Coachella Valley Weekly - July 27 to August 2, 2017 Vol. 6 No. 19

coachellavalleyweekly.com • July 27 to August 2, 2017 Vol. 6 No. 19

In Memory Of John Furbee

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Jazz In The Pines

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Hollace Alex Santana pg9

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Athena Gyro

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

CV MUSIC AWARDS HERO: KEN HANNA - OWNER OF BIG ROCK PUB, MUSIC AFICIONADO

Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Domingo Winstead Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Denise Ortuno Neil, Morgan James, Avery Wood, Tricia Witkower Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Janet McAfee, Haddon Libby, Dale Gribow, Laura Hunt Little, Jason Hall, Raymond Bill, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Flint Wheeler, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Rebecca Pikus, Esther Sanchez, Angela Romeo, Jenny Wallis Photographers Robert Chance, Chris Miller, Esther Sanchez, Laura Hunt Little, Lani Garfield, Scott Pam, George Duchannes Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS

CVMA Hero - Ken Hanna ..................... 3 CV Music Awards Winners................... 3 CVMA Photos....................................... 4 CVMA Hero - Vincent Battaglia........... 5 CVMA Hero - Todd "TK" Killiam .......... 6 Improv Acting Workshop CVREP........ 6 CVMA Hero - Julie Montante .............. 7 Theatre - Pirates of Penzance............. 7 In Memory of John H. Furbee............. 8 Jazz In The Pines.................................. 8 Hollace.................................................. 9 Backstage Jazz - Alex Santana ............ 9 Consider This - Cait Brennan............. 10 Art Scene - Cammy Davis .................. 11 Pet Place............................................. 12 The Vino Voice ................................... 13 Club Crawler Nightlife....................... 14 Pampered Palate - Athena Gyro....... 16 Screeners ........................................... 18 Book Review ...................................... 19 Safety Tips ..........................................19 Haddon Libby.................................... 21 Dale Gribow....................................... 21 Sports Scene...................................... 22 Free Will Astrology............................ 23 Mind, Body & Spirit........................... 23 Ask The Doctor................................... 24 Life & Career Coach............................ 24 Cannabis Corner................................. 27

He·ro (noun) a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

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t CV Weekly, we live and breathe music and entertainment. In that arena, we have many heroes – those we admire for their raw talent, their ability to make us feel, their selflessness in giving themselves to their craft. After an electrical outage at the Riviera Palm Springs derailed the original CV Weekly Music Awards on June 4, countless hours of time, effort, and advertising dollars were squandered by events completely out of our control. In order to regroup and make this ever-growing event happen, what we needed were heroes. One of our personal “CV Music Awards Heroes” is Ken Hanna, owner of Big Rock Pub and Indian Springs Golf Club in Indio and founder of CDS Group of Companies. We took some time to talk to Ken about his business, his interest in music, and his help in making the rescheduled CV Weekly Music Awards come together.

Ken founded and runs a successful food warehousing business in Canada, where he’s based in Richmond, B.C. His company, CDS Group of Companies, distributes frozen and dried food products all over Western Canada. Aside from food warehousing and distribution, Ken has a transportation company he uses to ship said food products as well as export meat out of the country.

Aside from this, he also owns and runs Indian Springs Golf Club, highly rated by Golf Digest and The Desert Sun (among others) as one of the top golf spots in the Coachella Valley and Big Rock Pub, the new exciting venue for music, delicious and cleverly-named dishes (Fleetwood Mac and Cheese and Sympathy for the Devil-ed Eggs, to name just a witty few). This savvy business owner had to work his way to the top. He started from nothing in 1995 as a piano mover. Through hard work, innovative thinking, and perseverance, he now travels back and forth between Canada and Indio to run his businesses, which employ several hundred. When asked what he feels has made his businesses a success, Ken’s answer was simple.

A mixture of excellent customer service, going beyond the call of duty and most importantly, treating his staff with respect is what drives Ken’s businesses. Ken said, “I never ask my staff to do something I wouldn’t do. They enjoy the work they do and in turn, they do a good job for us and for our customers. That makes our customers feel wanted and supported and further drives our success.”

What originally brought Ken from the Great White North to the perpetually sunny desert? In 1996, he attended a convention in Palm Springs

and liked it here so much that he would venture down here often and eventually buy a house in Indian Springs in 2010. He loved Indian Springs, but kept wondering if there were a different way to run it more efficiently. In 2014, he purchased the golf course and ran it as is. He saw a vision for the pub and golf club to work together and in two years’ time, finished all the renovations and thus, Big Rock Pub was born. He had recently finished doing renovations to his house in Canada and made the Pub a carbon copy of his house, down to the furnishings on the walls.

“I just saw the vision and thought there was an opportunity to do something different. I never necessarily wanted to run a golf course or a pub, but it’s worked out well. It’s a new concept and I’ve had some celebrities come in in the rock n roll world and give me high fives, which has been very rewarding.”

Ken is excited about the future of Big Rock Pub. “I certainly want to get the kinks out. There are a lot of exciting projects coming down the pipe.

We’re looking at more live events, more celebrity appearances, celebrity golf tournaments. We will continue to grow that piece.” Ken’s been asked to open up other Big Rock Pubs in other parts of the country. People love the concept. Understandably.

Ken’s passion for rock n’ roll and its memorabilia developed at an early age. He describes himself as a lifetime music fanatic. He took lessons as a child, but nothing ever panned out, so he now admires instruments although he doesn’t play any. One of his good friends is the biggest memorabilia dealer in the world and that has certainly influences how many pieces he owns. These pieces number over 100, including prized memorabilia from Jim Hendrix and Eric Clapton. He has more, he tells me, that he hasn’t had a chance to put up yet. He accepts no help when hanging memorabilia up at Big Rock Pub. All 100 pieces have been hung by Ken Hanna himself before the Pub opened and he hangs any new

BY TRICIA WITKOWER

pieces up after hours, sometimes staying until 2 am for this labor of love. When asked why he doesn’t delegate this duty to any of his employees, he states that as the Pub is a replica of his Canadian home, he knows best where they all should go.

During Desert Trip, Coachella, and Stagecoach, Ken donated guitars to be auctioned off with all proceeds going to Desert Cancer Foundation. All told, the guitars raised about $40,000 for cancer care and Ken couldn’t be happier to do that for the organization. He recently lost his brother to cancer and loves being able to combine a passion with a charity close to his heart. “The money goes to making sure people get treatment and it’s just an awesome way to give back to the community.

I’ve been able to get memorabilia down to a price people can afford, so it feels good to make these great pieces accessible for fans.”

When asked how he juggles a busy business life and his family, Ken claims he’s a master of delegation. While he does work a lot, he blocks weekends off for family time. Says Ken, “My wife and daughter are pretty cool about understanding.

We take vacations and I turn my phone off. But I enjoy what I do and they know that. It’s all about balance. As long as I have great staff that can handle things when I’m not around. I delegate as much as I can. Right now things are running quite well in Vancouver.”

Asked why he felt compelled to further contribute as a CV Music Awards “Hero” even though he was already a Title sponsor, Ken responded, “Well, you know what…I mean there’s not too many magazines like them and they had a tough go of their last awards ceremony a month or so ago and I felt bad for what happened.

They’re big supporters of Big Rock Pub. They’re a one and only and we’re a one and only. I definitely felt bad about what went down with the power outage. I felt that I wanted to do that for them.”

In parting, Ken wanted to thank Tracy (Dietlin) for all of her support of the Pub, Lisa Morgan (Chief Business Development Officer at Big Rock Pub and Indian Springs Golf Club) for all of her hard work and for everything she does for the company, and to let people know they are hiring a new food and beverage manager and to look for great things from Big Rock Pub as they grow and get better and better.

We at CV Weekly, local musicians, and all attendees of the CV Music Awards surely appreciate Ken’s kindness and generosity. We look forward to what’s to come from Ken Hanna and his fantastic Pub. Big Rock Pub is located at 79940 Westward Ho Dr. in Indio, CA 92211. Call 760-200-9844 or visit thebigrockpub.com.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE 2017 CV MUSIC AWARD WINNERS:

Best Band – Caxton Best Rock Band – Mighty Jack Best Metal Band – House of Broken Promises Best Punk Band – Bridger Best Alternative Rock Band – Caxton Best Rap/Hip Hop – Thr3 Strykes Best Reggae – Desert Rhythm Project Best Jazz Vocals – Slim Man Best Jazz Instrumental – Alex Santana Best Blues Band – Black Water Gospel Best Country Band – Lisa and The Gents Best Adult Contemporary Artist – Gina Carey Best R&B Artist – Eevaan Tre Best Duo – Michael Keeth and Martin Barrera

Best New Band – Drop Mob Best Live Performance Band – The Flusters Best Cover Band – Long Duk Dong Best Youth Band – The Brosquitos Best Female Vocalist – Christina Reyes Best Male Vocalist – Michael Keeth Best Frontwoman – Cakes (Monica Morones) Best Frontman – Nick Flores Best Guitar – Alex Santana Best Bass – Brett McLaughlin Best Drummer – Katie Zapcart Best Keyboard – Andy Cahan Best Instrumental Performance – Chase Huna Best Instrumental Band – Tribesmen

Best Club DJ – DJ Day Best Event DJ – The Deep Ones Best Club Promoter – Tie: Morgan James & Mr. Miami Best Event Promoter – BB Ingle Best Producer – Ronnie King Best Band Photographer – Esther Sanchez Best Live Performance Venue – Pappy & Harriet’s Best Unsigned Album – Tie: The Hive Minds “Really Don’t Mind the Waiting” & Thr3 Strykes “[CMNCTN-BRKDWN]” Best Local Music Event - Joshua Tree Music Festival Producer’s Pick - 5th Town Singer/Songwriter - Rick Shelley

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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PHOTOS BY LAURA HUNT LITTLE & CHRIS MILLER

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CV MUSIC AWARDS HERO: VINCENT BATTAGLIA - RENOVA SOLAR

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hen the Riviera Palm Springs experienced an electrical outage on June 4, the day of our original CV Weekly Music Awards, it seemed all hope might be lost. Thanks, in great part, to generous donors such as Vincent Battaglia (CEO and President at Renova Solar), we were able to reschedule the Awards Show and it went off without a hitch this time. So who is the man under the superhero cape? We sat down with Vincent and asked him twenty questions (more like twenty-eight) to get to know him better.

Vincent was born and raised in Oceanside, New York, but moved to Southern California in high school. As most do, he fell in love with the constant sunshine and never looked back.

After attending undergrad at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Vincent received his MBA here in the desert at UCR Palm Desert. Vincent always had a passion for sustainability and conserving resources. In his own words, “It may sound corny, but I have a deep passion for opensource and free availability of renewable sources of energy generation. The positive impact on mankind and the planet of having limitless sun, wind, waves and more to satisfy all human need until the end of time drives my purpose to deliver solar solutions to my customers every day. No need to have wars over limited resources anymore. No need to live in the dark.”

Ever the visionary, Vincent insists that looking ahead and working to anticipate and lead, rather than getting bogged down in the day-to-day and end up following others’ leads is what keeps Renova on top in such a competitive business. This philosophy has served him well, as he was awarded Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year 2016 and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist. Among

other honors, Renova has been named Best of the Valley for the last three years, recently received the SunPower Customer Excellence Dealer of the Year out of 450 dealers nationwide, and has previously been named their Residential Dealer of the Year as well.

Vincent attributes his strong work ethic to his father, who emigrated from Italy as a result of political and economic strife.

In talking to Vincent, it becomes clear immediately that the success his business has was born out of pure altruism more than anything else. Recalling the most exciting moment of his business career so far, he cites when Renova Solar hit 100 employees and he knew by this point that by starting this business he was positively affecting so many families and his company was going to be a success for that reason. On a more personal level, the most exciting personal moment has been publishing his first book “Cut the Cord,” a book that tells the history of solar and the bright tomorrow with battery storage in our lives. If you’re getting the impression that he eats, sleeps, and breathes solar…well, you’re not wrong. When asked what he would do if he decided not to be in the solar business

July 27 to August 2, 2017

BY TRICIA WITKOWER

anymore, he replied “Influence solar and battery storage policies for the greater good on a state and national level.” Or in other words, still work in solar.

In the rare moments he’s not thinking about solar or running one of Coachella Valley’s most successful companies, Vincent is going to events and supporting many local charities. When asked what his motivation is for giving and being charitable in his community, he shared that he feels very blessed to have achieved a comfortable level of success and enjoys being in a position to share and offer others a step up. He has many charities that are close to his heart and is too fair to pick just one. “There is so much need here that it would be hard to choose, but I love the change that solar is making in lives around the world – lighting up homes and villages, helping to provide clean water, even making sure medication that needs to be refrigerated can be transported to remote villages.” In his down time, he loves to do Bikram Yoga, resistance training and technical reading on energy, and of course he lists Renova Solar as his biggest hobby, proving the old adage, “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life” to be true.

His persistence and determination drive his one-track-mindedness in his field, but there is more to him than that. We did a rapid-fire Q&A to get inside the mind and heart of this CV Music Awards hero: What would people be surprised to know about Vincent?

That I tear up easily when people move me.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

Italy – it’s where my family is from and has a special place in my heart. As it turns out, an ancestor of mine, Alessandro Battaglia, had

CVMAs

the first patent for solar and storage in 1886 in Italy, so I guess it runs in the family!

What qualities do you look for in friends and business associates?

Enthusiasm and a willingness to have each other’s backs.

What are 5 things on your bucket list you have yet to do?

Expand Renova to other states and countries, sky-dive, live off-grid (Mycrogrid) on an island for a year, complete a full triathlon, become a father.

Favorite genre of music?

Tie: Classic Rock and EDM Favorite band?

Cold Play Favorite Album?

Pink Floyd “The Wall” Favorite Movie?

The Godfather II Favorite Actor?

Jack Nicholson Favorite Food?

Italian Favorite Local Restaurant?

Il Corso What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur/business person just starting out?

Surround yourself with the smartest people you can find who will be comfortable enough with themselves to tell you the truth. And hire only the BEST Attorney and Accountant.

What is your favorite motto or mantra?

Character is what you do when no one is looking.

Thank you again, Vincent, for your dedication and generosity to the CV Music Awards. To anyone in the Coachella Valley who doesn’t have solar yet, here’s the link: www.renovasolar.com. What are you waiting for?

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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CV MUSIC AWARDS HERO: TODD “TK” KILLIAM - PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR 93.7 KCLB

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hen tragedy struck at The Coachella Valley Music Awards last month, a hero stood up and immediately began a Generosity campaign to help get the award show back on track, bringing a second chance to the local music scene’s only award show for locals, by locals. Program Director for 93.7 KCLB, Todd Killiam aka TK, went to bat for local music by not only using his position in radio to bring awareness to the campaign fundraiser but by donating the first $1,000. TK’s passion for music and generous spirit successfully hit one out of the park as the campaign resulted in over $3,000 being raised for the awards show just from the Generosity campaign alone, allowing an entire redo for all of the musicians and those involved in the local music scene.

While this achievement was a great one, TK is no stranger to bringing music to the community through radio. In his position at 93.7 KCLB, TK is proud the station “super-serves the community” by allowing local musicians to be showcased alongside what is being played on the radio. Over the last year, 93.7 KCLB has created an exciting platform for local artists to be showcased live on air and even have their music played in rotation.

He boasts with extreme pride “KCLB is a station all about community- it’s all about the people who listen and the music. We bring it together.”

He goes on to explain how working for a radio station that is community minded is so deeply important to him, saying “I believe in providing the desert with great radio. I could care less about my own brand as much as I care about the people listening and the radio station and making the connection between the two. When I was at Indie 103.1 in Los Angeles I called myself ‘nobody cares’ on the air for three months before I said my name. That’s a true story... in the end it’s all about the people who listen, and it’s all about the music.”

With such passion for radio, one wonders what fuels that passion and questions where it all began. TK explains “I have a drive in me with a deep love for radio and music and it’s been with me since I was seven years old. At the time, I listened to WLS in Chicago and I remember thinking it was the most amazing thing ever. I immediately fell in love with radio and had to pursue it with everything I have. I get the drive from my dad. He was a Major League Baseball player and that drive is what got him there.

He loved baseball the way I love radio and he practiced hard. He put everything into baseball, but when it came time for the family he put everything he had into it. He was a great family man and a really great dad.”

With such an influence and example it’s no wonder that as a mere teenager TK found himself already working in radio. “The plan was when I got out of high school I would go to college for broadcasting and all that radio stuff,” he explains, “but at 18 I already had a job in radio and the job was moving faster than my plans to go to school. Things just took off from there. I went from San Diego to Los Angeles and spent many years there. I had a stint in San Francisco where I filled in with a morning show, and back to San Diego and to the Coachella Valley.”

During all of his moves and all of his radio experiences building up local stations and creating community ties, TK was inspired by the incredible people who he was fortunate enough to come across, work with, and learn from. One memorable moment was “watching

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Johnny Ramone’s last interview at Indie. He was powering through it with a barf bag and he was basically green with final stages of cancer, but he was still being Johnny, even in his last moments,” TK recalls. “Hosting the CV Music Awards with Morgan James, I would definitely say that is a career highlight,” he adds. Other memorable experiences included engineering for Rob Zombie’s show where the radio aficionado learned a lot from Zombie. Another show in which TK engineered was for Dave Navarro, however an encounter where he hosted the 25th anniversary of Scar Face with Steven Bauer really excites. “It was legit,” TK beams. “There were a ton of Hollywood celebrities there. We had a great time.”

With so many career highlights, TK names a few more like working at KCLB with Dax Davis, Ronnie Stanton, and the Alpha Media family, plus hosting the morning show and afternoon show at Indie 103.1 Los Angeles and helping with programming and music. “It was radio heaven” he exclaims, “search Indie 103.1 on Wikipedia.”

TK also notes working with Michael Steele and On-Air at 102.7 KIIS-FM Los Angeles as a notable career highlight as well as ‘punk’-ing Daddy Yankee on MTV’s popular show Punk’d. A long list of memorable radio shows have continued to add to TK’s career success, including shows with Rob Zombie, Dave Navarro, Matt Sorum, The Crystal Method, Danny Masterson and Brent Bolthouse, Darryl McDaniels (RUN DMC), Thurston Moore, Joe Escalante, Eddie Vedder, Johnny Ramone, Slash, Duff McKagan, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Killers, TV on the Radio, Glenn Danzig, Butch Vig, Dave Grohl, Courtney Love, Steve Perry, Sat Bisla, Ryan Adams, Keith Morris, Henry Rollins, Jesse Hughes, Kevin Bronson, Mo Herms, Muse, Jose Maldonado, Chester Bennington, Gerard Way, Rob Halford, Anthrax, Lemmy, Ozzy Osbourne, Donovan Leitch, Native Wayne Jobson, Full Metal Jackie, Jack Broady, Billy Idol, Steven Bauer, Brandon Boyd, James Hetfield, John Doe, and many more. With so much success in his radio career, one wonders what else TK has had time for!

Born near Chicago, but relocating to the Southern California city of San Diego as a pup he used to surf. “I used to be a hardcore surfer when I was younger,” he explains, “Until I was surfing Mission Beach and I caught a weird wave that bent my body over and felt like my back was about to break. It was so scary I felt like I might have died, having that happen and the very same night watching Shark Week. I saw where Great Whites would drop off their newborns only a few miles from the beach I’d surf. It was the end for me. From then it was music and radio.”

There was a time when playing music himself was a pastime for TK. “I used to be in a band called Scrotum Pole. It was a punk band and kind of a joke band with other radio station people in San Francisco. We would play out and open for big bands coming through the city. We had songs such as ‘Your Mom,’ ‘Boobs,’ and ‘Deodorant.’ It was ridiculous, but it was fun. I play bass pretty well honestly, drums, and suck at everything else.”

When asked to share a surprising fact about himself TK laughs and said “I drive a Prius. That would be a surprise to people I guess; Mr. hard rock guy driving around in a Prius.” In fact, this ‘hard rock’ guy loves road-trips and traveling in general in his free time. “I’ve been all over America. Last summer I drove to Chicago and it was fun getting there, though not so much getting back,” he adds. “I’m thinking Hawaii next. I haven’t been in years; that’s usually my go to. I like Oahu because you get the country on the East side and night life in Honolulu.” With family in San Diego not too far away, TK admits that he makes the trip there often to visit. “I adore my niece,” he beams, “She is seven and at that age where they’re still kids, you know, innocent little balls of God.” As for his time living in the Coachella Valley the last three and a half years, TK explains “Living West of Washington St., the SCE bills are not my favorite thing,” and laughing he continues, “but seriously, I’ve had a really good time here and love it. The people are friendly and we really do have a great music scene for the size of the area. There’s a lot going on and it’s an exciting place to live.”

This ‘hard rock radio guy’ continues to move and inspire others in the Coachella Valley and pushes to bring the community closer to the music through his position at 93.7 KCLB. Working very hard to better himself and his own

BY MORGAN JAMES

CVMAs

career, he has advice for newbies trying to break into radio; “Don’t show up to an interview and already have a long list of days you need off to go to some festival. In fact, don’t take time off,” he laughs. “You have to SHOW UP, work hard, and be a part of the team.” It takes commitment and passion to impress this radio guy and it is no wonder coming from his successful background.

After Rolling Stone Magazine named his Los Angeles station Indie 103.1 “the coolest radio station in America” twice, it’s easy to see that TK’s work has paid off as he proudly boasts about the station’s accolades as a whole. When it comes to personal awards, however, the team player dismisses any importance, stating “I am proud of what my stations have accomplished and am proud to be a part of it. I haven’t received a lot of awards personally, but with the body of work that I’ve done, I really don’t give two sh*ts. I’m not in this for awards. I do it for the love of radio and making people happy. That’s my reward. I mean ‘Best Radio DJ’? C’mon, that’s embarrassing.”

As for the future of his career and for life in general, TK’s tone straightens, yet he states wistfully “I really believe in being a positive force on this Earth. Radio is my avenue to channel that positivity. The way coffee lovers wake up and slurp up some coffee in the morning and get that caffeine rush, I wake up and get that from radio.

All my goals have been met radio-wise though, and honestly, I could die tomorrow and be alright. I think personally, I would love to meet a beautiful person and start a family because that’s something I haven’t done being so focused on radio. Moving ahead with 93.7 KCLB, I want the station to continue to bond with the community.

I feel like we are already so connected and doing so much. Let’s continue to grow this Coachella Valley music scene. I am all in!”

2-DAY INTENSIVE IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY ACTING WORKSHOP AT CVREP

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he End is in the Beginning” is a 2-day improvisational acting workshop that will expose students to performancebased improvisational pieces that come full circle. The beginning of the piece shows up again, in some form, at the end. Specific structures taught will include “La Ronde” and a Tag Out Performance Piece, as well as short form exercises like the Pattern Game, which will prepare students to create a completely improvised show on the CVRep mainstage theatre on Day 2.

All experience levels are welcome. Adults/ Teens (15 or older) The workshop takes place: July 29 11AM-2:30PM, 3:30PM-6PM July 30 11AM-2:30PM, 3:30-6PM July 30 7PM Student Show with invited audience TUITION: $180 (Includes both days of instruction and Sunday evening performance.)

CONTACT: 760-296-2966 to enroll.

About the instructor: Jeanette Knight has played a gamut of roles at the Beaumont Actors Studio, The California Desert Regional Theatre, The Palm Canyon Theatre, Indio Performing Arts Center, Tony-award winning Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago, and the Idyllwild “

Arts Academy, where she has been teaching acting and improv for the past ten years. She has directed and choreographed numerous productions, including “The Little Dog Laughed,” starring Greg Louganis and Dawnn Lewis and “Trying,” both for the Indian Wells Theatre as well as CV Rep’s Youth Outreach Production of “Push” last September. She was the Education Program Manager for the McCallum Theatre from 1998-2006, becoming a master teaching artist of Aesthetic Education and working closely with the Lincoln Center Institute. She is the director of the “Joshua Tree Improv/Comedy Festival” at the Hi Desert Cultural Center.

THE END IS IN THE BEGINNING

WITH JEANETTE KNIGHT

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

CV MUSIC AWARDS HERO: JULIE MONTANTE - OWNER OF PSA ORGANICA

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.S.A Organica, a popular medicinal marijuana dispensary in Palm Springs, calls itself ‘A Collective That Cares,’ and the truth in this statement is apparent. The lobby of the shop is welcoming, with seating and water for anyone who needs a break from the heat, and the products sold there are helping many valley residents, according to owner Julie Montante “The cannabis business, we do a lot of research and development for diseases such as AIDS, cancer, Parkinson’s,” Montante explains.

“We carry in our store usually 60-65 strains of indicas, sativas and hybrids… for any need that anyone has, we have… the perfect meds.”

The products they carry usually carry between 20 and 38% THC “I usually don’t want too low on the THC, otherwise it’s not effective to the body,” she says. The shop carries a wide assortment of products including all kinds of edibles and concentrates “We even have ice cream,” Montante explains. “Basically, people that have radiation, once they get burned the ice cream goes down, coats their throat, soothes their stomach, and then they’re able to want to eat versus in the old days when people received [chemotherapy] they would always eat a big dinner... and then throw it up.” According to Montante, many edibles can be used to increase appetite in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Born and raised in Santa Monica, Montante attended Notre Dame and Venice High. She lived in the Los Angeles area for 32 years before moving here and staying for another 32 years. “L.A. was getting a bit congested and over powering… I was a landscaper at the time and basically there was not enough work over there and the desert was getting built up. It was

easier to do work here.” Montante wasn’t able to attend college, as she lost her father when she was 18 and she began working to support herself. She began her career in landscaping and has even won awards in landscape design. Her mother got cancer at 45 and that drew her to the medical cannabis industry, to treat illnesses like cancer. The transition was natural for her.

“Green plants and green plants,” she says.

“I always had a fascination with plants… my girlfriend was a grower and she needed a place to sell her product. I opened a dispensary in Thousand Palms about 8 years ago.” In addition to her awards for landscaping design, she has received honors such as being placed on covers of magazines and billboards, being named one of the Top 12 Most Influential Women in the desert by CV Weekly in 2016 and she now sits on the Village Fest board for Palm Springs.

Montante attributes her success to her giving nature saying “learning to give, helping those that are sick and … believing that God helped [me] help them” are all important factors. She

sees her product help her customers all the time saying, “We get a lot of patients off of opiates, get them off of hardcore drugs and medical marijuana sooths their needs… their addiction.

Cannabis treats anywhere from Parkinson’s to HIV to cancer… any kind of nerve deficits in the body. It’s an all-around natural drug and it helps anyone that knows how to use it properly.”

Montante says that her favorite part of the job is when she is thanked by her customers.

“People shake my hand and tell me thank you for helping them, that they’re in remission.

We get tons of letters… seeing and helping people get better is my fuller life,” she says.

Montante sympathizes a lot with her customers because her mother was in the same position before marijuana was used medically. Her ability to help her customers is something that she appreciates not only professionally, but personally as well, and finds her ability to contribute to the community deeply satisfying.

In addition to helping people with her business, Montante works with the homeless in Palm Springs through Well of the Desert, which offers food, clothing and toiletries to people in need. P.S.A. Organica offers patients $5 off their purchase if they donate 5 cans of food. She also works with Desert Aids Project as well and says she wants to help anyone who needs it. She values all of the local charities and tries to give to as many as possible. Montante thinks her charitable tendencies are “somewhat genetic,” saying, “My family has always been givers and I think that was just kind of handed down.

My religion and my faith in God tell us to help those that are in need and I have always been successful doing what I do because of that.”

Montante’s brother Lenny works alongside of

A STAGE REVIEW OF THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE (OR THE SLAVE OF DUTY)

BY DEE JAE COX

believes he has completed his apprenticeship with a band of softhearted Pirates and plans to now become a law abiding citizen.

Merritt takes on this role with awe-inspiring enthusiasm. Frederic’s childhood nanny, Ruth, performed beautifully by Stephanie Jauregui, is an older woman, who has accompanied him during the years of his indentured service with the Pirates and has now declared her love for young Frederic as he makes his break from the band of pirates.

Ruth is the only woman that he has ever known, but upon seeing a group of younger women, all daughters of the General, (Hal O’Connell,) Frederic rejects her after realizing that she isn’t young and beautiful.

He quickly falls in love with the General’s

CVMAs

her at the dispensary as Manager and Buyer.

Montante hopes to open another dispensary in Palm Desert when the city starts awarding licenses. The dispensary only offers medical marijuana for now, but will begin offering it for recreational use in 2018.

Something that people might be surprised about as they get to know Montante is that her appearance can be misleading. “I don’t always look like what is underneath,” she says.

“I’m funny, I laugh a lot, I’m goofy, I enjoy life. I guess… looking at me they think I’m something else than what I really am.” Montante has a wide range of interests, including sports and all kinds of music, and spends her vacations in Hawaii admiring the natural beauty. When she lived in L.A. she worked in set design for many films, including Beetlejuice, which she cites as her favorite movie. She is also an animal lover. If she wasn’t working with medical marijuana, her dream would be to own a zoo. She fulfilled her passion for working with and helping animals by adopting pets that had been injured or abused, some of which needed surgery or physical therapy. “I adopt ones that people have thrown away,” she says.

Montante’s advice to beginning entrepreneurs is to “be passionate about what you like and love what you do, be happy that you’re doing it. Make sure you understand marketing. Make sure you learn your skills well.”

Her personal mantra, that hangs on the wall of her shop is, “life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.”

For more info contact PSA Organica at 760778-1053 located at 400 East Sunny Dunes in Palm Springs, CA 92264.

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

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n 1879 An Ohioan by the name of Rutherford B. Hayes was the sitting U.S. President. California, having been granted statehood in 1850, finally ratified its constitution. President Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue before the Supreme Court. Thomas Edison introduced incandescent lighting to the public for the first time and Arthur Sullivan (Music) and W.S. Gilbert (libretto) closed out the year with the premier of their comic opera, Pirates of Penzance, at the Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City, on December 31,1879. It was immediately a success. A multitude of productions have followed the 1879 premier; including a four time Tony-winning production in 1981.

The Pirates of Penzance (Or the Slave of Duty,) is a monumental undertaking with a cast of 55, twenty-eight musical numbers, dancing and an orchestra. It would intimidate even the most seasoned professionals, but the Green Room Theatre Company, rolled up its sleeves and presented a resounding production of this musical on July 19th and 20th at the Indian Wells Theatre, on the USCSB Campus in Palm Desert.

Pirates of Penzence is the story of Frederic, (Jacqueline Merritt,) who at the age of 21,

BY AVERY WOOD

youngest daughter, Mabel, (Kaiya Treash,) whose operatic voice is captivating and most certainly a highlight of the show. Frederic’s former shipmates, led by the Pirate King, wonderfully performed by Julian Perez, makes a surprise reappearance and insists upon taking the General’s daughters and marrying them. The General protests and the young girls all object, but in the end the Pirates take possession of their brides.

Directors, David Catanzarite and Allison Feist deserve accolades for their creative oversight and coordination of this talented group of young performers. Izurieta’s choreography was magical and I really enjoyed Mark Austin’s musical direction.

Yet in all truth, I have no idea how this

script can be seen as a viable vehicle in contemporary theatre. Its farcical attempts seem outdated and sluggish.

I am not a fan of humor or comedy that presents women as chattel to be appraised and valued by their age and appearance or given away in marriage despite protests.

Perhaps the satirical intent was lost in the slow movement of the show, or maybe just like Disneyland’s recent decision to remove their ‘wife auction’ from their Pirates of the Caribbean ride, it’s just not funny in 2017.

The Green Room Theatre Company is a 501c3 nonprofit and was founded by Managing Director Karen Lin and Artistic Director David Catanzarite. They have produced a multitude of wonderful projects in the nine years since their inception. They work with student and adult performers ages 8-24 on their mission to bring musical theatre, touring productions, staged readings, “sitespecific” performances, and arts education to residents and visitors in the Coachella Valley.

Green Room Theatre Website: greenroomtheatrecompany.org Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. www.californiawoman411.com and www.lawomenstheatreproject.org.

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

JOHN HENRY FURBEE 1930 – 2017 PHILANTHROPIST AND COMMUNITY LEADER

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here is a verse in the Psalms, “I lift up mine eyes unto the mountains, from whence cometh my strength.” That was a favorite quote of John Furbee who died July 12 at the age of 87. It is fitting because, as a young pharmacist, Furbee worked at a drug store on south Palm Canyon where he often found himself starring out the large windows at mighty San Jacinto.

Before coming to Palm Springs, Furbee left West Virginia, driving west in a red Pontiac convertible. It was the late 1960s. He finished college, and served time in the military.

Furbee left his hometown to get out of the snow and cold, and to forge his path in life. He had chosen the same profession as his father and brother, and wanted to find his own community.

After first living in Los Angeles, Furbee made his way to the desert. Where he enjoyed not only the weather, but also found the people kind and friendly. He soon had a keen interest in real estate and community development.

Furbee partnered with Palm Spring developer James Brown, and the two developed buildings that still stand in Palm Springs.

When Brown took Furbee to Desert Hot Springs, a small growing community north of the freeway, Furbee was stunned by the fantastic valley and mountain views.

The Psalms’ verse certainly must have come to mind.

During his first visit to DHS, Furbee bought a Mid-Century modern hotel, in which he lived and ran. He enjoyed the spectacular vistas, the birds, the quiet, the wildlife and the hiking.

In short time, Furbee became a shrewd and discerning local businessman. He walked into the only Desert Hot Springs drug store, took a look around, and decided to buy it.

Furbee’s decision was made not because of the spreadsheet or inventory, but by the wearand-tear he noticed on the floor in front of the cash register. He bought the whole building, which included attached apartments.

That was in 1969 and the beginning of Furbee’s business acumen, real estate empire and commitment to building homes and raising the quality of life in Desert Hot Springs.

“My dad loved the community right away,”

said Steven Schick, Furbee’s son and Vice President of Furbee Enterprises. “He liked the small town feel and saw the potential for family run businesses and beautiful hillside homes.”

Schick is the love child of Furbee and Margaret House.

Observant, intuitive and inventive, Furbee saw business opportunities everywhere. He invented, patented and manufactured the padded toilet seat!

Running his pharmacy was more fun than a job for Furbee.

“He loved to find interesting gift items that he knew his customers would buy,” said Schick.

“While other druggist wouldn’t make house calls, my dad did. He was the only pharmacy to deliver. The nursing homes really appreciated that service.”

Furbee sold the pharmacy in 1977. But, he continued buying real estate in DHS. He purchased tracts of land, empty lots, and choice hillside acreage.

“There was a time when everyone said he was crazy because he bought every parcel of land that was available,” said Schick. “He took risks.

He wasn’t afraid of anything. He had a vision for the community that he believed in.”

Partnering with another developer, Furbee formed Sun Springs Homes, building and selling over 400 of the popular houses.

Some of the land in Furbee’s portfolio was donated to Desert Hot Springs for the Community Health and Wellness Center, which included an aquatic center, Boys & Girls Club and Borrego Health. Furbee had a purpose and vision for the land and he worked diligently for over a decade to see it come to fruition.

“My dad was always an advocate for kids and animals. He served on a lot of boards in the Coachella Valley,” said Schick. “He did it because he saw that the city of Desert Hot Springs was not being represented. He fought hard for the community when no one else would. He gave his time and used his clout to build a better life for the people in the city. He didn’t do it to get his name on buildings. The naming, ‘John Furbee Aquatic Center,’ was not his choice. He was just happy that the project was completed.”

Serving on committees outside of DHS,

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

Furbee found that many of the members had never even been to the hillside city.

Furbee was an active community member in DHS from the very start. He never ran for office, but was a respected leader. He served on the Mission Springs Water Board and its Foundation; Angel View; and the Boys & Girls Club, to name only a few.

When local city politics became heated or tense, sometimes the only way to get people around a table for a discussion was to guarantee Furbee would be present.

“He accepted everyone for who they were and was very good at working with people,” said local Rotarian Ivan Sewell, DHS resident, and co-owner of The Top Shop – a design and print studio.

Sewell’s grandfather, long-time DHS resident, Jack Webb, now 92, was a close friend of Furbee’s.

“As long as I can remember, John was around and wanted to make people happy,” said Sewell.

“He was always up for making someone laugh.

I never saw him angry or frustrated. Between John and my grandpa Jack, I learned quit a bit.

I’m very fortunate.”

Furbee was a long time member of the local Rotary and a welcome presence with his cherubic grin and six-foot plus stature. He was smart, intuitive and inclusive.

“He brought a level of professionalism and expectation to the community,” said Sewell.

IN MEMORY OF

“He was an understanding man and good at facilitating so that everyone involved got at least a little of what they wanted. He was often behind the scenes making things work. If a Rotary project came up short, he would step up.

I don’t think anyone really knows the true extent of his generosity.”

Sewell wants people to remember Furbee’s kind heartedness and that he was a man of the people who stayed level headed and focused on what was best for the city.

“He had means. He could have lived anywhere in the world, or up on the hill in a big expensive house, but he stayed in the same home in the middle of town,” said Sewell. “I think he probably got as much out of DHS as the city got out of him. He was a man of integrity.”

Sewell hopes that the town can keep moving forward in the spirit of Furbee’s good works and vision. “At Rotary we want to live up to John’s expectation,” said Sewell. “He was a good influence on all of us.”

DHS Rotary President, Jackie Chatman, said she was honored to know Furbee. “John helped countless people,” said Chatman. “He was a shining example of the Rotary Club’s motto ‘Service above self.’ John left us with a lot of history and a strong foundation. We want to continue with that legacy and continue to do good work here in Desert Hot Springs.”

The Rotary intends to establish an education scholarship in Furbee’s name.

A humble and easygoing man, Furbee preferred to tell a joke or use a pun rather than toot his own horn. When he bought his home and the land around it, he made a family compound where he tended an orchard, raised many beloved dogs over the years, and fed the wild birds -- buying 10 pounds of seed each week.

Furbee was a loyal friend and family man. He was an excellent chess player, loved popcorn and coffee. His only extravagance was custom made shirts, which was necessary because he had long arms.

Those extended arms reached a lot further than he ever knew.

“We had breakfast together everyday. We’d read the paper and talked about life,” said Schick.

“He was the best dad ever and the greatest man I’ve ever known.”

IDYLLWILD ARTS FOUNDATION HOSTS ITS 24TH ANNUAL JAZZ IN THE PINES FESTIVAL AUGUST 11, 12 & 13, 2017

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he 24th Annual Idyllwild Arts ‘JAZZ IN THE PINES’ outdoor music festival will be held on the grounds of the Idyllwild Arts Academy in the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs. The Festival starts on the evening of Friday, August 11, 2017, with a VIP Patrons Dinner and continues throughout the weekend on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13, 2017. This year’s event will offer something for every Jazz, Blues, and R & B lover, featuring continuous music on three stages performed brilliantly by more than two dozen performers, including longtime favorites, as well as new faces.

Marshall Hawkins, a legendary stand-up bass jazz musician, founded the Idyllwild Arts Academy Jazz Program. Marshall, along with Lin Carson and Barbara Wood, then went on to found the nationally-acclaimed ‘JAZZ IN THE PINES’ festival 24 years ago.

To kick off this special jazz weekend, there will be a special Patrons Dinner and Dance in the

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French Quarter on the Idyllwild campus beginning at 6:00 p.m. Themed “A Tropical Evening in the Pines,” this patron package includes the Patron Dinner, two-day Festival passes, VIP parking, reserved Festival seating, and Seahawk Mojo Reception & Concert with preferred seating.

“JAZZ IN THE PINES” is part of the extraordinary tradition of artistic excellence that occurs on the 205 acres of our campus,” stated President of Idyllwild Arts Foundation and Head of School, Pamela Jordan. “In this tradition, Lin Carson, Barbara Wood, and Marshall Hawkins founded the Jazz Festival in 1994 for three reasons – One, to preserve and promote this important musical genre, Two, to provide educational programming and access to the great musicians of our day, and Three, to provide scholarship support to talented and deserving students who otherwise could not attend the Academy or Summer Program,” Jordan continued.

Media Sponsors for this year’s JAZZ IN THE

PINES include THE DESERT SUN, PALM SPRINGS LIFE MAGAZINE, IDYLLWILD LIVING MAGAZINE, and PERFORMINGARTSLIVE.COM ABOUT IDYLLWILD ARTS FOUNDATION In 1946, Idyllwild Arts Foundation carved out its niche in the world and began fulfilling its mission, “Changing Lives Through the Transformative Power of Art.” Over 70 years later, Idyllwild Arts has become home to generations of global artists who have been inspired to make a difference in the world.

In addition to its nationally-acclaimed “JAZZ IN THE PINES,” Idyllwild Arts offers two dynamic programs consisting of THE IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY and THE IDYLLWILD ARTS SUMMER PROGRAM. THE IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY is recognized as one of the country’s premier and internationally-acclaimed residential arts high school, providing pre-professional training in the arts and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum to a diverse student body of gifted

young artists. Idyllwild Arts Academy’s 300 students come from more than 30 countries, pursuing artistic excellence in Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Film & Digital Media, and InterArts/Fashion Design.

THE IDYLLWILD ARTS SUMMER PROGRAM provides high caliber arts instruction and memorable arts immersion workshops to a diverse student population of all ages and abilities. Nearly 2,000 children, youth, adults and families participate in this diverse summer program. The Summer Program provides intensive practical instruction in all the visual arts and performing arts including sculpture, painting, photography, ceramics, jewelry, Native American arts, film & digital media, fashion design, dance, music, theatre and creative writing.

For more information please call Idyllwild Arts at 951-468-7210.

Or visit www.idyllwildjazz.com.

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY AVERY WOOD

THE RETURN OF HOLLACE

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ocal band Hollace played their first show in the Coachella Valley after a long hiatus at the CV Music Awards on Sunday. The band, which comprises singer Alex Antonio; Frank Michel on the lead guitar; James Hollis Eaton on the rhythm guitar; Shawn “Stretch” Fisher on the bass; and Josh Ballard on the drums, was nominated for best rock band. “The reason the band has been on hiatus is because I was diagnosed with brain cancer last October, shared Alex. “It’s been a battle ever since. Mostly good days, but there have been some bad days, but I’m just taking it day by day and that’s all I can do.”

Though it wasn’t a full length performance, the band performed their song “California Sons” with the same charisma and chemistry that sets them apart. They then segued into “Black Hole Sun” as a tribute to Chris Cornell.

Hollace also performed on June 30 at Craft Hill in South Pasadena.

CV Weekly: How has the break affected the band?

Hollace: “We didn’t know what to expect with Alex’s situation. We were just hoping the best for Alex and not really sure what it was going to mean for the band. We weren’t sure he would even want to do it anymore after this experience, and were aware that we might not have this band anymore. We would’ve totally understood if that was the case, but he’s been recovering faster than expected and still wanted to keep singing.

The band is stronger now.”

CV Weekly: What do you think most contributed to Hollace’s quick and continued success?

What are you most proud of?

Hollace: “The fact that we mesh so well when songwriting makes finishing songs pretty easy and has contributed to quick success. We don’t work very hard to finish songs or to come up with new ones. It just kind of happens. We are most proud of the fact that apart from writing our own songs, we have recorded, produced, mixed and mastered our EP and upcoming album ourselves.”

CV Weekly: Tell me about the show you played recently in Pasadena. How did it go and how was it playing together again?

Hollace: “The Pasadena show was good

to get ourselves back in the mix playing live.

The owner of Craft Hill where we played liked our music and said he would be in contact for future shows so we were excited about that.”

CV Weekly: How does it feel to be nominated for Best Rock Band in the CV Music awards? Are you looking forward to playing there?

Hollace: “It feels great to be nominated for Best Rock Band. We got to play last year for the awards and took home Best New Band.

That was a great experience for us and we’re definitely looking forward to performing again for the CV Music awards.”

CV Weekly: What are your goals for Hollace?

Hollace: “Goals for the band are to get back into performing shape as we were before and really go for it. We had quite of few shows booked in and out of the Coachella Valley when Alex went down and we’re looking forward to filling up our calendar once again.”

CV Weekly: What inspires your music/ lyrics? What is the songwriting process like?

Hollace: “We all have different backgrounds and inspirations and we all enjoy the music that comes from that. Alex writes the majority of the lyrics as our singer.

As far as the process, there’s been a few songs that have come from Frank and Alex having jam sessions such as with ‘Blue Flowers’ and other times just the whole band jamming and ideas coming out in the moment such as with ‘Peace Loves a New Day.’” CV Weekly: What’s next for Hollace? Are you working on new music, planning on playing more shows, releasing an album?

Hollace: “As we start playing again and Alex continues to gain strength in performing live, we look forward to releasing our full 10 song album later this year and maybe setting up a tour along with that.”

Last year, Hollace won Best New Band at the CV Music Awards and first place at Fortune Finder Music Group’s annual “Summer Showdown: Battle of the Bands” in 2015 and their fans are looking forward to their return.

Hollace’s next performance will be at Katie Jakes Bar and Grill in Covina, CA. Their music and calendar of future performances can be viewed at reverbnation.com/hollace.

BACKSTAGE JAZZ

July 27 to August 2, 2017

BY PATTE PURCELL

ALEX SANTANA WINS CV MUSIC AWARD FOR BEST GUITAR & BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTALIST

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hat newcomer to the scene managed to garner 3 nominations in 3 different categories in the Coachella Valley Music Awards? That would be Alex Santana. He was nominated and won the award for ‘Best Jazz Instrumental” as well as ‘Best Guitar’ with his oh-so-cool style of guitar and vocals.

PHOTO BY CHRIS MILLER / IMAGINE IMAGERY

Additionally, his band Irie Junctions was nominated for Best Reggae and will be performing at the Desert Oasis Music Festival in October, produced by Empire Music Venture. He’s ecstatic about having one of his favorite bands, Los Lobos, on the bill.

How did this handsome young man rise to this level of stardom so quickly in the desert? Well, looks can be deceiving. Alex has a background with bands going back to 2008 when he formed his own 10-piece Latin band.

After dealing with all the issues of that he decided to go solo. He has quickly risen in stature. He’s a regular at Wang’s (one of our favorites) every Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5pm-8pm, you’ll find him there along with a great bar menu and the meanest mai tai in town.

His versatility in music shows itself in the reggae band Irie Junctions. They’ve opened for big names including Pato Banton and Black Uhuru, in his former group, Tribe O, they opened for Steel Pulse and Big Mountain.

He’s hosted a number of the Palm Canyon Roadhouse Sunday night jams and is playing a new venue in the Viva Cigar Lounge at the River, Saturdays from 9 to midnight on Aug. 5, 12, 19, and into September.

He’s finishing up his new CD, which will be out this fall. It’s a mix of retro, R&B, and Motown. He’s also featured in a TV commercial for Wang’s. The owner likes Alex and wants to help boost his career. This well dressed, polite, handsome and talented young man has a big future ahead of him.

We look forward to watching his progress.

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

CONSIDER THIS

CAIT BRENNAN

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BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

“THIRD” (OMNIVORE RECORDINGS)

ast year, it seemed like singersongwriter Cait Brennan came out of nowhere. With a five-octave vocal range and a kaleidoscopic sense of songcraft that incorporated hints of Glam-Rock, Psychedelia, vaudeville and Power-Pop, her inaugural album, appropriately entitled Debutante, landed on several “best of 2016” lists, including the prestigious Village Voice Pazz & Jop critical survey. In reality, her debut has been years in the making.

Wendilyn Marielle Caitlin Brennan was born Michael Sortino in 1969. Her parents were traveling musicians, so she was raised primarily by her great-grandmother, Mae, a seamstress for Thoroughbred Horse Racing.

Growing up in a trailer on the outskirts of Phoenix, Cait’s musical talent revealed itself during childhood. By the tender age of five she began writing her own songs, singing them into a tape recorder. Three years later she was learning guitar.

By her teen years she knew she wanted to be a performer but by this point, she had just come out and began her transgender journey. While her great-grandmother and parents were supportive, audiences were less so. Cait put her musical ambitions on the backburner and earned her keep as a writer.

In the ensuing years she worked as a journalist, teacher, blogger and screenwriter, but her passion for music never waned.

Her influences were eclectic; David Bowie, Big Star, Nilsson, Etta James, Husker Du, Joni Mitchell, Sparks, Iris Dement, the Undertones, Judee Sill, Roy Orbison and Depeche Mode. She was also inspired by the dreamy harmonies of the Mills Brothers and even the Osmonds’ slightly Beatlesque Latter-Day-Saint concept album, “The Plan.”

A few years ago, Cait re-focused on making a music career happen. Her profile was raised exponentially when she participated in Laura Jane Grace’s “True Trans” podcast series.

Around the same time, she connected with Fernando Perdomo.

Something of a wunderkind, Fernando emerged from the same fertile lorida music environment as life-long pal Chris Price. The

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

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friends shared production chores on Linda Perhacs’ long-awaited comeback album, The Soul Of All Things. A multi-instrumentalist, Fernando has worked with everyone from Fiona Apple and Jacob Dylan to idiosyncratic icons like Todd Rundgren and Emitt Rhodes.

After crowd-funding via Kickstarter, Cait and Fernando hit the studio with a surfeit of material. They resurfaced five days later with a 12 song set aptly entitled Debutante.

Critical acclaim was instantaneous and unanimous. Barely allowing herself to enjoy some well-earned approbation, she was back in the studio crafting a follow-up, Introducing The Breakdown According To Cait Brennan, (which is scheduled to be released in 2018).

In the midst of this frenzied activity, Cait and Fernando attended a Grammy Museum event honoring the 50 year anniversary of Ardent Recording Studio. There, the pair met Jody Stephens, drummer (and only surviving member) of Big Star, as well as President of the studio. Jody invited them to record an album there.

Of course, the duo jumped at the chance, sequestering themselves at the infamous space that recorded everyone from B.B. King, Big Star and Isaac Hayes to Raconteurs, Replacements and R.E.M. Like kids in a musical candy store, they employed many of the instruments and amplifiers that created Big Star’s timeless records. This included Alex Chilton’s Hi-Watt Amps, and mellotron, plus Chris Bell’s cherry red Gibson guitar. They recorded 13 songs in an astonishing three days. Apropos of location and inspiration, they named the album “Third,” after Big Star’s dark masterpiece.

The record gets off to a rollicking start with the one-two punch of “Bad At Apologies” and “Stack Overflow.” The opening cut crashes out of the speakers with pummeling percussion, shards of splayed power chords and shuddery organ notes. The lyrics offer a defiant mea culpa; “Yeah I’m the asshole who stole your boyfriend,” and concludes “I’m sorry, I guess, that I’m bad at apologies.” Um, no shit.

On “Stack...” thundering drums ricochet through the mix as guitars buzz, fuzz, snap, crackle and crunch. The vivid narrative is dense, somewhere between Dante and Dylan, begging for absolution one second and demanding unconditional love the next for “one little girl in a world starving for love.”

This album is a smorgasbord of sound and style, painstaking and perfect, but never precious. The Glitter-tastic “Benedict Cumberbatch” shares some musical DNA with the Bowie/Mott The Hoople classic, “All The Young Dudes” and the Oasis epic, “Wonderwall.” Initially, serpentine guitars slither around pulsating keys and a rock steady beat before speeding up at the chorus.

Here our heroine cheekily informs an ex that he is he is undeserving of her love and her sharp songwriting skills, so she’s dedicating her song to versatile British actor, Benedict

Cumberbatch. What a chop!

“He Knows Too Much” weds handclap rhythms to Doo-Wop harmonies and sandblasted guitar riffs. Playful lyrics threaten homicide if the object of her affection ever acknowledges her attraction; “Well, he knows too much I think I’ll have to kill him…

What if he tells the papers, what if he tells my mother?/He won’t be very talkative from 14 feet below the ground.” Following a rippling guitar solo, in true vaudevillian fashion, Cait offers hysterically deadpan “legal disclaimer,” wherein she promises she might just “lose her shit.”

It’s clear Cait came of age in the early ‘80s.

“A Hard Man To Love,” wouldn’t seem out of place sandwiched between songs by Tears For Fears and Duran Duran. Here, layered vocals blend with swirly synths and pliant keys. A pummeling beat adds ballast, and her staccato delivery recalls Michael Jackson in his “Smooth Criminal” era.

Meanwhile, “Catiebots Don’t Cry” is a ‘70s Soul pastiche that features wah-wah guitars, phased percussion and buttery falsetto vocals. In real “Me And Mrs. Jones” fashion, she breaks off an illicit relationship insisting “we’ll just smile real kindly and go our own way.”

In an album stuffed to the gills with wily songcraft, inventive arrangements and crisp instrumentation, two back-to-back tracks stand out. The impossibly catchy “Shake Away” recalls the Bo Diddley bluster of George Michael’s “Faith” and the shabby chic of Billy Joel’s “Keeping The Faith.”

Prickly piano, slippery organ notes and

chicken scratch guitar dance around lyrics that offer an antidote to a morbid sense of mortality; “We can dance till we shake away the darkness, we can sing till We shake away the night, you can cry till we shake away the lonely, we can scream till the morning light…/ We can love with a love nobody loved ‘til we know we’re going to be alright.”

On “The Angel’s Lie” a rumbling backbeat connects with rubbery bass lines and searing power chords. As lyrics conjure a Rock N’ Roll afterlife featuring Prince, David Bowie and Merle Haggard, the jittery rhythm only accelerates, popping and locking on the bridge, as Cait, in a moment of meta perfection instructs “insert the bridge here, I think the bridge goes here.”

The action slows for three tracks, the breezy “Collapse,” the reverb-drenched Torch n’ Twang of “At The End Of The World” and the slow-cooked Soul of “L.A./ Amsterdam.” The last tune features Cait’s most impassioned vocals over a see-saw tempo that gathers speed, ratcheting up the tension before downshifting for a quiescent denouement.

The album closes with “Goodbye Missamerica.” This piano-driven requiem seems to question this country’s need to save the world while it neglects its own citizens; a contemplative end to a wild ride.

Once again, Cait and Fernando play the lion’s share of instruments on the record, acoustic and electric guitars, E-bow, piano, synths, percussion, bass, plus rhythm guitars, more percussion, Mellotron, Hammond B3 and Moog. Also adding even more guitar is Robert Mache from the Continental Drifters and legendary Memphis musician, Van Duren.

In a better world, Cait Brennan would be perched at the top of the charts with…well, whoever the fuck is at the top of the charts today, (apparently, DJ Khaled and Calvin Harris). Third delivers on the promise of Debutante. Luckily, she has another album in the can. 2018 can’t get here quick enough.

ART SCENE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

July 27 to August 2, 2017

BY REBECCA PIKUS

CAMMY DAVIS

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ammy Davis is a mixed-media artist whose paintings are being featured in Rebecca Fine Art Gallery's new exhibit, "Summer Group Show" (runs through Sept. 30, 2017). Her work has been featured at fine art galleries throughout the Northwest, and has been published in books—Ashland, Oregon and Ashland, Oregon Day Trips—and periodicals— EATT Magazine, Luxe Beat Magazine and Southern Oregon Magazine. She is also an active member of the arts community of Southern Oregon and is a founding member of the Arts Alliance of Southern Oregon.

Her work is influenced by her roots in the outdoors -- growing up in an Airstream near a river surrounded by woods. As a child, Davis spent her time making sword fern teepees, and treehouses from material of the land. The lifestyle was simple and creative: if she wanted something, she found a way to make it.

This translated to her art in later years, both in her contrasting use of natural and industrial materials, and her characteristic independence. She constructs her work from scratch. Davis combines the hands of an artist who builds her own panels, and creates her own textures, with the mind of one who conducts her own research, attempts her own experiments, and takes her own risks. To this artist, the creative process is based on a willingness to experiment and always be learning.

Davis studied Fine Art at the University of Idaho for two years, raised a family and then went back to complete her degree in Interior Design at Bellevue College in Washington. In addition to her work as a painter, and director of numerous local art festivals, she has produced art tutorial and music-art videos for her YouTube channel.

“Summer Group Show” also features sculptures, paintings, drawings, and photographic art of these fine artists: Christopher Georgesco, Robert Reeves, Mario Pikus, Mauro Rosso, Steve Connolly,

Mark Heger, Joe Novak, John Henebry, Donald Spencer, Zoe Ann Fischer, Guillermo Valentin, Craig Zeigler, John Neumann, & Nathan Slate Joseph.

CAMMY DAVIS: “Summer Group Show” (July through Sept. 30, 2017). Open Bar, Music, Great Art! REBECCA FINE ART GALLERY, 68895 Perez Rd, #7, Cathedral City, Ca (760) 534-5888 Rebeccafineart.net - Gallery open Weds. - Sundays 11AM-4PM o

11

July 27 to August 2, 2017

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

THE CLIMBER CLIMBS INTO THEIR HEARTS

T

he small white Terrier at the animal shelter was nicknamed “The Climber”. Dogs in public shelters usually don’t have names, but this fellow at the county shelter in Thousand Palms caught everyone’s attention when he climbed out of his kennel and scampered wildly through the public area. In the cartoons, we root for the dogs who escape from the shelter.

However, there was no cause for celebrating when it was decided he might be euthanized due to this behavior. The facility simply could not contain the dog any longer.

I spotted the same terrier several days earlier at the shelter, and paused to take a photo for Facebook in the hopes of attracting an adopter. I heard about this amazing ambidextrous pup’s ability to climb out of the shelter’s tall fencing. When the rescue staff telephoned me with the urgent message, “We have to get the white terrier out immediately, can Loving All Animals take him?” we didn’t hesitate.

Karen Phelan offered to foster a dog, and she responded affirmatively told about the dog’s plight. It was critical that the dog we named Duffy be placed in a home with a secure walled in yard from which he could not escape.

DEVON & DIXIE Double your fun and adopt Devon & Dixie together! These little bonded pups are 4-yrold mama and 2-yr-old daughter. Rescued by Loving All Animals, www.lovingallanimals.org (760) 834-7000.

MEET CRAIG Sporting a mischievous mustache, 1-yr-old Craig is quite the character. This fellow is full of love and affection for both humans and other felines. Rescued

by Loving All Animals, www.lovingallanimals.org (760) 834-7000.

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Duffy and I arrived at Karen’s lovely home, and the walled in front and back yards were a “fortress” ensuring this little escape artist would be safe. Karen recalls, “The day he arrived, Duffy was afraid and defensive, he didn’t know what was going on. After a few days, his personality began to emerge. He was a hidden treasure, and all he needed was a second chance.”

Karen fostered dogs before. Her own dog KJ is a rescue pup from the Lancaster shelter near Los Angeles. Karen noted that the new foster dog was terrified when she turned on the television, leading us to believe he’d been kept as a ‘backyard only’ dog. She was determined Duffy would have a new life that included being part of a home with his humans.

Karen Phelan is a great advocate fostering. She explains, “Fostering a dog is the most gratifying experience I’ve had with regard to volunteering. I love animals. My volunteer efforts are focused on helping animals and getting them ready for forever homes. It’s gratifying to see them arrive despondent from the shelter and transform to a state of joyfulness by the time they get adopted.”

Dogs often help orchestrate their way

to their wonderful adoptive homes, and the events that transpired next were not surprising. Duffy dutifully attended adoption events, but he saved his joyfulness and happy kisses when he returned home to Karen and her roommate, Christine Mason.

Christine had previously adopted one of Karen’s foster dogs; a starving pup found on the beach in Mexico she named Mya. Christine describes what happened next, “Karen left town, and I ended up falling in love with another dog! What was amazing was how my dog Mya and Mario (Duffy’s new name) fell in love too.”

Mya doesn’t like other pups to share her bowls or toys, but she happily shares them with Mario. Mario’s companionship

cured Mya of the separation anxiety she used to experience when Christine left the house. Mya and Mario are inseparable, enjoying games by day and sleeping curled up together at night. Christine’s decision to adopt the terrier was an easy one. Christine jokes, “Karen is very good at getting the dogs, and I end up adopting them!”

This story has a “fairy tail” ending for a fabulous pup who climbed his way into his human’s heart. Here we see Duffy riding with Christine in a limousine (he is the dog on the left with his happy ears up). This former escape artist never tries to run away from his wonderful new home.

Head over to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus to meet their wonderful animals.

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

Adoptable animals can be viewed online at www.rcdas.org. Not ready to adopt?

Contact Loving All Animals in Palm Desert at (760) 834-7000 and become a life-saving “Super Hero” foster parent to a shelter dog.

With so many snow birds out of town, there is a serious shortage of pet fosters. Maybe one of your friends will adopt!

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE VINO VOICE

BY RICK RIOZZA

“OF ALL THE GIN JOINTS IN ALL THE TOWNS.. ”

I

’ve always been a big gin fan. So, therefore, while we’re at it—a big Martini lover. I’ve never appreciated a vodka Martini. If there’s any vodka involved, it better have been infused with juniper berries and whatever other variety of botanicals my favorite gins have historically included.

And I know back in the day, our hero, James Bond who did everything cool and suave, did gaffe when he simply ordered a shaken vodka Martini. What was up with that?! Ian Fleming— shame on you!

What do you think?—there’s nothing sexier than a Martini. Its sleek appearance in a chilled glass reeks of class and allure. And you can’t contemplate Palm Springs without imagining the cocktail. And for me, the super charging & fueling effects of the gin’s juniper essence is in a class of its own.

Gin was most likely made first in Holland or Belgium but totally embraced by England in the 1600s because any decent Brit would have his portion accompany him to the ever-expanding colonies around the globe, toting also some quinine, limes & lemons for good health.

This combo engendered two of the most important cocktails on earth: the Gin &Tonic and the Martini; so, as we often do—let’s clear off the wine bar, and, pour a gin cocktail for the next couple of columns.

July 27 to August 2, 2017

Clean and clear alcohol permeated with juniper berries and a variety of other botanicals: Gin is still made this way today, and each brand has its own recipe and techniques for infusion.

While all gin has some juniper flavor, the other botanicals can include a wide array of herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruits, spices and even tea.

Always a fan of the Tanqueray, Bombay & Beefeater, I’ve recently tried some new stuff on the market. And—by the way, what’s with this “Navy Strength” phrase I see bantered about.

Well—Four Pillars, a small Australian distillery, proudly established in 2013, produce a line-up of gins, of which one is called Four Pillars 58.8 Gin Navy Strength. Their website tells us, “Let’s go back to the 18th century. Gin was thought to be panacea to many things encountered by those sailing the high seas.

Officers of the Royal Navy began to suspect their supplies of gin were being diluted by avaricious distillers or dodgy wholesale merchants.

As it turned out, often the gin was stored below deck adjacent to the gunpowder and some savvy officers began to realize a simple fact: if the gin spilt onto the gunpowder and the gunpowder smoked or failed to light at all, it was diluted gin. Only if the gunpowder still lit was the gin at least 114 proof (or as we know it today, 57% ABV).

And so it became known a Navy Strength.

After a time the officers of the navy used this simple test to ensure they were getting gin of the proper strength. In fact, it was gunpowder proof.” All right then, 114 proof is the number.

Four Pillars Navy Strength tasting comments include, “added are fresh ‘Judy’s Everbearing’ native finger limes alongside our beautiful organic oranges which highlight the Asian spices like coriander and star anise, and are complemented by the fresh ginger. Then turmeric adds weight to the palate and a fresh but earthy quality, not unlike dill.”

“This fresh citrus goes into the botanical basket, with some fresh ginger, giving our Navy Strength Gin its signature power and intensity.

The resulting gin has lifted aromatics of lime curd, pine needles, and fragrant spices with a vanilla character which pulls it all together. The

palate is intense, sweet and juicy—but it is still very clean.”

This gin is a real treat at around $100 a bottle.

Another less expensive “Navy Strength” gin is one by the 3 Howls 114($24); a Seattle distillery, 3 Howls is on the sweet side with a noticeable lemon aroma and flavor that is well balanced with juniper. The company tells us, “the Navy Strength mixes well in cocktails that you’d rather not have watered down with the other mixers. It’s also a very suitable choice for any cocktail that you’d add lemon or a lemon garnish when you have no lemons.

For those Francophile fans, we have a French gin called Citadelle ($28). The story of Citadelle Gin as we know it today began in 1980’s, but the brand is steeped in history that dates much further back. The original recipe was developed by a distillery in Dunkirk in 1771—at the time an important port for the spice trade.

Skip forward a few hundred years and Citadelle Gin is now produced in Cognac, the birthplace of another fine spirit and home to a few other French gins.

The production of this gin is absolutely unique with the 4th distillation done using equipment and methods no one else uses anymore. Nineteen botanicals are added and it is distilled in a quite small (200 liter) cognac copper pot still using naked flame with minute attention to detail.

It’s a complete departure from your usual gin. First point being juniper is not the first and defining characteristic but is present among cardamom, licorice, cubeb, cassia, savory, and grains of paradise wrap around nutmeg and citrus peels, with star anise lingering around the edges extremely complex, savory bouquet; makes a Martini of unparalleled complexity.

And by the way, that “three Martini lunch” was a real thing back in the 60s and 70s, before there was a cop at every corner. In my legal practice days, and especially when I’d go out and lunch with judges in the Los Angeles area, they were all taking down three Martinis— you’d see a lot of them sleeping while on the bench in the late afternoon. Amusing!— Cheers!

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THUR JULY 27

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bobby Furgo & Co 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Discoteca w/ DJ Victor Rodriguez 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Trio w/ Francesca Amari, Bill Marx and Doug MacDonald 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Dancing 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Acoustic Palooza 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Barry Baughn and Bob Gross 6:30pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760365-6633 Open Mic Night 7pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Comedy/ Karaoke Match Up w/ Cricket 8pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Chris Lomeli 7pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Open Mic 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Night 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Country Night w/ Brian Lynn Jones 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Adobe Collective, The Ferdy Mayne and Rick Shelley 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Cody White & The Easy Ride, Hundred Forms and Rob Lawrence 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Rock-AHolics 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 The Smooth Brothers 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T-Bone Karaoke 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Wayne Boyer 6:30pm WANG’S; PS; 760-325-9264 Derek Jordan Gregg 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Elaine Woodard 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 8pm

FRI JULY 28

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29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia Band 6:30pm

ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Joy Downer 10pm, DJs BT Magnum and Black Shag 11pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 The Gilmore & Bryan Show 6:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Friday Night Sour Hour w/ Pink Lemonade Drag Show 9pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Dreamscape EDM Party w/ DJs Sugarfree, Luthergates, Sammi B, Loveday and Sethis 9pm BEER HUNTER; LQ; 760-564-7442 TBA 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Dude Jones 8:30pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 TBA 6pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke 9pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760775-5566 DJ Double A 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 COPA NIGHTCLUB; PS; 760-866-0021 Bow Wow w/ DJS Fuze, Banks and Mr. Miami 9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Gina Carey 6pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 The Myx 8:30pm THE HARD ROCK HOTEL PS; PS; 760-3259676 Esjay Jones Presents: Acoustic Sessions w/ Symara Stone and Andy Mauser 8pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Women of Rock w/ High Priestess, The After Lashes and Sunday Funeral 9pm HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Dana Larson 7pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 8pm LA QUINTA BREWERY;PD; 760-200-2597 TBA 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night

LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-3452450 Klique 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888999-1995 DJ Jerry 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm MOXIE; PS; 760-318-9900 TBA 5-8pm 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 DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760345-0222 TBA 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Walcotts 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Guy Worden 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth 7-10pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; Anthem Road and Springsteen Experience (Bruce Spingsteen Tribute) 7:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers 8pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues 8-11pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 8-11pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOLANO’S BISTRO; LQ; 760-771-6655 Michael Madden 6-9pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 212 Band 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo & Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-3259264 Karaoke 8:30pm

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 TBA 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Barflys 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Dennis Michael 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328HOODOO COCKTAIL GARDEN @ THE 760-328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo HYATT; PS; 760-322-9000 Bill Ramirez 5955 TBA 6-10pm 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-932-4300 TBA 8pm 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley ft. Lisa INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760- 5391 DJ Hektik 10pm 345-6466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm LaFaro Weselis 6:30-10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Ladies JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Night w/ Dirty Desert Entertainment 9pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 TBA 9pm Rose Mallett 6:30pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-932-4300 TBA 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm 7pm Chris Lomeli 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-3282794 Palm Springs Sound Company,in the 5955 Michael Keeth noon-4pm poolside, afternoon,Hot Rox,in the night 7-11pm Fireside Lounge 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Bev & Bill 6:30pm Live Entertainment 5:30pm The Stanley Butler Band 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJs Sammie LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJs 9pm Pearson, Eli Glad, Brian T and Black Shag 2450 Klique 9pm 11am poolside, Stacy Christine 10pm, THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888Anzano 11:30pm, Dave P 12:15am 999-1995 Pop Vision 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; IW; 760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 760-325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bob Garcia 6pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Cabaret on the Green Open Mic 7:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Dave P, Karaoke 8-1:15am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter Stacy Christine and more 11am, Marc Baker THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm 10pm 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Super AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760Sonido 1 Year Anniversary Party w/ Alf 7:30pm 327-4080 Alex Santana & The Roadhouse Alpha, El Dusty, Ocho Ojos and Los Pleyboyz BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Gents 9pm 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760- Bartland w/ DJ LF, Richie Rich 7pm BEATNIK LOUNGE; JT; TBA 9pm 345-0222 TBA 6:30pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Lisa & Sunday Brunch w/ Live Music 10-2pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The Gents 8:30pm Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Heron continue to page 20 BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-775- Oblivion and Sun Araw 9pm 5566 DJ 9pm PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey Karaoke 7:30pm 6-10pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s CASINO; PS; 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Rockstar Karaoke 9pm Wright 9-1am RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 TBA 9pm CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 TBA 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 TBA 7-10pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm Triple 7 and Pyromania (Def Leppard ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228- Tribute) 7:30pm 1199 DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Brothers 8pm Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn 6533 TBA 6pm Blues 8-11pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760- SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S 365-6633 Dana Larson & Friends 6-9pm MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 8-11pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 TBA 8:30pm SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; Furgo 9pm INDIO; 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm THE HARD ROCK HOTEL PS; PS; 760-325- SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm 9676 Esjay Jones Presents: Global Sessions w/ David Macias and The Hive Minds 8pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 The Bermuda w/ Drop Mob and Project Mayhem SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 9pm Latin Music 10pm

SAT JULY 29

SUN JULY 30

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

THE PAMPERED PALATE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

GYROS AND MORE AT ATHENA’S

C

raving a Gyro? Don’t know what a Gyro is? Well, you can get both of these questions resolved with a visit to one of the best Greek eateries in the Coachella Valley, at Athena Gyro in Palm Desert.

It’s a debate of sorts on how to actually pronounce the delectable sandwich. Is the “G” leading the word, or is it silent? The answer is no, and yes…kind of. You are not doing a dance, so get the gy-rate out of Gyro. The easiest way to pronounce it is to sound it out a bit, YEE-roh.

There you go! But in honesty, whether you can say it correctly or not, it won’t change the fact that the Gyro is a fabulously hearty and delicious sandwich. And with a name of the dish headlining the name of your restaurant, it better be good, and at Athena Gyro, it absolutely is.

Athena Gyro opened in the Bristol Farms Shopping Center Palm Desert in July 2016, and sits in the funky roundish building at one of the entrances of the center. It had been a long time dream of owner Alper (“Al”), to open his own restaurant, and after putting his savings into action, he finally did. As a lover of history, Al decided to name his restaurant after Athena, the goddess of wisdom. The charming restaurant reflects Al’s Greek and Turkish heritage, with many of his recipes passed down from his family, but with his own twist on them making the dishes uniquely his.

The Gyro is undoubtedly the star of the

16

menu, and is offered in two different ways.

Guests can either order it as a sandwich or served open faced with rice and the pita on the side. Al’s Gyros are traditional, made with layers of seasoned lamb and beef placed on a Gyro Spit, and cooked rotisserie style with a heated lamp. Al’s Gyro meat does differ, as he likes to place onion and tomato at the top of the cone, which adds another level of flavor to the meat.

The meat is then shaved off, and placed in the pita bread with red onion, tomato, romaine lettuce and tzatziki sauce. Al offers either lamb or chicken Gyros.

On my visit to Athena Gyro, I, of course had to try the Gyro. I ordered mine as a sandwich on the appetizer side which comes with Spanakopita (phyllo dough filled with a feta cheese and spinach mixture). My Gyro sandwich was put together well, with the right ratio of meat to veggies, to pita.

The pita was light and pillowy, lovingly hugging the filling. The meat was savory, with the addition of the tomato and onion dripping

BY DENISE ORTUNO NEIL complementing it nicely. It was a very satisfying Gyro, one that I would happily order again.

Athena Gyro has more than just the sandwich. Al also has other mainstay Greek dishes on his menu which include, Mousaka (eggplant, potatoes, ground w/meat sauce topped with tzatziki sauce and baked), Kebabs (chicken or lamb) and even Falafels, plus many other items. Al’s favorite dishes at his restaurant include his soups, the Avgolemono (lemon, chicken and rice) and Fakes Soup (red lentil soup, made Al’s special way). He also points out that he makes a pretty mean Lemonade (lemons, Valencia oranges, Mexican limes, mint and a secret ingredient), which ce daily to keep up with demands. Of course his Baklava has become a crowd pleaser as well. Athena Gyro is opene d daily from 11am to 9pm, and their

prices are very moderate. They offer a Lunch Special of a Gyro with a side of soup or salad and a beverage for only $8.99, as well as a Happy Hour from 3pm to 9pm with discounts on wine/ beer and appetizers. On weekends make sure to ask about their featured specials which can range from Lamb Chops to Shrimp dishes.

Whether you’re in the mood for a meaty Gyro, or Kebab, Athena Gyro will delight you with their savory Greek dishes again and again.

Athena Gyro is located at 73-121 Country Club Drive, Suite E-7-8 Palm Desert, 92260 For more information visit www.athena-gyro.com.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

July 27 to August 2, 2017

17

July 27 to August 2, 2017

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

No. 275

CELLULOID TIME MACHINE

NOW PLAYING: DAWSON CITY: FROZEN TIME Bill Morrison’s utterly mesmerizing found-footage documentary brings to life the bizarre true history of a long-lost collection of 533 century old nitrate film prints that were unearthed in 1978 under a hockey rink during a construction project in a former Klondike Gold Rush town.

This astonishing film is nothing less than a history in still and moving images of the transformation of Tr’ochek, a fishing camp where the Yukon and Klondike Rivers meet, into the epicenter of the Yukon gold rush at the turn of the previous century. But more than that, it’s also a history of the 35mm film prints that were shipped to Dawson between the 1910s and 1920s, then

hidden away and forgotten for 50 years.

The restored long dormant images create a vibrant cinematic mosaic that, like most of Morrison’s film work, is a strangely haunting experience that transports the viewer to a surreal headspace of suspended nonlinear time.

I suppose the main point of this film is that the film prints were buried during a time when not much thought was given to their historical value. Morrison’s documentary is also about a Native American settlement that was muscled out of existence by white settlers trekking north during the gold rushes of the 19th century. The film details boom and bust cycles of Dawson City itself, which burned to the ground once a year for the first nine years of its existence!

Especially fascinating are the incredible tales of the famous fortunes made in this remote outpost. I was surprised at the inclusion Frederick Trump, the president’s grandfather, also the future Hollywood pioneers like actor-director William Desmond Taylor and theater entrepreneurs Alexander Pantages and Sid Grauman who, unexpectedly, got their start in this out-ofthe-way locale.

As silent motion pictures gained worldwide popularity, Dawson City became the end of the line for film distribution. After a given picture’s run, many distributors balked at paying for return shipment. The town inadvertently came to house a huge film library, which was eventually sent floating down the Yukon. Except, that is, for a portion that was buried, for an odd and arguably hilarious reason.

Still playing in Pasadena and Beverly Hills, look for it locally at Camelot or Tristone 10.

No date set at. Recommended.

NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER: THE PROMISE Director Terry George’s (Hotel Rawanda) relevant story of attempted Armenian genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire during WW I has already met with harsh criticism from those who still embrace racial and religious bigotry. Hitler referred to this ethnic massacre as proof that he could get away with his “final solution” re Jews.

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It’s disappointing that this lavish, big screen version of such a painful chapter in human history was not more fully and accurately recounted and that earlier incidents dating back to 1885 were never mentioned.

The film – a love story -- focuses on humble, brilliant medical student Michael (Oscar Isaac) who meets beautiful dance instructor Ana (Charlotte Le Bon) in late 1914.

Their shared Armenian heritage energizes an attraction that explodes into a romantic rivalry between Michael and Ana’s boyfriend (Christian Bale), an American photojournalist who’s dedicated to exposing the truth about the widespread killings.

As the Ottoman Empire implodes into bloody, war-torn chaos, their conflicting passions are put on hold as they unite to get themselves and their people to safety.

This beautifully crafted film recreates a time and place that is as convincing as it is moving and harrowing. Recommended.

Universal. Blu-ray.

Comments? robinesimmons@aol.com

BOOK REVIEW

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

July 27 to August 2, 2017

BY HEIDI SIMMONS

HENRY DAVID THOREAU 1817– 2017

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went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion.” - Henry David Thoreau, Walden (Shambhala, 303 pages). “

The author of these famous words turned 200-years-old this month. Thoreau’s most celebrated – Walden - work seems utterly relevent today.

At the age of 30, Thoreau wrote his greatest treatise after spending two years at Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts.

He built a tiny cabin on the property of his contemporary and friend, Ralph Waldo Emerson, in search of a truth about life and existence.

An essayist, philosopher, poet, historian, anarchist, transcendentalist, Thoreau lived as passionately as he could recording his experiences to share and to analyze. He had an intense love for freedom and resentment toward the expanding Federal Government.

So Thoreau looked to the elegance, wisdom and simplicity of nature for answers.

When Walden was first published, it was not popular. As odd as that may seem, it makes sense considering the era. The North was only beginning to outlaw slavery and Thoreau was a staunch abolitionist. The United States was engaged in the Spanish American War. A civil war was just a decade away. Industry exploited natural resources with abandon.

A year after Walden, Thoreau gave lectures about his experience. He then formulated a speech called, “The Rights

and Duties of the Individual in Relation to Government.” This became an essay entitled Resistance to Civil Government (1849) which was then published as Civil Disobedience.

In the essay: “Thoreau argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences, and that citizens have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice.”

Still topical?

Thoreau was Harvard educated, as was his pal Emerson. The two shared a belief in Transcendentalism – a philosophy that at its core believes in the inherent goodness of people and nature. Applied, transcendentalists view society and its institutions as having corrupted this purity,

and believe people are at their best when they are independent, self-reliant and have the freedom of self-expression.

For me, “Transcendence” especially made sense for the time as states argued, using religiosity, to defend slavery. It seems to me, as a philosophy, it was a way to get people to think for themselves and to use reason and facts, rather than rely on political parties or the church to make important decision about individuals.

I cannot help but wonder what role Thoreau would play in our society now. But regardless of his political views or spiritual values, his work harkens to the individual’s heart and mind, and our desire to cope with, and understand our place in the universe, and our role on this planet.

“I only know myself as a human entity; the scene, so to speak, of thoughts and affections; and am sensible of a certain doubleness by which I can stand as remote from myself as from another. However intense my experience, I am conscious of the presence and criticism of a part of me, which, as it were, is not a part of me, but spectator, sharing no experience, but taking note of it; and that is no more I than it is you.”

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SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

YOU SAY THAT EVERY YEAR!

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his will be the worst fire season ever! Fire officials preach this every year and what do we hear back?

You say that every year!

But when we say it, it is true reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

Let me explain… Take a 5 gallon can of gasoline and place it in your garage this year. Do it again next year. Every year your garage doesn’t burn, you add another 5 gallon can of gasoline. After 5 – 10 years you now have an additional 25 - 50 gallons of gasoline in the garage. It will burn with

tremendous heat and spread very quickly and out of control being difficult to contain.

The same goes with the fuels (vegetation) in our hillsides. Every year an area does not burn, more fuels grow. Each year the fuels continue to grow in the hillsides promoting/ supporting additional fuels. Eventually the hills will burn and now the fuel load is full and very explosive just like if you stored additional fuel (gasoline) in your garage each year.

The recent winter rains have doubled and even tripled the fuels in our hillsides. As I write this we are seeing several large-scale fires burning at a rapid rate of spread due to heavy fire loads and conditions. These fires are burning out of control, consuming thousands of acres within short time frames and requiring resources to battle these fires from out of state.

Let’s also keep in mind Santa Ana Fire Season (generally late September thru November) has not arrived. This will increase the severity even greater.

So, when we say it, we mean it! Believe us - this will be our worst fire season ever!

Are you ready? www.readyforwildfire. org.

F

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15 BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Darci Daniels and Reggie Vision 7pm Keeth 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-932-4300 TBA CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; 8pm PS; 888-999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 Rob Martinez and Scott Carter DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 6:30pm Radio 60 3-6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 John Carey & Friends 6pm Cesar Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760365-6633 Dana Larson &Friends 5-8pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 The Luminators 6pm Open Jam 6pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Marx 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company, in the BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 TBA afternoon, Hot Rox, in the night 9pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 Live Entertainment 5:30pm Karaoke w/ T-Bone 8pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 No Mouth 760-325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm Brakes Comedy Hour 8pm, Karaoke 9pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Larry Capeloto 6pm Golden Era Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 8pm-1:15am LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Sunday Night Jam Session w/ Jos NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Burrell 7pm Karaoke 8pm-1:15am PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin The Sunday Band 7:30pm Henry 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Sunday Jam Open Mic 7pm Session w/ Morgan Alise James 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry 7pm Night w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341- SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 7603560 The Myx 6pm 341-3560 T.B.A. 6pm

MON JULY 31

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THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 Dude Jones 6:30-9:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Motown Mondays 6pm

TUE AUGUST 1

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia Band 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Bella da Ball Dinner Revue w/ guest performers 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke en Espanol 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Drag Queen Bingo 9pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760-833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Palm Springs Sound Company LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm

NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Tim Burleson 7:45pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Acoustic Open Mic 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Ladies Night w/ Mark Gregg 7pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 Demetrious and Co. TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-3479985 Two Step Tuesdays w/ Cinch 6-10pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 Karaoke 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Boliver and Yve Evans 6pm

WED AUGUST 2

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 TBA 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Jam w/ Doug MacDonald & Friends 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Totally Radical 90’s w/ DJ Richie Rich 9pm BIG ROCK PUB; IND; 706-200-8988 The Smooth Brothers 7pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Michael Keeth 6-10pm CORKTREE; PD; 760-779-0123 TBA 6pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760228-1199 Karaoke 7:30pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-7766533 TBA 6pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Open Mic Nite hosted by Josh Heinz 8pm

HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-3662250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-3252794 Hot Rox LAVENDER BISTRO; LQ; 760-564-5353 Live Entertainment 5:30pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760-325-2323 “Sing Jam” w/ Mikael Healey 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 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760327-4080 Roger & Friends 7pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2881199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760341-3560 The Myx 6:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Katheryn White 6:30pm TJ’S; PD; 760-345-6744 Derek Jordan Gregg 9pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-5655512 80’s DJ Night 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans 6:30pm

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

July 27 to August 2, 2017

THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF BAKERS AND THE ASSIZE OF BREAD AND ALE

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ith temperatures peaking at levels high enough to slow cook barbecue in your car, we are officially in the dog days of summer.

Ever wonder where the phrase ‘dog days of summer’ comes from?

Where we think of the phrase as meaning that it is so hot out that dogs just laze around, the origins date back to Homer (the Greek writer, not the Simpsons character).

Homer referenced the phrase in his book, The Iliad, while stargazing as the heat of the summer corresponded with the rise of constellation Sirius, the dog of Orion, in late July. The rise of Sirius corresponds with the hottest time of year when the weather can bring about fever and tempers which leads to war and disaster, says Jay Holberg, scientist at Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Lab. Anne Curtain of the University of Michigan points out, “When we don’t know the origin of a phrase, we come up with a plausible explanation.” In this case, the new meaning takes the place of the original meaning.

Another example of this is the phrase, ‘It’s Raining Cats and Dogs.’ This phrase dates to the mid-1600s and the Richard Brome play, The City Witt where it reads, “The world shall flow with dunces…and it shall rain dogs and polecats, and so forth.”

In modern society, the phrase now refers to torrential rains.

What about the phrase, ‘breaking the ice’? Its first use was in Lord Bryan’s novel, Don Juan in 1823 when he wrote, “And your cold people are beyond all price, when once you’ve broken their confounded ice.” Bryan is referring to the breaking of the ice on a river or lake so that boats can pass. Over time, the meaning changed into a phrase that means the relaxation of a formal atmosphere or social situation.

Have you ever received a baker’s dozen and wondered where this practice began?

The earliest references to the phrase are made in John Cooke’s book, Tu Quoque where he writes, “Mine’s a baker’s dozen: Master Bubble, tell you money.” The practice of a baker giving a person thirteen

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

ATTORNEY EXPOSES INSURANCE COMPANY SECRETS

1

: Do not buy insurance for the market value of your home. Instead buy only for the home’s reconstruction cost (materials and labor and not for the land).

2. Red cars do not cost more to insure but get pulled over more because red color attracts an officer’s eye. The more you get pulled over and ticketed, the more likely your insurance company will raise your rates.

3. If you cause a serious crash your auto insurance company will not cancel you immediately (though it will count as 2 points against your DMV record). They must wait for the expiration date.

4. Small cars are not always the cheapest to insure.

5. Comprehensive auto insurance does not cover everything. It only covers narrow portions of possible problems, including car theft, storm/sand damage, animal collisions and vandalism etc.

6. Thieves do not prefer to steal new cars as it is more lucrative to steal old cars and sell them for parts.

7. If a friend borrows your car and crashes it, your insurance covers it, not the insurance for the driver of your car. Insurance always follows the car... not the driver.

8. Out-of-state speeding tickets will be forwarded to DMV. 9. The penalty for tickets is as follows:

4 Points allowed in a 1 year period 6 Points allowed in a 2 year period 8 Points allowed in a 3 year period An accident counts 2 points against the at fault driver.

10. California’s financial responsibility law specifies the minimum insurance needed is $15,000/$30,000. This insurance limit covers the driver of the at-fault car for up to $15,000 for any one injured person, and $30,000 total for all the injured people in the other car... with no one person getting more than $15,000.

11. Someone who loans their car to another has personal exposure for $15,000 minimum or the limits of their auto insurance policy.

12. If damages to the not at-fault driver are valued at more than $15,000, the at-fault driver (not owner) is still responsible for the additional amount. The victim can decide not to accept the money offered and to sue, attach wages and assets. The plaintiff can renew the judgment every 10 years with bankruptcy the only out.

13. The best protection is to purchase Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage and Under Insured Motorist (UIM) coverage. Here in the Coachella Valley it is a must because of all the uninsured cars on the road. The UIM kicks in when the at-fault driver has inadequate

or fourteen items instead of twelve began before the phrase ‘baker’s dozen’ came into existence. One thousand years ago and during the reign of King Henry II in the United Kingdom, bakers were regulated by the trade group, The Worshipful Company of Bakers and a law called the Assize of Bread and Ale (back then, Assize was the word used for Law). The idea was that the price of bread was based on the price of wheat. As bakers could be flogged and fined for providing underweight bread, they would typically add an additional loaf or two to ensure that they were shorting their clientele which were often the big wigs of their day.

The phrase ‘big wig’ came into being five hundred years ago during a time when Louis XIII ruled France. As Louis XIII went bald early in life, he took to wearing a periwig.

Less than 50 years later, the wearing of big periwigs was a near requirement for anyone of substance such as a nobleman (aristocrat), successful businessman or barrister (lawyer). By the end of the century, periwig was shortened to wig. During the 1700s, wigs became so big that these headdresses required internal scaffolding to help the wig maintain its absurd height.

This exaggerated head wear became the rage of the rich and powerful to show their

standing in society. The owner and wearer of these large wigs incurred substantial costs in simply maintaining these big wigs.

Haddon Libby is Portfolio Manager and Fiduciary at Winslow Drake Investment Management where he serves as Managing Partner. Haddon can be reached at 760.449.6349 or HLibby@WinslowDrake. com. For more information, go to www.

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insurance. For example, if the at-fault driver has a $15,000 policy and your injuries are worth $100,000, you would make a claim against the at fault driver and collect $15,000.

Then you would make a claim against your own UIM policy for up to your policy. This is the difference between the policy amount of the at-fault driver and your maximum UIM policy amount. If the at-fault party has NO insurance, you would make a claim against your UM policy.

14. If you want higher limits you do not have to purchase a $1,000,000 policy. A trick is to find out what limits your insurance company requires that allows you to purchase an UMBRELLA policy. For instance, I bought a $250,000/$500,000 auto policy and then purchased the $1,000,000 Umbrella policy...

for a few hundred dollars a year. The Umbrella policy only kicks in when there is not enough insurance.

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE, CALL A TAXI OR UBER.....IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN HAVING A DUI ARREST OR ACCIDENT AND CALLING ME ...SO DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER DALE GRIBOW - “TOP LAWYER” - Palm Springs Life (DUI/ACCIDENT)2011-2017 (California’s Prestige Magazine) “TOP LAWYER”- Inland Empire Magazine Nov 2016 Perfect 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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SPORTS SCENE

BY FLINT WHEELER

NFL FREE AGENT – BUYERS BEWARE

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very team scouts the free agent market. Most teams have holes, lack depth, or just want to inject a new face in their lineup. Some free agents come with little risk. They have been consistently productive and healthy and there are no signs that anything will change in a new city. Other free agent signings are a gamble. A lot of players tend to really raise their game when they are in a contract year which is understandable. Money is the ultimate motivator. Time and time again, football fans see players have a one-off great season, ink a huge deal, and then proceed to underachieve. Here are a few

guys that might not perform to expectation after signing with new teams as free agents.

Markus Wheaton – Chicago Bears At 5’11” and 189 pounds, 26-yearold Markus Wheaton is entering his 5th season after spending the previous 4 in Pittsburgh where he collected 1,508 yards and 8 touchdowns in 47 games. He played in just three games last year before a shoulder injury ended his season. With Alshon Jeffery’s departure, the Bears threw a whole lot of money at Wheaton who looks to be their number three receiver. It is a 2-year deal worth $11 million with $6 million guaranteed. He’s earning close to the same amount as guys like Terrelle Pryor and Mike Evans but there’s no way that Wheaton will have numbers anywhere near what those guys will put up.

Mike Glennon – Chicago Bears He’s played in 21 games, connected on 374 of 630 passes for 4,100 yards, and hit the end zone 30 times while tossing 15 picks. This earned him a $45 million threeyear deal with the sad-sack Chicago Bears.

Don’t expect too much out of this guy who could very well find himself on the sidelines as Mitchell Trubisky awaits his shot at leading this terrible offense.

Josh McCown – New York Jets The Jets have struggled to find

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consistency at the quarterback position for a few years now and they found themselves entering the 2017 season without any good options to fill the void. Enter perennial backup Josh McCown who signed a 1-year $6 million deal. Granted, it’s not like the Jets are hanging their future on this guy nor did they spend a fortune to land the 38-yearold but they can’t possibly be expecting him to succeed with such an anemic offense.

Luke Joeckel – Seattle Seahawks It’s a good thing that Russell Wilson is an agile quarterback because a lot of slower guys would get pummeled behind that weak offensive line. The Seahawks handed Luke Joeckel a one-year $8 million deal and they are taking their chances. The 25-yearold has missed large chunks of his first 4 seasons due to injury and he hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him going into the 2013 draft in which he went second overall.

Eddie Lacy – Seattle Seahawks There is quite a bit of pressure on Eddie Lacy as he takes his act to Seattle. The Hawks went through their share of running backs last year and never got their rushing game going. With Eddie Lacy on board on a one-year deal, Seattle obviously plans to once again make their running game a more prominent part of their attack. Lacy was undoubtedly a very good player when he broke into the league with Green Bay.

He can still be very effective but he has had ankle issues in the past couple of years and he struggles with his weight. He already cashed in on one of his bonus clauses for weighing in at less than 250 pounds.

Julius Peppers – Carolina Panthers Julius Peppers will almost certainly be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. He is entering his 16th season and he’s got some very impressive stats under his belt including 143.5 sacks and 47 forced fumbles. One of the keys to his success is that he has been healthy throughout his career. At 37, how much does this guy have left in the tank?

He had a pretty effective season last year and played like a man possessed during Green Bay’s 2016 playoff run. Carolina isn’t overpaying him by any stretch but they might be expecting too much.

Brian Hoyer – San Francisco 49ers This veteran quarterback hasn’t really had the benefit of playing on high-powered offenses and he now finds himself in San Francisco playing behind an offensive line that allowed 47 sacks last year. At least he has a couple of good receivers to throw to.

Hoyer is the equivalent of a bandage on a g

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of July 27

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Are you feeling as daring about romance as I suspect? If so, I’ve composed a provocative note for you to give to anyone you have good reason to believe will be glad to receive it. Feel free to copy it word-for-word or edit it to suit your needs. Here it is: “I want to be your open-hearted explorer. Want to be mine? We can be in foolishly cool drooling devotion to each other’s mighty love power. We can be in elegant solid-gold allegiance to each other’s genius. Wouldn’t it be fun to see how much liberation we can whip up together? We can play off our mutual respect as we banish the fearful shticks in our bags of tricks. We can inspire each other to reach unexpected heights of brazen intelligence.”

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): You still have a wound that never formed a proper scar. (We’re speaking metaphorically here.) It’s chronically irritated. Never quite right. Always stealing bits of your attention.

Would you like to do something to reduce the distracting power of that annoying affliction? The next 25 days will be a favorable time to seek such a miracle. All the forces of nature and spirit will conspire in your behalf if you formulate a clear intention to get the healing you need and deserve.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In his poem “The Initiate,” Charles Simic speaks of “someone who solved life’s riddles in a voice of an ancient Sumerian queen.” I hope you’re not focused on seeking help and revelations from noble and grandiose sources like that, Gemini. If you are, you may miss the useful cues and clues that come your way via more modest informants. So please be alert for the blessings of the ordinary. As you work on solving your quandaries, give special attention to serendipitous interventions and accidental luck.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): For many years, the Tobe Zoological Park in China housed a “praying panther” named Ato. The large black feline periodically rose up on her hind legs and put her paws together as if petitioning a higher power for blessings. I suggest we make her your spirit ally in the coming weeks. I hope she’ll inspire you to get your restless mind out of the way as you seek to quench your primal needs. With the praying panther as your muse, you should be able to summon previously untapped reserves of your animal intelligence and cultivate an instinctual knack for knowing where to find raw, pristine satisfaction.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Do you really have to be the flashy king or charismatic queen of all you survey? Must all your subjects put on kneepads and prostrate themselves as they bask in your glory? Isn’t it enough for you to simply be the master of your own emotions, and the boss of your own time, and the lord of your own destiny? I’m not trying to stifle your ambition or cramp your enthusiasm; I just want to make sure you don’t dilute your willpower by trying to wield command over too wide a swath. The most important task, after all, is to manage your own life with panache and ingenuity. But I will concede this: The coming weeks will be a time when you can also probably get away with being extra worshiped and adored.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Dear Hard Worker: Our records indicate that you have been neglecting to allot yourself sufficient time to rest and recharge.

In case you had forgotten, you are expected to take regular extended breaks, during which time it is mandatory to treat yourself with meticulous care and extreme tenderness. Please grant yourself an immediate dispensation. Expose yourself to intensely relaxing encounters with play, fun, and pleasure -- or else! No excuses will be accepted.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): If extraterrestrial beings land their space ship on my street and say they want to meet the creatures who best represent our planet, I will volunteer you Libras. Right now, at least, you’re nobler than the rest of us, and more sparkly, too.

You’re dealing smartly with your personal share of the world’s suffering, and your day-to-day decisions are based more on love than fear. You’re not taking

© Copyright 2017 Rob Brezsny

things too personally or too seriously, and you seem better equipped than everyone else to laugh at the craziness that surrounds us. And even if aliens don’t appear, I bet you will serve as an inspiring influence for more human beings than you realize. Does being a role model sound boring? I hope not. if you regard it as an interesting gift, it will empower you to wield more clout than you’re used to.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): During the four years he worked on painting the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo never took a bath. Was he too preoccupied with his masterpiece? Modern artist Pae White has a different relationship with obsession.

To create her fabric art pieces, she has spent years collecting more than 3,500 scarves designed by her favorite scarf-maker. Then there’s filmmaker James Cameron, who hired an expert in linguistics to create an entire new language from scratch for the aliens in his movie Avatar. In accordance with the astrological omens, Scorpio, I approve of you summoning this level of devotion -- as long as it’s not in service to a transitory desire, but rather to a labor of love that has the potential to change your life for the better for a long time.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): “The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers,” wrote author James Baldwin. Even if you’re not an artist, I encourage you to make that your purpose in the coming weeks. Definitive answers will at best be irrelevant and at worst useless. Vigorous doubt and inquiry, on the other hand, will be exciting and invigorating. They will mobilize you to rebel against any status quos that have been tempting you to settle for mediocrity.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You’re in a phase of your cycle when the most useful prophecies are more lyrical than logical. So here you go: three enigmatic predictions to help stir up the creative ingenuity you’ll need to excel on your upcoming tests. 1. A darling but stale old hope must shrivel and wane so that a spiky, electric new hope can be born. 2. An openness to the potential value of a metaphorical death will be one of your sweetest assets. 3. The best way to cross a border is not to sneak across bearing secrets but to stride across in full glory with nothing to hide.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Aquarian novelist James Joyce had a pessimistic view about intimate connection. Here’s what he said: “Love (understood as the desire of good for another) is in fact so unnatural a phenomenon that it can scarcely repeat itself, the soul being unable to become virgin again and not having energy enough to cast itself out again into the ocean of another’s soul.” My challenge to you, Aquarius -- in accordance with the astrological omens -- is to prove Joyce wrong. Figure out how to make your soul virgin again so it can cast itself out into the ocean of another’s soul. The next eight weeks will be prime time to achieve that glorious feat.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Years after he had begun his work as a poet, Rainer Maria Rilke confessed that he was still finding out what it took to do his job. “I am learning to see,” he wrote. “I don’t know why it is, but everything enters me more deeply and doesn’t stop where it once used to.” Given the current astrological omens, you have a similar opportunity, Pisces: to learn more about how to see. It won’t happen like magic. You can’t just sit back passively and wait for the universe to accomplish it for you. But if you decide you really would like to be more perceptive -- if you resolve to receive and register more of the raw life data that’s flowing towards you -- you will expand and deepen your ability to see.

Homework: Make a prediction about where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing on January 1, 2020. Testify at Freewillastrology.com.

---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology f

July 27 to August 2, 2017

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY BRONWYN ISON

MOVING PAST WHAT HOLDS YOU BACK

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ingering in your past can potentially be harmful to your future.

Reminiscing can bring back fabulous memories but we can also allow poor past experiences hold us in bondage. By all means, I love to recall positive experiences.

However, it is quite common to reflect on poor past experiences because of the way it made us feel. We were hurt and we care not to feel this way ever again. Plus, when we share our pains with another we can often relate to their hurt too. We’ve all been there and I am sure you can relate. Here are a few suggestions on how to progress versus regress.

Keep in mind there is a difference between thinking in the past and living in the past. We can think and tell stories of our past but living there could be detrimental.

Especially, if the past you are living in is negative. When one continues to think or live in the past you are losing sight of the present and your future. You cannot do anything about what already happened.

It occurred, you live or work through the experience, and you must move forward.

Time is one of greatest commodities; once your time is occupied, you cannot retain or go back to unwind time. I’ve heard that if a possession reminds you of a negative past then you should remove the item(s). If that is something that assists in your moving forward, then by all means get rid of what may be keeping you in bondage.

Sometimes a good clearing of tangible items can help one move forward so they are not constantly reminded of their past.

Forgiveness is one of the hardest acts for another person to achieve. I can assure you that holding a grudge will deplete your energy. When you hold on to animosity, you are allowing the other person to continue to have control over you. Now, wouldn’t that be a shame? Remember, you are in control of you. Giving another person permission will wreak havoc on your soul. Reclaim your fame to being YOU! Live in the present moment. This may sound cliche but it’s accurate. Consider the next time you are at an event that you stow your camera away. Instead of taking a photograph, be in the present, make a memory for yourself. We are often rushed from routine and mundane activities that we neglect being in the now. Take a moment or more each day to notice the present moment.

Dare to do something different. Surprise yourself and move out of your daily routine.

Try something new. You may recognize that you like your new adventures. New experiences create new memories and may help you move forward rather than living in the past.

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Y

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

ASK THE DOCTOR

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BY DR PETER KADILE

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

ADVICE THAT WON’T EXPIRE

Hey Doc, I’m cleaning out my medicine cabinet. How good are medications if they are past their expiration date? - Shaun, DHS Shaun, that’s a good question that I frequently get asked by patients and friends. The expiration date on the bottle is the final date that the drug manufacturer guarantees the full potency and safety of that medication. For example, for Drug X, the manufacturer may have decided to test the drug two years after it was made and found it to still be 100% as potent as when it was first made. The drug manufacturer did not bother testing the drug three years after it was made so it cannot guarantee if it is just as potent, so the company can only guarantee potency at two years. The actual shelf life of a drug may be much longer than its expiration date. A study done by the FDA for the Department of Defense found that over 80% of the medications that they tested for stability were extended beyond their original expiration date by an average of five years. It should be noted that the drugs that were tested were in their original packaging. Once a drug is repackaged, the

shelf life might decline.

There are no specific reports stating taking expired medications is toxic. The risk you take by taking expired medications is that it may not be as effective as it was prior to the expiration date.

Proper storage of medications may help extend their potency. Heat and humidity are enemies to medication so medicine cabinets may not be ideal. Since we live in the desert, it is very important not to leave medications in a hot car. Medications remain most stable in dry, cool places away from the light. The drug bottle caps should also be tightly closed and of course keep medications away and out of the reach from children and pets.

As a general rule, if a medication is essential for a chronic condition or life threatening disease (for example, hypertension, seizures or diabetes) it would be best not to take expired medication. If you want to take expired medication for minor health problems such as headaches, seasonal allergies or mild pain, it would be safe, it just may not be as effective or potent.

Dr. K., is it okay to reuse the plastic water bottles used for bottled water or soda? - Tracy, Palm Springs Tracy, one time re-use of a plastic water bottle after rinsing it out with soap and water should be okay, but I would throw it away after that. Repeated usage of these types of bottles, which can get damaged from repeated washings, increases the chance that chemicals will leak out of the plastic and into the liquid.

You should also never drink from a plastic water bottle that you left in the car in the summer heat. The heat can melt the plastic and the chemicals used to make the bottle could leach into the liquid and introduce toxins into your system.

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR VACATION, UNPLUG

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topping for a moment to put down my summer beach read and rest my eyes, I scanned the activity around the resort’s Olympic sized pool. Some inhabitants stretched out on the luxurious beach chairs were contently soaking up the sun, others, like me, engaged in light reading. I sighed observing about a third of the vacationers intently working their notebooks and cell phones. As I strolled to the Tiki Bar for an icy Mojito, it did not surprise me to catch snippets of business related conversations.

Full disclosure, in the past I have been guilty of checking my work voice mails and emails, but at some point wised-up. I began to wonder if my action was ego-driven. Did I think the team back home couldn’t exist without me? Or, was I insecure? Perhaps I thought I was being left out of important decisions. After calling in and retrieving news from the office it took me at least an hour to stop thinking about the work piling up on my desk. To make matters worse, my husband keyed in on my distraction and sooner or later delivered his “why are we on vacation if you are going to engage the office from afar speech.” Yep…busted!

Taking 15 minutes a day to touch base with the office doesn’t sound horribly harmful,

but beware, it’s a trap. The time you spend thinking about work after your innocent check-in does you in. Without a solid turn-off switch, thoughts of sales contracts, employee issues and the marketing proposal you need to write upon your return start bouncing around in your brain.

A real vacation occurs when you leave an “out of the office” message on your voice mail greeting and email. No, it’s not impossible.

Crazy as it sounds you can convince yourself that you are not required to check in. Your only job on vacation is simply to take a break from work pressures and have fun. The whole idea of taking time off is to return to work refreshed and recharged.

If you want the ultimate benefit of a vacation from work, go off the grid. Leave your cell phone at home. Want to capture the beauty of that exotic place you dreamt of while sitting in your cubicle pinning for an escape, then bring a camera. If you are addicted to informing all your Facebook friends of your vacation you can post when you return. Give it a try. Keep your time away from the office sacred. You’ll be glad you did!

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

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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CANNABIS CORNER

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

BY RUTH HILL R.N.

TRENDS AND TIDBITS ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

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his article shares news items related to regulations, products, and research. The medical cannabis (MC) industry is adding interesting variations to what is currently on the market. Technology has advanced the old ways of extracting cannabis oil. Now we have Rosen machines that you can buy from Walmart. MC is becoming more and more mainstream as all across the US and the world laws are being changed.

The cannabis plant was thought to have over 200 molecules, four more were just identified in the past week. There are over thousands of MC strains: granddaddy purple, bubba kush, purple kush, to name a few. Tangilope, grown by Matrix Nevada, smells like tangerines, and is available in many dispensaries in Las Vegas.

Suzy Q is a great strain added to the burgeoning world of CBD. It is a high CBD, low-THC strain with a piney taste that helps treat symptoms with little to no high. It has been tested at upwards of 59:1 (CBD:THC), is great for daytime use or by those who want to relieve chronic pain, nausea, arthritis, muscle spasms, and anxiety without psychoactive effects. Now there is a website library to keep track of the strains. www.weeddepot.com/strain-library.

MC is not just for the elderly or chronically ill. There are excellent vaginal suppositories available with a high ratio of CBD for treatment of dysmenorrhea. No more taking high doses of Advil which can cause gastric bleeding. Vaginal and rectal absorption of MC bypasses the liver and CBD does not have a psychoactive effect.

Testing technology is advancing the safety of the product. Competition has lead to state testing laws being updated as we read. CO just passed testing for MC on July 1st. Tests for THC and CBD ratios are only the beginning. Nevada on July 1, 2017 made cannabis legal and is bringing the recreational and MC on a par with the food industry. Leslie Bockor states Nevada has developed the framework for the world on regulating cannabis. It is the only state testing for microbial contamination, biological contamination, mold, mildew, fungus, heavy metals, pesticides, fungicides in parts per million and parts per billion.

It’s the cleanest cannabis that’s ever been produced because of the testing

regulations. More advanced testing is also identifying the terpenes, which give it smell, and flavonoids, which give it taste.

Nevada receives tourist from all over the world. They have a more flexible and common sense philosophy of regulating things other jurisdictions don’t — gaming, mixed martial arts, prostitution, and escort services. How disruptive is it to ask patients to stop taking their cannabis with chemotherapy just because they come to visit. The common sense approach is to allow reciprocity. Other states have a lot of catching up to do.

The federal government continues in its vastness to make one department ignorant of what other departments do. The National Institutes of Health, (NIH), act like they are working for a different country.

While saying cannabis has no medical us, we collaborate with other countries on research. Most egregious is the use of US grown MC that is so poorly cultivated it looks like ground oregano instead of the rich budding plant that it is.

The NIH Italy, and Spain researched the use of (E)-β-caryophyllene (BCP) which is found in many essential oils of spice, like black pepper, and food plants with recognized anti-inflammatory properties.

The study demonstrates BCP may be an excellent therapeutic agent to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Given the excellent safety profile of BCP in humans it has tremendous therapeutic potential in multitude diseases associated with inflammation. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC3312970 The most exciting trend is how in the past year more and more congressmen, who now have firsthand experience with family using MC, are open to changing federal law: Feinstein, Grassley, Blumenauer, O’Rourke, Garrett, Amash, and Tom Davis are aggressively leading the pack. It is not enough to worry about the RohrabackerBlumenauer law that protects MC users from federal prosecution. We need to change federal laws. Ask your congressman how they are helping these courageous members of Congress.

My next article will review the trends internationally that put the US to shame.

Submit questions to hilruth@gmail.com

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July 27 to August 2, 2017

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