artist in reggae who was combining these roots genres was. Toots was the one person who had that country twang with the Southern soulful bluesy element.” Referencing his main source of musical research, Quino laughed, “Thank God for YouTube! It’s so helpful when you’re in the middle of a song and you ask yourself, ‘What

would Waylon Jennings do here.’ It was that kind of thought process that made this album come together. I took advantage of my time off and overcame some fears of being categorized. It is a very huge mental thing to say, ‘I’m going to sing it like this and I don’t care what anyone thinks.’ From the beginning of my career, right away, I got thrown into the whole pop thing. Everybody wanted another ‘Baby I Love Your Way’ song. It took some time and real effort. For so long we were part of this thing with Big Mountain, trying to give a California approach to a genre we loved. With all the political movements going on around us, we were trying really hard not to sound American. After taking a rest, all of that fear is gone. We really want to bring in Americana. It’s always been there. It’s always present in our influences. But we discounted it for some reason. That’s the beautiful thing about living and learning.” With his deep Arias and Cabral family roots at their family ranch that has become an institution in the Coachella Valley, Quino feels like he and brother, guitarist/vocalist, Jakob McWhinney are coming home. As their website proudly boasts, Big Mountain is poised to reclaim its international crown with the release to radio and retail of two new Big Mountain albums, “Blue Skies” and “Beautiful Summer”. Big Mountain is making the Date Shed in Indio part of its extensive tour that has them on the road throughout 2017. This is a show that no music lover will want to miss. Tickets can be purchased on the Date Shed website www.dateshedmusic. com. You can also follow Big Mountain via their website bigmountainband.com. Big Mountain Band is: Vocals and Guitar: Quino McWhinney Vocals and Guitar: Danny Lopilato Drums: Andre Sias Bass: Michael Ortiz Percussion and Vocals: Tim Pacheco Guitar and Vocals: Jakob McWhinney Keyboards and Vocals: Luis Castillo

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

film

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by heidi simmons

ShortFest Female Filmmakers

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fter filmmakers arrive and check in with Palm Springs International Short Film Festival & Film Market at the Renaissance Hotel, they mostly gather at the Stella Artois Hospitality Lounge. Between screenings and industry events, the lounge is a relaxing place to mangé, mingle and meet. Generous sponsors provide free snacks and drinks, while kindly ShortFest volunteers dote on the filmmakers. At the beginning of the Fest, there is a low murmur of activity with polite introductions and by its finish, there is a ruckus of camaraderie with hardy laughter and intense conversation. Scan across the full room and it is a colorful, yet homogenized group. Visually, there are no discernable clues to tell the foreigner from the American filmmaker at this international event. Even accents are surprisingly slight as English has become a universally spoken language. What is noticeable among this creative mix is that there appears to be an equal male to female ratio of filmmakers. If forced to count, there may actually be more women gathered in the room than men. But statistics shared during an industry panel discussion said that in America only six percent of filmmakers are women. While in Europe, women filmmakers make up 16 percent. For the rest of the world, there are no numbers. But at this short film fest, there are a number of women from around the globe with something to say. Here is a brief example of what women in the world are putting on film. Lendita Zeqiraj is from Kosovo. She is the writer and director of “Balcony.” A 20-minute film about a boy who torments his neighbors and passers-by as he balances precariously on his high balcony and the way the community tries to figure him out and resolve the situation. In this charming film, a cross section of concerned citizens’ give their opinions

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not only about the child’s rescue, but also about the trouble with society all the while looking up at the dangling kid. With a cast of 22 actors, Zeqiraj seamlessly moves the camera through the growing crowd in one astonishing sequence. “Balcony” is Zeqiraj fourth film and it has been in 48 film festivals. Although Zeqiraj and her husband, producer Bujar Kabashi have only personally participated in four festivals, they saved their money to attend Palm Springs ShortFest because of its international importance and quality. At there own expense, they flew 20 hours on three planes to get here. They stay the entire week to participate in discussions, panels and roundtable events. “We love it here. It is the best,” said Zeqiraj. In Kosovo there is only one theater! From Germany, Julia Walter is writer and director of “Job Interview.” A second year student at the University of Television and Film, Munich, it is her second film. The 10-minute movie is about the perfect job opportunity that indeed is too good to be true. In the stark psychological thriller, a woman finds herself in the midst of something troubling and finally deadly.

“Job Interview” has been in 20 festivals and won two awards. Walter has personally participated in seven festivals. She spent 30 hours on three planes to get to Palm Springs. “It is totally worth it,” she said. “I stay all week and make the most of the event.” Walter is staying in Palm Springs with other German filmmakers attending the ShortFest. Together they rented a house to help save on expenses. Sara Seligman is director and co-writer of “Diego.” Shot in Mexico, the story is of a young boy, who is accused of being a coward, but rejects the violence and brutality of his family’s day-to-day existence and bravely frees a kidnapped girl without consideration to his own welfare. Seligman attended film school in New York and wanted the story to be authentic. Without her film school buddies, she put together a crew of friends and family in Mexico where she was born and raised. The

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Duncan studied dance for ten years and has choreographed several films. “The Tide Keeper” is the second film she wrote, directed and produced. Duncan’s trip from New Zealand took 14-hours. American filmmaker Lisa Melodia filmed her story “Big Girl” in New York. Exquisitely directed, the story follows a six-year-old girl who just wants to go to school, but her mother has other plans. As each scene quietly unfolds, there is something far more serious at hand. The girl’s mother has another agenda and it will require the little girl to grow up a little faster than she wants. “Big Girl” has been in three festivals so far this year. Palm Springs is the film’s west coast premiere. In 2011, Melodia’s first film “Confidante” starred Gaby Hoffman. Naturally talented, Melodia thought instead of spending money for film school, she would use it instead to make movies. “When I was young, my mom and I would watch lots of movies together,” said Melodia. “I love movies and incorporate what I like into my films.” Women filmmakers were present from all over the world including Australia, Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Spain, China and Columbia. With 37 countries represented in the 2014 ShortFest, more women are writing, directing and producing films every year.

he Palm Springs International Short Film Festival & Film Market attracts the best short films the world has to offer. A major part of the festival is to celebrate rising talent and promote student films. This year’s ShortFest included four winners of the 41st Student Academy Awards competition. The 2014 Academy Winning films are: “Owned” by Daniel Clark and Wesley Tippetts -- Brigham Young University, Utah, Clark and Tippets won the Animation - Gold Medal. The six minute animated film is about a video game master who gets schooled by a toddler and discovers the true meaning of life. “Nocebo” by Lennart Ruff -- University of Television and Film, Munich. Ruff won Foreign - Gold Medal. A psychological thriller, “Nocebo” traces the plight of a young man, Christian, who escaped a medical facility for schizophrenia and is now desperate to save his lover, Anna in the same clinic. “White Earth” by J. Christian Jensen -- Stanford University. Jensen won Documentary - Silver Medal. “White Earth” explores the emptiness of North Dakota coming to an end with the recent boom of oil jobs and the arrival of people looking for a better life for their children. “Door God” by Yulin Liu -- New York University. Lui won Narrative – Silver Medal. The film is about a little girl on Chinese New Year who learns reality is not what it seems as she discovers how betrayal can be done out of love. (Lui did not respond to questions.)

Following are questions and answers from four of the five award-winning filmmakers: CVW: What was the idea behind your film? Filmmaker Daniel Clark: The idea for our short film “Owned” came from the life of my co-director, Wesley Tippetts. So I’ll let him answer that one for you. Filmmaker Wesley Tippetts: “Owned” is about the fighting game champion of the world whose life is changed when he faces

June 26 to July 2, 2014

by heidi simmons

Student Academy Award Winners at the Palm Springs ShortFest

film is 18 minutes long. Seligman lives in Los Angeles and is writing a feature length screenplay. Faye Gilbert took two planes and traveled 13 hours to bring her 21-minute thriller “The Line” from the United Kingdom for its world premiere.

Writer and director, Gilbert’s story is about a reluctant young woman desperate to get a “special” child back to his father at great risk to herself and the boy. During her arduous journey, she will do whatever it takes, even kill, to keep her promise in a dark and dangerous world. The film leaves the viewer trembling and asks: What lines would you cross to get your child back? Out of film school for 15 years, Gilbert has made seven short films. Writing, directing and producing, she has managed to make two films a year. After participating in a ShortFest Roundtable event with industry professionals, Gilbert said, “I’m encouraged to think more about story telling and creative content. I learned it’s good to take a step back and focus on shortterm projects rather than focus on longterm film goals. What clicked for me is that it’s okay to take risks.” New Zealander, Alyx Duncan is writer, director and producer of “The Tide Keeper.” A world premiere, this beautiful live action, animated 9-minute short follows an old man whose dream of saving the oceans and tide pools becomes a nightmare as he is suffocated by the trash and debris he long fought. The battle seems lost and it is the horror that his life’s work has had no positive impact on the ocean.

film

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his most challenging opponent ever -- a tiny baby. Fimmaker Lennart Ruff: I was interested in the nature of reality -- what is real, what is not. At the end of the movie, it doesn’t matter if Anna exists because Christian’s feelings are real. The “Nocebo” effect, Christian’s Schizophrenia, are just variations of transmitting this idea to the screen. Fimlmmaker J. Christian Jensen: The idea behind White Earth was to create an intimate visual portrait of an American oil Boom through voices and perspectives that are usually overlooked. In my case I focused on children and an immigrant mother. It’s really about the American Dream. CVW: What was the first movie you saw? CLARK: No idea, but I remember seeing “The Nightmare Before Christmas” when I was really young and I loved that movie. It’s something I go back to constantly for inspiration. I think I was drawn to the fact that there were no rules that had to be followed in that world -- someone’s head could get chopped off and they would keep on singing. Animation has the luxury of not having any real-world limitations. You can have unicorns barfing rainbows right next to the President and that’s okay. That’s animation. TIPPETTS: I honestly can’t remember. It was probably a Disney movie...or maybe “Ferngully?” Yeah, I think it was “Ferngully.” RUFF: The first encounter with cinema had a big impact: It was “Beethoven.“ I was together with my parents and my sister and we were forcing our parents to get a puppy. JENSEN: I’ve been told my mother watched “Return of the Jedi” while I was in the womb, which might explain my obsession with the trilogy. But I think my first memory of watching a movie as a child was “Bambi.” That part where his mother dies still haunts me. CVW: What inspired you to study filmmaking? CLARK: When I was in 1st grade, we went on a field trip to an Imax theater and saw a making of “Star Wars” documentary. I

couldn’t believe people got paid to play with toys -- not to mention blow them up. That was when I knew that’s what I wanted to do with my life. TIPPETTS: I love art and design, and I’m greatly influenced by film and video games. They inspire me. My goal was to use my art skills to create films or videogames that continue to inspire, entertain and bring people together. RUFF: I wanted to reach and touch people, like I was touched by movies. JENSEN: I came from a background in journalism, but found a creative outlet in things like theatre, band, and “Dungeons & Dragons.” While severely reducing my attractiveness to the opposite sex, those creative activities found a nice marriage in the art of documentary filmmaking. CVW: What is your favorite movie? CLARK: Tie between “The Fountain” by Darren Aronofsky and “Doubt” by John Patrick Shanley. TIPPETTS: My favorite animated film is “The Incredibles.” I love pretty much everything about it. It has a wonderful story that entertains but reaches deeper. The characters are believable and appealing. The action sequences are top notch. All in all, just a wonderfully entertaining film. RUFF: Oh there are way too many. At the Moment in the hot desert sun, lying around a pool I have to think a lot about: “The Graduate.” JENSEN: Impossible question. The “Star Wars Trilogy,” “Iraq in Fragments,” Werner Herzog’s crazy early films like “Fitzcarraldo,” almost everything Terrence Malick has ever made. CVW: Why do movies matter? CLARK: They don’t matter. Not really. People matter. And stories that can help people matter. Sometimes a movie can show a story that can help someone. When that happens, that’s pretty cool. TIPPETTS: Films matter because they are not just a means to tell stories, but they unlock our imaginations and portray things that don’t exist. In a world of stress, sadness and disappointment, we need to be able to dream. RUFF: I think there is no other communication form witch comes with so many layers and so much power. If it’s used in a right way, it can change people’s mind. JENSEN: They don’t. But people matter, relationships matter, the way we treat

ourselves and each other matters. If the movies you make have a net positive effect on any of these things, then keep doing them. If not, get a real job. CVW: What are you working on now? CLARK: Got a few ideas in development, can’t talk about any of them. I’m interning with a software company called Side FX in Santa Monica. After that, hopefully working on the upcoming “Star Wars” projects could be in my future. TIPPETTS: I’m currently finishing my last semester at Brigham Young University. My goal is to go the studio route as quickly as possible after I graduate. I’m working hard to make it happen. RUFF: I am working on several feature projects at the moment. They’re all situated in the thriller genre. JENSEN: I’m editing a documentary feature called “Out Run” about the world’s first LGBT political party. It’s an observational campaign drama following a motley crew of transgender and gay activists who are trying to navigate the messy world of Filipino elections. CVW: If money was not an issue and you had complete control, what movie would you make? CLARK: I would adapt K.A. Applegate’s book series “Animorphs” into a movie franchise. It would be awesome. TIPPETTS: This is a tricky question because I have SO many ideas floating around in my head. I suppose first off, I would like to see a feature-length animated version of Calamity Jane. It’s a great movie and I love the music. It would make a wonderful animated film. Otherwise, I’d like to direct my own Superman movie. Looks like Zach Snyder already beat me to it, but who knows what the future will hold! RUFF: Well, there is this sailing story. Lots of water. Lots of VFX. Lots of boats crashing! All this funny stuff which gives producers headaches. But it is a thrilling story about human bravery and I am thinking about it since 7 years now. JENSEN: I’d probably try and do something big and existential. Like a non-fiction trilogy exploring death or some wacky big budget psychological sci-fi doc-fiction hybrid. Clearly, these are names to remember. There is little doubt they will all be forces in the global film community.

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

sports scene

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by Julie Buehler

While Players “Opt Out” of Contracts, Fans Should “Opt In” To Real Sports

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act is; I don’t have THAT many brain cells to spare. I’m not willing to waste them speculating where Carmelo Anthony is going to land since he’s optioned out of his contract with the New York Knicks. This week, LeBron James’ decided to “opt-out” of his final 2 years with the Miami Heat, but, according to sources, that doesn’t mean Bron Bron is moving, just that he wants a new deal. Well, here’s my new deal: I don’t care. Carmelo and LeBron are the latest big names who can choose the city they’d like to play in, the fan base they’d like to play for and hijack the sports news cycle with their whims. Except, I won’t allow it. Why should anyone care where Carmelo is house shopping? Why should anyone care what LeBron James’ wife is posting on Instagram? Why is there a ticker at the bottom of the screen outlining the latest development in these frivolities? The San Antonio Spurs just won the NBA title, easily, over James’ Miami Heat because they had a team of players that executed their individual jobs for the collective good. Spurs leader Tim Duncan decided he’d “optin” to another year with his team. Meanwhile, Carmelo Anthony was considering whether he’d like to leave New York for greener pastures. Forget the fact that he never made the Knicks a better basketball TEAM. Yes, he got them to the playoffs and he scored A LOT of points, and somewhat rejuvenated the franchise because of that. But if he leaves, what are they left with? Memories and old jerseys, I guess. The NBA has some great teams, from the Spurs to the Clippers to the Warriors and the Thunder and the Bulls, just to name a few… yet the constant narrative for NBA storylines seem to be dominated by the individual players that strike big marketing deals but don’t always deliver in the post season. And I don’t get it. As sports fans we aren’t that dumb. We know one man doesn’t bring a championship. We know it requires team chemistry, a balanced attack, sound defense and precise execution to actually change the course of a franchise’s history. One guy doesn’t do that. Period.

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One guy can help do that, but not if he’s only looking out for his own interests. It’s not that I disagree with the players’ right to seek opportunities beyond their current contract situation. I don’t have a problem free agency, or the idea that they’d like to make as much money as possible. Great. Go get it! But I do have a big problem with sports media and sports fans getting pummeled by constant coverage of where LeBron or Carmelo or “fill-in-the-blank athlete” will land every summer. In 2010 when LeBron James and Jim Grey hosted “The Decision,” I called it the worst case of oozing media kiss-ass I’d ever seen. And fan reaction was just as scornful. You’d think the media and athletes would learn from that. Yes, the Heat played in 4 straight NBA Finals once LBJ put on his jersey and that’s an accomplishment that hadn’t been done since the late 80’s by the Celtics. But Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade needed to “optin” to their own contracts to offer LBJ his running mates. Now this summer LeBron will have another opportunity to take his talents elsewhere, as does Carmelo Anthony, but rather than “opt-in” to the drama and speculation, I’m going to watch real sports and real teams and reality. I’ll be watching the Oakland A’s enjoy the best record in baseball. I’ll watch Mike Trout tear the cover off the baseball before tearing up the base path. I’ll watch the fantastic World Cup action and enjoy a steady dose of NFL training camp. So here’s The Decision: “Opt-in” to the mind numbing chatter about meaningless speculation or “Opt-in” to what sports are meant to be about, individuals coming together to pursue excellence as a team? Your brain cells will thank you if you choose the latter. 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.

California Woman 411 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:

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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

Americans Love the World Cup

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atings for the one match between USA vs Portugal equaled that of the NBA Finals and World Series. While soccer may not have surpassed our national pastime as the go-to third sport option. If I were major league baseball, I’d be trying real hard to be relevant right about now. It’s pretty easy to say that the World Cup has already become our new Summer Olympics. The game may have been a tie, but ESPN definitely won: ESPN’s telecast of Sunday’s United States vs. Portugal match during the 2014 FIFA World Cup set an all-time viewership record. The match averaged 18.2 million viewers, surpassing a previous high set back in 1999 for the Women’s World Cup final (USA vs. China) on ABC. The game (which concluded with a 2-2 tie) peaked with 23 million viewers at one point. This marked ESPN’s most-viewed nonfootball telecast ever and actually the second record-setting World Cup telecast recently. The first 2014 FIFA World Cup match involving the United States (a 2-1 victory over Ghana) averaged 11.1 million viewers — the most-watched men’s soccer match on ESPN at the time. Plus, here’s the latest big-picture data for the “Americans do/do not watch soccer” debate: The 2006 World Cup coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC combined to average 2 million viewers in 2006, then 2.9 million in 2010 and now 4.3 million in 2014. The United States’ mostly inspired—and occasionally soul-crushing—group play in the World Cup this year has garnered recordbreaking ratings. Our first match, a victory over Ghana, was the most-watched soccer game ever on ESPN. That is , of course until the U.S. vs Portugal match crushed those opening numbers as detailed above. Does America finally love soccer? No. Or, more specifically: No, there isn’t yet much evidence that rapt TV audiences from the World Cup will keep watching soccer between quadrennial worldwide championships. Soccer isn’t becoming

America’s new baseball. The World Cup is becoming America’s new Summer Olympics. World Cup ratings have steadily grown since 2006. The only argument to be made is that we actually forget about soccer in between World Cup’s and then every four years treat it like a new puppy. The soccer evangelist says: The World Cup is nearly as popular as the World Series on television. The soccer skeptic says: ... and in the 1,400 days between World Cup matches, everybody goes back to not watching soccer on TV. There is good news for MLS investors and soccer fans. Average stadium attendance is way up in the last few years. Networks are desperate to break out soccer, because the audiences are young, the Hispanic population is growing, and the exclusive rights are dirt cheap compared to the NFL and NBA. But the reality is that nobody is watching American soccer outside the stadium (and few Americans are watching world-class matches in the Premier League on NBC). Here are the ratings for MLS finals in the last two decades. This picture doesn’t really require explanation. In 2012, 32 million Americans watched Usain Bolt win the 100-meter race. It wasn’t a reflection of racing’s emergence as a major TV destination. It was a reflection that the Summer Olympics are a special glimpse of rare global talent that air when America’s most popular sports, the NFL and NBA, are dormant. The World Cup is essentially a singlesport Summer Olympics introducing tens of millions of viewers to a thrilling contest in a sport they typically don’t care about. Unfortunately for America’s soccer fans, the vast majority of yesterday’s domestic viewers won’t watch another soccer game between August and 2018. With MLS growing in popularity and from what I’ve see a ‘cool’ factor of being at a soccer event, my prediction is slowly but surely the big three will be the NFL, NBA & MLS. It may already have.

June 26 to July 2, 2014

Skate Camp Begins June 23 at New Palm Springs Skate Park

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ooking for something fun for your child to get involved in this summer? Get them down to the new Palm Springs Skate Park and enroll them in summer Camp! One week summer packages begin June 23, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to noon for four weeks at the new skate park, located at 405 S. Pavilion Way. The fee is $100 per child and there will be a pizza party on Fridays. In addition, free skateboard clinics for beginners will be available from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 12 and Saturday, Aug. 2. Each parent must sign a waiver. Don’t miss the Friday night Skate Jams from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on June 20, July 11, July 25 and Aug. 15. Free

From POWER To Pro

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his past weekend former POWER players TJ Bennett and Michael Massi joined the elusive list of former and current POWER players to be picked up by a professional team. Palm Springs had already seen five of their former players get drafted three weeks ago in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft including outfielder Don Clark (St. Mary’s) and Tanner Kiest (Chaffey) from the 2014 POWER team. The other three were Chesney Young, Ryan Jones and Nick Baker from previous POWER squads. TJ Bennett, who played for the POWER in 2013, attended University of Utah this past year and now plays for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Independent League. Bennett hit .277 with two home runs, knocked in 31 runs and swiped eight bags as a senior this season with the Utes. Bennett had a summer for the ages with the POWER back in 2013 in rout to

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skateboarding in the park is also available during the summer from noon to 10 p.m. To register, call (760) 656-0024.

sports by Kurt Martin

winning SCCBL Player of the Year. The lefthanded slugger set multiple single-season records for Palm Springs that year including runs batted in (40), hits (63), doubles (12) and at-bats (172). He ended the season hitting .336 with two home runs. Michael Massi, who also played for the POWER in 2013, attended Mercer University this past year and now plays for the St. Louis Cardinals. The infielder will report to the Cardinals’ rookie ball team. Massi broke out in a big way for the Bears this season hitting .346 with five home runs and 35 RBIs in 2014. He was also named Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year. For the POWER, the shortstop hit .335 with 35 runs batted in and stole 10 bags. The POWER would like to congratulate TJ and Michael for signing professional contracts and wish them the best of luck going forward with their baseball careers.

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

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Local Music Spotlight

Reggae Residency

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eggae Residency is the payoff that comes from being inspired by great individuals who are accomplished and continue to do great things out of the desire to affect others positively. Ronnie King is that inspiration. King is a multi-platinum, Oscar and Grammy nominated, Diamond Certified (more than 10 million units) producer, composer, arranger, musician and philanthropist. He has collaborated with a plethora of varied artists that include: Mariah Carey, Tyrese Gibson, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, The Offspring, Rancid, One11 and Jimi ‘Fitz’ Fitzgerald. He is currently working with local music champions Mikey Reyes, Higher Heights and Irie Junctions in establishing an alliance to harvest the desert reggae sound. The principal fruit in that harvest is The Mikey Reyes Acoustic Movement. They will be headlining the first Reggae Residency at Schmidy’s Tavern on Friday, June 27. The show is free and will be the first in a string of reggae shows showcasing Coachella Valley and High-Desert reggae artists. Performing with Reyes will be Bryanna Evaro on bass and vocals and the potential for Benjamin Kennedy to join them on drums. The movement has many interchangeable players and a surprise guest is always a possibility. There is a kinship between Reyes and King. He considers King a mentor. Like King, Reyes was raised in Indio and honed his skills at an early age while growing thick skin. Despite some obvious differences there is a mirroring of both King and Reyes. I believe King sees a lot of himself in Reyes. The Mikey Reyes Acoustic Movement has performed at various venues across the valley including Eureka Indian Wells and Tack Room Tavern at the Empire Polo Grounds. Reyes is excited about the prospect of being

Photo By Mike Smalley www.mikeysphotoart.com

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Friday, June 27. 9pm At Schmidy’s Tavern

heavily involved in continuing to develop the legacy of desert reggae, “We’re looking forward to Reggae Residency. It’s gonna be a great time!” The story behind Higher Heights according to Mike Fernandez, vocalist and leader: “Higher Heights represents a higher state of consciousness and understanding. In general HH is a universal expression, and other form of nirvana, sublime; it’s a peace.” This description allows the listener to be open to understanding HH music and where it is derived from. Ronnie King describes Fernandez as “a song writer first”. This is what intrigued King when he was approached with the possibility of working with HH and Fernandez. On his collaboration with Ronnie King: “I was surfing local artists on their pages and I saw Ronnie was working with one of them in his studio. I became interested in knowing more about Mr. King. While I was in church my pastor and very good friend Angel Santillanes asked me about my music and I said I was looking for a producer. I mentioned that I wanted to see about contacting Ronnie. Then he said ‘Ronnie King? I know Ronnie he’s a good friend of mine.’ That night my wife, Mercedes, attempted to contact Ronnie. He responded and we set up a date to meet at Chateau Relaxo, King’s music studio in Thermal, CA. The rest is history. Mr. King is a very uplifting and positive person.” Fernandez musical influences: “My musical influences are many. Bob Marley and Pete Seeger are two primary influences. The music that has left an impact in my life are the music writers who record thoughts from their heart, in a fullness with no profanity. The music must be positive with a good vibe feel to it.” Where Fernandez sees HH going: “HH will keep moving forward with this new Desert Reggae movement. My band and I are very excited. For now, our musical work will speak for itself. We are hoping our music finds a place in the hearts of the listeners. We are just starting this journey. At the moment Mr. King is producing our first single. The song is carefully being worked on. At the moment we are adding

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Local Music Spotlight

by noe gutierrez finishing touches. We are almost done and we expect completion soon.” I asked Fernandez about the HH mission statement: “HH’s mission statement is to create positive and uplifting music that gives people peace and joy.” Reggae Residency will be the first live performance by Higher Heights. Joining Fernandez will be his son Adrian Fernandez on drums and Mario Quintero on bass. They will perform after Mozaiq. The montage of reggae music that is Mozaiq originated in October of 2013. The current incarnation of the band includes Marc Diaz on lead vocals, Robert Alexander on keyboards, Daniel Torres on lead and rhythm guitar, Danny Cedeno on bass, Fernanda Pareja on background vocals and Saul Ibarra on drums & background vocals. Diaz shared with me how Mozaiq came to be and what they represent, “The name Mozaiq came from the fact that I like to create that type of art in my free time. It’s also a metaphor for this band, in particular, for myself and Robert. We were

two guys, who, like a mosaic, have been broken by life’s events and tragedies. We bonded together for the common purpose of creating beautiful art through music.” Seeing Mozaiq live reminds you of their mission to have an all-inclusive sound. I witness this live at The Hood a few months back. “Our goal is to have an eclectic sound like no other. Our music is heavily influenced by roots reggae with an R&B flow with jazz and hip hop infusion,” Diaz states. Focused on original music that is not yet ready for the masses, they will perform some specially chosen time-honored reggae when they are the first band to perform this Friday night at Schmidy’s Tavern. Diaz reassures their fan base and is humbled by their opportunity, “We are currently working on several original songs which we hope to record and perform this fall. We feel so privileged and blessed to be able to perform music for people, especially our people in the Coachella Valley.” Mozaiq will set Reggae Residency in motion at approximately 9 p.m. ronniekingmusic.com facebook.com/MIkeyReyesAM You can find for Higher Heights and Mozaiq on Facebook as well.

Local Music Spotlight

Week 1 Winners of Tilted Kilt’s Open Mic Competition

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irst place week one winners were Cody, Matt & Sal! These guys won a gift certificate to Musicians Outlet and will be moving on to compete in the finals for a shot at 3 days/2 nights in Vegas from Crater Lake Vodka, a 1-3 track recorded demo plus 12 hours of studio time from S.I.R. Entertainment Studios as well as $500 of music gear from Musicians Outlet. Second place went to Christine Michele who took home a spa services package to Blo Dry Bar from Coachella Valley Weekly. Thid place went to Zynisha Clary who

won brazilian wax gift certificate from EsthethicX.Obsession Massage & Wax Bar. Thank you to all of the additional musicians and singers that came out to compete week one: Marine Sandpiper, Alfa Cologne, Julius & Chris, Crocodile Rock, James Velasquez, Marco Thoma, Jim Holiday, Charity, Rob Lawrence and Max Schwartz. For info contact: Morgan James, Host of Tilted Kilt Open Mic Competition (714) 651-1911 morganalisejames@gmail.com

June 26 to July 2, 2014

by Lisa Morgan

International Sublime Tribute Band Coming to Schmidy’s Tavern Wednesday, July 2. $10 @ Door. First Come First Serve, Limited Space

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repare to get wickedly Sublimed Wednesday, July 2nd as the internationally popular tribute band, Sublimed, makes a stop in Palm Desert on its 2014 Sublimed Music Tour. This powerful, sonic squad of three musicians, have individual bios and resumes that would blow your mind. Having toured individually around the world with some of the most world renown, authentic and powerful roots names in the reggae genre, life and love for the music has brought these three troubadours of the ska stroke together to pay homage to the late Bradley Nowell and his band Sublime, a band that rocked the world from Long Beach, California. For the handful of unfortunate folks unfamiliar with the legendary band for whom these three play tribute to masterfully, here’s a little bit of back story. Sublime was an American ska punk and reggae rock band from Long Beach, California, formed in 1988. The band was made up of three friends and a Dalmatian: Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Eric Wilson (bass) Bud Gaugh (drums) and Lou Dog, (Nowell’s Dalmatian). While the band

had a huge cult following with their 1992 release of 40oz To Freedom and the 1994 release of Robbin’ the Hood, they did not see commercial success until after the death of lead singer, Nowell, who died of a heroin overdose in 1996. Sublime’s self-titled third album, released two months after Nowell’s death, peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, and spawned the single “What I Got”, which remains the band’s only number one hit single (on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart) in their musical career. As of 2009, the band has sold over 17 million albums worldwide, including about 10 million in the U.S. alone. All native Californians, growing up a stone’s throw from origins of the music they pay tribute to, Sublimed doesn’t try to look the part as do some tribute bands. That was never the original band’s style anyway. They simply are the part. To hear them speak about the music and each other, and even more so, to hear them perform together, the spirit of Sublime is revived before your eyes and ears. With passion, honesty and absolute skill, they lift up the musical legacy of Sublime that lit a fire in so many of us and was put out way too soon. On guitar and vocals, is Danny Lopilato. Lopilato will also be performing at the Indio Date Shed with the internationally renowned reggae-roots-fusion band, Big Mountain the Saturday before playing with Sublimed at Schmidy’s Tavern. Even though his father, a musician, died when he was two, he did not leave his son without a legacy of music embedded in his young heart and mind. “When I was 6 years old, I attended a wedding and saw a woman singing at the piano. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.” While other kids were begging for toys, games and bikes, Lopilato was pleading for a piano. “When I turned 7 my parents finally got me an accordion. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but I learned to play it. Eventually they got me a piano, and I played it from the age of 7 to 15. Then I picked up guitar. It was a natural progression.” A bit of music school and a few private lessons later, Lopilato still hadn’t taken his music beyond family and friends. But when he turned 20, he shares, “I was working at Costco, gathering shopping carts, and I just looked up in the sky and asked God to help me figure out what to do with my music.” It was shortly after that conversation, Lopilato found himself at the beginning of an amazing music career. By 2005, he was on stage with Majek Sashek, Africa’s equivalent to Elvis and Prisoners of Conscience. In 2009, he was touring with Pato Banton. That, in turn, was the vehicle that brought him the opportunity to play with Big Mountain. For a few years, Lopilato bounced around as a popular hired musician for Ky-Mani Marley, and Reggae legends Mykal Rose (Black Uhuru) and Junior Marvin (of the original Whalers) among others. “The man (Junior Marvin) gave me a

free guitar lesson in my hotel room the night I met him in Australia,” shared Lopilato. “We played 5 shows together. He told me, ‘You get to be me, and I get to be him (Bob Marley).’ Trading solos with him was unreal.” But being a hired side man in any band means you show up, don’t make waves, do your job, collect your money and move on. When Lopilato found out his friend, bass player, Mike Ortiz, was touring in France, he asked him who he was touring with. Of course the answer was Sublimed. He immediately said, “If your singer can’t make a gig, don’t cancel. Just call me. I’ll be there.” The rest is history. Undoubtedly, Lopilato is no fill in, and brings energy and authenticity to the tribute along with incredible musicianship. Growing up in Torrance, CA, he was told what he could and couldn’t do to make it as a musician. He chose instead his own road and it has paid off. Now touring with Sublimed while quietly working on original material, he couldn’t be happier with where he is headed. “At the end of the day, I’m going to do something positive for the world. I like to work with my friends and play the music that’s in my heart. Being a hired gun, you slip in the cracks. You get in and out with your money. In Sublimed, Chris (drummer) has me running around like a goof, and I’m learning how to become a front man. I couldn’t work with a bunch of nicer guys.” Chris Chamberlain, master technician of the skins and thunder maker, is a native Californian. Born into a musical family in Hollywood, CA, Chris played in the drum line of his high school marching band performing in the 1984 Rose Parade as well as an NFL halftime shows at Anaheim Stadium. Meanwhile, playing parties, fairs and local talent shows with a local band eventually launched him into his destiny of playing drums professionally. One of Chris’ true passions, teaching others to play the drums, led him to start his own drum school. He has taught hundreds of lessons over the past 12 years, and is especially gifted in his work as a musical therapist with handicapped/special needs kids. Chris has received a bit of press coverage for his work including a front page news story that featured him jamming for the kids with Nick Hernandez, singer of Common Sense. He has performed before thousands with numerous artists at the Sundance Film Festival, including up-and-coming singer/songwriter Sophia Dion and acoustic reggae-rock artist, Ras of Headshine. He has performed as lead singer and drummer in several classic rock bands and has performed in the Rip Curl Pro MTV Sprite Music Festival, Biarritz, and in France before a crowd of 22,000 people. He has also shared the stage with an amazing variety of artists, including Mix Master Mike, Reverend Horton Heat, Common Sense, Blue October, Digital Underground, Keziah Jones, Third Eye Blind, Mystic Roots Band, Tom Frager, Berlin, English Beat, Powerman 5000, Eek a Mouse, and that my friends, is the short list. This drummer has

been to Europe and 15 states for over 200,000 miles and 15 tours since 2005, and is still excited as hell to be bringing this show to our local desert Tavern. Bass player, Eli Star Walker will be filling in for Sublimed’s regular bassist, Mikey Ortiz (also touring with Big Mountain). “I’ve been waiting to have this opportunity to play with Danny,” shared Star Walker. “We went to school together and have played in the same circuits, but never together. I got to join these guys three weeks ago and it’s been great.” Star Walker, son to Alex “I-Locks” Walker were brought into the musical embrace of Ras Michael and his group, the Sons of Negus after meeting the senior Walker with his young son in dreads. That sparked a conversation that ended with I-Locks Walker hired on as keyboardist. It also eventually led to the younger Star Walker recording with Ras Michael in Jamaica. “Will work for smiles,” grins the drummer of this mind blowing gathering of talent. “We just want to play proper homage to Bradley Nowell and the music that means so much to us.” Inspiration and smiles are a guarantee at this show and this group of artists’ energy and spirit are infectious. Considering the already huge response to the pre-show promotion, I strongly urge you to get to Schmidy’s Tavern early Wednesday night as admission and seating is limited and is first come, first serve. Opening the show will be local rockers, Wicked JED, a band who takes some of the best contemporary rock and makes it their own with incredible energy, taste and talent. With some strong original music in the mix as well, you’ll ask yourselves why these guys are still local. $10 at the door gets you two bands and a full night of great music. The door cover goes directly to these talented musicians. Schmidy’s Tavern is located at 72286 Highway 111 at the corner of Highway 111 and Fred Waring Drive. Tickets will go on sale at the door at 8 PM sharp. For questions regarding the show, call Schmidy’s Tavern at (760) 837-3800

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

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by Eleni P. Austin

DOLLY PARTON

Consider This

“Blue Smoke” (Dolly Records/Sony Masterworks)

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nderneath the wigs and the boobs, Dolly Parton is truly a mastercraftsman. In the nearly 50 years she has been a recording artist, Parton has been a pioneer and a trail-blazer. Dolly Parton was born in Sevier County, Tennessee, the fourth of 12 children. Her father paid the doctor who helped deliver her with a bag of oatmeal. Times were hard, but Dolly was a talented child who showed an affinity for music at an early age. At nine years old, she was singing and performing on radio and television programs in Eastern Tennessee. Dolly graduated in 1964 and moved to Nashville intent on a career in music. Her uncle, Bill Owens was already there carving out a nascent career as a songwriter. Dolly followed suit and artists like Skeeter Davis, Kitty Wells and Hank Williams, Jr. had hits with her compositions. She inked a publishing deal and was signed to Monument Records. Monument had been responsible for Roy Orbison’s successful string of operatic Country hits. But they had no idea how to harness Dolly’s talent. Trading on the image she was just beginning to create, Monument had her sing a song she hadn’t written, “Dumb Blonde.” It received minimal attention. Although she wanted to record Country music, the label thought her girlish vibrato was better suited to Pop songs. Aretha Franklin endured similar roadblocks at the beginning of her career. Signed to Columbia, they molded her in the image of a Jazz and Pop singer, (sort of a younger Dinah Washington). It was only

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

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after she moved to Atlantic Records that she began her reign as the Queen of Soul. Dolly found an unlikely mentor in Country singer Porter Wagoner. Known as Mr. Grand Ole Opry, Wagoner began his recording career way back in the ‘50s. By the time he took notice of Dolly, he was starring in his own syndicated variety show. She replaced singer, Norma Jean, and suddenly she was on her way. Wagoner had his label, RCA, sign her and their first duet, a cover of Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing On My Mind” hit the Top 10. Her first solo single, for RCA, “Just Because I’m A Woman,” made it to #17. Finally in 1971, she had written and recorded her first #1 hit, “Joshua.” It was just the beginning. Seminal tracks like “Jolene,” “Coat Of Many Colors” and “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” mined Dolly’s own experiences growing up “dirt poor” but happy, in a one room cabin at the foot of the Great Smoky Mountains. By 1974, she ended her partnership with Wagoner. Her song “I Will Always Love You,” served as a heartfelt farewell. Dolly was ready to conquer the world. Three years later she was the first Country artist to achieve crossover success with the title track from Here You Come Again. It was #1 on the Country charts and #3 on the Pop Charts. The streak continued as Dolly began acting in films. She made her acting debut with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in “9 To 5” in 1980. An enormous hit, her title track was the first song to reach #1 simultaneously on the Country, Pop and Adult Contemporary charts. It also received an Academy Award nomination for “Best Song.” Dolly spent the ‘80s straddling the Pop and Country charts. She acted in successful, (sometimes abysmal) movies, and she grew her brand by opening her own theme park, Dollywood. Just when it seemed like Dolly had forsaken her Country comforts for Pop stardom, she recorded Trio, a collaboration with old pals Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. It was a traditional Country effort that featured their unique harmony blend. The album shot to #1 on the Country charts and produced four Top 10 singles. Although she continued to write and record throughout the 90s, Country Music radio was moving away from established (i.e. OLD) artists and embracing newcomers like Garth Brooks and Alan Jackson. Instead of competing with the young crowd, Dolly recorded “Honky Tonk

Angels” with Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette. She tackled an album of classic Rock covers and reconvened Harris and Ronstadt for Trio II. At the turn of the 21st Century, Dolly really returned to her roots with a series of recordings that embraced the Bluegrass and Mountain music of her childhood. The Grass Is Blue, Little Sparrow, and Halos & Horns were released in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Each album was a revelation, not only did Dolly include traditional songs and original compositions, but she recast Rock standards. Taking the crap-tastic “Shine” from Collective Soul and the epochal “Stairway To Heaven” from Led Zeppelin and giving them a back porch Bluegrass patina. Dolly followed this creative renaissance with Those Were The Days, an album of ‘60s Folk covers, as well as the sly Backwoods Barbie and Better Day. She also wrote the song “Travellin’ Thru” for the transgender drama “Transamerica,” garnering a second Academy Award nomination. Finally, she wrote the music and lyrics for “9 To 5: The Musical,” which made it to Broadway. Now Dolly has returned with her 43rd album, Blue Smoke. It gets off to a rollicking start with the title track. The clickity-clack rhythm, keening fiddle, sharp mandolin runs and intricate banjo riffs camouflage the feelings of heartache, as Dolly abandons an adulterous man… “Oh it hurts to know you cheated and it hurts to know you lied/But it hurts me even worse to know you never even tried.” As a songwriter, Dolly remains at the top of her game. Three songs, “Unlikely Angel,” “Home” and “If I Had Wings” are a testament to her craftsmanship. “…Angel” is the flipside of the title track. An evocative encomium to the powers of redemptive love…”Like a Phoenix from the ash and dirt, I rose up from the pain and hurt/When I was at my very worst, I found you.” Anchored by fiddle, mandolin, stand-up bass, dobro and acoustic guitar, this ethereal song is a showcase for Dolly’s crystalline harmonies. “Home” is a little more boisterous, with a Country-politan arrangement and instrumentation. This song wouldn’t seem out of place on today’s Country radio, (except that the airwaves are cluttered with backwards baseball cap-wearin’ ‘bros.) A slightly autobiographical homage to Dolly’s rural point of origin…”where I can restore my soul, on the mountain slopes in the soft blue smoke.”

“If I Had Wings” also yearns for simpler times… “Oh I’ve had my share of sorrow, walked a long and lonesome road/I could use a new tomorrow, if I had wings I’d make it so.” It has become something of a tradition for Dolly to take a popular song and transform it into something more bucolic. This time the results are mixed. She completely re-works Bob Dylan’s snotty kiss-off, “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.” The arrangement is buoyant, jaunty and Bluegrass-tinged. Dolly’s sweetness shines through, taking the sting out of Dylan’s scabrous words. She also tries her hand at Bon Jovi’s overwrought “Lay Your Hands On Me.” Her take is more spiritual, less sexual. But even Dolly’s magic can’t redeem this bombastic shite-storm. “Blue Smoke” includes two duets, “You Can’t Make Old Friends” with Kenny Rogers and “From Here To The Moon And Back” with Willie Nelson. The former is a surprisingly poignant and graceful ode to Dolly and Kenny’s enduring friendship. Their effortless harmonies lock in as they wonder “How will I sing when you’re gone, ‘cause it won’t sound the same/Who will join me in those harmony parts when I call your name.” The duet with Willie is a paean to enduring love. Dolly easily blends with Willie’s (always) idiosyncratic phrasing. As an added bonus he rips a gnarled solo on his trusty acoustic steed, Trigger. Longtime Willie sideman, Mickey Raphael weaves hypnotic harmonica fills through the melody. Other interesting songs include “Miss YouMiss Me” a stately ballad that looks at divorce from a child’s perspective. “Banks Of The Ohio” is a stark Murder Ballad accented by spare instrumentation. The only mis-step here is “Lover du Jour” a frisky equation between French food and affairs of the heart. It comes off more coy than Amuse Bouche.v The album closes with the inspirational “Try.” Propelled by fiddle, mandolin, piano, Hammond B3 and lap steel, the song offers up a joyful distillation of her core philosophy… .”Don’t live your life in shackles, when faith can be the key/The winner’s one that keeps determination in his eyes, who’s not afraid to fly and not afraid to try.” In anyone else’s hands it would feel impossibly mawkish, but with Dolly it just feels honest and sincere. That’s where Dolly Parton’s power lies. Strip away the glitz and glam and there’s a genuine Mountain girl, yearning to entertain. Music trends come and go, but Dolly is forever.

art

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 26 to July 2, 2014

By monica morones

Artist Steve Pabst

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or the level of work artist Steve Pabst is producing it is hard to believe that he only has three art shows under his belt. From winning first place at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival for “traditional media” in Feburary of 2014, to his piece “Meow” currently chosen to be displayed at Venus Art Gallery and Studios in Palm Desert, his skill is undeniable. Originally from Orange County, Steve’s family brought him here at a young age and now he is a long time desert survivor. Growing up his mother wanted him to play sports but he was happier drawing and coloring. That later turned into being a delinquent and experimenting with spray paint which he says he was never good at, more trouble than anything. Somehow Steve came into a decent sized cache of paint and canvas and that’s where the experimentation began. He says, “In a sense the experiment never stopped.” In 2009, Steve started tattooing professionally and one of his many profound experiences was at Anarchy Tattoo in Cathedral City where he got to learn from Robert Roberts, nicknamed “Mad Dog” who was all about technique and learning the

craft of art above all. “What I was doing at the time was elementary compared to what he taught me. He is the reason I can do what I do. He was all about the way things worked, not so much the act, but the way it works and why,” Steve said. Due to a neck injury the tattooing had to be put on hold and Steve is still currently living with the injury so he works on his art at the pace his body allows him to. I got to sit down with Steve over coffee as we people watched in Downtown Palm Springs and he answered some of my questions. MM: What do you describe as your aesthetic? STEVE: Essentially, it revolves around impermanence. I’m completely fascinated by the imagery of death, skulls and skeletons and such. But that fascination also comes with a deeper appreciation for the beauty of this place we inhabit, albeit shortly. MM: Who do you idolize most in the art world? Old and new? STEVE : Zorn, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Dali: Masters of their respective times. continue to page 23

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Janet McAfee

A Daring Mountain Rescue

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he dog’s wail echoed through the granite canyons, carried by the soft winds, the plaintiff sound relaying distress and urgency. It was a scorching June day in the Coachella Valley. Countless stray and abandoned animals die from the elements every year, and the frightened dog on the mountain was about to become another tragic statistic. I receive many phone calls about abandoned and stray dogs. However, one call that came in this week was extremely urgent. Heidi Simmons, a writer for the CV Weekly magazine and ardent animal lover, spotted a stranded dog up in the rugged granite mountains behind her Desert Hot Springs home. We knew the dog could not survive very long in this extreme weather. Heidi’s 20-year-old son, Elijah Simmons, first spotted the dog. They named him “Ghost” as the family’s late German Shepherd dog is buried at the base of the mountain, and it seemed her spirit was now guiding this pup. Heidi tells much of the story in her own words.

“Elijah and his girlfriend tried to call the dog, but he ran back into the canyon. At first, they were not sure they had even seen a dog. I went with them later that evening and got a glimpse of his black coat against the tan stark mountain and steep granite canyon. Had it not been for his black color, we would never have spotted him. There are lots of coyotes that live in that canyon, and they posed an additional danger.” “For me, the situation became very emotional. I do not do well with animal suffering or mistreatment. It makes me ache with sadness. This dog had to be rescued from the mountain or he would have died. The next day I heard barking, crying, and howling echoing through the canyon. But we couldn’t see the dog. Ghost was asking for help. I called for him to come down, but it became obvious he was in trouble. I got my son, and we geared up in hot weather climbing attire. We collected dog treats, food and water. My husband Robin helped navigate.” “We hiked for 20 minutes before we

This lively Terrier promises to bring you “Happy Days” if you adopt him. This cool Doggie Dude is just 2-yrs old and 14 lbs. Loving All Animals rescued “The Fonz” from the county shelter. Call (760) 834-7000.

spotted him with binoculars way up on a cliff. He could not move and was terrified. We could hear the coyotes nearby. My son climbed higher than Ghost, hoping to sneak around behind him without frightening him. I moved up the mountain toward him, holding his attention.” “When he realized he was cornered and we were there to help, Ghost began to move toward my son - - it was precarious, rocks were falling, and his paws kept sliding downward. Climbing up was easier for him, but climbing down proved to be more of a challenge. We closed in on him, and Ghost went for Elijah, practically falling into his lap. Ghost was unable to walk. I gave him water in Tupperware which he drank down and couldn’t get enough.” “Terrified and anxious, it was clear Ghost could not walk. I thought the three of us were going to need to be rescued! It was so steep. It is always easier going up than down and now we needed to carry a dog. There was no clear route down - - nothing but ragged cliffs and decomposed granite.” “My son didn’t hesitate, scooping the dog up and we made our way home, but not without problems. My son fell and slid while holding Ghost…..When it became too rugged, we would hand him off. Even though Ghost is lean, he weighs at least 60 pounds.

playful grey Kitty

playful grey Kitty

Fonzie

This playful 1-yr-old girl would love to play at your house! She is cat ID#1089180 at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus, located at 72-050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. (760) 343-3644

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This adorable 12-week-old male kitten was rescued and bottle fed by ForEverMeow Rescue. Come meet “Tabby Baby” at Loving All Animals’ cat adoption event every Wednesday, 10am to 1pm, 73-550 Alessandro, Palm Desert, (760) 834-7000 or (760) 335-6767.

After an hour and a half we finally were down the mountain. Ghost was exhausted, sore with cuts and bruises, and had cactus thorns in his mouth and snout. “ Elijah modestly describes the daring rescue, “I just did what had to be done. We couldn’t just leave him up there to die. He’s a sweet dog, and after I brought him down the mountain, he’d follow me everywhere I’d go and would cry the second I’d leave his sight.” The grateful dog greeted them the next morning with a wagging tail and gentle kisses. The dog was eager to please and well trained. But a larger question loomed. Where would the dog go now? The sweet Shepherd-Husky mix pup was already stealing their hearts. Heidi explained, “Rescuing the dog was the easy part. Ghost is very attached to my son. It only makes it harder to find him a home.” Heidi and Robin were unsure about taking on another dog. I advised Heidi that any vet clinic will scan a stray dog for a microchip at no cost. A scanner at the Animal Hospital of Desert Hot Springs revealed a microchip! Soon Heidi was on the phone with the pup’s owner who reported he ran off while getting a bath in their yard. The dog, whose real name is Crush, was retrieved by his grateful family. Heidi, Robin and Elijah left the clinic shedding quiet tears, tears of joy at locating his home, and tears of sadness now that the pup that had transfixed them in a life-saving drama the past four days was gone. We will never know why the dog ran so far up the granite mountain. He may have been chased by coyotes, and accidently went higher than he could navigate down. Please get your cat or dog microchipped. This simple procedure greatly increases the chances of your missing pet returning home. Thank you to the Simmons family for saving this dog’s life and creating his happy ending! Jmcafee7@verizon.net

June 26 to July 2, 2014

by Rick Riozza

Summer’s Run for the Rosés

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ell—I’m rather flattered that LA Times food and wine writer, Irene Virbila, one of my favorite gourmet critics around town, utilized the title of her latest wine article “a Bouquet of Rosés”, the same title I used a couple of years ago for one of my Rosé articles. She probably had the column tucked away and now felt time was ripe to re-issue. Rosés clearly fall into a summertime category; but actually, this is one wine that fits in the entire year. These wines, still or sparkling, are wonderful aperitifs, after dinner quaffs, and practically go with everything you’re serving. And times have really changed where wine lovers at every level now appreciate the pink—which is no longer that too fruity, too sweet, or unremarkable wine. And clearly the stuff is no longer simply pink—like the White Zinfandel of two decades past. The spectrum of colors of the modern rosé are more sunset tinged from onionskin through coral to red blush. Last year we wrote about the new “American palate” that is now appreciating the Provençal-style dry or non-sweet blush wine; this type of rosé is quite often the answer to wine-pairing woes: if you can’t decide between a white or a red for dinner, or, for that up-coming dinner party, well then the new drier-style rosé is the choice whether you’re serving soup, salad, fish, poultry or meat. Although “New World” rosés are jumping in on producing a “less sweet” rosy wine, the world famous rosés from Provence in the south of France have set the bar. The area gets us thinking of Van Gogh’s city of lively light—Arles, or, Marseille and their superlative fish bouillabaisse soup, or Renoir’s St. Tropez. The blush wines yielded there are generally—and wonderfully—dry, no matter how colorfully they are dressed in the bottle. The American “re-birth” of rosé with vino lovers is on. Dry rosé as a category has been prominent to the fine-wine conversation with remarkable rapidity. Provence, the Rosé capital of the world, exported 3.6 million liters of the juice to the U.S. last year. That’s 2,400 percent more than in 2003. And truth be told, not everyone will enjoy a Provence Rosé . The fruit flavors are muted and huddled around an herby background. Those who regularly enjoy fruit-forward or touch-sweeter wines tend to find this blush as “odd” or even “off tasting”. However, those who find complexities in wine interesting, often catch these rosés as very appealing—especially with appetizers or a meal on the table. Now it’s time to get physical & practical

and seek out a few good bottles of this wondrous blush and rosy—but dry wine. And of course, we’re always looking for the good deal to enjoy the sultry days of summer—which means, of course, chill those blushing babies down! For those who wish to first experiment with a $6 Provence Rosé, checkout Trader Joe’s Côtes De Provence J.L. Quinson. Definitely an entry-level rosé, it is a good example of how dry rosés can taste. It’s refreshing with soft strawberry and melon savors through an herby background. It’s flavorsome up front, but does turns a bit metallic and dull in the finish if you’re not having a meal. This can be remedied by serving Greek-style cured olives. As the new Wine Steward at Pavilions of Rancho Mirage, I can tell you that for only a few dollars more you can jump into some really good rosés that are excellently crafted and a great example of the Provençal style. One of the many on sale at Pavilions is the “celebrity blush” from the new vintners in the world, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie, with their 2013 Château Miraval Côtes de Provence. This is the 2nd year of rosé from their summer residence and wine estate in southeast France, made with the Perrin family of the renowned Châteauneuf-duPape estate, Château de Beaucastel, and the California Central Coast property Tablas Creek Vineyard. The wine is stellar! It’s

elegant, contemplative, and fresh with a scent of wild strawberries with a gripping finish of minerality. A great example of how fabulous a Provence Rosé can be at $22. Always one of my favorite from the vineyards around St. Tropez, the 2013 Saint Roch les Vignes Côtes de Provence Rosé is France’s quintessential quaffer which embodies that fresh herby soft spice taste. Bright red berries, slightly dry and crisp. Just the right amount of acidity to pair

perfectly with summer foods and seafood dishes—delicious tang and finish. This wine is aged in stainless steel tanks for five months before bottling. This bumps up the quality of the wine. Probably one of best buys while on sale at Pavilions for $11. The 2012 Chateau de Campuget is a rosé made of Syrah and Grenache grapes. Both of these varietals can produce some fullbodied red wine, as you know. Here, these bold red grapes are soaked and steeped together for only four to ten hours— grabbing some quick color and essences, then immediately bottled. This swift-style production should be experienced as it is a fun taste of raspberries and black currants— very aromatic. Keep it chilled. A great buy at Pavilions for only $10—come by and say hi! And for you California vino hearts who drink nothing but, the Central Coast that includes Paso Robles is on the radar with their own version of dry rosy wine. Look for the 2013 Dragonett Cellars and Justin Vineyards Rosés. Stay tuned & stay cool, Cheers! Rick is your somm-about-town and your wine steward of Rancho Mirage, conducting & entertaining at wine events & tastings. Contact winespectrum@aol.com

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Club Crawler Nightlife

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!

THUR JUNE 26 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 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; 760-992-0002 Lola Rossi, Rob Carter and Denise Motto 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Paul Douglas 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 w/

John Marek 9pm 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/ Country Nation 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 8-1am MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 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 RFJT Presents Ted Quinn’s Variety Show w/ Kaitlyn Woolling & Hanna Darling 7pm 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; 760-341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8-12am TERRA LAGO GOLF CLUB; IND; 760-775-2000 The Carmens 6pm 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

FRI JUNE 27

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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 Hammered Satin w/ Victoria Rawlins 10pm 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 DJ Journee 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

DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Afroman w/ Thr3 Strykes and DJ Charlie Luthergates 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-325-2600 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 Paul Douglas 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm HAMILTON’S; LQ; 760-698-8303 Comedy Night 8pm 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 Ming Bob Productions Presents: Crime Rock, Sons of Zap and Waxy 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Michael D’Angelo 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 Mark Gregg 5pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 L.A. Blue 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 9pm MARGARITA’S; PS; 760-778-3500 Live Music 6pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 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; 760-3450222 Radio 60 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Trevor McSpadden 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 Tony Grandberry 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Blasting Echo, The Hick-Ups and Dunebilly 9pm RIVIERA RESORT & SPA; PS; 760-327-8311 Martin Ross Starlite Lounge 6pm, Lindsey Harper Sidebar Patio 7pm, JayaR Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Sweet Brush 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 CV Weekly and Ronnie King Music Present: Reggae Residency w/ Mikey Reyes Acoustic Movement, Higher Heights and Mozaiq 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; 760-341-3560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Reaction 9pm TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@Night 10pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-3282300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755-5391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm 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 Dawson’s Gang 5:30pm 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 28 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 Stronghold Presents Reggae Sol noon, poolside, Highlife w/ DJ Day 10pm 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; 760-775-5566 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 DATE SHED; IND; 760-775-6699 Big Mountain 9pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm DICKIE O’NEALS IRISH PUB; PS; 760-325-2600 T.B.A. 8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Paul Douglas 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 Wyldsky 9pm HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Solid”

Guest DJs, 11am poolside, 9pm Lobby Splash House 11-8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 DJ Journee & AimLo 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-3456466 Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 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 L.A. Blue 9pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Fresh 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 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; 760-3450222 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Nocona & Ocha Larocha 8pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 T.B.A. 9pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Cover Story 9pm PURPLE ROOM@CLUB TRINIDAD; PS; 760327-1161ext.230 Kal David & The Real Deal 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, Lindsey Harper, Sidebar Patio, JataR, Sidebar Lounge 10pm, DJ Shasta, Starlite Lounge 10pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; Steel Rod and Damage INC. ( Tribute to Metallica ) 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 CV Weekly Presents: Contortion, Perishment and Redivider 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; 760-341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 The Bonethumpers 9pm

June 26 to July 2, 2014

TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted@Night 9pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-3282300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755-5391 DJ Hektik 10pm 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 THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 Chris Houchin 7-10pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Band 7pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ PJ 9pm

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

SUN JUNE 29 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob & Allison 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 All Vinyl DJ Set by Zach Cowie noon poolside, Slacker Sunday w/ Dirty Dave 10pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm

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 26 to July 2, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

The Pampered Palate

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

June 26 to July 2, 2014

By Raymond Bill

Eureka! Found In Indain Wells

T

wice in one week, I was asked if I had been to a new restaurant offering Gourmet Burgers and great cocktails. This is how everyone seems to refer to Eureka Restaurant in Indian Wells. I am not a burger person (though I have been known to visit the In N Out drive through a time or two), but if everyone is raving about it, I should find out what the buzz is all about. So date night began at Eureka and let me state that my expectations were far exceeded from the time we entered the building until our last bite of butterscotch pudding!

Greeted by a charming young woman named Gina (who happens to be their General Manager), we were escorted through a very busy restaurant to a cozy table on their heated patio. The bar was lit up, displaying several bottles and one of the largest draft beer selections on the east side of the valley. Every single seat was taken at the bar counter and in the dining area as well. This was a good sign that we were in for a treat. The patio was warm and welcoming and the staff is quick to accommodate. We began with an Old Fashioned and a Whiskey Sour. I have never

had a better Old Fashioned. The drink was smooth, finished with one large cube of ice and garnished with a real cherry as opposed to the unnaturally bright red cherries from a jar that has far too many ingredients for a piece of fruit. While deciding what to order, we realized this was not just a burger joint. There were salads and sliders, chicken, steak and more. We had to ask for some suggestions and finally began with an appetizer of Nachos and Lollipop Corn Dogs. The Nachos had a sweet and smoky flavor from the chipotle dressing. The Lollipops were presented five to an order with three sauces for dipping, my favorite being the spicy porter mustard sauce (and I do not like mustard). These not so little bites of happiness are made from all natural polish sausage. Incredible! We followed our starters with their Napa Burger and their Naked Chicken Saltimbocca. The Burger was simply perfection. A thick, all natural, charbroiled, hormone & antibiotic free patty, cooked to order and placed on a homemade bun with fried pancetta, arugula, Havarti cheese and a pesto aioli, finished with a marinated and roasted roma tomato.

Wow! I can’t say enough about how delicious this burger truly was. The chicken was an interpretation of an Italian favorite with prosciutto, melted mozzarella cheese and sage. The chicken was tender and full of flavor from the savory sauce provided on the side. We chose the housemade cole slaw and hand cut fries for our sides and added a little of the truffle sauce to the fries for that extra burst of flavor! We were in heaven! For dessert, I could not resist the butterscotch pudding with a caramel sauce and sea salt. All my favorite flavors come together in this incredible dessert! But Eureka only has two desserts on the menu, so we ordered both, the other being a chocolate espresso soufflé with ice cream. The chocolate is very hot and taking a bite too soon is a mistake I wish I had only made once… but it was sooo good! The food is incredible, the service is spot on and the smiles are everywhere at Eureka! The last time I was in that building, I was dining at Le St. Germaine and although there is no comparison between the two restaurants, I am very happy to say I’ll be returning again and again to Eureka! Be sure to stop by for a cocktail or a beer flight and see what the buzz is all about. Located at Hwy 111 and Cook Street in Indian Wells. 760-834-7700

A PIZZERIA THAT’S SO MUCH MORE 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

18

CVW

BRING IN THIS AD FOR

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

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Movie Reviews with Robin E. Simmons

BIG BOTS BACK IN BATTLE

Screeners No.118 A HARD DAY’S NIGHT

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE

TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION There’s nothing that any movie critic can say that will impact the box office of this silly, loud, violent juggernaut that just won’t quit. It will go on forever as long as it continues to be a virtual license to print big bucks. The preceding trilogy (2007-2011) has already stolen more than $2.6 billion from moviegoers around the globe. The latest $170 million version -- in 2D, 3Dand Imax 3D -- is targeted at the lucrative Asian market where the main story takes place. This long two hour and 45 minute fourth installment appears to be the start of another trilogy. I was surprised by the odd similarity to the theme and plot of X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, but that’s sometimes happens in the strange, lengthy business of creating and marketing movies.

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Michael Bay continues to direct the overthe-top human and robotic action. With each edition, the software that generates the visceral mech action improves. This time around the Autobots side with humans in an Armageddon-like battle against the evil Decepticons that has Biblical overtones. But now a second generation of humandesigned Transformers, thanks to Joshua Joyce (Stanley Tucci), are targeting the Autobots. It all starts when Cade Younger (Mark Wahlberg) finds a truck -- actually a transformer -- in an abandoned Texas movie theater. It takes about 40 minutes for the bot action to actually begin. The all-new human cast is okay. Kelsey Grammar is an odd choice for FBI agent Harold Attinger but Tucci strives for laughs -- and gets them -as a crazed egotistic Steve Jobs like genius inventor hired by Attinger. Overall, I thought the screenplay by Ehren Kruger (he also wrote two of the previous Transformer titles was often rather mundane and ordinary. The attempt to be hip and self-reflecting seemed forced in ineffective. Back in the day, who would have ever guessed Hasbro’s ubiquitous, innocuous silly little toys would be such a gargantuan money-maker as it transformed itself into a series of silly movies. Now playing everywhere on the planet.

Not to be taken seriously, or historically for that matter, this visceral and bloody action epic dwells in a parallel, or companion, world to Zack Snyder’s 300. But if you liked the previous film, you will no doubt enjoy this gnarly and truly awesome interpretation of the saga that moves to the open seas with Greek general Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton) trying to unify all of Greece against the gargantuan invading Persian forces under the command of god-king Xerxes (and yes, there was a real Xerxes. He’s even mentioned in the Bible!). Rodorigo Santor is back as the mortalturned-god in full homoerotic regalia. But it is Eva Green who steals the show as ferocious Artemisia, the vengeance driven leader of the Persian navy. Noam Murro directs in a style similar to Zack Snyder’s previous film (based on Frank Miller’s superb graphic novel). The CGI work is extensive and jaw dropping. The blood flows freely and in slow motion. There’s a beauty to the crimson drenched design that tries to convey the nobility of fighting, and dying heroically in a battle that matters. Has it ever been thus? Nice featurettes. Warner bros. Blu-ray

What more can be said about the Beatles or their breakout movie? Just in time for the 50th (!) anniversary of their now iconic musical, this beautifully packaged disc is loaded with documentaries and interviews that reflect on their early days as well as the then inimitable film stylings of director Dick Lester. After the shared shock and sadness of the JFK assassination, the Beatles brought us out of our grief and pop culture forever shifted its focus. There’s a crazy comic, distinctly British DNA in the tone of the film that is not too far removed from a “Monty Python” mindset. But it’s the music that matters most. And time has not diminished the joyful exuberance of a very young John, Paul, George and Ringo. This superb edition is one for the digital cinema library. Criterion. Blu-ray. robinesimmons@aol.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

Book Review

June 26 to July 2, 2014

By Heidi Simmons

Summer Reading List T

he solstice has passed and it is officially summer! At this time of year, it seems appropriate, maybe mandatory, to make a reading list. Something about this warm season says relax -- and reading does exactly that. It is great to enjoy a good book in a cool shady place or while you catch a few rays. It is that time of year where you can indulge in a long, well-written book and not feel rushed. Chose a novel or a nonfiction read from either the bestseller list or revisit the classics. Whether you get through one or a dozen tomes, the beauty of summer reading is: it doesn’t matter. Unless of course you are an AP or Honor student. Here are some suggestions. From the current bestseller list in hardcover: Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. (Little Brown, 784 pages) A 13-year-old boy, abandoned by his father, survives an explosion that kills his mother. Orphaned, he is taken in by wealthy friends and grows up troubled, clinging to a painting that reminds him of his mother. Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King (Scribner, 448 pages) At a mid-western job fair, a

stolen Mercedes drives through the line killing and injuring dozens. When the driver threatens to do it again, a retired cop sets out to catch the mad motorist. China Dolls by Lisa See (Random House, 400 pages) Three young Chinese-American nightclub performers in San Francisco forge friendships while WWII serves as a political backdrop. See spoke about working on this book when she attended the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival last January Midnight in Europe by Alan Furst (Random House, 272 pages) Set in preWWII Europe, a Lawyer gets caught up in a clandestine operation to supply weapons for the Spanish Republic’s army battle against fascism.

Bestsellers in paperback: Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (Random House, 720 pages) The first in a series of five books (also the title of an HBO television series) follows the families of seven kingdoms fighting for power and control. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (Crown, 432pages) When a wife goes missing, the woman’s diary is used to find her killer which points to her husband. Or was it all a set up to manipulate the media and affect public opinion? The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Penguin Young Readers, 336 pages) This young adult novel is crossing over to mature readers as well. The movie adaptation is also in theaters now. The story is about a teenage girl who has given up all hope after a cancer diagnosis. And then she meets a boy in a cancer support group for kids and learns to live and love. Bestsellers in nonfiction: Capital in the Twenty-first Century by Thomas Piketty (Harvard University Press, 696 pages) This book explores the dynamics and history of the factors that drive wealth in America. Think Like a Freak by Stephen J. Dubner and Steven D. Levitt (HarperCollins, 288 pages) From the writers of Freakonomics, the authors look at creative ways to solve problems in a wide variety of subjects with

fascinating global examples. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (Viking Penguin, 416 pages) In 1936 nine working-class rowers from the University of Washington captured the gold medal at the Berlin Olympics. Brown will be a speaker at the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival 2015, January the 21 through the 24. Outliers by Malcom Gladwell (Little Brown, 336 pages) Gladwell answers the questions about what makes the best, the brightest, the most famous and the most successful excel. Best selling classics: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (Barnes & Noble, 640 pages) A young man who has it all – a good job and a beautiful fiancé is resented by a foe who conspires against him and attempts to destroy his life. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (Barnes & Noble, 400 pages) This gothic love story between flawed and complicated human beings casts a strange spell with people you both love and loathe. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens (Barnes & Noble, 448 pages) France and London are the two cities faced with political unrest between the have-and-have-nots, but it cannot stop love. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin (Barnes & Noble, 432 pages) Five daughters seek love in the complicated class system in England’s countryside. Moby Dick by Herman Melville (Barnes & Noble, 752 pages) American sea captain Ahab goes on a deadly search for the white whale that took his leg, taking his crew down with him. Part of what makes summer so fun is the opportunity to leisure read. Take some time and find a story to get lost in. Maybe you have an AP or Honor student who must read a classic over the summer? Why not join them and read it too. It makes for lively dinner conversation. No worries if fiction isn’t your thing, non-fiction is equally entertaining. Make summer vacation 2014 memorable by what you read.

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June 26 to July 2, 2014 continued from page 19 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 JOHNNY ROCKETS; RM; 760-674-3120 Pocket Yellow 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; 760-3274080 Longest Running Jam Session in the valley. Hosted by JB, Sign up 6pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Sunday Band 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

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com 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 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 Dancing w/ Tina 5:30-9pm THE WINE BAR AT OLD TOWN; LQ; 760-5642201 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 30 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 LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 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 VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Art of Sax 8-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallet 6:30pm

TUE JULY 1 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 ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-992-0002 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 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; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark

S and G

PUMPING SERVICE

(760) 340-2840

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

www.triabike.com

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

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com 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; 760327-1161ext.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. 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 JULY 2 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 ESCENA LOUNGE & GRILL; PS; 760-992-0002 Rose Mallet 5-9pm FIRECLIFF; PD; 760-773-6565 Sonny Evaro 6pm HAMILTON’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL; LQ; 760698-8303 Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8:30-12:30am HARD ROCK HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9676 “Shine” Karaoke 7pm

THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic 8pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke w/ Roberto 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Mark Gregg 5pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 “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; 760327-1161ext.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 Sublimed 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Straight Ahead Jazz TILTED KILT; PD; 760-773-5458 Tilted Kilt’s Open Mic Competition hosted by Morgan James 8pm 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; 760-328-5955 Art of Sax 7-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 Karaoke WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Brian Nova Trio Jazz 6pm

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Current artists I follow intensely are Casey Baugh, Henrik Udalen, Nikko Hurtado...There are many, many more, but the gentlemen I named here are at the peak of what they do, in my opinion. MM: Do you have any schooling? STEVE: I took a drawing class at COD for part of a semester...the professor and I butted heads on many different things so I ended up dropping the class. If I could go back I would have shut my mouth and paid attention. Some of the things I do now rely

heavily on are what I was being taught in that class. MM: What is your primary medium/ mediums? STEVE: Oil. It’s the only paint medium I truly understand. I also work in graphite and charcoal. MM: Describe your piece that won the 1st place ribbon at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival: STEVE: “Desert Rose”, Oil on Arches Watercolor paper, 140lb cold press. I love roses. So much so I grow them for

Gaemer Girl

June 26 to July 2, 2014

my own reference. I had this one as a picture for a while and I wanted to try something new, so I set some black oil paint out and just went to work after a quick sketch. When I was finished, my wife suggested that I submit it to the Date Festival....I had no idea I would take 1st place for traditional media. I was honestly shocked. One of the ladies in the building told me that my piece was the favorite and it came down to 1 vote and it would have been best in show. I wasn’t disappointed though. It was the first time I’ve won an award for my work. MM: What do you think about the art scene in the Coachella Valley? STEVE: I think it’s still in its fledgling stages. There are many, many talented artists in our valley creating and living in a vast array of different mediums that, in my humble opinion, just don’t get the credit and recognition they deserve. Not just for what

they do, but for the work they put in. People are starting to get it, but it’s taking time. That said, art is a business. MM: What do you want to tell all the young artists out there starting out?” STEVE: Work harder than you think you are. Experiment with everything you can get your hands on and don’t be afraid to fail. For every ten pieces you do, one will be as successful as you want it to be. There are a LOT of artists in this world, find your voice and take it to the top of whatever mountain you’re climbing in life and scream from the top of it. Steve Pabst’s piece “Meow” is currently at Venus Studio and Art Supply in Palm Desert showing until the end of June along with many other talented artists. Check it out!

by mrs. fett

E3 Rinse and Repeat?

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3 has wrapped up, and with that, has come a bombardment of press releases, panels, parties, and meetings, all to discuss and argue the best and worst of what E314 had to offer. I had the opportunity to see the convention center the day before it opened, a gift I took full advantage of. Although I was unable to sneak pictures of anything before the convention opened, I took advantage of the freedom to walk around, poking into the displays of some of the top gaming developers today. Assassin’s Creed Unity emerged with a brand new trailer, and although the game produced feelings of “O my god are you done yet?” my hopes are high that this installment of AC will produce a game with the compelling story I once loved, even if there are no boats this time around.

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare, showed up guns blazing. Seriously, they showed up in one hell of an armored assault vehicle, and parked it in their massive, sure to be largest of E3, display booth. My final impression left me with rinse and repeat tactics, and the smell of TitanFall mechanics creeping into the franchise. Battlefield: Hardline aka Battlefield Cops and Robbers, boasts an inside experience into how cops and criminals interact with each other. What? Isn’t that what we have GTA for? Between the battle of BF and CoD, these next installations will set a new standard of dominance in the online, multiplayer

world. Both use new tactics to keep you in the game, with new storylines, which no one will really play anyway, and of course, new modes. Although I would love to say BF might by the front runner, sadly, I do not believe that to be the case. Violence everywhere. Alien games, horror games, Mario, Kirby, Army and kitty, of all the titles that brought excitement, nothing came close to what Sony pulled out. It’s the only video game I love enough to have used for a theme for my tattoos; so much that I have three of them now. Little Big Planet 3. Bigger, better, and happier

than ever. And now LBP3 will feature other major characters to accompany you on your journey, which you can choose to play as. Other than The Evil Within, who are finally making a name for themselves in the eyes of their Horror survival game fans, other featured titles were somewhat of a wash. Are we at the pivotal point in gaming history where we start over and go back to 8-Bit? I’m ok with that. Are you?

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

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Haddon Libby:It’s all local

Are You Smart Enough to Read This Article?

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f you feel the same way as me, ignorance seems to be running rampant and picking up speed throughout society. Whether it is an ignorant statement by a city council person or Fox News where they ‘report and you decide’ (whether the information shared with you is true), there seems to be an active dumbing down going on in America. With that said, do you know your IQ? Mine was tested when I was a child and found that I was in the top 2% making me a card carrying egghead. In case you don’t know what ‘IQ’ stands for, it is short-hand for Intelligence Quotient. In case you don’t know what a quotient is, deduct 10 IQ points and turn the page to another article - today’s article isn’t for you. IQ measures one’s cognitive skill in relationship with others in the same age group and living environment. An IQ between 90 and 110 is considered average. Nearly seven in ten people have IQs between 85 and 115 while 95% of all people fall between 70 and 130. Over 130 and you are considered ‘intellectually gifted’. Over 160 and you are considered a genius. Over 200 is referred to as “unmeasurable genius”. Below 75 and you are considered ‘intellectually impaired’.

The IQ test finds its origins in France in the early 1900s when psychologist Alfred Binet was asked by the French government to formulate a test that might help them at insuring that students received special assistance if needed. In 1916, Stanford University’s Lewis Terman used Binet’s work to create a standardized test for Americans that used a single number to rank intelligence - your IQ score. This test takes your mental age as tested and divides it by your actual age to get your score. British professor and psychologist, Richard Lynn completed a study that ranked average IQs by country and found that Asianrim countries like Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan have the highest intellect. The United States ranks 19th with an average IQ of 98 behind countries like China, Italy and

Poland while African countries like Ethiopia ranked at the bottom with IQ scores of 60, a rating that suggests mild mental disability. So who is the smartest person in the world? Many consider it to be Terence Tao who scored a 230 as a child. Born in Australia in 1975, he was able to complete basic math equations at the age of 2. By 15, he had Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Today, he is considered one of the world’s best mathematicians. American Christopher Hirata who was born in 1982, scored a 225 as a child. He was taking college level calculus and physics classes at the age of 12 and today works as an astrophysicist. Marilyn Vos Savant (apropos name) was born in St. Louis in 1946 and is considered the world’s smartest woman with an IQ of 190. Savant is a playwright who is a columnist for “Parade” magazine. For reference, it is estimated that Einstein had a 160-190 IQ while Leonardo DiVinci had an IQ of 180-190. Steven Hawking’s IQ is 160. Worth noting, your mental capacity dwindles as you age. Fortunately, your brain has a way of compensating while experience has the ability of overshadowing eroding intellect. Also, when you hear that we use only 2% of our brain that is not true. We use all 100%. It is just that neuroscientists are

safety tips

by Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

Drought and Your Health

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not sure how most of it works. So when you see a friend or family member parroting propaganda that doubles as the news, fixated on fashion or drinking excessively, you can tell them that they are likely to acquire a terminal case of the dumbing downs if they don’t work on developing an inquisitive mind.

Dale Gribow On The Law

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bumping and distracting you and the other “picking your pocket.” Your credit card information can also be stolen without taking the physical credit card. These sophisticated thieves have an IPAD sized RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) costing less than $100. It automatically secures your card info from a tiny chip in your card as they walk by you in a restaurant, airport or department store. If your card has the symbol of 4 waves )))) or says Pay Pass, Pay Wave or Blink it has an RFID. This RFIT info can be transferred onto a hotel credit card sized room key which now becomes a duplicate “credit card”. To avoid this place your credit cards or passport into a protective sleeve that has an aluminum lining. I advise my family to write “ASK FOR PHOTO ID” on the back, instead of signing their name

upon receipt of a new card. That gives you one more level of insulation against the bad guys. Remember to report lost or stolen checks asap so the bank can block payment on them. You should also notify your banker of suspicious phone inquiries asking for account information to verify a statement or award a prize. We all know that it is important to closely guard our ATM PIN and ATM receipts. You should shred any financial solicitations for credit cards as well as bank statements before disposing of them. If regular bills fail to reach you, call the company to find out why. Credit reporting agencies must stop reporting alleged fraudulent account information when a consumer establishes that he or she has been the victim of an ID theft. Creditors or businesses must provide copies of business records or fraudulent accounts or transactions related to them. This information can assist the victim in proving that they are in fact victims. When you think you have been a victim contact the Riverside County Sheriffs Department so you have a report to provide to insurance companies or credit agencies. Consumers will be allowed to report accounts affected by ID theft directly to creditors in addition to credit reporting agencies to prevent the spread of erroneous

ummer is officially here and with more than half the U.S. currently in drought, there are concerns over the consequences of not only the country’s crop yields and wildfires, but also on human health reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. We will see wildfires increase as well as soils drying out resulting in the amount of airborne particles, such as pollen and smoke. This will affect health issues particularly to those with chronic respiratory illnesses, such as asthma or breathing difficulties. Drought can increase the risk of people catching the fungal infection coccidioidomycosis, or valley fever. This disease is transmitted when spores in the soil become airborne and are inhaled. Symptoms may include fever, chest pain, coughing, rash, and muscle aches. In a drought, people may feel the need to reduce hand washing and other hygiene practices to conserve water. Ultimately this can increase the spread of infectious diseases. Install low-flow faucet aerators to reduce water use while still maintaining proper hygiene. Those whose livelihood is directly tied

to the water supply — including farmers, horticulturalists and nursery owners — may suffer adverse mental health effects during a drought, according to the CDC. The financial-related stress and worry can cause depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental and behavioral health conditions to those whom livelihood is connected to water supply. This is especially true to farmers, nursery owners and horticulturists. Reduced rainfall can bring increases in food prices, or shortages of certain foods. In a drought, farmers may also use recycled water to irrigate fields. If the recycle process is not properly monitored, crops can become contaminated with pathogens such as salmonella and E. coli. Increase in diseases transmitted by insects, such as west Nile virus which is spread by mosquitoes, are linked with drought. Drought can shrink bodies of water, and cause water to become stagnant, providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Recreational water injuries may also mean an increase in injuries for those who hoping to grab some summer fun in lakes. Lower water levels are often difficult to perceive, and people may injury themselves by diving into shallow waters or striking objects while boating. With all that (and more) being said, it’s important we all take measures in conserving our water. Our health depends upon it! Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

it’s your nickel

information. To obtain a free credit report you can go to www.annualcreditreport.com or 877 322 8228. IF your credit card is stolen report the theft to the major reporting agencies below. To make a fraud alert: Equifax 1-800 525 6285: 888 766 0008. Experian (formerly TRW 1-888 397 3742. Trans Union 1-800 680 7289. Social Security Administration (fraud line) 1-800 269 0271 I use to start my legal radio show saying “People Don’t Plan to Fail, They Fail to Plan” so being “Forewarned is forearmed DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE THIS SUMMER, 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 received a SUPERB AVVO Legal Rating by his fellow attorneys. He has been MAN OF THE YEAR 7 x’s including The City of Palm Desert and the City of Hope and Dale Gribow Day has been declared 4 times. 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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here are we now that it has been five years since the Great Recession? It was the most devastating economic event since the Great Depression in the 1930’s. Eight million jobs lost have been replaced. Unfortunately, they have been replaced with largely lower paying jobs. These jobs are mostly in retail and restaurants. Some are in temporary help firms. The US economy is going to grow this year at about a three percent rate. The last

couple of years it grew at half that rate. Also, three percent growth is better than Japan, France and Germany. Sectors that are enjoying real growth include the healthcare industry. Once the economy recovers a bit more, manufacturing and construction will pick up and these are high paying jobs when they are available. Living in California affords some benefits for the moment in the same way California shared more of the burden on the way down. Unemployment is lower suddenly,

June 26 to July 2, 2014

ShareKitchen

As summer heats up, so nedoes ShareKitchen! Night Only! On Friday, June at 12:01 am on the morning of the event,

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27th Chef Reese Murakami of Kobe Steakhouse will be crafting his own special affair entitled Akamai Ohana. Held at ShareKitchen, dinner features some of the best produce of Southern California sourced from Chino Farms in Rancho Santa Fe. Diners will be treated to fresh pulled mozzarella, beautifully cooked duck breasts and Columbia River salmon skillfully prepared by Chef Reese and his team of culinary artists. Two seatings only: 5:15pm and 8pm. Cost is $75.00 per person plus tax and tip. Contact Chef Reese directly at akamaicali@gmail.com with all questions and reservation requests. Mark your calendar! PS Underground is taking reservations for “LIGHT, An AvantGarde Dining Experience”. Sold out for July 11th and 12th, open seats remain for their July 18th and 19th dinners. In true PS Underground style, this event will be a bold departure from the typical dinner party. As friends and soon to be friends gather around the table for this multi-course adventure, you will be in for a truly avant-garde dining experience. Held at a secret location revealed only to those who reserve, and only

Five Years Since The Great Recession

SUMMER MEANS MORE SHOPLIFTING BECAUSE OF FEWER EMPLOYEES erchants are at risk with understaffed stores that allow crooks to “do their thing”. With the “down economy” many people are hurting and committing crimes they might not have performed if they had a job. Many of our neighbors are drinking to stay “cool” and not using good common sense and commit uncharacteristic crimes. One shoplifter trick is the little known Booster Box. This is a large box with a false bottom that is often spring loaded and when placed over a shopping bag, purse or product the spring secures the item inside the box. Some thieves don’t need any equipment to steal. For instance a car can be stolen without obtaining the owner’s keys or hotwiring the car. The thief looks on the left front windshield for the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) number. They write the VIN number down and then go to the car dealership’s parts department and explain they own the car with that VIN number and they lost their keys. A new device to open the car will be provided to the thief… and then the rest is history. Cell Phones are another popular target for thieves because they have private emails, bank account records, personal codes and passwords. Obtaining these items makes it easy to steal your money or ID. Often there are two crooks that work together with one

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this culinary journey is for the adventurous at heart. PS Underground has gathered a remarkably creative team to bring their most ambitious project to LIGHT. It is designed to be a true feast for all senses. The menu is as secret as the location, it adds to the mystique. PS Underground always does their best to accommodate any dietary restrictions, just let them know while making your reservation. Fasten your seatbelt, you’re in for a real treat! Seats fill up fast and you won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind culinary RAVE. Cost is $159 per person plus tax and tip. Reservations Required - www.psunderground.com

By john Paul Valdez

especially in areas like Silicon Valley. In fact the overall unemployment number is at a six year low. In this periodical we concern ourselves with the Inland Empire, specifically Riverside, and we can say that we are doing better than Central Valley in experiencing growth. That’s the good news. Right now, being a college graduate is bad news for you when you seek employment because beginner jobs are fewer and pay less. The only thing worse is not being a college graduate in which case your employment prospects and your ability to access a middle class lifestyle become immediately more remote. As the economy grows, college graduates stand to move into the robust cycle at the right time for a younger population. The smartest thing the small investor can do is remember to contribute to your 401K or IRA each season as that is likely put into mutual funds that contain stocks, and those who own stock in the corporations are doing the best in the economy in general. There are two ways to make money. One is to work for wages, and the other is to enjoy the fruits of “passive” income like dividends from stocks and growth in stock prices when that occurs (like now). You don’t have to be rich to have some kind

of tax differed account like the ones I’ve mentioned. Just set a plan for 50 dollars a week and you’d be surprised how that grows over the years, especially if you are young now. By the time you retire, you can pay off your mortgage with a single check if you plan this right! Saving doesn’t have to be something for rich people only. Make yourself rich. We await the next inventor of a FaceBook, or UBER, or AirBnB. Until then, be glad we live in a tourist area that is in strong demand, and remember….It’s Your Nickel. Questions and comments: JohnPaulValdez@gmail.com

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

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Vista Ventana Brings a Taste of South Beach Miami to DHS

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19 room spa and resort, the Vista Ventana recently opened their doors in March of 2014. The newly remodeled resort is a throwback to a bygone era. Decorated in Mid-century style with a funky flair, this little gem of a hotel brings a bit of South Beach Miami to DHS. The Mid Century appointed rooms and suites decorated in a wide array of colors are sure to bring a smile to your face. All rooms include a kitchenette with a stove, refrigerator and coffee making area. Guests can choose to lounge around the outdoor pool or soak their body in the hot tubs located both indoors and out. The hot tubs are filled with the mineral water Desert Hot Springs has become so famous for, making this a unique experience. If you need to further relax, you can choose from the menu of different massages or chill out in the sauna.

Stephen Austin, the general Manager, enjoys meeting people and gives out complimentary hugs upon check in and check out (his nickname is huggie bear). “I want my guest to feel like they are part of the family and not just a person bringing revenue into the hotel,” remarks Stephen. When you meet their friendly staff you will notice they work hard to make sure you

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by Craig Michaels

have a great experience. If you’re searching for a place to bring your circle of friends, the resort also caters to small groups looking for a one of a kind getaway. With breathe taking views you and your guests are sure to get lost in the sea of tranquility. This eclectic hotel also offers a complimentary hot breakfast for two at the sidewinder Grill Located on Pierson Blvd. This charming property located on Palm Drive in the heart of DHS is a short walk to downtown and a five minute drive to Cabot’s Pueblo museum. This is the place if you’re looking for style on a budget!

AIDS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Community ANNOUNCES RAFFLE FOR A Ticket Sales Will Help Community NEW AUDI A3 CABRIOLET Service Agency Feed Hundreds

IDS Assistance Program (AAP) is raffling off a 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet from Desert European Motorcars’ Audi Rancho Mirage in support of the organization’s food voucher program, which supplies nutritional support to low income men, women and children living with HIV/ AIDS. “We thought the raffle would be a fun way to help carry out our mission of feeding people who need assistance,” says Mark Anton, Executive Director of AAP. “Thanks to the great folks of Audi Rancho Mirage for providing such a sexy, highperformance vehicle. Tickets should sell out quickly and one lucky person will drive home in a brand new Audi this fall.” A total of only 400 raffle tickets will be sold at $300 each or four for $1,000, and are available for purchase at the AAP offices in Palm Springs or by calling 760-325-8481. The CPA firm of Lund & Guttry

Health &Fitness

will draw one winning ticket on October 30, 2014 at party in the new Audi Rancho Mirage showroom at Desert European Motorcars. Rules and restrictions apply. Please visit aidsassistance.org for full details. “We are honored to play a part in helping to improve the quality of people’s lives in the Coachella Valley,” says Todd Blue, Desert European Motorcars CEO and Dealer Principal. “We have seen the impact that AAP has had on our community and we are proud to partner with them for this worthy cause.” To purchase tickets and to learn more about the raffle, please call 760/325-8481 or visit aidsassistance.org. Since its founding in 1991, AIDS Assistance Program of Palm Springs remains dedicated to providing nutritional support to improve the quality of the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. Initiated by a small group of concerned citizens led by the late Gloria Greene and Jeannette Rockefeller.

Vista Ventana 11220 Palm Dr, Desert Hot Springs CA 760-671-9907 vistaventanadhs.com Written By: Craig Michaels Musical Affair Entertainment www.musicalaffair.com

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY Week of June 26

ARIES (March 21-April 19): According to an astrologer named Astrolocherry (astrolocherry. tumblr.com), Aries is the sign of the freedom fighter, the explorer, the daredevil, and the adventurer. That’s all true; I agree with her. But here’s an important caveat. As you get older, it’s your duty to harness all that hot energy on behalf of the softer, slower, more tender parts of your life. The coming weeks will offer you a great opportunity to work on that challenge. To get started, imagine how you can be a freedom fighter, explorer, daredevil, and adventurer in service to your home, family, and community. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): After a thorough, detailed, painstaking analysis of the astrological omens, I’m inclined to advise you to be neither thorough nor detailed nor painstaking in the coming days. Instead, I suspect you will thrive by being spontaneous and improvisatory. Wing it, baby! Throw away the script. Trust your gut. Play it by ear. Make it up as you go along. If you find yourself frowning with indecision and beset by lazy procrastination, you will know you’re off course. If you are feeling blithe and agile as you get a lot done with creative efficiency, you will know you’re right in the groove. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Japanese word tsundoku describes what happens if you buy a lot of books but never read them, leaving them piled up in a neglected heap. I recommend that you avoid indulging in tsundoku any time soon, Gemini. In fact, I urge you not to acquire any resources that you then proceed to ignore. You are in a phase of your astrological cycle when it’s crucial to make conscientious use of your tools and riches. To let them go to waste would be to dishonor them, and make it less likely that you will continue to receive their blessings in the future. Take full advantage of what’s yours. CANCER (June 21-July 22): If you could harness the energy from a typical lightning bolt, you would be able to use it to toast 100,000 slices of bread. That’s an impossible scenario, of course. But I see it as an apt metaphor for the challenge you have ahead of you. I suspect you will soon get access to a massive influx of vital force that arrives in a relatively short time. Can you find a way to gather it in and store it up? Or will most of it, after the initial burst, leak away and be unavailable for long-term use? The secret to success will lie in whether you can figure out how to create the perfect “container.” LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): “Forget the suffering / You caused others. / Forget the suffering / Others caused you.” Czeslaw Milosz wrote these words in his poem “Forget,” and now I’m passing them on to you. According to my reading of the astrological omens, now would be an excellent time for you to purge the old hurts you are still carrying, both those you dealt out and those you endured. Opportunities like this don’t come along often, Leo. I invite you to repay emotional debts, declare amnesty, and engage in an orgy of forgiveness. Any other things you can think of that will help wipe the slate clean? VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When a Navajo baby laughs for the first time, everyone in the community celebrates. It’s regarded as the moment when the child completes his or her transition from the spirit realm into the physical world. The person who has provoked the baby’s laughter is charged with planning the First Laugh Ceremony, a party to commemorate the magical event. I foresee a comparable development in your life, Virgo. You won’t be laughing for the first time, of course, but I suspect your sense of humor will reach a new ripeness. How? Maybe you will be able to find amusement in things you have always taken too seriously. Maybe you will suddenly have a deeper appreciation for life’s ongoing cosmic jokes. Or perhaps you will stumble upon reasons to laugh longer and harder and louder than you ever have before. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Would you like to be free from the experience of getting criticized? Do

© Copyright 2012 Rob Brezsny

you think it might be nice if no one ever accused you of being wrong or off-track? If so, here’s how you should proceed, says American writer Elbert Hubbard: “Do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.” But I’m afraid I can’t recommend that behavior for you, Libra. In the coming weeks, you have a sacred duty to your Future Self to risk being controversial. I urge you to take strong stands, speak raw truths, and show your real feelings. Yes, you may attract flack. You might disturb the peace. But that will be an acceptable price to pay for the rewards you receive. This is one time when being courageous is more important than seeking harmony. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): “Be respectful to your superiors, if you have any,” said British writer Oscar Wilde. How do you respond to that impish nudge, Scorpio? Are there any geniuses and heroes out there whom you consider to be worthy of your respect? If not, I urge you to go out in search of some. At this phase of your evolution, you are in special need of people who inspire you with their greatness. It’s crucial for you to learn from teachers and role models who are further along than you are in their mastery of the game of life. I also believe it would be healing for you to feel waves of admiration and reverence. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “Everyone has something to hide,” declared Russian author Anton Chekhov. Is that true? Do even you blunt Sagittarians have something to hide? I’m going to say that for 90 percent of you, the answer is yes. There are secrets you don’t want anyone to find out about: past events you are reluctant to disclose or shady deeds you are getting away with now or taboo thoughts you want to keep sealed away from public knowledge. I’m not here to scold you about them or to encourage you to spill them. On the contrary, I say it’s time to bring them fully into your conscious awareness, to honor their importance to your life story, and to acknowledge their power to captivate your imagination. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A German chemist named Felix Hoffman had a prominent role in synthesizing two very different drugs: aspirin and heroin. In analyzing your astrological omens for the coming months, I see you as having a similar potential. You could create good stuff that will have the power to help and heal; or you could generate borderline stuff that will lead to a lot of problems; or you could do both. How it all plays out really is up to your free will. For best results, set your intention to go in the direction of things like aspirin and away from things like heroin. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): This is a good time to risk a small leap of faith, but not a sprawling vault over a yawning abyss. Feel free and easy about exploring the outer borders of familiar territory, but be cautious about the prospect of wandering into the deep, dark unknown. Be willing to entertain stimulating new ideas but not cracked notions that have little evidence to back them up. Your task is to shake up the status quo just enough to invigorate everyone’s emotional intelligence, even as you take care not to unleash an upheaval that makes everyone crazy. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) had an unusual fetish. He enjoyed eating apples and pears and other fruits while they were still hanging on the tree. Why? Maybe because the taste was as pure and brisk and naked as it could possibly be -- an experience that I imagine would be important to a romantic poet like him. In accordance with your astrological omens, I suggest you use Coleridge’s quest for ultimate freshness as a driving metaphor in the coming week. Go to the source to get what you need. Dispense with intermediaries. Be as raw as the law allows. Homework: Compose an exciting prayer in which you ask for something you’re not “supposed” to. Tell me about it at uaregod@comcast.net. Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

June 26 to July 2, 2014

Mind, body & Spirit

WHY CARDIO?

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by Bronwyn Ison

merica’s waistlines continue to expand. The United States is number one on the top 10 List of most obese countries. Obesity is a public health concern and approximately 150-billion dollars annually is spent treating obesity in America. This is not an article about how obese our country is but rather an informative piece on how to trim your waistline. One form of exercise that may be the least favorite to many is a cardiovascular workout. Why? It requires effort and many are not willing to put in the time or dedication. Clearly the obesity statistics are proof we have a lackadaisical society. The most common excuse for not exercising is, “I don’t have enough time in my day.” You may ask yourself, “Do I have enough time to become ill or be counted in the obesity statistics?” Nobody cares to feel poorly. Therefore, one way to execute a workout plan is to make an appointment. Having a regular cardio routine will assist with keeping your weight under control as well as alleviate stress. The American College of Sports Medicine suggest 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 5 days a week, or vigorous cardio 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week. For weight loss, you might need even more (up to 60-90 minutes) depending on your diet and other activities. Our bodies need to move. Many people have sedentary jobs and your body likely feels tight or aches at the end of your workday. One of the best ways to suppress the tension is to get moving. Think

about how good you feel after a successful workout. You feel energized, rejuvenated, less stressed and perhaps relaxed. Cardiovascular exercise is an important part of a healthy body for a plethora of reasons: - Weight loss - Stronger heart and lungs - Increased bone density - Reduced stress - Reduced risk of heart disease and some types of cancer - Temporary relief from depression and anxiety - More confidence about how you feel and how you look - Better sleep - More energy - Setting a good example for your kids to stay active as they get older You may recognize weight loss is first on the list. Consider the other benefits that will allow you to feel healthy and alive. When we are active we simply feel better. With the onset of summer heat, you may need to get up earlier for a morning walk or jog. Or, cool down with a pool workout. Naturally there are always cardio machines at the gym. Make an appointment and commit to a healthier, leaner and less stressed you. Your body will love you for the additional TLC. Bronwyn Ison is the Owner of Evolve Yoga. Visit www.e-volveyoga.com or (760) 564-YOGA

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June 26 to July 2, 2014

Life & career Coach

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

by Sunny Simon

Put the Sizzle in Your Job Search this Summer

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f you are currently in a job search don’t let the rising temps slow you down. Often job seekers mistakenly think recruiting action screeches to a halt from June through August due to the vacation schedules of hiring managers and HR staff. Not so. In the corporate world, there is no such thing as a summer escape season. While employees do take time off to travel and enjoy the sultry weather, not everyone is breaking out the sunscreen and heading off to the beach. Now is the perfect time to turn the heat up on the search for your dream job. Often when companies are successful during the first six months of the year, purse strings loosen and job requisitions get the green light. Consequently recruiting is in full-swing and HR is on the lookout for new talent. Granted, scheduling interviews may have to be put off for a few days if a key player is off enjoying a family outing at Disneyland. Bear in mind, many employees do not vacation for more than a week at a time especially if there is a vital slot on the organization chart that needs filling. Another reason to avoid the urge to postpone your search is the shrinking labor pool. You can count on some of your complacent competitors waiting until September to look for work. By working diligently on your search while others are up

at the lake casting off, you could be reeling in your next job opportunity. Summer is a social season. Take advantage of the pool parties, picnics and family reunions to network. Have your elevator speech ready when your brotherin-law introduces you to his boss or when your second cousin tells you about the great start-up venture that employs her. Tap into the brain trust of friends and family to get suggestions on companies that might be looking for new talent. Make sure to follow up on any leads given when attending these social activities. Invite your new friends to connect with you on LinkedIn and be sure to send a thank you to anyone instrumental in introducing you to individuals with promising connections. Use your time wisely. Schedule in several hours a day to send out resumes and learn more about organizations on your target list. Beat the heat by attending job fairs and networking events in cool air conditioned facilities. By staying focused on your job search and taking full advantage of the season, you could be signing an offer letter before Labor Day. 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 26 to July 2, 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.

WHAT KIND OF PARTY WILL YOU HAVE?

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ummer is upon us – a time for parties, fun and… beauty! You might have a barbeque, a pool get together, or….a Botox party. Botox has become a common household word, having been one of the fastest growing cosmetic, non-surgical procedures available. As we roll into summer and strive to look our best during swimsuit season, having lost a few pounds and toned our muscles, the icing on the cake is Botox. Botox is a simple procedure for enhancing our facial beauty with no down time. A few simple and easy injections around facial frown lines and the crow’s feet area will soften or eliminate such lines. This results in smoothing of the skin with a natural look. A treatment now can certainly last through summer since this wrinklepreventing injection typically lasts three to six months. Another advantage of Botox is that it is a quick procedure. With the popularity of Botox, many women (and men) come in to get their Botox injections together! Very often we see the same groups of friends coming together for their treatments. Considering this idea, a Botox Party is a great way to bring together five or so of

your friends to mingle over refreshments, catch up on one another’s lives and bring a touch of beauty to the party scene. With a Botox party for your group, the price per unit of Botox tends to go down as compared to a single patient going into a medical office for the treatment alone. And while cost is always a factor there are other elements to consider. Because not all Botox is created equal, nor is the training for those administering it, the cost can vary as can the results. Those allowed to administer it include physicians, surgeons, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners but the level of training varies for each of them. As a Board Certified General Surgeon and Cosmetic Surgeon, I would always administer the Botox myself at your party, as I do with all my patients in the office every day. Contact Lombardo Cosmetic Surgery Center to learn more about Botox and having a party with Dr. Maria Lombardo, Board Certified General Surgeon and a Cosmetic Surgeon. Botox Party events are available on a limited basis. Please call 760-610-8990 or visit her website at lombardocosmeticsurgery.com.

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