Coachella Valley Weekly - September 15 to September 21, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 26

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coachellavalleyweekly.com • September 15 to September 21, 2016 Vol. 5 No. 26

Big Rock Pub

pg 5

Lisa Fischer

pg 7

Miri Hunter

pg 8

Death In Pretty Wrapping

pg 9

Acqua California Bistro

pg 16

September 15 to September 21, 2016

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Coachella Valley Weekly

coachellavalleyweekly.com publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly

760.501.6228

Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Advertising Director James Theall Sales Team Morgan James Classified Manager & Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Features Writer Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Denise Ortuno Neil, Judith Salkin Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Craig Michaels, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Janet McAfee, Rachel Montoya, Angela Janus, Dale Gribow, Raymond Bill, Sam DiGiovanna, Rob Brezny, Eleni P. Austin, Noe Gutierrez, Sunny Simon, Dr. Peter Kadile, Bruce Cathcart, Julie Buehler, Flint Wheeler, Laura Hunt Little, Lola Rossi, Jack St. Clair, Dee Jae Cox, Patte Purcell, Rebecca Pikus, Janet Newcomb, Angela Romeo, Esther Sanchez, Alex Updike, Jenny Wallis, Uncle Ben Photographers Laura Hunt Little, Scott Pam, Lani Garfield, Chris Miller, Esther Sanchez Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS The Flusters...............................................3 Rock The Ribbon.......................................5 Marquee Academy Of Performing Arts..6 Casual Concours Classic Car Show..........6 Slim Man ...................................................7 Backstage Jazz - Mark Gagliano..............7 Lisa Fischer at Rennaissance IW..............8 Local Music Spotlight - Miri Hunter.........8 Bri Cherry & The Boys...............................9 Death In Pretty Wrapping........................9 Consider This - Paul Simon.....................10 Art Scene.................................................11 Pet Place..................................................12 The Vino Voice ........................................13 Club Crawler Nightlife............................14 The Pampered Palate - Acqua California Bistro at The River...............................16 Screeners.................................................18 Book Review............................................19 Safety Tips...............................................19 Social Security........................................20 Haddon Libby.........................................21 Dale Gribow............................................21 Ask Jenny................................................22 Sports Scene...........................................22 Free Will Astrology.................................23 Mind, Body & Spirit ................................23 Ask The Doctor........................................24 Life & Career Coach ................................24

FROM BEING FLUSTERED TO BECOMING THE FLUSTERS - THE ASCENSION: SEASON ONE

September 15 to September 21, 2016

BY LISA MORGAN PHOTOS BY MANIAC ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

ALBUM RELEASE PARTY: EXTENDED PLAY NO. 1 - FRIDAY, SEPT 30TH AT THE HOOD IN PALM DESERT, 8PM. $5 COVER, 18 AND OVER.

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e have a sizeable music community in our combined high and low deserts, lush with talent and potential. There is rarely an evening that isn't full of opportunities to witness and be amazed as these talents play live and hone their craft. It is not easy to shine in a sea of diamonds, but there are a special few who manage. In just a year's time, The Flusters have done just that. And, from what I can gather, this is only the beginning.

The Flusters are Dougie VanSant (Vocals, Guitar), Danny White (Guitar, Vocals) Mario Estrada (Bass), and Daniel Perry (Drums). As I write, this four piece squadron of dreamy beachy guitar sways, wave crashing rhythms, and swells of soulfully sung vocals and harmonies, are preparing to release their first EP. Take your favorite summer day at the beach, wrap it up into five unique, tasty melodic themes, let it bake in love, sweat and tears, and you have The Fluster's inaugural album, Extended Play No. 1. The most phenomenal part of it all, is while they are not lacking in will, determination and confidence, it's hard to say if they truly know just how good they are. They do know, however, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they have been called to create something important together, and they are answering that call with everything they've got.

Within the span of one year they have literally gone from "flustered" over what, out of hundreds of ideas, to name their band, to a tight family unit with a determined vision. They have richly developed their own signature sound and look, created their own label, own all of their publishing rights, and have an arsenal of strong radio ready singles. This stellar, self-produced EP is not only a landmark for these four men, but they are blazing a trail for other troubadours to follow.

The Flusters have gone from renting rehearsal space by the hour back when I first interviewed them a year ago, to a very cool leased lair dedicated to creating and rehearsing. The depth and maturity I have witnessed along with the amount they've accomplished in a short time is nothing short of astonishing. But it's the intuitive nature in which they play together now, that truly makes something magic happen.

Don't hate me ladies, but not only was I treated to a private concert on behalf of CV Weekly, but I was also able to talk to this handsome crew for quite a while about their journey, where they've been and where they are bound. My time with them left me inspired and incredibly excited for what lies ahead for them.

CVW: "There have been a few changes since our last interview. It's pretty typical for bands to work through several different members before they find the right combination of skill

and personality that makes a band thrive. You guys have managed to maintain the same lineup with one exception, your drummer. What was the reason for the personnel change and does he still play a role?"

VanSant: "Chris O Sullivan started out with us, and he is on this first CD. You'll see him credited on the album. He was instrumental in helping us find our sound, and he did an incredible job. We ended up having to go in a different direction based on availability, and well, just life. We love that guy like a brother."

CVW: "You have two newer additions; Daniel Perry on drums and on occasion, Will Sturgeon of Brightener on keys and vocals."

VanSant: "Yes! We're really excited for the next chapter, Extended Play No. 2. Will has been a huge part of helping us produce and mix an album that we are incredibly proud of. Dan isn't on this album, but he's seriously taken us to the next level."

CVW: "Daniel, you are an amazing and charismatic addition to the group. Where did you come from? How did you end up as a musician and find yourself working with The Flusters."

Perry: "I've been playing music since I was a kid. I'd play my babysitters piano, and I picked up guitar…whatever I could get my hands on. I didn't start having a real interest until I was 10 years old though, in 6th grade percussion class.

I got into drums and just picked up on it easily.

The next year my music teacher insisted that I join marching band and concert. I eventually took private lessons and I knew I wanted to make a career of it. I've been in many bands before coming here. I traveled out of state to record an album by actor Rip Torn, and I played in Mario's band, Save the Whales. I had even worked with Will at one point. I had taken about three years off from music before catching up with Mario again and he talked to me about The Flusters.

I was really hungry to play again and this was something that was exactly what I wanted to do."

CVW: "What has been your favorite experience so far as The Flusters? I would think playing Coachella would be at the top?"

The Flusters (all chiming in): "Yes… definitely… it was amazing! Especially meeting and getting to know the other bands."

Perry: "I have to say, my favorite was the show we played at The Hood for all our friends before getting to play at the 2016 Coachella Music and Art Festival. The place was packed and the energy was amazing."

Estrada: "You know… you are always going to do shows, and some are going to be really great, but you only get to make your first album once in your life."

VanSant: "Mario's right. In my head, all I have ever wanted to do is make a record. And I mean, MAKE A FUCKING RECORD! Not some single with a photo copied piece of arts and crafts slapped on it. Everybody has worked so hard on this; Danny and I in pre-production, all of us in the studio busting our ass for two days straight, Will and I in post-production, and we're not done yet. I won't be done until this album is actually released. I'll probably fall on my knees and cry once the launch is done. But seeing this tangible product that we all put so much love, attention and passion into that is the immortal part of this. That is the part that no one can take away from us. Life is about legacy, and to have all these people in this room sharing a legacy together with me… I'm 33 years old. I have wanted this since I was 16!"

White: "I can't say it any better than Doug just did. The highlight is this EP. I remember when this was just an idea. Doug and I played separate gigs at an AA convention. Doug came up to me afterward and told me about an idea he had. That was in 2014. It took some time; Doug had to get gear shipped here all the way from Jersey. So I put it on the back burner. When he got back to me, it started off real slow. My playing has grown a lot in the last two years. It's been nothing but positive growth. Doug and I were just looking at a picture from the second straight day of recording at Ready Mix; we both look disgusting and we were exhausted, but we both had this smile… like nothing could touch us. For us, coming here to California and recording in Hollywood is a really big deal. It's a dream come true."

CVW: "How did you become part of The Flusters brotherhood Will?" (For some of their bigger shows, like when Goldenvoice tracks them down to play Coachella Music and Art Festival, Will Sturgeon from the band, Brightener, has been known to join them on keys and backing vocals) continue to page 5

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THE FLUSTERS continued from page 3

Sturgeon: Brightener started this time last year. I met Doug and Danny at Coachella Valley Art Scene's 111 Music Festival last fall. In January, Doug called about doing the record. He was originally asking me to play keys on it. The original vision was to record at Ready Mix, an old studio of Jackson Brown's with vintage keys that work well with The Flusters songs. I talked him into letting me mix the album as well. That way, they didn't have to pay more money, or have to mix it in the same studio the same weekend they had recorded it. They could do it a little cheaper, and we could take our time doing any necessary over dubs."

VanSant: "Will was a pair of fresh ears. It's hard to perform and produce yourself at the same time. We worked on the mixes for two months after that. We recorded all of the instruments in Hollywood, and then recorded all of the vocals in the desert at Will's house."

White: "It couldn't have worked out any better; we did our part and it all just lined up."

VanSant: "We really haven't had time to sit down together and debrief or talk about everything; this is the first time we've sat and talked about it."

CVW: "Do you have a favorite on the EP?" Estrada: " 'Lake Street'. There's just something about it. It reminds me of the music I grew up with."

White: "Yeah. We just started with some guitar tones and the things we were pulling out were amazing; everyone added something to that song."

VanSant: "It germinated from us making noise in an 8x8 practice room. This is the song we created as The Flusters. A lot of the ideas for our songs were from my mental scrapbook that poured out into this record, but 'Lake Street' is ours together. There's a piece of everybody in that song."

CVW: "How do you feel you were able to navigate this first recording process? Any places you felt you over thought it or under thought it?

How did you manage the balance?

VanSant: "I think we did excellent. Where Danny might have started to over think it, I would under think. It was a perfect synergy between all

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of us."

Sturgeon: "I wanted us to have to make as few decisions in the studio as possible, since we were running on limited time. One of the ways that manifested was in the Flusters reverb-y sound.

We decided to run the guitars through their reverb pedals in the studio and forgo recording a dry signal. Sometimes engineers won't record it with reverb, because they can›t tweak it themselves afterward. It sounded good, and then we didn›t have to spend hours in mixing trying to find the right reverb, since it was already on! It's not a clean signal, but it has more personality. It sounds the way they play it live, which is something we wanted to preserve throughout the recording process."

White: "The way you hear it on the CD, with the exception of just a couple of over dubs, is the way you'll hear it at the album release. I think we captured our Flusters sound. Will's experience guided us to be more assertive in the studio than we might have been, and we're really happy with the result."

Sturgeon: "I just didn't want them to make the same mistakes I had made in the past."

VanSant: "It's been stranger than fiction, the way everything has come together. Once we started to include Will, the natural synergy between us and some of the other bands like the Yip Yops began to happen, and it has been amazing. I love that we're doing this all together.

I couldn't ask for more. And I love the fact that there are several different valley artists involved in this production, not just on the album itself, but in the merchandise and promotional products: Glenn Coy of Windmill City Screen Printing, Mary Walker with Reel Made Embroidery Co., Freddy Jimenez from the band Tribesmen screen printed our flyers, Monica Morones (Cakes) took the photos, our promotional videos were filmed and edited by Wolf Mearns of Tracker Studios, who flew in all the way from the east coast. We were the first band to hire artist Jenny Ferrell (Jferrellart on Instagram) who created our custom poster; local designer/illustrator, Anta (Anta. com), helped with t-shirt design…"

"I really feel it›s not only important to involve local musicians and artists, but to help them

September 15 to September 21, 2016

monetize their talents. It›s so rewarding to be able to do that. We are so fortunate to be able to pull in locals who have such a large and diverse skill set."

CVW: "Let's talk about the big day – the record release party at The Hood."

VanSant: "We wanted to make September 30th a special day for all the local friends who have supported us and helped us get this far.

So, the new album is only going to be available at the record release show. We won't share it with the rest of the world until October 1st. We really thought it was important to give our desert people pre-release dibs. There will be tons of sick merch and some fun surprises. You'll definitely not want to miss this one; it will be our biggest show to date."

CVW: "Where do you see yourselves in the next 5-10 years?"

VanSant: "Touring the country, and contemplating record deals; we want to limitlessly record in a limitless studio. There has already been some talk of a possible deal in the works, but I don't want to say too much about that yet."

White: "We want to produce Extended Play No.2 first, before signing any deals."

CVW: "What if you get signed to a really cool deal though? Wouldn't you want them to produce this for you?"

VanSant: "There is nothing broken about the way we did this first one. We want to keep the continuity. It's the next episode in the series."

White: "We're just not ready to give it away."

Following our conversation, the guys went on to rehearse as I listened in. I had been gifted a copy of the CD and had spent some time listening

to it prior. I was amazed to hear that the vocals were recorded at Will Sturgeon's house in his "closet." They were pristine! The vocal harmonies were like honey and butter, and with all the ebb and flow of this dynamic record, the vocals were never buried. As a matter of fact, nothing was buried. Every instrument and voice had its own sweet spot and played its dynamic part to the fullest. It was an extremely thoughtful record and the production and mixing reflected the same. It made me wish it had come out months earlier.

This would have been my Summer of ‘16 playlist for sure. As it turns out, I'm pretty sure this album will be streaming through my ear buds keeping me warm this winter. I was extremely impressed and had told them as much. They had an EP that was something to be proud of.

What I wasn't prepared for, however, was how incredible these guys are live. Without the interference of people trying to have a conversation over the music, or fans screaming (something that happens a lot to The Flusters), I could hear every layer and texture and blood soaked lyric. I have to say, it actually overwhelmed me at times. Forget that I knew these guys, forget that their spirit and passion make me want to see them succeed, this music they were playing had me riveted. I had such joy listening, knowing that they had found the illusive "it;" that thing that brings everything together and gives a band limitless potential. The magic was thick between this brotherhood.

All this being said, you'll want to get yourself to this record release party. It is the start of something very special. This is just the beginning.

Some of the songs they played for me aren't even on this album. Is this album special? Yes, but just wait until you see what's coming next. I urge you to see The Flusters live and local – while you still can.

When: September 30, 8PM. Where: The Hood Bar and Pizza Who: brightener, YIP YOPS, The Flusters, Cakes and Brains.

All funds raised will go to help us pay our Studio and Production Bills. You must be 18 to Enter $5 Cover Follow The Flusters at theflusters.com facebook.com/theflusters

EVENTS BIG ROCK PUB, THE PUB WITH A CAUSE INAUGURAL EVENT: ROCK THE RIBBON

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IN SUPPORT OF DESERT CANCER FOUNDATION’S PAINT EL PASEO PINK. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4TH

here has been a lot of buzz around the desert about the complete remodel of a new restaurant, bar and live music venue at Indian Springs Golf Club. Rumors became facts when the official sign went up announcing the new business: Big Rock Pub. Bands have already been sending in their press kits by the droves in hopes to play at the club that is rumored to be “something our desert has never seen before,” and the recent job fair was a huge success.

During a recent hard hat tour of the renovations, club owner and visionary, Ken Hanna and staff, showed members of the media and city government the exciting and ambitious plans underway. Those plans include a stage that rises up out of the ground for live entertainment, giant television screens for showing sporting and music events, beautiful long bars inside and out, and an entry way that will blow your mind with a…. oh wait…I’m not supposed to tell you that part. I guess some things you’ll just have to see to believe. There will definitely be a large display of Rock and Roll memorabilia, and the menu will be to die for. Created by Mitch of Mitch’s on El Paseo, it is creative, fresh and social media worthy, not to mention delicious. Ready yourselves for an

avalanche of food selfies when this kitchen starts delivering (make sure to #dineinrockout).

Hopes are high that all will be in place for a smooth and awe inspiring inaugural event at the club on Tuesday, October 4th. Big Rock Pub will host a kick-off party for Desert Cancer Foundation’s Paint El Paseo Pink. The event on that Tuesday, appropriately named “Rock the Ribbon” will provide a place for early registrations to the Paint El Paseo Pink event October 8th, and registrars will be able to pick up their extremely pink, commemorative event t-shirts.

Partnering with Desert Cancer Foundation was an easy choice for the team at Big Rock Pub and something owner Ken Hanna has been doing for a while now. Not long ago, he lost a brother to cancer. “I’ve been vacationing here for years, and now that I’ve become a business owner in the Valley, my family and staff have encouraged this new partnership, and we are all excited to host Rock the Ribbon, and many more events in the future,” shared Hanna. In addition to hosting this initial event, Hanna has also donated autographed guitars, all of which represent the artists of Desert trip. These will be auctioned on EBay to raise additional funds for DCF. In addition,

Hanna has shared that portions of the sales of all memorabilia sold throughout the year will go to the cancer charity.

Rock the Ribbon will encompass the following elements: • Happy Hour Specials on food and beverages • Live Bands from 5:30 – 8PM • 5:30PM – D-Tension, graduates of AMP • 6:00PM – Minor Emergency, graduates of AMP • 7:00PM – The Refills • Live Remotes with the Eagle 106.9 and KCLB from 3PM to 7PM • Photo opportunities using special SnapChat filters and backgrounds • Donation of $20 for a chance to win a $1000 Shopping Card from Grayse El Paseo, donated by Kelly Gray

BY LISA MORGAN

• Registration and T-Shirt Pick up for Paint El Paseo Pink, the fun walk set for October 8 on El Paseo • Special Auction: 6 commemorative guitars, signed by the superstars of Rock & Roll who are appearing at Desert Trip! (Rolling Stones, Sir Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and The Who.) This auction, going live on EBay from October 1-10, will be open to anyone to bid on these priceless collectibles! 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Desert Cancer Foundation.

Rock the Ribbon is sponsored by The General – Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Signarama, FG Creative, Big Rock Pub, Alpha Media, and Indian Springs Golf Club. For more info on this amazing event, visit the site TheBigRockPub.com, desertcancerfoundation.org or check out the event on Facebook.

The club is located at 79-940 Westward Ho Drive, Indio, CA (760) 464-6773

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FALL ENROLLMENT FOR MUSIC EVENTS & DANCE CLASSES NOW OPEN AT MARQUEE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS

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ow entering its third year as the only music school in the Coachella Valley, Marquee Academy of Performing Arts announces its fall schedule for after-school music and dance classes.

Music classes range from beginner to more advanced levels in piano, drums and percussion, guitar, violin and ukulele. The Academy’s newest addition – a dance floor – has given the school the opportunity to expand and offer dance classes which include a ballet/tap combo class as well as a class that focuses on hip-hop/jazz. There’s even a singing chorus which rehearses on Saturdays. Classes are held weekly from Tuesdays-Saturdays.

“Exposure to music and the arts for kids is slowly dwindling, so we are proud to be able to offer a number of ways youth can explore music and dance,” said Matthew Naylor, founder of Marquee Academy of Performing Arts. “Lives have been changed here since our inception – kids who found music to be like therapy to them after being bullied or needing ADHD medications. We will continue to offer programs that allow these kids to blossom in music and arts.”

To help fund these classes, Marquee Academy of Performing Arts has teamed up with OperaArts to announce its Fall Concert Series. Upcoming events – all happening at Marquee’s performance space – include: An Evening of Cabaret Saturday, September 17 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

An evening of Cabaret with Karen Benjamin and Alan Chapman, of KUSC.

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CLASSIC CAR SHOW RETURNS TO PALM SPRINGS

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Power Couples: The Battle of the Sexes in Opera and Musical Theater Saturday, October 15 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Join Long Beach Opera’s powerhouse duo, soprano Suzan Hanson (Lady Macbeth, Pat Nixon, Medea, Lillian Disney) and baritone Robin Buck (Sweeney Todd, Phantom, Dr. Pangloss, Leon Klinghoffer, Papageno), along with pianist Victoria Kirsch – OperaArts’ dynamic Music Director/ Raconteur – for an evening of favorite opera and musical theater duets that paint the full range of human emotions. Meet the Artists Reception with sweets and wine following performance. $30 donation is suggested.

Jeanie Cunningham Saturday, November 19 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

A one-woman show with well-known composer, musician and singer Jeanie Cunningham. To register for classes and review the entire class roster, or learn more about all the happenings at Marquee Academy of Performing Arts, go to marqueearts.org. Marquee is located at 441 S. Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, and can be reached by calling (760) 778-8000 or by emailing info@marqueearts.org.

reat Autos of Yesteryear announces that their annual benefit classic car show, Casual Concours VIII, will once again be returning to Palm Springs on Saturday, October 15, from 10 am to 3 pm, on the grounds of the Desert Princess Country Club, 28555 Landau Blvd, in Cathedral City.

For more than 25 years this event has been held throughout southern California; and for the 8th year, Great Autos is pleased to return to Palm Springs. General admission is $10, (with free parking) and all proceeds this year will benefit Angel View whose mission is helping children and adults reach their maximum potential.

“We are expecting more than 150 classic, exotic and special interest vehicles to be showcased on the golf course green,” said Jay D’Angelo, President of Great Autos.

“Food and beverages for purchase will also be available at the show, so come have lunch and make a day of it!”

Great Autos is also pleased to announce that a classic 1987 Buick Somerset Regal (above photo), donated by Tom Keim, will be given away at the show. Other raffle prizes include a $750 Lojack Certificate, along with certificates to Johnnie Rocket’s ($100), Classic Club Golf ($556), Escena Club Golf ($500), Dinner for two at Marriott Shadow Ridge Resort, Five facial treatments with Dr. Vincent Sofonio, Two night stay at Westin

EVENTS

Desert Willows, Two night stay at Extended Stay America, and Car Detailing at Cathedral City Car Wash. Raffle tickets for $5 and/or 5 for $20 will be available at the show, as well as at VillageFest in downtown Palm Springs on Thursday October 8, 15 & 22. The winner does not need to be present to win.

Sponsors include Platinum - WhelanPrescott Foundation, The Kingelstein Collection & American Cab; Gold – Exotic Motor Cars, LoJack & McCormick’s: Silver – Palm Springs Real Estate, St. Amant Realtor, Beau Stinnette, and Kent Robbins & The Incomparable Imperial for 1973.

Great Autos of Yesteryear is the largest gay and lesbian car club on the West Coast with nearly 1,000 members, owning over 3,200 cars. This diverse organization was formed in 1983 to serve as both a social gathering place and means of bringing together gay and lesbian individuals who share a unique enthusiasm for the automobile and its preservation.

For more information, go to www. greatautos.org.

Angel View’s mission is helping children and adults reach their maximum potential.

Each year, hundreds of people throughout the Coachella Valley make significant gains in independence through a variety of programs offered by the 61-year old nonprofit. For more information, email info@angelview. org.

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BACKSTAGE JAZZ

SLIM MAN

SLIM MAN COOKS: A SNEEK PEEK

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ere’s an excerpt from the Slim Man Cooks cookbook. It has 52 recipes, and each one starts with a story

like this: Taking a Toilet to the Turk I was in an up-and-coming rock band in Baltimore called BootCamp. We had two of the first 100 videos on MTV. Record companies were calling. Managers were courting us. We got an offer to play all summer long at a beachfront club in the Hamptons (Long Island, New York). We didn’t have to think too long. We took the gig; the club owners told us they’d rent us a house on the water.

House? This was a funky little shack directly across the road from the club.

The tiny, dilapidated shack was literally right on the bay; when the tide came in, the rotted back porch would be covered in swamp water. There was no fresh water in the shack; when we took showers, it was saltwater. It should have been condemned.

We made a sign, and put it outside: The Funky Shack. We were scheduled to play at the club six nights a week and twice on weekends.

I told my dad about the Big Gig. He called me the next day. Get this—he wanted me to go to my uncle’s house (his

September 15 to September 21, 2016

brother, Oscar), pick up a toilet, and take it to my dad’s girlfriend’s house in Long Island.

Why? I don’t know. It’s not that toilets are expensive or rare. You can find them just about anywhere. And just why am I taking this toilet to my dad’s girlfriend’s house anyway? Was my dad trying to impress her?

“Hey, honey, I’m getting you a new toilet for your birthday. My kid’s gonna hand deliver it.”

I thought my dad was screwing with me.

But when I called Oscar, he confirmed the story. He had a toilet left over from his new house—and I was supposed to pick it up in Baltimore, Maryland, and drop it off in Long Island at my dad’s girlfriend’s house.

And the kicker? My dad wasn’t going to be there. Neither was his girlfriend. His girlfriend’s Turkish father was supposed to be there. And? Her father didn’t speak English. Not a word.

The BootCamp Boys packed up the old Chrysler station wagon that belonged to our keyboard player’s dad. We had a ton of suitcases, keyboards, and guitars— everything we’d need for four months away from home. We drove to my uncle’s house, picked up the toilet, put it on top of our stuff, and headed up the New Jersey Turnpike.

We decided to have some fun.

Whenever we’d stop at a rest area, we’d take the toilet out of the car and carry it into the men’s room, and then carry it back out to the car. It was the beginning of summer; the rest areas were crowded with folks heading to the beaches. And these folks were staring at us. Four crazy musicians, with 1980s hairdos that looked like several small furry animals had perched on top of our heads, carrying a toilet in and out of the men’s room; then packing it into a beat-up Chrysler, and driving off.

When we got to my dad’s girlfriend’s house in Long Island, I took the toilet out of the car, carried it to the house, and rang the bell. A short man with wavy hair opened the door. He took a look at me, and then at the toilet. He obviously had no idea who I was, or why I was there.

So, I’m standing there holding a toilet in my arms, trying to explain who I was and why I was there. The guy understood nothing. Not a word. I kept saying, “Toilet!

Toilet for you!” I started yelling, as if by saying it louder, maybe he’d understand what I was saying. “TOILET! TOILET FOR YOU!” He looked at me like I was from another planet. I finally just left the toilet on the porch and walked away. I waved goodbye as we pulled out of the driveway.

Come to think of it, I hope I had the right house.

Slim Man is a singer, writer, and toilet transporter. His concert schedule and his new cookbook, Slim Man Cooks, are available at slimman.com.

BY PATTE PURCELL

PERCUSSIONIST MARK GAGLIANO

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ercussion: Musical instruments such as drums, cymbals, or xylophones, that you play by hitting or shaking. I never realized just how important they are in creating a full sound until I saw a video by Steve Oliver where he performed and played guitar with simply a percussionist. It was all that was needed.

The Celebrity Jam Fest will have a total of 5 percussionists that will be performing at the Jam on Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Woodhaven Country Club. Mark Gagliano was recommended by Rick Parma and we are happy to have him on board. Located in Orange County, Mark is an Italian who was born and raised in Pico Rivera, CA. His exposure to Latin music moved him in the direction of percussion. His true passion is when we plays the congas or timbales.

Mark said he’s been playing drums his entire life. He started out by playing drums for his church. He performed gospel music in various churches in the LA area. Fifteen years ago he switched to percussion. His focus is on the congas and timbales, but brings a full range of percussion instruments with him. This has opened many doors for him to perform with some of the top artists including Louis Cruz Beltran, Pete Escovedo (of the

famous Escovedo), Evelyn Champagne King, Barbara Morrison, Cassie Abrams (American Idol), and even Palm Desert favorite, Michael D’Angelo (who also happens to be his Uncle).

He’s currently playing with Rick Parma and Chi Town Soul. He’s also played with several local bands including Soto and Downtight.

Mark will be joined by some legendary percussionists at Celebrity Jam Fest including Bob Desena, La Jazz Artist of the Year (2014) on vibes, Paris Escovedo and his daughter Melody of the famous Escovedo percussionists, will be performing and our own drummer Craig Chesnut will round out a particularly stunning array of musicians. A total of 20 National artists and local favorites will be jamming for 3 straight hours. Dancing is also on the menu.

Jazz, blues, funk, groove, flamenco and Latin will all be featured in this mix of musicians and vocalists that will rock your socks off. There will be a total of 9 different vocalists performing songs that are both favorites and originals. Vocalists, Rose Mallett, Keisha D, Cleer, Peggie Perkins, JC Bentley, Cat Lyn Day, and Shirley Evaro (vocalist for Sergio Villegas) will all be performing.

They will be backed by the best of the best core band including Joe Baldino on guitar, Hans Zermuehlen from LA, on keys, Andrew Ford, who tours with some of the biggest names including Chaka Khan, and Slim Man (CV Music Awards, Jazz Vocalist of the Year).

The headliner is Adam Hawley who’s first single “35th Street” went straight to #1 on Billboard and stayed there for 5 weeks. He toured with Manhattan Transfer, then Jennifer Lopez took him on tour. He’s been playing with Dave Koz opening for Barry Manilow for the last 2 years.

VIP Guests can attend the ‘Artist’s Appreciation Party’ from 5-6 with wine, liquor and food tastings. The jam begins at 6 and goes for 3 straight hours until 9 pm.

Professional sound and lighting by Live Audio, Willie Robinson (who did sound for Tower of Power for 10 years) will give this jam an unprecedented talent and performance level unseen in the desert.

Tickets are available beginning at $30 for general Admission. The VIP tickets are assigned table seating (European style) tickets are $60 and include 2 hours of wine, liquor and food tastings and a one hour Artists reception.

To purchase tickets call Purplepass at 1-800316-8559 option 4 or go online and pick your seats at purplepass.com/celebrityjamfest.

To contact Mark, you can reach him at 949338-4213 or Email: mgagliano63@gmail.com For information about the Jam contact Patte Purcell at 702-219-6777.

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

EVENTS

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LISA FISCHER TO PRESENT OCTOBER 13 LIVE CONCERT AT RENAISSANCE INDIAN WELLS RESORT & SPA

FISCHER’S 20 FEET FROM STARDOM ALSO TO BE SHOWN THE PRIOR DAY, OCTOBER 12, IN THE RESORT’S THEATRE

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rammy® Award-winning vocalist LISA FISCHER and her band, GRAND BATON, will present a rare and intimate concert on Thursday, October 13 at Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa. The musical experience will be staged in conjunction with promoter Jimi “FITZ” Fitzgerald of CV 104.3 FM and provides a convenient setting for area residents – and for visitors who may be in town for the next day’s music festival. Showtime is 8:00 p.m., with Reserved Table ($75) and General Admission ($45) tickets now available for online purchase at tickettomato.com/ event/3878 OR call 1-800-820-9884.

Lisa Fischer has been a touring member of The Rolling Stones for the past 27 years, and her popularity with fans has brought her to routinely duet onstage with Mick Jagger. She shares several lead song vocals with the band, including “Monkey Man” and “Gimme Shelter,” which showcase her vocal talents. Additionally, she has been a session and backup singer for Tina Turner, Sting, Chris Botti, Nine Inch Nails, the late Luther Vandross and other famous artists.

Lisa Fischer also co-stars in the Oscar®and Grammy-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom, which premiered at the

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Sundance Film Festival in 2013, and which highlighted the achievements and stories of music’s unheralded minority women backup singers. In 2014 she joined many of the documentary’s featured singers, including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, and Judith Hill, to sing the national anthem at the 100th Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

For those interested in seeing 20 Feet from Stardom, Renaissance Indian Wells Resort and Spa will show the film in their new movie screening room – RTheatre - starting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 12 – the day before Fischer’s live concert. Fischer will be on hand that Wednesday evening as well, to participate in a post-screening Q & A session with Jimi Fitzgerald. Access to the screenings and Q & A event is complimentary and available on a first come-first served basis.

The movie screening room RTheatre at the Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa debuted last month and is already making its mark as an intimate entertainment venue for the region.

Renaissance Indian Wells Resort & Spa 44-400 Indian Wells Lane Indian Wells, California 92210 USA Phone: (760) 773-4444 Like us on Facebook.com/RenHotels.

Follow us on Twitter.com/RenHotels.

Like us on Instagram.com/RenHotels.

Follow us on YouTube.com/RenHotels. jimifitz.com twitter.com/jimifitzmusic facebook.com/jimifitzmusic mccallumtheatre.com CV1043.com iwtg.net

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

MIRI HUNTER

BY MORGAN JAMES

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iri Hunter found herself inspired by our beautiful desert so much that a short trip to recharge turned into a new life full of the creative energy she had been hungry for. Listening to this skilled performer is like sneaking a peek at a mirror, then suddenly remembering that someone else is singing the lyrics inside your head. While Miri’s songs are noticeably deeply personal, her thoughts resonate with sentiment that is shared throughout the human spirit. Honest! Relatable!

Miri Hunter carries her audience through a delightful journey in every song. I was fortunate to speak with the talented songstress about the desert, her music, upcoming performances, and her artistic nature.

MJ: Tell me how you came to be in our desert and about your background in music?

MH: “I moved to the desert in 2013 for what I thought would be a couple of months. I was trying to re-charge myself. At the end of those couple of months, I couldn’t remember why I wanted to go back to LA. So I rented a house in Joshua Tree and eventfully bought a small place out in Wonder Valley.”

“I was born and raised in southern Virginia and I started piano at age nine. I rarely play piano anymore in public, but I do love it. I remember getting a guitar when I was about 11. However, my musical hero at the time was Elton John, so the guitar took a backseat. In addition to Elton, my musical influences were all over the map. My mother loved country and western and my dad was heavily into jazz and blues. My favorite radio played everything from John Denver to James Brown to the Moody Blues. Then there was the classical piano influence. I ended up with a Bachelor’s degree in music with a concentration in composition. In college is where I started doing coffee houses and small clubs.”

MJ: What other musicians have you played with or do you play with regularly?

MH: “For most of my music career, I have been a solo singer/songwriter: a woman with a guitar. When I started playing in the Hi desert I began shyly to work with other musicians. First there was Julie Scott, who sang harmony, then I added Thom Merrick on bass and Matthew John Julliet on drums. Occasionally, cellist Jennifer Irvine would sit in. Both Julie and Matthew moved away and for the past few months I have been working with Thom and Rick Chaffee, who plays amazing lead guitar. I have also had the pleasure of working with a Hi desert duo called Arroyo Rogers as well as inspirational singer Will Kelly. When I play outside of the desert I play with LA people like violinist Tony Selvage and keyboardist Wayne White.

MJ: Tell me about your upcoming show this Friday at The Hard Rock Hotel in Palm Springs and what other shows you have planned?

MH: “So Friday, I will be working with Thom and Rick and a special guest. We are going to do some songs from the upcoming un-named recording and a couple of our favorite covers.

For most of October, I will be in and out of the desert working in the Bay Area. I’m planning a

CD release for mid to late November.”

MJ: What is your most recent album and what can our readers expect to hear while listening to it? Any others in the works?

MH: “My most recent recording is entitled The Ways of Love. It is ten original songs based on the Book of Psalms. The songs are not so much religious as they are spiritual. It was great to work with the text and to update it so that the lyrics have a contemporary meaning. The music is mostly vocals with some percussion. It was recorded in Los Angeles and was produced

by Linda Tillery. She is an amazing singer and percussionist from the Bay Area. I am just going into the studio again at the end of September to make a new recording of material that has been written since I moved to the desert in 2013.”

MJ: How would you describe your writing style and what influences your original music?

MH: “The new recording is totally influenced by my time in the desert. When I came out here to visit, I had no intention of staying, but I after a few days, I felt no desire to go back. Many think the desert is a cool place just to hang out, but for me, I have never been so busy being creative.

The desert expands you that way. I even took on a songwriting partner, my bass player, Thom, which was something I never thought I would or could do. Those are some of my/our best work.

My songwriting is influenced by relationships, spirituality, nature. The music is not overtly political, but those topics are always personally political.”

MJ: You are a very creative soul. What other arts are you involved in?

MH: “I am also an actress and last season, I had the pleasure and the fun of working with the Hi Desert Cultural Center in Joshua Tree in two productions: “The Spitfire Grill” and “Motherhood Outloud.” I also star in a Wild West show in Pioneertown called “Showdown in Pioneertown.” It’s an ongoing show and I play the part of the saloon owner. So in addition to music, I am also looking forward to doing more acting.” reverbnation.com/hunterandthewicked facebook.com/hunterandthewicked

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BY ANGELA ROMEO LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT BRI CHERRY & THE BOYS: MUSIC THAT DEFIES EXPECTATION

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perfect storm is a rare combination of factors – in this particular case the perfect storm is a wonder! Bri Cherry is that blend of unique soul of brain, heart, talent and beauty.

Bri grew up in Orange County. Her childhood had the ups and downs of many of us. She had siblings. She went to public school. She had a horse. “I thought about being a cowgirl. I loved riding. I loved my horse. He was a trusted friend and confidante. He was my world when I needed to be Bri. No judgments,” said Bri. Bri found love and passion in music. “I started my musical career with the public school music program. It had minimal costs and unlimited potential. I thought about

the cello, and this is where the cost came in, strings could be $50 a piece to replace! That was more than my family could afford. So I kept going down the line. To replace violin strings was $5 – affordable and so began my love of violin and string instruments!”

“Public school music gave so much to me. I gave me not a pastime but a career.

Music, all arts, is a necessary part of life. The arts overlap into so many other disciplines – math, science, and literature. It is so sad to see the music and arts programs cut in the schools.”

In Bri’s hands the violin can be a game changer. It is not just the classical music that she can coax from it; it is the contemporary sounds that come to life. “Strings are many things. We are familiar with what a guitar can do but we just seem to have a blind spot as to what the violin is capable of doing.”

“I came to the desert in 2010. The music scene here was open and exciting. I played with various groups but I felt limited. I wanted to be seen as more than the chick in the band or a novelty, girl with violin. I needed to be out the box.”

“I am now working with Bri Cherry & The Boys. I love it. I am doing left and right brain things,” quipped Bri.” I am the business manager, the booing agent, the transport coordinator, you name it! But I not only play music, I write and arrange music. There are so many components to the Bri Cherry & The Boys. I am involved in all aspects.”

“I am very fortunate to have Louis Alexander, bass and digital audio master,

LOCAL MUSIC SPOTLIGHT

September 15 to September 21, 2016

PHOTOS BY GEORGE DUCHANNES

Danny Zee, keys, Chris Colin, guitar and Mr. Beau, drums, as part of this project.

We are very much in sync and have a great rapport. Each of us brings a unique talent to the project. Chris instinctively knows how to embellish the work. Danny writes and acts. Louis composes and produces music for film. Mr. Beau is always pushing the limits and growing as a musician. We are all studying music - at College of the Desert or Berkeley or both. Growth is important.”

“These artists are all amazing. I’m incredibly grateful for them. I’ve never been around a group of people like this.

Consistently striving to become better versions of themselves - it’s a beautiful atmosphere to have with the additional bonus of the constant support we have for each other.”

“Our style is not simple to categorize, but is a fusion of Dub Step, classical, gypsy, pop, and anything else that challenges us.

We don’t need to fit the boxes.”

“I am a believer of what is possible. We find inspiration everywhere - yes even from Madison Ave! For me an Adidas ad sparked me – ‘Impossible is nothing, just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given rather than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact, it’s an opinion, it’s a declaration, it’s a dare. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.’ I believe in nothing is impossible.

My music reflects that and how I live my life is a further extension. People wanted to box me in – be the girl in the band, but don’t be the star. Well creativity won’t allow that. I am here.”

Bri Cherry & The Boys will be playing at the Pre-Synergy Halloween Costume Bash on October 1 and at the Vortex Music Festival on October 22.

For more information on the band visit facebook.com/ bricherryandtheboys.

BY ESTHER SANCHEZ

DEATH IN PRETTY WRAPPING A NEW PROJECT BY VETERANS OF DESERT ROCK “It is true that black is the color of death, but death does not always cause mourning.

It can also be the beginning of new things, a journey into unexplored territory.”

- Arthur Seay (guitarist HOBP, Unida, Apesh!t, Death in Pretty Wrapping) urrent and former members of local bands gone international, House of Broken Promises, Unida and Apeshit, have decided to gift the masses with new music from an entirely new band.

At least it seemed that way to me at first, but apparently it’s not that simple. I sat down with seasoned guitarist/recording engineer and notorious character on the scene, Arthur Seay, to discuss the ins and outs of Death In Pretty Wrapping.

Seay: “Well it’s actually sort of a precursor to House of Broken Promises. Our lead vocalist, Michael Keeth was the original front-man for HOBP before he stepped down to focus on his solo career. We did a lot of shows with him and recorded an entire album with him, but since he was no longer going to be fronting the band and we were going in different directions, we

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ended up putting that record on the shelf.

Meanwhile, our former bassist took over vocals, so with myself, and drummer Mike Cancino, we became a trio and over time our sound evolved quite a bit.”

Seay continues: “So as far as this music is concerned, we have had it for some time but never did anything with it to speak of.

Eventually I started running into Michael here and there at shows and we started talking about how we had this entire record metaphorically collecting dust. We might as well just put it out, right? Have some fun, do some shows, make it happen. So we

brought on our drummer Mike, and bassist, Derek Timmons to do what we do.”

As a fan of these guys myself, from their numerous ventures both together and individually, I have been particularly excited to hear what Death in Pretty Wrapping has to offer and beyond curious to hear Michael Keeth doing something different from the fantastic, acoustic stuff he has become known for. Not surprisingly, Keeth’s clean and emotionally-rich vocals bring a beautifully harmonic balance to the band’s finely-calibrated, dynamic orchestration. There is something to be said about the chemistry of old friends making music together. Especially when they are as talented and skilled as these guys have proven themselves to be over and over.

Keeth: “I’m pumped to be working with Arthur, Mike and Derek. I love the songs we’ve written together and we all bring our own different styles to the music and it works out to be a great blend of low, dirty rock with hard hitting rhythm and melodic hooks. Arty and Mike are two of the best live performers out there.”

Death in Pretty Wrapping will be making their live debut this Friday, Sept.16th at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert where they will be joined by local favorites The CMFs and The Sweat Act. House of Broken Promises facebook.com/HOBPMUSIC ApeSh!t - facebook.com/apeshitband UNIDA - facebook.com/UnidaBand

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

CONSIDER THIS

PAUL SIMON

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

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BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

“STRANGER TO STRANGER” (CONCORD RECORDS)

he fact is most obits are mixed reviews, life is a lottery a lot of people lose/And the winners and the grinners with the moneycolored eyes eat all the nuggets Then they order extra fries.”

That’s Paul Simon pondering mortality on “Werewolf,” the opening track of his new album, Stranger To Stranger. It’s a subject he has given a lot of thought, but that’s understandable, along with Bob Dylan, he has been the voice of a generation.

Paul Simon was born in New Jersey in 1941 and grew up in Queens, New York. As a kid he was equally passionate about music and baseball. He came from a musical background, before becoming an educator his dad, Louis, led a small Jazz combo.

Naturally, Jazz was an early obsession, followed by Folk, Doo-Wop and the nascent Rock sounds of Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis.

At age 11 he met Art Garfunkel. The duo bonded over their shared passion for music. Inspired by the Everly Brothers, Paul and Art began harmonizing together, and made their stage debut at a junior high talent show. Not long after, Paul began writing his own songs.

By the time they were in high school they were performing at teen dances and parties as Tom & Jerry. They wrote their first song together and Paul registered it with the Library Of Congress. In 1957, they recorded Paul’s song “Hey School Girl” and it hit #52 on the Billboard charts and the pair even appeared on “American Bandstand.”

Following high school Paul was intent on going solo. Despite receiving a recording contract and collaborating with other songwriters under his Jerry Landis and True Taylor pseudonyms, his career stalled and soon he and Art had both enrolled in college. It was the early ‘60s, and the Folk Revival was in full swing in New York City. Encouraged by the emerging trend of singer-songwriters, Paul and Art decided to record as duo again, this time under their own names.

As Simon & Garfunkel they began playing the Greenwich Village club scene and secured a deal with Columbia, (also the home of Bob Dylan, the Woody Guthrie acolyte who ignited both the new Folk and the singer-songwriter movement in 1962 with his self-titled debut). The duo released their first album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., in autumn of 1964. When it failed to gain traction a discouraged Paul immigrated to London where he played the Folk clubs and finally recorded a solo effort, The Paul Simon Songbook.

A year went by and …3 A.M.’s producer, Tom Wilson discovered that a track from the album, “The Sound Of Silence” was getting radio airplay. He

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remixed the song, adding electric guitar and drums.

By early 1966 it hit #1 on the charts and Simon & Garfunkel hastily reformed and recorded their sophomore album, ironically entitled “The Sounds Of Silence.” Along with the remixed version of the title track, the record included “Kathy’s Song” and “I Am A Rock.”

For the remainder of the decade, Simon & Garfunkel music became the soundtrack of the ‘60s. Paul wrote lyrics that pinballed between introspection and veiled social commentary. Along with the Byrds and Bob Dylan (when he went electric), they popularized the Folk-Rock sound.

Their music also defined a turbulent era.

Between 1964 and 1970 the duo released five albums including Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme, Bookends and Bridge Over Troubled Water. Paul’s boyish vocals complimented Art’s angelic tenor, but as when the ‘70s arrived Paul was ready to move on and he truly embarked on a solo career.

His eponymous album arrived in 1972. Already a student of World music, the record incorporated traces of Reggae, 12 Bar Blues, Gypsy Jazz and Latin music. Paul Simon was an immediate hit and he quickly followed up 16 months later with There Goes Rhymin’ Simon.

That album featured hints of Gospel, New Orleans Second Line and Jamaican riddims. By this time he had married Peggy Harper (the “silver girl” from “Bridge Over Troubled Water”), and she had given birth to their son, Harper. His third album, 1975’s Still Crazy After All These Years, was less exuberant and more reflective, a reaction to his and Peggy’s divorce.

For the next five years Paul’s focus was on Hollywood. He wrote the score for Warren Beatty’s seminal film “Shampoo,” then he played an oily record producer is Woody Allen’s most venerated movie, “Annie Hall.” In 1980 he wrote and starred in “One Trick Pony.” The story, of a touring musician with a big ‘60s hit, a young son and a failed marriage, mirrored his own life experience. The movie tanked and although the soundtrack spawned a couple of hits, they were both viewed as disappointments.

During this era, he also began a tempestuous relationship with actress Carrie Fisher. Their breakups and make-ups culminated in a proposal during a Yankees game and a 1983 marriage that fueled his next record Hearts And Bones.

Hushed and intimate, it was released at the height of the dayglo New Wave era. Lost in that shuffle, it sold poorly and was virtually neglected by radio and MTV. Sadly, the marriage ended after 11 months, but it sent him on a musical pilgrimage that resulted in the most successful album of his career.

In 1984, a friend slipped Paul a bootleg cassette of African Township Jive music. He became obsessed with the myriad styles of South African music, especially Mbaqanga, Maskanda and Isicathamiya. He ended up travelling to South Africa and collaborating with many of the musicians he had been listening to, particularly Ray Phiri and the group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Although he paid all the South African musicians three times the union scale wages, he faced serious criticism for making music in South Africa. Because the country practiced Apartheid (a form of racial segregation), most Western countries had imposed a cultural boycott. Paul had violated that agreement. He actually brought many of the musicians to New York, finishing the album there.

When Graceland was released his label, and most of the general public viewed it as a crazy experiment, but once people began to listen to the infectious music, it received rave reviews and

became the most successful album of his career.

Paul’s artistic vision was validated when exiled South African musicians like Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela, (who joined him on the Graceland world tour), praised his efforts to expose their music to the world.

Paul followed up four years later with the Brazilian flavored Rhythm Of The Saints. In 1992 he married singer-songwriter Edie Brickell, who is 24 years his junior. The couple have three children together. He spent the remainder of the ‘90s writing the Broadway musical “The Capeman.” The show premiered in 1998 and closed after only 68 performances, losing 11 million dollars. His album that accompanied the show, Songs From The Capeman, was also a huge flop.

His first 21st century album was a little more subdued, You’re The One arrived in early 2000.

Grammy nominated for Album Of The Year, Paul became the first artist to be nominated in that category five consecutive decades. (All told, he has won 12 Grammy Awards).

Following a very successful reunion tour with Art Garfunkel in 2004, (the duo has reunited periodically throughout the years, but their contentious friend/partner-ship remains an upand-down affair), he began collaborating with Brian Eno. A member of Roxy Music and an eclectic solo artist, he is best known for producing David Bowie’s Teutonic trilogy, Low, Heroes and Lodger, he also made seminal records with Talking Heads and U2.

In 2006, Paul released the aptly entitled Surprise, the album hit #14 on the charts.

Another five years elapsed and he returned with his strongest effort of the new millennium, So Beautiful, So What. Critically acclaimed, the album debuted at #4 on the Billboard Top 200. Now Paul has returned with his 12th solo album, Stranger To Stranger.

The record reflects his latest obsession, the experimental music of the late Harry Partch. As recording began, he sought out musicians who played the instruments Partch kind of invented, Cloud Chamber Bowls, Sonic Canons, Marimba Eroica, Kithara and Chromeloden. The other musical inspiration came from Flamenco Rhythms.

The album’s twangy opening note is provided by an East Indian instrument called the Gopichand.

The sound slightly approximates a Werewolf’s howl and ushers in the aforementioned “The Werewolf.”

The lyrics offer a sardonic look at mortality, which is a valid concern for a man who is turning 75 in October. The arrangement is a curious mix of industrial sounds, Doo-Wop harmonies and a shuffle rhythm.

Three tracks continue the socially conscious streak that has informed Paul’s music since the ‘60s.

On “Street Angel” the lyrics pivot perspective from a good Samaritan to a homeless guy who considers himself a spiritual visionary. Over a hiccupping back-beat, orchestral bells and glockenspiel the conversation progresses until the homeless guy is taken away in an ambulance.

The action is picked up with “In A Parade.”

Here the insistent rhythm echoes the exhilaration of Brazilian Carnival, and belies the song’s serious subject. Now we meet a harried ER doctor who attends to the same homeless guy. The spiritual visionary begins to ramble; “I drank some orange soda and then I drank some grape, I wear a hoodie now to cover my mistake/My head’s a lollipop, my head’s a lollipop and everyone wants to lick it, I wear a hoodie now so I won’t get a ticket, I write my verse for the universe.” The doctor jots down a differing opinion; “Diagnosis: Schizophrenic, Prognosis: Guarded, Medication: Seroquel, Occupation: Street Angel.”

On “The Riverbank” rippling guitar riffs, boomerang bass lines, sawing cello, buoyant harmonica and crackling beats are juxtaposed with tougher imagery. The lyrics were inspired by a visit to Walter Reed Veteran’s Hospital as well as the emotional experience of playing at a memorial for one of the teachers killed in the Sandy Hook School massacre.

Limning the ongoing sorrow of wounded veterans along with the grieving families of gun violence, he strikes a calibrated balance with these words; “Is there a woman or a man who wouldn’t understand why he could not sleep/And the nightmares when they came, like poison to the brain, reminded him again, life is cheap.”

Love and spirituality intersect on two tracks.

The pensive melody of “Stranger To Stranger” is built on stuttery percussion, fluid guitar notes and percolating horns. The lyrics ponder the longevity of lust and desire; “Stranger to stranger if we met for the first time this time, could you imagine us falling in love again?” For him, the frisson of attraction remains; “I’m just jittery, I’m just jittery, it’s just a way of dealing with my joy.”

Meanwhile, the lilting “Proof Of Love” flows like a river. Blending hand-clap Flamenco rhythms, lush guitars and a roiling horn section the lyrics search for signs of a higher power. “I trade my tears to ask the Lord for proof of love.”

The best songs here are “Wristband” and “Cool Papa Bell.” The former opens with ambient noise and sly bass lines. A slinky, syncopated delight, on the surface the lyrics relate an anecdote of a famous musician who accidently gets locked out of the venue he is headlining. Denied re-entry, he is indignant. “And I said wristband? I don’t need a wristband, my axe is on the bandstand, my band is on the floor!” But dig a little deeper and the lyrics offer a canny meditation on the inequity between the haves and have-nots.

The melody and instrumentation of the latter is the closest Paul comes to replicating the Mbaqanga bliss of Graceland. Here he’s both loquacious and profane, celebrating ball player Papa Bell and waxing philosophical on the inherent ugliness of the epithet “mother-fucker.”

The set is rounded out by two guitar instrumentals, “The Clock” and “In The Garden Of Edie.” The album closes with the hushed anxiety of the “Insomniac’s Lullaby.”

Although he’s never been prolific, except for a couple of glaring mis-steps Paul Simon has been consistently wonderful. By following his muse he has inspired millennial musicians like Vampire Weekend, Fool’s Gold and Aqualung. His music also continues to resonate for his own generation, Stranger To Stranger debuted at #3 on the charts.

Paul has hinted that this may be his final album and tour. If that’s true it would be unfortunate. But Stranger To Stranger ensures his lasting legacy as an incomparable songwriter and musician.

ART SCENE

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

BY REBECCA PIKUS

DON’T MISS THIS VERY SPECIAL ART WALK!

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his Saturday night, Sept. 17, promises to be a series of spectacular events in the Perez Rd. Art District in Cathedral City.

Five Art Galleries will be holding special events, and Frankie’s Italian Bakery & Restaurant will also have their doors open!

Rebecca Fine Art Gallery will host an Artists Reception for sculptor Robert Reeves -- presenting the magnificent “Bolero”.

Sculptor Robert Reeves hails from Arkansas, and began his artistic career as an Architect.

“I have always been an artist — since my earliest days in rural Arkansas — creating and leaving a legacy of my work in different locations throughout the country. Through formal training and self-initiated searching, I’ve experimented with a wide variety of media including wood, metal, stone, pastels, acrylic and oil painting.

My work is strongly influenced by my education at Washington University in St. Louis where I received a Master of Architecture degree in 1967.”

For 20 years Reeves pursued a career as a city planner in St. Louis and San Francisco. In both cities, he played a key role in formulating strategies for economic, social and physical development policies. He also had the opportunity to play a major role in the planning for major urban experiences in both cities. In St. Louis, as executive director and president of a nonprofit corporation called NewTown/Saint Louis Inc, he directed the preparation of concept plans for a cultural center called City In San Francisco.

“In St. Louis, my desire to build was fulfilled by renovating apartment buildings. In San Francisco, it was designing and building my own home.”

Today, living & working in his home/studio in Cathedral City, Reeves primary medium is laminated wood sculptures. He creates fine art sculptures as well as functional works of art.

Rebecca Fine Art Gallery, 68895 Perez Rd, #7, Cathedral City, Ca - (760) 534-5888 - fineartvortex. com - Open 11am-4PM for “Visually Speaking: Color & Light” & Special hours from 7-9PM on Sat. 9/17 Artists Reception for Robert Reeves - Open Bar, Music, Great Art Trenz Gallery will be featuring artist Louise Murdoch from Dallas, Texas, who will be present on Sat. night. Louise is a talented experienced artist who works in clay. She has several pieces

on display at Trenz Gallery. Trenz Gallery has an exciting mix of original art: paintings, sculptures, mixed media, ceramics & glass art. They also feature paintings and sculptures by gallery coowner, Roger Leighton as well as representing over 25 other artists.

Trenz Gallery, 68845 Perez Rd, #15, Cathedral City, Ca (760) 202-8769 - Open 7-9PM Sat. 9/17 Simeon Den Gallery/Fine & Temple Arts-opening event includes live music, dance, Spoken Word, Soundwork by MLN17, opera, DJ. SoundVibration meditations .... Exhibit of Bruce Kimerer’s Zen-inspired Palm Springs paintings, Queer Culture photographers Rob LeBow and Peter Palladino, conceptual photographer Gary Borgstedt, Brooklyn, NY painter, Siobhan McBride, and rising LA writer/photographer Kym Ghee.

Simeon Den Gallery/Fine & Temple Arts, 68895 Perez Rd, #27, Cathedral City, Ca (310) 801-6538 Official Opening Sat. 9/17 from Sunset to Midnight The Desert House has more than 30 years of design experience and is well known to the design community for offering one-of-a-kind spectacular pieces to compliment any home décor style, from furniture to unique antiques to accessories. The gallery portion of The Desert House is currently featuring the works of artist Derek Aguilera. A native born Californian, he started his artistic career at a young age and his work has expanded in both technique and scale since then. His paintings are large; starting at 48” x 60” progressing to 96” x 120”. Using both oils and acrylics, they are contemporary in design and often use mixed media to add textural elements to the painting.

Aguilera’s art enhance homes here in the desert as well as in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The Desert House, 68-895 Perez Road, #4, Cathedral City, CA 92234 (760)832-6745 Open Sat. 9/17, 7-9PM Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery features the works of photographer Terry Hastings and sculptor Christopher James.

Owner Angela Valente Romeo also produces Colliding Worlds Radio & Colliding Worlds TV. The gallery features esoteric, controversial, & cutting edge art & mixed media.

Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery, 68895 Perez Rd, #13, Cathedral City, Ca (510) 334-6996, Open Sat. 9/17 7-9PM

Robert Reeves Photo By Terry Hastings

11

September 15 to September 21, 2016

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

MILO BECOMES A CANADIAN! B

rought in as a stray dog on March 11, 2016, Milo languished at the Ramona Humane Society shelter where no owner came to claim him and no adopter selected him. Perhaps it was because he was a bit shy. Perhaps it was because, at 6 years of age, Milo was older than many of the other dogs. His shelter kennel card read “He is a wee bit overwhelmed being here at the shelter, but he is being brave and hoping for the best.

Very sweet!” Loving All Animals rescued Milo on May 18, but no one could have anticipated the exciting adventure the small terrier would soon experience.

Safe in his foster home with Leslie Vanderwerf, Milo began to come out of his shell. Sadly, many prospective adopters in the senior age range themselves, thought Milo was “too old” and he was passed over in favor of puppies and younger dogs, even when it was pointed out he could be expected to live another 10 years with good care. But life often brings better things to those who patiently wait.

Cheryl Simpson in Vancouver, Canada spotted Milo on Facebook. She is a close friend of Tracy Habijanac who works for Loving All Animals. Tracy, who is originally from Canada, explains, “There is a shortage of small rescue dogs in Vancouver, and throughout most of Canada. Cheryl and her parents fell in love with Milo’s sweet face, and he resembles Cheryl’s dog Tucker.”

Cheryl quickly arranged to get great connecting flights, and arrived at the Palm Springs airport two days later. Meanwhile, Tracy obtained the needed health certificate and carrying case for Milo to accompany Cheryl on the return flight. Milo wasn’t a bit shy or hesitant as he climbed into his carrying case, already secure in the love surrounding him. There was a 15 minute lay over between flights, and Milo was on board tucked safely under Cheryl’s seat for the 3 hour return flight to a new life in Canada.

Cheryl, like many Canadians, is an advocate for adopting rescue dogs. She states, “There is a humble beauty to rescue

dogs. Rescue dogs instinctively sense that they could die at a shelter. When you get the chance to love one, you will never find a more loyal and appreciative friend. They take a little time to change old habits, but they work really hard to overcome and want to love you. Rescuing and adopting Milo has given so much joy and energy to my parents. They were already engaged in many activities, but Milo has become such a character, he made their house a very chuckle filled happy home. My parents are madly in love with this special little dog.”

Today Milo is a happy pup, living the

SWEET SWEETIE This sweetest of cats waits to meet you at Palm Desert PetCo, near Target on Hwy 111. Sweetie was rescued by www.forevermeow.org from the county shelter with her kittens. Contact (760) 355-6767 for this 2-yr-old angel kitty.

MEET HOPA Hopa hopes for a home!

This beautiful, loyal 3-yrold German Shepherd is 90 lbs. of love. Hopa needs ear medication but will hear & respond to your every word. Rescued by Loving All Animals from a shelter.

Call (760) 834-7000.

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good life with Marilyn and Brian McMonigal.

Marilyn reports, “Milo is so lively and perky we should have called him Wiggles! We’re older people and we wanted a slightly older dog. We knew as soon as we saw his picture he would be perfect for us. Since we got Milo, my husband’s health improved and his walk has become more spry as he walks Milo down the street.” Milo is enjoying the cool Canadian breezes in a snug little down vest, thriving in the love he never had before.

Did you know thousands of dogs are transported to Canada from overcrowded California public shelters where they would otherwise be euthanized? They don’t all travel like Milo, a single dog under a passenger seat. Several organizations fly entire planeloads of animals to a country where the vast majority of citizens are ardent animal lovers who spay and neuter their pets. For more information about adopting or fostering rescue dogs and cats, contact Loving All Animals at (760) 8347000, www.lovingallanimals.org. Coachella Valley, help us do better for these precious creatures who are so loving and loyal to us.

Jmcafee7@verizon.net

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE VINO VOICE

September 15 to September 21, 2016

BY RICK RIOZZA

GROOVIN’ ON GRÜNER VELTLINER

H

ow about this for a good lead in—or in my case, a bit luckless. Recently I was invited to an intimate tasting luncheon at the bon-vivre Boa Steakhouse on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.

The winery and the wine being featured and paired with the restaurant’s stellar cuisine was one of Austria’s best wine producers, Domäne Wachau, along with their Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.

Add to the occasion, their winery director, Roman Horvath, who owns a Master of Wine degree, would also be on hand to conduct the wine and food affair. And I was promised to be seated next to him so we could personally chat it up—no doubt to the consternation of those who would be sitting by me (sometimes you just hate that wine-geek speak when simply wishing to enjoy a meal!).

Anyway—just at the last moment, urgent personal matters precluded my appearance and my brother, an L.A. resident, who at the last minute accepted to go for me, didn’t make it either. Arrrgh! (Query—doesn’t my brother ethically owe me something for that miscue?—#bad day at Red Rock) Grüner Veltliner is generally pronounced

by Americans as GROO-ner VELT-lee-ner. I hear Austrians say it with the more Germanic accented “GREWH-ner FEHLT-lee-ner”. It’s all good, and, we vino lovers simply adore hearing international accents and attempting them—and don’t we begin to sound better the more wine we’re having!

But maybe it’s been this pronunciation stuff that’s been strangely keeping us from ordering and asking for this delicious white wine. Don’t know about all that but for the past decade or two, most foodies and wine enthusiasts have seen this wine on the restaurant menu and have maybe tried it or maybe not.

As a comparison, most wine lovers equate Grüner along the lines of a dry Riesling wine.

And wine writers and somms often like to inform us that if there is an expensive Riesling bottle on the wine list, look for a Grüner, which is probably less costly but may indeed

provide the same fruitful acidic bang. And generally that could be true—which did add to its popularity a decade or two ago.

A very aromatic grape—some people even detect a “baby powder” smell, the classic flavor profile of Grüner is predominately that of citrus, flowers, lemon, lime, minerals, peaches, pears, spices, white pepper, and lentils. Secondary flavors include green apples, almonds, apricots, celery, cucumber, dill, grapefruit, herbs, honey, lychees, mango, melon, and peas. That’s quite a cast—isn’t it!

This is the wine a table of ten can agree on because it can work with so many different dishes and meals. For instance, at the delicious wine-pairing luncheon—that I missed, the Boa Steakhouse served Charred Tuna Tartare, Chops, Chicken Breast, Salmon, Spaghetti Primavera, Filet Mignon Chilean Seabass, and a cheese platter with a 2010 Domäne Wachau Federspiel Terrassen Grüner Veltliner—or so I’m told! By the way, the Federspiel continues to amaze at every vintage: perfect balance of pure, deep, complex flavors along with great acidity.

Got artichokes, bell peppers, and asparagus all at once? The only wine to make that trio sing beautifully on key is our favorite G.V. It can range from crisp and light-bodied to rich and full-bodied.

Sometimes when we order a Riesling wine, we get it a bit too sweet for the surroundings.

With a good Grüner, one can be assured that the bottle will be dry and own zesty acidity.

(Sure, excellent sweet Grüners exist but they are the exception.) Serve it up cool, but not icy.

Like a Sauv blanc, Grüner goes with many summery-style dishes, particularly salads, leafy greens and vegetable dishes. You can also try it with smoked fish, even smoked ham, not-too-spicy Asian dishes and poultry, particularly when made with herbs. Or you could go all in and serve it with an Austrian schnitzel—stay hungry and continue reading below.

Johannes Bacher is the Owner and Executive Chef of Johannes Restaurant in

Palm Springs. Known as “the Eclectic Chef” he was born and raised in Austria; classically trained, he has taken his passion for food world-wide, securing top chef positions. I’ve written on Chef Johannes and his wonderful winemaker dinners numerous times in this column, and, he was my featured epicure in my piece in Tasting Panel Magazine a couple of years back (so I’m well consoled).

Chef Johannes is the artist-type that we like to see in the kitchen. When speaking to a loyal diner, she smiled, “He does a kind-of Southwest Asian fusion”. Another customer said, “Oh–he’s global in his creations.” The New York Times wrote of Johannes’ “modern twist on European classics”.

Receiving accolades from all over the gourmet media map, Johannes assures that everything is prepared fresh daily (indeed—if it’s not fresh, it’s off the menu for that night), his focus is to provide local and sustainable organic products whenever possible. All of this interesting info, photos, menu selections and so much more are on his website. Check it out: www.johannesrestaurants.com.

Johannes’ wine menu is an actual volume in itself, containing over 300 different wines by the glass, half-bottles, and bottles! It’s one of the most impressive wine lists in the desert. But please, have fun and be adventurous: Try his Austrians!—and what a great time to read this article whilst enjoying one of his Grüners by the glass! He’s got 6oz pours and even 3oz pours for your tasting pleasure—Groovy! Cheers!

Rick is your somm-about-town conducting at wine events and tastings. Contact winespectrum@aol.com

13

September 15 to September 21, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

­­­THUR SEPTEMBER 15

14

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 Francesca Amari Jazz Trio 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm THE BLOCK; CC; 760-832-7767 Reggae Thursdays 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 John Stanley King 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 TBA 8pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Party All the Time w/ Fabeyonce & Friends 8:30pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke w/ DJ Scott 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Barry Baughn and Bob Gross 6:30pm GADI’S RESTAURANT AND BAR; YV; 760-3656633 Open Mic Night 7pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 T.B.A. 7:30pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 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; 760-3456466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Punk Rock Night 9pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Country Night w/ Country Nation 8pm THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 Quinto Menguante 8-1am MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 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 Two Lane Blacktop and Tremble Weeds 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 3 Virgos w/ Sangre, Perishment, The Sweat Act, Hungry Hearts, Kill the Radio, Rogue Ogre and the After Lashes 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Sharon Sills 6:30pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Guy Worden 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; 760-341-3560 Dude Jones 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 T-Bone Karaoke 8pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Anthony DiGerlando Show 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-9pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Yve Evans 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 8pm

FRI SEPTEMBER 16 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 Dude Jones 9pm 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Dana Larson 6:30pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Full Moon Party 7pm 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 7pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Fleet Easton 7:30pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and Dancing 9pm BISTRO 60 @TRILOGY; LQ; 760-501-0620 The Carmens 6pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke 9pm BLUE BAR, SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; 760-7755566 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 CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm CLUB 5 BAR; IND; 760-625-1719 TBA 9pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 80’s Party 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; 760-776-6533 Gina Carey 7pm THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 House Band 8:45pm THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Esjay & Friends w/ Blasting Echo and Hunter & The Wick’d Hosted by Courtney Chambers 8pm Lobby, Flashback Fridays in Bardot w/ DJ Paparazzi and Alf Alpha 9pm THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Death in Pretty Wrapping, The Sweat Act and The CMF’s 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; 760-3456466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live DJ 8:30pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Blue 62 8pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company in the afternoon, Hot Rox in the night

LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 Hot Sauce 9pm THE LOUNGE; AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-9991995 DJ Jerry 9pm MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 8-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-3274080 Southbound & Co. 9pm PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 TBA 6:30pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Moonsville Collective 8pm 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 PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Gender Bender: Sounds of the Divas 8pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Hunter & The Dirty Jacks 9pm ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND ; 800827-2946 Cougrzz Rock and Don’t Look Back (Boston 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 SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Rock 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 Demetrious and Co. 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 TBA 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Pat Rizzo & Dennis Michaels 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760-3282300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm VIBE; MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-755-5391 The Rick Whitfield Band 10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 T.B.A. 1:304:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA

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WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 Karaoke 8:30pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 6-10pm WILLIE BOYS; MV; 760-363-3343 TBA 9pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Rob Martinez and Todd Ashley ft. Lisa LaFaro Weselis 5-8pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Rose Mallett 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 Power Supply, Ritual Rastrero and More TBA 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; 760-3456466 Frank DiSalvo 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Tremble Weeds 8pm KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LA RUE BISTRO; LQ; 760-296-3420 Slim Man 6pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bev & Palm Springs Sound Company, in the afternoon, Bill 6:30pm Hot Rox, in the night 19TH HOLE; PD; 760-772-6696 TBA 9pm LIT@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND; 760-345-2450 ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Aquarium Hot Sauce 9pm Drunkard DJ Set 11am Poolside, DJ Isabella THE LOUNGE, AGUA CALIENTE; RM; 888-99910pm 1995 Tre’sure and Dreamstone 9pm AGAVE LOUNGE@THE HYATT REGENCY; IW; MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760760-674-4080 Art of Sax 8pm 325-2323 Ron Greenip 8pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke Cabaret Open Mic 7:30pm 8-1:15am AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Denise Carter 7:30pm THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and 6-8pm Tim Burleson 8pm Dancing 9pm PALM CANYON ROADHOUSE; PS; 760-327BEATNIK LOUNGE; JT; TBA 9pm 4080 Bohemio 9pm THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 TBA 9pm BLUE BAR; SPOTLIGHT 29; IND; 760-775-5566 PALM DESERT COUNTRY CLUB; PD; 760-3450222 TBA 6:30pm DJ 9pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Gina Carey Shadow Mountain Band 5pm, Country Lips 8pm 6-10pm CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT CASINO; PS; PEABODY’S CAFÉ; PS; 760-322-1877 Karaoke 7:30pm 888-999-1995 DJ Michael Wright 9-1am CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar 5:30pm CHILL BAR; PS; 760-327-1079 Mid-Late Summer Karaoke 9pm PLAYOFF’S SPORTS BAR; DHS; 760-251-2644 Dance Party 8pm 8pm CLUB 5 BAR; IND; 760-625-1719 TBA 9pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Pajama PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Comedy Party w/ DJ Richie Rich 8pm, Kimberly Cofer 9pm Night w/ Jason Stuart 8pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Karaoke RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Se7en4, The Sweat Act and Throw the Goat 9pm w/ DJ Scott 9pm RIVIERA; PS; 760-327-8311 Michael Keeth DILLON’S BURGERS & BEER; DHS; 760-7747-10pm 7131 TBA 8pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-228-1199 ROCKYARD@FANTASY SPRINGS; IND ; 800-827-2946 Helicopter and Escape (Journey DJ Ceddy Cedd 9pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar Tribute) 7:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Evaro Brothers Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm 8pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S Jack Ruvio 6:30pm MARKET; PS; 760-322-9293 Barry Baughn Blues THE GRILL ON MAIN; LQ; 760-777-7773 TBA 8-11pm 8:30pm THE GROOVE LOUNGE; SPOTLIGHT 29; INDIO; SHANGHAI RED’S @ THE FISHERMAN’S MARKET; LQ; 760-777-1601 The Carmens 760-775-5566 DJ 8pm THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Pool Party 8-11pm w/ DJ Paparrazi and TBA 10am, DJ Paparazzi and SHELLY’S LOUNGE@TORTOISE ROCK CASINO; 29 Palms; Rojer Arnold & Bobby Furgo 9pm TBA at Bardot 9pm

SAT SEPTEMBER 17

September 15 to September 21, 2016

SIDEWINDER GRILL; DHS; 760-329-7929 Karaoke w/ Milly G 6pm SMOKIN’ BURGERS; PS; 760-883-5999 Ron James 6pm SOUL OF MEXICO; IND; 760-200-8787 Latin Music 10pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341-3560 TBA 6pm TACK ROOM TAVERN; IND; 760-347-9985 Lisa Lynn & The Country Gentlemen 9pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Dennis Michael 6:30pm TRILUSSA ITALIAN RISTORANTE; PS; 760328-2300 Julius & Sylvia Music Duo 6-10pm TRYST; PS; 760-832-6046 Gutter Candy 10pm VIBE, MORONGO CASINO; CAB; 951-7555391 DJ Hektik 10pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Rob & JB 1:30-4:30pm, Nite Fixx 9-2am, DJ Anwaar Hines 9-2am WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 Cricket’s Crazy Comedy Night 6pm THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 Mark Gregg pm WESTIN MISSION HILLS; RM; 760-328-5955 Michael Keeth 1-5pm, Andy Cahan 7-11pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Stanley Butler Trio 6:30pm ZELDA’S; PS; 760-325-2375 DJ 9pm

SUN SEPTEMBER 18

29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bob Garcia 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 DJ Jimi Hey 11am poolside, Slacker Sunday w/ Daiana Feuer 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Jazz Brunch w/ TBA 11:30am continue to page 20

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

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ACQUA CALIFORNIA BISTRO AT THE RIVER TO OPEN THIS WINTER

T

he River at Rancho Mirage announced today that Acqua California Bistro at The River, a restaurant created by local industry veterans, the Keller family, will open in the shopping center this winter. Acqua California Bistro will be located in the space once occupied by the Kellers’ first restaurant, Acqua Pazza, and most recently by B.B.’s at The River.

“We are very excited to welcome Acqua California Bistro into our mix of retail shopping, dining and entertainment experiences, and of course, to welcome the Keller family back to Rancho Mirage,” said Ungar Kung, principal at CL Asset Management, owners’ representative of The River. “Acqua Pazza was an important destination restaurant during the first 15 years or so in The River’s history. I am confident that the Kellers will bring the same energy and excitement back to this location with their new Acqua California Bistro.”

Acqua California Bistro is the second restaurant to announce plans to open at the center. Fox and Fiddle, a Canada-based pubstyle restaurant will also open this winter in the space formerly occupied by Sam’s Sushi.

The Kellers are also the creators and owners of Lulu California Bistro, which is often credited for being an integral part of the revitalized energy along Palm Canyon

16

THE PAMPERED PALATE

LOCAL RESTAURANTEURS, THE KELLER FAMILY, BRING THEIR LATEST CREATION TO THE RIVER IN RANCHO MIRAGE

Drive in Palm Springs. Lulu celebrated its five year anniversary last month.

“There’s not a day that goes by when we meet someone who misses our first restaurant at The River,” says Jerry Keller.

“Our customers have asked us to come back to Rancho Mirage and we will this winter with Acqua California Bistro.”

The River at Rancho Mirage is just minutes away from most desert communities, resorts and hotels. This premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination offers an extraordinary line-up of restaurants like Babe’s Bar-B-Que and Brewhouse, Baja Fresh, The Cheesecake Factory, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Fleming’s Steak House, Gioia Italian Bistro, P.F. Chang’s, Starbucks, Yard House and more, with Acqua California Bistro and Fox and Fiddle opening this winter; beautiful boutiques and The Century Theatres at The River, which is currently adding luxury loungers to all of its theatres this fall.

Most recently, The River announced that an ice skating rink called “The Rink at the River” will debut on November 22nd, and be open through January 8, 2017, with a grand Holiday Spectacular and tree lighting on November 29th. Ice skating will be available daily under the desert’s bright skies and every evening under the stars with local entertainment, including bands and

DJ’s, scheduled to provide holiday music to accompany most skating sessions. The Holiday Spectacular and tree lighting at The River will include an ice-skating Santa, seasonal entertainment and special surprise guests.

Envisioned by CV 104.3’s Jimi “Fitz” Fitzgerald, who is also producing a fall music series for The River, The Rink at the River and the Holiday Spectacular are the very first seasonal events planned for the midvalley shopping center on this scale. “This is a tremendous opportunity to reach all communities of the Coachella Valley with this

centrally-located, mid-valley ice rink,” says Fitzgerald. “Presenting sponsors of The Rink at The River is the FIRST ALERT WEATHER TEAM. Chief Meteorologists Patrick Evans of CBS Local 2 NEWS and Haley Clawson of KESQ NEWS CHANNEL 3 are very excited about the opportunities The Rink will bring to our Valley.”

Details on The Rink at The River, such as hours of operation, pricing, and general information will be available on The River’s website at TheRiveratRanchoMirage.com and on The River’s Facebook page in the coming weeks.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 15 to September 21, 2016

17

September 15 to September 21, 2016

SCREENERS

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS

No. 230

FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS! NOW PLAYING: SULLY

Clint Eastwood’s 35th feature film as a director is a thrilling, taught, tense and swiftly paced tribute to a modern, selfeffacing hero. Tom Hanks is perfectly cast as airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who successfully landed an Airbus A320 full of passengers on the Hudson River.

The story is slight, but the thing that

18

makes it especially compelling is that Todd Kormarnicki’s screenplay tells the personal side of the widely told story that is not so well known. It’s a shock when the National Transportation Safety Board questions Sully’s decision to land on the water. The expertly crafted film visualizes Sully’s doubts and nightmares regarding his bold but traumatic experience. He fears that had he turned back to LaGuardia (as the NTSB suggests) he might have crashed into the skyscrapers of Manhattan – and, in a terrifying opening sequence we see what that not so unrealistic fear might have looked like! Hanks is a fine surrogate for the heroic pilot. It’s also the kind of roll a younger Eastwood might have embraced.

This no-nonsense tribute to an everyday hero is great entertainment and does the story justice. It reminded me of the kind of characters Jimmy Stewart or Henry Fonda played in another era.

The actual landing and the plight of the passengers exiting into the icy waters to find footing on the plane’s wing is beautifully realized and eye-popping. It’s the money shot and worth the price of admission.

Recommended. See it on a big screen at D’Place Entertainment – Mary Pickford Theater in Cathedral City.

NEW FOR THE HOME THEATER: COFFY (1973)

Voluptuous Pam Grier (“Foxy Brown,” “Jackie Brown”) stars as Nurse “Coffy” Coffin in the mother of all Blaxploitation films. Coffy has seen the ill effects of drugs up close, but it isn’t until her little sister becomes addicted to heroin that she finally wages a one-woman battle. Disguised as a prostitute, Coffy goes on a killing rampage, at first going after street dealers and pimps such as sleazy King George (Robert DoQui), then gradually working her way up to bigger honchos. She’s shocked, however, when she discovers that her politician boyfriend (Booker Bradshaw) is involved.

Coffy morphs into one-woman vigilante force that evens the score with those that have hurt her sister. Using her substantial feminine wiles (along with an arsenal of deadly weaponry), cleans the streets of low-life drug dealers, pimps, deviants and society’s scum in writer/director Jack Hill’s the kick-ass action film. Booker Bradshaw and Sid Haig co-star. I was hoping Fred “The Hammer” Williamson might also make an appearance. But no such luck. Olive Films.

Blu-ray.

COMMANDO CODY: SKY MARSHAL OF THE UNIVERSE (1953) A debate exists among serial purists (yes, they exist) about whether this title can be considered part of the serial canon since it was originally intended for a weekly television series. It’s premiere, however was as a weekly theatrical serial in 1953, with its final showing on TV in 1955. Episodes do not end with the traditional cliffhanger, but they do share many other themes and even characters in common with the canonical serials. In fact, “Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe” can be considered as a prequel to “Radar Men from the Moon,” in which the titular character first appeared.

According to rumor, the character always wore a mask because producers wanted the actor playing him to be more disposable.

The big pleasure here is not just the 12 pulse-pounding chapters (that’s six hours of glorious black & white photography, the often recognizable locations, the costumes,

retro sci-fi props, vintage vehicles (was that a 1953 NASH Rambler police car?), the low budget but cool effects, the non-stop action, explosions but also the unfiltered exuberant plotting so Commando can save the world from certain destruction. It’s easy to see inspiration here for both “The Rocketeer” and “Iron Man. Look for B movie actor Lyle Talbot in a small part befitting his minor role as a Hollywood player. The hi-def transfer is exceptionally clean and crisp and the audio is sharp. If you are nostalgic for the great Republic serials, this is your ticket to an altered state of bliss. Recommended.

Olive Films. Blu-ray.

LUTHER THE GEEK (1990)

Originally released by Troma Entertainment, this cult horror classic tells the stomach-churning tale of obsessed carnival fanatic Luther the Geek (Edward Terry) who transforms into a head-biting maniac after his teeth are replaced with razor-sharp dentures. Vinegar Syndrome specializes in restoring cult classic horror titles. Their name derives from the distinctive aroma that wafts from film canisters that contain vintage disintegrating film stock. Generous extras round out this fringe treasure perfect for a bloody Halloween. Vinegar Syndrome. DVD.

BOOK REVIEW

TREES OF LIFE

-----------------------------------------------------

“BARKSKINS”

BY ANNIE PROULX FICTION -----------------------------------------------------

C

an civilization reverse the damage that’s been done to the earth over the last three centuries? Is there time to save the planet for continual human habitation?

In Annie Proulx’s Barkskins (Scribner,736 pages) generations of a lumber family discover it may be too late.

Barkskins begins in 1693 with the arrival of two young Frenchmen, René Sel and Charles Duquet, to New France (that eventually becomes Canada.) They are both illiterate, indentured servants working for a “seigneur” and timber man. They become wood cutters --or barkskins. Sel works hard in hopes that someday he will have land of his own. Duquet can’t take the hard work and one day disappears in the woods.

Sel is forced to marry an indigenous Mi’kmaw woman by the seigneur. She was formally his mistress. But Sel falls in love with the older woman and has children with her. He eventually inherits the property after the seigneur dies without heirs. When Sel dies his family loses the property because they are Indians. They return to their ancestral home and Mi’kmaw family.

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 15 to September 21, 2016

BY HEIDI SIMMONS Duquet meanwhile makes his fortune in the fur trade. Soon his portfolio includes lumber.

Remembering the seigneur, Duquet becomes a shrewd and ruthless timber man and sets out to dominate the lumber industry of the new world.

He marries to further his business relationships, adopts sons and then has two children of his own. He changes his name to Duke and calls his company Duke & Sons.

The company flourishes and his sons take over the business when he dies. In the next three hundred years the company grows by exploiting the great forests of the world.

The Sels’ and the Duquet’s paths cross throughout the years and the families are forever entwined. The Sel family returns to their native lands and culture only to realize that the vast forests and wild life are in serious decline. To survive in the new world they have the choice to either starve or work as barkskins.

This multigenerational epic story ends in 2013 with the great, great, great, great, great grandchildren of René Sel wanting to help restore the lost forests. But the problem seems irreversible and the Duke family continues to look for more ways to exploit the forests and earth for profit.

Barkskins is an historic adventure filled with violence and capitalist ambition. Author Proulx gives the reader an inside look at the people, challenges and forces that shaped the New World and modern capitalism.

As the forests are destroyed so is the

indigenous culture. The hunting grounds and native medicines are lost with deforestation.

The newcomers believe they must tame the land and natives whom they consider backward.

Proulx shows just how ignorant the settlers are as they ignore the natives’ advice and wisdom.

The newcomers want to rule, dominate and own the land. They are only interested in what they can take and sell for themselves.

There were characters over the generations that I hated and some I rooted for. I especially liked the Duke great great granddaughter, Lavinia, who takes over the business since there are no male heirs. She is smart and clever, although she still continues to exploit natural resources.

History is always more fascinating when there is a personal story and compelling account. Barkskins moves through the changing world as Canada and the United States become independent nations. There are wars and major

events as the time progresses through the next three centuries. However, the French/Indian war, the American Revolution and the American Civil War seem to hardly surface or make a dent in the lives of the two families or impact the lumber business.

Proulx tells the story in ten parts. She shows the reader in quick chapters just how short life is and that what we do while here has an impact.

She also reveals through this epic tale that our natural world is significant to the health and well-being of the earth and its inhabitants and greed can be a poison.

The first three hundred years of American history seem much closer in time to me now.

As a country, we are still evolving, changing and hopefully maturing. There are trees in this country that are older than the United States.

Fortunately “Duke & Sons” and other lumber companies haven’t yet cut them all down.

Proulx includes a family tree which helps keep track of all the characters as they are born and die. Generational stories are a great way to get a big picture of reality and Proulx makes a point in Barkskins. After three hundred years, we must take care of our natural resources and restore our forests for the sake of the whole planet and its inhabitants now and in the future.

Economy and ecology need not be at odds.

SAFETY TIPS

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

WHAT WILDFIRES AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HAVE IN COMMON. IS YOUR HOME A CATCHER’S MITT?

S

ome would say they strike fast and hit hard. That most occur in the ‘outfield’ and not on my home turf. Or that the MLB Playoffs are in the fall and so are our Santa Ana winds. But what homeowners should be most concerned about is if their home is a “Catchers-Mitt!”

Direct flame impingement is not the primary cause of structures burned during wildfires.

Flying embers can ignite homes over a mile away. This is when homes become a “CatchersMitt” of embers starting structures on fire.

A “Catchers-Mitt” is what catches an ember from a wildfire and igniting things such as roofs, roof openings, vents and open ends of barrel tiles. Roof debris such as pine needles, leaves, branches and bark, on the roof or rain gutters catch embers. Keep them clean!

Cover attic, eave and foundation vents with fire code approved wire mesh or install new vent types designed to prevent ember entry.

Woodpiles catch embers and ignite. Move firewood stacks and scrap lumber piles at least 30 feet from the house or other buildings.

Patio furniture also catches embers and is very combustible. Move them inside the house or garage if a wildfire is threatening.

Remove combustible materials from the porch and deck such as newspapers, wicker baskets, door mats, and dried flower

arrangements. Move barbecues with small propane tanks into the garage.

Remove wooden flowerboxes from beneath windows if wildfire is threatening. Replace wood mulches with noncombustible types and remove plant debris next to the house and next to wooden fences.

Close vehicle windows and back them into the garage. Close the garage door or park away from the house. Adjust garage doors to achieve as tight a fit as possible with the door frame.

Consider using trim around the garage door opening to reduce the size of the gaps. Close the garage door if wildfire is threatening.

Use this Catchers-Mitt Checklist and protect your home from being a Catchers-Mitt this Season: nps.gov/samo/learn/management/upload/ EmberAwarenessChecklist_4_2013_Final.pdf Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

CLUB CRAWLER NIGHTLIFE continued from page 15 AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 The Judy Show 7:30pm SAMMY G’s; PS; 760-320-8041 Eddie Gee BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 DJ and 7pm Dancing 9pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Robert O’Conner 3560 The Myx 6pm 6-10pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 The CASCADE LOUNGE, SPA RESORT; PS; 888Chris Gore Group Pro Jam 7pm 999-1995 Nash with Quinto Menguante 9pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Mikole 5pm Kaar Pro Jazz Jam 1-4pm, Mark Gregg Big WANG’S IN THE DESERT; PS; 760-325-9264 Acoustic Show w/ Misty Howell & Friends 6-9pm Lizann Warner 6pm DHS SPA LOUNGE; DHS; 760-329-6787 Radio THE WINE EMPORIUM; LQ; 760-565-5512 60 & Friends 3-6pm Rob Martinez and Scott Carter 5-8pm EL MEXICALI CAFÉ 2; IND; 760-342-2333 Cesar WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 The Daniel Lopez on the harp 6-9pm Smooth Brothers 5:30pm THE HARD ROCK; PS; 760-325-9676 Pool Party w/ DJ Paparazzi 10am THE HOOD; PD; 760-636-5220 INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760-34529 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 The 6466 Ted Herman’s Big Band 6pm Luminators 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Bill Open Jam 6pm Marx 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Mood Palm Springs Sound Company, in the afternoon, Deep House Lounge 6pm-2am Hot Rox, in the night INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760MELVYN’S RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; PS; 760345-6466 Larry Capeloto 6pm 325-2323 Sunday Jam 4-8pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 NEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Golden Era Hot Rox Karaoke 4-7pm, Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 8pmNEIL’S LOUNGE; IND; 760-347-1522 Karaoke 1:15am 8pm-1:15am THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry THE NEST; PD; 760-346-2314 Kevin Henry 7:30pm 7pm PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 The PAPPY & HARRIET’S; PT; 760-365-5956 Open Sunday Band w/ Special Guest Jesika Von Rabbit Mic 7pm 7:30pm PETE’S HIDEAWAY;PS; 760-322-6500 The Evaro PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Industry Night Brothers 7pm w/ DJ Tone 2pm-close PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 The Judy SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-341Show 7pm 3560 T.B.A. 6pm RED BARN; PD; 760-346-0191 Karaoke 9pm

MON SEPTEMBER 19

SOCIAL SECURITY

VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Michael James & 3sum 9-2am VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 6:30pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Barney McClure Jazz 6pm

TUE SEPTEMBER 20 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Bill & Bob Duo 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Ace Karaoke with Kiesha 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 TBA 7pm 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-2am THE BLOCK; C.C.; 760-832-7767 Karaoke en Espanol 9pm BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 Stanley Butler Trio 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Latin Night w/ DJ Lisp 9pm FIRESIDE LOUNGE; PS; 760-327-1700 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Karaoke hosted

by Phillip Moore 9pm INDIAN CANYONS GOLF RESORT; PS; 760833-8700 DJ Randy Johnson 6pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Michael D’Angelo 6:15pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Ted Quinn’s Open Mic Reality Show Jam 8pm

KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Karaoke 7pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Palm Springs Sound Company 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; 760-3274080 Jethro BoDidley 7pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Ladies Night 7pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Rose Mallett 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 Demetrious and Co. THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Douglas McDonald Duo 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 Tequila Tuesdays 9pm VUE GRILLE & BAR; IW; 760-834-3800 TBA 6pm WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 John Boliver Jazz 6pm

WED SEPTEMBER 21 29 PALMS INN; 29 Palms; 760-367-3505 Daniel Horn 6pm ACE HOTEL; PS; 760-325-9900 Pearl Charles 9pm AJ’S ON THE GREEN; C.C.; 760-202-1111 Pro Jazz Jam w/ Doug MacDonald Trio 7:30pm AZUL; PS; 760-325-5533 Piano Bar 6pm BART LOUNGE; C.C.; 760-799-8800 Beer Pong Contest 6pm-2am BLUEMBER; RM; 760-862-4581 TBA 6-10pm CASTELLI’S; PD; 760-773-3365 Patrick Tuzzolino 5:30pm

BY MARIA M. MIRANDA

FOCUS ON RETIREMENT PLANNING – IT’S YOUR FUTURE!

W

hen most people begin their career, retirement is the farthest thing from their mind.

Instead, they focus on trying to purchase a home, start a family, or perhaps save money for travel. Retirement seems so far away for many younger people that they delay putting aside money. However, it’s very important to save for the future — if you want to enjoy it.

An employer-sponsored retirement plan or 401(k) can be a useful way to set aside funds for retirement, especially if your employer offers matching funds on what you invest. If you don’t work for an employer that offers this type of plan, there are many other plans designed to help you save for retirement.

From solo 401(k)s to traditional and Roth IRAs, there are programs designed to fit a multitude of budgets. The earlier you start to save, the more funds you’ll have ready for retirement.

In addition to traditional programs, the U.S. Department of the Treasury now offers a retirement savings option called myRA. There’s no minimum to open the account,

20

you can contribute what you can afford, and you can withdraw funds with ease. To learn more about myRA, visit myra.gov.

And, as always, there is Social Security, which is funded by taxes you pay while you work. To get estimates of future benefits and check your earnings record for accuracy, you can create a my Social Security account at socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Prepare for your future and start saving — and planning — today!

Social Security articles provided by Jeff Whan, Social Security Technical Expert. Palm Springs, CA. 877-873-9114 ext.22112

S and G

PUMPING SERVICE

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

760-404-6325

THE CONGO ROOM; PS; 760-322-7353 Mikole Kaar & Billy Thompson 6-9pm ELECTRIC SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-2281199 Karaoke 7:30pm FISHERMAN’S GROTTO; PD; 760-776-6533 Gina Carey 6pm HUNTER’S; PS; 760-323-0700 Live VJ 9pm INDIAN WELLS RESORT HOTEL; IW; 760345-6466 Open Mic w/ Rich Bono & Poupee Boccaccio 6pm JOSHUA TREE SALOON; JT; 760-366-2250 Live Music KOKOPELLI’S; YV; 760-228-2589 Open Mic hosted by Amy Angel 6:30pm LAS CASUELAS TERRAZA; PS; 760-325-2794 Hot Rox 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; 760-3274080 Roger Lemieux 5pm PJ’S SPORTS LOUNGE; YV; 760-288-1199 Karaoke w/ KJ Ginger 8pm PLAN B LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND COCKTAILS; TP; 760-343-2115 Red’s Rockstar Karaoke 9pm PURPLE ROOM; PS; 760-322-4422 Michael Holmes Jazz Trio 6:30pm SULLIVAN’S STEAKHOUSE; PD; 760-3413560 The Hive Minds Acoustic Duo 6:30pm THREE SIXTY NORTH; PS; 760-327-1773 Mike Costley Band 6:30pm VILLAGE PUB; PS; 760-323-3265 DJ Khodi Rayne 4:30-2am, Nite Fixx 9-2am WOODY’S BURGER; PS; 760-230-0188 Chuck Alvarez 6:30pm

HADDON LIBBY

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

September 15 to September 21, 2016

WELLS FARGO: CORPORATE CANNIBAL

C

orporate Cannibals consume their customers. Wells Fargo is the poster child for this type of behavior in banking.

Let’s review where Wells Fargo has recently violated customer trust…and the law: Last week, Wells Fargo paid $190 million in fines and restitution for fraudulently opening 2,000,000 deposit and credit cards accounts for clients without the approval or knowledge of those clients. Once the accounts were opened, the customers had to pay monthly fees and overdraft fines.

Employees forged client signatures as part of the scam. Nearly 1% of Wells Fargo employees (5,300) were fired over five years for these practices yet no one in senior management was fired. Carrie Tolstedt, SVP of Community Banking, retired after a $9 million payment in 2015. CEO John Stumpf called Tolstedt, “a standard bearer for our culture.”

Wells Fargo bank is currently under a federal investigation for the way they repossessed cars owned by military members. Simply put, the bank allegedly violated federal law and repossessed the cars without proper documentation.

Last month, the bank paid $4 million

in fines for charging illegal fees to its student-loan borrowers. In August, they also paid fines for material misstatements and omissions in municipal bond offering documents that were shared with clients considering the purchase of those bonds.

Wells Fargo also paid fines for selling unsuitable structured products (STRATS) to elderly clients. STRATS typically pay a commission of up to 8%. This is on top of another $2 million fine for selling unsuitable derivatives to elderly clients.

Their investment unit was fined $62.5 million for advertising a risky securities lending program as safe. Among those claiming damages are retirement funds.

FINRA fined their securities unit $1.5 million for not complying with anti-money laundering laws.

We are not done yet.

Wells Fargo paid $8.5 million in fines for not telling Californians that they were being secretly recorded on phone calls - a violation of state law in California.

The bank also had to pay $35.7 million for an illegal mortgage kickback scheme where employees took cash for referrals to a title company.

The bank violated RICO laws and paid a $26 million fine for ordering unnecessary

property inspections on borrowers who were delinquent on their home loans.

In February, Wells Fargo paid $1.2 billion to the Department of Justice for receiving insurance payments from HUD on FHA mortgage loans due to misleading and fraudulent statements by Wells Fargo employees.

Wells Fargo has also had their mortgage loan servicing activities restricted after it was disclosed that they had not fixed many of the practices that led to the FHA debacle or the loan fraud during the mortgage crisis of the 2000s. This transgression cost Wells Fargo $70 million on top of the other $1.2 billion, not to mention the $10 billion that they paid for their role in the mortgage crisis of the 2000s.

Going back a few years, the bank also paid $203 million in fines and restitution

for the way they posted payments so as to create overdraft or late payment fees that were not in fact owed.

The biggest problems at Wells Fargo relate to their aggressive sales techniques where employees face losing their jobs if they do not hit sales goals. Many former Wells employees state that these approaches create a toxic work environment.

With nearly $250 billion in fines paid by the big banks, Wells Fargo is hardly the only bad actor in banking. Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, BNP and Rabobank have all behaved quite poorly. Nevertheless, you and I do not need to do business with morally bankrupt organizations like Wells Fargo as there are many other places where we can go to for checking accounts, loans and credit cards.

By patronizing companies like Wells Fargo, you are only encouraging more bad behavior. Despite all of these fines, Wells Fargo’s net income was $22.9 billion last year.

Haddon Libby is an Investment Advisor and Managing Partner at Winslow Drake and can be reached at HLibby@ WinslowDrake.com or 760.449.6349.

The FBI says this crime is becoming more sophisticated and is gaining strength.

Thankfully our email systems have become more sophisticated too, at filtering out spam. These cyber criminals are now spear phishing and targeting specific individuals, by sending more believable correspondence that addresses you by name.

Robocalls escalate when the phone is answered. The bad guys have call centers, often from out of the country, that make day long calls. They have spoofing software making it look like you are receiving the call from say the IRS or Riverside Sheriffs.

The caller may claim to be an enforcement officer acting on behalf of the IRS, the Palm Springs Police, Riverside County Sheriff or the Indio Courthouse. Sometimes the caller ID may even confirm same. Note that the IRS does not call you, they send letters. If this happens to you, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 or forward their emails to phishing@IRS.gov.

The bad guys may use your name, address

and other personal information to make the call sound official. These scams use threats to intimidate and bully a victim into paying. The caller may even threaten to arrest, deport or revoke the license of their victim if they don’t get the money. I have personally been the recipient of this...twice.

Plan ahead and be safe by backing up your computer with an external drive and use reputable antivirus software and a firewall.

Update your software and click wisely on emails and attachments you do not recognize.

Ideas for future columns? Contact me 760837-7500/dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

DALE GRIBOW TOP LAWYER - Palm Springs Life DUI 20112017 AVVO Perfect 10.0 Peer Rating “Preeminent” Rating by Martindale Hubbell Legal Directory “Best Attorneys of America” Rue, (Limited to Top 100 Attorneys/State) Weekly Legal Talk Show and Legal Columnist: Major LA and PS paper/Society Columnist Desert Sun DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT, CALL A TAXI OR UBER........IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME

DALE GRIBOW ON THE LAW

HOLDING YOUR COMPUTER FOR RANSOM?

I

thought I had heard of all the scams when I last wrote about Robocall scams such as Google listing scams, loan related scams and fraudsters offering free vacations. Clearly the elderly makeup of the CV attracts scammers.

The newest Ransomware scams involve someone getting into your computer and threatening to ERASE everything unless you pay the requested ransom. Ransomware is on a rampage, seizing control of personal computers and institution-wide networks and encrypting files to make them inaccessible until a ransom is paid for their release.

In the first quarter of 2016 computer attacks have increased tenfold over all of 2015. The FBI received about 2,500 ransomware complaints involving incidents that cost victims $24 million in 2015. The $209 million paid to cyber crooks in the first quarter of 2016 is only a fraction of the actual losses. Unfortunately the majority of attacks and crimes, of all kinds, go unreported.

Evidence suggests that new strains and variants are being developed by cyber crooks in the Eastern European part of the world.

Some are specifically developed to elude security software. This is basically what has happened with the leak of Hillary Clintons emails except that they did not request a ransom. I suspect one would have been paid

by the Clintons.

Computers are infected by ransomware when the user clicks on a malicious link or attachment. Recently mass emails claiming “Your package has been successfully delivered have been used. They state they have a “proof of delivery notification to you.”

The malware locks computers while displaying a notification that its contents have been encrypted and are being held hostage until a ransom is paid. Victims who pay the ransom usually receive an emailed “decryption key” that unlocks the system and releases the files. The cyber crooks must be paid within a short period of time or the files are deleted as threatened. They often use a scary countdown clock that is displayed on your computer.

The ransom amounts vary from $200 to $800. However they can be much more expensive. An untraceable digital currency called Bitcoins is utilized to pay the ransom.

The bigger and more profitable targets are the hospitals, schools, city governments and even police departments.

A half dozen major health care systems have been victimized this year, including Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in California. They paid a $17,000 ransom in bitcoins, rather than risk losing their patients’ medical records and other crucial files.

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

ASK JENNY

BY JENNY WALLIS

“IS IT POSSIBLE TO CREATE CHI?”

D

ear Jenny, How come whenever something happens that’s really, really dramatic people say, “Wow, sounds like there is too much chi flowing.” Or whenever something bad happens people say, “I will send chi your way.”

Is it possible to create chi? Is it possible to have too much chi? Or what about having too little? Help me understand what this stuff is and how to control it!

Thanks, Athena ------------------------------------------------Hi Athena, The definition of chi is living energy.

That means energy that is alive and actually brings more energy. There are only a few place in the world that have words meaning living energy. In India the word is prana and in China the word is chi. It’s great to have as much chi as possible, but you want to make sure that it’s not flowing so hard it hits you in the face!

When there is too much chi present, things may feel overwhelming, hurried, it might be difficult to make a decision, it’s just an uncomfortable feeling. When there is too little chi present, negative things may happen, or nothing will happen, stagnate chi is as bad as negative chi!

There are basic Feng Shui tools that have been used for thousands of years. Tools to treat, stabilize, enhance, and balance Chi in the environment. I will list examples of such items that may enhance your home and workplace, bringing about positive change.

Mirrors: Mirrors activate, enhance, and circulate Chi. They correct many problems by enlarging rooms, amplifying existing light, actually rerouting Chi, changing existing windows and views.

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Lighting: Lighting is often a quick and easy way to bring additional chi into an area with its warmth and illumination.

Crystals: Round faceted crystals are used on Feng Shui to balance chi that’s moving too fast or too slow for human comfort.

Sound makers: Harmonious sound makers, such as wind chimes, wind sculptures, bells, and musical instruments “call in” benevolent chi. They summon new opportunities with their appealing sounds.

Living things: This category includes all things that require regular maintenance, such as plants, flowers, pets and wildlife.

Objects of nature: Objects of nature are those things that don’t require active maintenance and care, such as rocks, pine cones, driftwood, shells, potpourri, and incense.

Water features: Interior and exterior water features move and stimulate chi.

Wind dancers: Whether brightly colored and whimsical, or serious art pieces, “wind dancers” such as mobiles, whirligigs, banners, and flags uplift and invigorate chi.

Art: Art of all kinds including, paintings, sculptures, collages, and textiles, have a powerful effect on people. The general rule of thumb is that to secure chi, art needs to elicit positive images and feelings that relate to the area being enhanced. For example, romantic art is best when placed in the Love area: art that is powerful and dynamic belong in the Wealth, Fame, and Career areas.

I hope this answers your question Athena. Chi is a good thing, but it is living energy and we need to control it so that we don’t have too much or too little!

- ❤ Namaste, Jenny Don’t forget to follow Jenny at www. askjennynow.com, find her on facebook or contact her at 760-505-0952

SPORTS SCENE

BY FLINT WHEELER

NCAA FOOTBALL EARLY SEASON TIDBITS

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ith 2 weeks in the books for college football. As overreactions go – here are 3 predictions that will happen over the course of this 2016 season: 1) Alabama will be the most entertaining team in college football this season Will the Crimson Tide win another national championship? It’s impossible to know at this exact moment, although after the Crimson Tide’s disemboweling of USC on opening night, I wouldn’t be surprised. At the same time, what I can definitively say is this: 2016 will be Nick Saban’s most entertaining team yet at Alabama.

While the Crimson Tide have basically dominated all comers since Saban’s first title season in Tuscaloosa in 2009, here’s the simple truth: It hasn’t always been fun, esthetically pleasing football to watch for fans. Take a physical running game, add in a merciless defense, and a quarterback who can do “just enough.”

And really, that’s what makes Alabama so darn interesting: They already have the defense, they already have the running game but now they have a quarterback that you simply can’t take your eyes off of either.

Hurts was dynamic in his first action at Alabama, completing 6 of 11 passes, with two touchdowns, while running for two additional scores as well.

2) Auburn will be forced to fire Gus Malzahn before the end of the season Honestly, no one hates talking hot seat more than I do, especially this early in the season. It isn’t fair to teams, players and coaches to make a sweeping judgements based off just one game. Especially after all the hard work that goes into the off-season.

At the same time, it was hard to think any differently watching Auburn on Saturday.

Going up against a good, but not elite Clemson defense (which returned just three starters), at home, with -- again -- eight months to prepare, the Auburn offense wasn’t just stagnant.

Yes, and that’s what was so disheartening about the loss: The one side of the ball where the head coach is supposed to be an “expert” looked totally lost. And I’m not just talking about the players or the schemes on offense, but the coaches themselves.

A lot has been made the last few days about the three-man quarterback rodeo that Malzahn implemented Saturday night, but it’s

one thing to talk about it, and another thing to have watched it live. There was simply no rhyme or reason to any of the switches -- Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee seemed to run QBs out on the field on a whim, like they were picking names out of a hat in between plays. Say what you want about other offenses which used multiple quarterbacks (like Notre Dame or Texas) but at least it was clear they had a plan on how they wanted to use their guys. Watching Auburn, it’s hard to say the same.

Because of it, the offense was never able to get into a rhythm, and also why if the Tigers don’t settle on one guy soon (or at least a better rotation), Malzahn seems doomed. The schedule (like it always is at Auburn) is loaded with landmines, and it isn’t unrealistic to think the Tigers could have three losses before the end of September with games against Texas A&M and LSU. 3) Oklahoma’s defense will cost them at least three games this season Of every team who received off-season hype, the one I couldn’t simply wrap my head around was Oklahoma. No, this wasn’t a “Big Game Bob Stoops” thing, but instead very real questions about their defense. The Sooners lost virtually every piece off the Big 12’s best unit last year, guys like Charles Tapper, Zack Sanchez and Eric Striker.

If I was, I wasn’t alone by mid-afternoon Saturday, after Houston’s shocking upset of the Sooners. Let’s not take anything away from Houston here; they’re a very, very good team, which will be in the playoff mix all season. But they also exposed some real holes on that Oklahoma defense.

Simply put, Greg Ward was basically able to do whatever he wanted against Oklahoma, throwing for two touchdowns and averaging over eight yards per completion. It also raises the question: If Oklahoma couldn’t slow down Houston, what luck do they have against the pass-happy Big 12?

Remember, this schedule is still full of explosive offenses, starting in two weeks with Ohio State, and continuing throughout the Big 12 season with teams like TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech.

It’s hard to imagine this Oklahoma team not losing at least another 2-3 games throughout the season. It also means that a club touted as a preseason playoff contender, will more likely be around 8-4 by the end of the season.

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY

Week of September 15

ARIES (March 21-April 19): What should you do if your allies get bogged down by excess caution or lazy procrastination? Here’s what I advise: Don’t confront them or berate them. Instead, cheerfully do what must be done without their help. And what action should you take if mediocrity begins to creep into collaborative projects? Try this: Figure out how to restore excellence, and cheerfully make it happen.

And how should you proceed if the world around you seems to have fallen prey to fear-induced apathy or courage-shrinking numbness? My suggestion: Cheerfully kick the world’s butt -- with gentle but firm good humor.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): For the foreseeable future, your main duty is to be in love. Rowdily and innocently in love. Meticulously and shrewdly in love.

In love with whom or what? Everyone and everything -- or at least with as much of everyone and everything as you can manage. I realize this is a breathtaking assignment that will require you to push beyond some of your limitations and conjure up almost superhuman levels of generosity. But that’s exactly what the cosmic omens suggest is necessary if you want to break through to the next major chapter of your life story.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): What do you hope to be when you are all grown up, Gemini? An irresistible charmer who is beloved by many and owned by none?

A master multi-tasker who’s paid well for the art of never being bored? A versatile virtuoso who is skilled at brokering truces and making matches and tinkering with unique blends? The coming weeks will be a favorable time to entertain fantasies like these -- to dream about your future success and happiness. You are likely to generate good fortune for yourself as you brainstorm and play with the pleasurable possibilities.

I invite you to be as creative as you dare.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Dear Soul Doctor: I have been trying my best to body-surf the flood of feelings that swept me away a few weeks ago. So far I haven’t drowned! That’s good news, right? But I don’t know how much longer I can stay afloat. It’s hard to maintain so much concentration. The power and volume of the surge doesn’t seem to be abating. Are there any signs that I won’t have to do this forever?

Will I eventually reach dry land? - Careening Crab.”

Dear Careening: Five or six more days, at the most: You won’t have to hold out longer than that. During this last stretch, see if you can enjoy the ride more.

Re-imagine your journey as a rambunctious adventure rather than a harrowing ordeal. And remember to feel grateful: Not many people have your capacity to feel so deeply.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If there can be such a thing as a triumphant loss, you will achieve it sometime soon. If anyone can slink in through the back door but make it look like a grand entrance, it’s you. I am in awe of your potential to achieve auspicious reversals and medicinal redefinitions. Plain old simple justice may not be available, but I bet you’ll be able to conjure up some unruly justice that’s just as valuable. To assist you in your cagey maneuvers, I offer this advice: Don’t let your prowess make you overconfident, and always look for ways to use your so-called liabilities to your advantage.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Caution: You may soon be exposed to outbreaks of peace, intelligence, and mutual admiration. Sweet satisfactions might erupt unexpectedly. Rousing connections could become almost routine, and useful revelations may proliferate.

Are you prepared to fully accept this surge of grace?

Or will you be suspicious of the chance to feel soulfully successful? I hope you can find a way to at least temporarily adopt an almost comically expansive optimism. That might be a good way to ensure you’re not blindsided by delight.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Brainwashing” is a word with negative connotations. It refers to an intensive indoctrination that scours away a person’s convictions and replaces them with a new set of rigid beliefs. But I’d like to propose an alternative definition for your use in the coming days. According to my astrological

© Copyright 2016 Rob Brezsny

analysis, you now have an extraordinary power to thoroughly wash your own brain -- thereby flushing away toxic thoughts and trashy attitudes that might have collected there. I invite you to have maximum fun as you make your inner landscape clean and sparkly.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): My astrological divinations suggest that a lightning storm is headed your way, metaphorically speaking. But it shouldn’t inconvenience you much -- unless you do the equivalent of getting drunk, stumbling out into the wasteland, and screaming curses toward heaven. (I don’t recommend that.) For best results, consider this advice: Take shelter from the storm, preferably in your favorite sanctuary. Treat yourself to more silence and serenity than you usually do. Meditate with the relaxed ferocity of a Zen monk high on Sublime Emptiness. Got all that? Now here’s the best part: Compose a playfully edgy message to God, telling Her about all the situations you want Her to help you transform during the next 12 months.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Novelist Tom Robbins said this about my work: “I’ve seen the future of American literature and its name is Rob Brezsny.”

Oscar-winning actress Marisa Tomei testified, “Rob Brezsny gets my nomination for best prophet in a starring role. He’s a script doctor for the soul.”

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Jason Mraz declared, “Rob Brezsny writes everybody’s favorite astrology column. I dig him for his powerful yet playful insights, his poetry and his humor.” Are you fed up with my boasts yet, Sagittarius? I will spare you from further displays of egomania under one condition: You have to brag about yourself a lot in the coming days -and not just with understated little chirps and peeps.

Your expressions of self-appreciation must be lush, flamboyant, exultant, witty, and sincere.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): By normal standards, your progress should be vigorous in the coming weeks. You may score a new privilege, increase your influence, or forge a connection that boosts your ability to attract desirable resources. But accomplishments like those will be secondary to an even more crucial benchmark: Will you understand yourself better? Will you cultivate a more robust awareness of your strengths and weaknesses, your needs and your duties? Will you get clear about what you have to learn and what you have to jettison?

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I’m confident that you would never try to sneak through customs with cocaine-laced goat meat or a hundred live tarantulas or some equally prohibited contraband. Please use similar caution as you gear up for your rite of passage or metaphorical border crossing. Your intentions should be pure and your conscience clear. Any baggage you take with you should be free of nonsense and delusions. To ensure the best possible outcome, arm yourself with the highest version of brave love that you can imagine.

September 15 to September 21, 2016

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

HOT YOGA & YOU

Y

BY BRONWYN ISON

oga continues to be one of the fastest growing fitness modalities in our Western culture. I reference yoga as a fitness modality because our Western culture has been more partial to adopting this practice for physical reasons. However, once a person maintains a regular practice they comprehend the overall mind, body, and soul connection.

There are numerous styles of yoga. When yoga found me, I tried so many different styles and practiced with several instructors prior to choosing what suited my body and personality best. Vinyasa yoga, synchronized movement with breath, links poses together in a flowing style, similar to that of a dance. I love the fluidity of Vinyasa and all of the postures available. The possibilities are endless. A student and teacher can experience magical growth each time he/she approaches their mat.

Hatha yoga encompasses all of the lineages of yoga, Vinyasa, Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, and more. Hot yoga continues to gain in popularity in our Western culture. While I may be a Vinyasa yoga instructor, I’ve always enjoyed a hot yoga class. Most people think of Bikram yoga when referencing hot yoga.

Bikram Choudhury is the founder of this intense and hot style of yoga. The practice prescribes a series of 26 poses, each practiced two times in a row, in a room heated at 106 degrees, for 90 minutes.

Hot Vinyasa classes are thriving across the country. Keep in mind hot yoga, differs from Bikram with respect to the routine. Unlike

Bikram, you will find each studio may have a different sequence. However, the sequence will likely be the same each time you visit a class. Also, classes vary in time. Some studios may offer a 60 or 75-minute class. If you enjoy Vinyasa yoga and you like the heat in Bikram, chances are you will love hot vinyasa flow classes. Also, unlike Bikram, the room is silent and bright. Hot Vinyasa classes generally offer subdued calm lighting and may be powered by a rocking playlist of music by the instructor.

Either style of hot yoga you choose, you will be sure to benefit.

The benefits of a heated room enable the student to enjoy greater movement, enhances circulation, stimulates blood flow, relives stress, and detoxifies. These are just a few of the benefits. Here are some tips: Remain hydrated, avoid eating heavy foods rather light snacks are encouraged to fuel the body. Listen to your body. If you think your body may not be ready for the heat, check with your doctor.

Be prepared to sweat and burn 500 to 1,000 calories per class.

Evolve Yoga in La Quinta is thrilled to announce they will be offering HOT VINYASA FLOW commencing September 19, 6pm7:15pm, every Monday and Wednesday night.

Join Jenny Wallis, RYT-200. e-volveyoga.com, to reserve your mat space.

Always practice with integrity, enjoy the journey, laugh along the way, and remain humble.

Bronwyn Ison is the owner of Evolve Yoga. e-volveyoga.com 760.564.YOGA

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Should you be worried if you have fantasies of seducing a deity, angel, or superhero? Will it be weird if some night soon you dream of an erotic rendezvous with a mermaid, satyr, or centaur? I say no. In fact, I’d regard events like these as healthy signs. They would suggest that you’re ready to tap into mythic and majestic yearnings that have been buried deep in your psyche. They might mean your imagination wants to steer you toward experiences that will energize the smart animal within you. And this would be in accordance with the most exalted cosmic tendencies. Try saying this affirmation: “I am brilliantly primal. I am wildly wise. I am divinely surprising.”

Homework: Read my response to the periodic Internet rumors that astrology is based on wrong assumptions, and that there’s a 13th sign: bit.ly/13thsignhoax ------------------------------------------------------------Rob Brezsny Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

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ASK THE DOCTOR

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.

A FEW WORDS ON WOMEN’S HEALTH

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omen’s health is an important part of my medical practice. I am surprised how many young women I encounter who are reluctant to have a Pap smear done, mostly because these women don’t really know what a Pap smear is, they just think it is an uncomfortable pelvic exam.

What is a Pap Smear?

A Pap smear is a gynecological procedure performed on a woman that screens for cervical cancer. During a pelvic exam on a woman, cells from her cervix are gently scraped away and examined for any abnormalities. The procedure is named after its inventor, Dr. Georgios Papanikolaou.

Why should women get a Pap Smear?

The primary causes of cervical cancer are due to certain types of the Human Papillovirus (HPV). HPV is sexually transmitted, so a sexually active woman is at risk for contracting HPV. A Pap Smear doesn’t detect HPV, but looks for cellular

changes caused by the virus. By detecting abnormal cells early with a Pap Smear, treatment can start before it spreads and potentially turn into cancer. If a woman has never had any type of sexual intercourse, it is unlikely she wound have HPV. Who should get a Pap Smear?

Generally a woman who has been sexually active should start getting Pap Smears at age 21, and then every 3 years.

Women over 30 who have had three normal Pap tests in a row can have a Pap Smear every 5 years with an HPV test. Women over the age of 65 with a history of normal Paps, might be able to stop.

What if a Pap is abnormal?

An abnormal Pap does not mean a person has cervical cancer, it means there are abnormal cells on the cervix. Depending on the degree and type of abnormal cells, will dictate if further testing is required or more frequent Paps are needed.

LIFE & CAREER COACH

BY SUNNY SIMON

DON’T PREJUDGE THE NEGATIVES

I

nodded with understanding as Erin continued her rant on the behavior of her business partner. The pair had jointly created and delivered a sales presentation to an A-list client. Although the meeting went extremely well, the aftermath got messy. The pair left the client’s office stopping at a coffee shop to debrief using a “did good, could have done better,” methodology. Erin’s take was 93% did good, in contrast to a 58% rating from her partner. For the next half hour, her co-worker proceeded to “suck the fun and excitement” out of a potential prize contract.

My client Erin is a vibrant, intelligent positive young entrepreneur in the throes of building a successful business. Judging from the story she related, her counterpart saw things differently.

As I listened to the debrief saga, I could understand Erin finding it hard to brush this off as just another day at the office. After putting hours of pre-work research and creativity into the presentation and experiencing a positive reaction from the client, she felt defeated and demoralized by the critique. She shut-down emotionally, closed the meeting and headed to my office.

My client needed direction on the best way to deal with overly critical people. We have all encountered individuals who are harshly judgmental of themselves, and the people

around them. They continually walk a thorny path as they move toward the goal line.

This was a business life lesson smacking Erin in the face. She needed to hear and accept that doing your best will not always prompt others to offer up kudos or even credit. Next, I advised releasing her pent-up emotion, taking a step back and considering if there was at least an ounce of credence in her counterpart’s observations. Erin gave a slight nod and I could see she was beginning to understand there is always something to be gained from an opposing opinion, no matter how negative it sounds. She acknowledged her coworker nailed three ways to improve the presentation.

Having gleaned a positive take-away from the meeting, Erin’s next move was to consider the source and not let the post-meeting powwow discussion steal her joy. My client had reason to take pride in her work and celebrate the feel-good aura surrounding her as she completed her presentation.

At the end of our session, Erin wrapped up her lesson learned with this statement: “I recognize that roses have thorns, but that does not prohibit me from enjoying their beauty.” I smiled. Did I mention Erin is a florist?

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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From the quiet serene waiting room to the relaxing exam rooms and cat-friendly cages for hospitalized patients, our goal is to promote a peaceful, stress-free environment for your cats.

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

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September 15 to September 21, 2016

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